When Emma a young woman was released after serving 10 years in prison for being caught on the scene of a bank with two dead bodies after refusing to give any defence at her trial; mysterious deaths occur one by one of the men of the gang involved. The investigating officer is the same as one the one who arrested your in the first place. Being convinced that it was her taking revenge for being abandoned at the scene of the robbery his investigations seemed to lead nowhere but how could it be?

Book 7 in the Max Wolfe series but can easily be read as a standalone.
It was great to catch up with Max, his daughter Scout, and Stan the dog,we find the relationship between father and his teenage daughter through strong is at times very delicate.
The plot line is so well written you feel for the characters and the gritty and dangerous sides of London are captured brilliantly.The story has multiple plots with Max confronting a case from the past that has links to a new investigation as well as dealing with some rouge colleagues.
You can't beat a book where the culprit just isn't on your mind, and then the bomb drops, and it's a big OOH moment.
This is a well crafted thriller that grips from the outset.
Readers are in for a gritty intriguing read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the ARC.

I was really looking forward to this book as I've enjoyed the rest of the series but was disappointed. It wasn't bad but definitely not great. It's a run of the mill detective story. Predictable and not particularly exciting.

I really enjoyed this book. Emma Moon has just been released from prison after serving a sentence for armed robbery where 2 men were murdered. Her fellow criminals escaped the scene and she carried the can alone and refused to give any names. Now she is out and people who were involved in the crime have started to die. Is Emma taking her revenge? DI Max Wolfe is certain that he is on the list as he was the young officer who arrested her all those years ago. This is a real page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the end.
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

This is a well plotted detective mystery relating to a series of murders, whose victims are all linked to an armed robbery that took place two decades earlier. The finger points at Emma Moon, recently released from prison after serving time for being an accomplice, and infamous for not revealing the names of the perpetrators. Detective Max Wolfe, the arresting officer all those years ago, is now investigating the current murders, whilst also dealing with his own domestic issues relating to his 12 year old daughter.

This was an enjoyable story, with compelling and surprising sub-plots and believable characters.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me sight of this ARC

I think I’ll have to start reading book descriptions more carefully, because once again I had not realised this was part of a series. I found it difficult to understand Max’s relationship with his daughter until late in the book, and I’ll never know why a father (particularly a policeman) would think it acceptable to let his 12-year-old daughter out very late at night, alone – especially on London’s back streets. The story itself was well-written, intriguing and multi-layered with multiple characters. Quite a few red herrings and twists and turns kept up my interest most of the time, but there seemed to be lots of repetition and times when I felt the story dragged. All in all it was a good read, upped from 3.5 stars to 4 because of Stan! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the early copy.

I am almost certain that Parsons did not intend for his readers to end up crying by the end of this novel, but such was the storyline that I couldn't help myself. The notion of a single parent, Detective Wolfe and his teenage daughter, Scout navigating their fractured relationship was simply too beautiful and emotional.Similarly Emma Moon's final meeting with the copper who initially arrested her sixteen years ago was a real tear jerker.

The novel starts with the prison release of Emma Moon who at twenty eight with a young son was part of a burglary gone wrong. A gardener and security guard were killed. Emma was the only culprit to be arrested and jailed as she refused to give up her accomplices albeit everyone knew who was involved. Throughout her time in prison she watched as the others got on with their lives spending the proceeds from the robbery.

Now she has been released and those same men appear to be dropping like flies. Despite her ailing health suspicion falls on her and there are rumblings of a hit list containing those who have wronged her. Parsons introduces a strong subplot which will have triggering effects for some. A young homeless girl is found murdered however before her death she confided in Wolfe that a policeman was harassing her for sexual favours. As Detective Wolfe begins his investigation into her murder he uncovers a ring of Met policemen who falsely arrest young women for the purpose of sexually assaulting them in a flat in Angel. Parsons illustrates how crimes are covered up by a code and what happens to those who attempt to expose corruption.
The author's ability to create three dimensional characters who are both complex and gripping hooked me from the start. This is an easy 5* especially with the twist I never saw coming. Well done.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

I've not read one of the Max Wolfe stories before (even though it turns out I own several!) and now I can't wait to read the earlier books. This book can be read as a standalone but I think the earlier books could give you a good insight into Max's relationship with his daughter Scout and his work.

The story opens with a punch, Max is walking his beloved dog Stan and stumbles across the corpse of a man (no spoilers!) and it turns out Max knows the man...

A story with multiple plots, Tony's writing craft is able to pace these various stories beautifully and still create tension and drama. Drawn into the murky world of Emma Moon (one of Wolfe's first arrests), Emma is out of prison and looking to settle some scores.

Whilst the tension builds in the first story you are also drawn further into exploring the fragile relationship between father and daughter and learn about two new recruits to Wolfe's team and all while hunting down the truth of just what happened all those years ago with the 'Hole in the wall" gang and Emma Moon.

A great thrilling story from one of my favourite writers

I really enjoyed this book. I haven’t read the previous books in this series but that in no way detracted from the book as it is easily enjoyed as a stand alone story, I will now read Tony’s other books as I really liked the writing style and the way he brings his characters to life. It was a good plot that kept me guessing until the end. I thoroughly recommend this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to advance review and to the author for a really enjoyable read.

A gripping read, with Max Wolfe in this the 7th book n the series. He’s getting to grips with the fact that his daughter Scout is now a stroppy teenager, with a definite mind of her own, which leads to some interesting confrontations between the pair. Max gets involved with a complicated case from the past and has to make a decision on where he takes some information he has been given about colleagues. Fast paced, red herrings galore and an unexpected ending, all making for another excellent book from this author. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Book 7 in the DS Max Wolfe series. Wow 😮 what a great addition to the series! A great storyline that has you gripped from beginning to end. Great read !

As usual I will not give away plot details - plenty of other reviewers will do that!

This was an enjoyable page turner, in the "Max Wolfe" series. Although I haven't read the full series, this book had enough background information to work both as a standalone and part of the series.

Time has marched on, and Scout is now a teenager. There is obviously still a deep bond between Max and his daughter, but she's growing up and has a mind of her own, and a social conscience that spurs Max on to examine his own views and feelings on homelessness for example. This ties in with other threads in the tale...

The plot is multi-layered, and in part revisits an earlier robbery/murder that has repercussions in the present day following the release of the subject of Max's first arrest. Who is behind the present day killings? Who is telling the truth? Well - you'll have to read the book to find out!

I was misled by a few red herrings, but was pleased that I got there in the end!

Looking forward to reading more in this series - I like the characters and pace of the storytelling.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

My first Tony Parsons was Man and Boy and the book was filled with a great understanding and love of family and human nature. That same quality is what makes the Max Wolfe series such a joy to read. Max Wolfe living above Smithfield meat market in a spacious luxurious flat with his daughter Scout (homage to, To kill a mockingbird) and their family dog with the wonderful name of Stan. Stan is getting older and a little tired, and Scout is on the verge of entering the terrible teens but shows herself as a very caring and thoughtful young lady. In Murder for busy people Max is investigating corrupt policemen using their position of power to sexually abuse and rape, a storyline that reflects recent events in todays world. However it is the writing style and thoughtful prose that makes Tony Parsons a real joy to read……”I just don't know what to say to her, Mrs Murphy. You don’t have to say anything. You two - you’ll be fine, I know you will. And we need these hard times - the sad times - the difficult times so we can cherish the happy times when they come. And they will…..”The years to come will fly - for all of us - faster and faster and faster. I know they will - and Stan will be gone and one day I will be gone too”......
Wonderful writing and a big welcome back to Max and family :)

A fabulously written gripping story that was a pleasure to read. I would absolutely recommend this book, it was brilliant

I’m not just fond of this because it comes out on my birthday, but it helps! Max Wolfe is back and this time around, he’s got family problems blending with professional issues. Emma Moon, a woman who served 16 years for a robbery that left two men dead, is out of prison. Silent throughout, she never gave police a shred of evidence to direct the crime at the real culprits, biding her time, playing the game. However, though still in her 40s, she’s lost pretty much everything, including her darling son. Soon, bodies begin to pile up, people who were related to the decades-old crime, people who had changed their lives in a way that Emma was unable. But Max knows only too well about Emma: he’s the officer for arrested her all those years ago. Coupling the investigations with tweenager Scott, who is fighting for the greater good, it’s a punchy novel that’ll led through London unlike any other novel.

Now that I have finished the book, I can say that I enjoyed it very much. I liked Max, the single father detective very much and although I have read others by this author, this series is new to me. It was fine as a stand alone though, enough information about the main characters without too much detail and it felt natural. There are questions about some of the deaths here, were they natural or not. It took me about 25% of the book to really get into the plot and to get a handle on all the characters involved in the crimes which led to the prison sentence of Emma Moon. Now that she is out of prison, the original gang involved in the robbery and double killing start turning up dead. There are also other crimes, such as the death of a young homeless girl and police corruption.
So once the book got me hooked, I enjoyed the twisty plot but also the problematic relationship between Max and Scout. The plot is beleievable and the descriptions of people and locations well done.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Murder for busy people

Tony Parsons is such a great story teller and Detective Max Wolfe is one of his best protagonists. I thoroughly enjoyed Murder for Busy People, with its eclectic mix of old-time London gangland characters and modern day police procedures. It was a proper immersive experience and did not disappoint. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to all concerned for allowing me to read and review this terrific novel.

Another great Max Wolfe story. Theres a human quality to the characters as well as a great story that draws you in.

Keeps you guessing until the end!

A very enjoyable read with lots of (believable) twists and turns. I like the cast of characters and the developing relationship between Max and Scout was very well done.

Another good book read. Max Wolfe is walking his dog, Stan, in the park early one
morning. Stan becomes interested in a dog and Max goes to retrieve him. As he walks over he realises he is looking at a dead body and the other dog is guarding his owner. This is the start of a really good plot. Max is divorced and lives with his teenage daughter who is becoming aware of the homelessness in their area. They live by Smithfield market. Max starts investigating the death and it opens a case he dealt with which was solved albeit not exactly as the police would have wanted. Emma Moon was sent to prison for the death of two people in a robbery that went wrong but would never give up the names of the others involved. Emma was the first people Max arrested in his career as a policeman. As the story continues Max is struggling with being a good dad to a daughter, Scout, who is growing up fast, serious about the homeless crises and wanting to heal all and his job. When a homeless girl is found dead this is something which starts a catalyst of drama and leads them to the heist which happened years ago. Emma is now out of prison and the people who were purported to have been involved in the heist are all dying. Is Emma the one doing this as revenge or are other people in play. Please read this and find out. I took to all the characters and really enjoyed the drama of this book. Need to read another Tony Parsons book