Dog On It
By Spencer Quinn
Atria, $25.00
ISBN: 978-1-4165-8583-1

It has been done before — a non-human protagonist/narrator who does the sleuthing and finds the criminal before the mentally inferior, two-legged person who gets paid to do it. But make no mistake: This is not one of those books. Except for the very first part of that scenario. Bernie Little, West Point graduate, veteran of the Gulf wars and ex-cop, is the human component, and Chet the K-9 schooled canine with mis-matched ears who communicates with his owner and partner in his own doggie shorthand, an ability that can be confirmed by any dog owner.

Don't let the title mislead — this is not a cozy as I think of that term. There is plenty of suspense, a well-plotted and fast-moving tale when the Little Detective Agency is hired to find a 15-year-old girl who has disappeared one afternoon, only to re-appear before the day is out. But when she disappears again shortly thereafter, it appears to be more than a case of a teenager who has taken off for reasons of her own. Bernie overcomes his initial reluctance to take the case when his 'cash-flow' problems and a generous retainer persuade him. And Chet, after all, specialized in missing kids, and gets a chance to demonstrate his skills.

There is a hint that this is the first in a series — there are references to bits of back-story which will be imparted to the reader 'if I have a chance,' which would definitely be something to look forward to. As Chet would say, "was this the life or what?" The book is wholly original and hugely entertaining, and is highly recommended.

Review by GLORIA FEIT

©2009 Lorie Ham. All rights reserved.