Not what I expected after reading the other Max Tudor books. I love cozies but this one was so cozy it was like a sleeping pill. Over long, over complicated, no fun. ( )

I give it 4 stars because this is the type of mystery I like. I enjoy the small town atmosphere with unique & quirky characters that are in each book. ( )

I give it 4 stars because this is the type of mystery I like. I enjoy the small town atmosphere with unique & quirky characters that are in each book. ( )

A DEMON SUMMER by G. M. Malliet.
After reading WICKED AUTUMN, A FATAL WINTER and PAGAN SPRING (and enjoying each one immensely), I was all set to enjoy A DEMON SUMMER.
A DEMON SUMMER is #4 in G. M. Malliet’s Max Tudor Mystery series.
Max Tudor, vicar of St. Edwold’s Parish in Nether Monkslip, is a former MI5 agent who seems to have a flair for investigating and solving mysteries, especially of the murder variety.
He is called upon by his Bishop and by DCI Cotton to investigate an apparent attempted poisoning (via fruitcake) by the ‘Handmaids of St. Lucy’ at the ancient Monksbury Abbey. There are also rumors of misappropriated funds.
This series is very atmospheric, very character-driven, and very interesting to read. This particular title is reminiscent of an Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot mystery.
The plots, the characters, the locations, the minutia of village life (and its inhabitants) have become very familiar to me. This particular title, A DEMON SUMMER, is my favorite so far.
*I do get a bit confused as to the differences (if there are any) between the Church of England, the Anglican Church and Catholicism. They seem so intertwined (as they probably are). Some very interesting research is in order.
***** ( )