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The Mysteries of Max #8
Purrfect Secret
R.I.P.ped From The Headlines When Dick Dickerson, notorious editor of the National Star, is found drowned in duck dung, the investigation quickly gets mired down when trying to figure out who’s behind the attack on the tabloid kingpin. Politicians, movie stars and captains of industry consistently found themselves in Dickerson’s crosshairs, but who would stoop so low as murder? While Odelia Poole and Detective Chase Kingsley conduct their investigation, Odelia’s cat coterie is up in arms when a newcomer turns the peaceful town of Hampton Cove into a soap opera of gossip, scandal and secrets. Soon the ‘Fab Four’ (Max, Dooley, Harriet and Brutus) are duking it out, their friendship in ruins, Max’s reputation in tatters. It doesn’t help that Grandma Muffin is waging a personal vendetta against her son-in-law’s new receptionist Scarlett Canyon, determined to get rid of her long-time nemesis once and for all. Against the backdrop of all this bickering, backstabbing and strife, is it any wonder Max starts to wonder if Dickerson’s killer will be the one that got away?
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2019
490 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Nic Saint
269 books312 followersSign up for Nic's newsletter for news, releases and giveaways: nicsaint.com/newsletter
Nic has a background in political science and before being struck by the writing bug worked odd jobs around the world (including but not limited to massage therapist in Mexico, gardener in Italy, restaurant manager in India, and Berlitz teacher in Belgium).
When he’s not writing he enjoys curling up with a good (comic) book, watching British crime dramas, French comedies or Nancy Meyers movies, sampling pastry (apple cake!), pasta and chocolate (preferably the dark variety), twisting himself into a pretzel doing morning yoga, going for a run, and spoiling his big red tomcat Tommy.
He lives with his wife (and aforementioned cat) in a small village smack dab in the middle of absolutely nowhere and is probably writing his next ‘Mysteries of Max’ book right now.
www.nicsaint.com
www.facebook.com/nicsaintauthor
www.twitter.com/nicsaintauthor
Nic has a background in political science and before being struck by the writing bug worked odd jobs around the world (including but not limited to massage therapist in Mexico, gardener in Italy, restaurant manager in India, and Berlitz teacher in Belgium).
When he’s not writing he enjoys curling up with a good (comic) book, watching British crime dramas, French comedies or Nancy Meyers movies, sampling pastry (apple cake!), pasta and chocolate (preferably the dark variety), twisting himself into a pretzel doing morning yoga, going for a run, and spoiling his big red tomcat Tommy.
He lives with his wife (and aforementioned cat) in a small village smack dab in the middle of absolutely nowhere and is probably writing his next ‘Mysteries of Max’ book right now.
www.nicsaint.com
www.facebook.com/nicsaintauthor
www.twitter.com/nicsaintauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 15, 2019
Downslope
These are normally a cute story combined with a little mystery and some relevant - if slightly modified - current pop culture references. This one falls short on all fronts. Milo's antics were just an annoyance, the murder had very little to go on and just sort of forced a wrap up, and the blatant Donald Trump parody wasn't very well done. Not terrible, but weak compared to last books.
These are normally a cute story combined with a little mystery and some relevant - if slightly modified - current pop culture references. This one falls short on all fronts. Milo's antics were just an annoyance, the murder had very little to go on and just sort of forced a wrap up, and the blatant Donald Trump parody wasn't very well done. Not terrible, but weak compared to last books.
December 2, 2023
Odelia and Max are on the case again when Dick Dickerson, editor of the notorious National Star is murdered, drowned in duck poop. While Odelia and Detective Chase Kingsley pursue leads, Max is bogged down dealing with cat drama. Milo, the cat that Odelia is watching for a neighbor, has been spreading lies and gossip and turning the cats against one another. Odelia's investigation also gets pushed aside when Otto Paunch, good friend of the President, continues to call her and insist she print glowing stories about the President. Without any cohesive cooperation, this may be the crime that proves too much for Max and Odelia to handle.
Good. Grief. This story was awful. The author has used (and re-used) the plot device of a cat being a jerk and driving a wedge between Max and his friends, and I'm frankly weary of it. First Brutus, then Diego, now Milo. Give all of us a break, please. The story was devoted more to the cat drama than the investigation. In addition, Odelia's grandmother, Vesta, was even more of a twat than usual in this one. When done correctly, a feisty senior citizen provides comic relief. Done incorrectly, however, said senior citizen is simply annoying. Vesta acts like an unsavory cross between a bratty toddler and a melodramatic tween mean girl. I don't find her funny at all. Finally, we had the gem of Odelia leaving her phone at home and later getting another call from Paunch. If a casual reader caught that, why didn't a competent editor catch it?
This was, by far, my least favorite in this series. The story was a mess, and I found reading it to be far more aggravating than entertaining. One star.
Good. Grief. This story was awful. The author has used (and re-used) the plot device of a cat being a jerk and driving a wedge between Max and his friends, and I'm frankly weary of it. First Brutus, then Diego, now Milo. Give all of us a break, please. The story was devoted more to the cat drama than the investigation. In addition, Odelia's grandmother, Vesta, was even more of a twat than usual in this one. When done correctly, a feisty senior citizen provides comic relief. Done incorrectly, however, said senior citizen is simply annoying. Vesta acts like an unsavory cross between a bratty toddler and a melodramatic tween mean girl. I don't find her funny at all. Finally, we had the gem of Odelia leaving her phone at home and later getting another call from Paunch. If a casual reader caught that, why didn't a competent editor catch it?
This was, by far, my least favorite in this series. The story was a mess, and I found reading it to be far more aggravating than entertaining. One star.
July 15, 2020
This one is a take off on Trump and his aider and abettor National Enquirer and all the buried secrets. A particularly apt but weird death. A large part of this book had the cats separated from Odelia and fighting amongst themselves as a fifth cat is lying (like Trump) and dividing and conquering. That stuff went on a little too long for my liking and all the cats kept falling for the lies even after they knew what he was doing and that he lied. Also, the fact that they could not expose him or come together and tell Odelia about Milo's actions because 'she would not believe them' just makes Odelia a really really dumb broad in my eyes. I do not like my heroines to be stupid in any area and this woman who can 'talk to cats' should have better insight into them and more understanding and trust in her own four animals but every time she takes in another stray and trouble rises...it is always her own cat's fault because they are 'jealous' and must work it out on their own. Bullshit. I am getting a bit tired of that trope. Besides all that...I am so sick of Trump that even a book that ridicules him and points out his failings and highlights his tricks...just turns me off. I hope the next book is better.
February 17, 2019
This one tried too hard to be a political satire and failed miserably. It takes a deft hand to lampoon a buffoon! This author used a sledge hammer. Odelia is supposed to be smart, so why did she fail to fact check all that unbelieveable info from an unknown source? And she is way too passive in dealing with her way too aggressive grandmother. I skipped through all the granny melodrama!
Even the parallel world of the cats was a fail. I'm tired of the constant introduction of a new cat who causes the original triumvirate to turn against each other. Cats are smarter than that. Everything in this book was literally covered in duck poop or cat poop.
Even the parallel world of the cats was a fail. I'm tired of the constant introduction of a new cat who causes the original triumvirate to turn against each other. Cats are smarter than that. Everything in this book was literally covered in duck poop or cat poop.
July 25, 2022
Not the best in the series. The Trump parody was amusing, but overdone. Odelia not checking facts and taking a mysterious source at face value diminished her worth as a journalist and put her in the intellect category of Stephanie Plum. This is the third story of a bully cat coming into the household and becoming the alpha cat, becoming rather formulaic. The cats I've had the pleasure to know would not be so naive. Grandma's reaction to her enemy taking over the job that she quit was also overdone.
February 4, 2019
I love this series. I love how the cats and their owner can talk to and understand each other. I love the laugh out loud moments in each book. Of course the cats have personalities that match some of your own cats or people you may know. Each book has a very unique way that somebody is murdered. Also it has at least one character in each book that you will recognize from public life. This time in particular President Van Wilcox. Granted in a series not every book is great, some are okay. For me the books in this series does not disappoint and I always look forward to the next installment. Keep up the good work, husband and wife duo Nic Saint.
December 18, 2023
This book is all the more terrifying to look back on it from this many years into its future. I’m sure it started out to be the same kind of parody of the pop culture behind it as the other books in the series. But it’s not quite as funny living in the world that kind of rampant misinformation has created. But, I still love Max, and I’m still (for the most part) loving his faithful sidekicks – feline and human, and I’m already itching to find out what shenanigans they’re going to get into next.
January 19, 2019
Now this was a really fun read!!
What a brilliant story line! There were
so many similarities between the characters
here and what's going on in the political
world today. Only in a funny way in the
book. I loved the President's character, Wilcox.
Also the Alex Baldwin character. It was easy
to pick out some of the political stuff going
on today with some of the scenes mentioned
in the story line. It was hilarious!
Also wasn't a great fan of Milo, but at least it
all worked out in the end.
These mysteries are fantastic!! This one had me
laughing nearly the whole time. Especially the
worm/poop thing with Mac's friend. Great book!!
What a brilliant story line! There were
so many similarities between the characters
here and what's going on in the political
world today. Only in a funny way in the
book. I loved the President's character, Wilcox.
Also the Alex Baldwin character. It was easy
to pick out some of the political stuff going
on today with some of the scenes mentioned
in the story line. It was hilarious!
Also wasn't a great fan of Milo, but at least it
all worked out in the end.
These mysteries are fantastic!! This one had me
laughing nearly the whole time. Especially the
worm/poop thing with Mac's friend. Great book!!
February 14, 2019
Loved it, had me laughing at all the similarities to the political parallels going on today. Milo's habitual lying to create chaos in order to deflect attention from himself was a very creative way to show how stressful and chaotic this problem really is in reality. Have to say the analysis of why he became that way was sooooo insightful and seems so accurate, it left me in awe, appreciating your intent in writing this book. That is some good writing, thank you for going there. Creating empathy for a corrupt President with this emotional wounding in a humorous book deserves ten stars and a Humanitarian Award. Wish that was enough to solve the corruption problem as well. Indictments and impeachment are still needed to clear the office, as the Office of the Present needs to held up to the highest standards of integrity. But we can all show empathy and compassion for the person holding that office who is so wounded that it corrupted him. Those are two distinct things. Political Resistance is not personal, it is "We the People" demanding integrity in the person elected to the highest calling in our country. Thank you are writing this book. May it impact every person who reads it to open their heart to have empathy for personal suffering. And may it bring a laugh or a thousand to everyone who reads this topical story.
January 5, 2019
Discord all around
Another great read. Love this series. Great plot and a few nice twists along the way. The characters just keep getting better from the manipulations of Vesta to the sheer naivety of Dolley (he is such a sweet innocent).
A man killed by getting trapped in a safe and the drowning in duck poop. Vesta leaving home to take up residence with Olivia (and to ruin her love life). A temporary boarder cat that takes delight in pitting cat against cat. Who wanted the man dead? What happened to all his blackmail files? As Olivia and Tate investigate they find a variety of people that shed no tears for the murdered man. How will they find the killer? Vesta is out to get Tex to apologise but so far she hit zero. He's taken on a new receptionist and he's happy with his more peaceful household. The cats are at each others throats until Max gets wise to the lies. Will the others believe him? Can the cats help with the case even though the trust seems to have gone between them? Will the killer be caught? Will the liar have to face the truth?
Another great read. Love this series. Great plot and a few nice twists along the way. The characters just keep getting better from the manipulations of Vesta to the sheer naivety of Dolley (he is such a sweet innocent).
A man killed by getting trapped in a safe and the drowning in duck poop. Vesta leaving home to take up residence with Olivia (and to ruin her love life). A temporary boarder cat that takes delight in pitting cat against cat. Who wanted the man dead? What happened to all his blackmail files? As Olivia and Tate investigate they find a variety of people that shed no tears for the murdered man. How will they find the killer? Vesta is out to get Tex to apologise but so far she hit zero. He's taken on a new receptionist and he's happy with his more peaceful household. The cats are at each others throats until Max gets wise to the lies. Will the others believe him? Can the cats help with the case even though the trust seems to have gone between them? Will the killer be caught? Will the liar have to face the truth?
February 8, 2022
Milo, a new cat on the street that Odelia is taking care of while his owner is away. is riling up the cats in town with his lies, turning them all against each other and even trying to replace Max in Odelia's affections.
The editor of a scandal sheet is murdered in an extremely creative and vindictive way - he drowns when his walk in safe is filled with duck poop and a picture of a rose is left in the safe. The cats are so busy fighting each other that they have little time to spend solving the murder.
An amusing aside is when someone claiming to be the POTUS's best friend keeps calling Amelia with ridiculous tips. His speech pattern is very familiar and suspicious, simple language with lots of repetition. Odelia is excited to visit the president at his Hamptons estate, Lago-a-Oceano. Could the president have ordered a hit on the scandal sheet editor? After all, his secrets are starting to come out and some of his formerly loyal followers are turning against him. Sound familiar? :)
The editor of a scandal sheet is murdered in an extremely creative and vindictive way - he drowns when his walk in safe is filled with duck poop and a picture of a rose is left in the safe. The cats are so busy fighting each other that they have little time to spend solving the murder.
An amusing aside is when someone claiming to be the POTUS's best friend keeps calling Amelia with ridiculous tips. His speech pattern is very familiar and suspicious, simple language with lots of repetition. Odelia is excited to visit the president at his Hamptons estate, Lago-a-Oceano. Could the president have ordered a hit on the scandal sheet editor? After all, his secrets are starting to come out and some of his formerly loyal followers are turning against him. Sound familiar? :)
July 31, 2024
This series just keeps getting worse by the book. The author should have stopped long ago. The story was terrible, the interaction between the cats was horrid, and the continued grammar, and plot errors are annoying. So many mistakes in changes of characters to the wrong one, missing words, wrong words, and just plain poorly edited making it frustrating to read at times. Top all that off with the worst and most predictable story yet, and the one thing the other books had that this seems lacking is the strong hints of pop culture, which was very limited in this book, My enthusiasm for finishing the series is dwindling.
February 25, 2019
Purrfect Secret
What could be better than finding a tabloid editor drowned in duck poop? Investigating and finding the killers of course!
It seems that the editor had a number of files relating to the rich and famous.
Odelia Poole is cat sitting a cat with the wits of a survivor, as he manipulates the cat population of Hampton Cove into a true "hissy" fit.
I love this series and hope you do also. While you don't have to read the books in order, it will give you a better understanding of the relationships of the various characters
What could be better than finding a tabloid editor drowned in duck poop? Investigating and finding the killers of course!
It seems that the editor had a number of files relating to the rich and famous.
Odelia Poole is cat sitting a cat with the wits of a survivor, as he manipulates the cat population of Hampton Cove into a true "hissy" fit.
I love this series and hope you do also. While you don't have to read the books in order, it will give you a better understanding of the relationships of the various characters
September 27, 2021
Purfect Secret
I love cozy mysteries and I love cats. Nice Saint writes really good cozy mysteries about cats and their humans who can speak and talk cat language. Odelia,her cat Max and the other 3 cats in her family help Chase(police detective and Odelia's significant other)solve murder mysteries. I love this author's books. I can count on a great mystery and an occasional laugh. I have read several of Nic's books and have several more in my TBR pile. I recommend this book to everyone who likes mystery, an occasional laugh and a clean read.
I love cozy mysteries and I love cats. Nice Saint writes really good cozy mysteries about cats and their humans who can speak and talk cat language. Odelia,her cat Max and the other 3 cats in her family help Chase(police detective and Odelia's significant other)solve murder mysteries. I love this author's books. I can count on a great mystery and an occasional laugh. I have read several of Nic's books and have several more in my TBR pile. I recommend this book to everyone who likes mystery, an occasional laugh and a clean read.
February 7, 2024
This book was a chore to get through. I really really want to like this series, I mean Cats as the main characters, come on! YES! But the the fact that the writers don't seem to be keeping very good track of their own story lines in their own books is quite depressing. Plus the base story line seems to be the same from book to book. It all breaks down to the humans are incompetent and can't solve anything without max, but max has to overcome whatever lying/bulling cat has popped into this particular story.
April 10, 2019
This Book Is a 10+! It Is Simply The Best!!!
Even if you haven't read a Mac mystery yet, please read this one! I haven't enjoyed anything as much as this one. The author's sense of humor is at its best! Just one word of warning. If you like a certain manning government and behave no sense of humor, skip this book as it's not for you!
The storyline is truly epic and with all the twists and turns, I had a truly hard time putting it down. On to book 9! 😍
Even if you haven't read a Mac mystery yet, please read this one! I haven't enjoyed anything as much as this one. The author's sense of humor is at its best! Just one word of warning. If you like a certain manning government and behave no sense of humor, skip this book as it's not for you!
The storyline is truly epic and with all the twists and turns, I had a truly hard time putting it down. On to book 9! 😍
September 5, 2024
Slightly Annoying.
Pros of this story are the mystery, the humour, some of the felines' scenes and the utterly brilliant banter about the president!
Cons are Vesta and Milo that have single handedly forced me to put down the book and take a break more than once.
This is not one of the best productions of Nic Saint, with characters forced into uncharacteristic behaviours, forced situations and bad continuity.
Hopefully he recovered with the next installment.
Pros of this story are the mystery, the humour, some of the felines' scenes and the utterly brilliant banter about the president!
Cons are Vesta and Milo that have single handedly forced me to put down the book and take a break more than once.
This is not one of the best productions of Nic Saint, with characters forced into uncharacteristic behaviours, forced situations and bad continuity.
Hopefully he recovered with the next installment.
February 14, 2019
More Max, please
The Mysteries of Max #8 continues the saga of Hampton Cove’s feline force. With hilarious riffs on characters who resemble those in current events, Nic Saint’s stories are consistently fun to read. Whether you like, love or are indifferent to cats, this motley crew will put a smile on your face.
The Mysteries of Max #8 continues the saga of Hampton Cove’s feline force. With hilarious riffs on characters who resemble those in current events, Nic Saint’s stories are consistently fun to read. Whether you like, love or are indifferent to cats, this motley crew will put a smile on your face.
March 23, 2020
Love this series but not the fightE
All of this series are the best uplifting and fun mysteries! However, I really liked this one least. I guess my love for the family of cats was deeper than I expected. I really did not enjoy the introduction of Milo and all the destruction of the family. This was a most stressful read.😣
All of this series are the best uplifting and fun mysteries! However, I really liked this one least. I guess my love for the family of cats was deeper than I expected. I really did not enjoy the introduction of Milo and all the destruction of the family. This was a most stressful read.😣
July 14, 2023
Another good book
The characters are precious. You are reminded of things we often forget that we all have different stories to tell. Milo is now a favorite. Dooley is so funny and Max is so wise. I just love the books I will follow these characters through the last book. Well into book 9.
Thank you Nick Saint
The characters are precious. You are reminded of things we often forget that we all have different stories to tell. Milo is now a favorite. Dooley is so funny and Max is so wise. I just love the books I will follow these characters through the last book. Well into book 9.
Thank you Nick Saint
June 24, 2019
Good mystery
I loved these mysteries and still like the characters,especially the grandmother, but you lost me as a reader when you inserted politics. I read to clear my mind of all the hatem
I loved these mysteries and still like the characters,especially the grandmother, but you lost me as a reader when you inserted politics. I read to clear my mind of all the hatem
October 1, 2019
Maybe people should be careful who or what. they leave their pets home with. A lonesome pet can easily break up a group of bff without even trying. Oh, the duck poop? I did enjoy the story and recommend the book.
August 29, 2021
An enjoyable story
Another Max story with lots of fun and games amongst the cats. Gran was entertaining and feisty as usual, but disturbing Ophelia 's love life. The characters were skilfully crafted to provide the suspense and intrigue that runs throughout this book.
Another Max story with lots of fun and games amongst the cats. Gran was entertaining and feisty as usual, but disturbing Ophelia 's love life. The characters were skilfully crafted to provide the suspense and intrigue that runs throughout this book.
May 3, 2022
Max dun. IT agin
Whether it's finding killers or solving mysteries with all his gang of buddies, he delivers plenty of entertainment and enjoyment. The human element with Cordela and Chase's romance is pretty cool too. Grann
Whether it's finding killers or solving mysteries with all his gang of buddies, he delivers plenty of entertainment and enjoyment. The human element with Cordela and Chase's romance is pretty cool too. Grann
February 16, 2024
Too good to be true.
There was too much Milo in this story. There was too much deceit I'm part of the cats. Going to take a rest on this series. I didn't enjoy Milo at will pick up in time again I'm sure Nick has some better stories.
There was too much Milo in this story. There was too much deceit I'm part of the cats. Going to take a rest on this series. I didn't enjoy Milo at will pick up in time again I'm sure Nick has some better stories.
April 30, 2024
This installment improved over the last one because there wasn't a lot of sex for sex sake. I was happy about that. I enjoyed this one. It was fun and funny. It seemed a bit longer than previous installments. Looking forward to my next one in this series.
May 3, 2024
Another great addition to the series.
The characters are fantastic and quirky. The plot is twisty. The world building is great. These books have a lot of humor in them. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
The characters are fantastic and quirky. The plot is twisty. The world building is great. These books have a lot of humor in them. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
July 3, 2025
Not the best of the books imo. Elements similar to a previous storyline were a bit annoying. The family storyline seemed to take up more of the book than the actual mystery. Hopefully the next book will get back on track
March 4, 2021
Perfect Secret
If you love cats. Or a dog person that likes cats. You well love these books. Another good, funny read.
If you love cats. Or a dog person that likes cats. You well love these books. Another good, funny read.
March 7, 2021
Just a highly entertaining read.
I found this writer & Max a few years ago so enjoyed his books .
Relaxing & amusing a cat lovers read . Max will win your heart so enjoy 😊❤️
I found this writer & Max a few years ago so enjoyed his books .
Relaxing & amusing a cat lovers read . Max will win your heart so enjoy 😊❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews