A Fatal Winter: A Max Tudor Novel (A Max Tudor Novel, 2) Paperback – September 17, 2013

This is the second book in this series and I'm so happy that I discovered it. Interesting, intelligent and clever Can't wait to read book 3.

In last year's Agatha-nominated Wicked Autumn, G. M. Malliet introduced us to a new series about Max Tudor, a former MI5 agent who is now an Anglican priest in the small village of Nether Monkslip. In the second book of the series, after a lonely Christmas "celebrated" in the company of only his sister and his adopted (and never allowed to forget the fact!) great-niece, seventy-five-year-old Oscar, Lord Footrustle, has invited his rather dysfunctional extended family to spend the next Christmas at the family home, Chedrow Castle. Unfortunately, before the Christmas goose is even in the oven, two deaths make this anything but a joyous holiday. Father Max once again helps the local police investigate, initially infiltrating himself into the household in his role as the clergy who will oversee the funeral services.This is a classic country-house (or country castle) murder peopled with scheming relatives, all of whom might seem to have a motive, and Malliet delivers a reasonably enjoyable example of the genre, once the reader gets past wondering how Max justifies spending the night at a house that is apparently only a few miles from Nether Monkslip. The murderer had a clever ruse that fooled me and Max both!Nevertheless, readers who enjoyed Wicked Autumn may be a bit disappointed. Like many cozies, A Fatal Winter does not have a lot of action or suspense (although there is one excellent suspense scene towards the end of the book). The real pleasure in the first book came from the characters and the descriptions of village life, with all its beauties and its warts. Except for two sequences, which almost seemed "tacked on", the Nether Monkslip inhabitants are largely absent from A Fatal Winter, and Lord Footrustle's family are not developed enough to be interesting. Likewise, in Wicked Autumn, Max Tudor came across as an interesting character I wanted to know better, but in much of this book Tudor just seems like a mechanism used to ask questions of the suspects. Only in the beginning and the end of the book, as Max explores the ramifications of his growing love for Nether Monkslip's resident Neopagan Awena, does he again take on the status of a real person.I am a fan of Malliet's books and perhaps might not have been disappointed if this had been a book from an unknown writer for whom I did not have high expectations, which is why I rated the book a 4 instead of a 3. For some reason, the second book in a series often seems not to live up to the first. There is still a lot of potential in the Max Tudor series, and I hope to see some of it in Max's next outing.

I would have to agree with another reviewer's sentiment - I can imagine myself enjoying a grocery list written by Malliet. Although initially drawn to read the Max Tudor and the St. Just books because of their well deserved ranking in the 'best of the best' of cozy mysteries - I find that what will keep me coming back for more is Malliet's artistry with the written word. For instance, there is nothing new about the premise of a miserly, unloved, mega-wealthy (or in this case titled) patriarch ending up as a murder victim after summoning his not-so-loved ones to a family gathering. What is new for me is that I find myself savoring and re-reading passages marveling on how G.M. can elevate a potentially tired premise into a feast for those who appreciate truly good writing. 'If I could ever write like that...' is something that pops into my head as I read. I've read hundreds of 'quick reads', mysteries that I fly through just to find out 'who dun it'... but quickly forget the author and/or the story soon after completing the book. G.M. Malliet's books will not fall into that category for me.

I really enjoyed Ms Maillet's first book set in the hilariously named village of Nether Monkslip in the Southwest of England. The mystery angle of the book was only middling but the wordplay was great and the characters interesting, credible, and mostly lovable.But "A Fatal Winter" was a major disappointment. Admittedly, it must be a pain to work up a series in a locale that remains within the mind-span of readers yet doesn't involve the demise of any of the fondly recalled characters. Coming up with a new plot is only the beginning. Words have to be wasted while bringing new readers up to speed on the characters and setting. Choices need to be made about how characters grow or drop back in interest. Fictional energy is wasted as the writer deals with investing too much time in the persona of the Chief Inspector in the original story and whether to keep him involved in the sequel. Aggie could do all this. Thus far, G.M. can't.So this was a major setback for Max Tudor. He spends most of his time navel gazing in a dingy fake castle, determined to deliver justice, but forced to work with a batch of irrational suspects far more pathetic than villainous. He actually does a better job of reasoning his way through the clues scattered around by Maillet that he did in "Wicked Autumn" but by this time, who cares? It probably doesn't matter to the reader. The charming village has been out of play for a couple of hundred pages and the reader has long known that Maillet isn't very good at divining evil from greed, folly, nor everyday stupidity.Nor does she save the day with a last chapter where she overcompensates with lavish doses of new-age folly, green/organic sillies, and a syrupy end to the Vicar's chastity.Better luck next time.

Really enjoy these books. Arrived on time, no problems whatsoever.

Loved it ! And already reading the 3th book of the series. It's like a ''slow'' Agatha Christie - Hercule Poirot style of writting. Very ''witty'', smart, funny and cozy. I love the characters and the little town it's settled in. A very nice serie for those who like the English type of murder-mystery solving.

The story begins well but the characters need to be described in far more depth and so are their surroundings. I enjoyed delving into the life of the village. Unfortunately, the plot is relatively straightforward.

love the series.

This was a definite improvement on the first book. Maybe it was because one was getting to know her characters betters. Maybe it was the tried and true castle and aristocrats with problems theme. Maybe the strength of characters.- the second murder came as a great surprise to me. Somehow I was expecting this particular character to play a greater role later on in the novel. It was not to be. That’s fine. Just took me by surprise.- I’m not just fully sure how good/not I find Max as a sleuth; the more so when one compares him with all the great ones I read about.- I continue to find her language a bit flowery at times, but that could just be my lack of appreciation for this sort of thing. The Brits do write better than we do if I may over-generalize.- Hail to the development of a relationship between Max and Awena (neat name by the way).- The jury is out as to whether or not I’ll continue this series if and when another one appears.