Max's parents are missing. They are actors, and thus unpredictable, but sailing away, leaving Max with only a cryptic note, is unusual even for them. Did they intend to leave him behind? Have they been kidnapped?

Until he can figure it out, Max feels it's safer to keep a low profile. Hiding out is no problem for a child of the theater. Max has played many roles, he can be whoever he needs to be to blend in. But finding a job is tricky, no matter what costume he dons.

Ironically, it turns out...

In Mister Max: The Book of Lost Things, Max Starling proved that he is more than a detective, he's a Solutioneer. His reputation for problem-solving has been spreading--and now even the mayor wants his help.

Someone is breaking windows and setting fires in the old city, but the shopkeepers won't say a word about the culprits. Why are they keeping these thugs' secrets?
When the mayor begs for help, Max agrees to take the case, putting himself in...

Ever since Max's parents were spirited away on a mysterious ship, he has longed to find them. He's solved case after case for other people in his business as "solutioneer." And he's puzzled out the coded messages sent by his father. Max doesn't know exactly what's happened, but he knows his parents are in danger--and it's up to him to save them.

Max and his friends (and a few old foes) don disguises and set sail on a rescue mission. It...