Serialized Storytelling at Its Best: M K Rumsey’s ‘Murder on the Aerial Express’

Are you ready to unravel secrets high above Victorian skies? Welcome aboard Murder on the Aerial Express, a young adult novel blending the intrigue of Agatha Christie mysteries with steampunk charm. Think murder, romance, and airships—perfectly mixed into one captivating serial you’ll eagerly await each week.

Lady Isabella Huxley: Alchemist Turned Accidental Sleuth

Lady Isabella Huxley isn’t your average teen heroine. Smart, sharp-tongued, and unapologetically independent, she’d rather spend time experimenting with alchemy than chatting with nobles. She’s content with explosions in the lab—not explosive romances. But when she boards the luxurious Aerial Express, her quiet plans take a swift turn toward disaster.

On the first night aboard the glittering dirigible, the owner is found dead. Murdered. Suddenly, her carefree journey transforms into a tangled web of suspicion and intrigue. Isabella never imagined playing detective—but when danger threatens her friends, she discovers talents beyond bubbling beakers and smoky experiments.

Sky-High Secrets and Heartfelt Drama

Life aboard the Aerial Express turns perilous quickly. Suspicion casts its shadow over every passenger—from eccentric aristocrats hiding scandalous pasts to charming rogues masking sinister motives. Isabella finds herself navigating not only twists in the murder case but also twists of the heart. Among the eclectic travelers is a young man whose charm infuriates her—and whose personal vendetta makes him a prime suspect.

With danger escalating each chapter, Isabella must decide who to trust. Her wits and ingenuity become weapons more powerful than steam-powered gadgets and mechanical marvels. As secrets spill out, Isabella realizes surviving the trip may mean solving the murder herself. Romance, however inconvenient, seems determined to slip through the cracks of her carefully guarded heart.

Immerse Yourself in a Unique Serialized Experience

Each Thursday, readers can dive into new chapters delivered straight to their inbox. Signing up is simple, and completely free—perfect for mystery lovers and steampunk enthusiasts alike. But for those craving a richer reading experience, there’s an enticing premium subscription available.

The premium edition unlocks exclusive multimedia content, from AI-generated artwork to interactive digital layouts that bring this Victorian steampunk world vividly to life. Better yet, you can explore premium content risk-free: the first two chapters are available at no charge. And until the end of May, readers can snag premium access at a generous 40% discount. There’s no better time to embark on this fantastical adventure.

Meet the Mind Behind the Mystery: Author M K Rumsey

The creative force behind Murder on the Aerial Express, M K Rumsey, didn’t start out planning mysteries aboard flying ships. After earning her Ph.D. in English Literature from UCLA, she discovered her passion wasn’t lecturing students—it was storytelling. Now, from her cozy Minnesota home, Rumsey crafts compelling tales that span centuries, genres, and imaginations.

When she’s not weaving tales of murder and mystery, Rumsey spends her time baking (often sweets she shares with friends over a good bottle of wine) or defying gravity through aerial athletics—living out her own daring adventures beyond the page. Her enthusiasm for life flows effortlessly into her novels, adding authenticity and charm readers can’t resist.

Ready for an Unforgettable Journey?

Whether you’re here for the suspense, the romance, or the sheer joy of an imaginative steampunk world, Lady Isabella’s journey has something special to offer. Rich with character-driven intrigue, sharp dialogue, and heart-pounding romance, each serialized installment promises thrills that’ll leave you craving more.

So climb aboard—subscribe today to follow Lady Isabella Huxley as she untangles deadly mysteries in the skies above Victorian England. You’ll find yourself enchanted by daring escapades, clever alchemy, and perhaps even rooting for Isabella to open her heart along the way.

Adventure awaits—your seat on the Aerial Express is ready.

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!