In The Misadventures of Max McMuddle: The Mystery of the Missing Mascot, Max McMuddle, a slightly awkward but wildly imaginative middle schooler, finds himself in the middle of his biggest adventure yet. When the beloved school mascot, Buster, goes missing just days before the much-anticipated sports day, Max is determined to solve the mystery and save the day. With his loyal but clueless best friend Tommy by his side, Max dives into an investigation that quickly spirals into a series of hilarious misadventures.

As they follow the clues, Max and Tommy stumble upon suspicious behaviour from their usually strict but kind-hearted teacher, Mr. Smudge, and a group of art students. What begins as a simple quest to find Buster turns into a complex mystery involving secret meetings, hidden art projects, and a plan to create a fake mascot. Along the way, Max enlists the help of his crush, Emily, whose keen investigative skills prove invaluable.

Together, the trio uncovers a cover-up that threatens to ruin sports day and exposes the lengths to which Mr. Smudge has gone to protect a student who accidentally damaged the real mascot. Faced with the dilemma of exposing the truth or becoming part of the cover-up, Max, Tommy, and Emily must navigate the tricky terrain of doing what's right, even when it's not easy.

Filled with humour, heart, and the relatable struggles of middle school life, this third instalment in the Misadventures of Max McMuddle series delivers a fast-paced, entertaining read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats as they join Max in unravelling the mystery and learning important lessons about honesty, responsibility, and friendship.