The Spanish Diplomat's Secret by Nev March

THE SPANISH DIPLOMAT'S SECRET by Nev March; (Murder in Old Bombay) is the latest in the Captain Jim and Lady Diana mysteries which are set in the 1890’s, involve characters with East Indian heritage, and deal with the social mores and prejudices of the times. In this case, a mysterious death occurs on an ocean liner and, as a neutral but experienced investigator, Jim is drafted into solving the why and how of a potentially explosive diplomatic death. He is truly puzzled by a lack of motive and suspects which also lent a bit of frustration to my reading. I do wish the story had moved somewhat more quickly and that Diana had a larger role throughout. Still, March produced a puzzling case and kept me guessing, too. Earlier series entries (see also Peril at the Exposition, set in Chicago) are stronger, but THE SPANISH DIPLOMAT'S SECRET still offers an entertaining diversion. And readers who enjoy the shipboard setting, may also like watching High Seas (on Netflix) which involves a mystery on an ocean liner and is set in the 1940s.