Purrfectly Deadly

The Mysteries of Max #2

by Nic Saint

This feline sleuth is up to his whiskers in murder When famous eighties pop star John Paul George is found floating face down in his pool, Hampton Cove’s premier sleuthing tabby Max and his feline friends are on the case. Soon they’re chasing leads and following clues, helping their human Odelia Poole, reporter for the Hampton Cove Gazette, solve the murder. Meanwhile, new cop in town Chase Kingsley has his own problems to deal with. An old scandal threatens to get him kicked off the force. And even though Odelia and Chase don’t always see eye to eye, she decides to help him clear his name, even if it means keeping Chase’s cat Brutus, Max’s self-declared nemesis, in town. Soon Max is up to his whiskers in drug dealers, boy toys, disgruntled ex-wives and even more drug dealers, all while competing with Brutus for the title of Hampton Cove’s one and only ‘true detective.’ Will the feline sleuths save the day? And will they finally get a taste of John Paul George’s famous cat pâté? Find out in Purrfectly Deadly, the second book in the humorous cat mystery series The Mysteries of Max.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Animals, Cats, Audiobook, Cozy

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2017

About the author

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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Reviews

[Tulay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read.

Max, Dooley, Harriet and Brutus are cat sleuths. They help their humans to solve the murder and be good report. Between them they even take blood oaths. Fast paced cozy mystery, you laugh out loud and wish us humans can talk to our lovable cats and dogs. This is the book for all the cat lovers.

[♛ Garima ♛ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:
4 stars

Cover:
I don't know why the correct cover doesn't show up in here. here is what I got as part of my kindle-unlimited. GoodReads really needs to step up the game.



Trigger:
Dead homosexual rock star - if that would be trigger to anyone.

Short review:

I liked it better than #1. Lots of good stuff happening in this one. Apart from JPG murder investigation, Chase's history is revealed some more and solved a bit.

Not only I like the rockstar but all the rockstar cats as well. I hope all those pate eater cats appear in later series.

Review in image/gif:



Recommended:
Yes

Aftermath: (possible spoilers)

[Mr Francy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS ONLY BOOK 2!!!!!

SERIES PREMISE: In this series we follow Max, a Blorange (Blonde & Orange Mix) cat sleuth, as he works with his friends Dooley, Harriet and Harriet's new boyfriend Brutis.
In this Book: Max's human Ordellia, has an appointment to interview a famous rock and roll star for the paper she writes for. Max is thrilled to be going with her as, rumour is, this star has many cats who eat this amazing food called Pate!
Not long after they arrive, Max and Dooley find the star head first in the pool of his backyard. Objects lying around suggest a party. With the stars boyfriend sleeping in his car out front it doesn't look good. But the more the layers are pulled back on this mystery, the more Max, his friends and his human will learn about the Rock Star.

THOUGHTS: General thought: Given this is book 2 in the series I know it's an early call, but, my goodness do I love this series!!! I think the husband and wife pairing of Nick and Nicole Saint have done an amazing job creating a series about a male cat sleuth.
To my thoughts on this book - there is absolutely nothing I can point out as a con. The mystery was intriguing all the way through (so much to learn about the rock star) and the growth between Max and his enemy-cat Brutis was interesting to see!

Truly a hidden gem of a series that everyone should read!

5 Stars!
xoxo

[Cheryl Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and adorable but could do without the horny grandmother. Cat choir, pate loving cats, cats that talk and solve murders; perfect for cat lovers everywhere. Will definitely be reading more of Max, Dooley and company in the future.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and the gang assist Odelia with the murder of an aging rock star and clearing Chase’s name so he and by default Brutus can stay in town.

[Mary Jane Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this second installment, Max and the rest of the cats collaborate to solve the murder of an aged pop star as well as to clear the name of a framed policeman.

[TnTaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only problem with these books is that the author keeps referring to a pickup as a car.

