In this 2nd book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team investigates the abduction of a show dog and her owner.
In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet run the Little Detective Agency in a region of Arizona called The Valley.
The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, doggie logic, craving for treats, and tendency to get distracted set the stage for plenty of smiles.
Bernie is a West Point graduate, war veteran, former police lieutenant, and talented private detective. Chet is Bernie's invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants.
As the story opens, Chet and Bernie nab an arsonist/jewel thief, who confesses and is arrested.
>Afterwards, Chet observes, "Hours later we had two checks, one for the arson, one for the jewel heist, and a good thing, too, because our finances were a mess—alimony, child support, [and] a bad investment in some company with plans to make Hawaiian pants just like the Hawaiian shirts Bernie wears." Bernie has a tendency to make bad investments, and in this book, Bernie buys into (what is almost certainly) a fake tin mine.....much to Chet's dismay.
As always, Bernie's bank account needs a boost, so - when Bernie's frenemy Lieutenant Stine recommends a gig that pays $2,000 per day - the Little Detective Agency takes the job. Bernie and Chet are hired to 'bodyguard' a small, white, prize-winning show dog named Princess, who's owned by Contessa Adelina.
Unfortunately, Chet immediately grabs a bacon bit meant for Princess, and the detectives get fired before the job even begins.
Soon afterwards, the Contessa and Princess are abducted, and Bernie and Chet are hired to find them. This is a big news story in The Valley, and Bernie's journalist girlfriend, Suzie Sanchez, chases the scoop. Next thing you know, Suzie is missing as well.
As the story unfolds, Bernie and Chet encounter the Contessa's husband, who has a title but no money;
Princess's trainer Nance, who witnessed the Contessa's abduction;
a man who claims that - in the last dog show - his pooch was nobbled by the Contessa's team;
and a sheriff and his deputy, who seem reluctant to help.
Chet also has an adventure of his own when he gets separated from Bernie and meets a couple of old hippies in the desert.
The novel has plenty of action, danger, and laughs, but the story feels padded (too much driving around here and there). Still, I enjoyed the book and recommend it to readers who like cozy mysteries, especially Chet and Bernie fans.
Rating: 3 stars
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