Scents and Sensibility

Chet and Bernie Mystery #8

by Spencer Quinn

In the latest entry in the immensely popular Chet and Bernie mystery series, Private Investigator Bernie Little and his canine companion Chet return home to encounter some alarming developments. First off, Bernie's wall safe normally hidden behind the waterfall picture in the office is gone, and with it Bernie's grandfather's watch, their most valuable possession. And next door, old Mr. Parsons is under investigation for being in possession of a saguaro cactus illegally transplanted from the desert. Bernie and Chet go deep into the desert to investigate. Is it possible that such a lovely old couple have a terrible secret in their past?

Chet and Bernie discover bad things going on in the wilderness, far worse that cactus smuggling, and all connected to a strange but innocent-seeming desert festival called Arrow Bright. They unearth leads that take them back to a long-ago kidnapping that may not have been a kidnapping and threaten a ruthless and charismatic criminal with a cult following, a criminal who sees at once what Chet and Bernie mean to each other and knows how to exploit it.

Every bit as insightful (Booklist), humorous (Library Journal), and deliciously addictive (Publishers Weekly, starred review) as Quinn's previous books, Scents and Sensibility is a drool-worthy mystery that will have readers everywhere begging for more.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Dogs, Animals, Humor, Audiobook, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 14, 2015

About the author

Spencer Quinn lives on Cape Cod with his dog Audrey, and is hard at work on the next Chet and Bernie adventure.

Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.

Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scents and Sensibility ( A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #8)
By Spencer Quinn
I have not been able to read these in order since I only have the prequel and the first one. I am at the mercy of my poor library! They have all of two! Ugh! This book ends in a dramatic fashion so I really want to get the next one! Will have to check thrift stores!
This has such a wonderful plot and a new dog comes into play! It's non-stop action with plenty of suspense! Again, told by Chet the dog! Great plot and characters! I am sure we will be seeing this other dog again! Love this series!

[AliceAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending. YIKES! I need the next book ASAP!

[Kay Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chet, and he's as funny and doggy as ever in this installment. And Shooter, Chet's mini-me (relationship obvious to everyone but Chet) is darling. But I have to admit I was taken aback by the unexpected cliffhanger ending, not the norm for this series. I suppose we'll have to wait until next summer for the resolution, but there IS a short story scheduled for November, and I've already pre-ordered it.

[Willa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was the best Chet and Bernie mystery to date. The books are narrated by Chet, a dog, in a stream-of-consciousness style that is very engaging. Bernie Little, the "Little" of the Little Detective Agency, is divorced, war-wounded, and troubled. Subplots involving an on-again, off-again girlfriend, Bernie's son Charlie, his ex-wife and her current husband, and Bernie's elderly neighbors add atmosphere to the book, but pale in comparison to Chet's narration. Chet is motivated by his love for Bernie and his love for food; in this book he seemed to have a lot more thoughts that he was unable to convey to Bernie.

Chet and Bernie come home one day to find that someone has been in their house, and Bernie's father's watch, his most valuable possession, has been stolen. The watch seems to spend as much time in the pawn shop as it does in Bernie's safe, but now the watch, as well as the safe, are missing. Bernie's investigation leads him to his neighbor's house where a stolen saguaro cactus has turned up, along with an investigator and what appears to be (maybe?) the result of an assignation of Chet's in an earlier book.

There is a decades-old crime that may or may not have been a kidnapping, prisoners released from prison, elderly neighbors in need of help, and a desert festival reminiscent of Burning Man. An altogether wonderful book, a great mystery, and a superb entry into the Chet and Bernie saga.

I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Ms.pegasus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who would've thought.... People actually try to steal those stately saguaro cacti in order to landscape their homes. It is therefore illegal to go digging them up in Arizona without a permit from the Arizona Dept. of Agriculture. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. In Chicago my parents came out of their house one day and found a hole where their big blossoming peony plant used to be. Cactus theft is where this 8th book in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series begins. Their aged neighbors, the Parsons, have received the dubious “gift” of a saguaro from their miscreant son Billy, newly released from serving a 15 year prison sentence for kidnapping. Several crimes are interlocked. Bernie arrives home to find that his wall safe containing his grandfather's watch has been broken into. A state investigator from the department of agriculture is found murdered. Her puppy, a canine with an uncanny appearance and scent similar to Chet's, has disappeared. The case file on Billy's arrest for the kidnapping have been “lost.” There is a curious evasiveness among the principals when Bernie begins to ask questions about that kidnapping.

Of course, it is always fun to listen to these cases told from Chet's point of view. His loyalty and trust in Bernie are complete. His enthusiasm for helping Bernie, sole owner and employee of the Little Detective Agency, catch perps is without bounds. He is, however, constantly amazed at the dullness of human senses. Here's an exchange occurring while the pair are on stakeout: “ 'Chet? Something up?' Most definitely. A motorcycle was roaring toward us down the mountain. Bernie really didn't hear it? I couldn't believe — ….'Sounds more like a motorcycle than a car,' Bernie said, his voice low. That had to be one of Bernie's jokes, since the bike was practically right on us.” Chet constantly reminds himself to make mental notes, whatever those might be, of the random questions Bernie poses out loud.
This book, however, fell a bit short of other books in the series. The tangle of interlocked cases detracted from the urgency of their investigation. There were fewer humorous encounters with the other animals that normally populate this series. Readers of this book will enjoy the familiar threads: Chet's perplexity at encountering that strangely familiar puppy, Bernie's relationship with Suzie who is having a successful career with the Washington Post, Chet's concern over their sputtering cash flow, the outrageously dreadful ex-wife Leda, the big-hearted son Charlie's bond with Bert and Chet, and of course, Chet's unique take on human behavior. It is a bridge between what we already know about the pair and anticipation of their next adventure. I love to return to this series to revitalize my cheerful mood. Despite its flaws, this book did the trick.

NOTES:
Saguaro cactus note from the Arizona Dept. of Agriculture
http://cronkitezine.asu.edu/spring201...

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these books. A friend of mine told me about them about a year ago and how good they were. I was like "a dog narrating a story? Meh". Then I requested one just to check it out. My friend was right. I've only read two of these books, this one being better than the last one. I think it's because the dog did more narrating in this one. The dog just cracks me up and you know you can just see him doing the things he says.
He's always looking for that chance to grab the pant legs of the perp, LOL. I am curious though, is Chet and Bernie going to London? Guess I will find out in the next one.
Thanks Atria and Net Galley for the opportunity and entertainment in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!!

[Erin L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series, but this book is not my favorite. I thought it was a little disjointed, which is too bad because I handed it to my Mom to read as an introduction to the series before I read it. Ooops. No wonder she wasn't all that enthusiastic about it.

I liked it because I happen to love Chet so I give him a bit of a break, but it's not his best work ;)

I'll still be looking for the next in the series.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely hooked and, puh-leez Mr. Quinn don't leave us hanging for long!
This is one of my favorites of the series -- Chet and Bernie are back home in Arizona, with saguaro cacti looming large, Chet is at the top of his form, and we learn a great deal about that mysterious puppy.

[Linda Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some reason this one took longer to hook me. Love Chet as much as ever.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Bernie and Chet Mysteries! Chet is The Best Narrator! My hubby walked in during one of Chet's more memorable musings and asked WTHeck is That?! Made me Laugh that much Harder!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Happy to be home after their long road trip, Bernie and Chet are looking forward to some down time. Chet, as usual whenever he reenters the house begins his sniff and search – just to make sure everything is at it should be. Bernie is a little confused when Chet begins clawing at the wall in is office, until further investigation shows his wall safe has been removed, and with it, his prized possession – his grandfather’s pocket watch. Just as he begins to try to unravel that puzzle their elderly neighbour, Mr. Parson’s is outside and quite agitated because he is being investigated for illegal possession of the Saguaro cactus which has been transplanted into his front yard. Strange as it may seem the two incidents turn out to be related.

Looking into the case pro-bono (which always worries Chet because of “their finances”) they discover it all stems back to a suspicious kidnapping case that happened many year ago.

Not only that, but the reader is FINALLY given the answers to what happened on that no-so-long-ago night that Chet leapt the gate and had an unexpected tryst.

Once again Chet does a fine job of not only helping to solve the mystery but also in narrating the adventure from his canine point of view. In my humble opinion this is the best entry yet in Mr. Quinn’s series.

One small paragraph in the book made me once again appreciate Chet’s simple view of problem solving and had me thinking that maybe people could take a page out of Chet’s book …

“Bernie looked over at me in surprise. “Growling?” he said. “What’s that about? You mad at me?”
Whoa! Mad at Bernie? What could that possibly mean? I was mad because … because … nothing came to mind. Meaning I was mad at nothing, which had to mean I wasn’t mad. There! All better. I rested my paw on Bernie’s leg, just to let him know we were cool.”

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spencer Quinn is a doggone good writer. His writing is a canine-semi-steam-of-consciousness that never fails to entertain and amuse. His stories always have a neat mystery, some decent action, and some of those AHA! moments. Quinn's writing shows that he never takes himself too seriously.

Once again, a quick read, and a fun story. Okay, whenever Chet gets lost\stolen\dognapped-- he always seems to find his way home a bit too easily... Still, enjoyable stuff...

This time around we learn how Bernie left the police force... his nemesis from the old days is assigned to a case Bernie and Chet are investigating and it doesn't lead exactly where the reader thinks it is going to.

Of course, one of the fun things in this series is seeing that Chet often knows who the bad guys are, but simply can't tell Bernie, after all, these aren't about a talking mule or a talking horse. The fun is watching Bernie eventually put two and two together, or pick up clues that Chet doesn't understand.

The puppy sired by Chet during a night of canyon roving plays a key part to this mystery and helps Chet out of a bad spot in a comical manner.

This series is worth reading. It won't win any great literature awards, but it certainly is different than anything out there and its entertainment value is high. I highly recommend it.. Even if you are a cat person instead of a dog person.

[Dan Shonka · Rating 5 out of 5]

The entire Chet & Bernie series is great. Spencer Quinn's ability to write from Chet the Jet's point of view is always entertaining and seems so spot on for what we humans might suppose is going on inside a dog's head. This particular volume, Scents and Sensibility, is quite possibly the best of the whole series. The danger is imminent and real enough to keep the reader on edge. And we get to see what a great, and caring (along with a bit flawed) character Bernie is. (Should we tell Chet? No need. He knows all he needs to know about Bernie. . . though he's always finding out more great things.) But we're so totally left hanging. What about the Parsons? London? Susie? Shooter & Charlie? And BERNIE??!!! Mr. Quinn/Abrahams, I sincerely hope you're working on the next great Chet & Bernie volume. Oh, and you readers out there, if you haven't jumped on the Chet & Bernie train. . . what're you waiting for? This is a great one to read, but you really oughta start at the beginning. You'll love it, pure and simple.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chet and Bernie get back home from the long road trip they took in Paw and Order only for Chet to smell Iggy's scent--odd since Iggy has never been in the house--and for Bernie to discover that his safe has been torn out of the wall and taken even though the house hasn't been broken into. Itty's owner, the harmless, geriatric Mr. Parsons is under investigation due to a stolen cactus that has been planted in his front yard. But this is just the beginning. It's not long before Bernie and Chet are on the case not only to discover who is stealing cacti, but where the Parsons' wayward son is, who shot the conservation officer who was investigating cactus and more.

Another likable read; mysteries are generally three stars for me. Once again, if you enjoy mysteries with some action, a bit of violence, lots of dog humour (told from the point of view of Chet, the dog) then this is a book, and really a series, for you.

[Stephen Richter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the ending of "Scents and Sensibility "terribly moving. On the one hand one might read it as a close call that Bernie escapes from, with Chet's help. Most of the comments on line seem to point in that direction. For me,however,a close reading of the last page suggests the probability that Bernie is near death and will soon be dead.
Chet "sees" the numerous people whose lives have crossed his and Bernie's path crying at Bernie's condition. There is no life support in the hospital room. The nurse "shook her head " when Suzie questions her about the absence of a ventilator to help Bernie breathe. Bernie's "beautiful hands" can barely move to "grip" the side of Chet's neck. To Chet he is holding on "tight". Is he holding onto "life" or to the deep love that forms the bond between him and his constant friend,Chet. Is Bernie's "holding" a final definitive affirmation of the transcendent love that so permeates the relationship between Chet and Bernie? Or,rather, is his hold a "life support" infinitely more potent than that which the medical community might supply him?

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are what they are...a one trick pony that will continue to appeal to dog lovers. They've become a bit of a brain-break and quick read for me, and I tend to skim over the inner (heh) monologue of the narrator. (He's a dog. It's ALL inner-monologue). The books are fairly stand-alone stories. The dog rehashes anything you might need to know from previous books, and any other vague references are just for fans who can remember tiny details to congratulate themselves over. This one ends on a cliff-hanger, but much like the detective tv-series this reminds me of (the individual stores aren't why you watch the show...it's for the characters), you know everything will turn out ok.

A private eye & his dog solve crimes. The dog narrates the story. I appreciate that Quinn doesn't try to give the dog more cleverness than he should, nor does the private eye miraculously know what the dog is thinking.

[Kay Dee (what is your storygraph name? mine is in my bio. join me!) Meadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one was almost as good as the first couple of books. i do get the feeling though that bernie and chet are headed for retirement and i think that would be a good thing. many book (and TV) series go on too long because they continue to make money and not because they are still producing quality work.

quinn should start a new series or write different books. his new book The Right Side proves he can do more. shoot i would totally like a book or 2 from Bernie's perspective since he sounds like he has some of the same issues the woman in The Right Side does.

[Patricia Ponder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Chet and Bernie! Don't be scared off, as I was, from readers who said the book was dark or had a bad ending. It's true there were a lot of questions left unanswered, but that's only more reason to look forward to the next one. I waited a long time to read this one out of fear for my imaginary pals, Chet and Bernie, and even considered just skipping this one until the next one was out to make sure it was safe. Without going into spoilers, I'm glad I finally read it and if you love the Little Detective staff, you should too.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved these books from the start. This is the 8th in the series, as usual narrated by Chet the dog. In this book, he and Bernie solve a 15 year old kidnapping mystery, and discover who is stealing Saguaro cacti out of the desert, which is illegal. We also see more of Chet's son, Shooter. I don't know if he will be a future character or not, but he's fun and Chet's reactions to him are hilarious.

[Sheila Beaumont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun detective tale with P.I. Bernie Little and his canine sidekick, Chet. But what an ending! When is the next book coming out?

[Thelma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most powerful Bernie and Chet story yet. I devoured it and am looking for more (a bit of a cliffhanger at the end). Chet is at his best and so is Bernie, the most doggedly determined and stubbornly loyal pair in all of sluthdom (if that's a place). For fans, this pair cannot be beat.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

What kind of ending is that?

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This must have taken a lot of concentration and retypes. A dog called Chet tells his own side of the story as he helps his human PI partner track down a saguaro cactus thief. Yes, these large cacti are dug up from the desert and sold illicitly to gardeners in the Southwest it seems. But to stop the trade, many good specimens are now microchipped and the police can scan one and read off the co-ordinates where it was planted. Of course, if someone is into this kind of organised crime, they are into all kinds of other crime, and that is how Chet comes to be hunting a murderer in Arizona.

We also see other dogs, such as a young dog that the humans seem to think might have been sired by Chet, and a rare frog where the aquifer comes to the surface, creating further tensions.

This is like a Midnight Louie story only with dogs instead of cats, and why the dog calls himself a dude I don't know. He does usual doggie things like rolling on a scent, watering a post, sniffing for anything interesting, and the fact that his human pays attention to his behaviour is what makes the difference. Also of course, Chet picking up a pistol and offering it to his owner. So it is well written from that point of view. As a usual crime story though it's necessarily a little awkward. The dog hears conversations while not understanding much of them, and he is easily distracted. This makes the reader more dependent on filling in the blanks themselves. Certainly anyone who wants to try an unusual mystery and likes dogs will enjoy the tale.

I received an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series, probably because it's told from the point of view of Chet, the dog. He is easily distracted, as is nearly every dog I've ever known, but he eventually returns to the important points. His interpretations of some of the phrases we English-speaking humans use is entertaining, but at the same time eye-opening. It emphasizes how difficult it must be to learn English as a second language.

After their adventures away from home in the last couple of books, I'm glad that Chet and Bernie were back in Arizona for this story, and back to where Bernie has connections that will help with his investigation. There were several crimes to solve here, which could have been confusing, but for once, I didn't really have trouble keeping everything straight. I figured out what was going on relatively early in the book, but I wasn't entirely sure about who the mastermind was until just before it was revealed in the book.

Because of the way this book ended, I'm eager to read the next book in the series sooner rather than later.

[Connie N. · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series

So good! Maybe it's because it's been a while since I listened to a Chet & Bernie mystery, or maybe this was just a good mystery, but I particularly enjoyed this book. First of all, I have to say again how much I enjoy the first-person viewpoint, as told by Chet the dog. What I like is that the mystery is kept simple (perfect for me) because it must be seen (and understood) through a dog's eyes. Plus, Jim Frangione does such a great job of narrating in Chet's voice, totally enhancing the story for me. This time the neighbors' son Billy has just gotten out of jail and has gotten himself involved in a stolen cactus ring, of some kind. Bernie wants to help out his friends, the Parsons', so he starts investigating. Things quickly get complicated and dangerous, especially when Chet is kidnapped. Shooter, the surprising looks-like-Chet puppy, gets involved in the situation too, looking to be a part of future stories. Not much mention of Suzie, although there are some rumblings about moving to London that makes Bernie nervous. Fun, exciting, and it kept my interest throughout. I'm a little worried about Bernie's health since we leave him in a precarious position in the hospital, surrounded by loved ones. I look forward to listening to more in this series, sooner rather than later.

[Kathleen Huben · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite series. Liked the story line about cactus rustling but as usual it is the chance to visit with Chet that I really enjoy.

Quote:
He glanced over at me. “Something on your mind?”
Me? No. Not that I knew of.
“Have you already solved the whole case? And now you just sit back and watch me bumble around? Has that been our MO the whole time?”
The funny part at last! I’d known it was coming, of course. Who wouldn’t love Bernie? A surprising number of characters, actually, but not me. I gave him a nice lick. He laughed, and even though we perhaps swerved across a lane or two—what was with all the honking?—he looked happier.
“What would I do without you?” he said.
I didn’t understand the question. But so what?

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Scents and Sensibility is the fifth book that I’ve read in the Chet and Bernie series by Spencer Quinn. I’ve grown accustomed to (if not a little bored with) the charms of the author’s devices: Chet’s ongoing difficulty with language and his enthusiasm for his human, his fondness of their past escapades, his inevitable separation from Bernie at the hands of unscrupulous agents and their joyous reunions, the on-again, off-again relationship between Bernie and his journalist lady friend... But this one frustrated me a bit more. The caper was solved through a random run-in with a “wino” in the penultimate chapter, leading to an abrupt ending. Still, the charms of the narrative are not lost on me.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Chet - he's a real dog's dog, a stand up member of the nation within. Quinn does a great job of keeping Chet a dog, and clearly understands much of the thought processes of the nation within. Everything else I want to say would be a spoiler, and I don'e want to do that = fp go read it yourself! You won't be sorry!

[Ben Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this while dog sitting and it was hard not to imagine Bruce&Mark as Chet&Shooter. I just love these books sorry

[Denise Cote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining and clever.