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Max & Olivia #1
Operation Underpants
An Uplifting Story – Humour, Action, Adventure and a little Quirky.
Operation Underpants celebrates the more venerable among us.
Max and Olivia met as teenagers on covert operations during WW2. After the war they married and under the guise of a doddering vicar and his wife, continued a life of secrets as cold war spies.
Now 87 years of age and confined to a nursing home they are called back into action after finding a hidden message in a funeral notice for Claude Duval.
Somehow they must escape from the home and travel to the United Kingdom and retrieve the Janus Machine hidden in the dying days of the war. Although pursued by the police and those determined to stop them, the fate of London and much of the world hangs in the balance – they must succeed.
Operation Underpants celebrates the more venerable among us.
Max and Olivia met as teenagers on covert operations during WW2. After the war they married and under the guise of a doddering vicar and his wife, continued a life of secrets as cold war spies.
Now 87 years of age and confined to a nursing home they are called back into action after finding a hidden message in a funeral notice for Claude Duval.
Somehow they must escape from the home and travel to the United Kingdom and retrieve the Janus Machine hidden in the dying days of the war. Although pursued by the police and those determined to stop them, the fate of London and much of the world hangs in the balance – they must succeed.
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 28, 2016
198 people are currently reading
1591 people want to read
About the author
Mark A. Biggs
21 books46 followersI'm Mark Biggs, an author dedicated to crafting captivating stories that resonate with readers like you. You may already be familiar with my work, particularly the beloved Max & Olivia series, a touching exploration of love and friendship that has garnered widespread acclaim. Additionally, my romantic masterpiece, "Love Letters From Dresden," has captured the hearts of readers around the globe.
Embark on an unforgettable journey with me through the Tale of Love series, a trilogy that delves into the complexities of human emotions. Get ready for an exciting new adventure in 2024 with my upcoming spy thriller set along the iconic Camino de Santiago, inspired by my own trek with my wife in 2023.
Writing is my passion, and I'm thrilled to share more tales and adventures with you in the future. Stay tuned for more gripping stories and unforgettable characters!
Embark on an unforgettable journey with me through the Tale of Love series, a trilogy that delves into the complexities of human emotions. Get ready for an exciting new adventure in 2024 with my upcoming spy thriller set along the iconic Camino de Santiago, inspired by my own trek with my wife in 2023.
Writing is my passion, and I'm thrilled to share more tales and adventures with you in the future. Stay tuned for more gripping stories and unforgettable characters!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 8, 2017
This book had a lot of potential, but for me, it came up short. I bought it in spite of its title, which I dislike intensely, because the idea of octogenarians as the stars of a spy thriller appealed to me.
The early going was good, and rather touching, as it did a spot-on job describing what it's like for senior citizens to be shuffled off to a nursing home "for their own good" by their controlling children.
Where it fell down for me? Lots of telling, and little showing, so even the scenes that could have... should have... been exciting... weren't. Lots of long tedious passages, which I generally skimmed. Long unrealistic info-dumping dialogue, which I also skimmed. But all of that I would have been willing to overlook if the author hadn't committed one of the most annoying ploys of all. This book is a stinking cliff-hanger. After reading a too-long book that could have been easily trimmed by a hundred pages or so... there is NO ENDING.
On the plus side, Olivia and Max are lovely characters. If you don't mind cliff-hangers, you may love this book. I, however, am not a happy camper, because the "trick" of writing books without a satisfactory ending in the hopes of enticing readers to purchase additional books is a big manipulative NO-NO with me.
The early going was good, and rather touching, as it did a spot-on job describing what it's like for senior citizens to be shuffled off to a nursing home "for their own good" by their controlling children.
Where it fell down for me? Lots of telling, and little showing, so even the scenes that could have... should have... been exciting... weren't. Lots of long tedious passages, which I generally skimmed. Long unrealistic info-dumping dialogue, which I also skimmed. But all of that I would have been willing to overlook if the author hadn't committed one of the most annoying ploys of all. This book is a stinking cliff-hanger. After reading a too-long book that could have been easily trimmed by a hundred pages or so... there is NO ENDING.
On the plus side, Olivia and Max are lovely characters. If you don't mind cliff-hangers, you may love this book. I, however, am not a happy camper, because the "trick" of writing books without a satisfactory ending in the hopes of enticing readers to purchase additional books is a big manipulative NO-NO with me.
January 31, 2017
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Olivia and Max were endearing and I rooted for them all the way through. I would have preferred a little less exposition at the beginning but once the story got going it was a quick and enjoyable read. While the prologue provided good background info, I think it would have made more sense at the end. It gave me more information than I wanted going into the story. That said, I could have just skipped the prologue and read it after, so it's not that big a deal.
Olivia and Max were endearing and I rooted for them all the way through. I would have preferred a little less exposition at the beginning but once the story got going it was a quick and enjoyable read. While the prologue provided good background info, I think it would have made more sense at the end. It gave me more information than I wanted going into the story. That said, I could have just skipped the prologue and read it after, so it's not that big a deal.
May 9, 2020
I am thrilled at how much I enjoyed this book. Realistic characters with all of the talents and foibles that come with survival to a "certain age". You realize that every oldster in the nursing home has more stories than can be imagined. Max and Olivia at the age of 85 are called back to service and they step up in a big way with a variety of great vehicles, unknown threats, help, and surprises. Don't miss this clever twist of a mystery.
September 19, 2017
There's more truth
In this about the capabilities of old people than most are willing to admit. Just because we have infirmities does not mean that we are no longer able to have purpose, courage and ability (though somewhat reduced). This started a little slow but I couldn't let it go and now I am hooked.
In this about the capabilities of old people than most are willing to admit. Just because we have infirmities does not mean that we are no longer able to have purpose, courage and ability (though somewhat reduced). This started a little slow but I couldn't let it go and now I am hooked.
November 14, 2020
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
An elderly Australian couple consigned to an old age home by their children used to be hot shot secret agents. They see an old code in the newspaper, and have to complete an assignment started in World War 2. They have to escape from the home, make their way to England, and complete their assignment, even though they are now in their late 80's.
Not bad. This is a subgenre with a lot of potential.
An elderly Australian couple consigned to an old age home by their children used to be hot shot secret agents. They see an old code in the newspaper, and have to complete an assignment started in World War 2. They have to escape from the home, make their way to England, and complete their assignment, even though they are now in their late 80's.
Not bad. This is a subgenre with a lot of potential.
July 13, 2018
I received Operation Underpants as part of a Kindle giveaway. I gave it 4 stars in spite of the ending. I was left hanging as though the book didn't end. Up until the last page, the book was great. If not for the ending, the book deserved 5 stars. Max and Olivia were enchanting. I could just imagine any of the WW2 veterans and their wife's as having a dual life, one that's not known about until after they die or is re-erected only if necessary. My guess there are many people who served as spies around the world and never told their families. I can also see any number of senior citizens (veterans & otherwise) who are left to die w/o families to assist them. The author does a does a great job highlighting how their children are only interested in their money. It is important to remember that seniors are a large part of society and should not be forgotten. This is a great book and would be great for students.
July 30, 2018
Don’t let the cutesy title fool you; this book is an intense spy thriller.
Max and Olivia, an adorable vicar and his wife, met as spies during World War II, married, had a family in Australia, and continued their spy missions over the years. Involved in a traffic accident in Europe during one of their recent missions, they are relegated to a nursing home by their greedy children.
Although they are octogenarians, they find life in the nursing home boring and unfulfilling. One morning, while reading the newspaper, Max sees a new call to action, and the two turn the world upside down. This is the first book in the Max and Olivia series; it is difficult to put down, and respites from the thrilling
suspense are few and far between. The couple’s mad-cap methods to achieve their goals are sometimes light-hearted and hilarious, but beneath the humor lies a sinister and frightening international underworld culture. Loved this book!
Max and Olivia, an adorable vicar and his wife, met as spies during World War II, married, had a family in Australia, and continued their spy missions over the years. Involved in a traffic accident in Europe during one of their recent missions, they are relegated to a nursing home by their greedy children.
Although they are octogenarians, they find life in the nursing home boring and unfulfilling. One morning, while reading the newspaper, Max sees a new call to action, and the two turn the world upside down. This is the first book in the Max and Olivia series; it is difficult to put down, and respites from the thrilling
suspense are few and far between. The couple’s mad-cap methods to achieve their goals are sometimes light-hearted and hilarious, but beneath the humor lies a sinister and frightening international underworld culture. Loved this book!
March 8, 2019
I'll be honest, this story dragged on for me. I thought it might get more entertaining as we went along and I was wrong.
Our story begins with two octogenarians transition to living in a nursing home. As the story we continues we find out that they were/are spies. After Max spots a secret message in the newspaper one day, he and his wife Olivia are often to retrieve the "Janus key". Our protagonists proceed to get into more and more unlikely scenarios. It felt like the author was trying to jam every spy trope he could get in. Also, everyone they encountered was over the top helpful to these people that they did not know to the length of helping evade the police. The dialogue felt quite stilted at times.
When our "villains" are introduced the male one is described as dressed nicely, but wearing a balaclava while our female villain is wearing a skin tight bodysuit that accentuated "the pertness of her breasts and was unzipped revealing cleavage". Max makes a comment about being surprised that she's not wearing high heels and that her flat soled shoes "looked out of place", which if I'm being honest, I'm more scared of someone in sensible running shoes than in heels. She also uses "sweetie" every time she talks, which semi-distracted from the fact that he tried too hard to make her sound like a villian, including rambling on about her plan for 3 pages.
When our villain Claudia gets ahold of the Janus key, Max makes a comment about "you can't do this!! The government will stop you!!", which Max, you're a freakin' spy. You of all people should know that governments do some shady shit.
I was excited about the premise and felt let down by the time I finished the story.
Our story begins with two octogenarians transition to living in a nursing home. As the story we continues we find out that they were/are spies. After Max spots a secret message in the newspaper one day, he and his wife Olivia are often to retrieve the "Janus key". Our protagonists proceed to get into more and more unlikely scenarios. It felt like the author was trying to jam every spy trope he could get in. Also, everyone they encountered was over the top helpful to these people that they did not know to the length of helping evade the police. The dialogue felt quite stilted at times.
When our "villains" are introduced the male one is described as dressed nicely, but wearing a balaclava while our female villain is wearing a skin tight bodysuit that accentuated "the pertness of her breasts and was unzipped revealing cleavage". Max makes a comment about being surprised that she's not wearing high heels and that her flat soled shoes "looked out of place", which if I'm being honest, I'm more scared of someone in sensible running shoes than in heels. She also uses "sweetie" every time she talks, which semi-distracted from the fact that he tried too hard to make her sound like a villian, including rambling on about her plan for 3 pages.
When our villain Claudia gets ahold of the Janus key, Max makes a comment about "you can't do this!! The government will stop you!!", which Max, you're a freakin' spy. You of all people should know that governments do some shady shit.
I was excited about the premise and felt let down by the time I finished the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2018
DISCLOSURE: I received a free copy in a Goodreads giveaway.
If I'd known it was a blasted cliffhanger, I would have NEVER even entered the giveaway!!
As it is, I'll never read another one - I don't trust this author to provide a real ending to his stories (that whole "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" thing).
And that's a shame because the story had potential.
It could have really used a good editor to trim the fat and tighten up the story. Waaaay too much info at the start and then again when giving too detailed an account of the current bio-attacks and their reason for being.
Olivia and Max are likable characters and you find yourself rooting for them. However, most of the other characters are not developed very much and are two-dimensional. And O+M seem a bit too naive and trusting at times for people with their background in espionage...
I wish the author would re-write this book to be a stand-alone story in his Olivia and Max series (instead of it being a serial). Change the title (maybe Operation Petticoat?), tighten the story, add a satisfying ending, polish the whole thing...
If I'd known it was a blasted cliffhanger, I would have NEVER even entered the giveaway!!
As it is, I'll never read another one - I don't trust this author to provide a real ending to his stories (that whole "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" thing).
And that's a shame because the story had potential.
It could have really used a good editor to trim the fat and tighten up the story. Waaaay too much info at the start and then again when giving too detailed an account of the current bio-attacks and their reason for being.
Olivia and Max are likable characters and you find yourself rooting for them. However, most of the other characters are not developed very much and are two-dimensional. And O+M seem a bit too naive and trusting at times for people with their background in espionage...
I wish the author would re-write this book to be a stand-alone story in his Olivia and Max series (instead of it being a serial). Change the title (maybe Operation Petticoat?), tighten the story, add a satisfying ending, polish the whole thing...
January 11, 2022
*Spoiler Alert* This is the first time I have written a negative review. I was really interested in this series because the the lead characters Max and Olivia are in their 80's. Unfortunately, I found it extremely unrealistic and unbelievable. I found it irritating that several characters were introduced, and then killed off immediately. Max and Olivia became like lures for the bad guys. Max and Olivia would spend time with them, talk about how nice the folks were, and then when they were killed, they would steal their car. Oh well, on to the next. I was curious how it would end so I stuck with it even though I would normally not have wasted my time. Cliffhanger ending! So annoying. No, I will not be reading the next book. Mark Biggs if you read your reviews this is for you: I am sorry to be so harsh, I know you put your heart into this book. What I did like was your plot as far as the biological warfare and the machinations of the criminals and Russian government. Also worth noting is the way that Olivia explained that older people can become less likely to engage in the world due to fear of embarrassment and physical limitations.
December 28, 2019
I received the Kindle version of this book from Goodreads.com. Although it had a lengthy introduction about Ebola which wasn’t really referenced ever again in the book I did enjoy the majority of the book. Max and Olivia are in an Australian nursing home when Max comes across a notation in a newspaper with a clue regarding work that they had done as covert operatives in World War II. Adventures of Max and Olivia are actually quite enjoyable but they seemed unmoved by the people that died helping them as they were progressing across the UK. The ending was left as a cliffhanger. I do not plan on reading Max and Olivia book 2
February 22, 2018
This is in the vein of "The Old Man who Climbed Out ..." It is an amusing tale of spies who have never totally retired and are still living to be called upon once more. It is also a somewhat realistic tale of aging and how the elderly can be thought of and treated as less than they are. There are some of the things that one expects of a spy novel and others that one doesn't. I enjoyed it and hoping there will indeed be a 2nd book featuring this couple by Mark Biggs. I'll be waiting to join the ride!
July 16, 2018
Love to see or read about spunky octogenarians! If you can make it past the slow beginning, the plot gets interesting, though a bit implausible. It wasn't as funny as I had hoped. (I was expecting to be roaring as much as I had while reading The 100-year-old Man who Walked Climbed out the Window & Disappeared.) 2 things perplexed me: 1) Why are official law-enforcement figures always portrayed as dolts books like this? 2) What's with the dénouement? I think those who have read it should start a contest to rewrite it. I won a Kindle edition from a Goodreads giveaway.
January 2, 2020
Not bad, worth reading. but a little too much action detail that dragged. Ends on an unfinished note, with follow-up in presumably the following book. Would have helped to have the explanation of ebola etc. later in the book rather than at the very beginning because all of a sudden, you are at a retirement home where Max and Olivia have been dumped—not explained until later. Also I was perplexed by the mention of the Janus Key with no explanation until later, wondered if it was supposed to be historic or fictional. Poignant observations about aging.
Read
May 13, 2020Operation Underpants is a cute story about a spy couple from the WWII era who get put into a nursing home against their will by their children after an accident injures both of them. The couple who are now in their eighties, must find a way to escape the confines of the nursing home in order for them to carry on with their spy assignment requirements. Once the couple gains their freedom, catastrophe after catastrophe follow them with good and bad guys on their tail. This is a cozy mystery that you can enjoy on a lazy day. Be prepared for an unexpected twist at the end, though.
July 13, 2020
What A fun read!
Reading about the “second half of life” was both intriguing, sad, funny and an entire plethora of other emotions wrapped up in one book! You care about the main characters, an important ingredient of a great read in my book. What was new to me: feeling the joy of a life well lived and the pain that because of selfish, greedy children that very life was deemed by these children to be “over”. As is always the case with my reviews, I will not recant the story, the author did that very well. I cannot wait to read the next installment!
Reading about the “second half of life” was both intriguing, sad, funny and an entire plethora of other emotions wrapped up in one book! You care about the main characters, an important ingredient of a great read in my book. What was new to me: feeling the joy of a life well lived and the pain that because of selfish, greedy children that very life was deemed by these children to be “over”. As is always the case with my reviews, I will not recant the story, the author did that very well. I cannot wait to read the next installment!
July 4, 2017
Excellent Read!
I chose 5 stars although there was a slow start to the story, it picked up quickly and then I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next! Max and Olivia, 2 elderly former spies, end up in a nursing home after a serious accident. While reading the paper, Max finds a cryptic message in the obituaries that calls for him and Olivia to come out of retirement immediately. They break free from the nursing home and their adventure begins!
I chose 5 stars although there was a slow start to the story, it picked up quickly and then I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what happened next! Max and Olivia, 2 elderly former spies, end up in a nursing home after a serious accident. While reading the paper, Max finds a cryptic message in the obituaries that calls for him and Olivia to come out of retirement immediately. They break free from the nursing home and their adventure begins!
August 2, 2017
Max and Olivia are the Grandparents everybody wishes they could have. They quickly destroy the expectation that the elderly are frail, helpless and humourless. Their adventures take a wild ride across the globe and span much of their 80 something years. They had me in stitches and suspense as they attempt to out wit their many opponents from their Zimmer frames. I challenge anyone not to enjoy this tale.
August 24, 2017
Cracking good read!
What a hoot! I loved following Max & Olivia's travels. Not only across miles, but also across the years. Their backstory took awhile but made it all tie together.
Loved this book. What an adventure.
What I didn't like was the cliffhanger ending. I now need to purchase the next book in this series. A bit of a let down...I was hoping to have an ending to this adventure, then begin a new adventure.
What a hoot! I loved following Max & Olivia's travels. Not only across miles, but also across the years. Their backstory took awhile but made it all tie together.
Loved this book. What an adventure.
What I didn't like was the cliffhanger ending. I now need to purchase the next book in this series. A bit of a let down...I was hoping to have an ending to this adventure, then begin a new adventure.
February 23, 2020
What?????!!!!!
This book ends but the story doesn't. It just closed in the middle of a thought...like someone tore the last page from the book. I only completed the book to see hour it ended. Had I followed my instinct, I would have thrown it away it like a used paper towel. The editing was awful and the back and forth between characters was worse. At one point the name of one of the major characters was incorrect. This is just the worst.....
This book ends but the story doesn't. It just closed in the middle of a thought...like someone tore the last page from the book. I only completed the book to see hour it ended. Had I followed my instinct, I would have thrown it away it like a used paper towel. The editing was awful and the back and forth between characters was worse. At one point the name of one of the major characters was incorrect. This is just the worst.....
January 24, 2024
What a hoot! I'm hooked.
A great tale of a couple of old retired spies, sent off to live (?) in a nursing home escape and travel half way across the world to fulfill a mission that has been on hold since WWII.
Delightfully written with good character development and wonderful descriptions of the English countryside. I truly enjoyed the entire book. I'm going to purchase the next book in the series to see what happens to these folks next.
A great tale of a couple of old retired spies, sent off to live (?) in a nursing home escape and travel half way across the world to fulfill a mission that has been on hold since WWII.
Delightfully written with good character development and wonderful descriptions of the English countryside. I truly enjoyed the entire book. I'm going to purchase the next book in the series to see what happens to these folks next.
