When Grandma Muffin announced she’d found religion, and started recruiting followers for her new church, I just figured it was par for the course. After all, Gran has always had an eccentric streak. But when Harriet decided to follow in Gran’s footsteps and teach us all about the meaning of life, it got my attention. And so it happened that the whole family headed downtown one night to attend their first Soul Science gathering, meeting Masters Omar and Sharif, the church’s charismatic leaders.
Tex, meanwhile, was facing some problems of his own. A handsome young doctor had moved in across the street and had set up his office, and Tex’s patients were changing doctors in droves, leaving Odelia’s dad close to despair. There was something very peculiar about this new doctor, though, and it wasn’t just that everyone was so crazy about him.
Soon we were all searching for the meaning of life and happiness, the location of our souls, and how to make this world a better place. And so when tragedy struck, it’s safe to say we were ill-prepared. I like to think that the events that unfolded made us all more spiritual, though. They certainly forced us to dig deep and look for our inner sleuths!
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.
“What was I supposed to do? The man simply left me no choice!” Too many suspects!!! In spite of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and highly recommend the book.
I would have given it a much better rating except the writers focus so much on the crazy characters that they loose the mystery.
I love Max and the cats solving the mysteries but the crazy grandma and the soap opera drama between female cats is actually detracting from the story. I actually think it is rather sexist and wonder if the male of the writing team writes those parts. Females are capable of getting along in this world.
The mystery in this one was quite good but felt rushed because the writers spent so much time on how to top the craziness of the grandma and female cat characters.
I would have enjoyed it a bit better if they focused on the solving of the case, getting clues, bringing in the new cat mystery solvers. We have seen these cats before but they have not solved mysteries with them. Would that change the dynamic?
I really have to put in that I do not like the Vesta Muffin grandmother character. If the grandma was that crazy she would be institutionalized. I find her annoying and really unrealistic. I had a grandmother that was wild and a bit out of the norm but this one takes the cake. At her age she would know better on some of these behaviors. I am not a conservative person by any means but normal people do not act this crazy.
Oh no! Gran's got religion. Or is it a cult? Still, she drags the whole family to Master Omar's Soul Science meeting, all in the name of being top recruiter. There's even a cat guru, Master Sharif, for the feline population. Meanwhile, a new doctor has moved in across the street from Tex's office & is stealing his patients by slandering Tex's name.. This slippery, sleazy doc moves in on the Soul Science group. Now more people than Tex are upset with Dr. Jaqlyn Jones. So it's not surprising someone will take revenge. But did they have to shove the body in Tex's trunk? Looks like the Poole family will have to investigate on their own to get Tex, out of the hoosegow and the truth of who killed Jaq Jones? Another romp through Hampton Cove where this time the whole Poole clan,feline & human are going to save Tex. And Dooley, at the end, gets the greatest compliments from his BFF, Max that he's ever had.. Read the whole series. Quick reads & you will eagerly wonder how long till the next mysteries of Max. So sign up for their own mailing list to get notified ,noy only on Max mysteries but oll of their different but equally great reads
I'm so happy that I started the Mysteries of Max at the very beginning. Every time a new book comes out it's like visiting old friends all over again. And I meet new ones with almost every new tale. When it seemed Nic Saint had come up with almost every storyline without becoming too absurd, there comes another one. What does Soul Science have to offer their little corner of the world? I'd say a rollercoaster ride. How many of the townsfolk with become followers? Why are the cats there? Does the happy, peaceful guidance to higher ideals lead to serenity among the participants? Who gets murdered? How does Tex get arrested for the death? Is it Max and his crew who flush out the killer this time? A crazy but enjoyable read. This is an enjoyable story if you're looking for a quick read but I always recommend beginning with the first book and reading through. Absolutely wonderful series.
Since I began reading books with feline characters, I have gained insight into the differences between cats and dogs. Life is amazing when you have a pet to share it with. The plot of a cult appearing in their small town caused lots of people to become involved and many others to question the motives of their neighbors. The "usual suspects" caused the cats to look closely at everyone around them. Bless Dooley for keeping us grounded in the good thing!
I love the characters in this series! Many times, a series this long will become redundant BUT NOT this one! The plots are well thought through and the characters have depth. This episode has the Pools in contact with a cult. Tex is accused of murder. The leader of the cult brings all of the suspects together for a "show and tell" type of confession. Everyone is surprised. A very good read for one of my favorite cats: Max !
Enjoyed this immensely! Always a great read with this series. There's not much more I can say about the Max mysteries. They're fantastic and captivating and entertaining. Absolutely one of the best cat detective series that I read. Always look forward to each and every book. Keep 'em coming and I'll keep reading them!!!!
Okay, Tex arrested for murder and his entire family, including the cats, immediately believes he did it..that just plain rings wrong. Everyone assumes he did it except his mother-in-law Vesta and so they investigate and find the true culprit. The guru loses his followers and so does his cat guru. He is a good man, not a con artist and so he joins the church to run the Alcoholics Anonymous and the cat joins the choir.
Book21 of Max the Amazing cat and Odelia his human. Another delight - full of all ou favourite cats and humans. A cult grows making the whole town into deep religion but the of course there is a murder. This is a real problem as there're, any who could have " done it" Great story as always- onward to adventure 22!!!
When a new doctor came to town . Tex felt threatened he was losing his patients. Then with a social group with enriching your soul. This brought anger through the inner circle. And of course a murder with the local doctor be the best suspect
This wasn’t as involved with the cats as some of the other books, but still an ok book. It definitely had suspense about who killed the doctor, but in the end, things worked out like they were meant to do.
A new doctor is taking patients from Tex, so when the lying, backstabbing doctor is murdered, suspicion falls on Tex. The group has to solve the case, in their usual humorous way.
I love how each chapter is filled with so much action. With his calm assertive ways Max helps keep everything together … until it appears everything is falling apart.
Great book Nic. Boy can you write the most obnoxious Grandmother. But she really adds a fun dimension to a great story. I am looking forward to the next book😁😁
What a delightful new adventure for Max, his friends and humans! Enough twists and turns that one doesn't immediately figure out the killer. It could use a bit of proofreading toward the end.
I think these books get better and better!! Actually laughed out loud . And I can usually guess 80% of the time who it is but this one had me stumped. Happy Reading :)