A Demon Summer

Max Tudor #4

by G.M. Malliet

In A Demon Summer, someone has been trying to poison the 15th Earl of Lislelivet. Since Lord Lislelivet has a gift for making enemies, no one--particularly his wife--finds this too surprising. What is surprising is that the poison was discovered in a fruitcake made and sold by the Handmaids of St. Lucy of Monkbury Abbey. Max Tudor, vicar of Nether Monkslip and former MI5 agent, is asked to investigate. But just as Max comes to believe the poisoning was accidental, a body is discovered in the cloister well.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Cozy, Cozy Mystery, British Literature, Summer

382 pages, Hardcover

First published October 7, 2014

About the author

G.M. Malliet is the author of three mystery series; a dozen or more short stories published in The Strand, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, and Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine; and WEYCOMBE, a standalone suspense novel.
 
Her Agatha Award-winning Death of a Cozy Writer (2008), the first installment of the DCI St. Just mysteries, was named one of the ten best novels of the year by Kirkus Reviews. Subsequent Max Tudor novels were Agatha finalists.

Reviews

[Leslie Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this 4th installment of the Max Tudor mysteries, Max has been dispensed to Monkbury Abbey to investigate a poisoned fruitcake emanating from the handmaids of St. Lucy. The victim is the odious Lord Lislelivet of whom the desired effect of keeping him away from the Abbey has the opposite effect. Thrown into the mix is an American Billionaire, his wife and daughter and a flamboyant art dealer/cougar with her philandering boyfriend, and the Abbey doctor. Needless to say there is a murder and Max is there to uncover this entangled web.
I enjoy the mysteries set in the village but this is close enough and there is some intriguing history that more than makes up for it. Max gets to use his MI5 skills and to the frustration of DCI Cotton, has everyone gathered a la Agatha Christie style to out the guilty parties.

[Lisa Ahlstedt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was OK, concerning the death of a man in a convent that takes in occasional lodgers, but the denoument went on forever. All of the principle characters were brought together in one room (in the greatest cozy mystery tradition) but then then Max Tudor, the detective investigating the murder, proceeds to go on and on (and on!) for ages, pointing the finger of guilt at first one character and then another before finally revealing the truth. Of course, by this time, the reader has dozed off or zoned out and long ago stopped caring.

Another point of annoyance: the "American teenager." Are there no editors who can recognize the differences between American and British language? No American teenager is going to call a cigarette a "fag" or a stupid person a "berk." C'mon now!

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed all of G.M. Malliet’s novels featuring the handsome, perspicacious, and kind Anglican priest Max Tudor; however, while I enjoy the two that were set in Tudor’s own village of Nether Monkslip, Father Max really comes into his own when he’s away from his home turf, as in Demon Summer and A Fatal Winter.

Tudor, a former MI-5 agent turned country vicar, answers an urgent summons from his bishop, who sends him to snoop out the doings at Monkbury Abbey, a convent of the Anglo-Catholic nuns of the Order of the Handmaids of St. Lucy. Several of the convents wealthy donors are crying misappropriation of their donations, while a thoroughly disreputable peer insists that he was poisoned by one of Monkbury Abbey’s famed fruitcakes. Just what is going on at the convent, where time seems to have stopped in the Middle Ages, what with little electric lighting, full habits and veil, constant calls to prayer, and a vow of total silence from compline (9 p.m.) on?

Once again, Max Tudor works hand-in-glove with Detective Chief Inspector Cotton, but, of course, as with any cozy, it is Father Max who discovers the various threads of perfidy that have infested Monkbury Abbey. (Yes, there’s more than just the poisoning of the nasty, self-serving Ralph Perceval, Lord Lislelivet, at play here, evil doings arising from jealousy, greed, and lust.) In fairness, as an Anglican priest, Father Max does have the advantage in understanding fellow religious; however, it’s his knowledge of human nature and his cleverness as much as his knowledge of the history and ways of the Anglican Church that give Father Max the answers. Two of the nefarious plans are particularly clever and intricate, although still believable, and kudos to Father Max for unraveling them — and to G.M. Malliet for devising them! There’s even an Hercule Poirot-like gathering of the suspects for the big reveal that doesn’t come off as cliché or cheesy. Who could ask for anything more in a cozy mystery? The Max Tudor novels sparkle with wit and humor.

With Demon Summer, there is now one book for each season. Surely, surely, the series can’t end now! With news of Father Max’s beloved, the pagan Awena Owen, pregnant and their nuptials, we readers want to spend autumn, winter, spring, and summer with Father Max and the rest of his Nether Monkslip parishioners for years and years to come.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the last I will read. I enjoyed the first three. I did not care for the location, the new characters, and an almost total lack of the usual townsfolk and locale.

I also don't get the Max/Awena relationship. I didn't care for her to begin with...she was just too perfect , too beautiful etc etc.

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first three Max Tudor novels, but found this one to be rough going. This one removes Max from the village entirely, placing him in an abbey, where a murder has been committed. In part because we don't get the characters of the village, and in part because the mystery is resolved by a deus ex machina letter, rather than by Max actually figuring it out based on clues available to the reader, this book isn't nearly as clever or charming as the first three. I'll give her another try if she figures out how to give us another one (having used up the four seasons in the season-title gimmick), but this one was a distinct disappointment after the first three winners.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charming and entertaining but ridiculously convoluted and overwritten in the solving of the mystery, and badly in need of some heavy editing. There was a tremendous amount of text bloating an otherwise amusing story that absolutely didn't need to be there.

[Debra Hennessey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I expected after reading the other Max Tudor books. I love cozies but this one was so cozy it was like a sleeping pill. Over long, over complicated, no fun.

[Ronna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This superb series has covered all the seasons with this fourth book. It's an awesomely humorous and mysterious book that combines Agatha Christie, Louise Penny and Dan Brown----and Malliet mentions all three authors' works within this book so cleverly too.

Former MI-5 operative Max Tutor, is called upon by his Bishop to travel to Monksbury Abby to check on some unusual financial issues with the records from the Handmaids of St Lucy nunnery. Max also finds himself investigating a suspicious fruitcake poisoning, while he's there.

This mystery, though serious, is sparked throughout by such intellectual humor and brilliant connections to those other famous authors, it is unlike any other cozy series I've read recently. There are chapter heads that tell the rules of these Handmaids of St Lucy, along with history of this lady. There is a clash between worldly ways and silent contemplation that adds much to the mystery. I would consider this a must read for any enthusiastic cozy readers!! I listened to a fabulous Audible version of this book which made something great into something extraordinary!!

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am starting to lose patience with this series. As in the previous three books, this story ends with Fr. Max Tudor laboriously explaining what really happened. The problem in this book is that his explanation goes on forever. I had just about lost interest in knowing who did it before he finished. In the audio book, it was over an hour. Possibly close to an hour and a half. Additionally, the explanation introduces so many new story lines that we had almost no hint of to that point, I felt like most of the book was irrelevant. I really love the characters that Malliet has created and I enjoyed the details of convent life; however, I find her books increasingly dissatisfying as mysteries. Finally, I have to completely suspend disbelief about the relationship between a priest and a pagan. I am going to try her other series and see if it is any better.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of information is withheld from the reader and then revealed in a Poirot-style group meeting, which makes for an exposition-heavy and excitement-bereft climax. Max just sorta figures everything out without discovering anything with the reader. I would have appreciated more investigation instead of what amounted to a few interviews and then a long speech. Max is a great character, and the idea behind the crimes of this book is a good one, but the execution was a bit dull.

[Damaskcat · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lord Lislelivet claims he was poisoned by a fruit cake he received when he stayed at Monksbury Abbey, Max Tudor's Bishop asks him to investigate. The nuns at the abbey make fruit cakes for sale to guests and visitors among other things and provide accommodation for people on retreats.

Surprised that the Bishop has actually asked him to use his sleuthing abilities and worried that he is leaving fiancée, Awena on her own so close to the birth of their child, Max goes to stay at the Abbey for a few days to try and find out who could have wanted to poison the outspoken lord and precisely what has happened to the donations given to the Abbey to extend their quest house.

I thought this was a very well written story and the best of the series that I've read so far. There were some very dark undercurrents and I thought the life in the convent was very well done. Max himself is always interesting and the book made me laugh as well as cry at times. I recommend this book and this series to anyone who enjoys traditional crime stories.

[Correna Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most interesting part of the story is about Max and Awina's developing relationship. The details about Max touring the abbey are fascinating in a droll sorta way. The core mystery however.... Kinda a mess. The author makes very little if any attempt to sprinkle clues throughout. Based on the information we're given as readers, none of the characters seem to be viable suspects for two thirds of the story. The motives of why people are visiting the abbey seem quite murky and why they'd target Lilelivet are nonexistent.

When we finally started having things explained, the scene dragged on waaaaay too long because Max was breaking down so much convoluted and unexplored exposition about all the suspects!! Then after that he had to break down different convoluted machinations that it took to get the dead man alone and killed. The red herring motive being revealed milliseconds before the actual killer has to be bad form!! This book is impossible to guess the murderers motive even if you can guess the culprit.

