MAXWELL'S INSPECTION

Murder seems to follow Peter (Mad Max) Maxwell, history teacher and head of sixth form at Leighford High School. In the ninth of the Maxwell series, the school is in the midst of inspection week when one of the inspectors is murdered. An unlikely hero, Maxwell wrestles with the problem of whodunit in the midst of relationship problems, trying to teach school, and marking exercise books. Peter Wickham grumbles good-naturedly as Max offers his sometimes scathing, sometimes soft-hearted musings on colleagues and students. Wickham makes Max’s penchant for contemporary similes and allusions to pop-culture icons sound natural, while his portrayal of a rock band, the Yawning Hippos, is priceless. Despite some confusing British school jargon, Peter Wickham’s flashy performance and M. J. Trow’s expertly drawn characters will not disappoint. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]