Max  Tomlinson

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Max Tomlinson

Goodreads Author


Born
in San Francisco, The United States
Website

Twitter

Genre

Influences

Member Since
September 2011


Born in the wilds of San Francisco, with its rich literary history and public transport system teeming with potential characters suitable for crime novels, it was inevitable that Max Tomlinson would become a writer.

He is also kindred spirits with a dog named Floyd, a shelter-mix who stops and stares at headlights as they pass by at night. There's a story there, too. If only Floyd could talk. Then again, maybe not.

His work to date includes SENDERO (listed as one of the top 100 Indie novels of 2012 by Kirkus), WHO SINGS TO THE DEAD, LETHAL DISPATCH, THE CAIN FILE (selected by Amazon’s Kindle Scout program) and the follow-up – THE DARKNET FILE. A new three-book mystery series set in 1970s San Francisco debuted in 2019 with Oceanview Publishin
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Popular Answered Questions

Max Tomlinson When some total stranger tells you that your book kept them up all night. It really makes it all worthwhile. Maybe they even LEAVE A REVIEW :)
Max Tomlinson There is no such thing. What would you say to a plumber who had 'plumber's block'? You might just say 'get to work!'

If you're not feeling wildly crea…more
There is no such thing. What would you say to a plumber who had 'plumber's block'? You might just say 'get to work!'

If you're not feeling wildly creative there are still many things you can do: go back to the last section you worked on, back up a page or two, keep going. line edit, re-read, re-write a scene from another character's POV. Not every endeavor has to culminate in polished prose ready for publication. (less)
Average rating: 4.11 · 2,778 ratings · 469 reviews · 13 distinct worksSimilar authors
Vanishing in the Haight (Co...

4.13 avg rating — 1,261 ratings — published 2019 — 5 editions
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Tie Die (Colleen Hayes, #2)

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 345 ratings — published 2020 — 4 editions
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Sendero (Sendero #1)

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 212 ratings — published 2011 — 5 editions
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Line of Darkness (Colleen H...

4.13 avg rating — 183 ratings — published 2022 — 4 editions
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Bad Scene

3.99 avg rating — 168 ratings — published 2021 — 4 editions
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The Cain File (The Agency #1)

4.21 avg rating — 138 ratings4 editions
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Night Candy (Colleen Hayes,...

4.13 avg rating — 139 ratings — published 2023 — 4 editions
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Lethal Dispatch

4.32 avg rating — 90 ratings — published 2013 — 2 editions
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Who Sings to the Dead? (Sen...

4.35 avg rating — 81 ratings — published 2013 — 3 editions
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The Darknet File (The Agenc...

4.50 avg rating — 56 ratings3 editions
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More books by Max Tomlinson…

February Ebook Sale!

Greetings, readers – The Colleen Hayes mysteries of the 70s 1-5 are 99 cents for the time being!

As always, please double-check the price before purchasing.

Enjoy!

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Published on February 09, 2026 04:56
Vanishing in the Haight Tie Die Bad Scene Line of Darkness Night Candy
(5 books)
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4.10 avg rating — 2,096 ratings

Sendero Who Sings to the Dead?
(2 books)
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4.10 avg rating — 293 ratings

The Cain File The Darknet File
(2 books)
by
4.29 avg rating — 194 ratings

Origin
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Max’s Recent Updates

Max Tomlinson and 20 other people liked Peter's review of Lord Jim:
Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
"“It is my belief no man ever understands quite his own artful dodges to escape from the grim shadow of self-knowledge.”

Published in 1900, 'Lord Jim' is the story of a young seaman, Jim, and is loosely based on a true event and Conrad's own experience" Read more of this review »
Max Tomlinson and 73 other people liked Matt's review of Lord Jim:
Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
"Lord Jim is an incredibly frustrating book. It's part imperial adventure, part psychological study, in the vein of Joseph Conrad's most famous work, Heart of Darkness. However, whereas Heart was brief and elegant, Lord Jim is a repetitive slog. I spe" Read more of this review »
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Origin by Dan    Brown
" Ha ha. I wish I had read this review before I started the book. "
Max Tomlinson and 377 other people liked Anu's review of Origin (Robert Langdon, #5):
Origin by Dan    Brown
"When A-- H-- woke up this morning, at the crack of dawn, she was in no way prepared for the absolute dismay she would have to face during the day. As she pulled her long, black hair into a bun, she contemplated the decision she had made the previous " Read more of this review »
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Too Old for This by Samantha  Downing
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Lottie is an elderly woman who would like to enjoy her old age by attending her church, focusing on her son Archie’s upcoming wedding, and a grandbaby.
But then a nosy reporter comes asking questions about Lottie’s past. Just when Lottie thought her p
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William Safire
“Remember to never split an infinitive. The passive voice should never be used. Do not put statements in the negative form. Proofread carefully to see if you words out. And don't start a sentence with a conjugation.”
William Safire, Fumblerules: A Lighthearted Guide to Grammar and Good Usage

Elmore Leonard
“Elmore Leonard's Ten Rules of Writing

1. Never open a book with weather.
2. Avoid prologues.
3. Never use a verb other than "said" to carry dialogue.
4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb "said”…he admonished gravely.
5. Keep your exclamation points under control. You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.
6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.

My most important rule is one that sums up the 10.

If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.”
Elmore Leonard

Edna St. Vincent Millay
“Into the darkness they go, the wise and the lovely. ”
Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edmond Rostand
“A great nose may be an index
Of a great soul”
Edmond Rostand, Cyrano de Bergerac

J.P. Donleavy
“Dear Mr Skully,

I have caught my neck in a mangle and will be indisposed for eternity.

Yours in death
S.D.”
J.P. Donleavy, The Ginger Man

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Comments (showing 1-4)    post a comment »
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message 4: by Max

Max Tomlinson Cristiane wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Max."

Thanks, Cristiane! Nice to 'meet' you!


Jennifer Thompson Max,
I am very happy to share with you that THE SCENT OF A SOUL book trailer is ready for viewers on my blog at http://jenniferthompsonbooks.blogspot.... I am also excited to let you know that there is a Giveaway for an ARC of THE SCENT OF A SOUL hosted by Rafflecopter being conducted on my blog as well. Please come and view the trailer and enter to win an ARC of my book. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Jennifer


message 2: by Max

Max Tomlinson Thanks Jennifer - nice to meet you. And thank you for the kind words. I'm very happy with the trailer Emma D created for Sendero. She has a lot of talent.
take care!


Jennifer Thompson Max,
Thanks for adding me as a friend! It's always interesting to me to learn what others are reading and what they think and recommend. Looking forward to yours. I saw your book trailer for SENDERO on my friend Emma Daley's blog. It looks very interesting, looking forward to reading it. Have a great one.
Jennifer


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