Tony Parsons’ books never disappoint. I was thrilled to discover that Max Wolfe was back for another book! I’ve read the whole series to date and loved them all and this was no different.

The ‘voice’ of Max in this book is really sad, I would even say he sounds quite depressed but if you’ve read the earlier books it’s easy to see why, he appears to be still in the throes of grief. I loved the storyline with the two new direct entry detectives and the cynicism that inevitably comes with a change in the way newbies are treated if they have come direct from University as opposed to ‘cutting their teeth’ on the streets the way most more experienced detectives have…………..nurses and midwives were met with the same wariness when University education was introduced.

I won’t précis the story, you can get that from the back of the book, suffice to say there are two main investigations going on together, the death of the associates of a woman recently released from prison after taking the ‘fall’ and doing the time for a major robbery without naming her fellow criminals, and the murder of a homeless girl known fleetingly to Max.

The book was, for me, an absolute page turner, I was gripped from the start and just kept reading till the end. I was saddened to see the decline in Max’s relationship with his daughter, Scout. Even more surprised that he would leave her alone in an apartment in central London while he goes out late at night, given that’s she is only 12. It’s not against the law per se but it’s not something most people would even consider, I wouldn’t have thought? I could be out of touch though? I know…….it’s fiction…..and it was only for a few hours…..but still? Did it deter from the book?,Absolutely not, it’s a brilliant book and I loved every minute of it!

The twist at the end of the book, took me completely by surprise and totally blindsided me!! That’s all I’m going to say, not a chance I saw that coming!

My thanks, as always, go to Tony Parsons, the publishers and to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntary and entirely my own opinion.

I love Tony Parsons as a writer, and I loved this book. The story is compelling, and the characters all believable and well-drawn. I really couldn't put it down, and will definitely be recommending it.

Max Wolfe is a very decent policeman, struggling with bringing up his 12 year old daughter on his own in inner London. Emma Moon spent 16 years behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, but would never tell police the details of who did, out of a misguided loyalty to the man she loved. Max and Emma’s connection is that she was his very first arrest as a newly minted copper, straight out of training. Max is determined to find out what actually happened on the night two innocent people were murdered 16 years ago and he establishes a tenuous friendship with Emma Moon, only to be faced with someone who appears to be a thoroughly good and genuine person. But why are the criminal protagonists from the time of the original murder dying one by one? The story moves at a comfortable pace, is beautifully written and convincingly characterised, and explores some of the more pressing issues in our society. Although the latest in the Max Wolfe series, this book stands splendidly on its own.

I hadn’t read any of Tony Parson’s Max Wolfe series of books before. Despite that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Murder for Busy People.

I really liked Max Wolfe. He’s a police officer in the Metropolitan Police, also a single dad to a 12 year old Scout. They live in near the Smithfield’s Meat Markets in Central London with their aging dog Stan with Mrs Murphy keeping an eye on them. I quickly caught up on Max Wolfe’s personal history.

This case centres on Emma Moon, the first woman Max Wolfe ever arrested. She’s served her time and is out of prison and the bodycount is rising. Could Max also be in danger?

I enjoyed reading the book, there were some twists and turns and an ending I didn’t see coming. I really liked Max Wolfe, his daughter Scout and Mrs Murphy. I used to work close to Smithfield’s and knew the geography of that part of London.

I look forward to reading more Max Wolfe books by Tony Parsons.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers, Random House, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This was the first in the Max Wolfe series that I’ve read but will definitely be going back for more.
Great crime fiction that kept me guessing. Also loved the descriptions of living in central London and certainly bonded with Max and Scout.

It was great to see a return to Max Wolfe. Tony Parsons books are always an easy, enjoyable read and this is no exception. Thanks to Netgalley.

DC Max Wolfe is back - aging and facing the trials of being a single parent to a 12 year old daughter.
I really enjoyed this book.
Emma Moon is a flawed but amazing human being who did 16 years behind bars for being found in a house with dead bodies - Max arrested her at the time.
Now she’s out and her fellow accountable but not accused cohorts are dying - is she responsible?

Another great book from Tony Parsons, with another case for Max. Loved the development of the character and his family alongside the thrilling main storyline.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I have to be honest this is the first book I have read by this author and thought it was good, liked the storyline, liked the characters and I will be certainly look for more books from him

I read many of Tony Parsons earlier books like Man And Boy but his later work has been much more of the thriller/crime which isn’t usually my go to reading material.
However…this was gripping, full of unexpected twists and a really good read. I haven’t read anything with these characters before but it didn’t seem to matter. I will search out more of these books as I really enjoyed it.

I would highly recommend this book. It’s a great read. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series, however I was still able to pick it up quickly.
It’s a fast paced and well written thriller that I really enjoyed.

I love the Max Wolfe books so was excited to be offered an ARC.

