This is a fun English mystery. Max Tudor is a former spy turned cleric. He is a cleric in a small town and seems to run in to murders. The characters were all good. I really like his Wiccan wife. They work very well together. I really enjoy small town mysteries. I hope to read some of the prior books in this series. You don’t need to read any of the previous books to get caught up in the story. I received a copy of this book from St.Martin’s Press and Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

With romances being the majority of my fictive reading, it’s nice to have an occasional palate cleanser. More often than not, I turn to a cozy mystery to serve as such. Even though G. M. Malliet is a new to me author and I am loathe, being conservative in temperament, to risk the loss of precious reading time to an author who may prove to be unworthy of it, I cannot resist a vicar hero … and, in this case, who is also former-MI-5. I blame it all on James Norton’s ample charms on Grantchester and my long-running love of Spooks/MI-5 and the enjoyment of feasting eyes on Matthew Macfadyen, David Oweloyo, Rupert Penry Jones, and Richard Armitage in one glorious long-running series.

Malliet’s vicar-hero is a stunning man unaware of his stunningness, which makes him eminently lovable, adorable, and likeable. His occasional partner in crime-solving is his Wiccan wife, Awena, as well as the young, intelligent local “copper,” DCI Cotton. They all live in a conglomeration of little English towns with variations on the name Monkslip and in his vicar-guise Max is in charge of the souls and bodies of St. Edwold’s Church’s parishioners.

I admit to being an indifferent mystery reader, that is, any and all plot details are read distractedly, but if characterizations capture me, then I’m likely to follow a writer through her career, amble along never missing any volume added to a series. (May I say that Malliet, though I’d return to her books, did not supplant my great love of C. S. Harris’s St. Cyr mysteries. I’m hoarding the latest for my summer reading.) Suffice to say, Monkslip, like Midsummer Murders, boasts great local, colourful characters, English countryside, sufficient references to local flora, fauna, and cuisine to make me yearn all over again for England, and a thoroughly moral, intelligent, sensitive protagonist in the Reverent Max Tudor. Max’s Monkslip includes a Lord Duxter, formerly David Bottom, until he ascended to knighthood, who bought a priory from King’s College, Wooten Priory, and turned it into a writer’s retreat as a charitable offside to his publishing business, Wooten Press. The eponymous “Prior’s Wood” and everything surrounding Lord Duxter, is the scene of both an ancient and contemporary crime. The plot centres around the solving of the latter. (I hope to see more of the former in the next book, as it fascinated me equally.)

Malliet captured me and will bring me back to her series (the back list is already wending its way to me from Amazonia) because her writing is witty, succinct, and engaging, and her principal characters so likeable, I’d like to reach into the book and hug them. She achieves this characterization by writing well and with pith. Take, for example, one of the characters whose fate it is to be involved in the novel’s crime scene, the husband of Wooten Priory’s archivist/librarian, Colin Frost: “Colin was, in fact, a good-looking dolt, rather naïve and pliable. A man of modest accomplishments married to a woman of stunning ordinariness.” Frankly, I hooted with laughter and continued to sport a kind of snorty-smile-laugh as I read through to the end.

Max himself makes for much of the series’s attraction. Note how Malliet cleverly makes him humble, charming, and heart-throbbingly good-looking enough to satisfy any romance reader’s heart: “Parishioners were known to borrow or even invent problems to bring to Max when they had no real problems of their own. There was something so soothing in his manner they felt the lightening of a burden shared, before they remembered there had been no real problem in the first place.” As Max becomes embroiled in the murder that happens “in Prior’s Wood” and which involves an unearthing of familial and community deceptions and evils, he is partnered (as, I understand, he’s been in previous books) with DCI Cotton, who is also young and principled, yet serves as a character counterpoint to Max: “Max always wanted to believe the best in people. It was the chink in his armor, that he was always surprised by man’s inhumanity. Max’s Pollyanna tendencies were legendary among those who knew him well. And whereas Max was saddened and sometimes angered by the knowledge of man’s inhumanity to man, Cotton was simply angered.” In a nutshell, Malliet drew me in and made me want to journey with Cotton, with Max, with Awena (and the Tudors’ delightful baby boy, Owen). Malliet has achieved a winning world here by making her main characters virtuous without being smarmy, good without judgement, and engaging without twee, which is the cozy mystery’s weakness.

