Stewed to the Bone

Max's Campervan Case Files #6

by Tyler Rhodes

Parents, Pink Caravans, and Cooked Corpses. Sometimes Vanlife gets Gnarly!
Ex-chef and now fully dedicated vanlifer, Max Effort—his parents still don't understand why it was a poor choice of name—picked the perfect spot for a relaxing few days. A quiet campsite where he could unwind with his best friend Anxious the Jack Russell (sausage enthusiast, and occasional existential Terrier).

When his parents arrived to spend a few days with him during the continuing unprecedented heatwave, he wasn't too surprised to find them towing a huge monstrosity they called a "caravan"—think flamingo pink with enough chrome to blind astronauts.

Even more shocking was the stewed corpse of a man inside their rental. Campfire chill instantly becomes crime scene grill!

With Max's nomadic vanlife now undoubtedly intertwined with his new destiny of helping out the local communities, he teams up with his folks to solve this most peculiar of mysteries.

Anxious is on fine form as he sniffs out the suspects, nabs a few sausages (sorry, not sorry!), and almost loses the plot at the hotdog factory, but the gang really struggle to crack the case this time. When another corpse is discovered, all Max's theories are thrown out like last week's congealed leftovers.

Determined to stick to his pledge of cooking every evening meal in his cast-iron pot, Max needs all the sustenance he can muster when the team find themselves in one predicament after another. With a campsite full of suspects, and the restaurant across the road clearly up to something dodgy, stress levels soar as fear spreads faster than a case of botulism at a barbecue.

Will the macabre murderer be discovered, or will the gang become little but minced meat?

Grab your spork and settle down for a culinary cozy mystery. This time the cooking really is deadly.

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.

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 29, 2024

Reviews

[Sue de Boeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another episode in Max’s campervan life with more intrigue and corpses. His bickering but loved up parents, Jack and Jill, are back and determined to help solve the case, plus the mystery of the hidden notes. With the help of his parents and faithful Jack Russell terrier Anxious, Max once again works things out. An enjoyable read.

[CelticMoonGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved all the books in this series, but this one is by far my favourite out of all them so far.
The series follows Max, Anxious and their campervan Vee on the road discovering bodies and solving murder mysteries along their travels. If you meet Max and Anxious on your travels there will no doubt be a murder!
What stood out in this book for me is having Max's parents Jack and Jill in the whole book from start to finish and they were a hoot in the most magical, laugh out loud and best sense of humour way. Was nice to also have Sue and Mickey from book 1 and first adventure and the whole team on the mysterious case. The two detectives were also great characters and know they are murder mysteries but what stood out and most enjoyed this time round was more humour, total surprise to whodunnit and the great characters. If you are not sure or new to the series this one should get you hooked and intrigued. Each book has its own unique murder mystery that keep you guessing to the end, but added bonus that makes them extra special is the background story of Max's life, love, family and friends to discover.

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

[LJ Henley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems that Max has a tendency to have murder happen wherever he settles down to camp in his VW camper van. Along with his devoted dog Anxious, he travels and makes his one pot meals, meeting interesting people along the way. On this trip he invites his parents, Jack and Jill to come be with him. They rent a pink caravan and when it is opened, there's a dead body that has been cooked in it! It is everything his parents wanted for their holiday - a murder mystery! There is a couple who were in book one, Mickey and Sue, who it turns out have a small part of the dead mans. appearance in the caravan. There is food poisoning... not Max's fault, with him being a chef, another murder and a huge fire! When the smoke clears, Max and his parents, along with Mickey and Sue solve the murder, suspected murder and the fire! It is a great read and is keeping me interested in Max's next camper van adventure.

[DebC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Anxious are into another murder mystery. This time, Max finds a "stewed body" in a very pink van! I love the dynamic between Max and his parents, Jack and Jill. Max's description really paints a picture of them. Embarrassing, slightly crazy, plenty of fun and obsessed with the 1950's. Anxious is a cute, clever little dog with lots of personality. Max's Campervan Adventures are always fun to read. I hope Max and Anxious have many more adventures ahead of them.

[Helen Arrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stewed to the Bone by Tyler Rhodes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Installment 6 in Max and Anxious's adventures. This time they're joined by Jack and Jill, Max's parents. A body is found in the hire caravan Jack and Jill have just picked up! And it looks like he's been cooked somehow! A bit of van life and a bit of investigating follow, and this time the police are happy for Max to help investigate. This one feels a bit Midsomer-y (Murders) to me which I love :)

[Laney Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Anxious solve another one with help from the family

Max’s parents add to the fun after finding a stewed corpse in their bright pink caravan. Lots of great one pot food, and treats for Anxious of course. Max figures it out, Anxious brings down the culprit and everyone leaves happy.

[Jacky Mercury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another crazy mystery for Max, Anxious and his fifties obsessed parents Jack and Jill. When a body turns up in a caravan it's all hands on deck to solve the mystery, but nothing is as it seems! The characters have become like old friends and I can't wait for the next book! Fabulous fun.

[Cindy Lea]

Brilliantly done

I avoid purely didn't suspect this ending and that's what I love about these books. Anxious is, by far, my favorite characters even as charming as Max, Jack and Jill are.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 6th installment, and it was fine. Not my favorite, but it kept me engaged on a long drive, and that’s what I needed. There’s one more in the series, and I figure I’ll finish it out for the sake of completion.

[A D Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these books,and this one is no exception. It’s extremely well thought out and once started it is very hard to put it down! My poor hubby had to make do with beans on toast for lunch because of this book.Brilliant read and now I’m looking forward to reading the next instalment.

[Denise Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great read

Twists and turns but a little more guessable this time. Great characters as always, love the pink monstrosity. So funny thanks can’t wait for the next one

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that was a puzzle ! Excellent read !

[Christine Margaret Costello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Tyler. Living these books with Max, Anxious, Min and family.

[Shanna L Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome story!

Great story! Funny like the previous ones. Did not see the ending. Love it when that happens. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Nigel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read but not as good as previous books it seemed to run out of steam half way through hopefully the next will be better.

[Shirley Maude · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another light hearted read .