The Tooth of Time

Maxie and Stretch #2

by Sue Henry

Zigzagging the country in a mini-Winnie means endless adventure-and Maxie McNabb is always up for something new. So she and her dog, Stretch, head for the heat of New Mexico, where Maxie plans to learn how to weave. But everything changes for the sleepy town when a local woman attempts suicide. A casualty of her husband's mid-life crisis, she was replaced by a newer, sexier model. And to top it off, a sleazy conman has set his sights on her. Maxie may be on vacation, but she's determined to help the poor thing. With her nose for trouble, she'll leave no mesa unturned until she brings two dogs to justice-neither of whom is Stretch.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Dogs

255 pages, Library Binding

First published April 11, 2006

About the author

Sue Henry is the author of 17 novels in two award-winning Alaska mystery series. Her first book, "Murder on the Iditarod Trail" (1991), was well reviewed and won both the Macavity Awards and Anthony Awards for best first novel, prompting the author to develop a series based on this book's characters, Alaskan state trooper Alex Jensen and Jessie Arnold, a sled dog racer.

In 2005, she started a new mystery series featuring a 63-year-old widow, Maxine McNab, travelling in her Winnebago with a miniature dachshund, Stretch. Maxine had appeared in Dead North (2001) in the first series.

Murder on the Iditarod Trail was filmed for television as The Cold Heart of a Killer (1996) starring Kate Jackson, who bought the rights to the book. Sue Henry lived in Alaska for more than a quarter of a century, and brought history, Alaskan lore, and the majestic beauty of the vast landscape to her mysteries. She also taught writing at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my top 5 fav books. This is book 2. The whole series was great. There are 4 books in the series, and I wish Sue Henry (one of my fav authors) had kept the story going on into more books. This is a cozy with a bit of thrill. I loved that you have an older lady who lives in Alaska but takes her RV, along with her weinee dog Stretch into the lower 48 for travel and adventure. Along the way in each book she visits a different state, a different murder. Or rather murder seems to find her. She is always the smart cookie in aiding cops in who did it. Sue Henry the author writes so well and descriptively yet not over the top, you can vivdly and clearly visualize everything she wants you to see. Ater finishing each book in the series, this is one of those that you know in a few years you would want to read again. This was the beginning of my love of Sue Henry. She has been ill, apparently according to several sources and is no longer writing or rather publishing any books. Her last one was in 2010. She also writes another series set in Alaska about and around the Iditarod Trail and dog sled racing. Those books are fantastic. If you love cozys or mysterys, Sue's books are the place to start.

[Bells Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery that takes place in Taos NM. I now need to check out the rock formation that this title references. I did end up reading this later than I should have as it was meant to put me to sleep but good writing and an interesting mystery had me vested in finding out who was behind the murders and of course wanting a safe outcome for Maxie and Stretch. In retirement I’m also attracted to Maxie’s traveling life.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, in my defense I'm at the beach for the week and I think that you should read some pure fluffy books while sitting at the shore. My friend, Nelson, calls these books "black cover books" and I have to admit that much of the cover is either black or in dark tones. Also, I'm planning a trip out west this spring and this story takes place in Taos, which I'm planning to visit. Call it a peek into the future. That having been said, Sue Henry reminds me of the writing of Oklahoma City writer, Carolyn Hart. They both write very enjoyable cozy mysteries. This is the story of Maxie McNabb, a 63 year old Alaska resident, who buys a "Minnie Winnie" and is touring the lower 48 alone except for the mini-dachshund, Stretch, who is her constant companion. The story begins in a weaving/knitting store in Taos and spins (pun intended) out of control from there. A quick read. The reader can take breaks to watch the dolphins or take a quick dip in the pool without losing the thread of the story. I will, no doubt, read other books in this series.

[Molly Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read by Sue Henry. I loved it!

I usually skip over the narrative about the rolling hills and crap. But I found myself reading hers. She has a way with words!

This about Maxine and her little dog. She's a widow from Alaska. Maxine has her RV and she and her dog spend many months each year on the road just going to where she fancies. She also gets caught up in murder and solves the cases. Really cute and fun to read.

I just found that she has written a bunch of books and I have them on my list to read. Can't wait to see if the library has them since they are in paperback.

READ!!! Too much fun!

[Holly Booms Walsh · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sort of a cozy mystery with a retired female protagonist who roams in her Winnebago and gets involvesd in solving local mysteries as she goes. This book is also thematic; the author makes sure to provide you with a lot of information about weaving, Taos, and Alaska. It does get very obvious when she does this. The character is likeable, and her little dachshund provides some comic relief. I don't think that the seris is particularly gripping, but it reminded me of my own mother-in-law.

[R.E. E. Derouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Tooth of Time by Sue Henry 11/4/2024 Paper

This book is far cozier than I usually read but travelling by motor home in New Mexico intrigued me as I had enjoyed the same venture. Maxie McNabb has left her Alaska home to tour with her sole companion her dog Stretch. The mystery she encounters involves a woman who is first thought to have attempted suicide, and is later ruled murdered. I can applaud Maxie as she quickly contributes all she knows to the local law man, instead of going off on her own.

Much of this story reads like a travel guide or a primer on yarn weaving dyeing. The author does a nice job with these topics, actually better than with the mystery which is not very interesting.
This is an easy, quick read but I don’t intend to follow the series.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tooth of Time [x]
3/25/19
Review: 4-1/2☆'s
Amazing descriptives of the area. Makes me want to hop into a motor home & set off on an adventure. I just wouldn't want to deal with all the murder & challenges that go along with it. I'd love to get back into weaving again especially on a floor loom. All the many colors of yarn sound wonderful. I'd love to see the Tooth of Time & visit Taos again. As for the storyline, in spots it's a bit slow but I guess that's why it's a cozy mystery. Sue Henry's writing style with the Maxie series is comfortable. Maxie's like an old friend. Too bad she didn't continue the series. Too bad she's not writing. I miss her books.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating premise for a mystery series, especially with the descriptive details that the author provides about each place that Maxie visits in her 30 foot RV with her small dog Stretch.
My husband and I have traveled in various size RV's throughout Alaska and the western USA, so it is easy to picture myself in Maxie's RV as she travels. However, I cannot imagine inviting a stranger to spend the night with me in our RV! That was the first improbable action that Maxie took and there were several others that followed. This made the story harder for me to read.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this intriguing RVing, travelog mystery story. It was a good blend of the day to day and the mystery that needed to be solved before something else happens. It is refreshing to have the main character get into difficult situations and get out by such common place methods. I will definitely be looking for more tales of Maxie and Stretch to read.

[Dana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the premise of these books, and it’s been a while since I read the first one, but I’m disappointed. Between the paragraphs that end along the line of “If I’d only known...” and the excruciating detail of Taos, I couldn’t enjoy the book. I’ll read one more in the series, hopefully it’s better. PS: when is early 60s a senior citizen?!?!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Because I recently traveled to Taos NM where the book is mostly set, I enjoyed revisiting it in this latest Sue Henry. Henry includes lots of details about Taos and the surrounding area as well as much information about weaving and wool dyeing. That can be tedious, if you're not into it.The murder mystery part of the book is interesting. You will be surprised at whodunit and why.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite. A convoluted story line with the confusing inclusion of a character from a much earlier story. I'm guessing that was just to wrap up a loose end from his previous appearance. To add to theconfusion, there was a flashback journal entry to tell the story.

[Keira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very suspenseful book. The ending was unexpected and the person I thought might have something to do with what was happening wasn't the BADDIE. Yay!! Very enjoyable and had me not wanting to put it down.

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute story, but a little too much mental opinions and not enough red herrings and mystery.
I love the idea of an older lady and her dog travelling around in an RV solving crimes, I just don't think this book completely lives up to its potential.

[Bob Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taos Mystery

What a great location and set of characters for the 2nd Maxie and Stretch mystery. I really enjoyed the colorful descriptions of Taos. Maxie is a plucky woman who doesn’t easily back down.

[Pam A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the premise of this book - A senior lady traveling by herself with her dog in a smaller RV with only spontaneous destinations in site - alot of reflections/descriptions of nature, self thought process, life, reactions of others - oh, lets toss in a mystery murder to solve too!

[Julesdalamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, lighter read. A couple parts were predictable, but it still kept me turning the pages.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maxie and Stretch find trouble in the weaving community in Taos, NM.

[Lesa Dierking · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't care for the second book in the series nearly as much as the first. I'll try the third to see if ogres better however.

[☺Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first Maxie and Stretch book better.

[Rob Nankin · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, meh

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great adventure with Maxie and Stretch! Loved seeing Maxie's fearlessness when poor Stretch is kidnapped! These books are great fun in a camper! Excited about the next one!

[Carolynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book in this series. Very descriptive of her surroundings, so much so you feel like you have been there!!

[Dorothy Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery with an unexpected ending and lots of information about Taos, weaving, and dying (coloring fiber).

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Agaon not all the clues seem to match up, but a good solid read.

[Cindy Grossi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the main character being an independent, female senior. That added with a light mystery and travel around the western US and Alaska and Canada make for a good read.

[Penny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may read this book again when I travel to Taos, NM for the marathon in June, 2024. Tips about interesting and beautiful places to visit.

[Eileen Lynx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love reading about places I’ve been. This was a great story set in a great location.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice to read a book with a main character of my generation who is strong and independent! I've been reading the ones which feature Jessie but happened upon this one and liked it even better.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started in the middle and then had a lot of twists and turns to go with the weaving inside of the story.