What's a Daring Detective Like Me Doing in the Doghouse?

Stevie Diamond #5

by Linda Bailey

Stevie is spending her spring break working at Barking Buddies, a daycare center for dogs. Meanwhile the "Prankster" is loose in Vancouver.The Prankster had snatched an opera singer's toupee, locked one of the Chicago Bulls in a closet during a big game, and stolen the Prime Minster's underwear. But now he has pulled the biggest prank of all -- he kidnapped the President's dog!

Only Stevie and Jesse can beat the Prankster at his own game without ending up in the dog house.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Young Adult, Fiction

185 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

I was born and grew up in Winnipeg —a daydreamer with her nose in a book. In my twenties, I traveled around the world, mostly by ship. Later, I moved to Vancouver, where I earned a B.A. and M.Ed. at the University of British Columbia. Among my jobs were travel agent, college teacher, instructional designer and editor.

For years, I dabbled with writing. But I didn't begin to write in earnest until I had two young daughters. My first book was published in 1992, and I have since written more than thirty others, including novels, picture books and non-fiction.

I live in Vancouver, a short walk from the sea. I write full-time and still love to travel, read and daydream.
- Source

Series:
* Stanley
* Stevie Diamond Mystery
* Good Times Travel Agency

Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Juvenile (1997): How Can a Frozen Detective Stay Hot on the Trail?
◊ Best Juvenile (2000): How Can a Brilliant Detective Shine in the Dark?

Reviews

[Westcoast_girl]

This is the fifth book in the Stevie Diamond series. It's worth reading in chronological order but not necessary.

In #5, Stevie must spend her summer working at a doggy daycare after the family friend who owns the daycare falls and injures herself. So begins her adventures being pulled by dogs, having to pick up dog doo, and trying to retain some dignity!

The mystery does not begin until one dog fails to be picked up. Stevie brings the dirty dog home with Jesse to give the dog a bath. So why is a white dog green on the cover of the book? Oh no! They mixed up their hair products! Now they have a GREEN dog on their hands that they don't know what to do with. It seems like an innocent enough situation until they see a TV broadcast. The President is missing his dog and it looks an awful lot like their formally-white mutt.

Like the other Stevie Diamond books, this is an engaging, fun read for youth. This one will especially appeal to young dog lovers. I loved reading this book in the summer and imagining what I would do in Stevie's shoes.