Short Tails: Chet & Bernie Short Stories

by Spencer Quinn

From Spencer Quinn, short stories in the New York Times and USA Todaybestselling series that Stephen King calls "without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available." This collection of short stories of Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe), and his human partner, PI Bernie Little "Upper Story," "The Iggy Papers," and "The Numbers After Two."

Genres: Mystery, Dogs, Audiobook, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Short Stories, Animals

1 pages, Audio CD

Published October 18, 2022

About the author

Spencer Quinn lives on Cape Cod with his dog Audrey, and is hard at work on the next Chet and Bernie adventure.

Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.

Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery

Reviews

[H (trying to keep up with GR friends) Balikov · Rating 3 out of 5]

These short stories are a small addition to the Chet and Bernie library. These two, dog and investigator, form the private eye team Little and Associates. All the narration is by Chet and it works well. A dog’s view of humanity is just the antidote to the daily news grind.

Those who have been following this duo will find that these stories are a fine addition with just a bit more of Bernie’s life and approach to detecting illuminated.

Nothing to complain about; it was a nice break from more serious fare.

[Carol Jones-Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a nice visit with my friends Chet and Bernie today. We chatted about three of their recent cases they've been on. They were in Upper Story, The Iggy Papers, and The Numbers After Two (which were written by Spencer Quinn and narrated by Jim Frangione).

Been awhile since I've seen them, they seem to be doing well. I had a private chat with Chet, and he had all kinds of good things to say about Bernie. He smells good, is very smart, is my best friend, and among other things, he has some amazing abilities when we are working on cases. Bernie was telling me how busy they are and loving the work. Was great to see them, and I thought their description of their cases was most interesting.

I would recommend you having a chat with Chet and Bernie too. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Rate: 4 Stars.

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5🌟
Audiobook (narrated by James Frangione)
These short stories (three of them) were just okay. I always love Chet, but I didn’t like any of the endings. And the last story made me think Bernie is a few bricks short of a load. I mean, really? If it sounds too good to be true. . .

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Hobart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---

I grabbed him by the pant leg, which was how we closed our cases, me and Bernie.

“Aieee! Aieee!”

Oh, come on, Chuckie! Suck it up. My teeth were barely engaged at all. But the funny thing is that when that Aieee sound is in the air, they—meaning my teeth—get this sort of…urge.

“AIEEE! AIEEE!”

WHAT'S SHORT TAILS ABOUT?
This is a collection of short stories from the Chet & Bernie series. I don't normally do this for short story collections, but the collection is brief enough that I can get away with it, let's take a quick look at each.

UPPER STORY
I want to say that this takes place during Scents and Sensibility, but I can't swear to it (if it didn't, I might as well have). Bernie's in the hospital, so Chet's staying--and working with--their friend, Rick Torres. This story is heavy on Chet's actions and his contrasting appraisal of working with Bernie vs. Rick. As you'd expect, the comparison does not go in Rick's favor (no matter that he's freer with the Slim Jims).

It's a very short story with a great emotional punch and some good chuckle-inducing lines. I'd have honestly expected this to be last in the collection because of that--but what do I know?

THE IGGY PAPERS
This is probably the most satisfying story in the bunch. Like with The Iggy Chronicles, this focuses on something to do with Mrs. Parson's medical care. Bernie gets to flex his investigative muscles here a bit more than in the other stories from the book, and Chet's major contributions come from his commentary and interaction with Iggy.

This is everything that a Chet and Bernie short story should be.

THE NUMBERS AFTER TWO
It's been a bit since we got to see Bernie's head for finances on display (more accurately, total lack of one), this story gives us a tale about an interrupted vacation for the detectives and a chance to see Bernie's gullibility on display.

I know that it's good to see Bernie's fallibility--Chet tends toward hagiography when he describes Bernie. We need to see him stumble outside of his romantic relationships--but I have such trouble buying that he can be as gullible as he so often is when it comes to financial schemes and yet be such a good detective. Still, this is who he's been since Day 1 of the series, so we need to see it every now and then.

The story isn't all about watching the train wreck of Bernie making a bad investment*, but it's the heart of it--the rest of the story makes up for that part of it, and it ends on a good note (as it started).

