Wicked Autumn

A Max Tudor Novel

By: G. M. Malliet

Narrated by: Michael Page

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Max Tudor has adapted well to his post as vicar of St. Edwold's in the idyllic village of Nether Monkslip. The quiet village seems the perfect home for Max, who has fled a harrowing past as an MI5 agent. But this new-found serenity is quickly shattered when the highly vocal and unpopular president of the Women's Institute turns up dead at the Harvest Fayre. The death looks like an accident, but Max's training as a former agent kicks in, and before long he suspects foul play. As the investigation unfolds, Max becomes more intricately involved. Memories he'd rather not revisit are stirred, evoking the demons from the past which led him to Nether Monkslip.

©2011 G.M. Malliet (P)2011 Dreamscape Media

Critic reviews

"Agatha Award-winning author Malliet (Death of a Cozy Writer) debuts a superb new series.... You’ll marvel at the author’s low-key humor and crystal-clear depictions of small-town life...Malliet, like Louise Penny, brings a contemporary freshness to the traditional mystery." (Library Journal)

"Malliet has mastered the delights of the cozy mystery so completely that she seems to be channeling Agatha Christie...with a hero who adds sex appeal to the mix...includes snippets of ironic humor...making the story even more delicious...winning." (Booklist)

"[A]n authentic village mystery that also pokes fun at the conventions...Malliet deftly juggles all of her characters...the murder plot here is quite devious and the motive quite evil.... The author provides a story that works on several levels, including the pleasure of a visit to a traditional English village." (January magazine)

A really good listen.

I'll admit I'm skeptical when choosing an audible, if it will be interesting enough to keep my attention while I'm distracted, working. This one does. The descriptions are so clear and humorous, that you can actually "see" what he is talking about. The cast of characters, though there are several, in this small English village, are easily identifiable by the narrators distinctly different voices, and the authors humorous descriptions of each person. I never guessed "whondunnit'" until the end, which pleasantly, wasn't the end, at all. There was a full epilogue to follow. I ordered the next book, now confidently, because I have no reason to think it won't be just as fun.

Wicked Autumn

I loved this story, The narrating sounded a little flat and automated not like a robot but monotoned and it was hard for me to get used to it at first but I still enjoyed the story.

So so

Average mystery full of cliches and stereotypes. Good listening for a relaxing commute after a tough day at the office.

Silly premise of a former international undercover agent turned priest because of something terrible that happened while on the job.

Overall an acceptable listen, albeit quite simple.

A Good New Entry into the Cozy Market

Wicked Autumn is a lovely British cozy mystery, set in a small village with interesting, eccentric characters, with a rather novel sleuth -- an ex MI-5 agent who is now an Anglican priest. The characters are engaging, the plot keeps you interested, and you do really care about these people.

It is so nice to see a new writer of the cozy mystery. May she write many, many more.

Michael Page, as usual, does a smashing job as narrator.

It was so-so. The ending was a bit of a surprise

I had to hear it several times. The narrator's voice made it hard to focus on the story.

Slow start - very British narration

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Not really. It was difficult to stay focused after all of the characters were introduced.

Would you be willing to try another book from G. M. Malliet? Why or why not?

Probably not because this one was not what I expected.

Would you be willing to try another one of Michael Page’s performances?

It would depend on the book. But he reads fast and has a very pronounced British accent/

Boring

reader good
story ok
writing style too much reflection and long winded.
Main character failed to interest me.

Wonderful introduction to a series

For me Michael brought this book to life. G. M. Skillet has written a well constructed mystery. The main character, Max Tudor, is a very attractive ex-MI5 agent who has resigned from the agency and become a priest in the C of E, for the village of Nether Monkslip.
I love the wealth of recurring characters that begin to feel like family, friends and neighbors. Max puts his knowledge and observational skills of people to use in helping to solve mysteries and bring secrets to life. There are plenty of distractions from his adoring female parishioners, his less than capable housekeeper, meeting his Boston's expectations, a leaky church roof, and writing his sermon among others to keep him busy.
But what puts this book over the top and the series on my continuing radar of just reads is the narration of Michael Page. I look forward to his narration of these stories.
Remember these are quintessential cozy mysteries written in and about the places they play--quiet, close knit villages with their share of eccentric characters.

Not a Fan of the Reader

What didn’t you like about Michael Page’s performance?

I really enjoy this series when I read them so I decided to get them on Audible to enjoy them again. Big mistake. The reader sort of ruined them for me. I don't think I could have found a reader so far removed from my inner picture of the main character. I'm going to try to return the others.

Really Good English Village Mystery

Interesting characters, really good introduction to the village, great descriptions - esp of TildyAnn, twisty murder, very good narrator. I'm getting the next book!