Maybe it’s because I grew up navigating the subways and commuter rail lines of New York, but I never met a train trip I didn’t love. I wisely married a man who feels exactly the same way. Even more fortuitous, we live in California—a state with a rich and pivotal railroad history.
While my Golden Motel Mystery series is contemporary, each book contains a subplot touching on the Golden State’s fascinating past. The state’s nineteenth century oligarchs were largely responsible for the creation of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869. This inspired the plot of All Aboard for Murder, where a souvenir from this momentous occasion turns out to be priceless. (The same can’t be said of this souvenir I found on eBay, but I love it anyway.)
In our quest to explore California’s railroad history, my husband Jer and I have hiked the Sierra Nevadas to nineteenth century tunnels chiseled by hand. We paid homage to the twelve thousand Chinese laborers who built the China Wall, an amazing edifice that allowed for the laying of tracks critical to eventually joining the Central Pacific Railroad Company with its eastern equivalent, the Union Pacific.
We’ve visited the state’s railroad museum in Sacramento and Railroad 1897 State Park in Gold Rush Country. The entertainment and transportation industries meet up at the latter, where the opening credits of the old TV show Petticoat Junction were filmed.
A ride on the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad led to the Halloween time frame of All Aboard for Murder. Originally a narrow gauge railroad used to transport lumber, the Sugar Pine is now a go-to destination for Yosemite visitors and train lovers like Jer and me. We were disembarking from a spring train ride when I saw that the railroad offered “The Halloween Limited,” complete with dinner, trick-or-treating, and “spooky storytelling.” I immediately made plans for a return visit. It did not disappoint.
After a dinner of hot dog and chips, we boarded the train, whose locomotive was decked out with skeletons and more. We passed creepy beings in the woods on our journey to the forest amphitheater. As night fell, we were indeed regaled with spooky storytelling. I had a blast incorporating elements from the event into the storyline of my third Golden Motel Mystery.
Weaving personal passions into plots is one of the great joys of being a writer. I hope the love of railroading that I sprinkled into All Aboard for Murder inspires readers to seek out their own train trips. To quote the giant Shay #10 steam locomotive at the Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad, “Choo choo!”
ALL ABOARD FOR MURDER
Series: A Golden Motel Mystery, Book 3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: July 2026
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link
Dee Stern is starting to feel at home running her Golden Motel in the quaint California village she moved to, leaving behind her LA life as a sitcom writer. But a killer sees the town’s Halloween celebration as a golden opportunity to write a script for murder . . .
It’s October in Gold Rush country and all manner of tricks and treats are happening in the lead-up to Halloween. October also happens to be the birthday of Angus Sprockles, the man responsible for the town being designated a historic landmark, and the residents are celebrating his memory as well. His only living descendant, Moses Sprockles, runs the narrow-gauge railroad—once used to ferry lumber from the mountains to the sawmill, now a tourist attraction. The Sprockles Railroad is hosting a Halloween-themed fundraiser for the Historical Society.
But when a body is found on the tracks, it’s not a Halloween prank. It’s Moses himself, seemingly felled by a fallen tree branch. Dee’s dad Sam is convinced his friend is the victim of foul play and urges his daughter to apply her sleuthing skills. Dee’s train of thought leads her to suspects ranging from a former child star and one-hit wonder, the owner of a nail salon with her claws in everything, and even the mayor. When a self-proclaimed ghost hunter throws his hat in the ring and claims to know who did it, the investigation really goes off the rails. No matter how crazy things get, Dee is determined to blow the whistle on a runaway killer with a one-track mind.
About the author
Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries, Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart. Visit her at www.ellenbyron.com.
I love railroads — I can remember my father working for the Rock Island Railroad and last last fall I took Amtrak from Denver through the Rockies to Salt Lake (heading then to Yellowstone not San Francisco). My daughter used to live in Sacramento and I have been to the railroad museum there. I love this series and railroad-focus makes it even more appealing.
Maren, thank you so much! We took the Pioneer line from Portland to Denver before it was discontinued. It’s so cool your father worked on the Rock Island Railroad. Wasn’t there a song, the Rock Island line is a mighty fine line?
I’m looking forward to this new addition to the Golden Motel Mysteries. The Gold Country is such a great setting. I’ve also ridden the Sugar Pine train several decades ago. Congratulations on the new release!
I love that you’ve ridden it too, Cindy! We’ve done two trips. I feel like I learned a lot on both of them. And thanks!
I love train rides, too. Looking forward to reading this one!
Mary, thank you!! You’re the best!
So excited for this book — I’ve been looking forward to it for months! Congratulations, Ellen!
OMG, Marjorie!!! Wow!! I think you’ll particularly appreciate the panel scene at the end. Xo
Ellen, you are such a delightful writer– always a person who makes me laugh and feel good about life. I know this series will be as great as your Cajun Country mysteries! You also are helpful to us struggling Guppies trying to break into print. Love you.
Venita, what a compliment! Thank you SO much.
I grew up surrounded by my dad’s passion for model trains. Being a girl, I got the dolls and my brother got the HO set up. And oh how I coveted those trains and that train room. I fixed that by giving my woman character a model train hobby! I also grew up going to the train station to watch the trains come in and out. Not sure why, but my Dad thought it would be fun for us to wave to the caboose. When I saw this post on Dru Ann’s site, I got so excited and knew it would be my next read. I did take the Venice= Simplon Orient Express years ago when they first found an refurbished all the original trains. Since then I have wanted to take a train trip somewhere so I love hearing about the trips you’ve taken. Count me in for All Aboard for Murder. It’s my next read and guaranteed to whet my whistle. Congrats.
Gerri, how much do I envy your Orient Express ride?! I LOVE train sets. I always go to holiday displays when a local site puts them up. My dad didn’t have a train set growing up, so one year for Christmas, we got him one. xo
Oh, I have such mixed feelings about trains. I grew up with them. Dad, uncle and grandfather were all railroaders. It was bred into me, but someday I will share my train ride from hell with you. but I need wine for that! I do love the old trains that run as tourist events today though. There is a lovely roundtrip ride in Clarkdale, AZ that does holiday events. We went last Christmas and had a blast. I do so love this series and hope it goes on and on!
What a great post, Ellen. As a native Californian, I’m sorry to say I’ve never explored those bits of train history, but I do love a good train ride. A couple of MA friends (one also a native Californian) recently took the train from San Diego to San Francisco, stopping off several places along the way, and they had a great time.
My SF uncle, author Richard Reinhardt, wrote a couple of wonderful books about trains: Workin’ on the Railroad: Reminiscences from the Age of Steam, and Out West on the Overland Train.
Edith, I once took the Coast Starlight from SF (Oakland, really) to L.A. And I’ve separately taken the train from L.A. to San Diego. All gorgeous rides.
I have to check out your uncle’s books!
Hi Ellen. I love hearing about how experiences that other authors have become inspiration for their books. I’ve incorporated my personal experiences into my books, too. I love old trains. I took the historic Skunk Train from Fort Bragg up near Mendocino a few years back. Great fun. From their website: “Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Today’s riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.” I highly recommend it if you ever get up that way.