The Little Detective Agency is aptly named: first, because the lead detective's name is Bernie Little; second, because there are only two partners -- Bernie and his faithful dog, Chet, who also serves as the narrator for their adventures.
When a local police lieutenant asks Bernie and Chet to play bodyguard to a pampered pooch named Princess, Bernie reluctantly accepts -- only to be fired shortly afterward by Princess' high-strung owner, Adelina Borghese, due to a minor indiscretion involving Chet and a treat meant for Princess. When Adelina and Princess are later kidnapped, Bernie decides to pursue the case on his own. But then Suzie Sanchez, a reporter chasing the story who also happens to be a special friend of Bernie's, goes missing, and now things get personal. As for Chet, he's only too happy to follow where Bernie leads. When the two are separated, however, Chet must rely on his own keen senses and animal intuition to help save Princess and get back to his beloved Bernie.
I have to admit I'm not a dog person. But I picked up the first book in this series, DOG ON IT, out of curiosity and was immediately charmed by Chet's dogs-eye-view of human idiosyncrasies and language, and his opinions about life in general. Funny and believable without being cutesy or making Chet some kind of superdog, the narration also provides readers some insights into Bernie -- even though the "narrator" isn't always aware of it. But Chet holds his own, too. The scenes where he is separated from Bernie are just as compelling as when he's with his partner. Whether he's sniffing out a perp or chilling with a chew strip, Chet is a unique and wonderful character, and that's high praise coming from an avowed cat lover.
The second book of an irresistible series narrated by a
loveable and wise dog. In the newest Chet and Bernie
mystery, Chet gets a glimpse of the show dog world turned
deadly.
"We run a detective agency, me and Bernie,
called the Little Detective Agency on account of Little
being Bernie's last name. My name's Chet, pure and simple.
Headquarters is our house on Mesquite Road, a nice place
with a big tree out front, perfect for napping under, and
the whole canyon easily accessible out back, if it just so
happens someone left the gate open. And then, up in the
canyon -- well, say no more."
Praised by Stephen
King as "a canine Sam Spade full of joie de vivre," Chet and
his human companion Bernie have both had some setbacks in
life -- Bernie in combat, Chet in K-9 school, but together
they make up a team like no other. In Thereby Hangs a
Tail, Bernie and Chet are called on to investigate
threats made against an unlikely target -- a pretty,
pampered show dog named Princess. What seems like a joke
turns into a serious case when Princess and her owner are
abducted. To make matters worse, Bernie's on-again,
off-again girlfriend, reporter Susie Sanchez, disappears
too. When Chet is separated from Bernie, he's on his own to
put the pieces together, find his way home, and save the day.
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