This is probably my favourite Wolfe book to date. It is full of suspicious deaths, bent coppers, and lots of tense moments. I also found parts of the book very moving, especially between Scout and Max.

I didn't see one of the endings coming and was genuinely shocked when it all unravelled. Was gripped from the first to last page, and if you liked the previous books, you will love this.

A great book. A return if a familio character and an old adversary. Well written and I would recommend to anyone but would suggest you read the first book first - not necessary but a way of understanding what was important.

'Murder for Busy People' by Tony Parsons sees the return of Max Wolfe and what a return it is!

When Max was a new police officer he arrested Emma Moon at the scene of a horrific crime. Emma Moon was convicted and is now out after serving nine years in prison. Max and Emma's lives now clash again with disastrous consequences.

Max's home life now involves a teenage Scout and their elderly dog Stan and Scout's teenage years are placing pressure on their home life.

This is a fantastic return of Max Wolfe and fans will be delighted. Those that have not discovered Max Wolfe can read as a stand alone, but I guarantee you are going to want to read the series.

This is an absolutely compulsive read and is just as good as all the others in the series, if not the best of the series.

Highly recommended!

Thanks to the author and publisher in allowing me to read in return for a review.

I haven’t read other titles in this series, but that doesn’t matter as this works well as a standalone. Max is a detective with a socially aware daughter and a dog. His daughter is concerned about the plight of homeless people and this thread links well into the plot. Sixteen years earlier, his first arrest was Emma and she’s just been released from pension having kept her mouth shut about what really happened. Following he release, others involved in the original heist die. Max is convinced there’s a link with Emma.

This is fast paced and at times tense murder thriller. I found the characters con and the plot is satisfyingly complex to keep the intrigue high. Well written and a strong sense of place. I’ll read other titles in this series as I like Max Wolfe.

I haven’t read of this authors book before, let alone this series, but I had no difficulty in picking this one up and going with the flow

Highly recommended

Max, Scout and Stan are the trio that I found most interesting throughout the book. Great storyline for Detective Max Wolfe and I will be looking out for books from this author

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House

I haven’t read any of the other Max Wolfe books previously but that did not matter as Parsons gave enough background context without overdoing it. In this episode Wolfe is preoccupied with his relationship with his 12 year old daughter who wants to save the world. However his world is disrupted by the release from prison of the woman who was his very first arrest 16 years before. Emma is only just released when the other members of the heist for which only she was jailed start to die. Coincidence? Max think not…

Thoroughly enjoyed this read, and will be heading to pick up the rest in the series to date. Thanks to the author and the publisher and to NetGalley for the chance to read this Advance Reader Copy for which I have given my honest opinion.

4-5 stars

DS Max Wolfe #7 - and no, I’ve not read the series before but have no difficulty in picking this one up and going with the flow.

It all starts when Max is out walking Stan, his aging Cavalier, and finds a dead body being guarded by Buddy, his Rottweiler. Meanwhile, Max’s twelve year old daughter Scout, is deeply concerned about the rising number of homeless in the capital and the situation comes across their path in a big way. It all links to the release from prison of Emma Moon, Max’s first arrest as an officer, who has served sixteen years of a thirty year sentence for her part in a fatal armed robbery. Emma never betrays the other members of the ‘Hole in the Wall’ gang and remains the only one ever sentenced for the heist. Now, as at the time, Emma is big news but now she’s on a mission. What that will be only time will tell but maybe Max will need to keep checking over his shoulder.

I thoroughly enjoy this latest from the talented Tony Parsons. The storyline flows effortlessly, the pace is quick and the plot is intriguing from the start. It’s well thought out and becomes increasingly complex which fully captures my attention. It’s a good blend of the gritty via the underworld of organised crime combined with contemporary issues fused with Max’s difficulties of being a single parent to a thoughtful child who has her own agenda. It takes a deep dive into corruption and immorality which deepens the mystery but the biggest mystery of all is perhaps love. The further it progresses the more the plot strands reveals themselves and I find it gripping. There are twists and clever misdirections leading to an unpredictable end with the ultimate end being very moving.

What of the characters? I really like Max who feels very authentic and he’s a good man. I love the dynamic between him and Scout who at her tender age really cares about the homeless and this is a thoughtful aspect of the book.

I like Max enough to want to fill in the gaps between the first book and this - highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

First time reading a Max Wolfe book. Found it a little slow to start but once the story hooked you in, it kept you there right through with both the police story but also the family story.

Absolutely loved this book. The main character Max, is very likeable and a "decent copper". The relationship he has with his daughter is heart warming and totally relatable to what young teens are like. Chuck in Stan the Dog, and you've got me hooked.

There are two main storylines running through the book, both of which reach a satisfactory conclusion by the end - always good!

Add in a couple of twists and "wow, I didn't see that coming" moments throughout, and you've got the perfect recipe for what makes a great page turner.

Looking forward to more books with Max Wolfe.