Mark Bouton Max Conquers the Cosmos

Max Conquers the Cosmos

Mark Bouton

Five Star, Dec 2003, $25.95, 208 pp.

ISBN: 1594140723

In Hillsboro, attorney Amy Harrington hires former FBI agent Max Austin to investigate a murder. Her client Vickie Jacobson is accused of killing her much older husband Morrie. Vickie insists a prowler killed her spouse, but the case looks solved as she fired the murder weapon, had her spouse's blood all over her, and just took out a $2 million insurance policy on Morrie. Vickie can explain all blaming a prowler, but she remains guilty looking.

Max sees little to persuade him that the woman is a widow maker except the odd angle of the victim's wrist hints at how the gun he held was taken from him. He digs into Morrie's business records and uses his former police connections to share information with Detective Bagley, head of the official investigation. As he uncovers more data on the deceased, other people die and Max is one of the prime targets.

Title aside as it is not a science fiction or fantasy; readers will enjoy this private investigative tale starring a protagonist who is a hero to the max. The story line is at its best when it follows his inquiries. When the plot turns to multiple murders, it takes away from Max, who is the prime reason worth the time of fans.

Harriet Klausner