Death Goes on Skis by Nancy Spain was first published in 1949 but it was reprinted by Virago Modern Classics in 2020. This edition has an introduction by Sandi Toksvig.

The story begins at a railway station in Calais where people are waiting to board the Winter Sports Express. The train is travelling to the fictional country of Schizo-Frenia, and that silly (Thirkellish) name lets you know that this murder mystery is very much on the frivolous side, despite the murders.

Sisters Kathleen and Toddy Flaherte are amongst the tourists, they’re very wealthy having inherited a famous perfumery business. Also among the hotel guests are a famous actress, a supposedly Russian ballerina, a nightclub owner and various other odd bods.

If you are looking for a classic whodunnit then you might find this one disappointing, however if you just want a bit of light entertainment then this one just might hit the spot, I quite enjoyed it but I didn’t really think much of any of the characters, and that’s always difficult for me.

It was interesting that one of the tourists had stocked up with stockings and chocolate to take home to ‘Blighty’. Obviously those supposed luxuries were just about unobtainable in 1949 Britain which was stil very much in ration mode, but strangely they were easily obtained in mainland Europe. As ever our politicians were punishing the ordinary people just for existing – nothing changes!

Nancy Spain was apparently a very well-known, journalist and broadcaster in her day, and like one of the female characters in this book she wore ‘mannish’ clothes as a way of ‘making a wee statement’ although her sexuality was not spoken of, as it wasn’t in those days. Obviously this is why Sandi Toksvig was chosen to write the introduction. Sadly Nancy Spain was killed in an aeroplane crash on her way to see the Grand National (horserace) in 1964.