Helpful Score: 11
I loved this book! Spencer Quinn is the pseudnym of author Peter Abrahams who just won the 2010 Edgar award for Best YA Mystery with his book "Reality Check". So while this is the first book in a new series, it's not a debut book for this writer.
Chet is the narrator of the mystery. He's a Belgian Shepard who almost passed K-9 school. He has one black ear and one white ear, and keen nose and undying loyalty for his human partner Bernie. Quinn captured the essense of what a dog's thought process might be. The narration from Chet's perspestive had me chuckling throuhgout most of the book. There are some parts of high drama where you really could feel the frustration that a dog might feel based on the outward signs of anxiety a keen observer of dogs will have seen in similar situations.
I had the mystery figured out pretty quickly, but solving the mystery wasn't really the point of the book. Seeing how Chet filtered the events, and worked to solve the mystery were the fascinating parts. I've already checked the second book "Thereby Hangs a Tail" and can't wait to see what Chet and Bernie's next adventure is.
Chet is the narrator of the mystery. He's a Belgian Shepard who almost passed K-9 school. He has one black ear and one white ear, and keen nose and undying loyalty for his human partner Bernie. Quinn captured the essense of what a dog's thought process might be. The narration from Chet's perspestive had me chuckling throuhgout most of the book. There are some parts of high drama where you really could feel the frustration that a dog might feel based on the outward signs of anxiety a keen observer of dogs will have seen in similar situations.
I had the mystery figured out pretty quickly, but solving the mystery wasn't really the point of the book. Seeing how Chet filtered the events, and worked to solve the mystery were the fascinating parts. I've already checked the second book "Thereby Hangs a Tail" and can't wait to see what Chet and Bernie's next adventure is.
Helpful Score: 9
Detective stories these days tend to be more about the gimmick tan the mystery. Colorful detectives have run the gamut from Monks and Priests to Antique Dealers and New Jersey Bounty Hunters. The mystery itself is always good to have, but it is no fun solving it if the Private Investigator isn't entertaining on the way.
Spencer Quinn has introduced an original and captivating twist into the Detective novel genre with the first of the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Bernie is a down-on-his-luck Private Investigator, and Chet is his lovable and faithful canine sidekick. It might seem strange that the detective's dog should get top billing, but this is because the entire story is told from Chet's point of view.
This is a little bit different. James Qwilleran might have solved countless crimes with his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum, but neither feline has ever bothered to narrate a story for their master. With a narrative device like this, there is a risk of being too campy or silly. Yet Quinn dodges both dangers and delivers a furry Watson that actually manages not to stray too far from believability.
This is mainly due to Chet. It's hard not to like Chet, and his observations on human events and actions manage to be quite humorous, endearing, an occasionally insightful. This might leave his owner Bernie in the backseat in several parts of the story, but the book never suffers from it.
Let's hope there future adventures in store for Chet and Bernie, because finishing this book definitely leaves you wanting more.
Spencer Quinn has introduced an original and captivating twist into the Detective novel genre with the first of the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Bernie is a down-on-his-luck Private Investigator, and Chet is his lovable and faithful canine sidekick. It might seem strange that the detective's dog should get top billing, but this is because the entire story is told from Chet's point of view.
This is a little bit different. James Qwilleran might have solved countless crimes with his Siamese cats Koko and Yum Yum, but neither feline has ever bothered to narrate a story for their master. With a narrative device like this, there is a risk of being too campy or silly. Yet Quinn dodges both dangers and delivers a furry Watson that actually manages not to stray too far from believability.
This is mainly due to Chet. It's hard not to like Chet, and his observations on human events and actions manage to be quite humorous, endearing, an occasionally insightful. This might leave his owner Bernie in the backseat in several parts of the story, but the book never suffers from it.
Let's hope there future adventures in store for Chet and Bernie, because finishing this book definitely leaves you wanting more.
Helpful Score: 8
This is a fantastic book. It is told from the dog's point of veiw. Chet is a K-9 police reject, and he is Bernie's partner in the Private Eye buisness.
When a teen comes up missing, the mother comes to Bernie for help, but as Bernie is investigating, the teen comes home. All seems fine, except Bernie is not satisfied with the answer the teen gives.. not is all as it seems.
The teen comes up missing again, but this time it is for real..... Chet and Bernie are on the job again.
Bernies car ends up vandalized, and Chet gets hurt in the process.
The investigation is on...Chet comes up missing.
What happens next is a slap stick, mystery comedy..
Bernie takes up with bikers.. gets put in the pound and gets rescued.
Wow! Russian gangsters, bikers, shelter workers... a rude parrot and a fishy sounding real estate deal..
Will Chet save the day??
When a teen comes up missing, the mother comes to Bernie for help, but as Bernie is investigating, the teen comes home. All seems fine, except Bernie is not satisfied with the answer the teen gives.. not is all as it seems.
The teen comes up missing again, but this time it is for real..... Chet and Bernie are on the job again.
Bernies car ends up vandalized, and Chet gets hurt in the process.
The investigation is on...Chet comes up missing.
What happens next is a slap stick, mystery comedy..
Bernie takes up with bikers.. gets put in the pound and gets rescued.
Wow! Russian gangsters, bikers, shelter workers... a rude parrot and a fishy sounding real estate deal..
Will Chet save the day??
Helpful Score: 6
Fun, easy read. Dog is interesting but not too humanized (other than he talks and writes a book, of course, but hey..) Characters good,moves right along.
I loved this book! I couldn't stop laughing. Quinn really understands the mind of the dog and reading it from the perspective of Chet is genious. It was a great story,too. Fun summer reading!
Helpful Score: 5
This is a well written, engaging and humorous mystery told from the detective's dog's point of view. Hints of love and loss for the human protagonist, Bernie, enrich the story. If you dislike dogs...skip it. Otherwise...fetch!
Helpful Score: 3
An enjoyable and unusual read! Loved the way the writer used the traits of the point-of-view character to tweak the way the story is told to us :) Highly recommended! I have already gotten the next book in this series.
Helpful Score: 3
Dog On It is the first of a planned series featuring Chet, a chatty mutt, and Bernie, his human who also happens to be private eye. The story is told in first person by Chet, whose uniquely-dog way of thinking makes this book refreshingly different. Dog owners will laugh out loud at some of Chet's behaviors and the motivations behind them.
The plot concerns a missing teenager. Bernie is hired by the mother to find her, and although Bernie initially thinks the teen is just asserting her independence he eventually learns that her disappearance is related to corruption and blackmail. Chet has a big part in unraveling the mystery, and even has some adventures without Bernie.
Some threads regarding Bernie's personal troubles are not tied up by the end of Dog On It, leaving the reader to anticipate a sequal.
The plot concerns a missing teenager. Bernie is hired by the mother to find her, and although Bernie initially thinks the teen is just asserting her independence he eventually learns that her disappearance is related to corruption and blackmail. Chet has a big part in unraveling the mystery, and even has some adventures without Bernie.
Some threads regarding Bernie's personal troubles are not tied up by the end of Dog On It, leaving the reader to anticipate a sequal.
Helpful Score: 3
Even though I'm more a cat than dog person, loved this book! So, cat people go ahead and try it.
Helpful Score: 2
this is a geat book. Enjoyed the dog point of view. Not a mystery lover, but with the dogs point of view I enjoyed it very much.
Helpful Score: 2
I was hesitant to read this book, because it's so easy to get the dog's voice wrong. I decided to take a chance on it and I'm so glad I did. Quinn got the dog's voice perfectly! I'm absolutely sure that if dogs could talk, this is exactly what they'd say. I quickly put the rest of the series on my wish list, and am waiting anxiously for my turn to read them.
Helpful Score: 2
I loved this book! Written from a dog's eye view - very entertaining!
Helpful Score: 2
So good. Dog lovers will really enjoy it.
Helpful Score: 2
chet is a dog who works along a private investigator. his nose leads to more adventures,as he is a very resourceful dog.
Helpful Score: 2
Enjoyed narration by Chet, have enjoyed 2 family dogs who communicated with us in very similar ways as Chet did with Bernie. Any dog person will tell you how intelligent and companionable a dog can be. Story line interesting - I will be looking for more by this author.
Helpful Score: 2
First Line: I could smell him--or rather the booze on his breath--before he even opened the door, but my sense of smell is pretty good, probably better than yours.
I'd better get this off my chest first: when I was little, I'd never miss an episode of "Lassie" on television, even though Mom would make remarks about Lassie coming in to spell H-E-L-P in the mashed potatoes. I've been all grown up now (at least physically) for quite some time, and once I put childish things aside, I've never been a fan of talking animal books. Perhaps I'm entering my second childhood, but now I find myself a fan of a talking dog, and his name is Chet. (Actually he never does "talk"...he just thinks really loud.)
After a run-in with a cat, Chet flunked K-9 school and now finds himself a partner in the Little Detective Agency. Life with private investigator Bernie Little is tops in Chet's book, and when divorcee Cynthia Chambliss hires Bernie to find her missing fifteen-year-old daughter Madison, Chet is ready to get to work.
Although Quinn never comes right out and tells us where the book is set, he mentions saguaro cacti a few times, so that does an excellent job of narrowing down the location. Chet and Bernie are in Arizona. (Probably Phoenix after reading Bernie's comments about the growth of the city.) Told entirely from Chet's point of view, I enjoyed this book immensely--and not just because of Chet. Bernie is a very strong character, too, with his own highly developed smarts and his views on the environment. One of the pleasures of reading Dog On It was seeing everything from a canine perspective and wondering how the author would work those clues so that Bernie could pick them up and go to work on them himself. (Unlike Lassie, Chet can't leave messages in the spuds.)
Strong characters, a fast-paced engrossing plot, and the added bonus of seeing everything from a very different perspective makes this debut a fun read.
There has been quite a lot of speculation about author Spencer Quinn's true identity. Sarah Weinman seems to have figured it out. Chet also seems to be turning into quite the celebrity. He has his own blog, you can find him on Twitter, and he has his own Facebook page.
Here's to many more mysterious adventures with Chet and Bernie!
I'd better get this off my chest first: when I was little, I'd never miss an episode of "Lassie" on television, even though Mom would make remarks about Lassie coming in to spell H-E-L-P in the mashed potatoes. I've been all grown up now (at least physically) for quite some time, and once I put childish things aside, I've never been a fan of talking animal books. Perhaps I'm entering my second childhood, but now I find myself a fan of a talking dog, and his name is Chet. (Actually he never does "talk"...he just thinks really loud.)
After a run-in with a cat, Chet flunked K-9 school and now finds himself a partner in the Little Detective Agency. Life with private investigator Bernie Little is tops in Chet's book, and when divorcee Cynthia Chambliss hires Bernie to find her missing fifteen-year-old daughter Madison, Chet is ready to get to work.
Although Quinn never comes right out and tells us where the book is set, he mentions saguaro cacti a few times, so that does an excellent job of narrowing down the location. Chet and Bernie are in Arizona. (Probably Phoenix after reading Bernie's comments about the growth of the city.) Told entirely from Chet's point of view, I enjoyed this book immensely--and not just because of Chet. Bernie is a very strong character, too, with his own highly developed smarts and his views on the environment. One of the pleasures of reading Dog On It was seeing everything from a canine perspective and wondering how the author would work those clues so that Bernie could pick them up and go to work on them himself. (Unlike Lassie, Chet can't leave messages in the spuds.)
Strong characters, a fast-paced engrossing plot, and the added bonus of seeing everything from a very different perspective makes this debut a fun read.
There has been quite a lot of speculation about author Spencer Quinn's true identity. Sarah Weinman seems to have figured it out. Chet also seems to be turning into quite the celebrity. He has his own blog, you can find him on Twitter, and he has his own Facebook page.
Here's to many more mysterious adventures with Chet and Bernie!
Helpful Score: 2
What a great book! Told from the dog's point of view--I know, I know: you're thinking "too cutesy-poo", right? But it's not; it's just cute enough to be funny. This author really seems clued into how dogs probably think and makes it so funny. Plus a good mystery story, full of likable (especially the dog's owner) characters (and some "bad guys" too, of course). A really good book!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next in the series.
Helpful Score: 1
Chet and Bernie are a unique private investigating team. Bernie is a down on his luck PI and Chet is his faithful canine companion. Fortunately for this story, Chet isn't the typical know it all type of dog character - he gets a little confused with ideas and his doggie instincts do seem to get the better of him, which over all, makes for a more interesting read.
Since Chet had flunked out of K-9 school, for something he can't even remember, he has been Bernie's main companion. In this first in a series, Chet and Bernie are called in to investigate the disappearance of 15 year old Madison. No one is quite sure if she had been kidnapped or a runaway, but neither Chet or Bernie can leave this one alone. Even if it might mean a wee bit of a tangle with desert bikers and slimy real estate developers that smell suspiciously like cat.
Overall, it's a pretty good book, that is if you like your lead characters to have fur and mismatched ears. The mystery part is OK, but from time to time, it feels as if there is too much thrown into the story. I kept asking myself, was that character really needed - is that a name I need to remember. Hopefully, the next book in the this series will calm down a little bit, the storyline will tighten up a bit and Chet will learn that jumping the back fence might not be such a good idea.
Since Chet had flunked out of K-9 school, for something he can't even remember, he has been Bernie's main companion. In this first in a series, Chet and Bernie are called in to investigate the disappearance of 15 year old Madison. No one is quite sure if she had been kidnapped or a runaway, but neither Chet or Bernie can leave this one alone. Even if it might mean a wee bit of a tangle with desert bikers and slimy real estate developers that smell suspiciously like cat.
Overall, it's a pretty good book, that is if you like your lead characters to have fur and mismatched ears. The mystery part is OK, but from time to time, it feels as if there is too much thrown into the story. I kept asking myself, was that character really needed - is that a name I need to remember. Hopefully, the next book in the this series will calm down a little bit, the storyline will tighten up a bit and Chet will learn that jumping the back fence might not be such a good idea.
Helpful Score: 1
cute .easy read
Helpful Score: 1
Great book told from the point of view of Chet the dog- it was a bit like Bunnicula for grown ups.
Helpful Score: 1
This book received excellent reviews, so I was excited to read it. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. While the theory sounds interesting (a detective mystery told from the POV of the detective's dog), it didn't work for me as a reader. The blurb calls Chet (the dog) "wise & lovable" -- lovable, yes (maybe), but wise? No. It was like reading a mystery from the POV of a 6 year old with severe ADHD. I'll give the rest of the series a miss, thanks. Steven Tyler's drug-addled, stream-of-consciousness-rambling memoir was more fun to read than this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Written through the eyes of Chet, a private detective's dog, this story takes you on a journey into a missing persons case. Chet is very forthcoming with his thoughts and can be very funny. He is also absolutely truthful, (as all dogs are) which actually makes the dialogue even funnier sometimes! What a fun way to read a suspense story, and yes, funny or not, there is suspense! I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the series.
Helpful Score: 1
I really like this book. What more can you ask for than a detective, a dog and a good mystery to solve. If you are a dog lover you will love this book because it is told completely by the dog's point of view.
Helpful Score: 1
Chet is my favorite - if you want to be entertained and you love animals, particularly dogs - you will love the series by Spencer Quinn.
Helpful Score: 1
Fun... Fun... Fun... A new perspective on everything.
Helpful Score: 1
SinceI love my dog so much, I read and finished this book.
Seemed to be aimed at an older person- pretty predictable and an easy read.
Would recommend to a friend who also had a dog/dogs they loved and was looking for a nice, easy read.
Seemed to be aimed at an older person- pretty predictable and an easy read.
Would recommend to a friend who also had a dog/dogs they loved and was looking for a nice, easy read.
Helpful Score: 1
If you are both a fan of the genre and a dog lover, you absolutely must add this gem written from dog chet's pov to your read list :)
great debut from an author who, with his subsequent books in the series, is sure to join the ranks of our faves like parker, paretsky, grimes and grafton.
great debut from an author who, with his subsequent books in the series, is sure to join the ranks of our faves like parker, paretsky, grimes and grafton.
SUSAN S. (susieqmillsacoustics) -
Helpful Score: 1
Every dog lover will thoroughly enjoy this book! It is so well done. The dog (Chet) tells the story and I laughed out loud at his view points and his descriptions and the way his mind wanders to a lizard or a potato chip or an itch, etc. His human "partner" (Bernie) is wonderful through his eyes. He is a loyal, smart, goofy, pure "doggie" through and through. It is an intense detective story, as well, and Chet experiences frightening situations that, of course, he is unable to communicate to Bernie, to help solve the case sooner. Alot of fun all the way around and I'll be reading more Chet and Bernie mysteries, for sure!
Helpful Score: 1
Quick read and lots of fun. The idea of the dog thinking like a hard-boiled p.i. sounded like it might be too cutesy for my taste; but his behavior is all dog, so it works and is actually pretty amusing. Fun read for dog lovers.
I really enjoyed this first book of a brand new mystery series. I am looking forward to the next one. When I read the review from Boarders Books I couldn't wait to get it even though I rarely buy new books. My only criticism is that it was too short. If you like mysteries and dogs dont miss this one.
I normally read SciFi, but was looking for something new to read. I can't say I am a dog lover either, but I really loved this book. It was quite amusing to see how he perceived humans.
What a fun, cozy, Mystery. Bernie is a private investigator hired by a Mother trying to find her teenage daughter. Bernie's sidekick is a dog named Chet, who is the narrator. It took me a few chapters to get used to the Dog being the narrator but I hung in there and it became a flawless flow of entertainment. The Author's little details of a dog's look at things going on around them is what made it so inviting. Here is an example of what I am talking about. "Keefer licked his lips. The human tongue doesn't appear that often, and when it does, I always notice. This time, in combination with the goatee, it didn't sit right with me, no idea why." Bravo, Spencer Quinn for the quirky look at a dog's view moments. No over the top violence but it does have a couple of intense scenes with some humor to keep it in check.
Quick, cute, creative!! This was a refreshing read with a cozie mystery told from the laugh-out-loud narrative of Chet the dog. If you love dogs, and a light mystery...this book is for you! Chet's personality is adorable and Quinn truly captures the ideal of what dogs think and how they view us humans!
This is a mystery told from the dog's point of view. Haven't read anything that I have enjoyed more.
I loved this book! Found out about Chet and Bernie reading "A Cat was Involved" that gave the backstory how Chet and Bernie got together. As long as you don't have a problem with the dog telling the story, you will love this. Occasionally you are reminded that Chet is telling the story when he says something completely DOG. Have put the entire series on my wish list and hope something will come soon! Can't wait to read their next adventure.
I really enjoyed this book and have read all the Chet and Bernie books since. Spencer Quinn is a very clever writer and I look forward to more from him in the future.
If you like dog stories, and if you like mysteries, the Chet and Bernie series is a combination of the best of both worlds. It is told very convincingly from the point of view of Chet, the dog. Really well done.
This was an easy read, interesting book. It is written with a good mystery but from a dog's point of view. I am looking forward to getting the rest of the series.
This is (hopefully) the first in a series of books about a private detective and his loyal dog, who work together as the Little Detective Agency to solve cases. It is told thru the eyes of the dog Chet. I was afraid it might be a bit too cute, but really enjoyed this light read. The dogs perspective is rather humorous at times and is what I figure a dog might really think and feel if we could somehow get into their brain, which makes the story a little more plausible. It's a great 'beach' read!
A delightful dramedy told from the POV of Chet. His is the sidekick dog to a private investigator, Bernie. The story flows with quips from Chet, and one sided conversations from Bernie on finding a kidnapped teenager. Great escapism.
Thinking this might be a rather silly book, I found Quinn's tale funny and charming. It was rather like eating ice cream on a hot day!
The team of Chet and Bernie are a detective team that's hard to beat. I look at dog's differently now.
The team of Chet and Bernie are a detective team that's hard to beat. I look at dog's differently now.
Chet,the canine narrator and Bernie are quite a team. They investigate a case which keeps the reader wanting to read more of their adventures. Can't wait for the next book. This story was just great.
Something of a disappointment. If you're looking for a great book with a canine narrator, try "The Art of Racing in the Rain," a book I adored. This book was just fairly uninteresting. It was a somewhat formulaic mystery with uninteresting villains and while Chet is cute, he doesn't have much depth (which I can forgive, as he is just a dog!) and often wanders off in the middle of the story which, to say the least, is frustrating, even if intended. I expected much more and had to almost force myself to finish it. Not a bad book, but not quite a good one either. That being said, reading other reviews I seem to be the odd opinion out, so take that as you will.
This is a great Summer book for an animal lover. The writing is smart and the characters are quirky. If you are looking for an entertaining and quick read, this is it!
I am a dog person, so of course I would want to read a mystery novel told by the dog.. it was entertaining. Not the best book ever, not the greatest mystery ever, but it was enjoyable, and I'm glad I read it. Cute concept hopefully the next mystery in the series will have a more compelling story. Chet and Bernie seem like a great team.
What a great book! A P.I. tale from a dog's P.O.V.! What an original and terrific premise! I LOVED it! Chet (the dog) reminded me quite a bit of my own savvy Chief. All in all, this was a wonderful book and I can't wait for the sequel to be out next month! What a terrific new series by a man who knows and loves dogs! Look out David Rosenfelt!
Much less than I expected after having read previous reviews. Very slow moving and not that clever. I was on page 230 before things began to move forward. Nothing unusual or imaginative in the plot, very ordinary story with no surprises. Disappointed. I am not interested in reading any others in this series.
This was a fun read - 1st installment in the Chet and Bernie series. Private detective (Bernie) and his partner Chet (dog) are on the case of a missing child. The book is written from the dog's perspective and I felt the author really nailed what you would imagine a dog thinking about human habits, etc. Funny and engaging.
This was a very fun, light-hearted read!
I really enjoyed this book! It took a bit to get into the dog's perspective thing, but once I did it was a fun read. The language barrier between the dog and his partner provide an interesting tension in this mystery novel. Fun read!
I loved the book. It takes books about dogs and detectives to a new level. The story is told through the eyes of Chet, the dog. The author has dogs down to a "T". I found that very refreshing.
It was an interesting story with characters that appealed to me.
I can hardly wait to read the next book and find out what Chet and Bernie are up to next.
It was an interesting story with characters that appealed to me.
I can hardly wait to read the next book and find out what Chet and Bernie are up to next.
A fun book. Loved how it was told from a dog's perspective. Something different and fun. ð
Being a dog lover, I enjoyed this book. The author really makes it seem like 'Chet' is writing the story.
I love the Chet (the Jet) and Bernie books. Dog on It was a perfect beginning and as it turns out Chet was on the 'trail' way before the humans figured it out. Enjoy. AND if you (like me) have a dog in your life you will really enjoy the antics because my grand-dog does some of the same things. :)
