Bernie Little and his dog. Chet, of the Little Detective Agency, are on the case! When a new client comes to the Little Detective Agency hoping to hire them for a case, Bernie doesn't feel right about it and turns down the case and recommends the client to another local detective. When that detective then goes missing, Bernie feels obligated to find him. Soon, Bernie and Chet are caught up in the art world and trying to track down an elusive painting and they start digging into the past, as well as the present, to find his friend and solve the case, all while the Christmas season is in full swing. Will he solve the case in time to give everyone a happy holiday? Read this and find out! This is an entertaining, cozy read - just in time for the holidays!

It may just be starting to feel like fall, but the life of a book blogger means it’s time for Christmas reads!

This year, some of my favorite authors have given the world the gift of a bonus book; that is, a second release in the same year. As someone who waits not-so-patiently every year for my favorite author’s releases, having two books in one year feels like winning. So far, both Mary Kay Andrews and Spencer Quinn have given us Christmas books in addition to their annual release. You can read my review of MKA’s The Santa Suit here, and read on for my review of Spencer Quinn’s It’s a Wonderful Woof.

Tis the season in the valley where Chet lives with his private investigator partner, Bernie. Tis the season for crime and shenanigans, that is. Chet may have flunked out of K-9 school on the last day (was there a cat involved? Read the novella A Cat Was Involved to find out!), but he’s the best in the business. When a fellow PI and acquaintance goes missing, Chet and Bernie are on the case. This particular case may lead them to some interesting places, all tied in to the Christmas story and the saguaros that often dot their landscape. What do Mary and Joseph fleeing Herod have to do with the Sonoran desert? Chet and Bernie are sure to find out!

Like all of Quinn’s uproarious novels, It’s a Wonderful Woof is narrated by Chet. True to form, Chet’s storytelling is laugh out loud funny. Be careful reading in public; this novel is full of irresistibly funny moments. Chet’s canine narration provides many moments of comedic relief, balancing the weight of the story and setting the tone perfectly.

While this story is definitely holiday centric, and a great mystery as that, it also advances the character’s relationships with one another. These well-developed characters are always a joy to spend time with, and this novel is no different. I especially loved seeing more of Weatherly, Trixie, and Shooter. Chet’s interactions with Trixie and Shooter are always extra-funny, while Weatherly is smart and witty. It’s a Wonderful Woof advances the character-driven plots that are interwoven into each installment.

While this novel is full of fun moments and interesting characters, it’s a great mystery and a great holiday story. In fact, it’s the perfect Christmas mystery… as long as you don’t mind a body count.

It’s a Wonderful Woof will be available October 19, 2021. Thank you to Spencer Quinn, NetGalley, and Macmillian-Tor/Forge for an advanced copy such that I could write this review.

It's Christmas time in the Valley and Chet the Jet and his human, Bernie Little, are hired to find a missing person. Unfortunately, it's Bernie's friend, Victor Klovsky. In spite of the dismal finances of the Little Detective Agency, Bernie sent a prospective client to Victor, because Bernie did not get a good feeling from the client. This leads to a lot of rambling around the Valley, including an abandoned monastery, Nuestra Señora de los Saguaros, dating back to the earliest Spanish explorers. It also includes discovering more than Bernie ever wanted to know about Renaissance art and Caravaggio. There is murder and mayhem, observed by Chet in his own inimitable fashion, which is always the best part of this series. Always an entertaining read.

I always enjoy reading the adventures of this pair. I'll admit it's a series that can be easier to listen to than read at times, but always enjoyable and just the escapism I need right now.

The Chet and Bernie series is one of the most consistently enjoyable around. If you've read one before you'll know what to expect - the latest case for the Little Detective Agency told from Chet the dog's point of view. A point of view that's joyfully optimistic if, at times, a little...hazy on the human detail.
This time around it;'s getting close to Christmas and the duo are trying to find out what happened to a fledgling PI Bernie handed a case off to. Along the way they encounter some old and new friends and...well, everyone's a friend as far as Chet's concerned until he's got to take them down and send them off to break rocks in the hot sun. ..Filled with the usual humour and amusing observations from a canine's point of view it's not ground breaking in terms of doing something different, but that's absolutely no bad thing as far as I'm concerned.
As always, a pleasure to read.

Bernie Little is offered an investigation, but doesn't feel really good about the man offering, so he turns the job down. Later, Bernie runs into an old P.I. acquaintance, Victor Klovsky, who needs a job and Bernie gives him the man's card. Shortly thereafter, Victor has disappeared and his mom wants Bernie and Chet his dog partner, to find him. When it turns into a police investigation, Bernie has the chance to see Sergeant Wauneka. The investigation leads to a possible undiscovered painting "Flight into Egypt" by Caravaggio. Holidays are celebrated and as usual Chet relates the story in his humorous fashion. I am a fan of the nation within the nation and this is a thoughtful, but fun addition. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Any tale narrated by a pooch - even one who flunked out of K-9 training on the final day - is just too good to pass up, IMHO. And for sure I haven't; several entries in this series (this one makes a dozen) have kept me entertained for years now. Kept in check - well, for the most part - by Bernie Little, owner of the Little Detective Agency, the intensely loyal and intelligent-beyond-his-species four-legged Chet goes about his business of helping his owner solve crimes.

This one immerses the dynamic duo in the world of art - admittedly not a familiar subject for either of them. On top of trying to keep the business afloat, Bernie is hoping that his relationship with beautiful police sergeant Weatherly Wavneka will pick up steam (on this issue, Bernie has Chet's unwavering support even if it means he has to deal with her dog Trixie). The whole mess begins when Bernie turns down a job from what would be a new client and refers the guy to an old friend, Victor Klovsky. Not long thereafter, Victor's mother calls Bernie to say her son has gone missing - and adds that Victor had just started working on the case Bernie sent his way.

The obvious place to start is to find Victor's new client - the one who originally wanted Bernie to take his case. Problem is, that guy has turned up missing as well. With some digging - pun intended - Bernie and Chet find themselves at the ruins of an old Spanish mission, now just a crumbling building and the site of informal archeological digs. That, in turn, leads Bernie into the unfamiliar world of art history (not to mention some serious danger and a dead body or two).

Throughout it all, there's Chet's ongoing "take" on what's happening, providing doggie insights and a few chuckles. Chalk up another fun adventure well done. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.

3.5 stars

In this 12th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team looks for a missing person. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet run the Little Detective Agency in the Southwest United States. The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, and doggie logic set the stage for plenty of smiles.

Bernie is a West Point graduate, good at his job, and Chet is his invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants.

It's Christmas season when the Little Detective Agency is offered a new case. A dapper little man called Lauritz Vogner, who describes himself as Mittel European goulash, offers Bernie a $5,000 retainer to look into a matter involving Baroque art. This isn't Bernie's kind of case though, and he gives Vogner the name of a colleague called Victor Klovsky - a timid sleuth who's good at online research.

A couple of days later Bernie gets a call from Victor's mother, who says her son is missing. As Bernie searches for Victor, he comes across a local example of Baroque architecture - an old deconsecrated mission church called Nuestra Señora de los Saguaros.

When Bernie and Chet visit the antiquated ruin they meet archaeologist Dr. Johanna Borden, who's digging holes in the property. Borden says she's studying the site for a private non-profit, and claims to know nothing about Victor Klovsky. Chet observes that Johanna's a little nervous however, because some smells are unmissable.

Various clues lead Bernie and Chet to a museum gift shop; an art professor; and a hotel, where they find a corpse showing signs of torture. It seems clear that someone is searching for something, and Bernie and Chet have to figure out what and why.

As always Chet helps with the investigation, this time while he and Bernie are searching the hotel room. Bernie mentions turning the place upside down and Chet quickly unhinges the toilet paper roll before Bernie can stop him. As luck would have it a small key is hidden inside the metal toilet paper thingies (as Chet calls them), and this leads to an important discovery.

The case turns out to be very complex, but Bernie and Chet are well up to the job.

While Bernie investigates the case he learns a little about Baroque art and architecture; the Italian painter Caravaggio;and the Spanish explorers that brought missions to Mexico and the American west. Bernie also pursues a romance with Police Sergeant Weatherly Wauneka, decorates Christmas trees, and has weekends with his 6-year-old son Charlie, who wants driving lessons as a Christmas gift.

As for Chet, he enjoys the entire experience, especially the snacks. Over the course of the investigation Chet snaps a pecan and pinon tart out of Bernie's hand; scores a Slim Jim; sneaks a chewy out of a drawer; fishes the remains of a BLT out of a trash can; finds a potato chip; gets a T-R-E-A-T from someone's pocket; and more.

The story is an entertaining Christmas adventure that points to a promising future for Bernie and Chet. It will be fun to see where they go next.

Thanks to Netgalley, Spencer Quinn, and Forge Books for a copy of the book.

I liked this book but not as wholeheartedly as all the other Chet and Bernie books. This one feels different to me and I can't exactly put my finger on why. It's as if the author and I can't connect in this book. Lots of little things are different that will not even be noticed unless you are like me and find this series a *must read*. Bernie is the lead Little, as in the Little Detective Agency; in fact he is the only Little. Chet is a wonderful 100 pound dog who flunked out of K-9 school on the last part of the obstacle course; there was a cat involved but that doesn't matter because it meant that Chet was up for adoption. This story has Bernie turning down a case but recommending another private detective who needs a hand getting started in the business. Then the PI disappears and his Mom asks Bernie for help. Setting the story in the days leading up to Christmas feels like more of a marketing strategy than any real necessity to help the story.

The ending for this book can only be described by me as strange. Strange in how Bernie acted and strange in how the ending made me wonder if something unexpected had or is going to happen with the series. I've always been perfectly happy to accept the conclusion for all the books that have come before but this one leaves me unsettled. Partly I'm unsettled because what happened was so much the opposite from any kind of action Bernie portrayed in all the previous books. And also, please Spencer Quinn, why did you make something happen that could never, ever have happened in real life?

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan - Tor/Forge for an e-galley of this novel.

private-investigators, dog, urban-fantasy, situational-humor, snarky, family, friendship, law-enforcement, missing-persons, verbal-humor*****

Chet relates the story from his point of view as a failed K-9 but ace PI working with his buddy Bernie who is the human PI of this pair. I really don't think that reading the earlier books is necessary to enjoying the fun and sleuthing in this story. The publisher's blurb is a good hook, so get ready to laugh your sox off while Chet and Bernie save the day!
I requested and received a free temporary ebook copy from Macmillan-Tor/Forge Forge Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Bernie's love life gets back on track, with someone new! Chet is his usual vigilant self. Another enjoyable ride with the detective duo, Chet and Bernie. Recommended.

A new Chet and Bernie book is always a welcome treat (pun intended) and this one doesn't disappoint. Each book introduces one to another slice of Californian history with a rousing mystery and Chet's doggie take on life. Another sure winner in the series.
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Fast paced mystery involving Bernie and his canine partner, Chet. Told from Chet's perspective, this entertaining novel maintains a sense of humor by Chet's observations on life.

Enjoyable missing person/great art mystery. Chet and Bernie are always fun and while not a cozy Christmas feel-good novel, the Christmas dusting adds interest and fun.

Anyone reading this latest installment of Chet and Bernie’s adventures will not be disappointed. Nor will they be short on holiday spirit at its conclusion.

Chet’s witty comments never grow old for me, and his running commentary during this adventure story and detective caper amused and entertained me from page one to the novel’s conclusion.

Serious detective novel fans should not be put off by the lightness if tone or sense of humor in this series. The books are smart, full of spirit and have profoundly serious reminders of the value of friendship and strong core values. I am smitten with both Chet and Bernie and hope to share many more adventures with them.

Another great Chet and Bernie mystery. I love these books because they are pure escapist, unadulterated fun. Always good for a laugh, the mysteries are always good and there is always
Chet, long may he wag.

As always a funny, wonderfully written story with Chet! Loved it immensely and will be gifting it to loved ones for the holidays. These books are pure joy for me.

Another smash hit from Spencer Quinn. Chet is once again a wonderful character, and this book is so much fun to read. It's a Wonderful Woof has all the right elements: great characters, good story and plot, believable, funny in the right places, and a page-turner. I'm a huge fan of Chet and Bernie and would highly recommend all Spencer Quinn books.