* That feels like a spoiler, but if you don't know what's going to happen the instant that Bernie gets a wad of cash, you haven't been paying attention.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT SHORT TAILS?
These were cute stories, but there were too few of them. If this collection was 2 or 3-times as long? I'd have been as happy as a dog with a new Kong. I had fun with this, but it was just enough to satisfy me. But not much more than that.

Still, I'll take any excuse to read a Chet & Bernie story, and I figure most of Quinn's readers will, too. So yeah, I recommend it.

[Shyla Mcgill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can't miss with Chet and Bernie

I've told all my pet loving friends about this series, I know at least 3 who went out and bought book one, everyone is in love with Chet!
Another favorite author of mine says a one star rating is a good rating, it means I read the book and recommended it to others. She says 5 stars means I missed deadlines with my editor, my family is starving and I didn't sleep until I finished it. Three stars is a FANTASTC RATING, but I'm able to put it down to feed MY 101 pound German Shepherd "Scout", go to work and sleep.

[Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chet, the private eye dog

Three short stories starring Bernie and Chet, narrated by the dog, plus an excerpt from a forthcoming novel. I love the perspective of the dog, that can't count past two. I took a star off for the third story. Bernie seems too savvy for the events as they unfold, but then gets back on track.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short stories about Chet and Bernie.

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Chet and Bernie, and this audio short story book was entertaining as always!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I’d had been longer!

[James Garman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is actually a series of detective stories told from the point of view of a dog. Chet is a dog that enjoys spending time with Barny Lee who used to be a policeman but is now a private detective at a firm called named after the guy and his dog.

One of the mysteries they deal with is a next door neighbor Mrs. Parsons who is being taken advantage by a group that is selling her a "cure" with a fake technology. Bernie and Chet go and dig outside something that looks like an obsertory where there is supposed to be rod that detects cosmic rays that will somehow make Mrs. Parson's use her mind right to cure herself. O f cource the rod is only a fake to fool people, and then there is the cost where Bernie gets taken by a smooth operator in a bar out in the dessert.

What is most funny is that Chet has an interesting way of looking at things. He knows that Bernie knows everything and when he can't understand it, he just assumes it is something he doesn't need to know.

It was a fun read and I recommend this ebook on that basis.

[J.J. Rusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Short Tails” is a collection of three Chet and Bernie short stories and a very brief preview of the next book in Spencer Quinn’s admirable dog-and-detective mysteries. The tales are easy reading and quite sentimental. Maybe not the best place for someone to enter the series, but established fans can never get enough of Chet’s narratives. The up-coming novel looks good too—Bernie gets a new Porsche, his oldest one yet!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok short stories. There is one that has Bernie instantly sniffing out a con man dealing with his neighbors then the very next story is an obvious con man taking Bernie for $7500. I don't care for the aspect that a West Point grad, military vet, and PI can't figure out anything about finances. The worst being taken in by an obvious con and then for some bizarre reason he thinks the best thing to do is to give the last few thousand he just made to a homeless beggar - seriously?!?!?!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always a fun read

I really enjoy listening to Chet. He and Bernie are a great team. The style of writing the author uses for Chet reminds me of a 1930s detective novel. It's very entertaining.

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book series! I listen to the books on audiobook because the person who reads the books does such a good job with Chet the dog’s voice! This book has some fun short stories. Goes along the same lines as the full length novels solving crimes.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve read only three or four of Quinn”s Chet & Bernie series and I really like them for light reading, but two of these three short stories didn’t seem to have a solid conclusion. Perhaps I don’t have enough of a background to have made sense of them?

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A handful of short stories, related by Chet, about his adventures with Bernie and the Little Detective Agency. I want more - more stories *and more details in each story. Short stories end far too quickly.

[Janet A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short tales for short times

Just enough story for just a few minutes of break times. I love how Chet tells the story. A great story teller.

[Roxann Brennfoerder]

Chet and Bernie

As always, Chet is amazingly glib as he explains some more adventures he and Bernie are having. My favorite hilarious mystery series,!

[Patricia Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing amazing. The first story was best. Short and punchy. The other two had very abrupt, odd endings that didn’t feel like they fully resolved everything.

[Maylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chet and Bernie always put me in a good mood. It is emotional support readiong.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the 2 hour audiobook as I needed something to listen to while wrapping gifts. The stories being narrated by the dog, Chet, make them so much better.

[Lis Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone's favorite canine narrator, Chet, is back with more stories of his adventures with private investigator Bernie Little.