September 1, 2017
Funny, timely, great read.
This book has a bit of everything. Spy's, intrique, ghosts from world war 2. Aging old couple with ungrateful money grubbing children. A true dating and live story! Some political carrying one past and present. Terror plots that are frightening. Well written . a good read. I sure hope there's another one!
This book has a bit of everything. Spy's, intrique, ghosts from world war 2. Aging old couple with ungrateful money grubbing children. A true dating and live story! Some political carrying one past and present. Terror plots that are frightening. Well written . a good read. I sure hope there's another one!
June 19, 2018
Someone might find the main characters charming, I suppose. I didn't - at least not after the first scene or two.
Add to that a largely incoherent plot, oddly presented with waaaaay too much exposition and explanation.
I finished it out of a sense of duty (I've very rarely tossed a book aside without finishing it, though this time I came close) not pleasure.
Oh, and the title sucks.
Add to that a largely incoherent plot, oddly presented with waaaaay too much exposition and explanation.
I finished it out of a sense of duty (I've very rarely tossed a book aside without finishing it, though this time I came close) not pleasure.
Oh, and the title sucks.
August 10, 2018
I loved this book from the beginning and didn't want to put it down. But, as all the other reviews have said, the ending was MADDENING because the last line is "you will have to wait and see". It is a cliff-hanger. I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and now I have to go look for the other 2 books in the series. ARGHH!! I would have given it a higher score if it had a satisfactory ending!!!
March 6, 2019
This was a fun read in a way, but hardly a page turner. It took me ages to finish when I usually finish a book in 2 or 3 days. But the ending, which wasn’t an ending left me cold. I despise books that leave you hanging so you have to read the next installment and the next. I was fooled by that once. Never again.
August 6, 2019
Suspense and Humor
Such Suspense! Following as Max and Olivia are basically robbed of their home and monies and stuck in a “retirement home”, then they get the secret signal and must escape to England and find something hidden since WW2. One way after another their progress is thwarted. Such a Fun and Suspenseful read!!
Such Suspense! Following as Max and Olivia are basically robbed of their home and monies and stuck in a “retirement home”, then they get the secret signal and must escape to England and find something hidden since WW2. One way after another their progress is thwarted. Such a Fun and Suspenseful read!!
October 11, 2019
Good read
Who would think that a couple of octogenarian would be clandestine spies? That's just what Max and Olivia are. Their wild journey to recover the Janus Machine is chronicled here.
Mark A Biggs a a veritable genius for the story he has weaved here. My only complaint is an abrupt and kind of anticlimactic ending.
Who would think that a couple of octogenarian would be clandestine spies? That's just what Max and Olivia are. Their wild journey to recover the Janus Machine is chronicled here.
Mark A Biggs a a veritable genius for the story he has weaved here. My only complaint is an abrupt and kind of anticlimactic ending.
November 7, 2020
Soy thriller
Quite an exciting read, lots of action. Two levels of this book, one just entertainment the second, thought provoking. An elderly couple wouldn't be able to go too long without meditations. Many things require the reader to put aside scepticism but still interesting. Kate and her husband shouldn't have been killed off though
Quite an exciting read, lots of action. Two levels of this book, one just entertainment the second, thought provoking. An elderly couple wouldn't be able to go too long without meditations. Many things require the reader to put aside scepticism but still interesting. Kate and her husband shouldn't have been killed off though
May 20, 2018
Operation Underpants
Good book, gives a nostalgic run by two eighty seven year olds to retrieve a machine of miracles. Everything was going well until it ended as a cliff hanger. I refuse to read the next book.
Good book, gives a nostalgic run by two eighty seven year olds to retrieve a machine of miracles. Everything was going well until it ended as a cliff hanger. I refuse to read the next book.
April 17, 2019
I on this book in a giveaway. The story itself was OK-- a little improbable at times, a lot of telling of information all at once. However, I love that the main characters were in their 80's. Older people are definitely underrepresented in literature.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews