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)

Thoroughly Delightful Cozy Mystery

I am a definite fan of the cozy mystery genre, and especially enjoy British mysteries. This book - my second after Death of a Cozy Writer by G.M. Malliet - was an excellent, enjoyable listen.

This is the first in a series featuring the vicar-sleuth, Max Tudor, formerly of the MI5. He's settled into a nice, very quiet little town of Nether Monkslip (excellent name, isn't it!). We get to know some of the characters of the town (and know they will be back for the series), and get to know the town itself.

For a cozy, it seems to move pretty fast (sometimes cozies can be a bit slow), and is fun - despite the murder of someone that not many people liked anyway :)

I will be keeping up with this series.

My new favorite detective

Would you listen to Wicked Autumn again? Why?

I doubt that I would listen to the book again because there are SO many other books in my Library or on my Wish List for this author.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wicked Autumn?

The murder scene and the "witnesses" memories just prior to the murder.

Which scene was your favorite?

The confrontation of the suspect was my favorite. Lots of suspense leading to the "catch". Father Max used his previous calling to outwit the suspect.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Father Max catches the usual suspect.

Any additional comments?

I got this book in exchange for another one and the story, plot and character development convinced me to pursue the entire series. Put this on YOUR WishList!

wicked Autumn

A well told. It did give you clues along the way but they weren't overt enough to give the end away easily at all.

Mediocre Match-up Lessens the Impact

Audio books are tricky because the narrator needs to flesh out the story, help the listener to connect, yet not be too "actor-y." This narrator happens to be a little on the monotone side, (maybe not "actor-y" enough?) I think he's not be the best match for this book because the story itself is very wordy, -and not in a good way. For me, the writing is a little too self-consciously clever.
Bottom line, overwriting plus under narrated equals....mediocre experience.

Typically British in the style of Father Brown mysteries

I liked it nice characterization good story a bit wandering but the mystery was solved in an interesting manner

Pretty good

I put this down for months because it was a slow start for me. Picked it up again when I was at odds with what to listen to next. It wasn’t a page burner, but I did enjoy finishing it. I plan to look into the next one.

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.