In their second adventure, Bernie and Chet are called on to investigate threats made against an unlikely target – a pretty and pampered show dog called Princess. What seems like a lark of a case turns serious 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 … on his own to put the pieces together, find his way home, and save the day.
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Bernie and Chet have a great relationship, and I love reading Chet’s thoughts. The mysteries are good and always resolved at the end – no real cliffhangers.
THEREBY HANGS A TAIL by Spencer Quinn is book two in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series. The stories are told by Chet, Bernie’s dog. Bernie (and Chet) are private investigators, and the book is a clever whodunit told from the perspective of the dog. I’ve read other books using this strategy, but they have always fallen flat for me.
In this series, Quinn nails the dogs behavior and tells the mystery in clever ways. I love the relationship between Bernie and Chet as they search for Princess, a show dog who’s been kidnapped. It’s a fun murder mystery with a touch of romance between Bernie and Suzie, the local reporter who also goes missing. But Bernie and Chet are determined to save her.
If you’re a dog lover, this is must read.
Love Chet and Bernie!
There’s something about this series that is engaging. Perhaps it’s that the author did not give Chet, the narrator, super-canine abilities such as understanding everything Bernie, his owner, says or does or being able to communicate instantly and clearly with Bernie.
In this book, as in the first, Chet also gets separated from Bernie and has to survive a trial on the way back to him. While Chet gives us a description of his struggles, he doesn’t belabor what he goes through, just plugs along steadily until he and Bernie are reunited.
One thing I would like to see is Bernie become a little more attuned to Chet’s actions so that Chet becomes more of an active partner in their cases and less like a Watson to Bernie’s Sherlock Holmes.
I look forward to reading the next one.
Love love love Chet and Bernie!
I love how the Dog named Chet is the main character that narrates the mystery adventures of Chet and Bernie and this gets them involved in a Dog Show.
Chet is once again on the case. He’s the best canine detective around, unless he spots a wayward French fry.
LOL!!! Laughed even more during this book than the first one. LOVE CHET!!! Can’t wait to read the next one.
Belly laughs and a great mystery!
September 10, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
I love reading from Chet’s POV, so funny! His perspective is why I keep reading. The mysteries are so convoluted that I am intrigued to the very end. Love these books!
PG-13
Novella
Some strong language
No sex
Action style violence – nothing stomach turning
The entire story is told from the point of view of Chet, private investigator Bernie Little’s dog. Like any dog, Chet’s attention can sometimes be diverted by thoughts of sausages or the fun of chasing critters, but when push comes to shove he’s right there ready to save the day.
In this, the 2nd installment of the series (and I haven’t yet read #1), expensive and prize-winning Princess and her owner are kidnapped shortly before an important dog show.
Following clues, Chet and Bernie travel to a desert ghost town, meet aging hippies and evidently clueless law enforcement officials while dealing with the demands of their rich clients who are convinced that their competitors are to blame.
Good, light read.
Absolutely unnecessary to read book #1 in order to read book #2 or any of the novellas.