D.E. Ring’s Death and His Brother is
another captivating sixth entry into the Urquhart & MacDonald Murder Mysteries, and
it is a classic whodunit set in mid-20th-century Cape Breton, Canada, following
a cast of musicians, hotel staff, and small-town residents thrown together by
fate and a deadly accident. The story opens as a group of jazz musicians, along
with other passengers, board a new Railiner sleeper train for the grand
re-opening of The Gramercy Hotel in Barrachois. When the train barrels through
its stop with no one at the controls, ultimately crashing into the steel mill
yard, the aftermath reveals a dead passenger, an unconscious crew, and a web of
intrigue. Detectives Jimmy Urquhart and MacDonald must find out whether the
crash was a tragic accident or a calculated murder, as suspicion falls on the
eclectic mix of survivors. The investigation unfolds as the community prepares
for Dominion Day celebrations, with secrets simmering beneath the surface.
D.E. Ring creates a complex cast of
intriguing characters with distinct backgrounds and voices. The
musicians—Royston Jones, Spider Mawdsley, Alfie Bishop, and Billy Tipton—are
not just archetypes of jazz’s golden age, but characters that faced the racial
and social tensions of the era. Musetta Burrell, the talented singer and local
girl, bridges worlds and is genuinely flawed and intelligent. Connie Del Barba,
the sharp-tongued hotel owner, stands out for her wit and business acumen. At
the same time, Inspector Urquhart and his wife, Sandy (a reporter), ground the
story in both procedural investigation and domestic life. Ring’s dialogue is
crisp and period-authentic, blending humor and pathos; the narrative melds
multiple viewpoints, providing both intimacy and suspense. The setting—a
vividly realized Cape Breton town on the cusp of change—is the perfect backdrop
for the mystery, reflecting themes of progress, prejudice, and community. The
plot, anchored by the runaway train and mysterious death, uses classic mystery
conventions but infuses them with social commentary and period detail,
resulting in a compelling, character-driven puzzle that honors its Golden Age
influences while feeling fresh and resonant. Death and His Brother can
be read as a standalone novel, and this suspenseful page-turner kept me awake
through the night.
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