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Summary: So when do we get to Boston?
Review: "Death Train to Boston" jumped off the shelf and into my arms. I was so pleased with the previous Fremont Jones stories that when I saw this book was finally out I nabbed it instantly, but I was very disappointed. Where was the mystery, the intricate characters, or even an adventure. I couldn't believe the train ride was over within the first 10 pages and when we did board the train again with Michael and Li I couldn't understand what Ms. Day was attempting to acheive in adding the mysterious stranger from Michael's past to the mix. I was even more disappointed to see Fremont in such a demour, passive light that I will probably get the next book out at the library, if I read it at all. I cannot convey my disappointment in such colorful characters being strung along in such a pointless story.
Rating: 
Summary: "Death Train to Boston" gets derailed
Review: After an outstanding start to the Fremont Jones series, Dianne Day is hastening into decline. This book is confused and, above all, uninteresting, especially in the second half and in the resolution. Major characters simply drop off the face of the earth and the villain is a sad, sad surprise. I'll read the next one at the library before I risk a penny on buying a copy. A poor and unpolished performance. I thought the first two books in this series were absolutely first-rate, but this smacks of either a serious conflict with an editor or a deadline that got out of hand
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Summary: Excellent historical mystery
Review: After suffering several minor nuisances, the Southern Pacific Railroad hires the J&K Agency to uncover the identity of the vandals before they hurt a passenger or crew member. J&K Agency partners Fremont Jones and Michael "Archer" Kossoff catch the Chicago-bound train in San Francisco. On the train, the lovers pretend to meet for the first on the train and to flirt with one another. However, the vandals devastate the plan when they blow up a railroad bridge east of Salt Lake City that derails the train, killing many and severely injuring numerous other people. Michael suffers a broken collar bone and the shock that Fremont has vanished without a trace. Melancthon Pratt rescues Fremont, who suffers a severe head trauma and two broken legs. However, the pious Mormon also abducts his patient because he decides she will become wife number six. As Fremont tries to figure out how to escape, Michael desperately searches for her even as Melancthon plans their wedding. DEATH TRAIN TO BOSTON is a refreshing Fremont Jones historical mystery that will send readers searching for the previous best selling novels. The story line is interesting as the chapters alternate between what is happening to Fremont and Michael's frantic quest to find her. A lesser talent than the delightful Dianne Day would leave readers totally confused, but the awesome author turns the book into two rotating subplots that cleverly tie back into a fabulous story. Though already the fifth story in this series, Fremont and Michael retain their originality. The secondary players, especially Melancthon and his spouses provide readers with a feel for the era. Fans of historical mystery will want to catch this entertaining tale. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: This is a series not to be missed.
Review: DEATH TRAIN TO BOSTON is the 5th in the series that began with "The Strange Files of Fremont Jones." With every new book in the series I'm more impressed with her ability as a writer. The plots are complex, the characters are full, the rhythm of the book is captivating. This time Fremont's involved with a fanatic religious "family." This brings up the question of Mormonism. I'm a little sorry that Mormonism was more made fun of than necessary when the people in this book were "breakaways" from Mormon. But that's not my battle to fight. Just know that this is an exciting mystery, a compelling thriller, and a continuing love story. Don't miss it!
Rating: 
Summary: Great historical novel
Review: DEATH TRAIN TO BOSTON is the best kind of historical thriller/mystery/romance, one that doesn't give more of the historical background than necessary. Michael and Fremont are travelling across the US when a railroad bridge falls into a ravine, carrying Fremont with it. She is rescued by a dissident Mormon, who claims that Fremont is to be his 6th wife when she recovers from her broken legs and head injury. Michael returns to San Francisco not knowing whether Fremont is alive or dead. Day gives a clear exposition of the beliefs of this group of Mormons, and of the place of women in the early 20th century. Of course Michael and Fremont discover who has been sabotaging the railroad, and of course they are reunited, but how they get there is worth reading about.
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Summary: Weak Villian! No excitment here!
Review: Don't get me wrong, I loved the other four books in the Fremont Jones Series, but as I was reading it I started to get huge pangs of disappointment. I was really excited to read this one because it took place in Utah. While reading it, I thought it was very obivous that the author did not have a clue about mormonology. Was the polygamist guy supposed to be the villian? Confusing! If I didn't know anything about the infamous polygamist culture and traditions, I would still be ignorant after reading this book. It seemed towards the end that the author tried to end the book as quickly as possible because it wasn't going anywhere. I won't be buying this one for my collection because I wouldn't read it again. But I am a proud owner of the previous 4 books though!
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Summary: Not worthy of the series
Review: DTTB is the least satisfying book of the Fremont Jones series. Specifically:
Why is the fact that Pratt has kidnapped Fremont not expounded upon? Just because he is Mormon doesn't mean he is a criminal. And did he kidnap the other wives? It seems incredible to think that the Pratt wives would do anything against their husband. The wives making Fremont leave was simply too hard to believe. It was completely against their character. What the heck happened to the Pratt wives? And what fallout happened with Pratt? Why wouldn't the doctor help Fremont? The book just closes the door on the Mormon storyline and has Fremont saving Michael. It was all very UNFULFILLING.
Skip this book and move on to Beacon Street Mourning.
Rating:
Summary: The weakest in the series.
Review: First of all: did she have to make the wierdo a Mormon? Are they just too trendy? I am a Mormon, and I was bothered by that whole angle. What purpose did it serve, really? Just to show that some Mormons are wierd religious fanatics. Well, so are some Catholics, some Baptists, some Adventists. But you knew if Fremont was crossing the country on a train, it would have to run into trouble in Utah, and rather than get rescued by a normal, average Mormon family it had to be the fundamentalist self-styled prophet who claimed she had been sent by an angel to be his fifth wife. OK, got that out of my system. All that aside, I was still disappointed by the book. Like another reviewer said, the bad guy was sort of tacked on at the end. There was no hint that he was even around. Where did he come from? I liked bringing Mei Ling back. That whole spiritual angle could have been played up a little better. Overall, a disappointment. I read the next one, Beacon Street Mourning, and it was better, although still not as good as the first two in the series, which were really outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful addition to a fascinating series.
Review: Fremont and Michael are separated for most of this book as a explosion on the train has them both injured and not knowing where the other is. Fremont has been "rescued" by a Mormon fanatic who wishes to make her his sixth wife as none of the other five have produced offspring. Of course, in his patriarchal logic this can only be the women's fault. As Michael searches for Fremont and she tries to find a way of escape, the reader gets to know the five wives very well as each of them is written with the skill to make them very distinct individuals. Even as they are about to be reunited, the person who attempted to kill them on the train is still on their trail. This is a wonderful and exciting tale that will be eagerly devoured by the many Fremont Jones fans.
Rating:
Summary: I liked it!
Review: Fremont and Michael are working on a case for a railroad, the train is blown up and the badly injured Fremont is kidnapped by a fanatical Mormon looking for a sixth wife. It really doesn't get any better from here. Meiling Li is back and assisting Michael, but her wardrobe rather than her character and talent is more discussed. Basically, Fremont and Michael are much better together than apart and should stay that way. Skip this one and read the rest of the series, an author can't be perfect every time.
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