CHET & BERNIE MYSTERY BOOK 1: DOG ON IT
Spencer Quinn
ISBN: 978-1416585848
September 2009
Atria
Mystery/Cozy
Trade Paperback

Dog On It is the debut of a new mystery series by Spencer Quinn.  The crime-fighting duo is Private Investigator Bernie Little and his K-9 school dropout dog sidekick, Chet.  Bernie is hired to find a missing teenage girl. While her mother is frantic, her part-time dad/real estate developer is less concerned.  Perhaps a closer look at his business dealings might be in order, Bernie decides.  What Bernie and Chet find makes the case more confusing and many adventures await our duo as a simple runaway teen case becomes something more sinister.

Dog On It is a delightful, fresh, new series told completely from Chet’s canine point of view.  Dog lovers and readers who love a touch of the absurd will delight in Chet’s stream of consciousness narration. Chet was booted out of the police K-9 academy when he became impossibly distracted during his final exams.  That tendency to become completely distracted by happenings of the moment is masterfully painted by Quinn as we follow Chet’s totally doggy perceptions of the case, the people around him, and his beloved owner, Bernie, whom Chet idolizes in the way that only a dog can. 

Mystery lovers will also enjoy the traditional P.I. mystery story that happens, but from my perspective, Chet steals the show, hands down.  Kudos to Quinn for the creation of a larger than life character in Bernie Little’s dog.  Chet ROCKS!

Reviewed By:

Let's see.. what to tell you about me.... well I'm an academic librarian and deal with stuffy boring books (I'm a mathematics librarian) so fiction is my fun outlet. My passions include ballroom dancing, bichon frise rescue work, reading (duh!) and if I had time, I'd get back to my quilting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, etc. Sigh. I really need to find my rich prince who tells me I never have to work again. LOL. Genre's that I prefer: Inspirational romance, gentle romance (Like Harlequin Medical, etc), romantic comedy and paranormal (unless they get too dark and gritty) to name a few. I love books with themes/characters of animals, librarians, dancers, trainers, ministers/missionaries, etc. Having said this, I read pretty broadly from the inspirational fiction line all the way to Blazes and chick lit. The only thing I don't really care for it erotica. I don't care for the starkness of the erotica genre. I guess I just like things wrapped up and tied with a prettier satin bow. :-)

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