A Comedy of Terrors

Max's Campervan Case Files #7

by Tyler Rhodes

Max's Vanlife Takes a Wrong Turn—Bodyparts Ensure the Comedy Festival is no Laughing Matter.
Disaster struck the morning of the Chucklefest Comedy Festival. Not with a bomb (thank goodness), but with a canine whimper. Vanlife convert Max Effort's best buddy, Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier, managed to disassemble his favourite toy, leaving him bereft.

But help was on hand, and Min, Max's ex-wife, best friend (besides Anxious, obviously), and the true love of his life, hightails it across the country, determined to deliver a replacement bestie.

Feeling chilled and in good spirits, Max's mood soon soured when he reached into the festival freezer and discovered a smiling face staring back at him. Shame it wasn't attached to the rest of the poor comedian's body.

Once again the gang are embroiled in a gruesome murder mystery, and it's no laughing matter.

Who killed the comedian? Why chop him up? And where's the rest of him?

As clues are uncovered, everyone becomes a suspect, including the posh landowner, the event manager, and even the comedians themselves. Trying to fit in a one-pot wonder amidst the chaos was a real challenge for our struggling ex-chef, but he was determined to not only cook a feast but uncover the truth too.

Then everything changed, and life would never be the same again, as none of the gang were prepared for what became the most surreal experience of their lives.

When another body is discovered, events spiral and, horror of horrors, it seems like dinner might have to be put on the back burner.

Grab a seat, get your laughing gear around something frosty, and settle down for a lighthearted, gripping, proper whodunit with a steady stream of suspects, red herrings, and some entertaining one-liners.

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.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

209 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, Min, and their pup are back for another adventure. Between comics, spies, horse this and cooking, this adventure was one for the ages. Max and Min are making strides in their relationship, to Max’s everlasting delight. These book are pure entertainment, it’s best to read from book one to really enjoy but each book can also stand on its own. Good read.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max is camped out at the Chucklefest Comedy Festival camp area. It's a one day deal. He and Anxious, a Jack Russell Terrier, has just murdered his teddy bear. He calls his ex wife,Min, and lets Anxious explain it to her. So she will bring a spare today. He is excited to be seeing her. So he gets stuff set up. Then he heads over to the clubhouse to get ice. When he gets there he talks to Silas who runs the place. He finds out one of the comedians is missing after a bender the night before. He opens one of the chest freezers and gets a bag of ice then closes it. Then thinks he should get another to be on the safe side. So he opens the chest takes a bag...stares...then slams the lid. He goes to Silas to tell him he found his comedian in the freezer. He, Silas and Janis go back and open the freezer. Silas and Janis yell out I'm in! A murder, Max has solved several already so they are going to help him. He's trying so hard not to get involved because his ex is coming and he's hoping to spend time with her. Not get embroiled in a mystery! Oh phooey! He's in. Now to get the police. Into this madness his ex wife,Min, arrives. She looks at him and shakes her head...another murder mystery.
Thrills, chills, humor and exes all rolled into one semi comedic story. The murder is gruesome but the hilarity seems to roll off from ineptness to totally zany.
A must read in this series that will leave the reader scratching their head and wondering how (un)lucky one man can be!!.

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

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I pretty much only read these because of Anxious. Well, the stories are decent too and the writing isn't bad but I don't really care for the characters. Min is a bit of a bore and very weak and pathetic, plus she typically acts like she's 12 though she's in her late 30s and its not nearly as cute as she seems to think. Max comes across like a typical smug hipster foodie and even the recipes are full of food writing cliché-speak at its worst. All the repetition, too, about how his workaholic ways destroyed his marriage (temporarily), boo hoo, but how much he loooooooves van life, yeah, ok, we get it, but it's starting to come across like sponsored advertising for luxury vans or something.

This book, however, really jumped the shark. I guess that the author, having wrapped up the mystery of the van's background (in a rather dull and disappointing way), felt the need to introduce a new multi-volume story arc, but this new direction is beyond ridiculous. What's next, M&M encounter vampires or aliens? I like a good genre crossover as much as anyone, but this isn't a good one and Max as a hipster James Bond ... No, just no.

[DebC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cosy murder mystery from Tyler Rhodes. The "death" of Sir Snugglington III, and the reaction of poor Anxious was a great way to start. It also brought Min into the story to save the day for Anxious. I enjoyed her character and seeing the family back together again, even if only for this story. As usual, a fun and lighthearted adventure with twists and turns along the way. I'm looking forward to the next adventure of Max and Anxious.

[Freda Lawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

Every book in this series surpasses the last. This one brought so many red herrings in, that all made perfect sense until I discarded them. I actually thought the murderer was the person it finally turned out to be about half way through, then thought it was impossible and talked myself into identifying at least 2 other people.
Another well written, clever story. I'd say these stories would make good TV but you'd never find a clever enough dog to play Anxious!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story entertained me. I liked Max and his dog Anxious. I could easily relate to a dog killing his favorite toy. I found the death disposal method interesting. What a way to find a murder victim! I liked that the crime happened in the beginning and wasn't dragged along.

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

[Sue de Boeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed again this delve into the further adventures of Max and Anxious, with Min joining in too this time. The usual murders to challenge Max’s little grey cells, and, having solved the mystery of the hidden notes in the previous book, now he has a more personal challenge to contend with when he receives threatening messages.
Looking forward to reading the next in the series.

[Jacky Mercury · Rating 5 out of 5]

A couple of gruesome murders at a comedy festival have Max, Min and Anxious puzzled with many suspects and motives who can they trust? Max gets a very surprising offer. Another great addition to the series. There's a great Scooby Doo vibe to this book!

[Barbara Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set aside a day for this delightful contemporary British cozy mystery set in a recent summer heat wave in the West Country of England that starts with the dire fate of Sir Snugglington III.

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

[Nikki Fountain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading this book along with the others in the series and live some of the little adventures. I do like the plot twists and turns although this one has potentially been a bit far fetched but other than that a good fun read.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just for once it would be nice not to have a murder or three! Very enjoyable all the same !

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just love this series

[Cindy Lea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done!

I had this one figured too soon but it didn't stop me from enjoying this story and its characters. Looking forward to the next book!

[Paul · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little different

This one took a hard left turn, and I don't know if I'll read anymore of these. Shame. I hope you enjoy it though.

[sarah wintle · Rating 5 out of 5]

a comedy of terrors

What a fab little book it kept me hooked couldn’t but it down, he gets up lots of murder mystery but I can never know who the murder is

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good solid story in this series. With a couple of interesting twists hopefully more will be revealed in the next book.