Exeter’s past comes alive in a gripping debut mystery novel

Torquay may have its famous "Birthplace of Agatha Christie" sign, but just down the road in Exeter, a new name is stepping onto the murder mystery scene.

Enter Carrie Grey, the intrepid amateur detective at the heart of The Girl on the Tram, a historical whodunit penned by debut author Stephen Marson.

And for Exeter readers, this novel has an extra layer of intrigue - it’s firmly rooted in the city’s past, drawing inspiration from a real-life tram crash that took place in 1917.

Marson, who has lived in Exeter since childhood, set the book in 1910, a time when the city's trams were still pulled by horses. The novel vividly brings to life the Exeter of old, from the clattering of hooves on the cobbled streets of Fore Street to the bustling market stalls of Cathedral Yard.

Even the detectives' investigations take them down the winding alleys near Gandy Street, where secrets linger in the shadows. “I wanted to capture the atmosphere of Exeter as it was back then,” he says. “The cobbled streets, the bustling markets, and the introduction of new technologies - it all makes for a fascinating backdrop.”

The Girl on the Tram begins with a dramatic tram crash in Exeter, where a runaway vehicle derails, killing a passenger named Rose.

As she lays dying in Carrie’s arms, she presses a mysterious calling card into her hand, insisting that the crash was no accident. From that moment, the mystery unfolds.

With a touch of Sherlockian sleuthing and a dash of plucky determination, Carrie sets out to uncover the truth - much to the dismay of the local police, who are conducting their own parallel investigation.

“It’s a traditional mystery,” Marson explains. “I wanted something gripping but light, where you can follow the clues without it being too gory or grim.” Indeed, early reviews have praised The Girl on the Tram as a “classic whodunit detective story” and “a real page-turner.”

The novel is steeped in historical intrigue, weaving together the early days of forensic science with the advent of fingerprinting, the new-fangled telephone, and even Exeter’s first motorised vehicles.

But beyond the historical details, the book also carries a personal touch. The author’s fascination with family history led to the discovery of an old metal box filled with handwritten wills, postcards, and letters - including one from a distant relative named Carrie, who had written excitedly about her first ride on an omnibus. “I knew then that Carrie had to be the name of my heroine,” Marson recalls.

Marson, who previously worked as a web designer, always had a story in his head but only recently took the plunge into novel writing. “I’d always fancied writing a story,” he says. “I had a different idea for a book, but when I found that old box and read about the tram crash on the Exeter Memories website, it all clicked together.”

For those wondering whether Carrie Grey will be a one-hit wonder, rest assured: a second novel is already in the works. This time, the mystery shifts between past and present, with a modern-day detective stumbling upon Carrie’s old diary, which may hold clues to his own case. “It’s tricky,” Marson admits. “I don’t want him to read the diary and instantly solve the crime. I’m thinking of having the pages sent to him one by one - like little breadcrumbs leading to the truth.”

Marson enjoys weaving light humour into his mysteries, adding small moments of levity through the characters' interactions. “It’s not a laugh-out-loud book, but there are nice little moments,” he says. “There’s a scene where two detectives discuss the novelty of coffee machines frothing milk - almost like a nod to cappuccinos before they were a thing. Those little historical touches make it fun.”

Much like its protagonist, The Girl on the Tram is on its own journey. The book is currently available online, but Marson is working to get it stocked in independent bookshops and Waterstones’ Exeter branch. “It’s been a real learning curve,” he says. “Self-publishing is one thing, but getting books into physical shops is another challenge entirely.”

Whether you pick up a paperback or download it on Kindle Unlimited, this cosy yet compelling mystery is one for the reading list. And who knows? With Carrie Grey on the case, Exeter might just earn itself a sign of its own: Home of the Next Great Detective Novel.