Toby Schmitz's debut novel, The Empress Murders, sets sail aboard a cruise ship in 1925, where a potentially light-hearted mystery quickly turns grim. With a cast of intricate characters, including Inspector Archie Daniels and the poet Mr. Frey, the narrative begins with a single murder but escalates to a series of deaths. Amidst opulent parties and revelry, the atmosphere shifts from festive to tense, revealing the ugly truths lurking beneath the surface of human nature, ultimately defying the initial enticing premise of a simple whodunit.
The passengers aboard the Empress are primed for revelry, yet as the story unfolds, it transforms from a light murder mystery into a darker narrative of chaos and loss.
Schmitz's work presents a kaleidoscope of dazzling characters, each flawed and complex, revealing the darker sides of human nature against the backdrop of a seemingly festive voyage.
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