A FATAL WINTER: A MAX TUDOR NOVEL by G. M. Malliet. This title is the second book in the Max Tudor series.
A New York Times review says it best “There are certain things you want in a village mystery: a pretty setting, a tasteful murder, an appealing sleuth…Malliet delivers them all.”
In A FATAL WINTER, Max - Anglican priest, former MI5 agent and village heartthrob - investigates two deaths at nearby Chedrow Castle.
A great read. Max Tudor is an interesting, thoughtful sleuth and the setting and plot points add up to mystery writing at its best. **** ( )

Murder in a local castle, dysfunctional family, sparks of romance. Did the butler do it? ( )

Max--Anglican priest, former MI5 agent, and village heartthrob--investigates two deaths at Chedrow Castle. But his growing attraction to Awena Owen complicates his case, as does the recent arrival at Chedrow Castle of a raucous group of long-lost, greedy relatives, any one of whom has a motive for murder.

This was a well-written traditional English village mystery. The Lord and Lady of the castle that die are unlikeable as are all of the greedy relatives that were invited there for Christmas. Max Tudor is quite likeable, smart and reasonable as he tries to figure out what is going on when everyone seems suspicious. The characters are well-developed, there’s a bit of humor and a dash of Christmas. There was too much explanation in the end but I still enjoyed the story and the writing style. ( )

Reading Part 1 was accomplished with ease. Then Part 2 began and I thought that I might not finish the novel. I preservered but it was a struggle. I don't know that I would read another selection by this author. ( )

Father Max is called upon to investigate the deaths of an elderly brother and sister at Chedrow Castle, one an apparent natural death but the other, definitely murder. Before the unfortunate deaths, several relatives were summoned by the Lord of the Manor for a reunion of sorts. But now, with the deaths, this greedy and grasping group only are interested in what they will inherit. Max is becoming fed up and suspicious with the lot of them, and determined to discover who had the most motive for murder. And while most of his brain is occupied with solving this despicable crime, some of his mind is concerned about his duties to his neglected flock. But even more disconcerting, Max finds himself being preoccupied with one Awena Owen, owner of a New-Age shop, a most lovely but totally unsuitable woman for a vicar. Wonderfully written, quite entertaining, and, in the audio version, nicely performed by Michael Page. ( )