Book Review Thursday (Friday) 8/24

I was waiting to see if I finished a book last night, but I didn't and I still didn't get my post up. Oh well.

Wicked Autumn by G. M. Malliet was a book that I read about on a library site when it came out. This is not the first new author that I have found from the library and it won't be the last, I am sure. This is the first book in the Max Tudor series by the author.

Max Tudor is the vicar in Nether Monkslip and a former MI5 agent. The Women's Institute in the village is throwing the Harvest Fayre and Wanda Batton-Smythe has assumed her role as the organizer and delegater for the Fayre so that she can be sure that the Fayre lives up to her name. It almost isn't surprising that Wanda is found dead during the Fayre.

As the investigation begins, Max is questioned by the Inspector and begins helping with the investigation. He questions all of the characters in the village. And, oh my, what characters they are!

Malliet comes up with the most humorous phrases and I found myself rewinding in spots to make sure that I heard correctly. Here are some of the quotes from the first one or two chapters...

"...sat on orange plastic seats that might have been rejects from an ergonomic study."

"...a book on public speaking - Grabbing Your Audience by the Throat..."

 

"...her hair was a helmet of hardened curls like rows of teeny brown snakes, highlighted and poised to strike, a living testament to the efficacy of Final Net."

 

Isn't that enough to make you want to read the entire book? The characters in the book are also a hoot. There is a woman who makes clothing that is sold in some establishments and the clothing lines are named after the animal that the material comes from (sheep, I think). There is also a woman who is into voo doo and witches, but not really - that is just the impression that the villagers have of her.

 

I can't wait to read the next novel!