Maxwell's Summer

Peter Maxwell Mystery #20

by M.J. Trow

Peter Maxwell is looking forward to a nice quiet summer, with perhaps a little light gardening if necessary – as long as the plants don’t grow over the door and trap them all inside, it won’t be necessary. But, as so often in Maxwell’s life, Mrs Troubridge happens and a day out for her and her special friend, Mrs Getty, takes Maxwell and Nolan to Haledown House and from there into a web of intrigue and death.

Maxwell’s Summer turns out to be nothing like he planned. As resident conversationalist at a stately home, with riding lessons on the side for Nolan and free dinners when she wants them for Jacquie, Mad Max Maxwell could be forgiven for expecting a pretty easy time of it – with a nice fat cheque thrown in. But murders soon cross his path – almost literally – and with his own life in danger, will he even make it to the dreaded A Level Results Day?

Genres: Mystery, Crime, Cozy

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2020

About the author

Meirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.

Reviews

[Steve Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute joy to return to Mad Max - I read all the early books in hardback years ago, but then lost touch when I got my first Kindle, and was shocked to discover that the books had not made it onto that format. That had now been rectified so it's great to catch up.
Relieved to find that Trow has retained all Max's wit and reluctance to move with the times with which those of us of a certain age identify only too well.
The story finds Max in an ideal summer holiday job in a quasi-stately home packed with American tourists. It is no surprise to find that murders soon come along. This is a wonderful cosy mystery well up to the standard of earlier books, with the added benefit of Trow's witty writing style. It's not too difficult to guess the identity of the murderer, but that doesn't really matter.
Please don't keep us waiting for the next in the series.

[Pauladyastalktalk.Net · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doesn't disappoint!

I got an email yesterday telling me ther was a new Maxwell! I'd given up hope of another one so was so happy I immediately bought. Finished it already and it was a classic Maxwell, like meeting up with old friends. Also nice on a miserable, rainy autumn weekend to be whisked back to hot summer days. Sadly, I am now back to waiting a new one, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait; this one was.

[Susan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as ever

Well written, just had to keep reading. Nolan is growing up. Can't really say too much without giving away too much of the story. It's a treat as all the Maxwell books are. Can't wait for the next book.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was happily surprised to see that M.J. Trow returned to Mad Max. It was a nice mystery though I missed some of the side characters. I've read most of the books in this series and I hope it continues.

[Kabrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer holidays with the Maxwell family - what could be better than that?
I loved every minute, enjoyed every little joke and laughed out loud at times.
Peter Wickham's narration, as always, was superb. It made it well worth waiting for.

[MRS ALISON M BIRD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five years later

Hugely as enjoyable as it's predecessors, it's been a long wait but did not disappoint on any level. Maxwell solves the crime.

[Denise Gould · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining

Mad Max rides again, brilliant storyline and having read all the books in the series I have to say they get better with each book.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one .

[PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really love the characters in every book in the series. Worth reading just to enjoy them! Funny.

These books are full of England English phrases, people, places...that were/are Greek to me ...I spend time looking things up many many tines. These books are fu!m of movie and television references that I know (hurray) and those I don't...(sometimes I just feel stupid not knowing...but they are both England's beat...Maxwell's favorites...and America's beat...Maxwell's favorites...and I simply am flumoxed...how many English productions Jacobs You seen...hmmm???)
There are quotes famous and obscure, Latin and French phrases galore and references to historical events that you nay have never prepared to translate or are prepared to know or know of.
Stupid is bot my happy place and in the end of each novel...after much "looking up" so to speak I feel a teensy bit smarter and well satisfied with the main characters and the plot...well defined within the text and the satisfaction if reading a fine, fun, complex and colorful yarn.
Period.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of a basket of deplorables

I usually enjoy British humor, but I don't see a need to
denigrate our current President in the process. He won
this past election because we didn't like the woke ideology
forced down our gullets from the left. It's about time you
you do the same.
I will read another MJ Throw but no more political digs
please. That's the reason for 3 stars.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is only one Mad MAX

Peter Maxwell (Max to his friends) does not disappoint. Neither do Jacquie, Nolan, Count Metternich or Mrs. Troubridge. I am ready for the next adventure.

[Mrs. Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delight

Sheer joy, as always. Lovely to see Maxwell’s family developing. Jacqueline and Nolan add their own flavour, and Henry Hall continues to stand as the yin to Max’s Yang.