From Chef’s Whites to Campervan Nights. Max’s Vanlife Adventure Careens into a Shocking Murder Mystery!Burned-out chef, and a bit of a hippy at heart if he's honest, Max Effort, has had enough. He's packed in his job at a swanky Michelin 3-star restaurant, grown his hair, berated his parents yet again for giving him such a "go get 'em" name, accepted he's never going to get his ex-wife back, and he's hitting the road. The house is sold, a VW Campervan bought, and Anxious his trusty Jack Russell Terrier has already picked his spot (the bed, duh!). Max has a plan, and he thinks it's a cunning one. Sick of the sight of joux, defiant in the face of deconstructed trifle, green at the sight of truffles, and despairing of anything served on a slate rather than a plate, he's about to embark on a tour of the backroads of Britain. He'll weave his way around the country to visit the sights, go to a few festivals, catch up with friends, and just chill out. And every single night without fail, he's going to make his main meal in his cast-iron pot. It's one-pot cooking or bust for Max, and he cannot wait. Freedom at last. The open road with his best friend for company. No hot, sweaty kitchens, shouting chefs, uppity waiters, or demanding customers. Just countryside, campsites, back-to-basics cooking, and the stars at night. Then there was a murder… Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

A Foot in the Sand. A Body on the Shore. Sometimes the Coast can be Deadly. Burned-out chef Max Effort—he still hates his parents for the name—is slowly settling into vanlife. After cruising along the North Wales coast, he's finally got a system for keeping his VW organised, bought himself a sun shelter, and even come to terms with cold showers. Used to swanky kitchens and state-of-the-art equipment, he's even mastered cooking outside without the flame blowing out. One-pot cooking or bust was Max's promise to himself, but the joys of letting his dinner simmer for hours on lazy summer days are soon on the back-burner when murder rears its ugly head once more. A relaxing walk on the beach with his best friend Anxious the Terrier turns into a total stress-fest when he stumbles across a severed foot poking out of the sand. The rest of the body is discovered soon after, and Max feels like it's his duty to help solve this puzzling crime. Trying his best to stay out of the way of the local detectives, the clues soon mount up, along with the body count, and it becomes apparent that nothing is at is seems in the once quiet coastal town of Abergele. With his trusty Terrier sniffing out the clues, and stealing all the ice-cream, Max teams up with the local lifeguard to solve the mystery, but he can't stop pining for his ex-wife. When she arrives for an impromptu visit, the team are soon up to their necks in the carnage as accusations fly and an innocent man risks spending the rest of his life in prison. Can Max figure this out in time, or will he push his luck too far? Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Max's Vanlife Adventure Screeches to a Halt When a Quiet Pint at the Pub Leads to Murder! Max Effort never thought he'd find himself at The Dead Crow's sixth annual pickled onion festival, but serendipity is a peculiar thing, so here he stood. He didn't care, because his two best friends—Min his ex-wife, and Anxious the Terrier—were with him so life was sweet. With his VW campervan in a nice corner of the pub's grounds, and his outdoor kitchen set up for another one-pot wonder, he couldn't have been happier. When the pub's chef goes missing, Max reluctantly agrees to step in and save the day. Having vowed never to enter a commercial kitchen again, he soon regrets the decision, especially when the chef is found dead in a broom closet with a jar of pickled onions. With the pub landlord under pressure to keep the premises open, and the death seemingly natural causes, Max relaxes in the bar where a fun evening of festivities with the fiddler band turns into an after hours lock-in like no other. Booze, music, way too many pickled onions, and another body means there's a murderer on the loose and a room full of suspects. Now certain that his vanlife is a means of helping out local communities by solving crimes, Max begins to peel back the layers of this most puzzling of pickled problems. It might leave a sour taste in his mouth, but the stakes are high and the cost of failure lethal. As the team navigates a labyrinth of suspects as slippery as the pub floor, it becomes obvious the motive for the killings is wilder than anyone could have imagined. If you have a taste for mystery, and a healthy appetite for laughter, then hold on tight, because you're about to embark on a culinary caper that's as savoury as it is suspenseful. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Max's Vanlife Adventure Stutters to a Stop When a Trip to the Vets Turns into a Nightmare! Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier has a poorly paw. Burned-out chef and vanlife convert Max Effort will do anything for his best friend, even if that means a visit to the vets and the inevitable whining. Stopping in Harlech on the Welsh coast means they can get the little guy sorted out and take in the sights, too, even if Anxious is less than keen on visiting THE DOCTOR! With the 67 VW complaining louder than Anxious, they barely make it, and it seems this might be it for the old campervan. Time for repairs later. Friends before mends. Five minutes into their consultation, the waiting room is filled with gas and there's been a murder. Pet owners are distraught because not only has everyone been clobbered, but someone's stolen half the animals from right under their noses. After teaming up with the young receptionist, Max slowly begins to unravel his most mysterious case yet, while Anxious hobbles along, refusing to be left out. But they aren't alone, as no way will Min, Max's ex-wife and other best friend, stay away when there's trouble afoot. As rivalries surface, and bodies drop like overcooked scones, Max does what he can to help the local community. With little time for one-pot wonders, he still manages to cook up a storm, but will his eye for detail and deep-seated desire to help be enough this time, or is he finally out of his depth? Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Murder, Mayhem, and Mosh Pits Turn Max's Chilled Weekend into a Festival of Fear! It's Lydstock time again, the most anticipated music festival of the year. Max Effort, chilled ex-chef turned vanlifer, is already there, the VW camper is up on its levelling ramps, and when Min arrives to spend the whole weekend with him and Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier, he's as happy as any ex-husband could be. As the first night gets underway, and Uncle Ernie "Elbows" Effort's ska punk band The Skankin' Skeletons headline instead of their arch-rivals The Third Skatallion, things get spicier than a habanero vindaloo. ️ Just as Ernie belts out the final note, a bandmate keels over like a dropped mic, stone cold dead. ☠️ The officious DS Kate Moss (not that Kate, although it would be a plot twist!) dismisses it as an overzealous guitar solo gone wrong, so it's down to the team to solve this heinous crime. Joining forces with Moose, a keen security guard with freaky ninja skills but a body that doesn't suit, the pounding bass and blistering drums are hiding more than some dodgy riffs as yet another murder rocks the site. Lukewarm lager and limp lettuce wraps fly, and rockstars reel, as it all comes down to a heart-pounding crescendo. Can Max uncover the truth before another headline act bites the dust? Equal parts hilarious, heartwarming, and suspenseful, this cozy mystery has enough twists and turns to leave you begging for an encore! Let the skanking begin… Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Parents, Pink Caravans, and Cooked Corpses. Sometimes Vanlife gets Gnarly! Ex-chef and now fully dedicated vanlifer, Max Effort—his parents still don't understand why it was a poor choice of name—picked the perfect spot for a relaxing few days. A quiet campsite where he could unwind with his best friend Anxious the Jack Russell (sausage enthusiast, and occasional existential Terrier). When his parents arrived to spend a few days with him during the continuing unprecedented heatwave, he wasn't too surprised to find them towing a huge monstrosity they called a "caravan"—think flamingo pink with enough chrome to blind astronauts. Even more shocking was the stewed corpse of a man inside their rental. Campfire chill instantly becomes crime scene grill! With Max's nomadic vanlife now undoubtedly intertwined with his new destiny of helping out the local communities, he teams up with his folks to solve this most peculiar of mysteries. Anxious is on fine form as he sniffs out the suspects, nabs a few sausages (sorry, not sorry!), and almost loses the plot at the hotdog factory, but the gang really struggle to crack the case this time. When another corpse is discovered, all Max's theories are thrown out like last week's congealed leftovers. Determined to stick to his pledge of cooking every evening meal in his cast-iron pot, Max needs all the sustenance he can muster when the team find themselves in one predicament after another. With a campsite full of suspects, and the restaurant across the road clearly up to something dodgy, stress levels soar as fear spreads faster than a case of botulism at a barbecue. Will the macabre murderer be discovered, or will the gang become little but minced meat? Grab your spork and settle down for a culinary cozy mystery. This time the cooking really is deadly. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Max's Vanlife Takes a Wrong Turn—Bodyparts Ensure the Comedy Festival is no Laughing Matter. Disaster struck the morning of the Chucklefest Comedy Festival. Not with a bomb (thank goodness), but with a canine whimper. Vanlife convert Max Effort's best buddy, Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier, managed to disassemble his favourite toy, leaving him bereft. But help was on hand, and Min, Max's ex-wife, best friend (besides Anxious, obviously), and the true love of his life, hightails it across the country, determined to deliver a replacement bestie. Feeling chilled and in good spirits, Max's mood soon soured when he reached into the festival freezer and discovered a smiling face staring back at him. Shame it wasn't attached to the rest of the poor comedian's body. Once again the gang are embroiled in a gruesome murder mystery, and it's no laughing matter. Who killed the comedian? Why chop him up? And where's the rest of him? As clues are uncovered, everyone becomes a suspect, including the posh landowner, the event manager, and even the comedians themselves. Trying to fit in a one-pot wonder amidst the chaos was a real challenge for our struggling ex-chef, but he was determined to not only cook a feast but uncover the truth too. Then everything changed, and life would never be the same again, as none of the gang were prepared for what became the most surreal experience of their lives. When another body is discovered, events spiral and, horror of horrors, it seems like dinner might have to be put on the back burner. Grab a seat, get your laughing gear around something frosty, and settle down for a lighthearted, gripping, proper whodunit with a steady stream of suspects, red herrings, and some entertaining one-liners. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Murder, Mutts, and Mishaps. Vanlife just got Super Weird! Uncle Ernie "Elbows" Effort is getting married. It might be short notice, but Max, our intrepid van-dwelling ex-chef, dashes back to Wales and the idyllic city of St Davids for the ceremony. This is no ordinary wedding, however. Turns out the love of Ernie's life runs a booming canine wedding business with her sister, and this is one big celebration. The festival atmosphere darkens when the husband of Ernie's future sister-in-law apparently jumps from the top of an ancient ruin. But everyone who knew him insists he would never take his own life—he was too full of his own self-importance for that. Max promises to look into things, but the afternoon goes from sour to surreal as first Ernie then about a hundred dogs all tie the knot. How do you solve a murder mystery when the police are convinced it's suicide, everyone saw him jump, and nobody even liked the guy? As the day gets weirder, and the dogs get wilder, Max has to contend with not only the sudden arrival of his parents, but it seems someone really is out to get him. Is something he did in his past finally catching up with him, or is this to do with the murder mysteries he keeps solving? Just when he thinks he's cracking the case, another "suicide" throws suspicion on a whole new batch of suspects. With the help of his trusty canine companion, Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier (who has a nose for trouble and a stomach for biscuits), a juicy morsel of a clue is unearthed that leads Max and the gang down a treacherous path to the truth. But at what cost to his personal safety and the future he craves? Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

When Hippy Vibes Meet Funfair Rides, Murder Sideswipes Max's Vanlife Ex-chef and now full-time nomad Max Effort is fully into the rhythm of vanlife. He made it through the unprecedented heatwave, and is now being truly tested by a return to unpredictable (meaning mostly soggy) British weather. He's even had to consider ditching his Crocs (we won't hear of it!) for something more sensible. Footwear is the least of his worries, though, when Min, ex-wife and love of his life, comes to stay in his awesome 67 VW Campervan so they can visit the largest funfair in the UK. The moment they stepped inside the haunted house, murder of the most nightmarish kind greeted them. Freaked out and reeling from the death, they are buoyed by the return of an old friend. Moose, man of mystery and considerable ninja skills, teams up with the gang to help solve a truly perplexing whodunit, with plenty of help from Anxious, the smartest Jack Russell Terrier you're ever likely to meet. As the clues, and red herrings, mount up and the funfair tries to come to terms with yet another shocking murder, the stakes are high and the stress even higher as the team rush to uncover the killer before they strike again. But has Max pushed his luck too far this time? Has he finally met his match? Even more concerning are the dire threats and warnings he's been receiving lately, with their perplexing and cryptic messages and offerings. One-pot wonders are all that keeps Max sane, as you can't beat a full belly to help unravel the clues and chill with those you love the most. As the showdown finally climaxes, secrets from his past are uncovered, leaving Max dangerously close to becoming nothing but an ex-vanlifer as he battles to survive and continue his new way of life. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

A Rowing Boat Disaster Turns Max's Cornish Trip into a Soggy Nightmare! Ex-chef Max Effort, a van-dwelling culinary connoisseur, and his trusty sidekick, Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier, are on a Cornish adventure. Their plan? A leisurely row, sunshine, and a bit of coastal charm. But when they become stranded on a tiny island, their idyllic getaway takes a decidedly sinister turn. One again, Max finds himself thrust into the middle of a murder mystery when an islander is found dead. Pining for Min waiting for him on the mainland, but unable to escape, Max sets out to solve the crime, but the island and its inhabitants prove to be more challenging than any kitchen nightmare. As Max races against time to escape the killer, and secretive residents, he discovers that even the most picturesque coastal town can harbour a dark side. Will he make it off the island alive, or will his new role in life as an amateur detective lead him to a grisly end? Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

A Body in the Snow Turns Max's Cozy Christmas into a Chilling Conundrum It's Christmas Day, and ex-chef and recent vanlife convert Max Effort couldn't be happier as he wakes feeling snuggly and content in his 67 VW Campervan. Anxious, his best pal, and the brightest Jack Russell Terrier you're likely to meet, is super-excited as against all the odds not only has Santa been and left gifts, and even decorated a miniature tree, but Min, Max's ex-wife and love of his life, has spent the night and that means the family is all together. When the gang rub the sleep from their eyes and look out the windows, they can't believe their luck. It's snowed! Yay! What a perfect day it will be. But it's not all snowballs and frosty walks. The snowstorm has plenty of surprises in store for the trepidatious threesome as large drifts have trapped them inside Vee, Max's beloved campervan. When they do finally manage to escape, it's to discover a corpse at the surprisingly busy campsite run by enthusiastic but newbie owners. All Max wants to do is cook the perfect Christmas dinner, but with a killer on the loose, and frozen pipes to contend with, not to mention a lack of dry clothes, he's got way too much on his plate but zero to eat. Can the team figure out this perplexing winter mystery, enjoy their time together, and somehow manage to eat a scrumptious dinner, or will the killer strike again and ruin not only Christmas, but chase Santa off for good? Noooo! Time to dive into the snow and figure this out. With a grumpy detective full of holiday despondency, and cramped conditions in the van, will it be peace and goodwill, or war and vitriol for our usually upbeat group of vagabonds? Grab a mince pie and a creamy Irish liqueur (you know the one!) and settle down by a roaring fire for a festive fable with some glorious cooking and a large helping of murder mystery. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

A Dead Dude in the Deli Makes Max's Stomach Churn When ex-chef turned vanlifer Max Effort pops into Del's Deli for some well-deserved treats, his hunger is soon forgotten when the owner, a complete stranger to our culinary hero, is discovered murdered. Max is used to the rather astonishing number of murder mysteries he encounters on his travels, but when a note is found asking him to discover who killed Del, and written by the deceased himself, he's left with a real head-scratcher. How did the man know in advance he would be killed? How did he know Max would enter the deli at precisely the right moment? And most perplexing of all, how come the deli owner made a quiche with a soggy bottom when he was a pro with pastry? With Anxious the Jack Russell Terrier helping to sniff out the clues—attention firmly on the pork pies—the duo are determined to get answers, and team up with Del's distraught assistant to uncover the truth, or possibly die trying. There's much more to this case than any of them could have imagined, and the deeper they dig the more they realise this is one murder that might best remain unsolved. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

Who Knew Cheese Pies Could be so Deadly? What could be more fun for an ex-chef and vanlifer than a festival combining pies and vans? Not much, apart from being joined by your ex-wife and best friend besides Anxious, the smartest Jack Russell known to man. Max Effort was in his element. The sun was shining, the food was delicious, and the campervan show was a real success. The death slide was, as its name suggested, terrifying. Max would do anything for Min, though, so took the plunge, literally, and shot down the slide into the lake, surprised and quite pleased to survive. But this was only the beginning of his brush with death. No sooner had they dried off than a corpse was discovered under Vee, his beloved VW Campervan. Hurrying to get help, events spiralled as a pie vendor was found dead, face-planted into his own pie. That was just the beginning of a truly surreal day having to deal with utterly inept detectives, giant pie competitions, and more cheese pies than even Anxious could consume. As more bodies dropped, and the list of suspects grew, the gang uncovered clues that nobody seemed to take seriously but them. How did the pie makers meet such an untimely and undignified demise? Why on earth would somebody try to sneak into the festival under their campervan? Most concerning of all was who would be next? For the first time in his life, even Anxious lost his appetite. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

A trip to Shell Island on the Welsh coast leaves Max desperately trying to uncover a killer before he becomes the next victim! What could be more relaxing than a few days nestled amongst the sand dunes with nothing for Max Effort to do but take long walks with his best buddy Anxious the Jack Russell, and maybe do a spot of crabbing? The ex-chef and now old hand at vanlife had barely even slipped off his Crocs and put his feet up before he's viciously assaulted and a man goes missing. Never one to take a backseat to a mystery, Max soon uncovers the corpse and dives headfirst into solving the murder, once he's been given the all clear at the hospital. Joined by his over-eager parents, Max and the gang do their best to help solve the puzzle and keep the holidaymakers safe, but it's not all sandcastles and ice-cream this time. When another body is found, and panic sets in, it becomes clear that the largest campsite in the UK is housing a deranged killer seemingly intent on murdering ex-soldiers. Max still finds time for one-pot cooking and soaking up the sun, as there's only so much one man and two bickering parents can uncover, but when he and Anxious get kidnapped it seems Max has finally bitten off more than he can chew. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.

The Wedding Day has Finally Arrived, but will it be Happy Ever After or Death and Apart? With Min's marriage proposal accepted, Max is all set to tie the knot again, and this time for good. Things do not go smoothly, however, when their venue of choice cancels on them at short notice. In a panic, they book a campsite near the beautiful town of Craven Oaks, only to discover that their dream wedding is to be held in an overgrown field albeit at an otherwise stunning location. After a quick mow, and sorting out bell tents for guests, the ceremony finally gets underway. It becomes instantly apparent that something is amiss. Quicker than he can say, "I do," the gang are up to their cut-offs in another murder mystery. There's hardly even time for any one-pot cooking, although Max manages to squeeze a few incredible dishes in as friends and family descend for a party like no other, where everyone prays murder won't be on the menu. Will it be a happy ending for the couple who have worked so hard to repair their relationship? Or will it turn sour and Max's vanlife come to a sudden halt as events conspire against the ex-chef? All he wants is a happy, quiet future with the love of his life and his best buddy, Anxious, by his side, but maybe that's too much to ask? Time to find out in the final instalment of Max's Campervan Case Files. Contains a stunning one-pot recipe at the end. Perfect for those on the road, or anyone who wants a great meal without all the washing up! A journey of freedom, friendship, and murder mystery on the open road.