Roger Bowman is a crafty private detective from LA posing as a Paraguayan spy on assignment in England. If that’s a lot to take in, his initial assignment is fairly straightforward—uncover the mole within the agency. En route to a routine training exercise, Roger walks in on a horrific crime scene. A colleague has been stabbed repeatedly, making for a crime of passion, or at least a passionate crime. With the deadly shift in circumstances, Roger begins his assessments right away and ends up on a multi-nation hunt for the perpetrator. Add in one mysterious travel companion and a few covert contacts, and you have the recipe for an exciting story. Before long, the crimes begin to multiply and Roger and his new partner must race against the murderer before their lives are on the line.
A Train to Nowhere is an intriguing mystery novel with a true international flavor. Jerold Last includes characters that fit all the expected tropes but with a dash of humor on the side. The book, with all its fascinating and globe-spanning locations, is so well researched that at times it reads like a cheeky travel guide. From England to Australia to Malaysia and beyond, Roger’s investigation spans the globe at breakneck speeds. Although the book is just one in a vast series, readers will have no trouble getting to know this saucy detective and his deceptively calm personality. A Train to Nowhere by Jerold Last is fun afternoon read that feels like an exotic vacation enjoyed from the comfort of your favorite recliner.
