MoMoBookDiary

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The Author

M J Trow (the ‘M’ as most people know by now stands for Meirion, a Welsh name few can manage, so he writes as M J, is known by all and sundry as Mei, rhyming with ‘my’) has been writing for many years, with his first book – The Adventures of Inspector Lestrade – being published in 1984 by Macmillan.

More Lestrades followed and then some true crime and somehow it all snowballed so now he has many historical biographies and three other crime series (Maxwell, Marlowe and Grand and Batchelor, the latter two written with his wife, writing as Maryanne Coleman, though her name is Carol, actually!) to his credit.

He claims to be retired, but that’s just from teaching. In fact he has never been busier and is a sought after ‘ghost’ these days as well as historian and novelist, with many different subjects’ stories having been told through him. He has recently started collaborating on fiction projects (with someone other than his wife, that is) and finds it a really exciting and pleasurable experience.

To relax he … actually, that’s a bit tricky, as he doesn’t really ever relax. He has been known to garden, he is a keen cook and artist and likes to travel. This is rather easier these days as he is a popular speaker on cruise ships – in fact his profile picture was taken on a very gusty day in Cape Town, setting off on a long voyage home to Southampton through some of the scariest seas he and his wife have had the pleasure to meet! It really was the calm before the storm, despite being a Force 9 just leaving the Bay.

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My review

Maxwell’s Reality is my first foray into the world of Peter Maxwell, and what a charming and amusing introduction it was. As someone who loves a good cosy mystery, this book ticked all the right boxes — humour, an intriguing plot, quirky characters, and a setting that feels both familiar and vividly drawn.

Despite being book 22 in the Schoolmaster Murder Mysteries, I never once felt lost. M.J. Trow does a brilliant job of weaving in just enough backstory to make this instalment stand comfortably on its own. That said, I’m now curious to go back and start from the beginning — not because I was confused, but because I want to spend more time with Max.

Peter Maxwell, the bow-tied, dry-witted teacher, is an absolute delight. He has that rare combination of being both cynical and warm-hearted, and I found myself genuinely enjoying his company. He’s the kind of character you can’t help but root for — clever, observant, and refreshingly unpretentious. His internal commentary often made me laugh out loud, and his approach to solving the mystery felt natural and engaging.

The school setting added a unique and authentic layer to the story. It’s clear that Trow draws from his own academic background, and it shows in the way the environment is described — the politics of staff rooms, the routines of school life, the undercurrents of student and teacher dynamics. It grounds the story in a reality that makes the more dramatic elements — including multiple murders — all the more impactful.

The mystery is well-paced and cleverly plotted. When a reality TV crew arrives at Leighford High, chaos ensues — and not just the expected kind. The blend of behind-the-scenes drama and unexpected violence keeps things interesting, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist would pop up to throw me off track.

I also really appreciated the tone of the book. It walks a fine line between light-hearted fun and genuine intrigue, and it does so with skill. There are plenty of laughs and even more sniggers, and yet the core mystery never loses its weight. That balance is hard to achieve, but Trow manages it effortlessly.

All in all, Maxwell’s Reality was an entertaining read from start to finish. If you’re looking for a mystery that’s clever without being convoluted, with a hero who’s as funny as he is endearing, and a setting that feels lived-in and real, then this book is absolutely worth your time. I’m so pleased to have discovered Peter Maxwell — and even more pleased to know I have 21 more adventures waiting for me!

Thank you to Zoé of Zooloo’s Book Tours, Joffe Books, NetGalley and M.J. Trow for the opportunity to read and review this novel ahead of publication and to be a part of this book tour.

The tour, hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours, runs from 8th to 14th April, and I am looking forward to seeing what others on the tour thought of this fun cosy mystery.

#MJTrow #MaxwellsReality #JoffeBooks #NetGalley #ZooloosBookTours #VirtualBookTour #BookReview

All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.