An absolutely gripping cozy murder mystery with a touch of wry English humour.

‘Cleverly conceived and amusingly executed.’ The Sunday Times 

Meet Peter Maxwell: film buff, golden-hearted cynic, bow-tied eccentric teacher . . . and reluctant amateur sleuth. 

A reality TV crew descends on Leighford High . . . and Head of Sixth Form Peter Maxwell braces for disaster — but not murder. 

The cameras pry into every corner of the school, exposing secrets better left buried. But when a member of the TV crew is found stabbed to death in the headteacher’s office, it’s clear the real drama has only just begun.  

Then a second crew member is found sprawled in Maxwell’s office. Murdered with the same knife. 

As Maxwell unravels the truth he finds himself facing a chilling reality: the murderer is still watching, still waiting, and ready to kill again. 

If you love Faith Martin, Richard Osman, Richard Coles, Fiona Leitch, Sarah Yarwood-Lovett, Simon Brett, Janice Hallett, M.C. Beaton or Agatha Christie, prepare to be hooked by this character-driven thrilling mystery! 

Praise for M.J Trow’s Peter Maxwell series: 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘A great original read with a lot of humour, excellent plot and likeable characters.’

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘What a genius Mr Trow is to create the wonderful character that is Peter Maxwell.’ 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Brilliant series.’ 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘Full of humour and wit, with a great plot.’ 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘I love Peter Maxwell. The books are humorous and he is a great character.’ 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ‘My absolute favourite series.’ 

Meet Peter Maxwell 

Peter Maxwell is a history teacher at Leighford High School. He’s loved by his students and known as ‘Mad Max’ to his friends because of his love of quoting movies. His eccentricities make him a well-known figure in the small seaside town, cycling everywhere on his bike called White Surrey — after Richard III’s horse. When not teaching history, he is building a diorama of the Charge of the Light Brigade in his attic and talking to his cat, Count Metternich, his sounding board and boss, and solves crimes the police are unable to crack.

The Setting 

Leighford is a small seaside town on the South Coast. Its population trebles in the summer as tourists flock to holiday there. Unfortunately for Peter Maxwell some of these characters will end up dead!