It’s that time of the month again when Sophia Rose stops by to share a new review of a book she has discovered. Today she has Death on the Patagonian Express by Hy Conrad a cozy mystery. Come travel to the southern end of South America with her for a little murder. Be sure to read the author’s bio. It mentions two of my favorite shows!
by Hy Conrad
Series: Amy's Travel Mystery #3
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Fanny and Amy s new blog is attracting first-class opportunities for the mother-and-daughter team and their NYC travel agency. It s too bad this ride leads to murder . . .
Upon the breakout success of the TrippyGirl blog, Amy Abel and her mother, Fanny, are asked to join a group of other prominent travel writers on a scenic train tour of Patagonia. Fanny welcomes the extra publicity, but it takes coaxing from suave tour owner Jorge O Bannion to win Amy s commitment. Once in Argentina, their South American expedition seems to chug along smoothly despite Fanny drinking way too much yerba mate tea.
But while out snapping photos for TrippyGirl, Fanny makes a dreadful discovery a body scavenged by condors in the wilderness. Even more unsettling, the corpse mysteriously disappears before the others arrive. Some question Fanny s sanity, but doubt becomes horror when Jorge s angel investor is found dead in a similar position. As a number of accidents validate Amy s suspicion of foul play, the Abels must outsmart one very conniving killer . . . or they ll soon be en route to their final destination six feet under.
Sophia Rose’s Review
Seeing the world through the pages of a book has been my method of international travel so far and is the reason I am always keen to discover a promising plot situated in a place rather different from my home. I spotted this one and knew from the title that there would be a trip to the very southern end of South America. I hoped the author would spend some time on the setting and culture while crafting his mystery and was delighted to find that he did. Music, touring, food, and life in Patagonian Argentina and Chile hit the spot.
This was a cozy mystery and I’ve not always been attracted to those because I lean toward darker, grittier mystery, but lately my taste has allowed for me to appreciate them a bit more. The murder mystery was a good challenge. I figured out the who and the why easily enough, but it was the how that stumped me. Always fun when I’m still guessing at things to the end.
What I wasn’t paying attention to when I picked up Death on the Patagonian Express was that this was the third book in the Amy’s Travel series. Fortunately for me, it stood alone just fine. There was mention of previous murder cases and there is an obvious series arc for Amy, her mother Fanny, and her boyfriend Marcus, but it was just a minor layer to the story so I was fine to read the present adventure for Amy and Fanny.
And that brings me to Amy and Fanny. Whew boy! This mother-daughter pair were a riot. Fanny is flamboyant and never subtle though she is rather clever while Amy is considering and reserved while observing and experiencing the world around her. They rub each other raw, but make a good amateur detecting team. Though, I do feel that Fanny got pretty lucky since she poked and provoked the bear (murderer) without considering her own- or Amy’s- vulnerability to the danger.
All in all, I had a great time and most particularly due to the setting and the mother-daughter interaction. I think cozy mystery lovers who enjoy exotic settings would appreciate Death on the Patagonian Express.
Death on the Patagonian Express by Hy Conrad offers an exotic location and murder Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Darlene
I’m a fan of cozies, but I haven’t heard of this one. I’m going to look for the first one in the series at my library. I also enjoy the cultural aspect of travel in books!
Lily B
a mother daughter interaction? oh this looks so interesting.
Scooby doo? I think I love you more now 😛
But overall, interesting review, the mystery seems good and it seemed to have kept your interest. It’s been a hit or miss for me with these lately
Cyn
Sounds like a good read! I like a good family story and add exotic location and creativeness means I’m definitely intrigued! Lovely review, Sophia Rose!
Lola
I always enjoy a good cozy mystery and traveling to other countries through the pages of a book. My currents reads are both cozies, one takes place in japan and the other in the US.
That’s very interesting you figured out the who and why, but not the how early on. As often the how is one of the first things you know in a mystery. I haven’t read a cozy mystery featuring a clear duo like this one. Your review about this series certainly makes me curious. I’ll have to look up book 1. Great review!
Sophia Rose
And here she is, the gal who gave me the push to pick up cozy mysteries. 🙂 I’ve enjoyed reading your reviews on several good ones so when I saw this one set in South America I had to try it. The mother and daughter were a fun change in the usual detective role.