I wish this series involved more of the town of Nether Monkslip and less trips with Max away solving a crime. The supporting cast is sorely missed when he's away. The happenings and politics of small town life are more interesting backdrop than the random castles and places max ends up at. The nun politics are interesting as well, but we know they're not going to play a major role moving forward. That makes me not invested that much in it. I also thought the reveal of THE Holy Grail was ridiculous?!? Like the ENTIRE town of NMS makes it seem like Frank is a hapless nincompoop and his book is easily dismissed garbage but he turns out to be right?!? And then Max still mentally and verbally bashes the book anyway??? I think Frank honestly deserves an apology lol all he did was write about British folklore mingled with history. The more the book is described the more it seems actually like an interesting read! Also, Frank worked so hard for several years on drafting, marketing, and finding a publisher for his book! Wtf? Why weren't the people in his town proud of him? He literally deserves his success, even if his writing style isn't their taste.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Max Tudor mystery I have read, and while I will probably go back and read one more just to see if I am any more intrigued, so far, the most I can do is sort of shrug and say,"bleh." The whole idea of an Anglican priest with a past as a spy is, well, far-fetched, but at the same time fun, and his love affair with a neo-pagan, is the same way: totally far fetched but sort of attention getting. The setting in a medieval-leaning abbey? Okay. But good grief the dragged out nature of all this. While I finally got involved in what was happening, I kept wondering why in the world it was taking so long. Way too much background on individual characters, which ultimately, is not necessary for the plot or to understand most of these people. Too many come across as just "stock" characters with little to no depth: the rebellious teenager who does little but dye her hair, roll her eyes and lie to her parents, the fading vixen trying to hold onto a younger man, the playboy, the horrible aristocrat...As for Max Tudor--nothing here speaks to the MI5 past nor does anything in his personality. Just, suddenly, out of nowhere, he solves this wildly convoluted mystery with leaps of deduction that would leave Sherlock scratching his head in wonder. A lot of plot detail repetition, which I also found unnecessary. As for the resolution--it takes pages and talk about tying together wildly unclear threads. And just when you think it's been solved--no! There's another page explaining who REALLY "did it." Frankly, I found it rather ridiculous. I'm backing up to read one of the earlier entries simply to see if it makes me appreciate this anymore. If not, a harmless diversion but not one I will take again.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an odd mix of American and English. For instance the teenage girl uses the word 'naff' - I really don't think an American girl would use it. The spelling seems to be a mix of both, strangely. The whole thing is a bit flabby; you just want the author to get on with it. Not much happens, and there is lots of telling not showing. It's hard to understand the relationship between father max and his lover. We are told they are madly in love but we don't see much of it. Nevertheless he has made her pregnant. A bit naughty for an unmarried vicar I would have thought. Not a bad read but it needs a bit of jazzing up.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malliet writes well and creates a decent mystery plot. Max is likable although his besottedness in regards to Awena is a little much. So, although I like the character of Awena (despite Max), I prefer the series entries in which she is more off stage, as is this one. In the end Max brings everyone together into one room and spends 3 chapters explaining who done what and when and how. This seemed too much showboating for Max's usual character and I also felt there were a few holes in the plot and some leaps of logic. There was also a certain "Murder on the Orient Express" quality to the story line.

[Camilla · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was too slow. Very few clues along the way or ability to confirm your own thoughts. A lot of trouble to talk about the lambs and yet no sign it was a clue to Max. A lot of words spent on the trip to the library and little accomplished. I don’t know. It’s my first of her books for me to read. It just didn’t fire me up.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A DEMON SUMMER by G. M. Malliet.
After reading WICKED AUTUMN, A FATAL WINTER and PAGAN SPRING (and enjoying each one immensely), I was all set to enjoy A DEMON SUMMER.
A DEMON SUMMER is #4 in G. M. Malliet’s Max Tudor Mystery series.
Max Tudor, vicar of St. Edwold’s Parish in Nether Monkslip, is a former MI5 agent who seems to have a flair for investigating and solving mysteries, especially of the murder variety.
He is called upon by his Bishop and by DCI Cotton to investigate an apparent attempted poisoning (via fruitcake) by the ‘Handmaids of St. Lucy’ at the ancient Monksbury Abbey. There are also rumors of misappropriated funds.
This series is very atmospheric, very character-driven, and very interesting to read. This particular title is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot mystery.
The plots, the characters, the locations, the minutia of village life (and its inhabitants) have become very familiar to me. This particular title, A DEMON SUMMER, is my favorite so far.
*I do get a bit confused as to the differences (if there are any) between the Church of England, the Anglican Church and Catholicism. They seem so intertwined (as they probably are). Some very interesting research is in order.
*****

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Max Tudor and his beloved, Awena are getting ready to marry during a handfasting ceremony (accompanied by a civil service.) However, before this happens, Max's Bishop calls him for a special duty. Find out what is going on at the nearby Abbey.

The Abbey is centuries old and has existed through many perilous times. None, more perilous says Lord Lislelivet than the attempted poisoning of himself. Thus the Bishop is concerned that the reputation of the good Order of St. Lucy not be blemished. However, Max wonders just why the Lord is returning to the 'scene' of the crime.

DCI Cotton is also alerted and Max finds himself looking into the good sister's lives. Not to mention the guests staying at the Abbey.

This tale is full of intrigue and mystery. Is there a Holy Grail at peril? Where has the funding gone? What is the unrest felt among the sisters themselves?

Ms. Malliet is one of the true British mystery authors that keeps me coming back. I truly love this series.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audible version: I get why a lot of reviewers didn't like this one with Max not at home and that at the end, Max gathers everyone in the room like Poirot, but rather than identifying the culprit, he accuses everyone one or two at a time with some idea he'd cooked up and then said, "No, I know you didn't do it." And that took a looooong time. And people are not wrong in saying Awena is far too perfect. Here's a quote that isn't unusual, "And then there was Awena, the bride herself, resplendent as all the meteors of heaven on a clear night, in a foamy ashes of roses dress she had made herself." gag me. But I can't help it. I loved the rest of it. I love Max and the humor. And I love that it took place in a monastery with nuns and all the handiwork and caring of gardens and sheep, and in this case, making fruit cake. If you didn't have to be religious, I'd probably be a nun. I'm so in love with these books, I just might go right on to the next one!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good, classic, murder mystery.

I didn’t find that it had anything super special that would set it apart from other murder mysteries. But the plot was good, I liked the “investigator” character.

A few things I liked - that they didn’t linger too long on any one character, so that you felt as closed off to info as he did. Giving him a bit of a backstory with his town and friends (though at one point I was wondering if Awena was going to be connected to the murder somehow with the random mentions of her sprinkled in). It def gave Agatha Christie vibes so I giggled when they referenced Hercule Poirot. At least the author is self aware. It being set at a nunnery. For me, that was a first and it felt fresh which I enjoyed.

[☺Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the clever and eccentric characters in G. M. Malliet's Max Tudor mysteries and even learning the backstories of each and every one of the nuns at the abbey where the murder has taken place. The "reveal" of the murderer, on the other hand, - the "who" and "why" - dragged on for far too long. I did enjoy the book's upbeat and hopeful ending.
One thing I have noticed about this series, though . . . the murder victims are downright evil and completely without redeeming qualities; while the murderers, are totally worthwhile human beings, understandable, and sympathetic characters . . who very often kill themselves after confessing everything to Max.

[audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demon Summer is currently the exact right speed. It’s a genteel, pastoral wank about architecture, complete with wreathing mists, stone walls, heavy wooden doors and cellars, and possibly at some point, but not for another 100 pages, likely, some poisoned fruitcake.

Minus two stars because the ending absolutely violates one of the rules of fair play in detective fiction. At the time, though, they’re all sitting in a well-appointed and comfortably furnished room looking out over the lamb pastures, so I found it hard to mind.

[Tory Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this British mystery series featuring Max Tudor a former M15 turned priest who helps DI Cotton solve crimes in a scenic British town. In this book, Max helps to solve a mystery taking place at St. Lucy of Monkbury Abbey. The 15th Earl of Lislelivet has been poisoned with a fruitcake sold by the nuns and Max enters the Abbey to help apprehend the perpetrator. This is a delightful British cozy with engaging characters.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a five star book in my mind until I reached the denouement which I found rather drawn out and not in keeping with the rest of the book. It seemed to spend a long time going over in detail things we already knew and going round the room examining the evidence for each person being involved.

I found the acceptance of the both the villagers and the Bishop of Max and Awena's handfasting, and Awena's pregnancy, contrasted with the strictness of the life that the sisters at Monkbury Abbey led and the importance of their vocation. It made me feel that I am slightly out of touch with modern attitudes to what a Bishop and parishioners find acceptable in a Vicar.

[Knewmyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I read this series more for the Max Tudor and Awena romance angle than for the mystery. Since Max was apart from Awena in this book, I found it less enjoyable. The mystery just went on for forever and in the end I really didn't care who did it.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This shouldn’t have taken me that long to read, but I found it sluggish. Also one of my literary pet peeves is the deus ex machina - in this case a letter, And boy, was it long- winded and convoluted! I felt like I was drowning in a see of red herrings.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery taking place mostly in a nunnery. My complaint is that the book needed better editing! There were too many typos throughout, including putting the wrong name at least once. As there are a lot of characters to keep track of, that was a little confusing.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just fab!

[Deb Mervold · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book with Max Tudor and I am continuing to enjoy the series. It is a good series to read in order.

[Helen O'Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these books. Though the author is a little repetitive. Word fillers?
Anyway, I recommend this Chirp audio recording.