“The Charabanc of Death” by Brian Kavanagh

The Charabanc of Death

Brian Kavanagh
Vivid Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 978-1923078949
Reviewed by Sandra Cruz for Reader Views (08/2026)

In Brian Kavanagh’s The Charabanc of Death: A Belinda Lawrence Mystery, Jenny Forrest is hosting a recreation of the nostalgic 1907 car journey through France originally taken by famous authors Edith Wharton and Henry James. The tour goes to remarkable lengths to match the original trip, including using period-appropriate, open-topped sightseeing vehicles called charabancs.

At the last minute, Jenny adds Andre Levinz, who urgently wants to join the “Motor Flight” tour. Fellow traveler ZeZe Dupont is ecstatic to have Andre along, delighted that the wheels are finally in motion for her own secret project.

Young Australian amateur sleuth Belinda Lawrence and her best friend Hazel Whitby are also finalizing their preparations. Hazel insists that they could do this trip on their own, but Belinda assures her that group travel will be far more enjoyable since they won’t have to worry about the logistics.

At the iconic Hotel de Crillon, the nine tour participants assemble: Henry and Alice Ritornel, Hazel and Belinda, Obadiah James, ZeZe Dupont, Walton Anderson and Joan Smith, an American couple, and Andre Levinz.

Friction sparks almost immediately. With very little in common, the group’s dynamic is tense from the start, and things go from awkward to deadly when one of the travelers is murdered. Suspicion darkens what was supposed to be a dream vacation. Everyone, including Jenny, is now a suspect. Driven by curiosity and keen instincts, amateur sleuths Belinda and Alice find themselves thrust into the center of a murder investigation and are determined to unmask the killer before the victim count goes up.

When a scenic, literary homage through the French countryside turns into a crime scene, you get The Charabanc of Death, the ninth installment in Brian Kavanagh’s popular Belinda Lawrence Mystery series. Belinda and Hazel are excited about the trip, but the excitement doesn’t last long before murder rears its ugly head. A killer is on the loose and seems to be targeting the tour group. They each harbor secrets and possible motives that make them plausible suspects. As the investigation progresses, it uncovers the darker side of human nature: greed and jealousy.

The murder mystery drew me to this novel because it involves a tour group and immerses the story in history. The unique setup and rich historical flavor pull you immediately. The tour’s stops double as atmospheric backdrops for the rising tension, including the Père-Lachaise Cemetery, Frédéric Chopin’s final resting place, where Belinda and Hazel notice Obadiah and Andre in a heated argument. They also visit the idyllic town of Nohant and the house where Chopin and novelist George Sand, a.k.a. Aurore Dupin Dudevant, spent much of their time. By the third chapter, when it becomes clear that ZeZe Dupont is purely out for herself, I was hooked and couldn’t wait to find out more.

Kavanagh gives readers a traditional cozy mystery blended with literary history. Even though it’s part of an established series, it functions well as a standalone novel. Belinda is an intelligent and observant protagonist whose curiosity and determination drive the investigation forward. As her practical, grounded friend, Hazel serves as the perfect sounding board. Their sharp instincts and deductions make them compelling main characters without overshadowing the colorful supporting cast. As the backstories of the group develop and the connections become clear, their fates eventually overlap in France. Obadiah flawlessly progresses the suspense.

The novel explores the theme of illusion versus reality, illustrating how idyllic scenery can easily mask sinister motives. Isolation and mistrust show how fear can unravel social respectability when strangers are trapped together. The rich descriptions of France add charm and atmosphere without dragging the plot’s pacing. “Faint stars began to emerge in the twilight sky, twinkling like gems, while the vibrant atmosphere of the Left Bank came alive with laughter and conversation.”

The Charabanc of Death by Brian Kavanagh is an entertaining, well-written mystery filled with intriguing suspects and clever twists. By highlighting the enduring influence of literature, it shows how beauty and history can exist alongside darkness and betrayal. It balances classic mystery tropes with suspense, keeping readers guessing through every turn in the road. If you’re a fan of traditional, cozy, Agatha Christie-style whodunits featuring smart modern detectives, this book deserves a spot on your reading list.

Belinda felt a chill run down her spine at the thought that perhaps the villagers watched from behind drawn curtains, like spectators at a grim execution, waiting for the final act before returning to their lives, relieved that the threat had been eradicated.