What do you think?
Rate this book
Algonquin Round Table #1.5
Hair of the Dog
[Short Story] Dorothy Parker just wants a quiet meal with her dog at the Algonquin Round Table. But when her waiter, and then her dog, become suspects in the theft of some missing veal, Dorothy takes it on herself to get to the bottom of the purloined provisions--and get to the bottom of a good glass of wine.
12 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 17, 2011
2 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
J.J. Murphy
11 books90 followersWhen not writing the Algonquin Round Table Mysteries, J.J. Murphy is an award-winning health care writer and very busy parent of twin daughters in suburban Philadelphia.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 12, 2014
A BRILLIANT little short mystery! Huzzah! Huzzah!
Ha ha, this is your author speaking, so take the previous comment with a grain of salt. OK, seriously now, no one says "huzzah" any more. We must fix that.
Anyhow, here's a little background on this short story you won't get anywhere else... For one, Dorothy Parker had a number of pets in her lifetime, most were dogs. And one was indeed named Woodrow Wilson, a Boston terrier. (At another time, she had a French poodle named Cliché!) Woody was a very good little dog, and Dorothy took him with her to restaurants and speakeasies. However, she was notoriously bad about picking up after her dogs. I've been trying to find an anecdote that I read somewhere about her dog soiling the carpet at a hotel or apartment lobby. Rather than let the dog take the blame (and likely be removed from the premises), Dorothy said, "Oh, I did it." [Or wittier words to that effect...I just cannot find that story. If you find it, let me know.]
Another thing that's amazing to consider: Broadway theaters shut down in the summer because it was just too hot--there was no air conditioning back then. So, all the theater folk--and theater critics--left town for the summer. If you visit New York's theater district today, it's difficult to imagine Broadway shutting down for even a minute, much less a whole season.
Hope you enjoyed this story. If you did, please try one of the books.
Ha ha, this is your author speaking, so take the previous comment with a grain of salt. OK, seriously now, no one says "huzzah" any more. We must fix that.
Anyhow, here's a little background on this short story you won't get anywhere else... For one, Dorothy Parker had a number of pets in her lifetime, most were dogs. And one was indeed named Woodrow Wilson, a Boston terrier. (At another time, she had a French poodle named Cliché!) Woody was a very good little dog, and Dorothy took him with her to restaurants and speakeasies. However, she was notoriously bad about picking up after her dogs. I've been trying to find an anecdote that I read somewhere about her dog soiling the carpet at a hotel or apartment lobby. Rather than let the dog take the blame (and likely be removed from the premises), Dorothy said, "Oh, I did it." [Or wittier words to that effect...I just cannot find that story. If you find it, let me know.]
Another thing that's amazing to consider: Broadway theaters shut down in the summer because it was just too hot--there was no air conditioning back then. So, all the theater folk--and theater critics--left town for the summer. If you visit New York's theater district today, it's difficult to imagine Broadway shutting down for even a minute, much less a whole season.
Hope you enjoyed this story. If you did, please try one of the books.
July 6, 2012
What a good short story! Dorothy is as true to herself in this story as she is in the regular length novels. I couldn't swipe the pages quick enough, but I so didn't want it to end. Woody is the second best partner in crime for Dorothy (next to Benchley). Gosh I love the Round Table. These books are up and in the center of my alley. Please JJ Murphy, please keep writing. I'll read anything you write! Is two at a time too much?
February 13, 2016
Dorothy Parker just wants a quiet lunch, but the dining room at the Algonquin is anything but. There's a big brouhaha over some missing meat. With the owner steaming mad he points the finger at the likely suspects, the waiter, or Dorothy's dog. One being in the vicinity when the veal was purloined, the other being a dog. But in this day and age with liquor being illegal not slacking the thirst, there's more fluidity to crime and punishment. There's a give and a take. There's a barter system that might just be what's at work. This quick little story was not nearly enough to slack my thirst for this new series. Hair of the Dog was a quick little read that offered yet another glimpse into the bygone era Dorthy Parker lived in. Here instead of the publishing world we see more the lower classes and how, even in the darkest of times, there are ways to have a grand celebration, if you are willing to turn a blind eye.
January 24, 2013
A very short story that's one of the mysteries that really isn't - who took the veal? Suddenly solved by our intrepid, clever protagonist Ms. Dorothy Parker. It's a fun, short read but it isn't in any way taxing as there really isn't any point trying to solve the mystery - no clues, no real suspects. Still worth a read if you can get it for free.
May 15, 2013
Not a short-story fan, but this mini-mystery from J.J. Murphy did whet my appetite to continue reading the Algonquin Round Table series. Who would ever suspect Dorothy Parker's beloved Woodrow Wilson of stealing the Algonquin chef's veal? Poor doggie!
May 25, 2013
Fans of Agatha Christy will enjoy this short Dorothy Parker story in which she and her dog solve a crime caper at the Algonquin Hotel. The story is fun, fast paced, and full of the witty wisecracks Dorothy made famous. An adorable read and nice introduction to the Algonquin Round Table Mysteries.
June 23, 2011
Cute little short mystery wherein Dorothy Parker brings her dog to luncheon at the Algonzuin. When all of a sudden poor little Woodrow Wilson is accused of stealing the veal.
April 28, 2016
Great little short mystery with Dorothy Parker as detective.
June 1, 2012
A short mystery. Almost too short.
December 4, 2013
This short was fun, it had humor as well as mystery. I've read it at least six times. Needless to say I loved it
January 2, 2015
Good Mystery
This short story was an excellent mystery and a fun READ. Dorothy solves the Case of the Missing Veal cleverly.
This short story was an excellent mystery and a fun READ. Dorothy solves the Case of the Missing Veal cleverly.
September 21, 2014
Hair of the dog by J.J. Murphy.
A short, fun read in between the Algonquin Round Table books.
A short, fun read in between the Algonquin Round Table books.
February 18, 2018
Okay. Dorothy Parker at her usual. Interested in that era of New York writer.
April 22, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
January 7, 2016
This is a short story, but, I really enjoyed it. The humor of Dorothy Parker made me laugh while reading this. I haven't read any of the full length books in this series, but I now want to .
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews