Harry is a man still mourning the loss of his beloved girlfriend, Imogen, who left him suddenly without a word. He’s also the owner of a plum...
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Apr 20, 2010
Joyce
rated it: 
Start of a new mystery series featuring Randolph the black Lab as Manhattan super-sleuth. Randolph is not just your everyday overweight, out-of-shape Lab; while using all the resources of his kind such as canine intuition, a sense of smell 100,000 times more powerful than that of humans, he also is far more sentient than your average dog. Randolph is something of an epicure, gladly breakfasting on crab cakes, and quite the intellectual; Dante s Inferno is his favorite book (in translation,
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Feb 01, 2009
Ancutza
rated it: 
Randolph, un labrador nero, è un cane molto particolare: può ragionare ed è un lettore appassionato, il suo autore preferito è Dante Alighieri ( già, un po’ esagerato, la Divina Commedia l’ho trovata…appunto divina ma difficile da digerire). L’espressione: “intelligente e capisce tutto, gli manca solo la parola” si addice perfettamente a Randolph. Il suo padrone è un pittore di talento , depresso a causa della misteriosa scomparsa della sua fidanzata e perciò dedito alla ricerca dei fant More...
Apr 25, 2010
Kristin
rated it: 
I've been a big fan of Lillian Jackson Braun's 'Cat Who...' series, but since there hasn't been a new one of those in a while, this book sounded like it might be a start to a suitable replacement series, but with a canine crimesolver.
Due to the sophisticated language used to open the book and the cover image, I was afraid it might be too highbrow for me. I consider myself well-educated, but not so much on literary classics and the language within, which is what I was getting the impression More...
Due to the sophisticated language used to open the book and the cover image, I was afraid it might be too highbrow for me. I consider myself well-educated, but not so much on literary classics and the language within, which is what I was getting the impression More...
May 26, 2009
Gaby
rated it:
Synopsis:
Randolph, an unlikely protagonist, is the labrador turned detective on the Upper West Side. A dog of unusual perspicacity, Randolph lives with young painter Harry. Harry recently lost his fiancee and Randolph's original owner, Imogen, and Harry hasn't been the same since. Rudderless and delving into the world of paranormal, Harry somehow finds himself at seance with an unusual death. As the murders pile up, Randolph has to find a way to somehow solve the crime with Harry's hel More...
Randolph, an unlikely protagonist, is the labrador turned detective on the Upper West Side. A dog of unusual perspicacity, Randolph lives with young painter Harry. Harry recently lost his fiancee and Randolph's original owner, Imogen, and Harry hasn't been the same since. Rudderless and delving into the world of paranormal, Harry somehow finds himself at seance with an unusual death. As the murders pile up, Randolph has to find a way to somehow solve the crime with Harry's hel More...
Jul 18, 2010
Chris
rated it:
Not quite what I expected. Given the cover, I expected more humor, and Englert could have easily turned the relationship between the canine protagonist and his master into a Jeeves/Wooster or Wallace/Gromit situation, with a wise dog putting up with his more dimwitted owner. There's none of that. In fact, there is surprisingly little development of their relationship at all, even though Randolph (the dog) clearly cares about his master (Harry). There's surprisingly little development of Harry's
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Feb 18, 2009
Samantha
rated it: 
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Mar 20, 2011
Martin
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From a different perspective :-) This is a great between books book, which is a quick and enjoyable read. As a dog person the cover caught my attention first (yes, I know don't judge a book by.....) but was hooked by the outlined premise and intriguing lead dogtective. The cast of characters was good, and the author hit the right notes on how we treat and look at our pets. I am not the type who reads a mystery to figure out who done it before the final chapter, I like to go along for the ride. T
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Apr 13, 2009
Stefan
rated it:
A refreshingly original, delightfully relaxing, and pleasantly humorous book. Randolph (and his human owner, Harry) were an interesting detective duo, something different then the overused ideas often featured in other mysteries. I enjoyed the way J. F. Englert put character, charm, and eccentricity into Randolph. A good plot, well developed characters, communicative dialogue, creative ideas (the use of alphabet cereal being one), and plenty of relevant quotations from literature, history, and c
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Oct 05, 2008
gautami
rated it:
Randolph contacted me via email asking me if I woul like to read this book about him. I have never been offered a book by an intelletual dog before. I had to say yes. Randolph sent this and the next in series too. I am very glad to know Randolph and his master, Harry.
Randolph lives with Harry who is his master now, by default. Harry's missing girlfriend Imogen is the owner of the dog. He has inherited his love for the printed word from his mistress. Both Harry and Randolp More...
Jun 03, 2008
Cherie
rated it:
Are you sick of all those mysteries series which feature that snotty feline breed? Are you a canine lover like me? Well if so, then make way for Randolph! He's a fully cognizant—if a little pudgy—Black Labrador dog with a taste for fine literature and a nose for crime. He and his owner, Harry, have found themselves in the middle of a string of murders. If Randolph is going to help Harry steer clear of trouble, he must find a way to communicate everything that his nose is telling him. The s
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Oct 28, 2010
Julian
rated it:
This is a book for anyone who loves a great murder mystery. This is a murder/kidnapping mystery from the point of view of the owners dog who was the only witness. The narrative is written as if the dog is very well educated, which gives it a funny twist while reading it. The story is about the dog's struggle to solve the mystery and tell his owner what happened to his girlfriend. Riveting ending. Great book. The sequel is great too. Read it!
Jun 20, 2010
Seana
rated it:
You have to do one of those willing suspension of disbelief things when you're reading a book about a Labrador retriever sleuth. But Randolph is worth the effort. This is pure entertainment and evokes the lighter side of living in New York City, despite the obligatory mysterious foul play. Randolph is one erudite dog, so you'll probably learn a bit despite yourself.
Mar 14, 2011
Stephen
rated it:
A nice delightful story from a unique dog's POV. You'll find interesting characters, including Martin, the tree sloth; Daisy Mae, the Great Dame; Bam Bam, the Swimming Rotweiler. You'll learn about poetry, Alpha-bits, electromagnets, and ghost hunters. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.
Mar 24, 2010
Beth
rated it:
This book, along with the two next - A Dog Among Diplomats and A Dog at Sea, are quirky, fun reads. Randolph (the dog who narrates the books) is a hoot and has a dry sense of humor. I highly recommend these if you like movies with talking animals.
Aug 10, 2011
A somewhat different aproach to the standard mystery formula. The "detective" is a black lab who communicates with Alpha Bit cereal to his unsuspecting owner. Everything is seen through the dog's point of view.
Dec 23, 2010
Manishma
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Jan 30, 2010
Linda Branham
rated it:
If you like mysteries and dogs... you will find this very entertaining. It is a mystery told from the perspective of a very intelligent Labrador Retriever
Jul 17, 2009
Lynne
rated it:
I liked this book except the main character was not very smart. The dog was smarter that the owner. The dog was also very academic. He liked Dante and such. A bit like Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie Brown.
Sep 22, 2010
Eunira
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book and there is a lot to recommend in it. The narrator, a labrador called Randolph, is endearing and witty and really grew on me. He can smell changes in people's body chemistry when they are lying or afraid, and this interesting plus of being a dog detective was counterbalanced with the difficulty of being taken along to all the necessary places to gather information and then passing that info to humans. The writing is sophisticated and a pleasure to read. I wish I coul
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Jun 29, 2009
I would give this 3 1/2 stars. It's a lighthearted, fun read told from the dog's point of view. The 1st book sets you up to read the next one.
Dec 18, 2011
Donna
rated it:
Cute story. I hope there will be more stories about Randolph and Harry!
May 29, 2008
Nikii
rated it:
An uncomplicated "cozy" mystery that owes its considerable charm to the narrative voice of Randolph, the hyper-intelligent, portly Labrador retriever. The plot was straightforward and, frankly, not the point of the novel. The characters, both major and minor, were quirky, interesting and often funny. A cameo appearance by a Guatemalan tree sloth left me eager for more, and I hope he re-appears in later volumes. A good read and a quick one.
May 12, 2008
Glenn
rated it:
Different sort of mystery, about a dog that helps his master solve the death of one of his friends, who died under mysterious circumstances. First in a series, with the second book "A Dog Among Diplomats" recently released. I see that a Goodreads member named "Randolphlab" rated this book 5 stars - maybe there's more truth to this book than I realized. :-)
Nov 13, 2008
Nancy K.
rated it:
the dog tells the story...lighthearted reading
after a Holocaust book...
Really enjoyed it, fast paced, funny and worth
getting the second book, A Dog Among Diplomats.
Keith, this takes place in New York, so some
places should sound familiar to you.
We know that dogs are very smart....now you
can read about this brilliant dog.
after a Holocaust book...
Really enjoyed it, fast paced, funny and worth
getting the second book, A Dog Among Diplomats.
Keith, this takes place in New York, so some
places should sound familiar to you.
We know that dogs are very smart....now you
can read about this brilliant dog.
Apr 24, 2008
Celine
rated it:
I grew up near Manhattan, so it was fun to read a doggie book set in good ol' Gotham. I liked the twist--letting the dog be the brains behind the story. I also liked that the dog is not superdog, but a typical black lab. Well, not exactly typical, but if I said more I would give the story away.
Jul 01, 2008
Lani
rated it:
Cute, super-quick read about a lab who solves a murder - perhaps in spite of his owner.
Fun, easy read, though it doesn't seem like a particularly clever or novel idea. Randolph's personality, and his affection for his master and missing mistress, is really what carries it.
Fun, easy read, though it doesn't seem like a particularly clever or novel idea. Randolph's personality, and his affection for his master and missing mistress, is really what carries it.
Feb 18, 2011
Maurean
rated it:
very entertaining; much better than I anticipated, actually. I thought this would be rather silly, and with an overweight Labrador as the protagonist, I suppose it *was*, but it was a highly entertaining read, and I would read other Randolph tales if given the opportunity.
May 20, 2008
Judy
rated it:
I will definitely read the sequel! I thought it would be kind of silly, but it turned out to be a great read about a dog that helped his owner solve mysteries by spelling things out in Alphabits cereal while his owner was asleep.
Oct 31, 2008
Danielle
rated it:
It was a cute and extremely quick read. Randolph is a lovable character who you just love to hear ramble on and on. The cliffhanger leaves you guessing and hungry for more.
Oct 21, 2009
Elaine
rated it:
A charming light read, mystery was good but our Hero Labrador is what makes this book for me, esp the weight problem, something most Lab lovers are familiar with.
