The Peter Maxwell Mysteries Books 1–8

Peter Maxwell Mystery #1-8

by M.J. Trow

Peter Maxwell is an unconventional History teacher at Leighford High School. With his biting wit and habit of quoting classic film lines in the classroom, he is far from a typical sleuth. But staffroom gossip provides Maxwell with the perfect window into Leighford’s tight-knit community, where murderers lurk in plain sight. Widowed several years ago, Maxwell now lives a quiet life with his long-suffering cat, Count Metternich. But his sharp mind and sharper instincts make him the town’s most unlikely detective.

These quintessentially English cozy mysteries are set in the quaint little town of Leighford on the South Coast. Leighford’s population trebles in the summer as tourists flock to holiday there. Unfortunately for Peter Maxwell some of these characters will end up dead!

•  Maxwell's House
•  Maxwell's Flame
•  Maxwell's Movie
•  Maxwell's War
•  Maxwell's Ride
•  Maxwell's Curse
•  Maxwell's Reunion
•  Maxwell's Match

2172 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 27, 2025

About the author

Meirion James Trow is a full-time teacher of history who has been doubling as a crime writer for seventeen years. Originally from Ferndale, Rhondda in South Wales he now lives on the Isle of Wight. His interests include collecting militaria, film, the supernatural and true crime.

Reviews

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series, awful proofreading!

Well, Mr Trow, I have to thank you not only for Max's vastly entertaining adventures but also for furthering my education. I resorted to the dictionary and the 'net on numerous occasions.

The only, and I repeat, the only flaw is your proof reader. An average of a dozen bloopers to each book, oft repeated more than once - to my increasing frustration because, like Max, I couldn't ignore them.

Despite that, red pencil in hand, I look forward enormously to the next eight.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

reasonable mysteries

reasonable mysteries: amateur getting untangled in a police procedural

Excellent eccentric characters. A slight romantic edge. Twisty, hard to figure out plots. Each book starts rapidly with a body found. Amateur and police are confused as, slowly, clues and a myriad of red herrings emerge. The plot drags in the middle, until about 3/4s of the way through, telling clues are stumbled upon. The close comes briskly, as the amateur races the police to identify the murderer(s).

[Mrs M Mawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being an ex teacher myself albeit of Primary children I found Mad Max a breath of fresh air. So comical with his quotes which go over most people in books head. His unconventional style and his impetuous activities amused me and held my attention. I am planning to read the next ones after a break into another genre.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Series

I have posted a review on each of the 8 books separately. I enjoyed this series although I got a bit irritated by his constant references to old films to begin with, but after a while I barely noticed so I gave a few 4 stars but then moved up to 5. I wish Max was a real person. he really was a lovely teacher. His humour was just up my street!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely extremely well written! Edgy, violent & grim at times & Always some humor - dark or otherwise - will keep you reading to the end of each book in this set of 1 thru 8 books. Very much in the British style of murder mysteries - I would read em all over again. Maybe these are pretty dark but the light does also shine in these books

[Fr Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and a treat for teachers

Suspense, surprises, lots of laughs for teachers who'll recognise so much of their own irritations about the education system. Americanisms, rather surprisingly and annoyingly, pop up and need to be eradicated if these otherwise enjoyable crime novels are to achieve verisimilitude.

[MS M ADAMS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series

I am glad I found this series. Exciting plots, entertaining characters and a bit of love interest to keep us guessing. A maverick school teacher in a 90’s comprehensive, what’s not to love!

[A.J.]

Excellent series!

Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys British cozy mysteries. Especially delightful for history majors, English literature enthusiasts and film fans. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

[Wayne Snowden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last of Summer wine.

Peter Maxwells is the Seymor Utherthwaite of his school . Not an inventor but a Miss Marple. Head of sixth form who is witty. intelligent and the type of teacher kids know where they stand with. Superb crime books.

[John S · Rating 5 out of 5]

masterful

Thoroughly entertaining. Seldom predicable. Always funny! Peter Maxwell and M J Trow are hilarious. The stories are well crafted and difficult to put down.

[Gillian Howe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mad Max crazy but entertaining

Mad Max crazy but entertaining, enjoyed the references from my era. The mighty Quinn being one of them, you’ve ‘not seen (or read) nothing’ like it.

[Tim Trent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great fun

Wonderful fun, varied mysteries, well drawn characters, glorious eccentricity, magnificent film references, sufficient pathos, romance with twists, common room intrigue.

[Heather Woodbridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series. Main character is well imagined and can still be found in many schools/colleges trying hard to stay away from modern methods. His sardonic turn of phrase made me laugh and I would have enjoyed having him as my history teacher. Plots are good and well rounded.