Death Rides the Zephyr: A Mystery

December 23, 1952. A transcontinental train is stopped cold by an avalanche in a remote Colorado canyon. There's a murderer aboard, one who has already killed, and will kill again unless stopped. The California Zephyr, with its run from Oakland to Chicago and back, was famous for 21 years for its Vista-Domes, providing a 360-degree view of the spectacular Western scenery. It is a veritable small city on tracks, populated by passengers from all walks of life and a large crew whose duty it is to keep them safe. Zephyrette Jill McLeod is the passengers' primary point of contact. She's armed for any emergency–with a first-aid kit, a screwdriver, and her knowledge of human nature. But can she figure out a clever plot and stop a ruthless killer?

This is the first book in Janet Dawson's California Zephyr mystery series. The second is titled Death Deals a Hand. Her series PI Jeri Howard has sleuthed through eleven books, the first of which won the St. Martin's/PWA award and other mystery award nominations. Dawson was nominated in 2012 for Left Coast Crime's Golden Nugget Award for Bit Player. She is past president of the MWA Norcal chapter.