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The Mysteries of Max #24
A Purrfect Gnomeful
If you really want to know who did it, I can now reveal that it was the mice. They raided the fridge and stole all of my food. Oh, you were wondering about the murders? Well, that’s a different story. It took me a long time to crack that particular case, preoccupied as I was about the family of mice that had turned my house into a mouse-sty. So when Odelia’s boss was accused, not of one but two murders, I ended up playing catch-up from the very start.
As far as I could make out it had something to do with gnomes. Garden gnomes. Gnomes were at the heart of the murder case, but also at the heart of a second mystery: someone was going around Hampton Cove stealing gnomes from unsuspecting citizens’ gardens. Tex Poole had been hit, and so had many other gnome aficionados. Which is when Gran decided to launch our town’s first-ever neighborhood watch, along with her best friend Scarlett Canyon.
You’re confused? Well, so was I. But here’s the good news: if you read my latest chronicles everything will become purr-fectly clear. You’ll find out what happened with the mice. You’ll discover who was behind those gnome thefts, and you’ll get a front-row seat to the stakeout we engaged in as official members of Gran’s neighborhood watch. And while we’re at it, I might as well reveal the identity of the person spreading murder and mayhem in our lovely little town.
As far as I could make out it had something to do with gnomes. Garden gnomes. Gnomes were at the heart of the murder case, but also at the heart of a second mystery: someone was going around Hampton Cove stealing gnomes from unsuspecting citizens’ gardens. Tex Poole had been hit, and so had many other gnome aficionados. Which is when Gran decided to launch our town’s first-ever neighborhood watch, along with her best friend Scarlett Canyon.
You’re confused? Well, so was I. But here’s the good news: if you read my latest chronicles everything will become purr-fectly clear. You’ll find out what happened with the mice. You’ll discover who was behind those gnome thefts, and you’ll get a front-row seat to the stakeout we engaged in as official members of Gran’s neighborhood watch. And while we’re at it, I might as well reveal the identity of the person spreading murder and mayhem in our lovely little town.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2020
305 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Nic Saint
276 books319 followersSign 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
www.facebook.com/nicsaintauthor
www.twitter.com/nicsaintauthor
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
www.facebook.com/nicsaintauthor
www.twitter.com/nicsaintauthor
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 1, 2020
Gnomenclature
Max is still stuck with mice Hector, Helga & their 200 offspring. They've broken their agreement & are ransacking the house while stealing both cat & human food. Odelia expects Max to take care of the problem but none of the cats have a literal taste for mice. Now Dan, the editor of The Hampton Cove Gazette & Odelia's boss, is accused of murdering a woman who had a valuable article to do with long retired reclusive movie star, Maria Powers. Dan has been president of the Gnomeos, a fan club of the star for years. Rumour has it that her first movie, 'Gnomeos' was destroyed by the director, Rupert Finklestein. No one has ever seen it but it made her reputation.
When Dan's rival fan club president, Jack Warner, is found dead with Dan leaning over him, no one but Odelia believes Dan is innocent.
To add to the upheaval garden gnomes are also disappearing including Tex's beloved garden gnome family. Max finds himself torn between solving the rodent problem or finding a cold blooded killer.
This 24th entry in The Mysteries of Max series continue the big boned blorange cat's adventures. Considering how often murder pops up in Hampton Cove, Max is going to need every one of his nine lives.
Max is still stuck with mice Hector, Helga & their 200 offspring. They've broken their agreement & are ransacking the house while stealing both cat & human food. Odelia expects Max to take care of the problem but none of the cats have a literal taste for mice. Now Dan, the editor of The Hampton Cove Gazette & Odelia's boss, is accused of murdering a woman who had a valuable article to do with long retired reclusive movie star, Maria Powers. Dan has been president of the Gnomeos, a fan club of the star for years. Rumour has it that her first movie, 'Gnomeos' was destroyed by the director, Rupert Finklestein. No one has ever seen it but it made her reputation.
When Dan's rival fan club president, Jack Warner, is found dead with Dan leaning over him, no one but Odelia believes Dan is innocent.
To add to the upheaval garden gnomes are also disappearing including Tex's beloved garden gnome family. Max finds himself torn between solving the rodent problem or finding a cold blooded killer.
This 24th entry in The Mysteries of Max series continue the big boned blorange cat's adventures. Considering how often murder pops up in Hampton Cove, Max is going to need every one of his nine lives.
August 17, 2020
Gnomeo and Maria
Hmmm...Maria is a long way from Juliette but not from Hampton Cove or the big mystery. Odelia's boss, Dan ends up in jail...twice! The mice are on a rampage. Dooley tries to cure Max of cancer. Gran and Scarlett start their own neighborhood watch and Uncle Alec is on a diet he doesn't approve of. All this before we even get to the meat and potatoes of the story.
Tons of storylines to follow and a nice cozy mystery to tie it all up. And that isn't even mentioning what Marge has on her mind.
I would definitely start with book 1 if you are new to the series as characters continue to grow and develop but any of the books can stand alone as a single read. I'm glad I haven't missed a one.
Hmmm...Maria is a long way from Juliette but not from Hampton Cove or the big mystery. Odelia's boss, Dan ends up in jail...twice! The mice are on a rampage. Dooley tries to cure Max of cancer. Gran and Scarlett start their own neighborhood watch and Uncle Alec is on a diet he doesn't approve of. All this before we even get to the meat and potatoes of the story.
Tons of storylines to follow and a nice cozy mystery to tie it all up. And that isn't even mentioning what Marge has on her mind.
I would definitely start with book 1 if you are new to the series as characters continue to grow and develop but any of the books can stand alone as a single read. I'm glad I haven't missed a one.
August 2, 2020
Half the people in town are fans of an old time movie star whose first film was never seen but featured garden gnomes. They were all collectors and when their gnomes started going missing and then Dan who owns the town newspaper was framed for killing someone offering to sell him a copy of the missing movie. Vesta and Scarlett start up a neighbourhood watch and catch the gnome thieves and Max discovers the killer who killed three times. Clarice finally comes and gets rid of Hector and Helga and their 200 offspring.
nic-saint
July 8, 2023Max and friends prevail again.
The author's writing style is so playful that you can't help joining the fun. These cat sleuths have such solid personalities that they pretty much carry the story.
Hampton Cove is suffering from the heat as well as three deaths and a gnome thief, so law enforcement and the cats have their hands full. In addition, the mouse population in Odelia's basement has gone from two to two hundred and they refuse to move out. This calls for drastic measures.
7
The author's writing style is so playful that you can't help joining the fun. These cat sleuths have such solid personalities that they pretty much carry the story.
Hampton Cove is suffering from the heat as well as three deaths and a gnome thief, so law enforcement and the cats have their hands full. In addition, the mouse population in Odelia's basement has gone from two to two hundred and they refuse to move out. This calls for drastic measures.
7
August 5, 2020
What an awesome Max mystery!!!
This was FANTASTIC and definitely deserves
more than 5 stars! The story line was so
attention grabbing. I couldn't stop reading
even if I wanted to, which I didn't. As always
Max saved the day! Was so happy that Clarise
stepped in and got rid of all those mice. I
totally enjoyed that twist at the end. Didn't see
that suspect coming. Great mystery! Love
this series!!!! Can't wait for the next one!!!
This was FANTASTIC and definitely deserves
more than 5 stars! The story line was so
attention grabbing. I couldn't stop reading
even if I wanted to, which I didn't. As always
Max saved the day! Was so happy that Clarise
stepped in and got rid of all those mice. I
totally enjoyed that twist at the end. Didn't see
that suspect coming. Great mystery! Love
this series!!!! Can't wait for the next one!!!
September 8, 2020
A Purrfect Gnomeful
I love Max, Dooley, Harriet, andBrutus but I especially love Clarise...this episode finds Gran and Scarlett starting a Neighborhood Watch, Odelia and Chase overrun with Party Mice and Odelia's boss, Dan, accused of two murders. Lots of smiles and smirks while reading this adventure!
Check it out to learn who is a gnome thief, who is a killer and who is an expert on mice 😉
I love Max, Dooley, Harriet, andBrutus but I especially love Clarise...this episode finds Gran and Scarlett starting a Neighborhood Watch, Odelia and Chase overrun with Party Mice and Odelia's boss, Dan, accused of two murders. Lots of smiles and smirks while reading this adventure!
Check it out to learn who is a gnome thief, who is a killer and who is an expert on mice 😉
January 4, 2021
I had not realized this book features cats who can talk to people and vice versa; it's better than that makes it sound, and better than I was afraid it would be. For one thing, it is very well written and has several believable characters, many of them not human. It also has a good plot with several elements featuring humans, cats, and mice.
July 20, 2020
Great read
Max and the gang have a real problem. The house is overrun with mice. Will Max be able to get them to vacate. Odelia's boss is accused of murder and someone is stealing garden gnomes. Can they get it straightened out?
Max and the gang have a real problem. The house is overrun with mice. Will Max be able to get them to vacate. Odelia's boss is accused of murder and someone is stealing garden gnomes. Can they get it straightened out?
July 21, 2020
Murine frustration and murder abound
Another excellent adventure for Max, Dooley, Harriett, and Brutus along with the mice. Odelia encounters some tense moments as her uncle tries to pin 2 murders on her boss at the Hampton Cove Gazette.
Another excellent adventure for Max, Dooley, Harriett, and Brutus along with the mice. Odelia encounters some tense moments as her uncle tries to pin 2 murders on her boss at the Hampton Cove Gazette.
August 15, 2020
Gnomes, mice and murder.
Wow. So much going on with our cat heroes saving the town from gnome thieves, feline help with the mice problem, and Max solving the murders and saving Odelia. Delightful, fast paced, fun story.
Wow. So much going on with our cat heroes saving the town from gnome thieves, feline help with the mice problem, and Max solving the murders and saving Odelia. Delightful, fast paced, fun story.
August 16, 2020
Max and Friends are Funny
The cats help their human, Olivia, solve murders and Gram solve the mystery of the gnomes. Good themes intertwined along with quirky characters. A fun series.
The cats help their human, Olivia, solve murders and Gram solve the mystery of the gnomes. Good themes intertwined along with quirky characters. A fun series.
April 17, 2025
Gnomes under attack. And murders
Gnomes are going missing around town. Murders happen, and seem to be related to fans of a retired and reclusive actress. Vesta and Scarlett start a neighborhood watch. Mice party while the cats look on helplessly. Fun book.
Gnomes are going missing around town. Murders happen, and seem to be related to fans of a retired and reclusive actress. Vesta and Scarlett start a neighborhood watch. Mice party while the cats look on helplessly. Fun book.
June 15, 2025
I happen to love Dooley’s jokes!!!! Great mystery even though it was kinda easy to figure out. Clarice is such a bad ass…. I think her and Max would make a great couple…. ying and yang. Happy Reading :)
July 19, 2020
Fun and entertaining, excellent series
July 29, 2020
Kept me guessing. Excellent read.
July 30, 2020
I wish I
could talk to my cats. I simply adore these book and they always have a laugh to give. Max and co, sorry Harriet, is amazing ;)
could talk to my cats. I simply adore these book and they always have a laugh to give. Max and co, sorry Harriet, is amazing ;)
August 13, 2020
I think that the cats are more respectful than the humans. However, they were able to work together for the common good when necessary. I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.
March 10, 2021
A Perfect Gnomeful
Another good read. Who is taking all the gnomes? And who is killing people with gnomes? Are they the same people?
Another good read. Who is taking all the gnomes? And who is killing people with gnomes? Are they the same people?
July 2, 2021
Loved it!! Loving this series with it's wonderful cast of characters!! Enjoyable quick read binge worthy cozy mystery series!!
July 4, 2021
Fun
Another goodie. I just can’t stop reading these books. I won’t know what to do when i finish all of them 😩😩😩
Another goodie. I just can’t stop reading these books. I won’t know what to do when i finish all of them 😩😩😩
November 15, 2021
Max
Well I wonder if max will get his happy ever after and some one needs to tell dooley about the birds and the bees. So funny he is so innocent
Well I wonder if max will get his happy ever after and some one needs to tell dooley about the birds and the bees. So funny he is so innocent
September 21, 2022
This is a good one. Really enjoyed it.
October 1, 2022
This one had quite a few touches of humor.
January 9, 2023
Max and the mice
Another fun read, with plenty of murders. But too much for the mice - I hope they are Finally Gone!
Another fun read, with plenty of murders. But too much for the mice - I hope they are Finally Gone!
May 14, 2024
Another great addition to the series.
The characters are wonderful and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is good. The humor is wonderful.
The characters are wonderful and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is good. The humor is wonderful.
June 4, 2024
number 24
Ok, this is the 24th book I’ve read in this series and the author found yet another way to get the cats involved in a cat and mouse storyline.
Ok, this is the 24th book I’ve read in this series and the author found yet another way to get the cats involved in a cat and mouse storyline.
March 15, 2025
Fun to read as always
I love all of the Max books and can't wait for the next one! Max is an awesome sleuths too!
I love all of the Max books and can't wait for the next one! Max is an awesome sleuths too!
November 14, 2025
Kept me guessing all the way…
Max and friends have another hot storyline that kept me guessing the whole way thru to the end.
Great job.
And now onto the next fantastic “read”… 🎊🎉
Max and friends have another hot storyline that kept me guessing the whole way thru to the end.
Great job.
And now onto the next fantastic “read”… 🎊🎉
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews