A Festival of Fear

Max's Campervan Case Files #5

by Tyler Rhodes

Murder, Mayhem, and Mosh Pits Turn Max's Chilled Weekend into a Festival of Fear!
It's Lydstock time again, the most anticipated music festival of the year. Max Effort, chilled ex-chef turned vanlifer, is already there, the VW camper is up on its levelling ramps, and when Min arrives to spend the whole weekend with him and Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier, he's as happy as any ex-husband could be.

As the first night gets underway, and Uncle Ernie "Elbows" Effort's ska punk band The Skankin' Skeletons headline instead of their arch-rivals The Third Skatallion, things get spicier than a habanero vindaloo. ️

Just as Ernie belts out the final note, a bandmate keels over like a dropped mic, stone cold dead. ☠️ The officious DS Kate Moss (not that Kate, although it would be a plot twist!) dismisses it as an overzealous guitar solo gone wrong, so it's down to the team to solve this heinous crime.

Joining forces with Moose, a keen security guard with freaky ninja skills but a body that doesn't suit, the pounding bass and blistering drums are hiding more than some dodgy riffs as yet another murder rocks the site.

Lukewarm lager and limp lettuce wraps fly, and rockstars reel, as it all comes down to a heart-pounding crescendo. Can Max uncover the truth before another headline act bites the dust?

Equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and suspenseful, this cozy mystery has enough twists and turns to leave you begging for an encore!

Let the skanking begin…

Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up!

A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 15, 2024

Reviews

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are at the most anticipated music fest in the village of Lydstock, where bands come from far and wide to play their new work, old work, familiar and other. They also bring goodies to sell like T-shirts, music, and others to help raise money.

We again have our great trio of Max Effort, ex-wife and best friend Min, and Anxious, best friend Jack Russell terrier on the scene thoroughly enjoying their time together and the music to boot. As the first night commences Uncle Ernie "Elbows" Efforts punk band The Skankin' Skeletons. Just as Ernie sings his last note, one of his bandmates surprisingly drops over dead. DC Kate Moss dismisses it as an overzealous solo gone very wrong, but Max and Team know different and set to work solving this most unusual crime.

Another body shows up, and Max and others really have their work cut out for them. They are loving the music, Min is especially enjoying her time with Max, and they work together to do their best to solve these crimes. It's a fun book, enjoyed it very much.

This book was written by Tyler Rhodes, and narrated by Gareth Richards. Rated: 4.0 stars! Enjoy!

[Jnfr Two · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best in a so-so series

Unless I get exceptionally bored and run out of other books, this will probably be the last book I read in this series. Most of them I’ve read to date were mildly entertaining and the “mysteries” weren’t too obvious. This one, however, is a double bucket of saccharine dialog between the ex-chef and his ex-but-always-there-wife. The whole “chemistry” thing between the two of them was old several books ago and is positively nauseating in this book. Coupled with the ridiculous portrayal of said ex-wife as a star-struck wannabe groupie dingbat, it’s hard to take. The mysterious murderer was obvious from first introduction. Seriously, when thinking of crimes at festivals and circuses, who do you think of first? The saving grace, if any, was that the chef’s idiot parents made no appearance this time. And at least there’s a dog.

[Eugenia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series but I got so angry at how Min, the ex-wife/friend-without benefits, was portrayed in book 5 that I couldn’t finish it. Supposedly she’s a sophisticated career woman in London but she shows up at a music festival acting like Elly Mae (look up Beverly Hillbillies), wearing short-shorts and a vest, skipping and giggling, culminating in her fainting at the sight of an aging rocker. Really! The plot line was so weak I didn’t care who did it. Using another TV reference, I think Tyler Rhodes has “jumped the shark”.

[M Jacoby · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in this series was fun. The second book was still fun. By the third book, everything was predictable and a repeat of the first two books. Max gushes over his VW camper van. Min shows up in the campground either having been invited or not. There is a murder or two. Max gets involved. A local helps in the investigation. Everyone in the universe is talked to and is a suspect. The murderer is exposed in the last few pages. I'm moving on to other authors.

[Ann Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gets irritating

Good plots and I like reading about the settings - but so annoying, all the grinning and giggling and Min is very irritating, downright absurd in this one. And she skips everywhere! She’s not 9!
I’ve got this far, gritting my teeth over Max’s ‘calling’ and I dare say I’ll read the rest. I’ve learned a lot about old camper vans anyway!

[CelticMoonGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series of one man named Max, his dog Anxious and their campervan Vee wander the countryside and end up solving murder mysteries. Added bonus of one pot cooking recipe with every book!
The series is well written, great sense of humour, wonderful engaging and adorable characters and glad on this one Max had Min along for the whole adventure as murder happens during their festival fun time.
Each mystery is unique and covered in one book so they could be read as stand alone, but if you enjoy one book you will love the others and discover more about Max, Min and Anxious along the way as good backstory.
Enjoyable, fun and good clean murder mystery entertainment.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Freda Lawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where's Moose?

A brilliant story that kept me guessing right until the end. Lots of questions though - is Min going to come back into Max and Anxious' lives? Is Moose the Ninja just in their imagination, or will we see him again (please???)? Can Min see more famous people without being overcome?
I can't wait for their next adventure.

[Sue de Boeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of the same scenario with Max and Min and murder mayhem. So easy to read and I feel I really know the characters well. I liked the ending. I had my suspicions but wasn’t certain, though it turned out my guess was right as to the whole, but not a clue as to the why. Looking forward to reading the next one, though I might slip a different author in between.

[Denise Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow another great story

You did it again, read it in one go ,couldn’t put it down. But I did guess the killer but not the reason or how he did it. And who was moose? Please say the next story is about the notes left in vee. Wonderful characters , brilliant

[DebC · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book and will be reading more from Tyler Rhodes. I love murder mysteries and this book is an easy read. Max and his little dog Anxious, along with the quirky characters make this story lighthearted and fun.

[Nikki Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent and throughly enjoyable read by Tyler as you follow Max’s adventures. Some one pot wonders and twists, turns throughout that kept you wondering until the end who the murderer was and let’s not forget Kate Moss!

[R K Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Series started well but this book just grates. The irritating, simpering ninny that is Min really needs a stiff talking too. If you get my drift. As for the plot, a van with supernatural powers? Oh please... I won't be bothering with the rest of the books in this series.

[Helen Arrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Festival of Fear by Tyler Rhodes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another outing for Max and Anxious, and this time Min is along for the whole ride.
Set in the confines of a music festival there's lots going on, and potentially a lot of suspects!
A great cosy mystery with lots going on, a nice easy read.

[Jacky Mercury · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic adventure for Max , Min and Anxious the dog. A dramatic death leaves many questions for Max. Will Lydstock festival complete its 25th anniversary weekend, or will Max and Min save the day?

[Judy Tomkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent read. Got me gripped from start to finish. Love reading about the exploits of Max, Min and Anxious.
Looking forward to their next adventure.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another great read, onto number 6

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story

Love these books, murders, mysteries, romance, food, fantastic VW camper and a precious dog. I’m ready for the next adventure…..

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, Min and Anxious are back in investigative mode, this time at a festival with aging Rickers who all seem to be expiring at a rapid rate and by unnatural means. Who is numbing of the rockers, what’s the motive? And will Min meet her idol? Max and Min just need to get back together already

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting read with plenty of twists until we find out who the killer is.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting concept.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, Sam, Max, and Min are a comfort read for me. No frills. No surprises. Characters I feel like I know.

[Shirley Maude · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this one as much as previous books. Still the question about Max and Min.