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Mae Martin Mysteries #3
Snake Face
The third Mae Martin Psychic Mystery
Trying to revive his career, singer Jamie Ellerbee is on his first tour. Mae Martin is venturing into her first relationship since her divorce. Bad judgment and worse luck force Jamie to ask for Mae’s psychic aid. His unrequited love for her makes it an awkward request, but she can’t refuse to help a friend. The more she looks into the problem, the more frightening it becomes and the wider its web expands—not only into Jamie’s past, but also a bad-boy celebrity’s private life, and even her new boyfriend’s history.
The Mae Martin Series
No murder, just mystery. Every life hides a secret, and love is the deepest mystery of all.
Trying to revive his career, singer Jamie Ellerbee is on his first tour. Mae Martin is venturing into her first relationship since her divorce. Bad judgment and worse luck force Jamie to ask for Mae’s psychic aid. His unrequited love for her makes it an awkward request, but she can’t refuse to help a friend. The more she looks into the problem, the more frightening it becomes and the wider its web expands—not only into Jamie’s past, but also a bad-boy celebrity’s private life, and even her new boyfriend’s history.
The Mae Martin Series
No murder, just mystery. Every life hides a secret, and love is the deepest mystery of all.
ebook
First published November 1, 2014
About the author
Amber Foxx
14 books73 followersAmber Foxx, author of the award-winning Mae Martin Psychic Mystery Series, has worked professionally in theater, dance, fitness, yoga and academia. She has lived in both the Southeast and the Southwest, and calls New Mexico home.
Her books are available from all major online retailers.
https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/buy-bo...
Her books are available from all major online retailers.
https://amberfoxxmysteries.com/buy-bo...
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 25, 2018
This is the third book in the Mae Martin series, and like Amber Foxx's other books, this one is very unique as it focuses on many things: New Mexico, relationships, yoga, and psychic abilities. In addition, Foxx's books are definitely mysteries, but no murders. I have found her writing ability to be impeccable and her themes original and interesting. This book continues with Jamie, a talented, unusual musician who falls in love with Mae; however, his request for her psychic abilities creates havoc.
June 18, 2019
I have read the other two books in this series and am really enjoying the characters. Mae with her 'y'all' accent and Jamie with the gold tooth and blonde afro - they broke the mould when they made him! The plot is well written, believable, I am so invested in Mae's psychic talents that when she was looking for her friend's missing cat, I was like 'look at the newspaper! See what date it is!' Of course, it is all fiction... or is it?
It is a lengthy read with twists to get to the point - fitting for the genre (although I'm no expert). Yes, I'll be reading the next one!
It is a lengthy read with twists to get to the point - fitting for the genre (although I'm no expert). Yes, I'll be reading the next one!
November 12, 2014
This is the third book in Ms Foxx's series of Mae Martin mysteries, all of which I've enjoyed. (I also enjoyed this one, so don't take anything below as any sort of negative commentary, it's all just rumination. If I didn't like the book, I wouldn't bother with ruminating or caring about the characters. OK?)
It's a bit different from the previous books and contains (what feels like) a lot more in-depth development of secondary characters, especially Jamie. The plot centers around him taking a road trip and performing in various cities. Someone has stolen his musical gear; and he's being stalked. As usual, he's falling apart at the seams, just like his little stuffed roo. And Mae is trying to help him.
I have mixed feelings about this episode in Mae's life, after my experience with the previous books... I enjoyed this, a lot, but I've also become invested enough in Mae's stability and happiness that I found myself being rather annoyed with some things.
What's my problem? Mae's relationships with men. Aaargh! Her life seems to be always full of unsuitable men. If they aren't complete losers they can be louses and cads, or cadlouses. (Oh, all right, none of them are exactly Snidely Whiplash, LOL.) Given her history, she obviously knows how to pull the plug and walk from a bad relationship, but... These dudes all seem to have some redeeming, charismatic qualities, and she keeps finding herself hanging on, knowing they're going to be trouble.
While I like Jamie in many ways—and he's a big focus character in this novel—he's clearly also a major drain on Mae and a source of worry. She doesn't need people like that in her life when she's trying to pull herself together. Through much of the book, I kept hoping she would finally cut him loose. Same with that other guy she's dating, Stamos. Clearly she's out of his league. And I guess part of what bugs me about the relationships is that they ring so true. People behave this way. Things can be complicated. And we don't always avoid messes by pulling the ripcord when we should.
By the way, I paid full price for this indy-published book from a retail channel... As I've come to expect with Ms Foxx's work: the writing is excellent, and the editing is also excellent. So, yeah, I want to keep reading about Mae and I hope there's another volume in the works.
It's a bit different from the previous books and contains (what feels like) a lot more in-depth development of secondary characters, especially Jamie. The plot centers around him taking a road trip and performing in various cities. Someone has stolen his musical gear; and he's being stalked. As usual, he's falling apart at the seams, just like his little stuffed roo. And Mae is trying to help him.
I have mixed feelings about this episode in Mae's life, after my experience with the previous books... I enjoyed this, a lot, but I've also become invested enough in Mae's stability and happiness that I found myself being rather annoyed with some things.
What's my problem? Mae's relationships with men. Aaargh! Her life seems to be always full of unsuitable men. If they aren't complete losers they can be louses and cads, or cadlouses. (Oh, all right, none of them are exactly Snidely Whiplash, LOL.) Given her history, she obviously knows how to pull the plug and walk from a bad relationship, but... These dudes all seem to have some redeeming, charismatic qualities, and she keeps finding herself hanging on, knowing they're going to be trouble.
While I like Jamie in many ways—and he's a big focus character in this novel—he's clearly also a major drain on Mae and a source of worry. She doesn't need people like that in her life when she's trying to pull herself together. Through much of the book, I kept hoping she would finally cut him loose. Same with that other guy she's dating, Stamos. Clearly she's out of his league. And I guess part of what bugs me about the relationships is that they ring so true. People behave this way. Things can be complicated. And we don't always avoid messes by pulling the ripcord when we should.
By the way, I paid full price for this indy-published book from a retail channel... As I've come to expect with Ms Foxx's work: the writing is excellent, and the editing is also excellent. So, yeah, I want to keep reading about Mae and I hope there's another volume in the works.
February 7, 2016
Mae Martin is moving into the next phase of her life, what she’d been planning when last we saw her in Amber Foxx’s second psychic mystery, Shaman’s Blues. College in New Mexico has started and she cautiously enters a new relationship with Stamos, a fellow student with whom she later plans a road trip, given their destinations not far from each other.
Very soon after the novel’s opening, Foxx utilizes a blend of dialogue and omniscient narration to bring readers up to speed on where Mae has been until now, and it works like a charm. The passages also introduce the above-mentioned Stamos Tsitouris as he and Mae get to know each other and work out an agreement for cross-country travel. Stamos provides background regarding his former wife and Mae recalls Jamie Ellerbee—known professionally as the musician Jangarrai—as she still tries to come to grips with the experience of having to reject a friend.
Previous Mae Martin Mystery readers will remember Jamie from Shaman’s Blues as well-meaning but clingy, and even Mae found herself frustrated by his constant presence and overwhelming energy. Mae, by now on her first date with Stamos, reflects on the differences.
“They were comfortable enough not to talk constantly, and Mae found it refreshing and peaceful, an ideal first date.
Jamie had never shut up. He’d been funny, or distressing, depending which way his random mind bounced, but even when he was entertaining he’d been exhausting. Stamos was relaxing to be around and yet sexy enough to give a little edge to his presence.”
From this solid opening, Foxx moves forward in her tale, demonstrating her strength as we read a story written more tightly than its predecessor. Mae herself seems to be sturdier as well, having previously had to manage Jamie’s challenging personality, inner demons and raw inexperience with regard to navigating through life’s ups and downs. Though it takes some time in the book to measure Jamie’s success following the events of Shaman’s Blues, we see that he, too, has gained some confidence and competence, though the question of whether it will be enough is present throughout most of the story.
When Mae and Stamos inadvertently meet up with Jamie, who is attending to his own road trip—a music tour—there is discomfort on both sides while simultaneously bonding begins to occur amongst characters and readers alike. This installment’s Jamie is much easier to like, his eccentricities not so weighty, awareness more fine-tuned. He begins to pick up some of his own slack and this allows readers to focus more on enjoying his company. He attempts to explain it to Mae with a reference to the club’s name: Snake Face.
As part of the décor, “a crudely carved wild-eyed little man” catches Mae’s attention and she sees that “[o]ne side of his face was hot pink, the other livid green. His snaggle-toothed mouth gaped…at a spotted yellow snake crawling down his nose.” Recognizing the symbolism within himself, Jamie tells her, “Great Mexican nightmare art…Fighting ‘em off as best he can.” Not long after he repeats the last line, this time substituting the first-person pronoun to bring the reference to bear on himself.
One of the elements I enjoyed most in this installment is how Foxx alternates Jamie and Mae’s viewpoints, utilizing tension and cliffhangers to keep the pages turning. Apart from this however, it is satisfying to travel with all parties as they encounter their respective events and the theme of personal growth apparent throughout the book. This isn’t to say things wrap up easily; Foxx knows all too well life simply doesn’t pan out this way.
Starting with theft from his elderly and ailing van, Jamie encounters a series of events that not only plague a road trip already encumbered by depression, but also threaten to shut it down entirely. He knows this is a make-or-break season and readers can’t help but cheer him on as his pushback communicates to his tormenter that he will not easily be brought down. Drawing on his wits and a savvy in its toddlerhood, Jamie himself alternates between the two colors of the snake face’s emotions: pink of the fury beneath the surface and green of the envy he harbors that others seem to be able to deal with life’s plagues so much more efficiently than he. As he begins to connect the pieces, drawing from memory and clues left behind meant to tantalize his mind, he is required even to fight his own inclinations as he counsels himself to “fight them off” as best he can.
We see Mae continuing to get to know Stamos, a relationship Foxx skillfully keeps real, with tiffs and larger disagreements often brought on by misunderstandings and sometimes resolved if both recognize another theme rolling through the book, that of communication in various forms. Mae becomes aware of the drama playing out in Jamie’s life and connects to his surroundings visa her psychic abilities. Worried and stressed, she participates in a cat and mouse game leading to and from the culprit who, she comes to realize, has no qualms about moving into dangerous, even deadly, territory. Moreover, the links she begins to piece together create a picture in which Stamos plays a role and his reticence causes her to worry about its source.
It’s difficult to overstate how much I enjoyed reading Snake Face. Though previously Jamie had been more challenging to get close to, following his emotional growth and the detective-like path he and Mae both follow becomes more thrilling as the tale pushes forward and the sense of “this is not a game anymore” becomes more pronounced. Foxx also explores how depression takes shape as well as the ramifications of perception.
There is also a wider cast of characters, which makes sense, given the drive across a continent, and Foxx works them into the story seamlessly, Moreover, it isn’t all serious business: humor maintains a rightful place in Snake Face, including within the critical, such as animals playing a therapeutic role. Jamie’s humor shows itself intact when he names his adopted, and very flatulent, cat Gasser. In one of the most touching realities about relationships Foxx portrays for us, we see that this once unwanted cat needs Jamie as much as he needs Gasser.
I found this installment even easier and smoother than number two, and would perhaps go as far as to say it is better, though this could be unfair given how different it is to Shaman’s Blues, which doesn’t have quite as fast a pace. Its mood is also noticeably more somber, whereas number three is more of a nail biter. I do recommend reading number two, though not because Snake Face cannot be read as a standalone—it certainly can. However, having read Shaman’s Blues, somehow I find knowing the precise history Mae and Jamie share lends a deeper richness to Snake Face. What the two books do have in common is the B.R.A.G. Medallion, showing off Amber Foxx’s style, themes, plots and characters to be winners in the imaginations of readers, who keep coming back for more.
Very soon after the novel’s opening, Foxx utilizes a blend of dialogue and omniscient narration to bring readers up to speed on where Mae has been until now, and it works like a charm. The passages also introduce the above-mentioned Stamos Tsitouris as he and Mae get to know each other and work out an agreement for cross-country travel. Stamos provides background regarding his former wife and Mae recalls Jamie Ellerbee—known professionally as the musician Jangarrai—as she still tries to come to grips with the experience of having to reject a friend.
Previous Mae Martin Mystery readers will remember Jamie from Shaman’s Blues as well-meaning but clingy, and even Mae found herself frustrated by his constant presence and overwhelming energy. Mae, by now on her first date with Stamos, reflects on the differences.
“They were comfortable enough not to talk constantly, and Mae found it refreshing and peaceful, an ideal first date.
Jamie had never shut up. He’d been funny, or distressing, depending which way his random mind bounced, but even when he was entertaining he’d been exhausting. Stamos was relaxing to be around and yet sexy enough to give a little edge to his presence.”
From this solid opening, Foxx moves forward in her tale, demonstrating her strength as we read a story written more tightly than its predecessor. Mae herself seems to be sturdier as well, having previously had to manage Jamie’s challenging personality, inner demons and raw inexperience with regard to navigating through life’s ups and downs. Though it takes some time in the book to measure Jamie’s success following the events of Shaman’s Blues, we see that he, too, has gained some confidence and competence, though the question of whether it will be enough is present throughout most of the story.
When Mae and Stamos inadvertently meet up with Jamie, who is attending to his own road trip—a music tour—there is discomfort on both sides while simultaneously bonding begins to occur amongst characters and readers alike. This installment’s Jamie is much easier to like, his eccentricities not so weighty, awareness more fine-tuned. He begins to pick up some of his own slack and this allows readers to focus more on enjoying his company. He attempts to explain it to Mae with a reference to the club’s name: Snake Face.
As part of the décor, “a crudely carved wild-eyed little man” catches Mae’s attention and she sees that “[o]ne side of his face was hot pink, the other livid green. His snaggle-toothed mouth gaped…at a spotted yellow snake crawling down his nose.” Recognizing the symbolism within himself, Jamie tells her, “Great Mexican nightmare art…Fighting ‘em off as best he can.” Not long after he repeats the last line, this time substituting the first-person pronoun to bring the reference to bear on himself.
One of the elements I enjoyed most in this installment is how Foxx alternates Jamie and Mae’s viewpoints, utilizing tension and cliffhangers to keep the pages turning. Apart from this however, it is satisfying to travel with all parties as they encounter their respective events and the theme of personal growth apparent throughout the book. This isn’t to say things wrap up easily; Foxx knows all too well life simply doesn’t pan out this way.
Starting with theft from his elderly and ailing van, Jamie encounters a series of events that not only plague a road trip already encumbered by depression, but also threaten to shut it down entirely. He knows this is a make-or-break season and readers can’t help but cheer him on as his pushback communicates to his tormenter that he will not easily be brought down. Drawing on his wits and a savvy in its toddlerhood, Jamie himself alternates between the two colors of the snake face’s emotions: pink of the fury beneath the surface and green of the envy he harbors that others seem to be able to deal with life’s plagues so much more efficiently than he. As he begins to connect the pieces, drawing from memory and clues left behind meant to tantalize his mind, he is required even to fight his own inclinations as he counsels himself to “fight them off” as best he can.
We see Mae continuing to get to know Stamos, a relationship Foxx skillfully keeps real, with tiffs and larger disagreements often brought on by misunderstandings and sometimes resolved if both recognize another theme rolling through the book, that of communication in various forms. Mae becomes aware of the drama playing out in Jamie’s life and connects to his surroundings visa her psychic abilities. Worried and stressed, she participates in a cat and mouse game leading to and from the culprit who, she comes to realize, has no qualms about moving into dangerous, even deadly, territory. Moreover, the links she begins to piece together create a picture in which Stamos plays a role and his reticence causes her to worry about its source.
It’s difficult to overstate how much I enjoyed reading Snake Face. Though previously Jamie had been more challenging to get close to, following his emotional growth and the detective-like path he and Mae both follow becomes more thrilling as the tale pushes forward and the sense of “this is not a game anymore” becomes more pronounced. Foxx also explores how depression takes shape as well as the ramifications of perception.
There is also a wider cast of characters, which makes sense, given the drive across a continent, and Foxx works them into the story seamlessly, Moreover, it isn’t all serious business: humor maintains a rightful place in Snake Face, including within the critical, such as animals playing a therapeutic role. Jamie’s humor shows itself intact when he names his adopted, and very flatulent, cat Gasser. In one of the most touching realities about relationships Foxx portrays for us, we see that this once unwanted cat needs Jamie as much as he needs Gasser.
I found this installment even easier and smoother than number two, and would perhaps go as far as to say it is better, though this could be unfair given how different it is to Shaman’s Blues, which doesn’t have quite as fast a pace. Its mood is also noticeably more somber, whereas number three is more of a nail biter. I do recommend reading number two, though not because Snake Face cannot be read as a standalone—it certainly can. However, having read Shaman’s Blues, somehow I find knowing the precise history Mae and Jamie share lends a deeper richness to Snake Face. What the two books do have in common is the B.R.A.G. Medallion, showing off Amber Foxx’s style, themes, plots and characters to be winners in the imaginations of readers, who keep coming back for more.
January 18, 2019
This was an excellent addition to the series, and a fantastic book in its own right. It's well-written, and the character development is nicely done. The plot moves at a faster pace than in the previous two books, but this isn't a bad thing, since it makes it all the more difficult to put down. I look forward to reading the rest of the series, and likely would have started the next book as soon as I finished this one if I already had a copy of it.
May 7, 2025
I like this series a lot. No murder, but a mystery that keeps me reading.
February 4, 2016
[I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]
"Great Mexican nightmare art" Jamie said avoiding Mae's eyes as she sat beside him. " I like the snake faced bloke, ya know? Fight'em off as best he can."
Mae Martin's settling into her life in the Southwest. She's even caught the eye of another student and the two non traditionals are taking classes together. As Mae firms up her Christmas trip back east, she and Stamos have decided to share the ride back east.
And then they run into her muscian friend Jamie Ellerbee on his first tour. Jangarrai is better than when she last saw him, but still on edge about fufilling the full tour. Still in his broken down van, he and his new animal companion,Gasser the obese cat, he's "stable" enough to go on tour...or is he?
Seems he's got a stalker from his past.... and with Mae's help, the pieces begin to come together...sort of.....
This third volume in the Mae Martin Mysteries is the most scattered. Mae and Jamie seem emeshed, and codependancy doesn't become either one of them. There were times I wanted to throw the book across the room. The story is cluttered. The backstory of Stamos seems forced, and the stalker story is as forced as a big foot in a small shoe. However, Foxx's writing continues to be enjoyable. I am looking forward to the final book in the series.
"Great Mexican nightmare art" Jamie said avoiding Mae's eyes as she sat beside him. " I like the snake faced bloke, ya know? Fight'em off as best he can."
Mae Martin's settling into her life in the Southwest. She's even caught the eye of another student and the two non traditionals are taking classes together. As Mae firms up her Christmas trip back east, she and Stamos have decided to share the ride back east.
And then they run into her muscian friend Jamie Ellerbee on his first tour. Jangarrai is better than when she last saw him, but still on edge about fufilling the full tour. Still in his broken down van, he and his new animal companion,Gasser the obese cat, he's "stable" enough to go on tour...or is he?
Seems he's got a stalker from his past.... and with Mae's help, the pieces begin to come together...sort of.....
This third volume in the Mae Martin Mysteries is the most scattered. Mae and Jamie seem emeshed, and codependancy doesn't become either one of them. There were times I wanted to throw the book across the room. The story is cluttered. The backstory of Stamos seems forced, and the stalker story is as forced as a big foot in a small shoe. However, Foxx's writing continues to be enjoyable. I am looking forward to the final book in the series.
December 10, 2014
Goodreads Win
This is the third book in the Mae Martin Psychic Mystery.
Mae Martin is about to embark on her first relationship as her divorce is about to be finalize. An old friend a starving vegan musician trying to revive his career on his first tour, Jamie Ellerbee is a mess all around.
When his instruments and newly adopted cat gets stolen, he turns to Mae to find his things. Jamie has always loved Mae but she does not feel the same way, As she tries to help find his cat with her psychic abilities, things around get stranger.
Mysterious fan leaving him gifts of chocolate and cookies keep stalking him along his tour in yellow gift bags left by the door. Someone then steals his toothbrush and clothes is he losing his mind and being forgetful.
When a mysterious woman from his past whom he does not remember tells him he has his stolen instruments that she bought at a flea market keeps popping up as well in his life. Is these things tied in and what does she really want?
This is the third book in the Mae Martin Psychic Mystery.
Mae Martin is about to embark on her first relationship as her divorce is about to be finalize. An old friend a starving vegan musician trying to revive his career on his first tour, Jamie Ellerbee is a mess all around.
When his instruments and newly adopted cat gets stolen, he turns to Mae to find his things. Jamie has always loved Mae but she does not feel the same way, As she tries to help find his cat with her psychic abilities, things around get stranger.
Mysterious fan leaving him gifts of chocolate and cookies keep stalking him along his tour in yellow gift bags left by the door. Someone then steals his toothbrush and clothes is he losing his mind and being forgetful.
When a mysterious woman from his past whom he does not remember tells him he has his stolen instruments that she bought at a flea market keeps popping up as well in his life. Is these things tied in and what does she really want?
October 19, 2015
We are proud to announce that SNAKE FACE by Amber Foxx is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells a reader that this book is well worth their time and money!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews