Funeral Train

The Dust Bowl Mysteries, Book 2

By: Laurie Loewenstein

Narrated by: Kelli Tager

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In her gripping follow-up to the widely acclaimed Dust Bowl Mystery Death of a Rainmaker, Laurie Loewenstein brings 1930s Oklahoma evocatively to life.

Already suffering the privations of the 1930s Dust Bowl, an Oklahoma town is further devastated when a passenger train derails—flooding its hospital with the dead and maimed. Among the seriously wounded is Etha, wife of Sheriff Temple Jennings. Overwhelmed by worry for her, the sheriff must regain his footing to investigate the derailment, which rapidly develops into a case of sabotage.

The following night, a local recluse is murdered. Temple has a hunch that this death is connected to the train wreck. But as he dissects the victim’s life with help from the recuperating and resourceful Etha, he discovers a tangle of records that make a number of townsfolk suspects in the murder.

Temple’s investigations take place against the backdrop of the Great Depression—where bootlegging, petty extortion, courage, and bravado play out in equal measure.

©2022 Laurie Loewenstein (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Great reading

Laurie Loewstein presents a compelling narration with complex character entangled in a mystery. I enjoyed listening to it and i also read some of the chapters. The actor was fabulos performing each character.

Great book

The mystery is great but even better are the characters, the setting, and the history.

Finished in one day

Apropos of this book’s timeline, I wrapped up this story on New Year’s Eve. All of it on New Year’s Eve. Laurie Lowenstein creates a steady pace of the investigation while letting the characters, the setting and the intrigue shine through. I read the first novel of this series. There is something comforting and inviting to know the characters without spoiling the mystery. Can’t wait for the next book!

Disappointed in the outcome.

This was not developed enough, and too many "happy endings". I had such hope that this book would be more intense- it is not.

Vivid characters

Vivid characters, satisfyingly intricate mystery, and a meaningful setting in terms of both time and place make this a memorable read!

Somewhat Historical

My title reads "Somewhat Historical" and the fact of how Blacks were treated comes in to play in this book, but it's not the dominate theme, just history.

Well written and believable. Having heard about the Dust Bowl and living in Texas I could believe the scenes described. Good mystery too with enough turns and surprises to keep you interested.

Thoroughly engaging mystery!

Memorable and realistic characters and description. Hoping for more in this series by Laurie Loewenstein!

Delightful!

I read a review stating that this wasn't "gripping" enough. No, it wasn't a hard-boiled detective novel...that's why I liked it! Maybe this doesn't fall under the heading of great books...but it is a wonderful read, rich with small town life, accurate period-piece details and full of characters I loved.
True to her first novel, Loewenstein reprises her believable and easy to like characters to bring another excellent book in her Dust Bowl Series.
I wish there were more ready to download! I'll be waiting.

A great mystery novel!

Funeral Train is a beautifully crafted novel in all respects. Great scene painting that really evokes the early depression era, excellent dialogue and character development. I highly recommend the audio version, for it’s excellent rendition by the narrator. An intriguing page turner, indeed!

Interesting mix of mystery and romance

Set during the depression, several unique things to that time are prominent in this book—lack of work, bums riding railcars, the CCC. Descriptions are very good, not too elaborate. Excellent crime mystery set on a railroad. Pace is good.
The only drawback is narrator not being great at different male voices.