The past couple years August has brought added anticipation. I am more than ready for my beach vacation to relax with a pile of books. Also, there has been a new Chet and Bernie mystery to read and review.
I was excited to recently receive the fourth installment of Chet’s adventures a few days ago. THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH by Spencer Quinn went to the top of my mountainous reading pile. I would have gulped the novel down in one day, but a silly thing known as my day job at a public library got in the way.
For readers who have not had the pleasure of reading Spencer Quinn’s charming tales, Chet is a dog and the narrator. Bernie is a private investigator who always seems to fall for get rich quick schemes that even Chet knows are doomed to failure. Chet keen senses and skills do help track down the bad guys. Bernie has his own intuitive skills and bravery to overcome obstacles and save the day.
With THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, Bernie turns down an offer to sell Chet, but hires on as a bodyguard. The action quickly changes gears as the focus of Chet and Bernie’s case becomes a young boy who goes missing at a camp. Is the boy a victim of bullies or is his father hatching a nefarious plan in a custody battle? As Chet and Bernie pursue the clues, they realize they could become crime victims themselves.
As a dog, Chet takes all conversations literally, which provides comic relief and heartwarming charm. I am not usually a “dog person”, but I could not help loving Chet from the start.
The author adds some background to help those who have not read the earlier novels in the series, but you will not get the full effect unless you start with DOG ON IT. You won’t want to miss the humor, suspense and pure fun.
Spencer Quinn is the pseudonym for writer Peter Abrahams. I am sorry to say I have not read any books by Mr. Abrahams, but I will have to add them to my to be read pile very soon. You can be sure I will read the next Chet and Bernie story as soon as it is available.