Murder on the Switzerland Trail

Set in 1919, this tepid standalone from Befeler (Mystery of the Dinner Playhouse) spotlights the Switzerland Trail of America railroad that once served the town of Boulder, Colo. Off-duty Boulder policeman Harry McBride and his wife are among eight passengers who board the train for a Sunday outing to view the scenic mountain meadows. The others includes acerbic WWI vet Frederick Hammond; Frederick’s fiancée, Allison Jacoby; Allison’s mentally challenged brother, Michael; and pompous windbag Benjamin Sager, a professor. When the eight, plus the conductor, assemble for the return trip, one of them stumbles into the train, yells “you assassin,” and falls dead. Harry, who lacks investigatory experience but not will, must question his fellow passengers and deduce whodunit before the train completes its journey home. Mounds of historical trivia and constant bickering among the principals slow the action. (Nov.)