Ha, yeah, it was weird not being about to figure out how the killer did the thing with the deaths.
Hope you like these if you get the chance, Lola!
Christy LoveOfBooks
I tend to like the darker, grittier mysteries too, but this sounds good. Especially the Amy & Fanny dynamic.
Sophia Rose
This pair was a hoot Christy. Reminded me of my brother’s wife and her mom. Haha!
The Bibliophile Babe
This sounds fun!
Sophia Rose
Loads of it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Katherine
I have the first in the series because I saw the author was a writer on Monk which is one of my favorite shows. I haven’t read it yet but you’re making me wonder why as this sounds really fun! I love a good cozy and the setting sounds amazing. Great review!
Sophia Rose
I saw after I snagged it that he wrote on the Monk TV show and that did make me more eager, Katherine. Hope the first one is a good armchair travel mystery for you. 🙂
Angela Adams
Maybe it’s your use of the word “cozy,” but this book sounds like a good read on a cold night with a cup of hot chocolate! Thanks for the post.
Sophia Rose
That is a fantastic mental picture, Angela. I like a cocoa on a cold night, too, and a light murder mystery that wouldn’t spook me out before bedtime. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee
I’ve yet to read a cozy, Sophia, but I really like the sound of this series and this setting in particular. I read as a way to travel as well and Patagonia is a place I’ve always wanted to travel to. I’m happy this one did well standing on its own. I think I’ll start from the beginning though. 🙂
Sophia Rose
I think finding a cozy set in a cool locale was what finally got me motivated to read one after a long time. I thought the mother-daughter interactions added to the fun.
Ha! Yes, starting in the beginning would be a good plan, Brandee.
Tyler H. Jolley
Ok, this is totally bringing up a memory I had while zip lining in the Dominican Republic. I saw a body, face down and floating in a river below us. Panicked I did my best to wave to my wife behind me hoping she’d see it. Once we were at the bottom and reconnected she was laughing hysterically. Without prompting she said, “Tyler, that was someone snorkeling. He stood up just as I went over him.” What a relief.
Sophia Rose
Oh man, that would have me all riled up, too, seeing a floating body. Haha, good thing your wife could confirm he was alive and snorkeling.
Danielle Nolan
I am not sure I have ever read a cozy mystery but it sounds appealing! I love the idea of such a likable mother and daughter combination! I also rely on books for traveling! Lovely review ❤
Sophia Rose
I’ve only read a few, but I did love the travel aspect and yes, Danielle, this M-D pair were a hoot. 🙂
kindlemom1
I usually like my mysteries with more edge to them, more of thrillers than cozy but once in awhile I like a good cozy too. I think these sound fun.
Sophia Rose
It was a good change-up from my usual reading fare. This one did end up pretty fun with the mother-daughter antics and the setting.
Melanie Simmons
I keep saying that I’m going to try a cozy mystery, but I’ve yet to do it. I’ve got a few to listen to on my iPod. I just keep skipping them to stay with my normal genres. Glad you enjoyed it, even if the author could’ve spent more time on the setting.
Sophia Rose
I was the same way with the cozies, but then I saw this one went to South America and that was the boot in the britches I needed to pick it up. Hope the ones you are saving end up being fun, Melanie.
Debbie Haupt
I am totally on board with your review Sophia Rose. It was a very enjoyable read.
Glad to see you here.
Sophia Rose
Buahaha! Great pun ‘on board’ since it’s a train travel mystery. 🙂
Always glad to visit Kimberly and her readers. Thanks, Debbie!
blodeuedd
I haven’t read many cozies, but they are fun
Sophia Rose
You betcha. I’m trying to squeeze a few more into my reading diet. We shall see. 🙂
Ailyn Koay
if only my travels are in that kind of adventure. not sure if I will be traumatized or excited
Sophia Rose
Haha, yeah, no kidding. A travel adventure without the bodies would be fab, Ailyn. 🙂
Geybie's Book Blog
Same here. I love traveling by reading. Discovering new places I’ve never been to through stories was something that I always long for. I made a list of mystery books that I’m planning to buy. Just like you, love darker mysteries, but will consider this book.
Great review, Sophia. Thanks for sharing.
Sophia Rose
Yay! Another fellow armchair traveler. 🙂 Glad I could point you to one for your list, Geybie!