Pickled in the Pub: Max's Campervan Case Files, Book 3

Max's Campervan Case Files #3

by Tyler Rhodes

Max Effort never thought he'd find himself at The Dead Crow's sixth annual pickled onion festival, but serendipity is a peculiar thing, so here he stood. He didn't care, because his two best friends-Min his ex-wife, and Anxious the Terrier-were with him so life was sweet. With his camper in a nice corner of the pub's grounds and his outdoor kitchen set up, he couldn't have been happier.

When the pub's chef goes missing, Max reluctantly agrees to step in and save the day. Having vowed never to enter a commercial kitchen again, he soon regrets the decision, especially when the chef is found dead in a broom closet with a jar of pickled onions. With the pub landlord under pressure to keep the premises open, and the death seemingly natural causes, Max relaxes in the bar where a fun evening of festivities with the fiddler band turns into an after hours lock-in like no other.

Booze, music, way too many pickled onions, and another body means there's a murderer on the loose and a room full of suspects. Max begins to peel back the layers of this most puzzling of pickled problems. It might leave a sour taste in his mouth, but the stakes are high and the cost of failure lethal. As the team navigates a labyrinth of suspects as slippery as the pub floor, it becomes obvious the motive for the killings is wilder than anyone could have imagined.

Genres: Mystery

Audible Audio

Published August 27, 2024

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max, Min and Anxious are at it again, this time an onion festival at a pub results in murder when Max I reluctantly assists I the kitchen and finds the missing chef. With more patrons falling victim, a locked pub, and mysterious motive, Max seems to find the answer before his crew falls victim. Plus we finally know why Max is being followed.

[CelticMoonGoddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so loving this series of books and grow more and more fond of Max, Anxious, Min and Max's parents with each murder adventure. The ensemble of characters that Tyler creates to interact with Max and Anxious are wonderful as love the banter, situations and quirky group of people Max stumbles across on his van life journey to reconnect with himself.
I find myself laughing out loud in parts, baffled as to how it will all work out and intrigued with how Max and his detailed mind figures out who the killer is. The murder adventures are hard to put into a genre and label as they are such a mix of comedy, fab characters, murder mystery, van life exploits, small British town dramas and nice bit of cozy romance on the sidelines.
Each book gets better and better as come to spend more time with and fall in love with Max, Anxious, Min and Max's adorable parents. Even a bonus of a recipe at end of the book of Max's amazing one pot wonders.
If you like a good dollop of humour, fun characters and mischief on the side of your murder mystery adventure then this series is for you.

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

[Nikki Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book down in the series and really loving these books. Such well rounded characters with twists throughout…

[michael heavisides · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable.

After reading the first two books and the stories being similar,i.e. Two murders,an ex chef who's better at solving crimes than Poirot,Holmes,Marple or Vera and a dog that can sniff out clues better than Lassie ever could,i relented and tried book three hoping for a different story or plot.How wrong I was,same predictable plot,same storyline and crimes solved by the chef and his dog before the police had any clues.These books have really put me off going to Wales as there are more murders than in midsomer.Not going to read any more of the books in the series but I suppose by the last book Max will be the head of MI5 or at least be the police commissioner in London.

[Shanna L Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious Read!

This story was amazing. So many twists and turns. You just have to love it! It's A corny funny and cliche but it is funny.

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

I've just learned that there is a real Pickled Pub Restaurant in Wake Forest, that is known for its excellent food quality, generous portions, and decent prices. The atmosphere is lively, the bartenders are friendly, such that Max, Min, Mel, Jordan, and Megan create a delightful and most memorable experience for the regulars, and newcomers too. I even found a menu online for this book/pub.

Max Effort never even thought he would find himself and the wild and crazy Dead Crows sixth annual pickled onion festival, but luck has it peculiar as it may seem, here Max stood. He didn't care, because his best friends--Min, his wife, and Anxious, the Terrier--were with him, and they all brought comfort to each other, and life is very sweet. His campervan is parked in a nice corner of the pub's grounds and his favorite outdoor kitchen is set up. Max is quite a cook, really good at it. They are a happy bunch.

We suddenly learn that the pub's chef is missing. Max agrees with caution to help those working on the case. He promised himself he would never work in business kitchens again, but rapidly regrets his decision, sadly when the chef is found dead in of all things, a broom closet with a jar of pickled onions. The pub's landlord is really putting the pressure on and wants to keep the pub open. It appears the death is of natural causes. The activities in the pub help to relax Max and Min, and their evening was so much fun, and have what they call an afterhours lock-in like never before.

Too much booze, loud music, way too many pickled onions and a second body means there is a murderer on the loose, and a room chuck full of possible prospects. Max, using his talents, is slowly unraveling the many layers of this puzzling problem. It might leave one with pickle mouth, very sour, but the vote is high, and the cost of failure becomes fatal. As this murder case team works through all the suspects that is a slippery mess, the motive for such murders is crazier than anyone could have imagined.

Not wanting to give spoilers, I'll stop here. I was surprisingly enjoying this book. No too deep, not to light, just an interesting and pleasant read. Recommend. Enjoy!!! Location based on fact!

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Excellent Campervan Mystery
Max and Anxious are back, and I was again thoroughly entertained with their adventure. This time they are parked at a pub and Min is along for the ride. Mr. Rhodes' characters are fun, intriguing people that I'd love to meet (well, except for the murderous ones)! I really enjoy the mysteries and the red herrings that make it difficult to guess the perpetrator, and I also enjoy the sweet relationship between Max and Min. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for the next installment in this series. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Helen Arrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pickled at the Pub by Tyler Rhodes
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Book 3 in the adventures of Max and Anxious, and I really enjoyed it. This time Min (Max’s ex-wife) and Max’s mum and dad have a bigger part in the storyline. It was nice to see more of the family dynamic. We also find out more about Barry, who he is, and why he keeps appearing!
A nice cosy murder mystery with a pickled onion festival, ex London gangsters, and a body in the broom cupboard. I’d love a bit of Max’s life, just without the murders. A great, looking forward to reading more.

[Sue de Boeck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy Max’s further adventures although I figured out the why before he did, but not the how or the who. I’m enjoying the characters but finding it rather unlikely the way Max and Min are behaving around each other. However, I do want to read the next instalment.

[Ali Newboult · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back for round three, Tyler Rhodes takes us into the world of warm pints, shady locals, and yet another suspicious death. Pickled in the Pub might not hit quite as hard as the previous two, but it still delivers enough charm, chuckles, and small-town chaos to keep you turning the pages.

[Jacky Mercury · Rating 5 out of 5]

The race is on for Max, Min and Anxious to find a killer but the motive is unclear and the suspects are many. Another cracking adventure!

[Phil Altimas · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great who dunnit

[Jean Renyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

. Thank you.

I have enjoyed reading these books. They are a bit surreal but fun. The lack of swear words makes them more enjoyable. I intend to read the whole series.

[Sue Dakin · Rating 5 out of 5]

addicted to these books!

I can’t read these quick enough! The characters are fab and the storylines are great. I’m in love with Anxious !

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read onto number 4 !

[Denise O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading

Like the unlikely plots of this series, going to read the next one. The books are not too heavy going.

[Mrs C M Tupper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a light read with a bit of fun and this fitted the bill after finishing my last book, which was very dark.

[Shirley Maude · Rating 4 out of 5]

More murders, twists and turns for Max and Min to solve . Easy and fun read.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another nice read in this series

[sarah wintle · Rating 5 out of 5]

picking onions

Brilliant book easy ready by Tyler Rhodes like the last book easy murder great ending too, all around a camper
Van

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The epitome of a cozy mystery, Max, Min, and Anxious feel more like friends than characters. I’ve already downloaded their next adventure.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read 3 of these almost in a row. My least favorite so far. Not as much character development in this one. Still an interesting storyline.