Death and His Brother

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.