Max Tudor has adapted well to his post as vicar of St. Edwold's in the idyllic village of Nether Monkslip. The quiet village seems the perfect home for Max, who has fled a harrowing past as an MI5 agent. But this new-found serenity is quickly shattered when the highly vocal and unpopular president of the Women's Institute turns up dead at the Harvest Fayre. The death looks like an accident, but Max's training as a former agent kicks in, and before long he suspects foul play. As the investigation unfolds, Max becomes more intricately involved. Memories he'd rather not revisit are stirred, evoking the demons from the past which led him to Nether Monkslip.
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"What a fun read! The characters in the English village are real 'characters', with lots of personality. I love the country setting and the interplay between the villagers. I especially like the improbable casting of the village priest being a retired MI5 agent."
— Nikki (4 out of 5 stars)
" I liked this book, just not overwhelmingly. It's an interesting take on the English village "cozy" and opens well, but overall I couldn't take a great interest in the village characters. I'll read the next book in the series, but without great enthusiasm. "
— Jocelyn, 2/12/2014" I liked it for a first book in a series; however, the ending where they went into detail about solving the murder was too long. I look forward to reading the next book, A Fatal Winter, which will be available in the fall. "
— Kathy, 2/11/2014" Rarely do I find a British mystery that I don't like, but this one was it! Billed as a cozy mystery, the writing seems contrived and too cute, the characters very stereotypical. Maybe some other time--or not. "
— MaryAnn, 2/7/2014" Good but not as good as its press. Something just seemed a little off. "
— Debra, 1/17/2014" This book sounded like something I would really like but it turnes out that it just wasn't my style. I found myself skimming the pages to just get through it. I'm sure others may love it - but this one was not for me. "
— Julie, 1/17/2014" Listened to this book on the way home from trip to pick up trailer. We both enjoyed it. Characters are well developed, so you can follow the reading without going "who is that?". The narrator was excellent. Will definately look for more from this author. "
— Anie, 1/1/2014" This was intriguing and typically British in many ways. It has a bit of a taste of the spy thriller, alongside a great cozy mystery. Loved this book and cannot wait for the next in the series to come out. "
— Chris, 12/27/2013" nice cozy. interesting protaganist in the village vicar who just happens to be a former spy. well written and lots of fun "
— Judi, 12/25/2013" Never finished...read 70 pages and still no one died... "
— Max, 12/13/2013" I thought this book sounded intriguing...an MI5 agent turned vicar solving a mystery in a small English village. It was OK but it didn't hold my interest; very slow paced and characters I didn't care about. "
— Allison, 11/27/2013" A "classic" village mystery, reworked for modern times "
— Tom, 11/18/2013" An amusing "cozy mystery" with likeable characters in an English village setting. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. "
— Gail, 10/20/2013" A nice english village mystery "
— Lisa, 10/18/2013" Liked the setting and the characters but the mystery did not pull me in too much. I would read another in the series (this is the first) because Max has potential as a lead character. "
— Alyson, 10/2/2013" A fun mystery (which I love to read)! "
— Connie, 8/8/2013" Wonderful! A cozy with a kick. The vicar served in MI5 for 15 years and is nobody's fool, albeit a decent and kindhearted chap. The writing is superb, a bit like a Granny Smith apple. Not too sweet, but mellow and full bodied. "
— Kay, 8/4/2013" A well-written, enjoyable mystery, with well-painted setting and characters. I will definitely read more. Thanks, Anne - I can be pretty sure that if you like a mystery, I will too! "
— Judy, 3/7/2013" I loved, loved, loved this book and can't wait until the next title in the series. The author did a great job setting the context -- describing characters, town, dynamics -- all while the plot developed. "
— Cathryn, 6/18/2012" Just started but loving it. "
— Glory, 5/18/2012" A modern cozy, with some humor and irony. Enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable. "
— Beata, 3/23/2012" This is a murder mystery set in a cozy English village. It's funny and charming and I'll definitely read more in the Max Tudor series. "
— Diane, 12/23/2011" I really enjoyed parts of this book and parts of it really dragged. I will try the second one when it comes out. The setting is a strong point and Max Tudor was an interesting character. "
— Sandra, 11/21/2011G. M. Malliet is a journalist, copywriter, and award-winning author of mystery fiction. She attended Oxford University and holds a graduate degree from the University of Cambridge. Her first novel, Death of a Cozy Writer, was chosen by Kirkus Reviews as a Best Book of 2008 and won the 2008 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. She now lives in the Washington, DC, area.
Michael Page has been recording audiobooks since 1984 and has over two hundred titles to his credit. He has won numerous Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As a professional actor, he has performed regularly since 1998 with the Peterborough Players in Peterborough, New Hampshire. He is a professor of theater at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.