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United States/England

The Art of the Whodunit: English Murder Mysteries on QM2

Program No. 23190RJ
Agatha Christie. Colin Dexter. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. If these are the authors who fill up your bookshelves, join us on the QM2 to delve into the world of English murder mysteries.

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At a Glance

From the steps of 221B Baker Street to the rolling English countryside, England has long been the perfect setting for a good, old-fashioned murder mystery. If you can’t resist a mystery novel — particularly a British one — join us on this transatlantic learning adventure on board the Queen Mary 2, as we journey from New York City to Oxford, England in search of the best capers of our time. Immerse yourself in harrowing plots, probable motives and questionable characters, all while trying to answer the ultimate question: Whodunit?
Activity Level
On Your Feet
I’m comfortable with some walking throughout the day. I expect to get on and off of a coach, and I’m ready to stroll through cities and to stand for a few hours when we’re learning in museums.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Attend lectures by a British crime novelist who will share their insight on the legacy of Sherlock Holmes, the Golden Age of Murder, and how they began their own career as a novelist.
  • Follow in the footsteps of Detective Chief Inspector Morse — the beloved character created by author Colin Dexter — as you explore Oxford.
  • Embark on walking explorations of Oxford and Christ Church with local experts, and enjoy an English pub crawl.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Miss Marple Omnibus Vol III
by Agatha Christie
Any Lord Peter Wimsey novels
by Dorothy L. Sayers
Any Sherlock Holmes novel
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Any Morse novels
by Colin Dexter
Oxford – An Architectural Guide
by Geoffrey Tyack
Few cities have a greater concentration of significant architecture than Oxford. Within a city of only 130,000 inhabitants there are important buildings, many of them of great beauty, from every period from the 11th century down to the present. Geoffrey Tyack chronicles the architectural development of Oxford - both University and City - from its origins to the late-20th century, explaining the idiosyncracies of Oxford's architectural history, and placing the buildings within their historical context. His approach is chronological, and his emphasis on what can actually be seen
Oxford Insight Compact Guide
by Apa
This Insight Compact Guide is the ideal companion for your trip to the famous university city of Oxford. The top 10 sights are highlighted to help you plan your visit and include Christ Church College, the Botanic Garden and the Sheldonian Theatre. Clear, colour-coded sections cover everything from history and culture, to entertainment, food and drink in an easy-to-read format. Sights are cross-referenced on detailed full-colour maps throughout, providing instant orientation and allowing you to tailor your chosen routes exactly to the places you most want to visit. Full-colour photographs throughout the guide provide a visual introduction to this architecturally attractive city and enable you to recognise sights, such as the famous colleges, whilst out and about.
Oxford Book of Oxford
by Jan Morris
'Few cities,' Jan Morris observes, 'have been much more loved, loathed, and celebrated.' This book has become a classic account of the character, history, mores, buildings, climate, and people of one of Britain's most fascinating cities. 'A book of outstanding excellence, with a sweep of knowledge and a distinction of style such as I have never before encountered in a work of this sort ... Brilliant alike in observation and imagination ... brings the very stones of Oxford to life' Sunday Telegraph
The Dead of Jericho
by Colin Dexter
Or any Inspector Morse novel or TV series.
Miss Marple Vol II
by Agatha Christie
Scene of the Crime
by Julain Earwaker and Kathleen Becker
Foreword by P.D.JAmes. A guide to the landscapes of British Detective fiction.
Gaudy Nights: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery
by Dorothy L. Sayers
Or any in the Peter Wimsey series set in Oxford. ‘I admire her novels . . . she has great fertility of invention, ingenuity and a wonderful eye for detail’ (Ruth Rendell ). ‘She brought to the detective novel originality, intelligence, energy and wit.’ (P. D. James ).
Miss Marple Omnibus Vol 1
by Agatha Christie
The Complete Inspector Morse Collection
by Colin Dexter
Lake District Mysteries
by Martin Edwards
Series of 6 books beginning with the Coffin Trail.





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