To Fetch a Thief - Chet and Bernie, Bk 3 Author:Spencer Quinn Chet has smelled a lot of unusual things in his years as trusted companion and partner to P.I. Bernie Little, but nothing has prepared him for the exotic scents he encounters when an old-fashioned traveling circus comes to town. Bernie scores tickets to this less-than-greatest-show-on-earth because his son Charlie is crazy about elephants. The o... more »nly problem is that Peanut, the headlining pachyderm of this particular one-ring circus, has gone missing -- along with her trainer, Uri DeLeath. Stranger still, no one saw them leave. How does an elephant vanish without a trace?
At first there’s nothing Bernie and Chet can do -- it’s a police matter and they have no standing in the case. But then they’re hired by Popo the Clown, who has his own reasons for wanting to find out what has become of the mysteriously missing duo. After Chet takes a few sniffs in Peanut’s trailer and picks up her one-of-a-kind scent, he and Bernie are in hot pursuit, heading far away from the bright lights of the traveling show and into the dark desert night.
Some very dangerous people would prefer that Chet and Bernie disappear for good and will go to any lengths to make that happen. Across the border in Mexico and separated from Bernie, Chet must use all his natural strength and doggy smarts to try to save himself -- not to mention Bernie and a decidedly uncooperative Peanut, too.« less
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I didn't hate this book, but I surely didn't love it either. I really liked the premise: missing elephant and trainer. But there is so much extra wording in the book that makes it too long and drawn out. I skimmed most of the book. And then near the end, when Chet and his owner Bernie get separated, we have to listen to what's happening to the dog for page after page and it was boring. I won't be reading another book by this author (at least from this series).
This is the third installment to the Chet and Bernie mystery series. Chet, the dog is the best at narrating their stories. Bernie and Chet are working on a case for a circus. A missing performer and his elephant are missing. The leads do not come easy and they are traveling farther than they would like to crack the case.
Even though this is the third book in the series, it is the first one I have read. I did not feel lost and felt very connected to the characters. I love the way Chet's voice is described and how he takes in information. Since he is a dog he gets distracted sometimes but not most of the time because he is a good dog.
I wish I had more of the books to read but I will have to remedy it another day. The end of the story did not come together as cleanly as I hoped. It seemed like things had gotten so out of hand (or paw) the author wasn't sure how to get it back to a resolvable ending. Things got too lucky in the final chapters.
I will definitely be reading another Chet and Bernie mystery. I could see these characters as a tv series or movies. Worth the read and I am happy reading out of order if I read more.
Deborah S. reviewed To Fetch a Thief (Chet and Bernie, Bk 3) on
Great read. I love hearing the events from the dog's perspective, even though he might be credited with more intellect than is realistic. The love between human and dog is realistic and heartwarming.
I've read alot of books with animals as one of the main characters. But I've never read a book narrated by a dog -- until now. This is the first Chet and Bernie book I have read, but it is the third in the series with Dog on It, and Thereby Hangs a Tail preceding it.
PI Bernie Little runs the Little Detective Agency, along with his partner and counterpart, Chet, a very intelligent and watchful dog. Not much gets past him. When the two are staking out a motel for a man who things his wife is two-timing her, it's pretty boring. Until they see two visitors come and leave the establishment, one they later realize is dating Bernie's ex-wife.
Bernie's ex-wife asks him to watch their young son, and offers some tickets to the circus that has come to town, so the three of them set off for a fun-filled evening. Chet is in doggie heaven with all of the smells and his son is excited with all of the going ons. But his excitement quickly turns to disappointment when they realize the Big Top is closed.
It seems that Peanut the elephant and his trainer has disappeared. The police are investigating but Bernie's son thinks that he should get involved since that is what he does for a living. Chet ambles about the big tent and pokes his nose in Peanut's trailer, gathering a scent into his nose. He follows the smell, his nose leading the way, but pauses when he realizes that it leads out of the Big Top and into the desert.
Bernie thinks they should let the police do their job, but then Popo the Clown approaches Bernie and Chet and hires them to find the missing duo. They set out on a journey of dangerous proportions enclosing around them, unbeknownst to them. Chet will need all of his senses if he hopes to get them all home safely and find Peanut and her trainer.
Like I said, I've never read a book with a dog narrator, but I found it absolutely delightful. I fell in love with Chet and the mystery had me up turning the pages into the wee morning. This is a series I highly recommend if you love reading about pets, or mysteries. And that cover is marvelous!!
While I love Chet and have enjoyed this series thus far, I felt this book wasn't as good as the first two. A bit thinner plot with less suspense. Still, a nice diversion if you're looking for a light read.
This was my favorite Chet & Bernie so far! (and I've liked them all!) I listened to the first one on audio book and I highly recommend that because it has sort of set the tone for the rest of the series! I frequently laugh out loud when I'm reading this series and this book had several scenes that continue to make me laugh!
I appreciate the way there are always critical elements of the case that Chet observes (and obviously can't tell Bernie) to throw in a little extra frustration with the plot progress!
