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The Question of Max Mass Market Paperback – January 1, 1977

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

Murder is academic, and literature is murderously exciting, when a mysterious death plunges cool, dagger-witted Professor Kate Fansler on a literary quest into a Bloomsbury-like group of feminist writers, and the questionable heritage of a man named Max-dear old Max- a thoroughly elegant snob, who may or not be too impeccable for violence.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon; First Edition (January 1, 1977)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0380017709
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0380017706
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 5 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

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Amanda Cross
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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2018
    Discovered Amanda Cross when it seemed too late and many of her books were out of print. Finally got the remaining lot here and very pleased to have enjoyed them all.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2022
    Professor Kate Fansler is flattered and curious when her friend, the urbane and extremely snobbish Max Reston (“younger son of a younger son of a duke”) asks her to accompany him to the home of a recently deceased literary author, whose literary executor he has become; it turns out that neighours have sighted intruders at the cottage and Max is afraid to go by himself. When they reach the Maine house by the sea, Kate is determined to climb the rocks down to the beach, but her determination is shattered when she comes across a corpse in a tidepool; worse, it turns out to be the body of a student she knew, who was working on a doctorate somewhat related to the deceased author. In spite of herself, Kate is drawn to further inquiries to resolve the matter, even if she must travel to Oxford to do so…. This is, I think, the fifth novel in the Kate Fansler series, and as ever it gleams with tidbits about the academic life, along with feminism in the 1970s - and, in this case, we also get a look into prep-school level basketball! I enjoyed this outing, although the actual mystery didn’t require much work to figure out; as a slice of life in that time period, it’s a very compelling and enjoyable read. Recommended!
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2013
    The Question of Max is an interesting book. One can tell that Carolyn Heilbrun was an English professor. It is one of the reasons I enjoy her books.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2001
    This is a slow-paced, detail-heavy mystery novel that will please people who really love and know literature. Loaded with imagery and references from the classic 19th and 20th century canon, it might be difficult to truly enjoy or appreciate by someone who does not. The novel is written in very intellectual and academic prose (lots of big vocabulary words -- after all the heroine is an English professor), but is nevertheless appropriate and entertaining, not too dry. The mystery unfolds extremely slowly -- in fact, until the second half of the book you are not really sure what the mystery IS -- but there is something tantalizing about this, and it makes the book feel as much like a "regular" novel as a mystery (so even someone who does not usually read mysteries might very well enjoy it). The last quarter of the book speeds up dramatically, with lots of unanswered questions, new clues, and even a bit of old-fashioned suspense; the ending is simple but somehow seems to fit just right. I did enjoy this book, and it was a quick and pleasant read, but I can warn you in advance that if you do not like literature, or reading very intellectual novels, you will probably find it boring. If the story of an upper-class English professor trying to solve a mystery surrounding a recently deceased British writer appeals to you, however, then pick this one up and give it a go. It's not an amazing book and it won't blow you away, but it's not expensive, and it's certainly good reading for a rainy day or a long trip.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018
    This is more of a discussion about intellectual ideas and ethical issues than a traditional mystery. While I did enjoy reading it I often found myself going "huh, now I wonder why so and so said that? or responded to a question with an answer that seems rather off topic. It does move at a ponderous pace and with, at times, almost tedious detail but if you love a healthy dose of intellectualism -- witty comments, trenchant remarks and lengthy digressions -- in your mysteries you will be pleased with this story. I had problems staying focused and staying engaged (and staying awake) but maybe that was because I was reading it in bed at night............
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 1997
    "A bit of homicide, much wit, and lashings." Scholars, famous writers, literary circles. A taste of Walt Whitman, Wilde, Eliot, Oxford. Dissertations, literary executors, biographical writings.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • A Yankey
    3.0 out of 5 stars Goods not as described
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 15, 2016
    Arrived promptly but book did not meet my expectations of 'good' condition. The spine was cracked and covers scuffed. Unimpressed.
  • Alison S. Coad
    4.0 out of 5 stars From Maine to Oxford, Kate Fansler Investigates
    Reviewed in Canada on March 19, 2022
    Professor Kate Fansler is flattered and curious when her friend, the urbane and extremely snobbish Max Reston (“younger son of a younger son of a duke”) asks her to accompany him to the home of a recently deceased literary author, whose literary executor he has become; it turns out that neighours have sighted intruders at the cottage and Max is afraid to go by himself. When they reach the Maine house by the sea, Kate is determined to climb the rocks down to the beach, but her determination is shattered when she comes across a corpse in a tidepool; worse, it turns out to be the body of a student she knew, who was working on a doctorate somewhat related to the deceased author. In spite of herself, Kate is drawn to further inquiries to resolve the matter, even if she must travel to Oxford to do so…. This is, I think, the fifth novel in the Kate Fansler series, and as ever it gleams with tidbits about the academic life, along with feminism in the 1970s - and, in this case, we also get a look into prep-school level basketball! I enjoyed this outing, although the actual mystery didn’t require much work to figure out; as a slice of life in that time period, it’s a very compelling and enjoyable read. Recommended!