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PI Grace Smith #4
Barking!: A Grace Smith Investigation by Liz Evans
Stuart Roberts is a mild-mannered, shy accountant suffering from nightmares in which he remembers committing a violent murder (possibly two) and wants to know if they really happened. Grace doesn't want to take the case on the grounds that murders tend to mean there's someone who is prepared to kill around and she'd rather pass - thanks very much. However, these are killings with a difference: they took place nearly thirty years before Stuart was born. During his dreams Stuart becomes 'Joe' and has vivid recollections of life as a hop farmer's son, a world Stuart swears he knows absolutely nothing about. Despite her scepticism Grace has never been able to resist the lure of an unlimited expense account, so she takes the job. And then discovers that her client isn't quite what he appears to be ...
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First published April 28, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 3, 2022
Bottom of the barrel PI is hired to find out why a man has nightmares of a murder that occurred before he was even born.
It isn't as funny as it thinks.
It isn't as funny as it thinks.
July 22, 2025
Barking! is the 4th book in the PI Grace Smith mystery series by English author Liz Evans. The series is set in the coastal town of Seatoun where Grace plies her trade working for Vetch and his small agency. Also the agency includes his partner and Grace's best friend, Annie and their 'in'capable personal asst, Jan.
Grace is hired by a local junkyard operator, Arlene to look after her bulldog, Waterloo, after Grace returns him from a midnight jaunt. Arlene needs to have eye surgery so she asks Grace to stay in her cottage and look after Waterloo while she's away. This is a boon for Grace, she'll be paid, have a place to stay that's nicer than her rundown flat and oh well, she'll also have a companion, farty Waterloo.
When Grace is trying to rescue Waterloo from the cliffside walk, she meets Stuart. Stuart is an accountant. One of his clients is a rock singer, much married and purported to be quite rich. Stuart wants to hire Grace. He's been seeing a hypnotherapist to cure him from sleep walking and also from a fear of flying. Since he's seen this therapist, he's had disturbing visions of what appears to be a murder(s) that took place 30 years ago. (Stuart isn't that old) Grace is hesitant to take the case but agrees and accompanied by flatulent Waterloo, she begins to investigate.
It's a meandering story and I readily admit that I did at times forget who was who in this story. (My fault for putting it down, not the authors for not writing it well enough). Grace, in the course of her investigation, begins to search the nearby area to find locations mentioned in the tapes (Oh yes, Stuart provided her with taped conversations he had with his therapist, when he was under hypnosis). Grace and Waterloo end up at the estate where Rick, the musician, and his new wife, Christine, have taken up residence. As they arrive, their little girl, Emilie Rose, falls into a pond and Waterloo, with Grace's assistance, rescue her.
So now Grace's investigation brings her into more regular contact with this fractious family. Grace's buddy, Annie, begins to have a relationship with Stuart. Grace makes trips to London to let Waterloo spend time with his Mumsie. Her investigation into Stuart's visions makes her wonder about whether he is who he says he is. It's all very convoluted (a bit anyway) but entertaining. I like Grace very much, she's outspoken, funny and a good detective. I like her friends. I liked Waterloo. The story is interesting, moves along nicely and is well-written. I've enjoyed every book in the series so far. Unfortunately, Liz Evans only wrote six books in the series so I'll have to make sure I don't finish them too soon. (3.5 stars)
Grace is hired by a local junkyard operator, Arlene to look after her bulldog, Waterloo, after Grace returns him from a midnight jaunt. Arlene needs to have eye surgery so she asks Grace to stay in her cottage and look after Waterloo while she's away. This is a boon for Grace, she'll be paid, have a place to stay that's nicer than her rundown flat and oh well, she'll also have a companion, farty Waterloo.
When Grace is trying to rescue Waterloo from the cliffside walk, she meets Stuart. Stuart is an accountant. One of his clients is a rock singer, much married and purported to be quite rich. Stuart wants to hire Grace. He's been seeing a hypnotherapist to cure him from sleep walking and also from a fear of flying. Since he's seen this therapist, he's had disturbing visions of what appears to be a murder(s) that took place 30 years ago. (Stuart isn't that old) Grace is hesitant to take the case but agrees and accompanied by flatulent Waterloo, she begins to investigate.
It's a meandering story and I readily admit that I did at times forget who was who in this story. (My fault for putting it down, not the authors for not writing it well enough). Grace, in the course of her investigation, begins to search the nearby area to find locations mentioned in the tapes (Oh yes, Stuart provided her with taped conversations he had with his therapist, when he was under hypnosis). Grace and Waterloo end up at the estate where Rick, the musician, and his new wife, Christine, have taken up residence. As they arrive, their little girl, Emilie Rose, falls into a pond and Waterloo, with Grace's assistance, rescue her.
So now Grace's investigation brings her into more regular contact with this fractious family. Grace's buddy, Annie, begins to have a relationship with Stuart. Grace makes trips to London to let Waterloo spend time with his Mumsie. Her investigation into Stuart's visions makes her wonder about whether he is who he says he is. It's all very convoluted (a bit anyway) but entertaining. I like Grace very much, she's outspoken, funny and a good detective. I like her friends. I liked Waterloo. The story is interesting, moves along nicely and is well-written. I've enjoyed every book in the series so far. Unfortunately, Liz Evans only wrote six books in the series so I'll have to make sure I don't finish them too soon. (3.5 stars)
September 27, 2016
Intriguing mystery with a side order of humor in the form of a big, slobbery dog. The mystery had me guessing - just when I thought I'd nailed it, along came another twist, and then another, and then the grand finale I didn't see coming! This series ranks among the top of mysteries IMO.
January 21, 2012
I've read five of Evans' books with Grace Smith as the heroine and really enjoyed them. They were mysteries that were funny.
I found this one not funny at all and rather boring. There is some genealogy in it since she is trying to track "Joe" that I found interesting but that was about it.
The reason why it all happened and thus the ending were silly and I wasn't buying them.
I'm glad I never read this book first because I wouldn't have read any of her others.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/11...
I found this one not funny at all and rather boring. There is some genealogy in it since she is trying to track "Joe" that I found interesting but that was about it.
The reason why it all happened and thus the ending were silly and I wasn't buying them.
I'm glad I never read this book first because I wouldn't have read any of her others.
Blog review: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2011/11...
April 11, 2019
Private investigator Grace Smith is hired by an accountant to find out why his sessions of hypnotic regression show him in a past life, committing a murder. Since Grace doesn't believe in the supernatural, she's sure he must be up to something hinky. But everything he remembers from his "past life" checks out. One of his clients is a famous, aging rock star who has just moved back into an old oast house that he renovated for his second wife--he's up to number five now--and that features in the regressions. What makes things worse is that Grace's bestie Annie Smith (no relation) is dating the accountant, who Grace fears may really be a murderer. And then there's Grace's dog-sitting gig...
September 27, 2021
Private Eye Grace Smith is asked to listen a number of tapes made by mild mannered Stuart Roberts while under hypnosis that he had murdered someone years before he was born. Skeptical Grace takes on the inquiry only for a body to be discovered buried in the garden following routine maintenance. Early on it is established that Grace feels there is something not quite right about the story with author Liz Evans cleverly introducing a number suspicious characters and lightens things up with Grace looking after Waterloo, the dog who discovers an arms. An enjoyable read with a satisfactory conclusion.
November 22, 2017
It's many, many moons since I last read this book & I really enjoyed reading it again - it was like meeting up with an old friend! I enjoy the humour & the overall writing style of these books & the plots are credible & hold your attention.
It's such a shame there's only ever been six books in this series.
It's such a shame there's only ever been six books in this series.
August 11, 2016
The first line hooked me--"...contact with the paranormal started the day I knocked someone out with half a cow." Beyond being an intriguing mystery, Liz Evans handles language with a fresh and witty hand. So many funny lines. "...I could have quick-frozen molten lava on her tone..." or "...had pretension-speak down to an art." The book is packed with wonderful made up words and phrases that provide no doubt about her meaning--"identikit-blonde, body-swerved, slumitecture, verbal senility"--and sent me to the dictionary to look up erudite words such as "transmorgrification, verruca, groyn" and a ton of British idioms. I especially loved the description of watching the waves at the seaside--"watching the white horses crashing in on the seal-grey rollers."
Delightful! I'll be hunting down the next Grace Smith mystery soon.
Delightful! I'll be hunting down the next Grace Smith mystery soon.
March 5, 2010
Despite this being the fourth book in a detective series, it suffered from none of the usual problems of picking up a series in the middle. The characters were fully constructed and likable and there wasn't that persistent, nagging feeling that something was missing. I really enjoyed it! It definitely worked as a standalone mystery, though I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the rest of the series. There was a moment or two when I really hated it... but in the end, I was quite satisfied. The mystery unfolded unpredictably. Very good!
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December 7, 2010The fourth Grace Smith mystery didn't let me down.
These books have really quite complicated plots with fathoms worth of depths to plumb. There's at least a layer more to everything than there is in your standard mystery and the comparison of Evans to Evanovich on the cover doesn't do Evans justice at all.
January 7, 2008
Wound up being beter than I thought initially. Third in the Grace Smith series. Modern British - a bit dicey at times. Intricate plot, nicely resolved. Would not buy first 2 in series, but will read them if they're in the library.
July 5, 2009
I do like these books. I liked this one the best so far, I think. I just like the characters we are introduced to. I wish, however, that some of the old characters were still around. Where are the donkeys???
December 31, 2015
Read this
Very enjoyable with plenty of twists in plot to keep you guessing. Third book read from this author all with a dry humour.
Very enjoyable with plenty of twists in plot to keep you guessing. Third book read from this author all with a dry humour.
May 29, 2016
3.5 stars
April 14, 2013
Loved the wit, loved the dog, loved the descriptions!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews