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Max Tudor #8
The Washing Away of Wrongs
In this new mystery for Max Tudor, he is forced to revisit the past to solve a very recent case of murder...
Max Tudor thought he'd left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford college, St Luke's, to investigate the death of its chaplain, and Max realizes there's no leaving the past behind.
At first, Max agrees with the official police verdict of death by natural causes. The Rev. Ace Graybill was as harmless a man as ever lived. It's difficult to see how he managed to cross anyone capable of murder.
And the suspects are all above the celebrated Principal, the cautious bursar, the wise librarian, and a raft of benign students and academics.
But someone in the college wanted the kindly chaplain dead... and looks can be very deceiving.
Praise for G M Malliet
'A superb novel, a wonderful read.' Louise Penny
'G M Malliet has brought the village cosy into the twenty first century... Wicked Autumn is a refreshing read for everyone who loves a really good murder.' Charles Todd
'There are certain things you want in a village a pretty setting, a tasteful murder, an appealing sleuth... Malliet delivers all that.' New York Times Book Review
'For readers who relish a traditional mystery with a satiric edge, perfect for a cozy fireside read' - The Boston Globe
From the series named "Best Mystery of the Year" by Library Journal and The Boston Globe
Max Tudor thought he'd left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford college, St Luke's, to investigate the death of its chaplain, and Max realizes there's no leaving the past behind.
At first, Max agrees with the official police verdict of death by natural causes. The Rev. Ace Graybill was as harmless a man as ever lived. It's difficult to see how he managed to cross anyone capable of murder.
And the suspects are all above the celebrated Principal, the cautious bursar, the wise librarian, and a raft of benign students and academics.
But someone in the college wanted the kindly chaplain dead... and looks can be very deceiving.
Praise for G M Malliet
'A superb novel, a wonderful read.' Louise Penny
'G M Malliet has brought the village cosy into the twenty first century... Wicked Autumn is a refreshing read for everyone who loves a really good murder.' Charles Todd
'There are certain things you want in a village a pretty setting, a tasteful murder, an appealing sleuth... Malliet delivers all that.' New York Times Book Review
'For readers who relish a traditional mystery with a satiric edge, perfect for a cozy fireside read' - The Boston Globe
From the series named "Best Mystery of the Year" by Library Journal and The Boston Globe
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2023
62 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
G.M. Malliet
45 books697 followersG.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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 18, 2024
G.M. Malliet has several series, but one is my special favorite; however, as No. 7, In Prior's Wood, was released in 2018, I no longer expected there would be an eighth. Imagine my joy when I found out this novel was coming! Malliet never disappoints, so this book was everything I expected.
Reverend Max Tudor finds out that the chaplain at his alma mater, St Luke’s College at Oxford, is dead; Reverend Ace Graybill’s widow definitely thinks there’s something suspicious about her husband’s death — even if the Oxford police rudely dismiss her. When they don’t listen to Max either, he investigates the death himself.
Readers will love the humor and attention to detail in this latest from Malliet. (For instance, the fictional St Luke’s College was first mentioned in “The Adventure of the Three Students,” a Sherlock Holmes short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so nice homage there.) Highly, highly recommended. Readers will enjoy this book even more when listening to Michael Page narrate the Audible edition.
Reverend Max Tudor finds out that the chaplain at his alma mater, St Luke’s College at Oxford, is dead; Reverend Ace Graybill’s widow definitely thinks there’s something suspicious about her husband’s death — even if the Oxford police rudely dismiss her. When they don’t listen to Max either, he investigates the death himself.
Readers will love the humor and attention to detail in this latest from Malliet. (For instance, the fictional St Luke’s College was first mentioned in “The Adventure of the Three Students,” a Sherlock Holmes short story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, so nice homage there.) Highly, highly recommended. Readers will enjoy this book even more when listening to Michael Page narrate the Audible edition.
October 19, 2023
From the jacket: In this new mystery for Max Tudor, he is forced to revisit the past to solve a very recent case of murder...
Max Tudor thought he'd left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford college, St Luke's, to investigate the death of its chaplain, and Max realizes there's no leaving the past behind.
At first, Max agrees with the official police verdict of death by natural causes. The Rev. Ace Graybill was as harmless a man as ever lived. It's difficult to see how he managed to cross anyone capable of murder.
And the suspects are all above reproach: the celebrated Principal, the cautious bursar, the wise librarian, and a raft of benign students and academics.
But someone in the college wanted the kindly chaplain dead... and looks can be very deceiving.
Praise for G M Malliet: 'A superb novel, a wonderful read.' Louise Penny
G.M. Malliet
https://www.amazon.com/Washing-Away-W...
Published in print and eBook by Hachette / Little Brown.
Max Tudor thought he'd left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford college, St Luke's, to investigate the death of its chaplain, and Max realizes there's no leaving the past behind.
At first, Max agrees with the official police verdict of death by natural causes. The Rev. Ace Graybill was as harmless a man as ever lived. It's difficult to see how he managed to cross anyone capable of murder.
And the suspects are all above reproach: the celebrated Principal, the cautious bursar, the wise librarian, and a raft of benign students and academics.
But someone in the college wanted the kindly chaplain dead... and looks can be very deceiving.
Praise for G M Malliet: 'A superb novel, a wonderful read.' Louise Penny
G.M. Malliet
https://www.amazon.com/Washing-Away-W...
Published in print and eBook by Hachette / Little Brown.
October 1, 2023
I normally love Max Tudor books, but this one felt a little flat and over-complicated. The long list of characters was confusing—most weren’t that well developed, and their significance was never even hinted at until the finale. I just didn’t really care about most of them—except, of course, Max, Ace, and Hilda. I’d give this book a grudging recommendation because I had to struggle to make myself read on. There seemed to be no compelling plot driving the narrative, except “ who dunnit.” Sorry!
December 2, 2025
I was happy to see another Max Tudor book was published, though I think it was missing some of its charm due to its change of scenery and characters.
November 5, 2023
Father Max returns to Oxford to investigate a death in the chapel. Almost every chapter in this book is about a conversation Fr. Max has with the people at the college when the victim, an Anglican priest, dies in his chapel. Was it just his poor health or did someone have a hand in his death? Max is asked to come to his old college at Oxford to assuage the distress of the new widow and remove any potential harm for the college.
It was delightful to go along with Father Max as he ascertains who is the murderer and, more importantly, the reason for the act. Father Max has great compassion for the victim but is also ruthless in obtaining the information necessary to assign guilt to the person at fault.
With each conversation Max finds new threads of deceit leading to a gordion knot of evil. In a final reveal, with all interested parties present in the Senior Common Room in a scene that would do Agatha Christie proud, it is with sherry in hand that Max unravels the knot and shows the crimes that led to the chaplain's death and the most unique method of murder (only in Oxford?).
The author leaves us, at the end, with a most interesting invitation for Fr. Max. Will he take it? I certainly hope that Ms. Malliet has the next book well in hand. I agree with her editor that Max has more to say and Oxford certainly provides interesting ground for various investigations. In a conversation Max has with a Thames Valley police inspector, they discuss the rarefied atmosphere at Oxford. "A scholar with a rare sense of entitlement might feel whatever he or she was doing was of paramount importance and must be protected at any cost." Yes, plenty of potential crimes just waiting to be revealed by Fr. Max's unique skills, insights, and tenacity.
One additional personal note. This book was written in late 2022. It is the first book of fiction that I have read that mentions the presence of King Charles III. A new era has begun in England.
It was delightful to go along with Father Max as he ascertains who is the murderer and, more importantly, the reason for the act. Father Max has great compassion for the victim but is also ruthless in obtaining the information necessary to assign guilt to the person at fault.
With each conversation Max finds new threads of deceit leading to a gordion knot of evil. In a final reveal, with all interested parties present in the Senior Common Room in a scene that would do Agatha Christie proud, it is with sherry in hand that Max unravels the knot and shows the crimes that led to the chaplain's death and the most unique method of murder (only in Oxford?).
The author leaves us, at the end, with a most interesting invitation for Fr. Max. Will he take it? I certainly hope that Ms. Malliet has the next book well in hand. I agree with her editor that Max has more to say and Oxford certainly provides interesting ground for various investigations. In a conversation Max has with a Thames Valley police inspector, they discuss the rarefied atmosphere at Oxford. "A scholar with a rare sense of entitlement might feel whatever he or she was doing was of paramount importance and must be protected at any cost." Yes, plenty of potential crimes just waiting to be revealed by Fr. Max's unique skills, insights, and tenacity.
One additional personal note. This book was written in late 2022. It is the first book of fiction that I have read that mentions the presence of King Charles III. A new era has begun in England.
October 28, 2023
Not quiet so enjoyable as the previous books. I much prefer it when he’s working around his home patch.
The characters in this novel lacked personality or interest and Max working on his own devoid of his usual DCI made the story less intriguing. I’m really hoping Max doesn’t move to Oxford, it would be far too boring.
The characters in this novel lacked personality or interest and Max working on his own devoid of his usual DCI made the story less intriguing. I’m really hoping Max doesn’t move to Oxford, it would be far too boring.
February 18, 2024
I've really MISSED Father Max, the "dishy" Vicar at Nether Monkslip and former MI5 agent. He's married to the love of his life, Awena, who isn't sure if she actually believes in the same God as Max, but he doesn't care. They have a two year old son named Owen and Max is happy as can be.
He and Awena are on their way to do their Monday shopping at the nearest large town when he is called by his Bishop to go to Oxford to investigate the death of Ace, former chaplain at St Luke's College in Oxford, Max's alma mater. Max remembers Ace, fondly referred to as Friar Tuck by the students.
It's summer. The spring term has ended and students are scattered to the four corners of the earth and Great Britain except for a few foreign students who stay year round.
Ace's wife, Hilda, is sure that his death was NOT accidental and when Max meets her she is accompanied by a friend from the United States, an Oxford grad, famous and wealthy and generous to Oxford, who agrees with Hilda and tells them there was some indication that someone tried to take at least part of her recent contribution. Everyone else, though, is convinced that it was a natural death. He was, after all, a rather rotund man who enjoyed his food and drink.
However, Max starts investigating and before you know it....we have a full blown mystery. These books are gentle satire cozies and a lot of fun. I recently finished Malliet's most recent St Just novel. I was glad to see her return to her older characters because I'm not really enamored of her most recent character, Augusta Hawk.
Max gets stonewalled by the police who are convinced it was a natural death, but they've done nothing of any consequence which leaves Max steaming but it also deprives him of having the police on his side.
Well, of course Max unmasks the murderer and alls well that ends well of course. Malliet leaves a tantalizing ending which could breathe new life into the series. I hope so because I enjoy reading about Max and his adventures.
He and Awena are on their way to do their Monday shopping at the nearest large town when he is called by his Bishop to go to Oxford to investigate the death of Ace, former chaplain at St Luke's College in Oxford, Max's alma mater. Max remembers Ace, fondly referred to as Friar Tuck by the students.
It's summer. The spring term has ended and students are scattered to the four corners of the earth and Great Britain except for a few foreign students who stay year round.
Ace's wife, Hilda, is sure that his death was NOT accidental and when Max meets her she is accompanied by a friend from the United States, an Oxford grad, famous and wealthy and generous to Oxford, who agrees with Hilda and tells them there was some indication that someone tried to take at least part of her recent contribution. Everyone else, though, is convinced that it was a natural death. He was, after all, a rather rotund man who enjoyed his food and drink.
However, Max starts investigating and before you know it....we have a full blown mystery. These books are gentle satire cozies and a lot of fun. I recently finished Malliet's most recent St Just novel. I was glad to see her return to her older characters because I'm not really enamored of her most recent character, Augusta Hawk.
Max gets stonewalled by the police who are convinced it was a natural death, but they've done nothing of any consequence which leaves Max steaming but it also deprives him of having the police on his side.
Well, of course Max unmasks the murderer and alls well that ends well of course. Malliet leaves a tantalizing ending which could breathe new life into the series. I hope so because I enjoy reading about Max and his adventures.
January 18, 2026
A fabulous academia mystery, dark but not really dark academia. I suggest reading this series in order. The first one in autumn, then waiting for each appropriate season to read the next one. Although not a cozy mystery, Malliet mentions cozy mysteries and mystery writing in general in the books. There are allusions sprinkled throughout the series: the Bible obviously, but also Agatha Christie, Miss Marple, and Poirot. Several more allusions in this one: Harry Potter, Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls, Dickens, John Le Carre. There's an interesting allusion to the show Inspector Morse and Lewis, and the way the characters are used points to the author really knowing the shows. I really appreciate the Little Free Library reference.
This is one of my top modern, traditional mystery series. A series better enjoyed with a book at hand, if not being read in print. The audio is lovely but complicated. I love returning to Nether Monkslip; sometimes the books are Monkslip adjacent, because Tudor is called upon for service. Tudor's family changes throughout the series in a perfect way. I love the smooth humor and slice of life comments, and the just cleverness of Malliet.
Max Tudor is one of my all-time favorite characters. Max Tudor, the vicar, is a fresh take on the traditional job since he is a former MI5 agent. Malliet deserves her appointed Agatha award and brings a taste of Christie plot lines, vocabulary, and subtle humor.
I started out of order and then went back and listened in order to Wicked Autumn #1, A Fatal Winter #2, Pagan Spring #3, Demon Summer #4, Haunted Season #5, Devil's Breath #6, In Prior's Wood #7, now #8 The Washing Away of Wrongs. I could relisten to these every year. There is a bit of language, but that's about as edgy as it gets.
Malliet's website also includes a map of Nether Monkslip, two hours from London in the English countryside.
DCI Cotton is not in this one, but Awena is a bit. I highly recommend taking your time to savor this delicious mystery.
This is one of my top modern, traditional mystery series. A series better enjoyed with a book at hand, if not being read in print. The audio is lovely but complicated. I love returning to Nether Monkslip; sometimes the books are Monkslip adjacent, because Tudor is called upon for service. Tudor's family changes throughout the series in a perfect way. I love the smooth humor and slice of life comments, and the just cleverness of Malliet.
Max Tudor is one of my all-time favorite characters. Max Tudor, the vicar, is a fresh take on the traditional job since he is a former MI5 agent. Malliet deserves her appointed Agatha award and brings a taste of Christie plot lines, vocabulary, and subtle humor.
I started out of order and then went back and listened in order to Wicked Autumn #1, A Fatal Winter #2, Pagan Spring #3, Demon Summer #4, Haunted Season #5, Devil's Breath #6, In Prior's Wood #7, now #8 The Washing Away of Wrongs. I could relisten to these every year. There is a bit of language, but that's about as edgy as it gets.
Malliet's website also includes a map of Nether Monkslip, two hours from London in the English countryside.
DCI Cotton is not in this one, but Awena is a bit. I highly recommend taking your time to savor this delicious mystery.
January 6, 2026
It was pleasant to return to the world of Max Tudor even if it wasn't a return to the world of Nether Monkslip, as Max's mentor, the Oxford St. Luke's chaplain the Reverend Ace Graybill, passes away suddenly. His wife is not in agreement with the police verdict and thinks that foul play may have been involved; Max is called in to help. With a plethora of academic types to interview and investigate, Max sets out to see if he can figure out what happened.
This seemed more like a traditional Agatha Christie-style mystery than previous entries in the series. While I missed Max's little village and the residents there, including his wife Awena and their little son Owen, it was nice to see Max exercise his detecting skills in a new setting. Oxford is beautifully described and the characters living there seem like they would fit in at any of the institution's learned colleges.
The ending leaves it open as to whether Max might return to Nether Monkslip in the next installment or make a move to Oxford. Hopefully author G.M. Malliet will carry the series forward in a future book! It was a long time between the two most recent entries, but I have loved all eight books in this series so far.
This seemed more like a traditional Agatha Christie-style mystery than previous entries in the series. While I missed Max's little village and the residents there, including his wife Awena and their little son Owen, it was nice to see Max exercise his detecting skills in a new setting. Oxford is beautifully described and the characters living there seem like they would fit in at any of the institution's learned colleges.
The ending leaves it open as to whether Max might return to Nether Monkslip in the next installment or make a move to Oxford. Hopefully author G.M. Malliet will carry the series forward in a future book! It was a long time between the two most recent entries, but I have loved all eight books in this series so far.
October 17, 2023
The Washing Away of Wrongs is written by G.M. Malliet.
She is the author of several award-winning series including the St. Just series and the Max Tudor series.
The Washing Away of Wrongs is Book #8 of the Max Tudor series of books.
“Max Tudor thought he’d left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford College, St. Luke’s, to investigate the death of its chaplain and Max realizes there is no leaving the past behind.”
This is a wonderful series. I quite like it - the locations, the plotting, the characters. Max Tudor is a very appealing sleuth and the priest anyone would want to know and converse with.
****
She is the author of several award-winning series including the St. Just series and the Max Tudor series.
The Washing Away of Wrongs is Book #8 of the Max Tudor series of books.
“Max Tudor thought he’d left the world of deceit when he resigned from MI5 to become an Anglican priest. Then his bishop asks him to return to his Oxford College, St. Luke’s, to investigate the death of its chaplain and Max realizes there is no leaving the past behind.”
This is a wonderful series. I quite like it - the locations, the plotting, the characters. Max Tudor is a very appealing sleuth and the priest anyone would want to know and converse with.
****
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September 18, 2024Max heads to Oxford at the urging of the Principal of his old college and his bishop to investigate the death of the college chaplain.
One good thing about this book is that Max mentions how hard the pandemic was, mentioning zoom meetings and closing the church. I was pleased that this part of our collective history was discussed. I think Owen's age was a little confusing as Max also mentions that Owen has "started to walk". If Owen was a baby before the pandemic, he would be almost school age now. Details, I know
After the book ends, the author says that Max had more to say or there was more of Max's story to tell. I thought some of the smart, funny writing and the quirky village characters were missing from this installment. The story was interesting
One good thing about this book is that Max mentions how hard the pandemic was, mentioning zoom meetings and closing the church. I was pleased that this part of our collective history was discussed. I think Owen's age was a little confusing as Max also mentions that Owen has "started to walk". If Owen was a baby before the pandemic, he would be almost school age now. Details, I know
After the book ends, the author says that Max had more to say or there was more of Max's story to tell. I thought some of the smart, funny writing and the quirky village characters were missing from this installment. The story was interesting
May 18, 2025
Rediscovered this series while browsing my bookshelf for something to read during a minor illness when I found the first and reread it, and was delighted to find another 7. I’ve just finished this one, no. 8. They’re all fun and as a Brit I live easily with occasional cultural/etc errors (editorial slips*) and they’re rare in this one anyway. The characters are engaging, the humour has me cackling, and the stories carry me along. The solution in this one was entertainingly believable in this university setting.
*One possible though arcane slip had me totally engaged because I thought it might be a clue. It wasn’t but I won’t say more in case it’s going to re-emerge from the water in the next book…
*One possible though arcane slip had me totally engaged because I thought it might be a clue. It wasn’t but I won’t say more in case it’s going to re-emerge from the water in the next book…
August 27, 2025
I’ve enjoyed this series very much up until now, but this one fell somewhat flat for me. The mystery itself was well-crafted, if a little convoluted at times. I think my main issue was this…the Max Tudor series has, in the past, included the community of quirky residents of the village of Nether Monkslip,as well as the constabulary from the nearby town, and those characters add a depth and warmhearted humor to these smart, cozy mysteries. However, this one takes place in a bubble, with Max investigating a death at Oxford University instead of in or around the quaint village, and as a result this one lacks the charm and humor of the previous Max Tudor mysteries. Max just isn’t a powerful enough character to carry the story without the added dimension of the additional characters.
February 24, 2024
Another excellent book in the Max Tudor series. I would recommend reading the series in order if possible as it will give you a better understanding of Max's thought processes and values. There is only one negative I can find in the whole book and that is that covid is written about as though it was in the past. Perhaps when the author wrote the story she hoped that the pandemic would be over and done with by the time the book was published but unfortunately it rages on around the globe: to read it written about in past tense is a little grating. Other than this very minor point this was a great mystery. Highly recommend.
November 26, 2024
This classic mystery is a delightful throwback to the Golden Age of Christie, Sayers, and Allingham. Handsome Anglican priest and former MI-5 agent Max Tudor is called to Oxford, his alma mater, to investigate the suspicious death of the college chaplain. While the police and university officials are convinced it was natural causes, the chaplain's widow is adamant it was foul play. Father Max finds himself surrounded by a host of suspects, and the ultimate reveal of both the method and the murderer is pure Poirot.
This series is best enjoyed in order—though fair warning, the fifth book is a bit of a letdown and can be skipped without missing much.
This series is best enjoyed in order—though fair warning, the fifth book is a bit of a letdown and can be skipped without missing much.
June 30, 2024
Max Tudor away from wife Arwena and his home parish of Nether Monkslip, falls a bit flat. Max is in Oxford to investigate the death of the chaplain at his old college but the plot felt overly complicated and too many clues were withheld from the reader.
The solution to the mystery involved an overly long gathering of all the suspects at a sherry party and a lengthy explanation of all the convoluted twists and turns that finally led to the solution.
Will Max move to Oxford and take the chaplains place? I hope not!
The solution to the mystery involved an overly long gathering of all the suspects at a sherry party and a lengthy explanation of all the convoluted twists and turns that finally led to the solution.
Will Max move to Oxford and take the chaplains place? I hope not!
November 16, 2024
I think G.M. Malliet is a first-rate writer and I like her main character, Max Tudor. Having said that, my main complaint about this book is that it's boring. Lots and lots of talking, but no action -- ever. This is a financial mystery, and the solution was pretty convoluted. The reader wasn't given all of the information, and it just wasn't very satisfying. Because the author is a good writer, perhaps I would enjoy another book in the series more. This is the first one I've read. We'll see if I'm willing to read another one.
November 7, 2023
Another excellent read! At this point I am more interested in the characters than the mysteries! I find Max and interesting mix of personality traits and how he ends up involved in another death mystery! Now I await to see what he decides where he goes next? It was interesting to have an inside look at how a British college runs and the various positions responsibilities! Another book in a wonderful series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2024
A good read. The solution was a bit less compelling than some, but I loved the Oxford setting. I really hope she writes more in this series!
Oh, and the man who was killed in this book was named Ace Graybill! I have never heard of a Graybill who didn’t have Swiss-German heritage. They did not get into this guy’s heritage, but google tells me that there was also once a Scottish tribe that went by Graybill…
Oh, and the man who was killed in this book was named Ace Graybill! I have never heard of a Graybill who didn’t have Swiss-German heritage. They did not get into this guy’s heritage, but google tells me that there was also once a Scottish tribe that went by Graybill…
March 23, 2024
perfect read for a rainy weekend
Father Max leaves the comforts of wife, home, and leaky roof in Nether Monkslip (after 8 books I still smile at the name) for the academic hallows of Oxford in this delightful entry in the Father Max canon. The resolution of the mystery is as complex as Oxford would require. And it certainly ends on an intriguing note!
Father Max leaves the comforts of wife, home, and leaky roof in Nether Monkslip (after 8 books I still smile at the name) for the academic hallows of Oxford in this delightful entry in the Father Max canon. The resolution of the mystery is as complex as Oxford would require. And it certainly ends on an intriguing note!
September 20, 2024
I have enjoyed this series so much and was delighted to see that this new addition was available.
Max Tudor, ex-MI5 agent and now vicar in Nether Monkslip, is called to Oxford when an aged priest dies and no one but his wife thinks that his death was not natural. Complicated investigations lead Max to the truth, and I hope that he will return for lots of future mysteries.
Max Tudor, ex-MI5 agent and now vicar in Nether Monkslip, is called to Oxford when an aged priest dies and no one but his wife thinks that his death was not natural. Complicated investigations lead Max to the truth, and I hope that he will return for lots of future mysteries.
December 14, 2024
Excellent!
I really enjoyed this book. As well as being set in Oxford, a place I love, it is quite a good story. As you read the book the clues are laid out before you, but so logically and in such a matter of fact way that you just don't see them. Or maybe that's just me. Whatever, it still makes for a good read.
I really enjoyed this book. As well as being set in Oxford, a place I love, it is quite a good story. As you read the book the clues are laid out before you, but so logically and in such a matter of fact way that you just don't see them. Or maybe that's just me. Whatever, it still makes for a good read.
January 3, 2025
Cute and cheesy mystery that makes an easy read. The author clearly LOVES Oxford and expects the reader to as well. Girl nobody cares lol. Felt like it was fun to write and while the solution lost me for a couple pages it brought me back around with a decent payoff. For the casual watcher of Murder She Wrote. I’ll be starting the series from the first one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
3.75 I had enjoyed some of the earlier ones in this series but then lost interest. I was pleasantly surprised at this one until the ending, which I thought was overly drawn out and complicated. Still, overall an enjoyable read.
October 29, 2024
It was a pleasure to read a new Max Tudor after six years. Max returns to his college in Oxford to investigate the death of the college chaplain. The eventual reason was something I didn’t suspect. It was a little convoluted but made sense at the end.
December 11, 2024
Saw this on the shelf in the library and thought it would be a fun read and a break from the intense narratives I’ve been reading.
What I liked:
It was easy to read and I like how new primary suspects were introduced per chapter.
What I didn’t like:
Some parts were too predictable, and the mystery was a bit too simple for my liking. Also Max felt like just a normal detective compared to the character of Sherlock Holmes (although to be fair, who can compare to SH?). Perhaps I should’ve read other Max Tudor books prior to this for me to like Max more as a character.
What I liked:
It was easy to read and I like how new primary suspects were introduced per chapter.
What I didn’t like:
Some parts were too predictable, and the mystery was a bit too simple for my liking. Also Max felt like just a normal detective compared to the character of Sherlock Holmes (although to be fair, who can compare to SH?). Perhaps I should’ve read other Max Tudor books prior to this for me to like Max more as a character.
December 7, 2024
I'm not sure why the author wrote this book. It lacks the charm and gravitas of the previous books. If you like books about murders at Oxford (it even references the Morse and Lewis mysteries), then maybe you'll like this.
August 14, 2025
I missed Nether Monkslip, although the Oxford setting was lovely. This is a well written mystery. I'm hoping for another Nether Monkslip book, but I'll continue reading the Max Tudor series even if he relocates to Oxford.
October 8, 2023
Excellent story, thank you, and I hope Father Max will keep appearing :)
November 11, 2023
Will Max accept the offer to move to Oxford from Nether Monkslip? What will wife Awena and son Owen think about the idea?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews