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Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare
The cursed and foreboding McGregor Castle is the most terrifying and haunted location in all of the British Empire. Only a brave (or foolish) soul would consider visiting it, let alone staying within its walls for five days. In other words, a perfect dare for a man like Maximilian Standforth!
Maximilian Standforth, famed playboy aristocrat and private detective, is a genius with dangerous tastes. With Bob (his trusty carriage driver, biographer, and body guard) and Maggie Collins (actress, spy, and maid) by his side, Maximilian will experience horrors and madness unlike any seen before. For it is at McGregor Castle that the team will discover more than they ever could imagine in this very experimental and genre-breaking thriller.
Maximilian Standforth, famed playboy aristocrat and private detective, is a genius with dangerous tastes. With Bob (his trusty carriage driver, biographer, and body guard) and Maggie Collins (actress, spy, and maid) by his side, Maximilian will experience horrors and madness unlike any seen before. For it is at McGregor Castle that the team will discover more than they ever could imagine in this very experimental and genre-breaking thriller.
- GenresMystery
281 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2013
315 people want to read
About the author
Scott D. Southard
9 books314 followersScott D. Southard fell in love with books when he discovered Middle Earth and Narnia as a child. That beginning grew into a passion for classic literature and any story that he can get truly lost in. He is the author of seven books, including A Jane Austen Daydream and Permanent Spring Showers. For many years, he was heard on National Public Radio as a regular contributor to WKAR's Current State where he would discuss new and classic novels and literary events. He can be found online at "The Musings & Artful Blunders of Scott D. Southard" at sdsouthard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 26, 2014
First, let me state that if you sit down to read this book after reading A Jane Austen Daydream, prepare yourself for something completely different (but in a good way). Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare is nothing like Mr. Southard's other novel, save the facts that the writing is excellent and the plot and characters are attention-keepers.
The Dangerous Dare kept my attention from the very first. We experience the point of view of Bob Wordsworth, the title character's Man Friday, and his observations and opinions worked for me as a reader. I loved his perspective, with the narrative alternating between tongue-in-cheek and earnestness, the amusing and the extraordinary. Sometimes it was laugh-out-loud hilarious. The story is not all light-hearted, however, and grows steadily more gothic in feel, with its building mystery, spooky settings, and the general feelings of dread that hang around each plot twist.
And speaking of twists, there are plenty of them, somewhat dizzying in number. Rare is the novel that manages to fool you to the end, but here be that story. I was left guessing to the "whoa" moment at the climax. To think one mind came up with all these ideas....
I'm somewhat torn whether to rate this book a four or five star. The subject matter is not one I would typically read, but that's irrelevant to the rating. The author's syntax is excellent. The voice of the narrator and the characterizations are period-perfect. I ultimately decided to opt for the four - but a very strong and beefy and proud Four. There are so many pivot points in the story that I found myself scanning back through the book to refresh my memory about certain details. This was also a story that I could put down and come back to later - in fact, I started it on a trip nearly six months ago and only came back to restart afresh this month. It just didn't demand my attention all in one sitting (which could explain why I had to rehash some facts periodically). Yet I was compelled to finish it. I had to know the answer to that all-consuming question of "so what happened in the end?"
If you like a good mystery - read this book. If you like intelligent writing and witty observations and banter - read this book. If you like strong characterization, to the point that you can picture an individual from the page completely in your mind - read this book. If you like the eccentric, the odd, and the compelling - read this book. Really - just read this book.
The Dangerous Dare kept my attention from the very first. We experience the point of view of Bob Wordsworth, the title character's Man Friday, and his observations and opinions worked for me as a reader. I loved his perspective, with the narrative alternating between tongue-in-cheek and earnestness, the amusing and the extraordinary. Sometimes it was laugh-out-loud hilarious. The story is not all light-hearted, however, and grows steadily more gothic in feel, with its building mystery, spooky settings, and the general feelings of dread that hang around each plot twist.
And speaking of twists, there are plenty of them, somewhat dizzying in number. Rare is the novel that manages to fool you to the end, but here be that story. I was left guessing to the "whoa" moment at the climax. To think one mind came up with all these ideas....
I'm somewhat torn whether to rate this book a four or five star. The subject matter is not one I would typically read, but that's irrelevant to the rating. The author's syntax is excellent. The voice of the narrator and the characterizations are period-perfect. I ultimately decided to opt for the four - but a very strong and beefy and proud Four. There are so many pivot points in the story that I found myself scanning back through the book to refresh my memory about certain details. This was also a story that I could put down and come back to later - in fact, I started it on a trip nearly six months ago and only came back to restart afresh this month. It just didn't demand my attention all in one sitting (which could explain why I had to rehash some facts periodically). Yet I was compelled to finish it. I had to know the answer to that all-consuming question of "so what happened in the end?"
If you like a good mystery - read this book. If you like intelligent writing and witty observations and banter - read this book. If you like strong characterization, to the point that you can picture an individual from the page completely in your mind - read this book. If you like the eccentric, the odd, and the compelling - read this book. Really - just read this book.
July 7, 2019
Maximilian Standfort, detective, accepts a dare to spend five days and nights in the most haunted castle in the isle - McGregor Castle. He is accompanied on his adventure by Bob Wordsworth, his coachman, bodyguard and biographer of his adventures, and Maggie Collins, a maid and what ever he wants her to be. But is the castle haunted, or is it more into the supernatural realm.
An interesting story
An interesting story
July 20, 2014
Book Review:
Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, by Scott D. Southard.
* Please note: I purchased this book. The author did not solicit this review.*
My overall Amazon Star Rating – 4 stars for this mystery/thriller.
As always, I will not rehash the plot of this book and summarize the story. I’ll leave that up to the book’s cover and other venues.
First off, this is an absolutely fantastic cover design. However, I was deceived by this cover. The story isn’t the tale the cover caused me to assign to it. But it’s nice, nonetheless, and deserves applause.
The characters are well-rounded and none are alike. Maximilian is a character to be reckoned with and I found myself wanting to punch him in the face a few times. Bob, the narrator of the story, is actually my favorite character. I mean, who can’t love someone named Bob?
The copy could use another look from an editing perspective, but there’s nothing too awful or that impeded my reading the story. I was into this book from page one. The amusement is solid and the scenes and different storylines merge nearly flawlessly from one to the other. Even though this book is narrated in the First Person, we can still seem to see the other character’s points of view, personalities, even facial expressions and feelings. The First Person narration takes nothing away from this story at all. It’s still well rounded and entertaining. I believe that stems from good story telling. The story is paced well until the end. I felt the ending came way too quickly.
When I started reading this book, I thought I was reading one tale, and then by the last few chapters of the book – the last 3 or so – a plot twist was revealed that left me shaking my head. I wanted Maximilian and Bob and the crew solving a great mystery…do or die. I was very confused at the end and had to sit and think about it for a while. In truth, the end plot twist caused this story to come crashing down for me personally. In fact, I am still not sure what in the world happened. On another note, I believe this would’ve been a good plot twist…in another story.
By the end, I wanted to give this book fewer stars, because I was disappointed. However, at the center of the book, I had already assigned it 4 stars. So, I am still giving this book 4 stars because I was hugely engaged until those last few chapters…where that end twist made me livid. If a book can do that to me, it’s worth the stars! Therefore, I cannot base my rating on the fact that I did not care for the ending. I was fully entertained up to that point. I did not like the changes in reality, back and forth - are we real or not, that started happening in the last quarter of the book. It was confusing. I really wanted a haunted castle, or someone smart enough to create a haunting for the likes of Maximilian Standforth. I, personally, was let down at the end. The story left me going, huh?... I just feel the plot twist shorted the story of something that I could rave about.
I think if you love mystery or thrillers…or anything even Sherlock Holmes like, this is a good book for you. It was for me, but in my opinion, the ending ruined my high. It’s a good ending if you’re a reader who likes a surprise ending that knocks your car off the rails.
I wish the author would write more stories with these two characters. I mean, the ending of this book is such that there would be no questions raised regarding more stories of this group.
Happy reading!
Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, by Scott D. Southard.
* Please note: I purchased this book. The author did not solicit this review.*
My overall Amazon Star Rating – 4 stars for this mystery/thriller.
As always, I will not rehash the plot of this book and summarize the story. I’ll leave that up to the book’s cover and other venues.
First off, this is an absolutely fantastic cover design. However, I was deceived by this cover. The story isn’t the tale the cover caused me to assign to it. But it’s nice, nonetheless, and deserves applause.
The characters are well-rounded and none are alike. Maximilian is a character to be reckoned with and I found myself wanting to punch him in the face a few times. Bob, the narrator of the story, is actually my favorite character. I mean, who can’t love someone named Bob?
The copy could use another look from an editing perspective, but there’s nothing too awful or that impeded my reading the story. I was into this book from page one. The amusement is solid and the scenes and different storylines merge nearly flawlessly from one to the other. Even though this book is narrated in the First Person, we can still seem to see the other character’s points of view, personalities, even facial expressions and feelings. The First Person narration takes nothing away from this story at all. It’s still well rounded and entertaining. I believe that stems from good story telling. The story is paced well until the end. I felt the ending came way too quickly.
When I started reading this book, I thought I was reading one tale, and then by the last few chapters of the book – the last 3 or so – a plot twist was revealed that left me shaking my head. I wanted Maximilian and Bob and the crew solving a great mystery…do or die. I was very confused at the end and had to sit and think about it for a while. In truth, the end plot twist caused this story to come crashing down for me personally. In fact, I am still not sure what in the world happened. On another note, I believe this would’ve been a good plot twist…in another story.
By the end, I wanted to give this book fewer stars, because I was disappointed. However, at the center of the book, I had already assigned it 4 stars. So, I am still giving this book 4 stars because I was hugely engaged until those last few chapters…where that end twist made me livid. If a book can do that to me, it’s worth the stars! Therefore, I cannot base my rating on the fact that I did not care for the ending. I was fully entertained up to that point. I did not like the changes in reality, back and forth - are we real or not, that started happening in the last quarter of the book. It was confusing. I really wanted a haunted castle, or someone smart enough to create a haunting for the likes of Maximilian Standforth. I, personally, was let down at the end. The story left me going, huh?... I just feel the plot twist shorted the story of something that I could rave about.
I think if you love mystery or thrillers…or anything even Sherlock Holmes like, this is a good book for you. It was for me, but in my opinion, the ending ruined my high. It’s a good ending if you’re a reader who likes a surprise ending that knocks your car off the rails.
I wish the author would write more stories with these two characters. I mean, the ending of this book is such that there would be no questions raised regarding more stories of this group.
Happy reading!
July 9, 2013
I started Scott's latest with eager anticipation after having read A Jane Austen Daydream, which I absolutely loved.
Seeing the cover of Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, I came away with a preconceived notion of what the book would be about.
Look at the cover. What tone does the cover set in your mind?
Well, needless to say, I was surprised by the tone. I was expecting a light-hearted mystery novel, when in fact the story trends the opposite after a humorous, tongue-in-cheek opening about the exploits of Maximilian Standforth, aristocrat, bachelor, and genius detective. The Dangerous Dare follows Standforth's latest adventure where he is dared to investigate a haunted castle. The mystery tests Standforth's genius unlike any of his previous adventures and leaves Standforth and his cohorts changed forever.
The story is told from the point of view of Standforth's bodyman, Bob Wordsworth whose name alone gives hints as to how the story will unfold. There are numerous plot twists, especially as the story builds up to the climax. I did not see how the tale would end until it hit me in the face. The author writes a clever mystery novel, making good use of the gothic setting. The setting is haunting and the characters are endearing and likable, especially Bob Wordsworth and Maximilian Standforth.
I came away from the story feeling surprised though, because I went into it hoping for a light-hearted detective story. In the end what I got was a dark Gothic mystery that shares much with another novel I like, Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson. The mechanisms by which each novel reach their conclusions are wholly different, but the punchline, so to speak, is essentially the same.
I do recommend Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, especially if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, if I had to classify this novel I would say that it is a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Darwinia.
The author, Scott Southard, once said that the story was an experiment, and at the time I had no idea what he meant, because, again, the cover had given me a preconceived notion about the story, but now I know. Now I know.
Seeing the cover of Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, I came away with a preconceived notion of what the book would be about.
Look at the cover. What tone does the cover set in your mind?
Well, needless to say, I was surprised by the tone. I was expecting a light-hearted mystery novel, when in fact the story trends the opposite after a humorous, tongue-in-cheek opening about the exploits of Maximilian Standforth, aristocrat, bachelor, and genius detective. The Dangerous Dare follows Standforth's latest adventure where he is dared to investigate a haunted castle. The mystery tests Standforth's genius unlike any of his previous adventures and leaves Standforth and his cohorts changed forever.
The story is told from the point of view of Standforth's bodyman, Bob Wordsworth whose name alone gives hints as to how the story will unfold. There are numerous plot twists, especially as the story builds up to the climax. I did not see how the tale would end until it hit me in the face. The author writes a clever mystery novel, making good use of the gothic setting. The setting is haunting and the characters are endearing and likable, especially Bob Wordsworth and Maximilian Standforth.
I came away from the story feeling surprised though, because I went into it hoping for a light-hearted detective story. In the end what I got was a dark Gothic mystery that shares much with another novel I like, Darwinia by Robert Charles Wilson. The mechanisms by which each novel reach their conclusions are wholly different, but the punchline, so to speak, is essentially the same.
I do recommend Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare, especially if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes. In fact, if I had to classify this novel I would say that it is a mix of Sherlock Holmes and Darwinia.
The author, Scott Southard, once said that the story was an experiment, and at the time I had no idea what he meant, because, again, the cover had given me a preconceived notion about the story, but now I know. Now I know.
January 3, 2015
My first taste of author Scott Southard was through his book “A Jane Austen Daydream”, which I loved, so I don’t know what I was really expecting from this book. Not at all like Jane Austen. This book proved to me the writing skill of Mr. Southard! I believe the man has quiet the imagination, albeit a twisted one. Maximilian Standforth is a mystery in the likes of Sherlock Holms, but with a case that, possibly, even he couldn’t solve. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and give it 5 stars.
July 26, 2013
"Maximilian Standforth and the Case of the Dangerous Dare" by Scott D. Southard is a well written and clever tongue-in-cheek take on detective novels. Told by the assistant to Maximilian in well composed English and entertaining style this concerns the dare to visit a haunted Castle.
Playing with traditional style and plot ingredients but introducing enough surprises and originality this book was great fun to read.
Playing with traditional style and plot ingredients but introducing enough surprises and originality this book was great fun to read.
July 3, 2013
This was a very confusing book for me. The opening hinted at wry humorous adventure books like Artemis Fowl and Lemony Snicket but then mid-way through the tone changed (dare I say, the 'rules' changed) and it became darker. And finally it turned into a meta-fiction along the lines of Thursday Next. The melange of styles and tones did not work for me and the ending left me shaking my head.
July 4, 2013
This book is not typically one I would read, but it captured my attention. There were quite a few twists that I did not expect. Overall, this book made a good impression.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews