Dog Gone It/Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn
Both novels are Chet and Bernie mysteries. Together they run Little Detective Agency, Little being Bernie's last name. Chet says his name is just Chet, plain and simple. Both installments of the series are told from Chet's point of view. Chet is Bernie's best friend, a dog with different colored ears, an interesting appetite, and a suffering vocabulary.
I thought these novels were absolutely adorable. That's kind of a problem. These books were very obviously written for kids, or at most young adults, but there is a heavy amount of swearing from the criminals and such. The mystery is...okay, and but Chet's narration doesn't really give the audience a great idea of what's happening, thanks to the loving character's canine accurate attention span. I think that Spencer Quinn is a talented author, but if he cut down on the swearing, added more of the mysterious edge to the supposed Mystery novel, everyone would be a bunch happier.
My parents both read Dog Gone It before me and were less than pleased with it. I instantly loved it. I thought the unique idea of having Chet narrate it was perfect! It was cute and creative. The titles make it even more so.
I thought these novels were absolutely adorable. That's kind of a problem. These books were very obviously written for kids, or at most young adults, but there is a heavy amount of swearing from the criminals and such. The mystery is...okay, and but Chet's narration doesn't really give the audience a great idea of what's happening, thanks to the loving character's canine accurate attention span. I think that Spencer Quinn is a talented author, but if he cut down on the swearing, added more of the mysterious edge to the supposed Mystery novel, everyone would be a bunch happier.
My parents both read Dog Gone It before me and were less than pleased with it. I instantly loved it. I thought the unique idea of having Chet narrate it was perfect! It was cute and creative. The titles make it even more so.
When the sequel, Thereby Hangs a Tail, came out I was very happy. I read it in a couple days, thanks to school and everything, but was surprised at how much it was like the first. The mystery wasn't pleasing, but the narration and writing was fantastic. It did have a plot, but calling it a Mystery isn't so accurate. Chet and Bernie must find a show dog and her owner--both have been kidnapped. It was a creative idea and the story was gripping at the beginning. The mystery slowly got too predictable for me. I'm used to Sandra Brown and Allison Brennan, the more bloodthirsty, gory, edgy mysteries that spin you in a new direction as soon as you think you've got it.
In conclusion, the books were good, and I suggest you read them, but maybe check them out at the library, so you don't spend 25 dollars on a book you have a 50% chance of liking.
In conclusion, the books were good, and I suggest you read them, but maybe check them out at the library, so you don't spend 25 dollars on a book you have a 50% chance of liking.