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Peter Maxwell Mystery #20
Maxwell's Summer
Listening length: 7 hours and 38 minutes
Maxwell is anticipating a quiet summer, with perhaps some light gardening if necessary - and as long as plants don't grow over the door and trap them inside, it won't be. But, as often is the case, Mrs Troubridge happens and a day out for her and her special friend, Mrs Getty, takes Maxwell and Nolan to Haledown House and into a web of intrigue and death. Maxwell's summer is nothing like he planned. As resident conversationalist at a stately home, with riding lessons for Nolan and free dinners when she wants them for Jacquie, Mad Max Maxwell could be forgiven for expecting an easy time of it - with a fat cheque thrown in. But murders soon cross his path - almost literally - and with his own life in danger, will he make it to the dreaded A Level Results Day?
Maxwell is anticipating a quiet summer, with perhaps some light gardening if necessary - and as long as plants don't grow over the door and trap them inside, it won't be. But, as often is the case, Mrs Troubridge happens and a day out for her and her special friend, Mrs Getty, takes Maxwell and Nolan to Haledown House and into a web of intrigue and death. Maxwell's summer is nothing like he planned. As resident conversationalist at a stately home, with riding lessons for Nolan and free dinners when she wants them for Jacquie, Mad Max Maxwell could be forgiven for expecting an easy time of it - with a fat cheque thrown in. But murders soon cross his path - almost literally - and with his own life in danger, will he make it to the dreaded A Level Results Day?
8 pages, Audio CD
First published September 8, 2020
92 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
About the author
M.J. Trow
149 books119 followersMeirion 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.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2021
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.
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.
October 4, 2020
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.
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.
February 25, 2025
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.
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.
February 19, 2021
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.
May 3, 2023
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.
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.
September 14, 2020
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.
Hugely as enjoyable as it's predecessors, it's been a long wait but did not disappoint on any level. Maxwell solves the crime.
September 22, 2020
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.
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.
January 28, 2024
Absolutely loved this one .
June 28, 2025
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.
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.
March 4, 2025
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.
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.
April 16, 2025
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.
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.
January 14, 2026
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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews