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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!

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2020

340 people are currently reading
180 people want to read

About the author

Nic Saint

274 books314 followers
Sign 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
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5 stars
415 (68%)
4 stars
143 (23%)
3 stars
44 (7%)
2 stars
7 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
4,417 reviews43 followers
August 10, 2022
“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.

Profile Image for LE Eastman.
279 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Catherine.
487 reviews
April 6, 2020
A Family Affair

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
59 reviews
April 8, 2020
Another wonderful story

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.
40 reviews
October 4, 2024
Purrfectly By the Book

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!
209 reviews1 follower
April 3, 2020
Max Mysteries #21

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 !
1,376 reviews13 followers
April 14, 2020
Loved this newest addition to the Max mysteries!

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!!!!
Profile Image for Karen-Leigh.
3,011 reviews25 followers
July 31, 2020
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.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
443 reviews
July 26, 2022
Gods and followers!

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!!!
130 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2022
New Doctor

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
403 reviews1 follower
June 1, 2024
just another cat story

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.
1,031 reviews
March 4, 2025
A cult, a new doctor, and a murder

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.
26 reviews
October 8, 2025
Another roller coaster ride with Max

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.
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
630 reviews2 followers
April 2, 2020
Good book

Talking cats who help solve a murder, family discord and a mysterious cult, all up to an enjoyable cozy mystery
Profile Image for Jan Sjostrand.
521 reviews2 followers
April 12, 2020
Review

Love Max as a detective . The way that they all work together with their humans and other animals is great. Easy read with just a enough twists.
276 reviews
Read
March 9, 2021
Perfect Saint

I wish I could talk to my pet's. They could tell me they hurt or sick. These book is a good read.
Profile Image for Jessica.
1,011 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!!
94 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2022
another good one

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😁😁
451 reviews3 followers
July 31, 2022
Good read

Good read. A simple and cute story with a cast of cats. I recommend especially if you are a cat fan.
1,038 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2022
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.
589 reviews
May 12, 2024
Another fine addition to the series

The characters are wonderful and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is good. The humor is great.
1,415 reviews9 followers
September 29, 2024
Who killed Jaqulyn and why??? Before Jaqulyn he was the big cheese??? I enjoyed tjis story and reccomended the book.
Profile Image for Nadine.
833 reviews9 followers
May 12, 2025
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 :)
Profile Image for Sarah Kelsey.
465 reviews17 followers
July 15, 2025
A woman talks to cats and solves mysteries.

Great idea. Okay execution. Maybe the other books in the series are better. This just wasn't my vibe, but I am sure this series has some fans.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

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