Hard hitting, gritty, character driven crime, just how I like it. Wolfe is back with a 12 year old daughter and sees misery on the streets and despondency in the police force but he’s out for the truth whatever it turns out to be.

I wasn't really sure what to make of this, as I think I was expecting something a little more.

This is a straightforward murder mystery with a number of sub plots and plot twists.

The basic premise of the story is that when a woman is released from prison after serving 16 years for a crime she didn't commit, those she was covering for suddenly start to die in unusual circumstances. The main protagonist, a detective who originally arrested her, investigates the murders and uncovers a lot of unexpected things along the way.

It was an OK read, but not one that was particularly memorable. 3.5 stars

This is the second book I've read in the authors Max Wolfe series and I think this is a good read. It didn't wow me or become the page turner I was hoping for. Murder for Busy People is very much a slow burner of a read initially and for me didn't really pick up pace until over half way through. Max Wolfe is a likeable, believeable character who revisits an old case from early on in his police career and a murder investigation where the victim is known to him. The authors writing is good and whilst I normally enjoy the little glimpses into Max's personal and home life with his daughter, this felt a bit too much here and didn't really add anything to the story. The plot line is good with enough story threads that held my attention but on the whole this book didn't have the thrills, excitement, atmosphere I usually like in police procedurals. Overall a good read, just not a great one for me.

The seventh in the Max Wolfe series sees the detective dealing with his pre teen daughters anger whilst revisiting an old case from the start of his character. A little slow but plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested.

The seventh Max Wolfe book by Tony Parsons and the big question is, how have I not read these before!!

Max Wolfe is out walking his dog Stan on Hampstead Heath when he comes across the body of a man who is later identified as part of a gang who robbed a bank and murdered two people. It was the first case that Max was involved in as a newly qualified PC from Hendon. Is this linked to Emma Moon being released from prison?

Brilliant book, kept my attention the whole time, great characters and storyline, did not see any of the twists coming at all!

Has certainly piqued my interest and will be searching for the rest of the books to immerse myself in.

Highly recommended

I had forgotten how good Tony Parsons is with Max Wolfe! Time to revisit.

This excellent book stats with Emma Moon who has just been released from prison. Max is connected as he was the young policeman who arrested her at the scene of a robbery, She spent her time in prison without 'grassing up' the rest of the robbery gang which also involved 2 murders.

The book centres on the fact that Emma may be out for revenge, but is she?

Mr Parsons also brings in individuals from the London homelessness scene, treated very kindly and caring.

An exciting book, well worthy of 5 stars.

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House, Cornerstone for the chance to read and review.

A boring thriller. Police procedural which I usually enjoy but this book was not for me. It is the seventh book in the series and I’m not inclined to read any more of the authors work. I almost DNF this book as it was putting me into a reading slump. I found the twists to be predictable and I will not be recommending this book.

An enjoyable page-turner with many twists and turns. Well paced and a
Iikeable lead character, though perhaps missing a little depth or complexity.

I really enjoyed this book. I have read the other Max Wolfe stories and have enjoyed the relationship between himself and his daughter, Scout, develop.

Emma Moon who Max arrested as a young PC has been released from prison. After her release the individuals who made up the gang who were behind the robbery which led to her original arrest are scared to death. Max is drawn into investigating these ‘deaths’ as well as the murder of a local homeless woman befriended by his teenage daughter.

This leads him to uncover the Beetles - a group of policemen abusing young women.

A gripping thriller. To be recommended.

Although this is the 7th Max Wolfe book it was the very first one that I have read and it was easy to follow as a stand alone story. Liked the portrayal of Max and his young daughter Scout and the dog Stan to give an added dimension to the story. Several strands running through the storyline with Emma Moon out of prison after serving 9 years as an accessory to a double murder and robbery. Then we have a group of police possibly responsible for abducting and assaulting females. Obviously a lot for Max to try to solve, lots of twists and turns with a surprise in store towards the climax of the story. A great read and I will now be checking out the previous Max Wilde books.

When I heard that there was a new DS Max Wolfe about to be published, I decided that I needed to re-visit the previous six in the series. I did this by audible. The narrator was exceptionally good and caught the true nature of my hero, his daughter Scout and dog Stan a King Charles Spaniel, Mrs Murphy (his housekeeper/nanny and of course, DCI Pat Whitestone - his boss.

In this novel, Scout is twelve (going on twenty!) She is deeply concerned about all the homeless people who live near the open plan loft she and Max share. This new-found activist behaviour finds Scout often away till late at night, working at a soup kitchen. This causes quite a lot of drama between her and Max.

While Max Wolfe is trying to keep an eye on Scout ensuring that her new found passion doesn't interfere with her school work - he is faced with a case that first affected him as a young policeman straight out of training when he had to place Emma Moon under arrest after she was found in a stately home where a robbery had taken place - two people were murdered at the time of the robbery.

Emma Moon had served her prison service and now others involved in the murder are ending up dead. Is she responsible?

Another outstanding book that ensures that your thinking-cap will be fitted tightly on your head as you head as the bodies pile up. Could it really be Emma Moon arranging all these murders or is she this amazing woman so full of life and love?

Tony Parsons, please don't let this be the last Max Wolfe. Having listened to all the novels in the series, I've once again, grown to love this extraordinary police officer who goes above and beyond to find the truth - often getting into trouble in the process. I think that he's my favourite detective of all times, because I've got to know him both as a single father but also as a tenacious police officer.

Rony
Elite Reviewing Group

This novel introduced me to DC Max Wolfe and his daughter Scout. Although I have come in at a late stage, I felt it was simple to pick up the threads of their intricate relationship.
This story begins whilst Max is dog walking Stan. They make the horrifying discovery of a dead man being guarded by his own dog. The man's face bears a rare prison teardrop tattoo..
The story then develops at a satisfying pace as Max is brought into contact again with lovely Emma Moon, who was one of his earliest arrests and whom was acquainted with the dead man.
I loved both the characters and the well plotted story. Also, once again, a great twist in the tail.

Enjoyed this though could have done with less of the repetitive philosophising. Good plot, well constructed and certainly didn’t see the unexpected though plausible denouement. Worth a read but not one of Mr. Pardon’s very best. Thanks to publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and comment on an advance copy.

Yes, really enjoyed this book. Decent storyline and characters and a plot that could have gone in any direction.

I was so excited when I found out that Tony Parson's would be returning to his Max Wolfe series and even more so when I was given the opportunity to read it as an ARC. So thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for that.
I have read all of Tony's books and really enjoyed them all. However, the Max Wolfe series has been his best writing by far. Max lives with his daughter Scout and their beloved dog Stan. He's a detective in the met, trying to solve murders and getting involved in the seedy underworld of criminal London.
In this latest book, Scout is growing up, nearly a teenager and pushing boundaries. I did think she seemed much older than 12, but maybe that's how children are these days? Max is struggling to connect with Scout, but like all parents, he is trying his best. Luckily, they still have Stan to bring them together.
The main part of the story involves a murder of a homeless person. Someone Max knows. There is the release of a prisoner from his early days as a PC. More murders happen. There are twists and turns. Max is on the case or so we think, but are things as they seem?
I always enjoy the police part of the Max Wolfe books, but to be honest, this book was so much more than that. Max relationship with his daughter was very much the main focus for me. And of course Stan. The forward includes a brief but poignant note that his own beloved Stan died, and this broke my heart as my own dog died 2 days before Stan. I presume that while Tony was writing this Stan was showing signs of coming to the end of his life, and he chose to mirror that in this book. I don't often cry over a book, but that last chapter. Oh my good Tony , you had me bawling.
5 big fat stars from me, and please keep the Max stories coming. I love him!!
By the way, this can be read as a stand-alone, but do yourself a favour and read them all. You won't be disappointed.

Gripping, Layered, and Immensely Satisfying

Tony Parsons delivers yet another brilliant police mystery with Murder for Busy People. The book masterfully weaves together three compelling threads. The main plot—whether a recently released criminal is bent on vengeance—keeps you on edge with its perfectly timed twists and turns. The secondary plot, involving police officers potentially abusing and murdering vulnerable young girls, adds a disturbing element to the story, reflecting the conflicts of police investigating “their own”.

The final plot is the emotional core surrounding Max Wolfe’s teenage daughter, Scout. As Wolfe navigates the perils of police work, the tension in his personal life adds a whole new layer to the narrative, making you feel deeply invested in these characters.

The surprises are frequent and skillfully placed, never once feeling forced or overdone. Parsons knows how to balance tension and emotion. For anyone who loves a mystery that’s not only smart but emotionally resonant, this one is a must-read!

I found this book a little boring, an easy read, but no twists or suspense. I also don’t think the title matches the book.

If you enjoyed the other books in this series you will no doubt enjoy this one. It gives you everything you would expect from a Max Wolfe novel. The crimes threads that run through it are a mixture of some fairly straightforward ones and some with twists that will surprise. However I felt the main theme of the novel was the relationship between Max and his daughter Scout. Her transition to difficult teenager and his coping strategies remind me more of earlier Parsons books such as Man and Boy. The themes of change, growing up, death and life passing by quickly impact on the various threads in the book and take it beyond a mere crime novel.

Max Wolfe is back and on fine form as always.
He finds himself embroiled in the aftermath of a case that involved his first arrest way back when. He does have a knack of inadvertently coming across bodies so I am glad I don't frequent the same places as him.

His daughter Scout is now 12 and showing signs of teenage rebellion which is all new to Max. I am surprised that he gives her as much freedom as he does around London at night especially given his job and the sights he sees.

Is it plausible that someone would come after an arresting officer years later? Maybe but I would hope not.

Lots of twists and turns in another enjoyable book by Tony Parsons.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Cornerstone for the DRC.

This is a great series of books. Max is my favourite London detective. Perfect balance of police procedure and single parenting with Scout now approaching the difficult teenage phase. Superb story as usual. Tony Parsons delivers great stories which are easy and fun to read.