[Dyana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to read this second book in the series for pure entertainment and as a light-hearted romp rather than take it too seriously. It worked and I liked it better than the first. The one thing I still had a little trouble with was how human the cats sounded. They used words that I, and probably Odelia, didn't know which sent me scurrying to the dictionary. Also, did you know that caterwauling is really cat choirs singing their favorite songs? The story was definitely humorous and sometimes laugh-out-loud funny. It was mainly written from a cat's point of view with plenty of banter and snarky commentaries from the cats and between the humans as well. Odelia uses the cats as her spies in her investigations and can put tracking devices on them in case they get in trouble when they go out on stakeouts!

All the cats we met in the 1st book are back: Max is our eight-year-old orange flabby tabby hero and leader of the group that belongs to human Odelia Poole; Dooley is a beige ragamuffin who is dimwitted and Max's best friend and belongs to Odelia's mom; Brutus is a black cat bully who just moved to town with his owner Chase Kingsley, the new detective in town; Harriet is Odelia's Gran's white Persian who is shallow, empty headed and is dating Brutus; and Clarice is a feral cat who is really observant and scary. Odelia and the Poole women understand and speak feline. Besides being a reporter for the Hampton Cove Gazette, she also helps the sheriff, who is her uncle Alec, investigate and solve crimes. In doing so, she frequently gets herself into trouble or hilarious situations.

The book opens with Max trying to wake up Odelia, because she has an exclusive interview with a famous 80's pop singer, 50-year-old John Paul George AKA JPG. He is now a recluse living in his Hampton Cove mansion, rarely venturing out. He loves cats, has 12 of them, and also rescues stray ones. The main reason that Max and Dooley don't want to miss this interview is that they have heard that JPG's cats are served pate on a daily basis. They want to taste it. Upon arriving at the mansion, they find JPG floating face down in the center of the swimming pool dead. Max begins questioning the cats at the mansion. It turns out that JPG liked to party with booze, dope, and paid boy escorts. Being the number one and only reporter, Odelia can't help but investigate on her own.

The obvious suspect is Jasper Pruce who was JPG's long-suffering partner. They had a fight the night before his death. But there is a plethora of other suspects. And in the end, all suspects don't pan out so who killed JPG? All of this involves a drug supplier named Orville Haggis AKA Donovan Rubb, an ex-wife named Bryony Pistol, her daughter Veronica George, a vial of Australian Funnelweb Spider poison, and the Writer's lodge used for assignations from book #1. The plot becomes somewhat convoluted. Mustn't forget that Gran buys a "sleep aide" from a GHB drug dealer who is selling out of the trunk of his car. Her reaction to the drug wasn't all that funny.

A subplot involves Chase Kingsley who was a NYPD detective before he came to Hampton Cove. A wife of a suspect accused him of molesting her and he lost his job. Chase claimed that the NYPD Commissioner and the wife of the mayor of New York were having an affair and they set up the molestation charge to discredit him and get him fired for gross misconduct. Now Chase's old boss says that, with his reputation, he shouldn't carry a badge in Hampton Cove and wants him fired. Instead, Chase wants to hand in his resignation. Odelia, Brutus and Harriet all vow to clear his name. Max and Dooley aren't so happy about this turn of events as they would like to see Brutus gone. Eventually we find out that this subplot is tied in with the murder in an unusual way.

In the end, it's Clarice the feral cat who breaks the case. But before she will tell the other cats what she saw, she makes them take a blood oath. Poor Dooley! I never guessed who the murderer was. There were the usual twists, turns and a red herring or two. The pacing was also much better than in the 1st book. I say just suspend your concept of reality and enjoy the book.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to believe it's been so long since I visited with Max and his friends. Visiting with Max, Dooley, Harriet, and even interloper Brutus is always a paws-tively frisky adventure. Max lives with Odelia Poole, newspaper reporter at the Hampton Cove Gazette. Dooley lives with Odelia's mom and Harriet lives with Odelia's grandmother. Odelia and the cats are a clever and claw-ver investigative reporting team as Odelia speaks feline. In other words, it's "Doctor Dolittle" time. Although few know of Odelia's secret weapon for her "exclusive scoops" she is lucky to have her Uncle Alec be so accommodating to the felines. Even when Odelia can't be present during some police interrogations the cats can almost make their presence invisible to notice if they are nonchalantly sitting on window sills or standing in a corner of a room. They also love to prowl around town on assignments from Odelia as she is pursuing other leads.

The author's writing is laced with humor and sprinkled throughout the storyline that adds a purr-fect touch to this series. Each tale is a mews-ing to read! Max's description of trying to wake up Odelia was a hoot! Later, during an investigation Max was running to be the hero and

"jumped up onto the trunk, then onto the roof, and grasped the antenna and held on for dear life."

Wondering what Max's exclamation of relief would be when the truck finally stopped I didn't expect to be laughing so hard I had to read the page over again before continuing onward but Max has that effect.

"My hair was a mess, and I think I'd swallowed more bugs than the windshield on a sixteen-ton truck."

I'll be visiting with Max and his friends again soon!

[Carol Cassada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read any of the author’s previous work or any stories in this series. I wasn’t familiar with the characters and didn’t know much about their history, but this book offers enough details that it could be read as a standalone.

Max and his pals Dooley, Harriet, and Brutus are the feline characters in the story. They help their owners solve crimes, the latest one being the murder of a famous singer. Max and Dooley put their wits together to help news reporter Odelia follow leads on the case. Meanwhile, Brutus and his lady love Harriet try to help Detective Chase Kingsley solve the case to save his job.

Although the owners and their cats have a bickering relationship; they must join forces to solve the crime.

Odelia is like every amateur sleuth in that she’s independent and often lands in trouble, which is a common occurrence in this book. Chase is the town’s new detective who gets on her bad side. Yet, from their interactions you can sense the attraction is there between them. Although they tend to fight, deep down they have a mutual respect for each other.

As for the feline stars. Max is the dominant leader, who often has to keep his comrades in line. Dooley is his lovable, but naive sidekick who has a strong dislike for Brutus. Speaking of Brutus, he views himself as a tough guy/hero, but it’s Max who ends up saving the day. As for Harriet, she’s stuck in the middle of the squabble between her boyfriend Brutus and her friends; sometimes she has to lay down the law to keep both sides straight.

Out of all the cozy mysteries I’ve read, this is one of my favorites. I can’t wait to read more of Max and the gang.

[Sue Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! I’m not usually a fan of science fiction, but I do enjoy any mystery series where animals talk to people. That’s the limit of how far Science Fiction I want to go… With that being said, book one was a nice intro to the series. This next installment, book 2, was very enjoyable and amusing. I’m getting to know the characters better and I liked them in book 2 much more than I liked them in book 1.

The cat, Brutus, in book 1 was insufferable and unlikable. But he opened up a bit and became funny and charming in this installment.

My only complaint so far is that I would not like to see danger or suffering to animals. I’m not enjoying Clarice‘s story because I feel sad for her.

Only other criticism and it’s a minor one… Some of the humor is very reminiscent of Janet Evanovich. I liked Evanovich’s books in the beginning - Her first 10 or so novels in the Stephanie Plum series- but the most recent dozen books in the series have been appallingly bad. They aren’t funny or enjoyable. They are stupid, juvenile, tasteless, and WORN OUT. And some of the humor in this book reminded me of that loathsome evanovich humor— especially the humor involving the grandma. I do not like the grandma in this Mysteries of Max series and I do not like the grandma in Evanovich’s series. Horny old ladies are not as cute or funny as these authors would have us believe.

In any event, I will definitely continue reading more of the Mysteries of Max series.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odelia is excited to have an interview with aging pop star, John Paul George. Max and his cat buddy, Dooley, are excited to visit with JPG's cats and try some of the pâté he's known for serving his beloved pets. When Odelia and the cats arrive at JPG's mansion, however, they find him floating face down in his pool. Odelia's reporter instincts kick in, and soon she's hot on the story, chasing down leads in an effort to find out who murdered the former idol. Her investigation causes her to run afoul of Detective Chase Kingsley once more, but he has his own issues to deal with, including the scandal that cost him his career with the NYPD. In the meantime, Chase's bully cat, Brutus, is convinced he can solve the crime before Max can. The group is soon on the trail of drug dealers, ex-wives, boyfriends, and feral cats in a bid to learn who killed JPG.

