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Max Austin #0.5
Cat & Mouse
CAT & MOUSE
A Max Austin Novella
Max, a former KGB assassin, is living a comfortable life in Paris. When not plying his trade, he passes his time managing a jazz club in the City of Light. To make ends meet, he freelances by offering his services to help rid the earth of the world's worst criminals.
Max is enjoying his ritual post-job vodka when he meets a stunning woman; a haunting visage of his former fiancé. Suddenly, he finds himself the target of an assassination plot in his beloved city of Paris. Fighting for his life, Max must overcome his own demons to stay alive.
A Max Austin Novella
Max, a former KGB assassin, is living a comfortable life in Paris. When not plying his trade, he passes his time managing a jazz club in the City of Light. To make ends meet, he freelances by offering his services to help rid the earth of the world's worst criminals.
Max is enjoying his ritual post-job vodka when he meets a stunning woman; a haunting visage of his former fiancé. Suddenly, he finds himself the target of an assassination plot in his beloved city of Paris. Fighting for his life, Max must overcome his own demons to stay alive.
- GenresFiction
101 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2016
889 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
Jack Arbor
12 books144 followersJack Arbor is the Amazon bestselling author of six thrillers featuring the wayward KGB assassin Max Austin. The stories follow Max as he comes to terms with his past and tries to extricate himself from a destiny he desperately wants to avoid.
Jack works as a digital technologist during the day and writes at night and on weekends, with much love and support from his lovely wife, Jill.
Jill and Jack live outside Aspen, Colorado, where they enjoy trail running and hiking through the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. Jack also likes to taste new bourbons and grill meat, usually at the same time. They both miss the coffee on the East Coast.
You can get free books as well as pre-release specials and sign up for Jack’s mailing list at www.jackarbor.com.
Jack works as a digital technologist during the day and writes at night and on weekends, with much love and support from his lovely wife, Jill.
Jill and Jack live outside Aspen, Colorado, where they enjoy trail running and hiking through the natural beauty of the Roaring Fork Valley. Jack also likes to taste new bourbons and grill meat, usually at the same time. They both miss the coffee on the East Coast.
You can get free books as well as pre-release specials and sign up for Jack’s mailing list at www.jackarbor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
August 13, 2016
This is a really interesting novella, We follow Max a KGB officer in Belarus, what I liked about him is he's really well fleshed out and since being a spy/assassin for the KGB has turned his day to day life full of paranoia, he ultimately ruins a good thing.
I really did feel for him by the end of this novella and I was glad he tidied up at the end too.
(God it's so hard trying to explain how I feel about the last quarter of the book without spoiling it)
I really did feel for him by the end of this novella and I was glad he tidied up at the end too.
(God it's so hard trying to explain how I feel about the last quarter of the book without spoiling it)
September 8, 2019
Great little prequel for this series. It is always nice to get more information about the main character. Poor Max, he has some difficulties with the ladies. I accidentaly found this series and are soon up to date, I only have books thre and four left to read but they are bought and in my TBR pile which by now is one of the tallest buildings in the world...
December 30, 2017
Read it after I finished the three book series and was hooked on Max. Great read!
February 17, 2018
Short
Too short, characters not fully developed, difficult to follow, why was the guy in the sauna killed? Why lead four goods to a vacant lot then start a fight? Dumb.
Too short, characters not fully developed, difficult to follow, why was the guy in the sauna killed? Why lead four goods to a vacant lot then start a fight? Dumb.
May 28, 2019
I enjoyed this story more than the 1st book. I’m pretty sure it’s because it’s much shorter than the 1st. This story takes place in Paris where Max has made his home. Max is former KGB agent. He now owns his own business and is a part time assassin for certain clientele. In this very interesting novella Max meets a beautiful woman. This woman reminds him of the woman that was murdered just before Max asked her to marry him. Max becomes overly obsessed by this new woman. He can’t decide whether she has been sent to kill him or not. You can find out which way it turns out by grabbing a copy of your own. A thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it.
March 3, 2023
Max, a former KGB assassin, is living a comfortable life in Paris. When not plying his trade, he passes his time managing a jazz club in the City of Light. To make ends meet, he freelances by offering his services to help rid the earth of the world's worst criminals.
Max is enjoying his ritual post-job vodka when he meets a stunning woman; a haunting visage of his former fiancé. Suddenly, he finds himself the target of an assassination plot in his beloved city of Paris. Fighting for his life, Max must overcome his own demons to stay alive.
Max is enjoying his ritual post-job vodka when he meets a stunning woman; a haunting visage of his former fiancé. Suddenly, he finds himself the target of an assassination plot in his beloved city of Paris. Fighting for his life, Max must overcome his own demons to stay alive.
July 29, 2017
Good, but left me somewhat unsatisfied
I truly enjoy the Max Austin series, one of my favorites in the spy genre. The ending of this one left me unsatisfied when contrasted with the other books, especially the ultimate disposition of one character in particular that could have had an interesting future. (not wanting to give a spoiler). Perhaps my "amoral switch" wasn't properly oriented when I read this short, given that's the environment Max lives and works in.
I truly enjoy the Max Austin series, one of my favorites in the spy genre. The ending of this one left me unsatisfied when contrasted with the other books, especially the ultimate disposition of one character in particular that could have had an interesting future. (not wanting to give a spoiler). Perhaps my "amoral switch" wasn't properly oriented when I read this short, given that's the environment Max lives and works in.
May 13, 2019
Max seems to be at the beginning of his game as i thought being an ASSASSIN was supposed to play low key and there he is butting in on a girl he only just met even though he has a tracking device on her .Making a idiot of himself then having those 4 men tail him to a car park and he calls them stupid afraid this book didn't do anything for me.
Glad i started with book 1 and read up to last book soo far or i don't think i would have bothered glad to say they were good .
Glad i started with book 1 and read up to last book soo far or i don't think i would have bothered glad to say they were good .
May 30, 2018
A great story! The author was kind enough to send his first novel, but decided to purchase this novella to read first. It is a superb introduction to the main character. I am thoroughly looking forward to reading the entire series.
Thank you Mr. Arbor! I’ll have to put you up there with my other favorite authors like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, Stephen Coonts, etc., etc.
Thank you Mr. Arbor! I’ll have to put you up there with my other favorite authors like Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, Daniel Silva, Stephen Coonts, etc., etc.
December 21, 2019
Disappointing
Disappointing I started liking the protagonist Austin. This book feels like a short story literally coming out of a dream. I don’t understand the meaning of the whole exercise. Anyway I am still hopeful that next book in this series will really have meaningful and eloquent character development.
Disappointing I started liking the protagonist Austin. This book feels like a short story literally coming out of a dream. I don’t understand the meaning of the whole exercise. Anyway I am still hopeful that next book in this series will really have meaningful and eloquent character development.
June 26, 2020
This was a short story that I read to complete reading all of Jack Arbor Max Austin books. This was the first in a series. I really like the Max Austin books and wish he'd write more. This book ended about a chapter too soon in my opinion. If you like spy stories...the Max Austin character is for you!
August 8, 2020
Fear is a Killer
Fear, paranoia to be exact drives Max Asimov to the brink and as he falls over the edge he realizes that he didn’t have to fall... But it’s too late. Fall he did and getting up isn’t easy but... Get up he does. And he moves forward because that is what he does. He continues towards whatever lies ahead.
Fear, paranoia to be exact drives Max Asimov to the brink and as he falls over the edge he realizes that he didn’t have to fall... But it’s too late. Fall he did and getting up isn’t easy but... Get up he does. And he moves forward because that is what he does. He continues towards whatever lies ahead.
March 22, 2018
You can visualize the action
You will love the books. Very few writers have the ability to make you see the action, you are in for a surprise. I look forward to reading the series and hope to enjoy many more if all of them are as striking as the first three.
You will love the books. Very few writers have the ability to make you see the action, you are in for a surprise. I look forward to reading the series and hope to enjoy many more if all of them are as striking as the first three.
May 16, 2019
Ok short story
I am not sure how I feel about this story. I realize it was a prequel but it didn't feel right. The ending made sense I suppose if you think that this event made Max who he became.
I am not sure how I feel about this story. I realize it was a prequel but it didn't feel right. The ending made sense I suppose if you think that this event made Max who he became.
February 13, 2023
Before Max Austin
Easy read giving you some prior history. Unexpected end but good insight into Max’s thought process, reasoning and problem solving. Definitely a quick and entertaining read!
Easy read giving you some prior history. Unexpected end but good insight into Max’s thought process, reasoning and problem solving. Definitely a quick and entertaining read!
December 18, 2023
This was a good rewrite of Cat & Mouse. It made the story more consistent with the evolving series. It also clarifies the character and the moral compass of Max and provides a good foundation for the development of the character in the rest of the series.
March 25, 2018
Short But Magnetic
A really good book that leaves you wanting to know more. I guess that is evidence of a really good story.
A really good book that leaves you wanting to know more. I guess that is evidence of a really good story.
April 25, 2018
Cat & Mouse
Max se presenta con un desempeño inconsistente ante sus oponentes. La historia es entretenida pero los personajes son muy repetidos y no parecen reales para mi.
Max se presenta con un desempeño inconsistente ante sus oponentes. La historia es entretenida pero los personajes son muy repetidos y no parecen reales para mi.
April 21, 2019
Backstory and Seeds
This short story provides more context to Max Austin’s backstory, and plants some new seeds that will probably come into play in future novels.
This short story provides more context to Max Austin’s backstory, and plants some new seeds that will probably come into play in future novels.
June 9, 2019
Max Austin is a very scary guy!!!
Katrina, who do you really work for. This introduction to Max Austin is a really great base for what follows!!!
Katrina, who do you really work for. This introduction to Max Austin is a really great base for what follows!!!
October 27, 2019
Spellbinding
Liked the gripping finale. This author puts you in the shoes of the hero and gives empathy to the bad guys. Tough act to follow.
Liked the gripping finale. This author puts you in the shoes of the hero and gives empathy to the bad guys. Tough act to follow.
June 9, 2021
Max
I always enjoy the stories about Max. Always pleasurably different. This one is just so. It leads you up the Garden path & then delivers the unexpected. Perfect l.
I always enjoy the stories about Max. Always pleasurably different. This one is just so. It leads you up the Garden path & then delivers the unexpected. Perfect l.
October 28, 2023
Read this novella as a way to decide whether to move on to the series and was both interested and intrigued enough to get the next book and I am looking forward to reading a full length Max book.
December 9, 2023
Max Austin is a former KGB assassin running a jazz club in Paris, France. He makes ends meet by ridding the world of the worst criminals.
December 27, 2023
Interesting introduction for the main character.
A good story in it's own right but it serves as a good introduction to Max Austin, The Russian assassin, and his character traits.
A good story in it's own right but it serves as a good introduction to Max Austin, The Russian assassin, and his character traits.
February 28, 2017
Excellent
This is the third story in the series and it's as good as the first two. All thumbs up. [via Kindle Unlimited, on my iPhone and PaperWhite].
This is the third story in the series and it's as good as the first two. All thumbs up. [via Kindle Unlimited, on my iPhone and PaperWhite].
November 5, 2016
I was pretty sure I would like this book from the beginning. It is a new thriller author, who was recommended by someone who has always been right. :) It is a novella, meaning it is short so it doesn't require a big investment of time. Plus it was free! Free is good. It starts out with Max drinking a beer. This is a prequel to the first Max Austin novel, The Russian Assassin. Max is an ex-KGB assassin. Now he eliminates the bad guys. In this story he has just completed an assignment and relaxing over a vodka, he meets a woman. It doesn't take long before he becomes suspicious that she might be a plant to target him for elimination. Very good story!
November 12, 2016
"A Short Introduction Spy Thriller"
This is a very fast paced story of former Russian KBG assassin, Max Austin, who is now living a pleasant life in Paris where he manages a jazz club. He also freelances by offering services to annihilate the world's worst criminals. It's not long before he himself becomes a target. He fights for his life and perhaps also for the life of his former girlfriend ... who he believes may be dead. A fast action-packed, compelling short story which introduces the reader of this series to Max Austin. I love it.
This is a very fast paced story of former Russian KBG assassin, Max Austin, who is now living a pleasant life in Paris where he manages a jazz club. He also freelances by offering services to annihilate the world's worst criminals. It's not long before he himself becomes a target. He fights for his life and perhaps also for the life of his former girlfriend ... who he believes may be dead. A fast action-packed, compelling short story which introduces the reader of this series to Max Austin. I love it.
March 6, 2017
Thrilling and Exciting!
This is one of the very best thriller books I have ever read! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! The author is amazing and has produced a well written, as well as an intriguing and thrilling book here. I have read both of his first two books in this series and am eagerly awaiting his third. This is an absolute must read, especially if you are into this genre of books.
This is one of the very best thriller books I have ever read! I wish I could give it more than 5 stars! The author is amazing and has produced a well written, as well as an intriguing and thrilling book here. I have read both of his first two books in this series and am eagerly awaiting his third. This is an absolute must read, especially if you are into this genre of books.
April 23, 2021
I'm glad I had already read the first two books in this series before I read this one, because I didn't much like Max Austin in this one. That wasn't the case at all in the two full-length books I read, so I guess I'd have to say that the Max Austin in "Cat & Mouse" was just not particularly likeable. I rate this novella 4 stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews