Max Conquers the Cosmos [Paperback]

Mark Bouton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2005

Former F.B.I. agent Mark Bouton has used his years of experience chasing real-life criminals in writing Max Conquers the Cosmos. Max Austin, an ex-F.B.I. agent-turned-private investigator, is hired by an attorney whose client is accused of killing her rich husband. Vickie Jacobsen says a prowler shot her husband, Morrie, beside their pool with Morrie's own gun, but Max discovers enough clues to be suspicious. So he delves into business records, associates, and the autopsy report to determine the true story. The further Max goes, the more he finds out . . . and the more people start dying. Between crooked cops, gunplay, and stabbings, Max must move fast to prevent more sudden deaths . . . including his own.

Mark Bouton lives in Carbondale, Kansas.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

For his first mystery, Bouton treads on familiar territory. A former FBI agent who lives in Kansas and stargazes, Bouton has created a protagonist named Max Austin--a former FBI agent who lives in Kansas and constantly thinks about the cosmos. Austin, a private investigator, is called in by an attorney whose client is accused of murdering her husband. From the beginning, the police consider Vickie Jacobsen, the gorgeous, much younger, and obviously not grief-stricken spouse of wealthy contractor Morrie Jacobsen, a prime suspect in her husband's shooting. However, her story of a prowler begins to take on more credence as Austin investigates. He also uncovers a host of other possible motives hiding behind Morrie's questionable business dealings. Bouton's frequent use of astronomy analogies grows tiresome but not so much as to keep us from liking Austin, who has the makings of an appealing series hero. Despite a somewhat predictable showdown at the end of the story, Bouton keeps the suspense level high throughout the tale. An uneven but definitely promising debut. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"I really enjoyed getting to know Max Austin and easily found myself totally engrossed in his investigation. Max Conquers The Cosmos is well worth your time. "
-- Murder and Mayhem (Murder and Mayhem )

"2004 J. Donald Coffin Memorial Award received at the Centennial Celebration Conference of the Kansas Author?s Club."
-- (November 2004) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 220 pages
• Publisher: Five Star Trade (January 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141040210X
• ISBN-13: 978-1410402103
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,469,363 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I earned degrees in sociology and law, and then entered the FBI, where I served in Alabama, New York, Chicago, Puerto Rico, Texas, and Kansas for 30 years. I nabbed killers, kidnappers, and bank robbers, and I also played a key role in solving the Oklahoma City bombing. I've been writing mystery/suspense novels for over 20 years. I really enjoy telling readers what law enforcement people do, and also relating what colorful criminals and laypeople do in response to crime situations.

In some of my books I discuss cosmology (the study of the Universe) in relation to solving crimes. In others, movie lore and the idiosyncrasies of people in Los Angeles form part of the story. There's lots of action and fun in both series. I enjoy telling people what I've learned about life and the way individuals act in stressful and comic situations. As Oscar Wilde said, "Life is too important to be taken seriously." But we can examine it, laugh and learn, and then just shake our heads.

I've also written a non-fiction book entitled How to Spot Lies Like the FBI which my agent is shopping now. I'm working on another novel at present (almost finished--yea!)and have another novel begun.

I also like to read, lift weights, go for walks, play my electric guitar, contemplate the universe and talk to groups about my writing projects. I live in Kansas on a horse ranch, and I love the outdoors. My website is http://www.markbouton.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If Carl Sagan wrote a mystery....., March 19, 2006

By 

Dennis E. Smirl (Topeka, KS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Max Conquers the Cosmos (Paperback)

In this debut novel, Mark Bouton has established himself as a writer with a future. In this first person, present tense novel (no mean feat of writing, in itself), Bouton manages to create an interesting and comfortable protagonist named Max Austin. As a P.I., Max is no slouch. As a cosmologist, he's an informed and well-read amateur, who explains the workings of his case using analogies from the universe. Of course, Max lives in Kansas, so what is there to do at night EXCEPT watch the stars and planets as they whirl around us? Other than solve a bit of murder, mayhem, and skulduggery, maybe? The plot, in many ways, is standard detective fare. Max is hired to save the beautiful, blonde trophy widow from the relentless wheels of justice. Did she actually shoot her rich, aging, mob-connected husband, or does it just look that way? Will Max survive as he continues to uncover layers of the mystery while at the same time, earning the undying enmity of the mob? Will Max earn enough Frequent Flyer miles as he tries to make the connections between Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Miami to vacation in Hawaii after the novel is over? The novel is complex, suffiently dark to mirror the ugliness of today's world, and a damned good read. Recommended.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A Good Start but Disappointing, February 3, 2004

By 

Stephen VN Yates "svnyates" (Bartlesville, Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Max Conquers The Cosmos (Hardcover)

Max Conquers the Cosmos, Mark Bouton's first novel, was a disappointment for me. The former FBI agent, turned author, has an interesting story line; one I am sure that mirrors his many experiences at the Bureau. However, I found the novel lacked the character development and suspense that I have come to expect the Grisham, Patterson, Martini or Cornwell.

5.0 out of 5 stars Max makes great reading!, March 10, 2004

By 

Laura Straus (Topeka, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Five Star First Edition Mystery - Max Conquers The Cosmos (Hardcover)

This debut novel, Max Conquers the Cosmos, by Mark Bouton, is a reader's delight. Bouton's writing style has been compared to Raymond Chandler's, very high praise that's completely deserved. This is a taut, fast-paced crime story with a winning protagonist, Max Austin. I hope Bouton will give us many more opportunities to spend time with this character. I enjoyed this book tremendously. It's a page-turner that is enhanced by several things: First, Bouton is a former FBI agent who brings his experience to the novel, making it both believable and interesting. The novel also benefits from Bouton's thoughtful treatment of the protagonist, giving him depth and charm. Finally, the extended metaphor of the cosmos provides a nice counterpoint to Max Austin's ponderings about the crime he's investigating. There are plenty of twists and turns to the plot, and Bouton wraps it all up with a satisfying, exciting conclusion that leaves the reader wanting nothing more, except another Max Austin novel to dive into.