If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, then you’ll certainly love Malliet’s series. Her nods and allusions to one of the genre’s greatest practitioners proves Malliet as good a reader of the genre as writer. And, if you’re, like me, ignorant of Christie (not out of dislike, but out of the reader’s bane of “so many books, so little time”) then, you’ll love Max and his cohort of adorables. And you’ll love Malliet’s turns of phrase, my favourite being her nod to LeCarré and pithy description of Max’s life’s “dichotomy” as “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. Priest.” I thoroughly enjoyed In Prior’s Wood and I’ll return to Monkslip’s denizens for any and all future volumes. With Miss Austen, who would have appreciated Malliet’s fine sense of irony, I say In Prior’s Wood is evidence of “a mind lively and at ease,” Emma.

G. M. Malliet’s In Prior’s Wood is published by Minotaur Books. It was released on April 17th and may be procured at your preferred vendor. I received an e-ARC from Minotaur Books, via Netgalley.

It’s always a pleasure to spend time with Max Tudor and the inhabitants of the village of Nether Monkslip. The seventh book by G. M. Malliet finds Max, the vicar of St Edwold’s church, at home with his Wiccan wife Awena and their son, Owen. But, without warning, their idyllic life is disrupted by the deaths of the lady of the local manor house and her young, married lover. At first it appears it was a suicide pact, but things are not always what they seem.

Once again Malliet has written a story filled with a variety of colorful characters. Her descriptions of Nether Monkslip and the people who inhabit it are delightful. The mystery itself is very well-done and the reader will find this to be a thoroughly satisfying read. It can be read as a stand-alone book but I strongly recommend that the series be read in order of publication. This way the reader will have a full understanding of Max, his past life, as well as the other people in his parish.

A visit to the English countryside is one of the best ways to beat the heat of the summer. I heartily recommend the Max Tudor books to help you do just that!

Many thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book for review.

"Agatha Award-winning author G. M. Malliet has charmed mystery lovers and cozy fans with her critically acclaimed mysteries. In Prior's Wood, featuring handsome spy-turned-cleric Max Tudor, won’t disappoint.

Newly returned from investigating a murder in Monkslip-super-Mare, handsome Max Tudor wants nothing more than to settle back into his predictable routine as vicar of St. Edwold’s Church in the village of Nether Monkslip. But the flow of his sermon on Bathsheba is interrupted when the lady of the local manor house is found in a suicide pact with her young lover.

Lady Duxter’s husband rallies quickly from the double tragedy―too quickly, it is murmured in the village. Lord Duxter already has offered his manor house to a motley crew of writers, including Max’s wife Awena, for his writers’ retreat, and he insists the show must go on.

When a young girl goes missing and a crime writer becomes a target, DCI Cotton asks Max to lend his MI5 expertise to the investigation.

Many suspects emerge as the scope of the investigation widens beyond the writers to villagers who had crossed swords with the insufferably smug crime author. But Max begins to wonder: was the attack on the writer only part of a broader conspiracy of silence?"

English country cozy death!

Is it suicide, murder or misdirection In Prior’s Wood? Max Tudor isn’t sure when a young man and the lady of mayor are found together in an apparent suicide pact. Max finds the liaison troubling and so out of character, he decides to investigate further. A diabolical mystery with many twists and turns.

This is the 7th in series of the Max Tudor Mystery Series. This book may be read as a stand alone. I do recommend the entire series and have enjoyed reading each book in the series. I was delighted to read this for review and my opinions are my own.
This next in series finds our intrepid retired agent and now vicar Max Tudor in his small English village of Nether Monkslip.
His friend and partner in sleuthing, DCI Cotton, asks for Max's help with a case in which Lady Duxter appears to have made a suicide pact with a young, married lover. Lord Duxter seems more interested in the writer's retreat he hosts at his manor house than the tragedy. Although, Max would rather spend time with his unconventional Wicca wife , his son and church, he can't turn down Cotton's request for help with the case when he finds out a young girl's life could be in danger.
As Max uncovers lie upon lie, and village secrets he is soon to discover the key to the mystery. Along his path are humorous supporting charcters, a charming village and the author's wonderful English wit that makes this series so much fun to read.
I was charmed from the beginning of the book and enjoyed the sleuth . I highly recommend this book for your reading enjoyment. I look forward to the next in series and more English village adventures with max.

I have been meaning to read this series since the first book came out, so when I had an opportunity to read this book from Netgalley, I jumped on it! I'm absolutely hooked and need to start at book 1 immediately. Max Tudor is a fantastic main character, slightly reminiscent of Armand Gamache from Lousie Penney's Candadian-set detective series...which this series made a very funny shout-out to. This is your classic english countryside, mystery novel with a twist. Our detective is actually retired from the law and has pursued religious pursuits...yet murders seem to follow him. I loved the author's writing style, both humorous and introspective on the nature of people. This book was cozy and well-written and left you wanting move of this village and its people. I cannot wait to go back to the beginning.

I received a copy of this title from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

Max Tutor always brings it! Loved the convoluted love/hate murder mystery that you will not see the end til the end.

4.5 Stars ~ Top Pick

Max Tudor is the handsome vicar of St. Edwold’s Church in the small English village of Nether Monkslip. His friend and frequent partner in sleuthing, DCI Cotton, asks for Max’s help with a case in which Lady Duxter appears to have made a suicide pact with a young, married lover. Lord Duxter seems more interested in the writer’s retreat he hosts at his manor house than the tragedy involving his wife which seems very suspicious. Although, Max would rather work on his sermons and spend time with his unconventional wife and their young son, he can’t turn down Cotton’s request for help investigating the case, especially when it now appears a teenaged girl’s life could be in danger.

In Prior’s Wood begins with a “Cast of Characters” right out a classic Agatha Christie mystery. Like a “Miss Marple” mystery, Malliet’s latest also takes place in a small village in England. However, Max Tudor is not the typical, old-fashioned vicar. The handsome, intelligent Anglican priest is a former MI5 agent and his wife, Awena, is a Wiccan who owns a shop filled with various New Age items. With the differences in their beliefs, Max and Awena are an unlikely couple and yet their love for each other is true and is one of the things that makes this series so special. Another highlight of the book is the author’s subtle humor. For example, Lord Duxter reads a proposal sent to his publishing company that outlines a book about a vicar who used to be an MI5 agent and Duxter proclaims the idea “boring.” The author’s quick wit is demonstrated throughout the book, which makes it a pleasure to read.

I haven’t read all of the previous books in this series, but it’s easy to connect with the characters and the story. In Prior’s Wood is the most engaging out of the books in the series that I have read. The murder investigation kept my interest from beginning to end. The plot details are complex and there is more than meets the eye with many of the characters. When the truth comes out about what really happened with Lady Dexter and also the missing teenager, it’s surprising. There is a sub-plot with a “ghost story” about another teen girl who went missing from Prior’s Wood in the 1800s that adds atmosphere and a little tension to an already intriguing mystery. In Prior’s Wood has all the best elements of a classic British cozy mystery, but with more complexity to better entertain modern readers.

~ Christine

As most mystery lover's know, small English villages are the perfect example of the saying "still waters run deep" and Nether Monkslip is proof of that. Max Tudor may be retired from MI5 and now enjoying life as husband, father and local vicar but he can't seem to escape it. Murder comes again, this time with the failed suicide pact of Lady Duxter and her lover. He dies and she survives. DCI Cotton turns to his friend, Max, to help him find the answers.
This is the perfect series for lovers of Father Brown, Miss Marple and all of those other sleuths who inhabit such seemingly idilic villages. Things are never as they seem.

I first came in contact with the Max Tudor series when I read the previous book, DEVIL'S BREATH, and I liked it very much. When I got the chance to read IN PRIOR'S WOOD, I was thrilled over the prospect of once again reading about Max Tudor, ex-spy, vicar of St. Edwold's Church in the village of Nether Monkslip. A vicar that now and then solves crimes...

READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION: http://freshfiction.com/review.php?id=65458

I love this series! You have a vicar-Max- who previously served in BSS married to a Wiccan-Awena- living in a village called Nether Monkslip who solves murders with DCI Cotton, who is a treat. On the surface this sounds too twee or Miss Marple for words but in practice, it makes for an entertaining and engaging read. This time around there's a murder, a missing teenager, and a sort of harken back to the 1800s mystery. Of course, Lord and Lady Duxter, who have a less than perfect marriage, have some secrets which Max will winnow out. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This has some twists, a few turns, but mostly it's a good armchair read because the characters are just delightful.

This is a fine, high end, well written and competently plotted cozy.

I love Max Tudor's mysteries and it was a pleasure to read this one meeting again the characters from this series.
As usual this mystery was entertaining and fun to read, full of humour and wit.
It has a sound plot and it's well written but I missed some of the village characters that were like a shadow on the background.
I really liked it and can be read as a standalone even if it's better to have read the previous instalments to really appreciate it.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley

Max Tudor is the handsome vicar of St. Edwold's Church in the small English village of Nether Monkslip. His friend and frequent partner in sleuthing, DCI Cotton, asks for Max's help with a case in which Lady Duxter appears to have made a suicide pact with a young, married lover. Lord Duxter seems more interested in the writer's retreat he hosts at his manor house than the tragedy involving his wife. Although, Max would rather work on his sermons and spend time with his unconventional wife and their young son, he can't turn down Cotton's request for help with the case, especially when it now appears a teenaged girl's life could be in danger.

"In Prior's Wood" begins with a "Cast of Characters" right out a classic Agatha Christie mystery. Like a "Miss Marple" mystery, Malliet's latest also takes place in a small village in England. However, Max Tudor is not the typical, old-fashioned vicar. The handsome, intelligent Anglican priest is a former MI5 agent and his wife, Awena, is a Wiccan who owns a shop filled with various New Age items. With the differences in their beliefs, Max and Awena are an unlikely couple and yet their love for each other is true and one of the things that makes this series so special. Another highlight of the book is the author's subtle humor. For example, Lord Duxter reads a proposal sent to his publishing company that outlines a book about a vicar who used to be an MI5 agent and Duxter proclaims the idea "boring." The author's quick wit is demonstrated throughout the book, which makes it a pleasure to read.

I haven't read all of the previous books in this series, but it's easy to connect with the characters and the story. "In Prior's Wood" is the most engaging out of the books in the series that I have read. The murder investigation kept my interest from beginning to end. The plot details are complex and there is more than meets the eye with many of the characters. When the truth comes out about what really happened with Lady Dexter and also the missing teenager, it's surprising. There is a sub-plot with a "ghost story" about another teen girl who went missing from Prior's Wood in the 1800s that adds atmosphere and a little tension to an already intriguing mystery. "In Prior's Wood" has all the best elements of a classic British cozy mystery, but with more complexity to better entertain modern readers.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Minotaur books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review

I think I have done a disservice to both the author and the book. I think I should have started at the beginning of the series in order to acquaint myself with the village, characters, and her style of writing. Therefore I'm uncomfortable about reviewing this book.

"In Prior's Wood" is a mystery set in England. This is the seventh book in a series. You don't need to read the previous books to understand this one, and this one did not spoil the mysteries of the previous books.

Details about the setting were woven into the story, making the village seem a distinct, unique place full of interesting people. The point of view was distant rather than deeply in someone's head, so we got the background and thoughts of a number of characters. Max, an Anglican priest married to a Wiccan, was the main point-of-view character. People came to him to share their concerns about things that happened, and Max gleaned clues from these conversations. He helped his detective friend solve the mystery. We're not told everything that Max hears, thinks, or does, so some things came as a surprise and were explained only at the end. Even so, there were enough clues that I strongly suspected whodunit.

There were no sex scenes. There was occasional use of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this interesting and relaxing mystery.