This time we have three short stories, and an excerpt from the most recent novel, Bark to the Future, which was still forthcoming at the time this was published.

"Upper Story" features Chet during the time he was living with Rick Torres, while Bernie is hospitalized after being seriously injured. We get a lovely look at how well-known and generally liked both Chet and Bernie are--even among some of the perps. We also learn that Bernie's condition was more serious than Chet was able to understand at the time. It's sweet and heartwarming.

"The Iggy Papers" is about Chet and Bernie's neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Parsons, and their dog, Chet's friend, Iggy. Mrs. Parsons has been very ill, with cancer, and has now been released from the hospital, for the sad reason that there is nothing left except palliative care. But Mr. Parsons has been approached by a hospital orderly with news of a wonderful new treatment, not known to the doctors. A man named Ricardo created it, and is offering it to suitable people, for... Mrs. Parsons says "free." When Bernie gets Mr. Parsons aside, he admits it's really "at cost," and Bernie becomes very concerned about what little he can learn from Mr. Parsons about that "cost." But nothing is more important than his beloved wife. Bernie and Chet of course have to investigate.

"The Numbers After Two" refers of course to the numbers Chet doesn't understand, and to the numbers involved in the case they stumble into. The story starts off simple and straightforward, with Chet and Bernie taking a ride in the desert, and Chet's nose detecting the out of place scent of bubblegum, which leads them to two lost children. There's a hefty reward, which Chet, as is often the case, takes more seriously than Bernie. Then they meet an enterprising young man at a barely-open bar on the ride home, and this is where it gets less straightforward. Some readers think Bernie doesn't recognize the scam. I think, Bernie does recognize the scam, and wants to expose it. Bernie is always propelled by a sometimes inconvenient sense of justice, and the readiness with which he takes up cases in which there is either no client, or a client who obviously can't pay shows that. I think he was in this case determined to expose the scam. I liked the story; I may be a minority in this.

I enjoyed this collection quite a lot, overall. How can you not love Chet?

I bought this book.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories were cute but a little on the fantasy side of things, rather than straight detective work. (Edited to add: Rereading that first sentence made me laugh, because the entire series is told from Chet's point of view, which is complete fantasy, but I stand by it.) Story #2 (The Iggy Papers) was my favorite. I did not understand story #3 (The Numbers After Two) at all. In story #2 Bernie spots a financial scam right away when the Parsons are involved, but in story #3 he is totally oblivious to a glaringly obvious scam when it involves his own money. I know he is not exactly prudent with his finances, but those two stories (one right after another) were jarring. Plus, I still have no idea who took off in the private jet at the end. Was it the scammer? The scammer's boss? The scammer using his real name? The story felt unfinished. Maybe we'll get a book with the same character and Bernie will chase him down, wherever he went to.

[Severina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three short Chet & Bernie tales results in a bit of a mixed bag. The first story, Upper Story, takes us to the time when Bernie was hospitalized and Chet was living with Rick Torres. It turns out that things were a lot more serious than Chet was able to comprehend at that time. This was beautiful and touching. The Iggy Papers involves the Parsons getting suckered into a psuedo-scientific healing type scam. It had some great wandering asides from Chet, such as when he relates how he gave up eating nail clippings (because they’re not that yummy, so what’s the point, LOL) and how he doesn’t think Bernie would enjoy wearing a Sumo outfit. It was cute, but a little uneven. And the last story, The Numbers After Two, starts out really strong, with Chet’s nose for bubblegum leading him to two lost boys, and then turns into something else entirely. That one was a bit of a letdown.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three short, short (did I mention they were short?) tales narrated by Chet with his unique blend of humor (as always). They take up 44 out of the 56 pages. Cute stories but not very satisfying. I'm glad I was able to get this from the library. Looking forward to reading the next full-length novel, Bark to the Future.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything Chet and Bernie, short story or novel length mystery. If you haven’t tried one of their books, this collection of short stories will give you a quick taste of Chet’s narration/POV and their great camaraderie, especially the first story! I’ve read the last one, The Numbers After Two, as a prize from a book pre order. Great to read it again.

[David Blaylock · Rating 3 out of 5]

I snuck in a fifth Chet and Bernie in a row.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Chet and Bernie

[Conchita Matson · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
His short stories are odd and end suddenly. Not the same as his novels.

[Sally Stanton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to not love stories about Chet and Bernie but this one left me flat.