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Maxie and Stretch #3
The Refuge
Maxie McNabb and her miniature dachshund, Stretch, are in Hawaii to help Maxie's friend Karen Bailey pack up her house. But after a prowler tries to break in and someone sabotages the plumbing, Maxie suspects that Karen is hiding something...
288 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 26, 2007
27 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Sue Henry
36 books216 followersSue Henry is the author of 17 novels in two award-winning Alaska mystery series. Her first book, "Murder on the Iditarod Trail" (1991), was well reviewed and won both the Macavity Awards and Anthony Awards for best first novel, prompting the author to develop a series based on this book's characters, Alaskan state trooper Alex Jensen and Jessie Arnold, a sled dog racer.
In 2005, she started a new mystery series featuring a 63-year-old widow, Maxine McNab, travelling in her Winnebago with a miniature dachshund, Stretch. Maxine had appeared in Dead North (2001) in the first series.
Murder on the Iditarod Trail was filmed for television as The Cold Heart of a Killer (1996) starring Kate Jackson, who bought the rights to the book. Sue Henry lived in Alaska for more than a quarter of a century, and brought history, Alaskan lore, and the majestic beauty of the vast landscape to her mysteries. She also taught writing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
In 2005, she started a new mystery series featuring a 63-year-old widow, Maxine McNab, travelling in her Winnebago with a miniature dachshund, Stretch. Maxine had appeared in Dead North (2001) in the first series.
Murder on the Iditarod Trail was filmed for television as The Cold Heart of a Killer (1996) starring Kate Jackson, who bought the rights to the book. Sue Henry lived in Alaska for more than a quarter of a century, and brought history, Alaskan lore, and the majestic beauty of the vast landscape to her mysteries. She also taught writing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
January 12, 2023
Genres: Crime/Myster
I've read more than a few books my this author. This series is not my favorite so maybe that might be part of my problem. This one was a big fat NO. It felt kind of forced. The other characters existed only for the sole purpose of showing how amazing and wonderful Maxie was. That always grates on me a bit. Also present was the standing problem with the audio narration and that is the wrong pronunciation of the Alaskan names. Cheechako!!!!
The only reason this gets 2 stars is because the MC always has her heart in the right place. That is the only redeeming quality here...for me anyway. So 2 stars.
I've read more than a few books my this author. This series is not my favorite so maybe that might be part of my problem. This one was a big fat NO. It felt kind of forced. The other characters existed only for the sole purpose of showing how amazing and wonderful Maxie was. That always grates on me a bit. Also present was the standing problem with the audio narration and that is the wrong pronunciation of the Alaskan names. Cheechako!!!!
The only reason this gets 2 stars is because the MC always has her heart in the right place. That is the only redeeming quality here...for me anyway. So 2 stars.
January 7, 2013
Somewhere in the middle of this Hawaiian travelogue, it must have dawned on Sue Henry that she was supposed to be writing a mystery. Literally, you are half way through this book before anything that even slightly smacks of a mystery appears. Grated, early on they find a hand towel stuffed into a drainpipe, but really, who can base a mystery on that.
Maxie McNabb has left her beloved pooch Stretch at home in Homer, Alaska while she sets off to help an old friend tie up loose ends in Hawaii. Maxie spends most of the year traveling around the lower 48 in her motor home but figures Hawaii would just be another sort of adventure. Little did she know that Karen was up to her eyeballs in a questionable deal that has Maxie and her helper Jerry being followed around the island.
It is not until the very end, when you are convinced that you have just wasted innumerable hours trying to figure out the point to this book, that the conclusion to the mystery unfolds. Sadly, the mystery seems to come across as a last ditch attempt to add a bit of intrigue - you find out that certain players in this Laurel and Hardy escapade are not who you think they are.
If you are looking for a typical murder mystery, like her previous books, this is not it. This is a wild goose chase around Hilo that reads more like a travel brochure.
Maxie McNabb has left her beloved pooch Stretch at home in Homer, Alaska while she sets off to help an old friend tie up loose ends in Hawaii. Maxie spends most of the year traveling around the lower 48 in her motor home but figures Hawaii would just be another sort of adventure. Little did she know that Karen was up to her eyeballs in a questionable deal that has Maxie and her helper Jerry being followed around the island.
It is not until the very end, when you are convinced that you have just wasted innumerable hours trying to figure out the point to this book, that the conclusion to the mystery unfolds. Sadly, the mystery seems to come across as a last ditch attempt to add a bit of intrigue - you find out that certain players in this Laurel and Hardy escapade are not who you think they are.
If you are looking for a typical murder mystery, like her previous books, this is not it. This is a wild goose chase around Hilo that reads more like a travel brochure.
July 14, 2013
I like mysteries, although cozies aren't my first choice. Apparently this book isn't up to par with the others, but since I haven't read them, I can't base my opinion on what it "might have been."
The book began with the protagonist awakening, disoriented, by noises outside. What does she do? Gets out of bed and goes to check out and/or confront what seems to be someone breaking into the house. In a romance novel, that's a Too Stupid to Live heroine, and grounds for throwing the book across the room. Since it was a book club selection, I finished it.
I found it repetitive, red flags waving all the important clues, obvious that characters weren't who they claimed to be, and it was more like a AAA TripTik than a novel. I've been to Hawaii and visited most of the places mentioned in the book, and unlike most books where the setting can become a character, this was simply intrusive. As for the mystery--I think it started somewhere about page 176. Sorry, but I couldn't get into this one.
The book began with the protagonist awakening, disoriented, by noises outside. What does she do? Gets out of bed and goes to check out and/or confront what seems to be someone breaking into the house. In a romance novel, that's a Too Stupid to Live heroine, and grounds for throwing the book across the room. Since it was a book club selection, I finished it.
I found it repetitive, red flags waving all the important clues, obvious that characters weren't who they claimed to be, and it was more like a AAA TripTik than a novel. I've been to Hawaii and visited most of the places mentioned in the book, and unlike most books where the setting can become a character, this was simply intrusive. As for the mystery--I think it started somewhere about page 176. Sorry, but I couldn't get into this one.
May 26, 2023
Very good story and series
December 13, 2016
Boo hoo - no Stretch, the Dachshund, this time around. He is left at home while Maxie has her adventure. As in the first two books, this series is more a travelogue with some mystery thrown in - almost as an afterthought. No murder this time around, just mystery. The descriptions of the sights she sees can be interesting, but somewhat boring at the same time if you picked up the book for the mystery aspect.
Maxie has been touring the lower 48 states for 9 months when she begins to yearn for home and the vision of an idyllic and restful summer in Homer, Alaska. Lots of travelogue as she travels back to Alaska. Another sub-mystery is Maxie thinks someone has been living in her house while she was gone. She is home only for a week when she gets a phone call from an acquaintance who has moved to Hilo, Hawaii. Karen Bailey was packing up to return to Alaska after the death of her husband when she had an accident and broke her ankle and forearm. She asks Maxie to come over and help her pack up. The 1st night after Maxie arrives, there is an attempted break-in and the plumbing is sabotaged. The landlord, Raymond Taylor, is also harassing Karen. He's disagreeable, argumentative with a nasty temper, and determined to get Karen to move out as soon as possible. After over hearing a phone conversation, Maxie thinks Karen is hiding something. Because Karen is irritating, whiney, lazy, and a hindrance to packing, Maxie decides to send her back to Alaska early and she will finish up what needs to be done. Maxie discovers a mysterious locked toolbox that was not packed up after the movers have left. She in lists the aid of Jerry Monahan, the plumber's assistant who quit his job, to help her finish the packing and later to be a tour guide because she's not scheduled to leave Hawaii for a week. She rents a camper and Maxie and Jerry set off to tour the island. More travelogue.
Jerry says he has left his stepfather, who is mean and controlling, and wants to return to Alaska where he grew up. Maxie says she will buy his ticket home as payment for being her tour guide. As they begin their trip they discover they are being followed by some sinister characters who attack them, there is a break in of their camper, and Jerry is kidnapped. The ransom for his return is a deed and money. Maxie has no clue what they are asking for. Jerry escapes his abductors and everything comes to a head when Maxie and Jerry are visiting a National Historic Park called the Refuge which Maxie particularly wants to tour.
The plot is kind of thin with lots of questions. The mystery, when revealed, is anti-climatic. Jerry is not who he says he is which explains one question I had - why would an 18 year old agree to travel with a 67 year old at such short notice, has money at odd times, and enjoys the trip. They didn't even know each other, but Maxie has a fondness in her heart for him. Jessie Arnold and Alex Jensen, from another of Henry's series, show up in this one. One more book to end the series, but it may be awhile before I get to it.
Maxie has been touring the lower 48 states for 9 months when she begins to yearn for home and the vision of an idyllic and restful summer in Homer, Alaska. Lots of travelogue as she travels back to Alaska. Another sub-mystery is Maxie thinks someone has been living in her house while she was gone. She is home only for a week when she gets a phone call from an acquaintance who has moved to Hilo, Hawaii. Karen Bailey was packing up to return to Alaska after the death of her husband when she had an accident and broke her ankle and forearm. She asks Maxie to come over and help her pack up. The 1st night after Maxie arrives, there is an attempted break-in and the plumbing is sabotaged. The landlord, Raymond Taylor, is also harassing Karen. He's disagreeable, argumentative with a nasty temper, and determined to get Karen to move out as soon as possible. After over hearing a phone conversation, Maxie thinks Karen is hiding something. Because Karen is irritating, whiney, lazy, and a hindrance to packing, Maxie decides to send her back to Alaska early and she will finish up what needs to be done. Maxie discovers a mysterious locked toolbox that was not packed up after the movers have left. She in lists the aid of Jerry Monahan, the plumber's assistant who quit his job, to help her finish the packing and later to be a tour guide because she's not scheduled to leave Hawaii for a week. She rents a camper and Maxie and Jerry set off to tour the island. More travelogue.
Jerry says he has left his stepfather, who is mean and controlling, and wants to return to Alaska where he grew up. Maxie says she will buy his ticket home as payment for being her tour guide. As they begin their trip they discover they are being followed by some sinister characters who attack them, there is a break in of their camper, and Jerry is kidnapped. The ransom for his return is a deed and money. Maxie has no clue what they are asking for. Jerry escapes his abductors and everything comes to a head when Maxie and Jerry are visiting a National Historic Park called the Refuge which Maxie particularly wants to tour.
The plot is kind of thin with lots of questions. The mystery, when revealed, is anti-climatic. Jerry is not who he says he is which explains one question I had - why would an 18 year old agree to travel with a 67 year old at such short notice, has money at odd times, and enjoys the trip. They didn't even know each other, but Maxie has a fondness in her heart for him. Jessie Arnold and Alex Jensen, from another of Henry's series, show up in this one. One more book to end the series, but it may be awhile before I get to it.
February 25, 2013
I brought several books on my latest trip and I did not need to buy anything to read. But since I am in Alaska, and I was watching some sled dog races today, I started thinking of the Sue Henry books I've read...And I got a hankering for another one of her stories. I found this book in a souvenir shop and thought the combination of Alaska and Hawaii would be entertaining.
I love the fact that Jessie Arnold and Alex Jansen are featured at the beginning of the story, so the two series are connected, if loosely.
During our short stay in Anchorage, my friend took us to Earthquake park to show us the monuments to the devastating natural disaster (earthquake and tsunami) that rocked the area in 1964. I thought it was very interesting that this event was also referenced in the story (pp. 70-1)
Finally, I liked the story as a fun, casual read. The plot was quite convoluted and the ending was a bit bizarre, but for a cozy read, it was satisfactory. I loved the references to the Big Island and I really appreciated that the violence in this book was substantially less than in the few Alex Jensen & Jessie Arnold books I've read.
interesting quotes:
"We do not own the earth - just occupy it at the whim of nature." (p. 71)
"I've never understood people who don't appreciate reading...For me it has never been a pastime like watching television, but an education without commercials in every area you can think of, especially how people think and behave - good and bad." (p. 136)
"Though I read all kinds of other books as well, there is something totally satisfying in with a new mystery by a favorite author, with a glass of good wine, or cup of tea, beside a crackling fire, with some soft music in the background - especially in the middle of an Alaskan winter. You can't beat it." (p. 136)
I love the fact that Jessie Arnold and Alex Jansen are featured at the beginning of the story, so the two series are connected, if loosely.
During our short stay in Anchorage, my friend took us to Earthquake park to show us the monuments to the devastating natural disaster (earthquake and tsunami) that rocked the area in 1964. I thought it was very interesting that this event was also referenced in the story (pp. 70-1)
Finally, I liked the story as a fun, casual read. The plot was quite convoluted and the ending was a bit bizarre, but for a cozy read, it was satisfactory. I loved the references to the Big Island and I really appreciated that the violence in this book was substantially less than in the few Alex Jensen & Jessie Arnold books I've read.
interesting quotes:
"We do not own the earth - just occupy it at the whim of nature." (p. 71)
"I've never understood people who don't appreciate reading...For me it has never been a pastime like watching television, but an education without commercials in every area you can think of, especially how people think and behave - good and bad." (p. 136)
"Though I read all kinds of other books as well, there is something totally satisfying in with a new mystery by a favorite author, with a glass of good wine, or cup of tea, beside a crackling fire, with some soft music in the background - especially in the middle of an Alaskan winter. You can't beat it." (p. 136)
May 31, 2012
I picked an audio version of this book just for something to listen to in the car and probably won't get another by this author. Evidently her schtick is to overlay a little bit of mystery with a lot of sightseeing. This one takes place in Hawaii where I'm sure the sights are spectacular, but I prefer a tighter, more complex mystery. She did manage to surprise me in the end, so that was nice. Maxie, the heroine, has gone to Hawaii to help a friend pack to return to their home in Alaska. But the friendship is pretty weak and Maxie is pretty determined to do everything her way so she sends the bungling friend home to Alaska and takes care of the packing and selling off excess furniture, etc.by herself. She is assisted by a sweet teen boy she stumbles upon in one of the state parks she's touring. Throughout the story, someone keeps following, breaking in , ransacking and there's no clear understanding of what they are after until the very end. Personally I didn't buy the story at all. The friendship was too weak to have brought this person all the way to Hawaii, you can smell something's wrong in her friendship with the teenage boy... and who could continue going sight seeing after all these break ins and threats?
December 27, 2021
Another audio book to listen to while sewing. Interesting info about Hawaii, so it is almost a travel promotional--in a good way.
This audio book may have had mispronunciations about Hawaii, but I only caught the Alaskan ones. They are annoying. Too bad the reader didn't take the time to check on pronunciations of the few Alaskan place names.
Mystery was interesting, but I found myself wondering why the lead character didn't involve the police more. That didn't ring true. If someone was kidnapped, I would think that would be an automatic call to the police. Also, the lead character's feeling she could handle things because she had a gun was another less than real aspect. Did she really intend to shoot people who she wouldn't even call the police about? Hmm...
Overall it was an interesting easy to follow mystery--perfect to listen to while working on a project.
This audio book may have had mispronunciations about Hawaii, but I only caught the Alaskan ones. They are annoying. Too bad the reader didn't take the time to check on pronunciations of the few Alaskan place names.
Mystery was interesting, but I found myself wondering why the lead character didn't involve the police more. That didn't ring true. If someone was kidnapped, I would think that would be an automatic call to the police. Also, the lead character's feeling she could handle things because she had a gun was another less than real aspect. Did she really intend to shoot people who she wouldn't even call the police about? Hmm...
Overall it was an interesting easy to follow mystery--perfect to listen to while working on a project.
July 17, 2012
I much prefer this series to the author's jessie Arnold series. Maybe because the character is around the actual age of the author in this series that she comes across better than the previous series's 30 something character.
This book was set in Hawaii and she gives detailed descriptions of the sights she sees, sometimes too detailed, as when she told how to get a Golden Age pass and what it covers. Interesting, but more of a travelogue at times.
The mystery part took a long time to get started, but the story was still interesting, and the twist in the end was not what I expected.
I'm planning to read the rest of the books in this series...light easy reads.
This book was set in Hawaii and she gives detailed descriptions of the sights she sees, sometimes too detailed, as when she told how to get a Golden Age pass and what it covers. Interesting, but more of a travelogue at times.
The mystery part took a long time to get started, but the story was still interesting, and the twist in the end was not what I expected.
I'm planning to read the rest of the books in this series...light easy reads.
August 23, 2010
This book reminded me of having a conversation with someone who just goes on and on about nothing. The descriptions about the beauty of Hawaii are fascinating to some, but not what I like reading about. Not my cup of tea, but I gave it my all til the last page. Didn't care for the main character, but I feel some of the other characters were interesting.
April 19, 2013
Hesitated between two and three stars. I liked it, even though it was largely a travelog -- NW US, Alaska Highway, Hawaii. The story was slow.
March 11, 2017
Good mystery and fantastic descriptions of Hawaii
February 28, 2024
Hawaiian vacation time! While I sorely missed the presence of Stretch (Mr. Jerry is NOT an appropriate companion replacement, even temporarily), I enjoyed this one as half a story about packing up a friend's household to help them move -- which, the only move worse than cross-country has got to be between Hawaii and Alaska -- and half a sightseeing road trip, spiced up by random attacks from a mysterious stranger hellbent on obtaining something her friend has.
P.S. While I love that the "Karen" character here was named before that became a common term for women exactly like her (premonition!), I did also wince a little bit because I feel like in other ways, I have more in common with her than our plucky heroine Maxine. I haven't been very independent in my life either, and if a terrible plumbing accident happened in a rental where I lived alone? I would absolutely wring my hands not knowing what to do and then beg my house guest to be the one to call a plumber and handle it.
That said, I continue to love the adventures of the little old lady, her impressive RV-handling skills, and her penchant for secret gun-toting.
P.S. While I love that the "Karen" character here was named before that became a common term for women exactly like her (premonition!), I did also wince a little bit because I feel like in other ways, I have more in common with her than our plucky heroine Maxine. I haven't been very independent in my life either, and if a terrible plumbing accident happened in a rental where I lived alone? I would absolutely wring my hands not knowing what to do and then beg my house guest to be the one to call a plumber and handle it.
That said, I continue to love the adventures of the little old lady, her impressive RV-handling skills, and her penchant for secret gun-toting.
November 4, 2019
Slow-paced cozy mystery set on the Big Island of Hawaii. This book is apparently the third in the series, although it explains who everyone is so you don't really have to read the first two books first. I found this audiobook because my husband and I just spent two weeks on the Big Island to celebrate our 10th anniversary. I really enjoyed this book since the characters traveled around Hawaii and visited the same places my husband and I visited, so I knew exactly what the author was talking about when she described Hawaii, and I could picture it in my mind. Might be a good book to read before a vacation to Hawaii to give you ideas about places to visit. I liked that the author obviously had been to Hawaii and visited these places and it was neat to have a mystery thrown in.
July 16, 2025
Third in the series, Maxie has headed to Hawaii to help her “friend” Karen move back to Alaska. So her dog Stretch has been left at home which makes it not quite as cozy. Sue Henry was prescient as it looks like the name Karen was picked up in 2010 as an internet meme and this was published in 2008. Karen is thankfully sent off to Alaska and Maxie and a new friend Jerry pack up Karen’s house and then set off to explore the island before a flight home. Turns out Karen had some unresolved issues and Maxie becomes the focus of some thugs.
May 7, 2019
The book's best quality is the description of the Big Island and the places you can visit and see with a truck camper. From this point of view, the plot is really just incidental. I chose the book because of the setting, and I wasn't disappointed in the virtual tour of Hawaii, with some mystery thrown in.
June 19, 2018
Always enjoy Sue Henry - first learned about her at a little book shop in Alaska & have liked her ever since. The plot on this one did throw me a bit, didn't quite go where I thought it was going - but well ended none the less.
October 26, 2020
I love this series. It is so interesting to read her descriptions of real locations and her life view. This book talks about one place where you belong - it resonated. There are many beautiful places but not all fit.
August 9, 2021
I am not sure the plot works. And the second half must be relying heavily on tourist attractions the author saw and then cobbled a plot around.
Lots of action and part of the reveal was satisfying.
Lots of action and part of the reveal was satisfying.
November 2, 2021
#3 in the Maxie and Stretch series. This 2007 series entry by author Sue Henry is the first in the series that I have read and while I was pleasant, I felt it would have been more enjoyable if I had started the series at the beginning.
November 28, 2024
An average sort of thriller with a fun tour of the big island, but those convoluted sentences and seemingly unintentional repetition are an annoyance. Did I need to be told three times that you keep a shotgun hidden in your RV?
September 15, 2025
Sue Henry’s books are like a cup of tea by the fireplace and a warm blanket
There are some tense moments and fun with many new things to learn about the Big Island in Hawaii. I missed Stretch but enjoyed the adventure with Maxie and Jerry across the island. Good cozy mystery.
There are some tense moments and fun with many new things to learn about the Big Island in Hawaii. I missed Stretch but enjoyed the adventure with Maxie and Jerry across the island. Good cozy mystery.
June 10, 2017
Maxie and Stretch...
Complex, interesting
Favorite dimension: descriptions of Hawaii
Complex, interesting
Favorite dimension: descriptions of Hawaii
August 18, 2017
Pretty good read. Creating a smart lead but then having her miss, ignore or set aside big clues to extend the story can get a bit old. Good setting and wonderful character in Jerry.
October 15, 2018
Feels like the author recycled an old plot. Jesse Arnold even visited. The dialogue was forced and the premise that brought Maxie to Hawaii was weak. Not my favorite
February 1, 2019
Just such likable characters and lots of interesting history, travelogue & even the science of the lava flows is thrown in. Maxi goes to Hawaii to help an acquaintance and lands in a mess.
February 26, 2019
Enjoyable cozy mystery read
May 2, 2019
This book made/makes me want to visit Homer, Alaska, I really enjoyed it.
October 18, 2019
Maxie is in Hawaii to help a friend move to Alaska and runs into trouble.
July 11, 2020
Lovely story teller. As much about the landscape that surrounds it as the mystery of the moment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews