Hi. I recently read your book, because MAKS the author came to my school to do a book talk and I thought the book was excellent.

It was different from other books I've read because it seemed more real. My favourite part was when Alex and School spy on Joel Black's meeting.

JACKSON - 12

My name is Jackson. I'm in the honour program at my middle school and love playing football and rugby. I really enjoyed this book.

I thought the main plot was the best part of it. It was extremely well thought out and extremely well put into words.

Some names were wrong, like Z-Files instead of X-Files but maybe you couldn't use the names for copyright reasons.

LeHops attempts to hide what he was really doing were well thought out also.

The tricks Scott and Kim played on each other were hilarious.

The book was an eight plus on my ten scale and I can't wait to read the next one.

ASHLEY 14

That was amazing!!! I loved it. This is a definite 9.5 out of 10!

Keep it coming.

SAVANNAH 14

I thought this book was good. The whole plot line of a dog pooping out a diamond that causes a global controversy and completely takes down the whole diamond industry just highly amuses me. It's pretty cool the way the book pivots off the decisions of the kids. It was a good book. No unfinished characters, no unfinished plot. Even though the plot continues in the next book, the readers would still feel like the book was complete even if there were no sequels.

KAI 13

MAKS, I liked your book very much. I especially liked the brother and sister fights between Scott and Kim. The whole time I just wanted to keep on reading, but the problem was I had to stop reading, and normally I stop by the beginning of a new chapter, but your interesting parts would follow into the next chapter. The good thing at the beginning of the book was that it didn't take long until it started getting interesting, like other authors write half the book full as an introduction. I really liked that it had real things in it like with the whales.

My favorite part was on page four when Max poops out the diamond. You also explained everything nicely. I don't think this book has any bad spots, except maybe it should be longer. My favorite character was probably Scott because I think he pretty much resembles me. I would recommend this book to anyone.

STACEY 18

Great book. It's cool how it's a mystery that twists a lot, but also gives the reader a good chance of figuring it out on their own.

The whole story was really easy to visualize in my mind, which I believe is a true sign if it is written well or not.

It's an easy read (vocabulary) so anyone can enjoy it. And just enough realism within the fiction and story line to be able to connect with the characters (emotions, thoughts and actions).

The relationship between the family comes off as strong. No one really worked against each other. It wasn't kids versus parents. There was team work in the family but also the kids' independent work which I believe will make young readers feel confident themselves.

ERIN 18

Some good interaction scenes between Kim and Scott. Their dialogue is what I expect siblings to say to each other. Good capture of their best frinds/rival relationship.

When I think of the characters of Scott and Kim, I see Scott as the impatient theory man, always jumping to conclusions and Kim as his voice of reason.

The character of Tommie Sometimes acts like more of a kid than a parent.

JACKSON 12

The secret meeting was great stuff. The way Alex and Scott got into it and how they get out of school was in great detail and very true.

I love the series so far. It's amazing how far you can think ahead to plot these story lines, unbelieveable.

Who is this Ring Master and who are the grandson and gradfather? But maybe you'll tell us in the next book.

Overall, I'd rate it an 8+ to a 9. Very nice book. I enjoyed reading it a lot. I can't wait to read the third book.

ASHLEY 14

Again, I really liked this book. 8.5/10 - 9/10

KAI 13

MAKS, if you keep on writing like this I'll have to send you to the 'Big House' for writing too good. I'm serious. The books you write get better by the sentence and you always make the ending so interesting that you just have to read the next book. I think they could maybe qualify as a Blue Spruce - which is a book award in Colorado.

My favourite part is when Scott and Alex are spying on Alex's father and they try getting the people in the meeting out of the room to put a cell phone in so they could listen in on the meeting, and do this by trying to stink them out. I also liked the tension in your book especially at the end of the book. I liked the funny parts in your book. I'm really having problems to complain about your books, they just seem too perfect, unlike some books I know, even Harry potter books I can find something to complain about and they're my favorite books.

The characteristics of the four kids are expressed so thoroughly, I could probably guess what they would do in a certain situation (thumbs up on describing their characteristics.)

SAVANNAH

I was glad when the plot focused a little more on the mom's side of things. In the first book, Huckster was mentioned, but he was never a main player. Now, in the second book, he's central to the whole plot line. "Playing with Fire" entertained me just because of the way the kids reacted to everything that was going on around them. I'm sure that all of the "Young male" readers will get a kick out of the whole gaseousness of the book.

STACEY 18

I definately liked this book better than the first. It had some nice twists in it. I got more into the story.

Smart ending, it really makes you want to read the next one in the series and peaks interest in the Ring Master referral.

I'm glad you briefly explained the previous adventure in this book.

I like how you introduced Amy and Alex along with Mr. Black as more main characters, that way the readers won't get bored with the original family.

As you go along in the series, it's nice to learn more about the characters on a personal level.

ERIN 18

What was with the conspiracy talk etween Lanny and Erin? Does that get resolved in future books?

Can the relationship between Tommie and her parents be expanded on? I feel like there was a lot we weren't being told?

I like book 2 better than book 1 because I found the plot more interesting and it didn't seem as slow as the first book.

JACKSON 12

This is the best book so far. The tension grew perfectly and broken pieces came together, but I still want to know what the grandson and grandfather were doing with listening devices and who they are.

The science project seemed really advanced and very well put together too.

Throughout all the books (especially the first) there have been too many sound effects.

The plot was again extremely well put together and organized. It connected all the enemies from books 1 and 2 together, it was genius.

Great Writing!!!

ASHLEY

Wow! What can I say? This book was amazing. I loved it. So far it is my favorite!!! 9.5/10 - 10/10

KAI 13

MAKS the third book was really interesting because I learned about pheromones, what they do and what they are. I liked the parts with the pheromones, especially the one part when Max jumped onto Tommie. I thought that was very funny.

I liked how you explained everything exactly so the reader would always know what's going on. I think this book was more adventurous and interesting than the others. The three books connected nicely. Maybe you should, on some difficult word, write in an easier form because there were some words I had to look up in the dictionary.

SAVANNAH 14

I liked this book. It was funny because of the way the kids tried to "save" their parents' marriage. I'm sure plenty of kids have thought their 'rents were on the rocks and tried to "help". Scott and Alex cracked me up when they wanted to use the potions to help them win the election, and the way Alex threw the bottles on the man at the end right over the ant hill... that would make a funny scene in a movie.

STACEY 18

The characters are evolving with the books, which is a good thing. I really think Alex will be the popular one with the readers.

I found the info about the pheromones really interesting, and it was explained on an easy level to understand.

I like how the boys win the election without pheromones, and Alex gets a glimmer of a descent side.

The basketball game was a good moment. It actually makes you hold your breath waiting to see if the shot goes in.

The part with the ants was a nice touch, brings a comical edge to a fairly serious moment.

ERIN 18

I found book three interesting, but it really wasn't a continuation of book two's plot about the Men of Business sting until the very end. I felt that book three deals more with the characters than with any advancement of the plot (except at the end). I learned a lot about Amy and Alex's relationship with Tommie and Chirs. I also learned more about Alex's character in this book. Alex is a show-off and the class clown, but is this because he's hiding his insecurity and vulnerability?

Is there a reason why Kim and Scott are so worried about their parent's marriage? Is it because both Amy and Alex have divoiced parents?