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Paws of the Dead

I was suffering from a slight case of ennui when I came upon the perfect solution: a new type of cat kibble that promised to fix my every problem. I probably should have known it was too good to be true, which just goes to show that even a feline who’s been around the block a few times can still be caught by surprise.

What definitely caught me by surprise was Gran’s announcement that she wanted to have another baby—a little brother or sister for Marge and Alec. No, they weren’t too excited about the prospect either. And then of course when that first zombie showed up one night, that’s when the trouble really started.

Am I going too fast? You’re saying I should back up a little? Well, all right, fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you: this story turned out to be a real rollercoaster ride, and put both cats and humans through the ringer. Then again, isn’t that par for the course in Hampton Cove, that lovely small town where danger seems to lurk around every corner?

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 22, 2020

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About the author

Nic Saint

290 books324 followers
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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.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
390 (66%)
4 stars
136 (23%)
3 stars
48 (8%)
2 stars
9 (1%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
1,769 reviews23 followers
August 30, 2022
OH what a well written and comical cozey mystery. Nic Saint has changed things up a bit in this mystery because the loveable characters we've gotten to know and enjoy in this series are investigating a whole different kind of mystery and mayhem. This time Nic Saint has given a different kind of schemer to his mystery and Max , his friends as well as the Pool family are in trouble this time along with the whole town.But one thing hasn't changed because the fabulous plot is still keeping you turning page after page until you unexpected reach an unexpected and exciting conclusion. Acquire " Purrfectly Dead " today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have 😃😊Kat
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
February 22, 2020
The zombie apocalypse, fertility dances and cages

Okay a bit out there but a fun read if very tongue in cheek. Yes the plots seem to be getting sillier but the ending does make sense. We return to our favourite clowder of cats and there human owners.
The cats have been watching commercials for a new cat food and want to be chosen to be part of the new test subjects. Our Chief is in hot water when a resident states she's been chased by a zombie and now all the town thinks he's a pervert. Tex's mother-in-law wants to be the oldest mother and is taking part in a science experiment. Cages, zombies, a town on lock down, army, a science installation and only one person can save them. Will she be able too? Are zombies real?
Nice action throughout, a bit of a farce until the end but an entertaining read.
59 reviews
March 27, 2020
Purrfectly Wonderful

This story is a little different than the others I've read. Max, Dooley, Harriet and Brutus beg Odelia to let them go sample a new kibble. The commercial touts the kibble as mouth watering and better than anything they've ever tasted. Of course there's more to that than meets the eye. Grandma decides to be the oldest mom in the world and had a specialist and film crew to record everything. And BAM! Then things get real. Oh my gosh, the cats are trapped in an experimental laboratory; Odelia, her mom and Chase are rounded up and placed in a containment camp; they don't know where uncle Alec, Dr. Poole or Gran are and I have no idea how everything can possibly work out. Oh yeah, did I mention zombies and con men? Whew! You definitely need to read this book!
Profile Image for Catherine.
496 reviews
March 10, 2020
Maxed out

A bit of a difference in this Max mystery. Has the zombie apocalypse started in Hampton Cove? Max, Dooley, Harriet & Brutus are hankering for the advertised ‘Perfect Pet Food’ & willing to volunteer to try it out. Granny has gone off on another wild escapade, this time determined to be the oldest mother on record by hiring Dr. Zeb Clam, self proclaimed fertility expert. But when zombies start appearing in Hampton Cove, no one is safe, least of all the zombies. Where did they come from & why are they not interested in brains? Odelia is puzzled by what’s happening but the feline foursome can’t help with this adventure.
Profile Image for Karen-Leigh.
3,011 reviews24 followers
July 29, 2020
Scam artists move into town and experiment on the people and the cats of the town. The drugs cause people to turn into zombie look-alikes shambling around town. National Guard comes to town and rounds up all the citizens into a camp. Vesta and Clarissa solve the problem, rescue Odelia's cats and given a chance the drugs wear off and return people to normal. Dooley really is my favourite character along with Max.
6 reviews
August 4, 2022
Excellent series!

I have read the first 20 books in the Mysteries of Max series by Nic Saint, and haven't found a complaint about any of them! Every single one of the books are entertaining and fun, and he (?) Writes the series so we'll, you never for a moment doubt the communication between cat and person. I'm afraid I am gobbling them up like candy and dread the day I catch up with the author!
1,414 reviews13 followers
March 8, 2020
Was a very entertaining Max mystery!

Always want to stay rate these mysteries with
100+ stars. They're so delightful and heartwarming.
All the story lines are extremely riveting and these
books are total page-turners. Usually end up
reading them in one sitting. Can't wait for the next
Max adventure!!!!!
Profile Image for Joanie.
111 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2023
Zombie Apocolypse vs. VESTA!

Another crazy romp of a book with author Nic Saint. This story would make a great French farce type play with a revolving stage or two. Lots of action, lots of characters, new and old, and lots of ridiculousness. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute.
38 reviews
October 3, 2025
A real roller coaster ride…

It is so much fun to have many stories going on at the same time…Max helps keep everything straight … even with all the crookedness … and he keeps you guessing right up to the end 👍🎊
1,663 reviews6 followers
January 12, 2026
I enjoyed this book. They are cute in-between books. I use them when I am waiting for a book to come in from the library. They are kind of silly, but they are light and funny. Who doesn't enjoy books that have cats as their central characters?
12 reviews
February 22, 2026
Purrfectly Dead, Purrfectly enjoyed!

Another entertaining, humorous book from Nic Saint. All his Max books have me laughing & enjoying. On to the next one in the series. Such an imaginative mind the author has!
443 reviews3 followers
February 25, 2020
Crazy, creepy story of the Poole family-another winner!

Zombies, Gran wanting to have a baby and Chief Alex under suspicion of misconduct and a rumor mill gone wild.
47 reviews1 follower
March 15, 2020
Intriguing story

This was the best yet! Loved all the twists and turns bringing the pet food and zombies crooks together. And it was Gran who was the heroine! And Clarice!
72 reviews
May 3, 2020
Zombies?

What PET owner wouldn't like pet food for life? And how funny would it be if a seventy something grandmother could get pregnant, well read on!
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
637 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2020
A walk on the dead side

Zombies and worlds oldest mother along side pet food company scam make for an enjoyable read. Never a dull moment with us cat sleuths
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,014 reviews6 followers
July 2, 2021
Loved it!! Loving this series with it's wonderful cast of characters!! Enjoyable quick read binge worthy cozy mystery series!!
4,417 reviews42 followers
August 10, 2022
Do you believe in Zombies??? Pregnancy for seniors and miracle food for pets??? What could possibly go wrong??? I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
206 reviews4 followers
September 3, 2022
This is a little different than the others I have read in the series, but I enjoyed it. Zombies? False accusations. Animal abuse? Some strange things seem to happen, but they are resolved nicely.
1,073 reviews4 followers
February 15, 2023
The dangers of letting cats watch infomercials! And in some Zombies and you have a fun read.
589 reviews
May 11, 2024
Another wonderful addition to the series.

The characters are fantastic and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is good. The humor is great.
746 reviews1 follower
February 24, 2025
Purrfectly Dead

Ok this story was really far out there. Glad no real Zombies are out there and I hope Max or any of these other pets ever meet them
Profile Image for Nadine.
852 reviews9 followers
May 7, 2025
This was sooooo good!!! I love the whole zombie thing. I have to say this was the funniest stories so far. Max and his crew are hillarious. Can’t wait to read the whole series!!! Happy Reading :)
56 reviews
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January 6, 2023
Anthropomorphic cat drama enlivens these enjoyable if formulaic blends of cozy with a touch of hard boiled mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews