Also by Spencer Quinn:

Dog On It, February 2009
Hardcover

Dog On It
Spencer Quinn

June 21, 2009

A Chet And Bernie Mystery

February 2009
On Sale: February 10, 2009
320 pages
ISBN: 1416585834
EAN: 9781416585831
Hardcover
$25.00

Mystery Pet Lovers

Meet Chet, the wise and lovable canine narrator of Dog on It, who works alongside Bernie, a down-on-his-luck private investigator. Chet might have flunked out of police school ("I'd been the best leaper in K-9 class, which had led to all the trouble in a way I couldn't remember exactly, although blood was involved"), but he's a detective through and through.

In this, their first adventure, Chet and Bernie investigate the disappearance of Madison, a teenage girl who may or may not have been kidnapped, but who has definitely gotten mixed up with some very unsavory characters. A well-behaved, gifted student, she didn't arrive home after school and her divorced mother is frantic. Bernie is quick to take the case -- something about a cash flow problem that Chet's not all that clear about -- and he's relieved, if vaguely suspicious, when Madison turns up unharmed with a story that doesn't add up. But when she disappears for a second time in a week, Bernie and Chet aren't taking any chances; they launch a full-blown investigation. Without a ransom demand, they're not convinced it's a kidnapping, but they are sure of one thing: something smells funny.

Their search for clues takes them into the desert to biker bars and other exotic locals, with Chet's highly trained nose leading the way. Both Chet and Bernie bring their own special skills to the hunt, one that puts each of them in peril. But even as the bad guys try to turn the tables, this duo is nothing if not resourceful, and the result is an uncommonly satisfying adventure.

With his doggy ways and his endearingly hardboiled voice, Chet is full of heart and occasionally prone to mischief. He is intensely loyal to Bernie, who, though distracted by issues that Chet has difficulty understanding -- like divorce, child custody, and other peculiar human concerns -- is enormously likable himself, in his flawed, all-too-human way.

Comments

5 comments posted.

Re: Dog On It

Sounds like a delightfully different story, one that I will enjoy!
(Barbara Elness 2:28pm June 21)

After reading the excerpt, I would love to win a signed copy of this book. Please keep writing.
Lorraine MOML1@COX.NET
(Lorraine Larose 2:33pm June 21)

I thing I would like to read this story for a K-9 view I can see the humor and the drama in the excerpt
Ann
(Ann w 9:29pm June 21)

I think this sounds like a marvelous story!
(LuAnn Morgan 9:48pm June 21)

A nice and different way to approach a
story. Should lead to lots of plot
development possibilities.
(Patricia Barraclough 10:33pm June 21)