Five Found Dead
Poisoned Pen Press, 2025
Agent: Jill Marr
On a train, there are only so many places to hide…
Crime fiction author Joe Penvale has won the most brutal battle of his life. Now that he has finished his intense medical treatment, he and his twin sister Meredith are boarding the glorious Orient Express in Paris, hoping for some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. Meredith also hopes that the literary ghosts on the train will nudge Joe’s muse awake, and he’ll be inspired to write again. And he is; after their first evening spent getting to know some of their fellow travelers, Joe is inspired to pull out his laptop and open a new document. Seems like this trip is just what the doctor ordered…
And then some. The next morning, Joe and Meredith are shocked to witness that the cabin next door has become a crime scene, bathed in blood but with no body in sight. The pair soon find themselves caught up in an Agatha Christie-esque murder investigation. Without any help from the authorities, and with the victim still not found, Joe and Meredith are asked to join a group of fellow passengers with law enforcement backgrounds to look into the mysterious disappearance of the man in 16G. But when the steward guarding the crime scene is murdered, it marks the beginning of a killing spree which leaves five found dead—and one still missing. Now Joe and Meredith must fight once again to preserve their newfound future, and catch a cunning killer before they reach the end of the line.
USA Today bestselling author Sulari Gentill brings readers on a heart-pounding ride filled with intrigue, suspense, and literary charm in Five Found Dead, perfect for fans of twisty mysteries and books about books.
Accolades:
- LibraryReads Selection, August
- A KOBO Best Mystery of the Month selection in the US and Canada
- BookBub Best Books of August
- CrimeReads Most Anticipated Crime Fiction of Summer 2025
- Goodreads Hottest Mysteries and Thrillers of Summer 2025
- AOL Most Anticipated Books Releasing in August
Reviews:
"Rich with quirky characters and clever misdirection, Gentill's latest will please fans of locked-room mysteries, especially those Golden Age tales evoked by the setting."
—Booklist
"Gentill’s latest is a fun, modern mystery/thriller with classic charm. The author’s own recent battle with cancer adds authenticity to the narrative and the portrayal of Joe."
—Library Journal
"If you can’t travel on the actual Orient Express, Sulari Gentill’s Five Found Dead is the next best thing. It captures the glamour and beauty of the legendary train, and takes you on a ride that’s as twisty as a Swiss mountain pass. It’s a daring writer who wants to add their own spin on one of the most recognized mysteries of all time. Sulari Gentill succeeds brilliantly."
—Joshua Moehling, USA Today bestselling author of A Long Time Gone and And There He Kept Her
"Signature Sulari Gentill… Sharp, funny and fresh."
—Dervla McTiernan, International #1 Bestselling Author of The Murder Rule
"A heart-pounding ride filled with intrigue, suspense, and literary charm."
—BookReporter