Max Archer doesn’t want trouble. Trouble keeps hiring him anyway.
Max Archer is a hard-boiled private investigator with a broken past, a filthy office, and zero patience for modern technology. A former professional wrestler turned gumshoe, Max scrapes by on cheap cases, bad coffee, and stubborn pride—sleeping on his office couch while trying to stay out of trouble.
That ends when a city councilwoman turns up dead—and the police quietly pull Max into a case no one else wants. At the same time, a beautiful stripper known as Sparkles hires him to track down her missing Saint Bernard and a diamond-studded collar worth a small fortune.
What should be an easy paycheck spirals into a deadly collision of murder, mob secrets, corrupt officials, and long-buried sins. As killers close in from the Midwest and the past comes roaring back, Max realizes the collar everyone wants may be the key to something far more dangerous than money.
Outmatched, outgunned, and running on instinct, Max Archer has only one uncover the truth—or become the next body.
A gritty, darkly humorous noir thriller packed with sharp dialogue, memorable characters, and classic hard-boiled attitude.
Perfect for fans
Private investigator mysteries
Noir crime fiction
Hard-boiled detective novels
Mob thrillers and corrupt-city crime stories
Some cases won’t let you walk away. This one won’t let Max Archer live.
This was such a fun read! From outlandish characters to jaw-dropping plot twists, this book delivers everything you’d want in a mobster murder mystery. Packed with gangsters, shady politicians, glamorous dancers, and more, the story weaves together deception, crime, and unexpected alliances in the most entertaining way.
The twists keep coming, making it impossible to put down. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the story takes another sharp turn, leaving you guessing until the very end. The characters are larger than life—some you’ll love, some you’ll love to hate—but all of them bring the drama, danger, and humor that make this book so engaging.
Fast-paced, witty, and full of surprises, this is the perfect read for anyone who enjoys a thrilling, slightly over-the-top mystery with plenty of mobster mayhem. Highly recommended!
No Appointment Necessary is one of those books that grabs you by the collar (diamond-studded, of course) and doesn’t let go. Max Archer is a detective by accident, an ex-wrestler by choice, and a magnet for trouble by fate. Between a missing dog collar, a femme fatale named Sparkles, and an AI who seems way too interested in his love life, Max has his hands full.
The writing is fast, sharp, and filled with humor. The mystery is engaging, the characters are wildly entertaining, and the plot twists keep you on your toes. If you like your crime fiction with a side of chaos and comedy, this one’s a must-read!
It’s rare to find a book that balances mystery, humor, and action so well, but Cleve Sylcox nails it. Max Archer is a detective who’s just trying to make sense of a case that keeps getting weirder.
From the quirky characters to the rapid-fire dialogue, every moment in this book is pure entertainment. It’s smart, it’s funny, and it keeps you guessing. What more could you want?