Welcome to another Weekend Read post. My featured book this week is the murder mystery novel Death on the Norfolk Express by prolific author Ross Greenwood. Ross has dropped by today to tell us about the inspiration behind the book. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Ross.
Blurb
The heart-stopping new instalment in the bestselling Norfolk Murders series!
A BRAND NEW, must-read, page-turning thriller from BESTSELLER Ross Greenwood! Unmissable for fans of Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin and Peter James 💥
‘The Norfolk series is Ross Greenwood’s crowning achievement – characters to root for, an intricate web of suspense, all set against a stunning backdrop. I can’t wait for more!’ Wes Markin
When a man is found dead on a steam train the tranquil nostalgia of the North Norfolk Railway is shattered. To add to the disquiet, while the police are investigating the death, another man is spotted bound to the tracks. A pattern of fear is emerging on the Poppy Line and the pressure is on DI Ashley Knight’s struggling team to deliver answers.
With the body count rising along the once peaceful coastal route, Knight must find a way to stop a killer before they reach their final destination. Because Ashley knows if she doesn’t, for someone it’s the end of the line.
Buy link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Norfolk-Express-Murders-Book-ebook/dp/B0F4VMD32F
Welcome to my blog, Ross. Can you tell us what inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to write Death on the Norfolk Express because modern detective novels have a bit of a problem with technology. It’s hard to write a decent mystery when everyone has a smartphone and there are CCTV and ANPR cameras all over the place. Setting the story on a heritage railway where these things don’t exist made it easier for the crook and harder for the hero!
Another draw for me was the nostalgia of the old steam era. There’s something so atmospheric about a train rattling through the Norfolk fens under a blazing sun than a modern commuter carriage with plastic seats and silence. I’ve also been on the line loads of times and have seen the passion locals and visitors have for the place.
There is a Agatha Christie link here, obviously. I’ve always loved the setup of Murder on the Orient Express, but I wanted to bring that grit and tension to a British setting. The trains become characters all of themselves. I also know Holt, Sheringham and Weybourne pretty well, so that always makes it quicker to write, and the authenticity naturally comes across. I won’t mention Penelope.
About Ross
About Ross
British crime author Ross Greenwood is acclaimed for gritty, realistic thrillers like the DI John Barton series. Drawing on his background as a prison officer and magistrate, he provides an unflinching look at the criminal underworld. Greenwood’s work features fast-paced plots, psychological depth, and complex moral dilemmas. By blending sharp dialogue with unexpected twists, he explores the darker side of human nature within tense, suspenseful narratives that keep readers on edge.
Contact links
More of Ross’s Books
Karen King 