I just love Chet. If you can accept a dog as narrator of a mystery, and partner in a detective business, you'll want to check out Spencer Quinn's latest Chet and Bernie book, To Fetch a Thief.Bernie Little owns Little Detective Agency. His ex-wife might own part of the business, but his business partner is actually his dog, Chet. And, the humor in the book comes from Chet's dog-like behavior. Everyone who likes this series says the same thing, "He's such a dog!" He might be working a case with Bernie, but he's easily distracted by Slim Jims or short ribs. Actually, Chet is distracted by female dogs, his own barking, and any kind of food. But, he's still the perfect partner for Bernie.
When one of Bernie's clients gives him tickets to the circus, he takes his son, Charlie, only to arrive the day after the elephant and her handler disappeared. Although the circus owner tries to convince Bernie the handler kidnapped her, Charlie wants his father to look for Peanut, the elephant. And, Popo, the clown wants Bernie and Chet to look for him. Although the local police are convinced the handler ran off, Bernie is a little suspicious of the guard at the gate. And, when a witness changes his story, Bernie knows he's on to something.
Poor Bernie. He has personal problems, with his ex-wife's future husband, and the woman he likes, financial problems, and, now a missing elephant. If he can count on anyone, though, he can count on Chet.
As I said, I love Chet. But, this third book in the series fell a little flat to me. It seemed drawn out, and lacked some of the spark. Perhaps it was the lengthy search for the elephant, leading to Mexico. I'm a big fan of Chet and Bernie. To Fetch a Thief just didn't fetch my fancy.
You can visit Chet online at www.ChetTheDog.com
To Fetch a Thief by Spencer Quinn. Simon & Schuster, ©2010. ISBN 9781439157077 (hardcover), 309p.
*****
FTC Fulll Disclosure - The publisher sent me the book, in hopes I would review it.
