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Max Porter #2
Southern Charm
When Max and the gang are hired by an art forging ghost to find a lost painting, he thinks it'll be easy money. But villains old and new come out, and the race is on for the painting and the secrets it contains. Since his partner, the ghost of 1940s detective Marshall Drummond, is now free to roam around North Carolina, Max has an ally stronger than ever before. Along with Max's wife, they will follow the clues into a mess of magic spells, haunted houses, ancient curses, and even Blackbeard the Pirate. The only Are they prepared for what they'll find?
202 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2012
About the author
Stuart Jaffe
168 books214 followersStuart Jaffe is the madman behind the Nathan K thrillers, Max Porter paranormal-mystery series, The Malja Chronicles, The Bluesman series, and much more. He has written numerous short stories in Fantasy, SF, and Horror. He was also the co-host of The Eclectic Review (http://eclectic.libsyn.com) -- a podcast about science, art, and well, everything.
Stuart lives in rural North Carolina, and for those who keep count, the latest animal listing is as follows: one dog, two cats, one albino corn snake, three aquatic turtles, assorted fish, seven chickens, and a horse. Thankfully, the chickens and the horse do not live inside the house.
Stuart lives in rural North Carolina, and for those who keep count, the latest animal listing is as follows: one dog, two cats, one albino corn snake, three aquatic turtles, assorted fish, seven chickens, and a horse. Thankfully, the chickens and the horse do not live inside the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
November 25, 2023
The second book of the Max Porter mysteries is called Southern Charm by Stuart Jaffe. These mysteries revolve around a mixture of the tried-and-true tropes of the supernatural, ghost detective.
Max is a researcher who was hired for his skills as such, but he gets more than he bargained for in the first book of the series. Southern Charm augments that story idea by building on the characters from the first book: Sandra, Max’s wife who can see and communicate with the dead; and Drummond, the ghost of a detective killed while investigating a North Carolina kingpin.
In this novel, Max is hired by the ghost of an art forger to find a specific painting that might contain access to assets that could put the detective agency in the black. Of course, things are easier imagined than done, but I enjoyed the machinations and complexity.
Max is a researcher who was hired for his skills as such, but he gets more than he bargained for in the first book of the series. Southern Charm augments that story idea by building on the characters from the first book: Sandra, Max’s wife who can see and communicate with the dead; and Drummond, the ghost of a detective killed while investigating a North Carolina kingpin.
In this novel, Max is hired by the ghost of an art forger to find a specific painting that might contain access to assets that could put the detective agency in the black. Of course, things are easier imagined than done, but I enjoyed the machinations and complexity.
December 26, 2018
The first book was okay. Admittedly, I'm not the target audience. I read this one because it was part of a three book bundle deal. The quality slipped for me. The overall story felt very much the same as the first book. There are some twists, the same foes are there, it felt like a rehash. Perhaps that's expected with mystery stories. However, what turned me off is the toughness (both physical and mental) of Max and Sandra. Nothing in their back stories suggest they should be able to willingly fight and defy hardened criminals, but they consistently do. In real life, most people are more flight (even cowardly) than the brave (fight) personalities they'd like to have. Max and Sandra should have ran back to Michigan with tails firmly between their legs a long time ago. Even when they're kidnapped or literally stabbed, they fight the good fight and resist with all their beings. I just don't believe the man who wouldn't fight to keep a job when he didn't sleep with a student is the same person who can think coherently when he's bleeding from a deep leg wound. He would cry and breakdown, at least that's what I feel he would do. The author clearly disagrees. Regardless, putting four characters in a room with a monologuing villain, only for all of them to get out with nothing more than scars and a story requires me to suspend too much disbelief.
December 13, 2020
2.5 Audible edition. While this is a fun series nicely read by the author, there are some glaring continuity issues, many of which are dealt with in a final deus ex machina. The characters lack believability and likabilty. By the second book in a series there should a certain amount of investment in the characters by the reader, but these characters strain credulity in many ways. Why are they trying to maintain a business that does not have paying customers? Much of the information that apparently only Max could find was all found very simplistically, e.g. a painting that seemingly everyone is searching for is instantly found by placing an ad on Craig's List! A forger who hasn't worked for years has all the required supplies right on hand and whips out a forged painting in a couple of hours. Then Max and Sandra walk headlong into stupidly dangerous situations without a second thought, though Sandra at least (though unrealistically) is able to kick the crap out of men when the need arises. The series has a fun premise and potential, this one just had too many plot issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2019
Loved it
August 29, 2024
Max is a mess! Sandra is patient and puts him in his place just the right amount. Drummond is Drummond and I’d want it no other way. I enjoyed the case and the paranormal. I am glad our characters came out of it alive, but it was a close call!
September 27, 2017
Another fine mystery
Max, Sandra, and Drummond experience some challenges getting accustomed to working together at the not quite detective agency. Drummond has been in this business before and he knows a niche market when he sees it, so he takes it upon himself to drum up business of the ghostly variety. The problem is that, lacking bank accounts or other assets, ghosts can't pay. Max wishes that Sandra would return to the bakery and a steady paycheck, but he needs her to see and communicate with ghosts besides Drummond. The tension is mounting when Drummond finds a ghost who assures them that he can pay, they just have to retrieve a family heirloom for him. Of course, nothing is that simple and they quickly find themselves up to their necks with the Hulls and their deadly cronies again. The book has plenty of action and some unexpected twists. Definitely worth the read.
Max, Sandra, and Drummond experience some challenges getting accustomed to working together at the not quite detective agency. Drummond has been in this business before and he knows a niche market when he sees it, so he takes it upon himself to drum up business of the ghostly variety. The problem is that, lacking bank accounts or other assets, ghosts can't pay. Max wishes that Sandra would return to the bakery and a steady paycheck, but he needs her to see and communicate with ghosts besides Drummond. The tension is mounting when Drummond finds a ghost who assures them that he can pay, they just have to retrieve a family heirloom for him. Of course, nothing is that simple and they quickly find themselves up to their necks with the Hulls and their deadly cronies again. The book has plenty of action and some unexpected twists. Definitely worth the read.
October 3, 2013
The title didn't have quite the layering in meaning as "Southern Bound", the first in the series.
The series continues to be a really fun time of North Carolina history. I did not know Blackbeard ran his operation out of NC.
As for the story itself, like the first book, research slows things down. And I was annoyed with only seeing the library for one scene. The library was my favorite character in the first book. The relationship of the married couple remains a strong plot point; I really enjoy them not having a perfect marriage, but deciding their marriage is perfect for them and they are willing to work for it.
The scenes felt more disconnected than in the first book. Just drive to the next scene and hit the high points of conversation or plot points needing to be completed. Felt kind-of like one of the old walk-through computer stories - which you clicked and discovered the next piece of dialogue or next scene.
Enjoy the concept, like the character, love the history. Wanted to love the story, but don't quite make it.
The series continues to be a really fun time of North Carolina history. I did not know Blackbeard ran his operation out of NC.
As for the story itself, like the first book, research slows things down. And I was annoyed with only seeing the library for one scene. The library was my favorite character in the first book. The relationship of the married couple remains a strong plot point; I really enjoy them not having a perfect marriage, but deciding their marriage is perfect for them and they are willing to work for it.
The scenes felt more disconnected than in the first book. Just drive to the next scene and hit the high points of conversation or plot points needing to be completed. Felt kind-of like one of the old walk-through computer stories - which you clicked and discovered the next piece of dialogue or next scene.
Enjoy the concept, like the character, love the history. Wanted to love the story, but don't quite make it.
November 30, 2025
This is the second book in the series. I would recommend reading it in order. There are references to book one that will be needed to make sense. Max is trying to make a go of his agency but is running into some issues. He's working with his wife, Sandra, full time which means they are constantly together. He's feeling the pressure. His next case has him dealing with the powerful Hull family again. This has been a fun series and I'm looking forward to Max's next adventure.
May 6, 2023
This is a great follow-up to the first book in the series. The characters are just as charming and relatable as before, and the mystery they're trying to solve is equally compelling. I enjoyed seeing the continued development of the relationship between Max and Drummond and now Sandra. Again, I can't recommend these enough and hearing them narrated by Mr. Jaffe is amazing
July 25, 2024
Max and crew have another twisted mystery to solve. They are contacted by a ghost claiming to be an art forger/thief to find a painting of his so it can be sold. The proceeds of the sale would be split between his granddaughter and them. They are hesitant to take the case but need the hope of a fee to survive. They check with the art dealer on the first floor of their building about the painting and he acts a bit cagey but comes up with an address of someone that might know about the painting. This starts a whole slew of shenanigans and double crosses. They aren’t sure who to trust. Interestingly, part of the solution involves Blackbeard. This author is a fabulous story teller and I am anxious to start book 3.
November 26, 2025
Things are not great at Max Porter’s detective agency. His wife Sandra now works there full time and being together 24/7 is wearing on Max. Plus, working mainly for ghosts does not pay the bills. When Drummond brings him a case involving yet another ghost Max is reluctant to take it but Drummond promises they will be paid real money this time. As they work the case it brings them into contact with the powerful and corrupt Hull family once again and puts both Max and Sandra in mortal danger. This is a great addition to the series. I enjoyed getting to read more about Sandra. The mystery was great with many twists and turns and kept me guessing until the end. I recommend this book and series to anyone who likes mysteries especially with paranormal elements.
January 5, 2025
Max, Sandra and their ghost Drummond are on another case. I didn’t like this story quite as much and the first book. It just felt like the violence was more graphic. There are some really intense scenes. But again this is a wonderful well written story with wonderful characters. There are also unbelievable encounters. It is one part mystery and one part horror. I give it 3.5 but round up to 4.0 for the review. #CMCon25
September 25, 2017
This was actually the first Max Porter book that I have read since I met the author at an event, and this was the only book that he had available. Fun, easy-going detective story with a dose of the supernatural in the storyline. Definitely very enjoyable reading. I will be seeking out the rest of the series to read them.
July 5, 2024
Max is in over his head again and not making money. A new job to find a painting isn't quite the truth. Now, he is fighting his attraction to another woman, Drummond is flirting with Sandra and the Hulls are still behind the scenes. This job goes horribly wrong and nearly kills Sandra and Max. There are plenty of ghosts, black magic, curses and Blackbeard.
March 14, 2017
Well, Stuart Jaffe does it again. Another great turn down the road of the paranormal. When it comes to ghost and things that go bump in the night, Max and Sandra with the help of Marshal the ghost are the ones to call. Can't wait for their next adventure.
January 26, 2019
Stuart Jaffe narrates his own books and he is very good. Well, we have met all the evil players now and Max and Sandra survived their first encounter. There is just enough intrigue and manipulation to make me frustrated and have to stay up all night reading! Love it
February 3, 2019
An enjoyable ride with a detective, his wife and a ghost to solve a murder-mystery caper! Have a fun ride in the paranormal world!
Just keep reading and holding your breathe while these three jump into one caper after another trying to find the magical object!
***
Just keep reading and holding your breathe while these three jump into one caper after another trying to find the magical object!
***
March 3, 2019
Max and Sandra are at it again. Drumond, their ghost friend helps them solve this mystery of art forgery and powerful spells. I enjoyed listening to this book as much as I enjoyed the first one. Perfect to listen to as I knit.
May 21, 2020
Another Stuart Jaffe book that I could not put down until it was finished
Written with wit and humor And many turns in the plot , makes this a good read and I will recommend it to all my friends
Written with wit and humor And many turns in the plot , makes this a good read and I will recommend it to all my friends
July 8, 2020
More Stuart Jaffe fun.
Stuart Jaffe can do more with a researcher, a lady who sees and speak to ghosts and the this of a long ago detective than their foes can believe. I just love this guy's writing.
Stuart Jaffe can do more with a researcher, a lady who sees and speak to ghosts and the this of a long ago detective than their foes can believe. I just love this guy's writing.
May 10, 2017
Max Porter is at it again in this second book of the series. It's a pretty good read that wraps a detective story, ghost story and a little bit of history all into one.
July 13, 2017
I've enjoyed my two-book delving into the world of Max Porter and his team, and would like to finish the series at some point. Recommended if you want a P.I. with a twist.
October 30, 2017
(Audible; narrated by author) Noir paranormal crime fiction, volume 2.
March 18, 2018
Read this pretty quickly and it was entertaining. A bit better than the first.
June 10, 2018
As a native of North Carolina I am loving this series of books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2018
The continuation of the ghost, the witch, the yes man and the research detective & his wife...
Southern charm with hints of Dorian Gray
Southern charm with hints of Dorian Gray
October 18, 2019
Who's the real client? The town baddie? A ghost? A painting forger's great-great granddaughter? You'll be guessing until the end.
February 6, 2020
Paranormal detective series!
An interesting cast of characters, out to solve a mystery, in this easy to read story. Max, Sandra and Drummond never know who and what they will face.
An interesting cast of characters, out to solve a mystery, in this easy to read story. Max, Sandra and Drummond never know who and what they will face.
February 15, 2020
This is quickly becoming a new favorite series for me!
November 3, 2020
Looking forward to book 3.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews