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Max Plank #1
Stray Cat Blues
★★★★★ A True Crime Novel! I adored this novel so much!★★★★★ Best Book I've Read in Ages.★★★★★ Read it! Worth every minute and every penny you spend!For fans of John D. MacDonald, Harlan Coben, & Robert B. Parker. Set in a 'richly atmospheric' San Francisco, Robert Bucchianeri's debut Max Plank mystery is a 'home run'.A missing big sister. A little girl all alone. Time is Running Out. Can Max Plank, P.I. Extraordinaire, untangle the mystery before all is lost?When twelve-year-old Frankie steps onto his boat Max has no idea that the cute, skateboarding girl is a time bomb that will lead him into a mystery with a tangled web of secrets and lies involving small time hoods, corrupt politicians, paranoid hippies, and, most dangerously, his long time nemesis, a twisted casino operator at the heart of the city's criminal trade. As Max races to solve the convoluted case and find Frankie's big sister, the mayhem and dead bodies pile up. Finally, he realizes that the only way to get the whole truth involves risking his own life. But for Max Plank this is just the cost of doing business in the game he's decided to play.
Grab this page-turning thriller and prowl the mean streets of San Francisco with Max and his motley crew of friends.
Stray Cat Blues is the first book in the Max Plank mystery series. The second novel, The Ties That Bind, is now available as well as more books in the series.
Grab this page-turning thriller and prowl the mean streets of San Francisco with Max and his motley crew of friends.
Stray Cat Blues is the first book in the Max Plank mystery series. The second novel, The Ties That Bind, is now available as well as more books in the series.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 20, 2017
1162 people are currently reading
673 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
January 13, 2022
When a 12 year old girl comes to Max Plank's boat, to hire him to find his sister, it's the start of enormous difficulties for everybody.
This is pretty much a Spenser rip off, only set in San Francisco, so the Hawke character is a homosexual guy.There's an awful lot of virtue signalling.
This is pretty much a Spenser rip off, only set in San Francisco, so the Hawke character is a homosexual guy.There's an awful lot of virtue signalling.
March 18, 2019
Travis McGee rebooted and moved from Florida to San Francisco.
Very readable.
Very readable.
February 5, 2026
Max lives on a boat, and when a 12 year old girl comes to him and asks for help finding her sister Johnnie, he can't refuse. The search leads everywhere in San Francisco, from the wealthy and entitled to street gang members. A mystery set in San Francisco was irresistible to me, and this one didn't disappoint.
May 7, 2021
This is another Goodreads giveaway win from a ways back that I'm just now getting to. This is the first thing I've read by the author.
This was a great modern story with a noir feel to it. It's told in the first person by the main character who is extremely likeable. The characters are well thought out an enjoyable while still being believable. The flow and pacing of the story keeps the reader invested in what is going on. I've already added the other books in this series to my to read list. The only downside to this book was I felt that there was a story I should have read before getting into this one, but the book is the first in the series.
This was a great modern story with a noir feel to it. It's told in the first person by the main character who is extremely likeable. The characters are well thought out an enjoyable while still being believable. The flow and pacing of the story keeps the reader invested in what is going on. I've already added the other books in this series to my to read list. The only downside to this book was I felt that there was a story I should have read before getting into this one, but the book is the first in the series.
December 22, 2017
I found this to be a very entertaining and enjoyable reading book by Robert Bucchianeri about the search for the answers to solve the riddles regarding the mystery trying to be solved. My first thought was that this was a John D McDonald Travis McGee unofficial investigator transplanted to San Francisco, but the story turned out to be much more. I really enjoyed the detailed description of the entire area in and around San Francisco as aided by the landmark references. I look forward to reading the next books in the Max Plant series. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
February 25, 2018
I won an E-book to read and give my honest review.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but it seemed like the plot got a little choppy in places, and sometimes is was hard to follow Max's train of thought.
I really enjoyed the Bay-area setting, and Max's houseboat and his friends at the marina.
The secondary characters ran the gamut of poor, to sleazy thugs, to rich, and uber-rich and entitled.
The story was very intriguing and kept you guessing what happened to Johnnie the entire time.
Overall I enjoyed this book, but it seemed like the plot got a little choppy in places, and sometimes is was hard to follow Max's train of thought.
I really enjoyed the Bay-area setting, and Max's houseboat and his friends at the marina.
The secondary characters ran the gamut of poor, to sleazy thugs, to rich, and uber-rich and entitled.
The story was very intriguing and kept you guessing what happened to Johnnie the entire time.
March 2, 2018
I won a copy of this in a goodreads giveaway. I'm not much of a book reviewer, but this book is an enjoyable read. I did occasionally get confused with all the thugs' names. Other than that, I liked it. The story and writing were both good enough that after reading the first couple chapters, I found myself reading "just one more chapter" when I had planned to do something else. I would recommend it to thriller readers.
June 14, 2018
Twists and Turns
Very good mystery story with great characters and an engrossing plot. I thought I had it solved but no such luck. Don't want to be a spoiler so that's all I'll say. Great read, thank you.
Very good mystery story with great characters and an engrossing plot. I thought I had it solved but no such luck. Don't want to be a spoiler so that's all I'll say. Great read, thank you.
June 24, 2019
Story and substance!
The protagonist has depth as does the story. More than just a page turner, has insight and heart to at least parts of it. Looking forward to more in the series and from this author.
The protagonist has depth as does the story. More than just a page turner, has insight and heart to at least parts of it. Looking forward to more in the series and from this author.
February 15, 2021
I am in the habit of downloading free books. This was one of them. The 3 stars might indicate a so-so rating, but among the free ones, this was five stars.
It kept my interest and had some deep insights on human nature, which is why I read novels. There were a few grey areas - how Max Plank is stereotypically portrayed as both a f***up and as a caped crusader; how the plot was formulaic, although that's another reason we read these detective mysteries. However I didn't see the end results coming and I thought for sure his nemesis would be destroyed.
Overall a good book, with both copied and creative writing, and writing styles.
I have to add, I write detective mystery novels also, and am currently editing and preparing to release the first book in a series. I should hope to write as well as Mr. Bucchianeri.
It kept my interest and had some deep insights on human nature, which is why I read novels. There were a few grey areas - how Max Plank is stereotypically portrayed as both a f***up and as a caped crusader; how the plot was formulaic, although that's another reason we read these detective mysteries. However I didn't see the end results coming and I thought for sure his nemesis would be destroyed.
Overall a good book, with both copied and creative writing, and writing styles.
I have to add, I write detective mystery novels also, and am currently editing and preparing to release the first book in a series. I should hope to write as well as Mr. Bucchianeri.
January 6, 2025
If you like Spenser and Travis McGee you'll enjoy “Stray Cat Blues” which features the not quite a P.I. Max Plank.
He's a tough guy with a soft heart and lives on a boat in San Francisco.
A little girl, Frankie, 11, persuades him to find her sister, Johnnie, 22, who has been missing for a week.
She got his name from enigmatic and brutal crime boss Poe.
Poe proves less than helpful when approached.
And then, just over 100 pages in, the case is solved, though not in a way that made any sense.
It turned out that a chapter from near the end had been transposed (it did kind of ruin the surprise!)
I quite enjoyed the read, mostly for Max Planks' interactions with others.
Rain was pouring down while I was reading it so sunny California was just the ticket.
3 Stars.
He's a tough guy with a soft heart and lives on a boat in San Francisco.
A little girl, Frankie, 11, persuades him to find her sister, Johnnie, 22, who has been missing for a week.
She got his name from enigmatic and brutal crime boss Poe.
Poe proves less than helpful when approached.
And then, just over 100 pages in, the case is solved, though not in a way that made any sense.
It turned out that a chapter from near the end had been transposed (it did kind of ruin the surprise!)
I quite enjoyed the read, mostly for Max Planks' interactions with others.
Rain was pouring down while I was reading it so sunny California was just the ticket.
3 Stars.
November 16, 2021
Max Plank is a not quite PI altho he acts like one, he lives on a repurposed navy lifeboat in a San Francisco marina. He is approached one day by a young girl who wants to hire him to find her older sister who has gone missing. She has $300 to pay him, but he doesn't take but says he will look into it which leads him into web of intrigue of various levels of criminal behavior from petty crimes to gangs, dirty government officials, drug sellers and a major actor in the hierarchy of criminal activity in the city. Beating, threats, conflicts with the police pave the way to the answer he was searching for.
September 25, 2021
Entertaining
I've been to San Francisco once for a weekend to Fisherman's Wharf. So I don't know San Francisco at all. This is like a travelogue of the city. Not at all annoying in the descriptions. Which are a big part of the story. The writing is good, the characters for the most part very good friends of His and you get the gist of them. I thought I knew who had committed the act, I was correct, but the journey He went on to get the answer was entertaining. As it should be. A couple of mistakes with names but not a big deal.
I've been to San Francisco once for a weekend to Fisherman's Wharf. So I don't know San Francisco at all. This is like a travelogue of the city. Not at all annoying in the descriptions. Which are a big part of the story. The writing is good, the characters for the most part very good friends of His and you get the gist of them. I thought I knew who had committed the act, I was correct, but the journey He went on to get the answer was entertaining. As it should be. A couple of mistakes with names but not a big deal.
December 16, 2021
Exciting
Not a dull paragraph in this one. Lots of readers gush about "page-turners" but this book really is! If you like mysteries this one will leave your mind bone weary trying to figure it out, trying to tie the clues together. Just when you think you have it all figured out...surprise! You don't. Try again...right up to the last chapter. Don't miss a wonderfully written and engaging story.
Not a dull paragraph in this one. Lots of readers gush about "page-turners" but this book really is! If you like mysteries this one will leave your mind bone weary trying to figure it out, trying to tie the clues together. Just when you think you have it all figured out...surprise! You don't. Try again...right up to the last chapter. Don't miss a wonderfully written and engaging story.
December 8, 2025
An Enjoyable Read
I’m looking forward to more by this author. A small comment: fat too many characters introduced in the early pages of this book had three-letter names or nicknames (including the protagonist), this made it not only a bit difficult to keep characters straight, but also made the protagonist’s first name eminently forgettable. It was a three-letter names or nicknames in a small grove of three-letter names😉.
I’m looking forward to more by this author. A small comment: fat too many characters introduced in the early pages of this book had three-letter names or nicknames (including the protagonist), this made it not only a bit difficult to keep characters straight, but also made the protagonist’s first name eminently forgettable. It was a three-letter names or nicknames in a small grove of three-letter names😉.
January 22, 2020
interesting easy read. Good description of environment and major characters. Character described as a bit shallow - attachments between them seemed predominately physical. Plot was well done. Killer kept in background although Plank visited killer often for reasons that didn't seem very important.
June 30, 2020
Gangs, missing people, hippies
An exciting mystery based in San Francisco, starring a sort of private detective who lives on a houseboat on Fisherman's Wharf. His case begins when a young girl who is a skateboard and Rubic's Cube whiz asks him to find her missing sister. Many characters later, the murderer is a complete surprise.
An exciting mystery based in San Francisco, starring a sort of private detective who lives on a houseboat on Fisherman's Wharf. His case begins when a young girl who is a skateboard and Rubic's Cube whiz asks him to find her missing sister. Many characters later, the murderer is a complete surprise.
February 3, 2026
Not a bad book, just not my cup of tea.
What did bug me was, early on, Frankie made a point of telling Max that her sister's computer was an Acer. Later, when they found the computer, it was a Mac Air.
Aha! Another computer in the mix that the whole plot might hinge on?
Nope, just a careless continuity error.
Bummer.
What did bug me was, early on, Frankie made a point of telling Max that her sister's computer was an Acer. Later, when they found the computer, it was a Mac Air.
Aha! Another computer in the mix that the whole plot might hinge on?
Nope, just a careless continuity error.
Bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 21, 2018
Good
This is a good book, just not my cup of tea. There were a few editorial issues, not many, (easily overlooked) but way too much description of places and people and movements and just not enough action for me.
This is a good book, just not my cup of tea. There were a few editorial issues, not many, (easily overlooked) but way too much description of places and people and movements and just not enough action for me.
June 19, 2019
Story with authenticity and pacing
The pacing of this story makes it an easy read with likeable, believable characters. I will have to find more books of this series to see if character development continues.
The pacing of this story makes it an easy read with likeable, believable characters. I will have to find more books of this series to see if character development continues.
June 23, 2019
A good thriller book interesting characters and plot.
I r seemed to have lagged in the middle but picked up again towards the end. Very good ending. I would read another book. By this author.
I r seemed to have lagged in the middle but picked up again towards the end. Very good ending. I would read another book. By this author.
July 4, 2019
Good Mystery
A really good mystery with characters that hold your interest. It has danger, romance and a good twist to the "whodunit". Will definitely read more about Max Plank and his merry compatriots.
A really good mystery with characters that hold your interest. It has danger, romance and a good twist to the "whodunit". Will definitely read more about Max Plank and his merry compatriots.
July 23, 2019
Shares of Mcgee
Enjoyed this book immensely, started out by thinking that this was a Travis Mcgee redux, albeit in the West coast.
Continued and got into the character as he really is. Totally enjoyable with an ending i did not see coming. Good job Mr Bucchianeri!
Enjoyed this book immensely, started out by thinking that this was a Travis Mcgee redux, albeit in the West coast.
Continued and got into the character as he really is. Totally enjoyable with an ending i did not see coming. Good job Mr Bucchianeri!
July 25, 2019
A cocky investigator, his charming neighbors, and a missing young woman.
Very disappointing. Read the first chapter, skip all the others, and read the last chapter. Nothing happens. The author spends more time describing his characters, and scenes, but there is no story.
Very disappointing. Read the first chapter, skip all the others, and read the last chapter. Nothing happens. The author spends more time describing his characters, and scenes, but there is no story.
August 19, 2019
Excellent story teller.
Excellent storytelling. Hard to put down even to go to the restroom. His character creation is amazing. The characters jump off the page and into your heart. I hope his other books are as good. I am hooked.
Excellent storytelling. Hard to put down even to go to the restroom. His character creation is amazing. The characters jump off the page and into your heart. I hope his other books are as good. I am hooked.
September 3, 2019
Good read
Max is an interesting character but sometimes confusing to follow. All in all it was a pretty good book but I didn't like the profanity. It had a surprise ending that I didn't see coming.
Max is an interesting character but sometimes confusing to follow. All in all it was a pretty good book but I didn't like the profanity. It had a surprise ending that I didn't see coming.
September 30, 2019
There was entirely too much description of all the shady characters Planck knew instead of developing the story. I waded through it but never really engaged because the real players in the story were never involved. No cat would drink almond milk. Poor cat, only mentioned twice and still got the title. Misleading
October 5, 2019
Dang good book!
A surprisingly good whodunit with a lead character who seems to be a cross between Reacher & Travis McGee. I don't often read mystery type books, and even less so enjoy them, but this was an excellent read and I will be reading more from this author.
A surprisingly good whodunit with a lead character who seems to be a cross between Reacher & Travis McGee. I don't often read mystery type books, and even less so enjoy them, but this was an excellent read and I will be reading more from this author.
February 1, 2020
A light entertaining read. I felt it did borrow too much from other series that came before it, especially Robert Crais and Robert B. Parker. Otherwise, the characters are enjoyable, and there were several red herrings that diverted from the real kidnapper. It's a solid first book though.
June 23, 2020
Here’s to Stray Cat Blues
Robert put together an interesting blend of fact, fiction, and imagination that the the story moving. At times it was hard put it down. A strange cast of characters made for a great read.
Robert put together an interesting blend of fact, fiction, and imagination that the the story moving. At times it was hard put it down. A strange cast of characters made for a great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews