Mixing intricate plot with intrigue, Max Connelly writes mind-challenging fiction. His thriller prose and lively characters carry it out.

His first novel, "Spy Hunt in Dixie," a Civil War historical, is one of the most elaborate mysteries, as well as a fresh take on detective journalism. Employing multi-narrative style, atypical characters, and dense text, Connelly delivers cerebral gratification to mystery plot addicts.

His second novel, "Respublic Amerike," follows the amorous Egyptian detective based in Boston. Omar, the Egyptian, embarks on solving a series of seemingly unrelated mysteries; but surprisingly all leads end at one enigmatic man: one with excessive power, gadgetry, and outreach--and above all ingenuity.