”Up On the Woof Top” by Spencer Quinn

If you haven’t yet picked up a book in this series, and especially if you love dogs, hysterical situations, or cozy mysteries, you need to start at Book 1 of this delightful series. In this episode it is Christmastime and Chet the wonder dog along with his owner, private investigator Bernie Little, become involved in the disappearance of a reindeer named Rudolph who belongs to a prominent author, but their investigation soon uncovers links to a murder from the past. 4 Stars (Just for being pleasant and funny.)

“Bark to the Future: A Chet and Bernie Mystery #13″ by Spencer Quinn

If you love dogs, (or even if you don’t) every single book in this series is a delight, and author Quinn, who has a knack for perfectly relating a dog’s thoughts in hysterical fashion, once again sets Chet the Jet as narrator of the tale.  When Bernie meets a high school friend fallen on hard times, and he later goes missing, Bernie and Chet begin an investigation that is convoluted, stirring up memories of high school years, revealing things Bernie didn’t realize were happening, and eventually leading him to not only find his friend, but solve a murder.  4 Stars

“It’s a Wonderful Woof (A Chet & Bernie Mystery, 12)” by Spencer Quinn

If you love dog stories or light mysteries filled with humor, and you haven’t read this series, you are missing a delightful romp through the mind of the hysterically-faithful canine narrator, Chet, a dog who is one-half of an investigative team with his wonderful owner, Bernie. In this 12th book in the series, it’s the holiday season and Bernie is offered a case that he passes on to Victor Klovsky, a gentler private eye, but when both Viktor and the client suddenly go missing, Viktor’s mother hires Bernie to find out what happened, and ultimately embroils ever-steadfast Chet and scrupulously honest Bernie in a case that goes deeper into history than anyone imagined. 4 Stars (Wonderful read)

“Of Mutts and Men: a Chet and Bernie Mystery” by Spencer Quinn

As you can tell, I love Spencer Quinn’s hysterical and engaging mystery books, since this is the tenth book in the series, and I am still enjoying every minute of dialogue with canine narrator, Chet the Jet, giving the dog’s point of view of his hero, Bernie Little, private eye, and their attempts to solve crimes. In this episode, Chet and Bernie arrange to meet a hydrologist whose work involves mapping underground water sources, but before they can meet with him, he is murdered, and when the inept police detective attributes it to a burglary gone wrong, Bernie is not convinced, and he and Chet doggedly (pun intended :)) pursue the real criminal. 4 Stars

ALL THE CHET AND BERNIE BOOKS IN ORDER:

1. Dog On It (2019)
2. Thereby Hangs a Tail (2010)
3. To Fetch a Thief (2010)
4. The Dog Who Knew Too Much (2011)
5. A Fistful of Collars (2012)
6. The Sound and the Furry (2013)
7. Paw and Order (2014)
8. Scents and Sensibility  (2015)
9. Heart of Barkness  (2019)
10. Of Mutts and Men (2020)
11. Coming June 1, 2021 – Tender is the Bite

“Heart of Barkness (A Chet and Bernie Mystery)” by Spencer Quinn

In the newest episode of the wonderful Chet and Bernie mysteries, (book nine), Chet is back in fine form with a story I found undeniably appealing and entertaining, especially for anyone who loves dogs, or who just loves a light mystery with humor and readability. Bernie brings Chet along to a pub where they interact with an aging country star who has fallen on hard times and is embroiled in a predicament that makes Bernie anxious to help, while the ever amusing Chet, our hysterically funny narrator, wonders who the paying client might be, but nonetheless follows Bernie with total devotion, manages to save the day, and rescues Bernie in the process. 4 Stars

“Scents and Sensibility” by Spencer Quinn

If you haven’t read any of the books in this Chet and Bernie series, you are missing a treat that will absolutely delight dog-lovers and make even non dog-lovers giggle as the indomitable dog Chet details the escapades of the Little Detective Agency, comprised of Bernie Little and of course, Chet the Jet as his faithful partner. I recommend starting with the first book, (all the books are listed below) but all of them are entertaining, including this eighth installment in which Chet and Bernie become involved in a mysterious case of illegal cactus smuggling and work to solve the case and help their neighbor, Mr. Parsons who owns Iggy, Chet’s best friend, second to Bernie of course! 4 Stars (So much fun!)

Chet and Bernie Books In Order

• Dog On It                                              (2009)
• Thereby Hangs a Tail                          (2010)
• To Fetch a Thief                                  (2010)
• The Dog Who Knew Too Much        (2011)
• A Fistful of Collars                               (2012)
• The Sound and the Furry                  (2013)
• Paw and Order                                    (2014)
• Scents and Sensibility                        (2015)

“The Sound and the Furry: A Chet and Bernie Mystery” by Spencer Quinn

This sixth installment of the Chet and Bernie Mysteries is once again told by canine-narrator  “Chet the Jet”, one half of the pair who form The Little Detective Agency, whose insights into human behavior, adoration and total devotion to his master, Bernie Little, as well as his glimpses into what might be going on in a dog’s head, add a hilarious side bar to the actual mystery.  When Chet and Bernie travel to the Louisiana bayou to track missing person, Ralph Boutette, they meet several quirky members of his crazy family including Lord, Baron, Duke, and Mami Boutette and in unraveling the ensuing mystery which begins to look like it involves a shrimp heist, they discover that much more powerful entities have a stake in keeping Ralph from being found.

“A Fistful of Collars: A Chet and Bernie Mystery” by Spencer Quinn

I find the Chet and Bernie series a delightful, light, mystery treat filled with humor as Chet (a police academy dog who couldn’t quite restrain his natural instincts enough to pass the final exam) serves as narrator with canine insights that are as thought-provoking as they are hilarious.  In this saga, Bernie is asked by an insurance company to watch over a movie star who has come to town on location, but when Bernie is curious as to the real reason he has been requested, and a journalist/friend is murdered, it takes both Bernie’s cunning and some fast action on Chet’s side to sort it all out.

To Fetch A Thief (Chet and Bernie Mystery) by Spencer Quinn

Dropout from police dog training school Chet, and his human pal Bernie, of the Little Detective Agency, are back again in another delightful and entertaining mystery hysterically told from Chet the dog’s point of view. In this installment, Bernie and Chet are hired by Popo the clown to find Peanut the elephant and his gentle trainer Uri DeLeath who have both suddenly and mysteriously disappeared.

“Thereby Hangs a Tail: A Chet and Bernie Mystery” by Spencer Quinn

In this clever and refreshing mystery sequel to “Dog On It”, canine investigator and police dog school drop-out Chet is once again helping his human partner Bernie solve the crime, and since Chet narrates the story through a dog’s eyes, it is filled with rollicking fun and doggie-insight in the process.  In this installment Bernie is financially strapped when asked to find Princess, a pampered show dog but as the case becomes more involved, Chet helps Bernie solve the whodunit –whenever he is not dreaming of bacon, resisting the temptation of a neighboring she-dog, describing the  almost religious experience of a pastry bear claw, taking requisite naps, and exploring smells and sounds that are so abundantly clear to his senses but sadly and perplexedly go unnoticed by Bernie.