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MAXWELL'S INSPECTION
by M. J. Trow
Allison and Busby, September 2003
248 pages
17.99GBP
ISBN: 0749006765


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Leighford High is facing its biggest challenge ­- the Ofsted Inspection. This inspection will determine the academic merit of the school as well as judge administrative efficiency. The teachers are concerned simply because the week tends to be stressful and they do not want to be the person responsible for giving the school bad marks.

Peter Maxwell, Head of the Sixth Form, is taking this event in stride. He stumbles upon Sally Meninger, an inspector, having sex with Alan Whiting, another inspector, in the men's room at a local pub. Then Whiting is murdered. There are numerous suspects including Meninger's other main squeeze Leighford High's own James Diamond. With the help of DS Jacquie Carpenter, Maxwell will investigate this murder.

Maxwell is an interesting protagonist. He is very independent and does not take well to authority; yet, sees the value of authority figures. However, his biggest problem is his independence. He is investigating this murder without keeping the police informed of his activities as requested. This normally is a common occurrence in mysteries; however, he is dating a police officer. He does not share his information, which causes him to be put into dangerous situations. Luckily his sense of humor and worldview almost make up for this fault.

MAXWELL'S INSPECTION is very British. The entire atmosphere of the book screams Britain. Some of this is due to the organization of the police, to the constant references to the pubs and of course the language itself. These elements are what is expected in a British book. The confusion lies with the school system and all of the divisions. This is very confusing to most non-British readers. If this book is to be marketed in the United States or any country unfamiliar with the British schooling system a small section explaining how the school system is set up and what an inspection actually does would be beneficial to the book's sales.

MAXWELL'S INSPECTION is the ninth book by M.J. Trow.

Reviewed by Sarah Dudley, January 2004

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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