Karen -
If you ever had a dog for a pet, you will love this story. The story is told from the perspective of what the dog is thinking as his owner, a private investigator, is hired to find a missing teenager. Jim Frangione does a very good job of narrating the story. I loved all the 'dog' thoughts about smells and sights and sounds. I also loved how Chet, the dog, tries to stay awake to hear everything that is going on but somehow he just fades off to sleep, then when he wakes up he tries to figure out what he missed. Really a fun audiobook.
Laurie S. (LaurieS) reviewed Dog On It (Chet and Bernie, Bk 1) (Audio CD) (Unabridged) on + 504 more book reviews
This is a comic mystery told adorably from the point of view of Chet the dog. Being a dog and all, Chet has a different way of looking at things and tells the story with lots of pauses for ahhhs (hooray, head scratch), and thump thumps (uncontrollable tail wag). He gets distracted easily by tantalizing smells. Its super cutesy, I admit, but I love it still. Sometimes a person needs a little cutesy to balance out the ugly, mean-nasties.
Chets owner Bernie is a gruff, divorced private investigator but Chet loves him all the same. Seen through Chets eyes, many, if not most, of Bernies actions are unintentionally humorous as Chet is often confounded by Bernies behavior. However, as the book goes along Chet and Bernie (but mostly Chet) are put into some life-threatening situations. If you dont like doggies in peril you may have a hard time with this one. Parts of it were definitely hard to read. Poor Chet is stabbed, tossed by a car, almost made into a dog fighter, starved and nearly euthanized. Youve been warned.
The case revolves around a missing teen and was unexceptional and not all that gripping but then again Im use to gory serial killer mysteries when I bother to read them. This type of quieter mystery needs me some gimmicks or humor Ill lose interest fast. This one has both but it was the characters that made the book work for me. Sure, Chets thoughts are too people-like but if you go with it youll have fun. He even makes rather sad sack Bernie lovable. You rarely forget the narrator is a dog and I loved that. Even when Chet is on the job hell take the time to snarf up the Cheerios at the clients house. How can you not love Chet?
Chet being Chet: Suzie was interesting. No doubt about it. An urge came over me to sidestep my way under the table and give her toes a quick lick. I resisted it, she was the guest.
Chets owner Bernie is a gruff, divorced private investigator but Chet loves him all the same. Seen through Chets eyes, many, if not most, of Bernies actions are unintentionally humorous as Chet is often confounded by Bernies behavior. However, as the book goes along Chet and Bernie (but mostly Chet) are put into some life-threatening situations. If you dont like doggies in peril you may have a hard time with this one. Parts of it were definitely hard to read. Poor Chet is stabbed, tossed by a car, almost made into a dog fighter, starved and nearly euthanized. Youve been warned.
The case revolves around a missing teen and was unexceptional and not all that gripping but then again Im use to gory serial killer mysteries when I bother to read them. This type of quieter mystery needs me some gimmicks or humor Ill lose interest fast. This one has both but it was the characters that made the book work for me. Sure, Chets thoughts are too people-like but if you go with it youll have fun. He even makes rather sad sack Bernie lovable. You rarely forget the narrator is a dog and I loved that. Even when Chet is on the job hell take the time to snarf up the Cheerios at the clients house. How can you not love Chet?
Chet being Chet: Suzie was interesting. No doubt about it. An urge came over me to sidestep my way under the table and give her toes a quick lick. I resisted it, she was the guest.
