The much-loved comic thriller by the author of the Edgar Award–winning The Butcher’s Boy is now, by popular demand, back in print, featuring a new Introduction by bestselling author Carl Hiaasen.When Leroy “Chinese” Gordon breaks into a professor’s lab at the University of Los Angeles, he’s after some pharmaceutical cocaine, worth plenty of money. Instead, he finds the papers the professor has … the professor has compiled for the CIA, which include a blueprint for throwing a large city into chaos. But how is the CIA to be persuaded to pay a suitable ransom, unless of course someone actually uses the plan to throw a large city into chaos—Los Angeles, for instance? Assigned to cope with the crisis and restore the peace, veteran agent Ben Porterfield steps onto the scene to remind us that the CIA’s middle name is, after all, Intelligence. Enlivening the mix are Gordon’s beautiful girlfriend, Margaret, his temperamental cat, Dr. Henry Metzger, and Metzger’s friend, an enormous half-wild dog with huge teeth.
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“Metzger’s Dog” by Thomas Perry is one of the most unusual and at the same time one of the best “thrillers” that I have read. It is hilarious, suspenseful, and just a pleasure to read. At a recent book signing event, Perry was asked which of his books his favorite was, and he immediately chose “Metzger’s Dog.” Now I know why; this book is fantastic; I could not stop laughing and cringing at the same time.
It is hard to adequately describe the book without giving away critical “plot points,” so I will just say that unusual details make this book compelling and entertaining. The story features a dog, a dark, dangerous, panting, drooling dog, owned by Dr. Henry Metzger who is really the only one not petrified of “the dog.” People are afraid that “the dog” will get hungry and eat the mail carrier or an entire kindergarten class.
In a plot that could be from today’s news rather than a book published in 1983, Leroy “Chinese” Gordon and his band of only moderately competent drug dealers and thieves stumble upon a government “Black Ops” operation that seeks to bring down “enemy” governments from the inside by creating citizen unrest. The “team” plans to foster distrust of local governments through media campaigns that accuse governments of reprehensible events, everything from allowing contaminated baby food to producing toxic tampons. Of course, all of this is just “fake news” and none of these events would actually happen. The unknowing but believing population would rebel against the nasty government, and the economy would collapse. The now “liberated” citizenry would eagerly allow outside countries to help the new government, and market resources such as petroleum reserves.
“Metzger’s Dog” is a masterpiece, full of wacky characters and frighteningly realistic suspense. It also provides a startling look at the use of media to manipulate people and governments. I laughed all the way through, but came away with a new perception of media, fake news, and social manipulation, oh and a healthy respect for dangerous, panting, drooling dogs.
Really, really like Thomas Perry . . . but this offering is sub-par for him.
One of the great first chapters in thrillers. Never would have considered using Metzger as defensive weapon, myself, and though I first read this when it came out in early 1980s I have never forgotten that brilliant opening. But that’s only the beginning of a funny, twisting thriller that, though it predates cellphones in your pockets, is very up to date in its take on conspiracies involving government intelligence agencies – with wry laughs along the way. Have recommended to friends many times before. Worth the read.
Didn’t quite take off. Very poor character build up. Didn’t get to know any of them. Found the book boring and all over the place. I thought if Carl Hiassen wrote the foreword, it must be pretty good or at least funny. Nope
Not my usual read. Not sure I understood all going on but got the idea of the story.
Good read. Quick wit characters Always a twist in his books.
I prefer a book that jumps right in.
This is a whimsical group of thieves that are like able.
Ingenious and often hilarious. Will turn the reader into a Thomas Perry fan.
Could not finish –
Entertaining
Very fun read, had me laughing out loud quite a few time, enjoyed it a lot!
I love Thomas Perry’s wit and incredible writing style.. In Metzger’s Dog he has one sentence that goes on for a long paragraph about baseball that will put tear’s in your eyes. Metzger’s Dog had a few too many people characters for me and got a bit confusing at times. Animal character’s not enough….I look forward to the next Metzger’s Dog/Chinese Gordon novel!
WHERE’S THE DOG?
WHERE’S THE DOG?
A crime caper that evolves in a believable way, with some hilarious bits involving a dog, a crew of criminals as understated as they are skilled, where one of the characters is the city of Los Angeles.