I liked this story better than the first one in the series. Chase and Brutus are still assholes, but they weren't as bad as earlier. The method of murder was absurd, but I guess the series doesn't pretend to be anything but silly fun.

Although this book was better than the first in the series, it's getting no better than an average rating from me.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded up

I have no trouble with books narrated by a dog (Chet, from Spencer Quinn's Chet & Bernie series), so I'm not sure why I struggle with these books narrated by a cat. Perhaps the hang-up is that Chet is the only dog whose thoughts we're able to 'hear,' while in this series we hear conversations between Max, Harriet, Dooley and many, many more cats? At least we still get some human input now and then :)

That said, this is a fun series of short books, although the mysteries so far (this is only book 2) have been relatively simple to figure out. There are currently 89 (!!) books in the series, and I own about a quarter of them, scattered around the series, so I will be reading more about Max and his friends eventually.

[Darlene Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max, Dooley and Henrietta are on the case again.

This time around, Brutus, the new detectives cat, tries to bully Max and Dooley and alienates Henrietta against them. Trying to figure out how they can conquer the bully, the cats and Odelia discover the body of an aging pop star in his pool. was it an accident or murder. Trying to solve the mystery involves fading stardom, drugs and mayhem, . Who did the deed? Will Brutus get his come up ins? Will the detective be fired from the police department? Will Odelia stay out of harms way? Will Dooley finally find out what real pate tastes like? You'll have to read to find out.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Know that this is a reissue of a book originally published several years ago but no matter- it's still a fun fast (more of a novella) read for fans of cozies featuring cats. In fact, know as well that it's the cats that do much of the detecting! Max helps Odelia, his human companion, as she investigates the murder of an 80s pop star. And, he's also, more reluctantly, helping her help Chase, whose cat Brutus is, well a bully. It's a different sort of cozy that will appeal to those willing to suspend belief wrt to the animals. The mystery isn't too twisty and the cats are as well written as the humans. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Trudi Jorda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Nic Saint for another delightful Book 2 The Mysteries of Max! This is a tail of a reporter named Odelia who is able to communicate with cats. She is a reporter for a small town local paper and with the help of her feline accomplices is able to solve crimes. In book one we meet a new cop come to town who was hired by her grandfather the sheriff of this small town. It was dislike at first sight for his cat and hers and for her and him in book 1. In Book 2 she is starting to see past his rough edges and anger to a good cop underneath. A retired, aging rock star is murdered and it takes the hard work of all to solve the who dun it!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Mysteries of Max begins with the death of a former teen idol.

The police quickly arrest the man's boyfriend and are not really looking any further bot, Odelia, who found the body, has her doubts. As do Max and Dooley. After al, someone who treats cats so nicely could never kill the one he loves.

The people, and cats, come alive. The mystery is challenging. And the cats are purrfect. All making for a fun read that makes the reader want to figure it out and see just where these wonderful people are going.

[Maria E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another purrrrfecct hit!

Reads like a movie, that's how well this book moves along. Max and Dooley are the best, with close second, Clarice! Ha! Thought I'd say Harriet and Brutus, but no, They're definitely third. All together wonderful and sometimes snarky runningcommentaries throughout by all the cats - they truly are the lead characters, and deservedly so. The humans, though secondary, are wonderfully defined characters as well. Gotta love Olivia, not too sure about Gran. All in all a great read, and recommend it to absolutely everyone!

[Suzy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute cozy mystery. A group of four cats are helpful assistants, in fact, about half the book is from the leader Max’s perspective. Amazingly, they can talk with their owner Odelia. Odelia is the small town’s lead reporter and is the niece of the town sheriff.

The plot kept up a solid pace and had some fun moments.

I didn’t like the rather nonchalant treatment of drug use, nor that the cats seem to know big words, but have poor grammar.

A pleasant read, but can’t say I’ll be running out to get another one (the husband-wife duo have written a dozen of these).

[Annie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book. I enjoyed it more than the first. I still have some problems with the characters: Odelia’s driving, Gran's trash talk, and the cliche romance. There's also the discrepancy of whether or not Uncle Alec knows about Odelia's ability to talk to cats. In the first book, the cats said Uncle Alec does not know about Odelia’s ability to talk to cats. In the second book, Odelia says Uncle Alec does know. Possibly, the cats think he doesn't know, but he does.
This is pretty much a drug, sex, and rock and roll book. The victim is an aging male rock star with “ boy toys.”

[Linda Collister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solving a murder and then some!

Odelia and her cats have a unique relationship. She can understand them. She relies on Max and his friends for tips and hints to whatever is going on. As a reporter with family in law enforcement, she’s been able to solve crimes. Now a new officer’s on the case and she learns he needs her help to clear his name and keep his job. Great chemistry and a fun read.

[Mrs Linda Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Well well well I love your books man. Your books make me happy 😸 who would have thought of such a thing, talking cats - brilliant. I'm really a dog girl but have had beautiful cats all my life, we have all lived in perfect harmony. Animals are the beating heart of this planet ...... I have also bought your books for a friend, who adores cats and we thought we would all get together and get a cat club ....hahaha. Thank you Nic Saint for your imagination 😸

[Celest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandma's Getting Worse

I really don't like the grandmother at all. She's just to extra for me and a drug user too. Wow! The first part of this book wasn't much fun for me,(nothing to do with homosexuality, I have gay and Transgender friends). Even the cats are bickering, but the ending was excellent. I have the next twenty books in the series, so I'm hoping we've turned a corner. I want to enjoy them and not have them make me crazy. Lol

[wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always fun

Its the most wonderful books I've ever read . Fun absolutely love the cats . Interaction is hilarious . love the way they help with solving the mysteries and helping as much as possible .Let's don't forget the humans in the story Odelia needs to be not only a reporter , but an officer to boot . She definitely has it going on . Oh and love the grandma y'all will fall in love with her funny

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Max, Brutus, Dooley and Harriet. They are so much fun. The guilty party is a surprise as well as the revelation. The only thing I didn't like too many sexual references and one or two cuss words, but that's just me I guess. This is the point where I usually stop reading the series, but I can't resist. I gotta read the next one. Grandma is so funny and always up to something. Oh yea, the other humans add icing to the cake.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

ok, I’m a crazy cat lady who loves mysteries and comfort food

My life has way too much stress, and I have been known to binge watch cats on Instagram. But my first love is reading and I’m going through these books and they feel like comfort food. My mind is taken to a completely different place and I can forget about life for a while. While these books will not win any prizes, they do uplift the spirit.

[Nadine Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second

It’s definitely cozy and not very well written although there is potential with cats and humans talking and some cute effects like tracking devices and discussions of pate. The problem is the police work is done so badly—criminals confess everything spontaneously. I doubt I’ll read another.

[Sandra Holladay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book much more than the previous one. I guess the cats are growing on me, they really are the best part of the book. I do get tired of Chase's descriptions (yeah, we know he's a hunk, back off of telling us so often -- and grandma...not too crazy about her). I only recall one proofreading error so that is nice.

[Becky Voegtlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF this book. Maybe I will try again later. It has the MC type that I can't stand (tromps all over a crime scene, and her relative who is the Leading Law Officer of the Area will be mad but forgive her because - she's his favorite niece/granddaughter/godchild). I did like the cat, which is why I might give it another try.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Odelia Poole is able to understand feline so she is able to communicate with her cats Max, Dooley, Harriet and even Max's rival Brutus. Together they help Odelia solve mysteries. Odelia finds a musician she was to interview John Paul George dead in his pool. This was a cute story. I will be looking forward to reading more of this series.