If you’re craving mystery, romance, and a dash of fantasy with your tea, you’ve just stumbled onto your new favorite read. “Murder on the Aerial Express” by Author M K Rumsey is a young adult novel that effortlessly blends Agatha Christie’s timeless suspense with steampunk flair, creating a charmingly original twist you’ll adore.
Meet Lady Isabella: Your New Favorite Heroine
Lady Isabella Huxley isn’t your typical teenage protagonist. She’s independent, fiercely intelligent, and just a bit grumpy—which makes her instantly lovable. Her perfect day involves concocting bizarre alchemical experiments and spending quality time with her best friend. Adventure? Mystery? Romance? She’d rather pass…but fate has other plans.
Boarding the magnificent dirigible known as the Aerial Express, Isabella expects nothing more than a relaxing journey above Victorian landscapes. Instead, chaos reigns when the airship’s owner is murdered on the very first night. Everyone aboard is a suspect, and despite her best intentions, Isabella finds herself drawn into the deadly mystery.
Murder and Mayhem in the Sky
In this atmospheric whodunit, danger lurks around every ornate corner. As secrets unfold, Isabella navigates through a web of deceit, confronting villains who’d rather keep their secrets buried—and charming rogues who threaten to distract her heart. The stakes rise rapidly, turning an elegant voyage into a race for survival.
Each week brings fresh intrigue, surprising twists, and, yes, the undeniable thrill of budding romance. A particularly persistent young gentleman passenger insists on breaking through Isabella’s tough exterior, complicating matters in ways she’s definitely not prepared for. After all, who has time for romance when there’s a murderer aboard?
Experience the Mystery: Serialized and Interactive
Author M K Rumsey invites readers on this spellbinding journey every Thursday, releasing chapters straight to your inbox. Subscribing is free and promises an eagerly anticipated dose of mystery each week. But if you’re looking for more, premium subscribers gain access to a unique interactive reading experience packed with multimedia enhancements and stunning AI-generated artwork—bringing the steampunk world vividly to life.
Curious about going premium? Right now, you can explore the premium versions of the first two chapters for free. Plus, through the end of May, premium subscriptions are 40% off—a perfect chance to see why digital-savvy readers love this immersive storytelling experience.
Behind the Scenes with M K Rumsey
M K Rumsey didn’t always know she’d become a novelist. After completing her Ph.D. in English Literature at UCLA, Rumsey realized academia wasn’t her calling—storytelling was. Now, from her home base in Minnesota, she crafts engaging tales that transcend genres and time periods. Her love for classics, mixed with modern twists, makes her stories irresistibly fresh.
And when she’s not plotting mysteries in the clouds? Rumsey enjoys baking treats, sharing laughs (and wine) with friends, and even aerial athletics—bringing a touch of real-world daring to her fictional adventures. Her novels aren’t just written; they’re lovingly crafted, chapter by chapter, capturing her vibrant personality in every sentence.
Ready to Soar?
If mysteries with heart-pounding plots, witty characters, and richly imagined worlds make your reader’s heart race, “Murder on the Aerial Express” checks all the boxes. Follow Isabella as she tackles villains, uncovers hidden truths, and maybe even lets her guard down just enough to fall in love.
So why wait? Your seat aboard the Aerial Express is waiting—subscribe today and become part of a thrilling literary adventure. Lady Isabella’s mysteries—and heart—are ready for you to uncover.
We had the privilege of interviewing the author. Here are excerpts from the interview:
Hi, Thank you so much for joining us today! Please introduce yourself and tell us what you do.
I’m a Minnesota-dwelling writer with a love of books that straddles centuries and genres. After getting my Ph.D. in English Literature from UCLA, I realized that I didn’t want to be an academic. I wanted the thing I’ve always wanted — to be a novelist. Everything I’ve done since has been in pursuit of that goal (or paying the bills).
Well, not everything. What’s life without baking, drinking wine with friends, or a three-year love affair with aerial athletics? My husband’s not too bad, either.
Please tell us about your book.
Lady Isabelle is a fiercely independent, no-nonsense heroine reluctantly caught up in romance and mystery. She’d rather focus on her mission as a budding alchemist — to find the secret to renewable aetheric energy — but when a murderer endangers her friends, she discovers a talent for skullduggery and snooping. Along the way, she grows closer to a fellow passenger, an irritating young gentleman with personal reasons for wishing the victim dead.
The book is a finished novel that I’m publishing as a serial newsletter. I’m simultaneously publishing a premium version for paying subscribers, designing multimedia reading experiences for each installment.
Please share your journey with our readers.
The idea for the novel popped into my head as a question: what if Agatha Christie’s famous train-board classic took place in a Steampunk universe? At some point, Isabelle joined the fun, dragging her feet all the way.
The idea for this publication style came out of two different experiences. The first is that one of my day jobs includes freelance work for the newsletter platform beehiiv, so I know it well. The second came when I was waiting for my best friend at a restaurant, trying to read my current Kindle book on my phone. I hate reading on my phone, but I hate being without a book more. So I started asking a new question: what if the book were designed to be read on my phone or any other digital device? How could I look at digital publishing as an opportunity rather than an obstacle?
What are the strategies that helped you become successful in your journey?
Write. Write more. Don’t give up. Keep writing and rewriting. If a person wants to be a writer, there’s really only one criterion. You must write.
Any message for our readers?
I hope you enjoy this whimsical journey as much as I do!
Thank you so much, M K Rumsey, for giving us your precious time! We wish you all the best for your journey ahead!