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Windy Mountain Tasmanian Tiger #2
Lie of the Tiger
When two old men and an Irishman indulge in some secret doggy business in order to save the Tasmanian Tiger, the greedy Mayor isn't happy.
But that's normal. He's never happy.
Lie of the Tiger is part of the Windy Mountain Tasmanian Tiger series but it has a story all of its own that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
Mystery .. quirky characters ... crime ... touching humour ... and some twists you won't see coming.
But that's normal. He's never happy.
Lie of the Tiger is part of the Windy Mountain Tasmanian Tiger series but it has a story all of its own that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
Mystery .. quirky characters ... crime ... touching humour ... and some twists you won't see coming.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2017
160 people are currently reading
577 people want to read
About the author
John Martin
25 books187 followersI'm an Australian who writes funny novels with a dash of mystery and sometimes with a dollop of whodunnit. Heck, 2020 even brought out some black comedy from me.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 11, 2017
Now available from Amazon, Apple, Kobo and Barnes and Noble.
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April 27, 2017
Lie of the Tiger (Windy Mountain #2) by John Martin is a humorous mystery with some very strange characters and lots of twists. I really enjoyed this crazy story about a couple of old coots that set out to solve a mystery and end up with more that one mystery on their plate. Lots of twists, turns, and humor spiced with bits of fun suspense thrown in to make this a very enjoyable read. It maybe book two but I had no problems reading it as a stand alone. I was given this book to read and the review was voluntary. A fun and enjoyable read. Thanks so much for the offer, it was fun!
April 20, 2017
A fun read that kept me entertained through the entire book. The characters were off the cuff and a little out of the box. The interesting phrases that the men used in the book left me in stitches at times. Parts of the book rival the humor found in another road side attraction by Tom Robbins.
I enjoyed this book the most of all of John Martins books I have read so far.
I enjoyed this book the most of all of John Martins books I have read so far.
June 24, 2017
Irishman Paddy O’Brien has just arrived on Windy Mountain with the daunting task of reopening the Tasmanian Tiger Museum and making a go of it in a few short weeks. Unfortunately for Paddy, he looks like Moose Routley, who terrorized the mayor in the first Windy Mountain book, “Who Knew Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples!” Paddy is assisted by Wish-Wash and Oodles (decidedly older and crankier than they were in the first book) and the two old men come up with a scheme for a new exhibit that just might save the museum.
“Lie of the Tiger” has mystery (who are the two shady characters who have hired Paddy to reopen the museum and why are their goons after Oodles?) and suspense as a bushfire consumes the countryside, but most of all it has laugh-out-loud-until-you-can’t-help-but-feel-good humor. John Martin’s forte is his funny, quirky characters and there is one around every corner of Windy Mountain.
Will the Tasmanian Tiger Museum be saved? “Scat” right out and buy this book to find out!
“Lie of the Tiger” has mystery (who are the two shady characters who have hired Paddy to reopen the museum and why are their goons after Oodles?) and suspense as a bushfire consumes the countryside, but most of all it has laugh-out-loud-until-you-can’t-help-but-feel-good humor. John Martin’s forte is his funny, quirky characters and there is one around every corner of Windy Mountain.
Will the Tasmanian Tiger Museum be saved? “Scat” right out and buy this book to find out!
August 16, 2021
Lie of the Tiger is a quirky satire about a Tasmanian tiger museum. The book is educational (I had never heard of this extinct cat) and funny. Yes, it is because John Martin has a funny way with words. Character names are playfully chosen Wish-Wash and Oodles, and later Sergeant Stretch (especially when someone stretches out their arms to catch him). The plot is engaging. To keep his job, Paddy must succeed in reopening the museum, but this means proving that these stripy wildcats are still alive and well near Windy Mountain. Recommended for cat lovers, big cat conspiracy enthusiasts and readers with a sense of humour.
October 18, 2020
Honestly, I was expecting it to have a little more to do with Tasmanian tigers, but it was such a fun and original story anyway. I feel other reviews have explained it well, but I really loved this one.
May 22, 2018
I really enjoyed this book – much more than I had “Who knew that Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples”. Although some of the characters remain the same, here they are much more fully developed. I cannot remember what I may have possibly had against Oodles and Wish-Wash, but now they have matured into really wonderful old men: helpful, loyal, tolerant and (between tea breaks) very practical and useful people to have around. The new character, Paddy, masquerading as a professor, definitely needs all the help and local knowledge that Oodles and Wish-Wash are happy to give.
Actually, the whole town has become a much nicer more tolerant place, ready to welcome strangers. The one glaring exception is the former mayor, Mr Northan, who remains racist, misogynist and homophobic, as well as being naturally arrogant, obnoxious and entitled: “'You heard it here first, OK?' said Rowbottom. 'We've both come out of the closet.' 'The closet! I never thought you even went into the closet. But him?' Northan pointed to the dog catcher. … 'This is preposterous,' said Northan. 'It was bad enough having one queer in town! But two!’”.
I renewed my intense dislike of Mr Northan, when he unilaterally changed the conditions on the “Last One Standing” bet to include a new member, and investing the whole pot in a very risky mining venture, which could have left Oodles and/or Wish-Wash penniless. My former financial services background was screaming compound interest, breach of contract … at the Kindle. At first, I thought that Northan was being deliberately malicious, but finally realised that he did not have the intelligence to be that nasty.
The book is a well-conceived farce involving mistaken identities, a faked death, people smuggling, blackmail, crooks and tourists, financial and academic fraud, arson, a bush fire and dog poo.
The writing also has a nice turn of phrase: “The waitress had blonde hair colouring that probably came from a bottle. She had a husky voice, which sounded like the result of smoking too many cigarettes and eating too much gravel.” and “Since Gordo was the one with two good arms but a suspect brain, he drove where he was told” which really adds to the humour.
The only thing I did not like in the book, was the occasional phonetic transliteration of “Irish” speaking.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
Actually, the whole town has become a much nicer more tolerant place, ready to welcome strangers. The one glaring exception is the former mayor, Mr Northan, who remains racist, misogynist and homophobic, as well as being naturally arrogant, obnoxious and entitled: “'You heard it here first, OK?' said Rowbottom. 'We've both come out of the closet.' 'The closet! I never thought you even went into the closet. But him?' Northan pointed to the dog catcher. … 'This is preposterous,' said Northan. 'It was bad enough having one queer in town! But two!’”.
I renewed my intense dislike of Mr Northan, when he unilaterally changed the conditions on the “Last One Standing” bet to include a new member, and investing the whole pot in a very risky mining venture, which could have left Oodles and/or Wish-Wash penniless. My former financial services background was screaming compound interest, breach of contract … at the Kindle. At first, I thought that Northan was being deliberately malicious, but finally realised that he did not have the intelligence to be that nasty.
The book is a well-conceived farce involving mistaken identities, a faked death, people smuggling, blackmail, crooks and tourists, financial and academic fraud, arson, a bush fire and dog poo.
The writing also has a nice turn of phrase: “The waitress had blonde hair colouring that probably came from a bottle. She had a husky voice, which sounded like the result of smoking too many cigarettes and eating too much gravel.” and “Since Gordo was the one with two good arms but a suspect brain, he drove where he was told” which really adds to the humour.
The only thing I did not like in the book, was the occasional phonetic transliteration of “Irish” speaking.
All in all, a very enjoyable read. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I received this copy from the author in exchange for an honest review
April 20, 2017
I would like to thank the author- John Martin, for offering me a free ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I really loved the book. The plot was very interesting, thrilling and undoubtedly hilarious.
Paddy, a Professor, has landed a job of taking care of the Windy Mountain Tasmanian Tiger Museum in exchange for "no salary".
The museum is desperately in need of a show-stealer to get the it running, while there are few who will stop at nothing to see the it shutdown for good. But why? What do they gain by closing it? To make things worse, the entry fees to the museum is increased to nineteen dollars. Definitely no one would pay that much to visit it.
Oodles and Wish-wash go out of the way to ensure its sustenance.
Paddy is not whom he claims to be. Billy is not as dead as he is supposed to be.
The savings scheme for the last man standing needs a special mention. That was an interesting idea. As the story revolves around old people, there are lot of people dying on and off, but I liked the concept "Billy's resurrection" before his extinction.
How Paddy achieves the impossible along with Oodles and Wish-Wash (two old fellows) forms the plot.
The book was a completely enjoyable read. Wish the author writes many more such fun-filled adventures.
I really loved the book. The plot was very interesting, thrilling and undoubtedly hilarious.
Paddy, a Professor, has landed a job of taking care of the Windy Mountain Tasmanian Tiger Museum in exchange for "no salary".
The museum is desperately in need of a show-stealer to get the it running, while there are few who will stop at nothing to see the it shutdown for good. But why? What do they gain by closing it? To make things worse, the entry fees to the museum is increased to nineteen dollars. Definitely no one would pay that much to visit it.
Oodles and Wish-wash go out of the way to ensure its sustenance.
Paddy is not whom he claims to be. Billy is not as dead as he is supposed to be.
The savings scheme for the last man standing needs a special mention. That was an interesting idea. As the story revolves around old people, there are lot of people dying on and off, but I liked the concept "Billy's resurrection" before his extinction.
How Paddy achieves the impossible along with Oodles and Wish-Wash (two old fellows) forms the plot.
The book was a completely enjoyable read. Wish the author writes many more such fun-filled adventures.
April 19, 2017
Lie of the Tiger builds on the characters in Do Tasmanian Devils Eat Apples and proved to be more humorous and satisfying. Paddy O'Brian comes to Windy Mountain as the new proprietor of the town's in disrepair Tasmanian Tiger museum. Wish-Wash and Oodles, two the town elders, join forces with Paddy to make the museum a success through less than legitimate means. Paddy has a secret and so do the elders. In a romp of mistaken identities, hidden agendas, lost loves, and a group of wacky townsfolk, Paddy, Wish-Wash, and Oodles give their lives new meaning. This is thoroughly enjoyable read.
April 10, 2021
Fast and fun. It really helped to be a fan of British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand tv...I could hear and understand each character’s voice clearly throughout. This is quirky study of friendship, rivalries, deception and loyalty. I am curious to read the further adventures of Oodles and Wish-Wash.
Read
May 15, 2020This is a cute and engaging read. I think everyone can identify oodles and wish wash. The two little old characters that can get into more of a mess in a shorter time than most twelve year olds. The twelves have the most sense. I really enjoyed this book.
May 25, 2021
Full review at a later date. Interesting characters ... took a little bit to follow the Aussie language differences, but worth the effort!
May 22, 2017
‘The huge Irishman wound down his window and squinted.’
Welcome back to Windy Mountain, back to the Tasmanian Tiger Museum (established in ‘Do Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples’, and now seriously in need of repair. Paddy O’Brian is to be the new manager. But, before he even reopens the museum, he’s told that he has two weeks to make it work, and that he’ll have to raise the entrance fee to nineteen dollars. Otherwise, the building will be demolished and replaced with a dozen wind turbines.
Is this possible? Even in idiosyncratic Windy Mountain where only mayors and former mayors are allowed to own dogs? Hmm.
‘This was one of the problems with getting old. You had no choice but to mix with whoever was still alive.’
Enter Wish-Wash and Oodles (you really need to read ‘Do Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples’ to fully appreciate their rich history). Wish-Wash and Oodles have some problems of their own to be getting on with, but they are fairly sure they can help Paddy O’Brian. All they need to do, really, is find something that none of the other Tasmanian Tiger Museums have to give the Windy Mountain museum an edge. Say, a real Tasmanian Tiger. Never mind that that Tasmanian Tiger has been declared extinct: Wish-Wash and Oodles have a cunning plan.
Thus begins a funny tale, with more than a few twists, with more than a few laugh-out-loud moments as well. Is anyone in this town who they pretend to be? There are secrets and hidden agendas to be uncovered, as well as a couple of mysteries to be explained.
Read it, laugh and then, like me, wait for the next instalment! I do hope that Mr Martin can write quickly.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Welcome back to Windy Mountain, back to the Tasmanian Tiger Museum (established in ‘Do Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples’, and now seriously in need of repair. Paddy O’Brian is to be the new manager. But, before he even reopens the museum, he’s told that he has two weeks to make it work, and that he’ll have to raise the entrance fee to nineteen dollars. Otherwise, the building will be demolished and replaced with a dozen wind turbines.
Is this possible? Even in idiosyncratic Windy Mountain where only mayors and former mayors are allowed to own dogs? Hmm.
‘This was one of the problems with getting old. You had no choice but to mix with whoever was still alive.’
Enter Wish-Wash and Oodles (you really need to read ‘Do Tasmanian Tigers Eat Apples’ to fully appreciate their rich history). Wish-Wash and Oodles have some problems of their own to be getting on with, but they are fairly sure they can help Paddy O’Brian. All they need to do, really, is find something that none of the other Tasmanian Tiger Museums have to give the Windy Mountain museum an edge. Say, a real Tasmanian Tiger. Never mind that that Tasmanian Tiger has been declared extinct: Wish-Wash and Oodles have a cunning plan.
Thus begins a funny tale, with more than a few twists, with more than a few laugh-out-loud moments as well. Is anyone in this town who they pretend to be? There are secrets and hidden agendas to be uncovered, as well as a couple of mysteries to be explained.
Read it, laugh and then, like me, wait for the next instalment! I do hope that Mr Martin can write quickly.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
February 14, 2026
Weirdly quirky novel based in rural Tasmania
This has to be the weirdest story I have ever read. The writing style was also different. I simple cannot describe it.
In this little town, everyone seems to be off from center. And it is perfectly alright to the reader and the townspeople.
There is one place to eat. Although, there's a menu, much of it is just not available. Coffee is the instant kind. Has no one heard of a coffee maker?
The main characters are all old men. One of which is famous for his claim he saw a live Tasmanian Tiger even though they are extinct.
A stranger is in town to reopen the closed Tasmanian Tiger museum. He looks a lot like a town trouble maker who is supposed to be in jail.
The thing is, the owner of the museum and surrounding lands has set this stranger up for failure because he is doing something hinky. And the stranger is determined to make the museum successful with the help of our geriatric friends.
The dialogue is bizarre. The inhabitants grow on you. And the intrigue of discovering a Tasmanian Tiger is irresistible.
This has to be the weirdest story I have ever read. The writing style was also different. I simple cannot describe it.
In this little town, everyone seems to be off from center. And it is perfectly alright to the reader and the townspeople.
There is one place to eat. Although, there's a menu, much of it is just not available. Coffee is the instant kind. Has no one heard of a coffee maker?
The main characters are all old men. One of which is famous for his claim he saw a live Tasmanian Tiger even though they are extinct.
A stranger is in town to reopen the closed Tasmanian Tiger museum. He looks a lot like a town trouble maker who is supposed to be in jail.
The thing is, the owner of the museum and surrounding lands has set this stranger up for failure because he is doing something hinky. And the stranger is determined to make the museum successful with the help of our geriatric friends.
The dialogue is bizarre. The inhabitants grow on you. And the intrigue of discovering a Tasmanian Tiger is irresistible.
March 28, 2021
Bundles of Fun
Everything about this tale amuses. From the mixed up names to the relationships that are strictly suspect. Little bits of romance bring delight, and the disasters are so creative.
Everything about this tale amuses. From the mixed up names to the relationships that are strictly suspect. Little bits of romance bring delight, and the disasters are so creative.
December 13, 2021
Lie of the Tiger (Windy Mountain Book 1) by John Martin is an hilarious blend of characters and lies in a small town in Tasmania. Quaint and quirky, the reader will enjoy the never ending twists and turns of the town's unusual inhabitants. Lots of fun!
February 18, 2022
This is a novel idea with these fellows in their 80s into capers to save the museum. They have a running bet, and whoever survives the others will collect the proceeds. Eccentric characters and good writing make this an interesting start to the series.
May 5, 2021
Very enjoyable farce
Great characters. Great fun. Two old men befriend a stranger in their very small town. Silliness and adventure ensue. You'll enjoy it.
Great characters. Great fun. Two old men befriend a stranger in their very small town. Silliness and adventure ensue. You'll enjoy it.
January 23, 2022
I thought this was an okay read, light entertaining and an easy read. Took a few chapters to get into it.
April 10, 2023
An enjoyable story with a very Aussie sense of humour. Set in Tasmania.
July 6, 2023
A very unusual read. Lots of laughs. Had to work my way through the Tasmanian/Australian slang. Really enjoyed it.
The small town had a lot of very unusual characters.
The small town had a lot of very unusual characters.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews