The Case of the Cat with the Missing Ear

by Scott Emerson, Viv Mullett (Illustrator)

Terrier detective Mr. Samuel Blackthorne and his associate, Dr. Edward Smithfield, scour Victorian San Francisco for an account who has vanished--a search that plunges them both into a dark underworld of gambling and corruption where they encounter an orange cat with a missing ear.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2003

Reviews

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit the San Francisco of 1897 with Samuel Blackthorne, a Yorkshire terrier, and a whole cast of dogs of many breeds. Blackthorne's assistant in solving the case of a missing person is Dr. Edward R. Smithfield, a doctor of veterinary medicine. What could be more entertaining than Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in the form of man's best friend? I loved riding along in a dog-drawn carriage under gas lights while smelling the scrumptuous aroma of San Francisco sour dough bread baking in ovens. The author, Scott Emerson, knows how to bring not only his characters but the surroundings to life.
Though grades 3-5 are the suggested interest level for this book, I would recommend it for all ages. It is a delightful read. I am looking forward to reading book two in the series. I recommend the book for gift giving and for reading aloud in the classroom. Black and white illustrations add a wonderful touch.
Give this book a try. You won't be disappointed.

[Salsabrarian]

Dr. Edward R. Smithfield, DVM, is a large white dog of caution and educated refinement. He returns to San Francisco after working a stint with the Navy in Hong Kong and meets Samuel Blackthorne, terrier at a coffeehouse. He much enjoys Samuel's company and the rent an apartment together. Samuel makes his money "finding solutions to puzzling situations" for dogs; currently he's approached by greyhound Molly Kirkpatrick who seeks his help in finding her missing brother Patrick. His disappearance is tied to his invention of a counting machine, a series of casino takeovers, a shady hound running for mayor, and the hound's campaign worker, an orange cat missing an ear.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It does take a bit of a stretch of the imagination to cast Sherlock Holmes and John Watson as dogs, and occasionally I found myself having difficulty with that. If you can get past that, this is a very fun and well-written book that would in a roundabout way introduce young readers to Sherlock Holmes.

[Arianna Shiraz · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE IT! like a dog version of sherlock holmes