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Underdogs #1
Underdogs
Ariadne Willow is a private investigator with a secret weapon. She's a canidae, a person with the ability to transform into a wolf at will. Using her heightened senses to track and her shapeshifting to follow people without being seen, she's made a decent business for herself and her associate Dale Frye. When one of the richest women in Seattle wishes to hire her, Ari and Dale think their ship has finally come in. All Ari has to do is observe the client's tabloid-friendly daughter, fresh out of rehab, and confirm that she's truly clean.
Ari thinks the case will be a piece of cake, but a moment of shocking violence changes everything. Soon Ari finds herself backed into a corner with no way out, forced to either run or risk losing everything she holds dear by fighting an enemy with unlimited power and resources. With Dale refusing to leave her side, Ari decides to make a stand to remind her enemies that there's only one rule in betting...
Always bet on the underdogs.
Ari thinks the case will be a piece of cake, but a moment of shocking violence changes everything. Soon Ari finds herself backed into a corner with no way out, forced to either run or risk losing everything she holds dear by fighting an enemy with unlimited power and resources. With Dale refusing to leave her side, Ari decides to make a stand to remind her enemies that there's only one rule in betting...
Always bet on the underdogs.
166 pages, ebook
First published November 29, 2011
25 people are currently reading
616 people want to read
About the author
Geonn Cannon
113 books225 followersGeonn Cannon is a male author who grew up in Oklahoma, thousands of miles from the nearest coastline, who found his calling in stories about women who live on an island in the Pacific Northwest. In 2010, Geonn became the first male author to win the prestigious Golden Crown Literary Society Award for his novel "Gemini." In 2015, he won it again for "Dogs of War." He has written two official tie-in novels for Stargate SG-1, and his Riley Parra novels have been turned into an Emmy-nominated webseries by Tello Films. His first name is pronounced just like "John."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 9, 2018
3.5 Stars. This is the first in Cannon’s Underdog series. I read the prequel Wolf at the Door a few days ago and enjoyed it. This book was completely different than the prequel. The prequel is a paranormal/fantasy book that gives a taste of werewolf history. Whereas this book takes place in current times and is an urban fantasy mystery. If you are interested in this series you can start right at this book. I’m very anal about reading books in order but the prequel really is a bonus, so you can feel comfortable starting here instead.
Ari is a werewolf and private investigator. She uses both her wolf and human form to help solve her cases. With her best girlfriend and trusted sidekick Dale, Ari decides to take on a big case that could fund them for months. A case that seems like standard surveillance soon turns into one of the most important in Ari’s life. Can Ari and Dale get to the truth before it is too late?
As a huge paranormal fan and mystery fan, this series looks like a perfect fit for me. I enjoyed this paranormal world where many different species of shifters reside. This book is still just scratching the surface but it was a good start. I did feel like the mystery had a few bumps. Once the book hit a big twist, there was not much of a mystery left. The book almost turned into more of an action book. I didn’t really mind that as there were some good exciting scenes that kept me turning the pages.
Besides the mystery and action elements, there was a romance. Ari and Dale have been co-workers and best friends for a while so a possible relationship is really just beginning. I’m excited to see how it will progress over the series. I am told the two of them become absolutely adorable the more books you read.
This was a good start to the series. I wasn’t blown away, but I felt really comfortable with the characters and the premise. According to some reviewers I trust, this series gets better with each book. I’m excited about reading these and I hope I will enjoy them more and more.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Ari is a werewolf and private investigator. She uses both her wolf and human form to help solve her cases. With her best girlfriend and trusted sidekick Dale, Ari decides to take on a big case that could fund them for months. A case that seems like standard surveillance soon turns into one of the most important in Ari’s life. Can Ari and Dale get to the truth before it is too late?
As a huge paranormal fan and mystery fan, this series looks like a perfect fit for me. I enjoyed this paranormal world where many different species of shifters reside. This book is still just scratching the surface but it was a good start. I did feel like the mystery had a few bumps. Once the book hit a big twist, there was not much of a mystery left. The book almost turned into more of an action book. I didn’t really mind that as there were some good exciting scenes that kept me turning the pages.
Besides the mystery and action elements, there was a romance. Ari and Dale have been co-workers and best friends for a while so a possible relationship is really just beginning. I’m excited to see how it will progress over the series. I am told the two of them become absolutely adorable the more books you read.
This was a good start to the series. I wasn’t blown away, but I felt really comfortable with the characters and the premise. According to some reviewers I trust, this series gets better with each book. I’m excited about reading these and I hope I will enjoy them more and more.
A copy was given to me for a honest review.
August 27, 2017
Great series! totally got the grittiness of this wolf/non-canidae story which was at the center of the whole series...the author wrote of how one of the leads became a canidae by some special surgery after being bitten(don't wanna give too much of the story away) plus how her and Dale finally met...both adorable in this series in showing their feelings for one another this is why i admire how the writer did a great job developing their relationship..there was a little side story pertaining to her mother and their past history and problems...nice plot twist,intense action and solid writing that is sure to keep readers hooked..highly recommend
November 26, 2016
fantastic series!!
December 24, 2015
Okay...
Well, it was fine - didn't feel the emotion between Adi and Dale, but the thriller aspects were fine, if a little perfunctory for my tastes. Diverting read, not sure if I will read further in this series.
Well, it was fine - didn't feel the emotion between Adi and Dale, but the thriller aspects were fine, if a little perfunctory for my tastes. Diverting read, not sure if I will read further in this series.
July 19, 2012
I thought this book was OK, but it is above average as far as paranormal lesfic is concerned. The writing style was ok; not spectacular or deeply intelligent, but definitely not sub-par.
The characters were likeable, and even the supporting roles were written well enough to give them depth.
Some of the plot moves hit me the wrong way, but i dont want to give spoilers, and it's probably just an opinion thing anyhow. It is shorter than most novels, which might explain why some parts of the storyline weren't explored.
I dont regret spending a few hours reading this book. So if you like some paranormal to go along with your lesbian romance, i would recommend it.
The characters were likeable, and even the supporting roles were written well enough to give them depth.
Some of the plot moves hit me the wrong way, but i dont want to give spoilers, and it's probably just an opinion thing anyhow. It is shorter than most novels, which might explain why some parts of the storyline weren't explored.
I dont regret spending a few hours reading this book. So if you like some paranormal to go along with your lesbian romance, i would recommend it.
October 4, 2013
Meh!
No work of Art. No great plot, story telling, ingenuity or execution.
Felt like a waste of time, half the time but I was bored and I read it and I rather having found not-so-gooda paranorm about lesbians that not having read it at all. Turns out that that's not entirely true
Wouldn't recommend it. I REALLY wna c lez and or bi characters or people in otherwise homo-relationship within my favorite genres, paranorm/fantasy/sci-fi, but it's not good enough to just be gay friendly. I like good literature and a sensible read.
No work of Art. No great plot, story telling, ingenuity or execution.
Felt like a waste of time, half the time but I was bored and I read it and I rather having found not-so-gooda paranorm about lesbians that not having read it at all. Turns out that that's not entirely true
Wouldn't recommend it. I REALLY wna c lez and or bi characters or people in otherwise homo-relationship within my favorite genres, paranorm/fantasy/sci-fi, but it's not good enough to just be gay friendly. I like good literature and a sensible read.
February 27, 2018
Huh. I really don't know what to think about it.
The big turn around in the middle of the book is quite a surprise (not a good one) and I think it mostly goes downhill from that point. I wasn't expecting it for sure.
Motive and mean characters were pretty screwed up. I wasn't convinced.
Still, this book is not bad, my favorite part were the Laura-Tule interactions with Ari feeling queasy on the background, those were really nice but that was it for me.
The big turn around in the middle of the book is quite a surprise (not a good one) and I think it mostly goes downhill from that point. I wasn't expecting it for sure.
Motive and mean characters were pretty screwed up. I wasn't convinced.
Still, this book is not bad, my favorite part were the Laura-Tule interactions with Ari feeling queasy on the background, those were really nice but that was it for me.
April 14, 2019
This was such a bittersweet book to read. I liked the two main characters, Ari and Dale, but I loved Laura. It's such a shame how things ended for her but it made the story after all. Overall, I enjoyed this book... I look forward to reading the rest of the Underdogs series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2022
This was interesting despite seeming confusion between whether Ari turns into a wolf or a dog (they are not the same thing are they?). The details around changing were good, especially early on in the novel. They weren't nice but they were well thought out and worked in the story.
I didn't believe in the characters. They seemed divided into good guys or bad guys and their behaviour and choices were illogical purely based on their moral identity. I didn't really believe in the motivation of the murderers. Similary it seemed that Ari at times took an unnecessarily risky option. Her relationship with Dale was sweet but went from just friends for most of the book to suddenly a lot of sex fairly abruptly. You are kind of expecting it, and clearly this is supposed to be f/f I guess I just wanted more build up.
This book was admirably brief with the right length chapters and not too many cliffhangers, in that sense it was enjoyable. I am not sorry I read it but nor will I be seeking out more of these for now.
I didn't believe in the characters. They seemed divided into good guys or bad guys and their behaviour and choices were illogical purely based on their moral identity. I didn't really believe in the motivation of the murderers. Similary it seemed that Ari at times took an unnecessarily risky option. Her relationship with Dale was sweet but went from just friends for most of the book to suddenly a lot of sex fairly abruptly. You are kind of expecting it, and clearly this is supposed to be f/f I guess I just wanted more build up.
This book was admirably brief with the right length chapters and not too many cliffhangers, in that sense it was enjoyable. I am not sorry I read it but nor will I be seeking out more of these for now.
June 6, 2015
FourStars
I really enjoyed this page turner of a novel. The introduction really set the scene with its traditional concepts on what proved to be an exciting new take on a very traditional tale.
The first two chapters, brilliantly captured the tone of the book as well as relating relevant information regarding both leading females. We were made aware of each of the characters strengths and weaknesses as well as their growing relationship and feelings towards each other.
Despite Ari being able to transform into a wolf this mystery was really believable due undoubtedly to the strength of the authors ability to create such a credible character in Ari. Dale, Ari's partners character proved to be an antithesis and great human counterfoil to Ari.
Not only was this novel an excellent mystery but it also was a tale of a growing and love and devotion between the two women.
I was slightly disappointed in the way the ending appeared to happen so quickly with everything developing and falling into place with great speed and alacrity.
If you enjoy suspense, mystery and a story of true love then I feel this book will not disappoint.
Another plus to this novel was the summation regarding the canidae family which I found interesting and informative.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Chris
FiveStars
This book is well written and a easy read. The short stories left me wanting more and this was exactly what I wanted!
Packed with action and steamy sex this book will keep you turning the pages!
I truly enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the rest of the series.
I love how Ari and Dana never fail to kick ass no matter the odds stacked against them!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amber
I really enjoyed this page turner of a novel. The introduction really set the scene with its traditional concepts on what proved to be an exciting new take on a very traditional tale.
The first two chapters, brilliantly captured the tone of the book as well as relating relevant information regarding both leading females. We were made aware of each of the characters strengths and weaknesses as well as their growing relationship and feelings towards each other.
Despite Ari being able to transform into a wolf this mystery was really believable due undoubtedly to the strength of the authors ability to create such a credible character in Ari. Dale, Ari's partners character proved to be an antithesis and great human counterfoil to Ari.
Not only was this novel an excellent mystery but it also was a tale of a growing and love and devotion between the two women.
I was slightly disappointed in the way the ending appeared to happen so quickly with everything developing and falling into place with great speed and alacrity.
If you enjoy suspense, mystery and a story of true love then I feel this book will not disappoint.
Another plus to this novel was the summation regarding the canidae family which I found interesting and informative.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Chris
FiveStars
This book is well written and a easy read. The short stories left me wanting more and this was exactly what I wanted!
Packed with action and steamy sex this book will keep you turning the pages!
I truly enjoyed this book and can not wait to read the rest of the series.
I love how Ari and Dana never fail to kick ass no matter the odds stacked against them!
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Amber
May 21, 2019
I read a review for book eight of this series Raised by Wolves and was surprised I’d never come across the author before. I always like to read books in order so I immediately got on to Amazon and downloaded book one.
I really enjoyed this story, it was a well put together paranormal detective story with a touch of romance. The main characters were interesting and there was a nice flow to the story.
There were a couple of little things that niggled me about their detective agency. They had been running the agency for quite a while, but they didn’t seem that organised when it comes to making use of Ari’s abilities. Admittedly she has a system of hidden stashes to enable her to turn back from a wolf and have access to some basic clothing, but that seems to be it.
They don’t even have any basic tracking or recording equipment, on several occasions Ari bemoans not having a way of recording the information she collects as a wolf/dog and she even has to find a public phone to tell Dale where she was. The dog collar she uses could easily have gps and a simple recording device. It’s not until the very end of the book that Ari makes use of some electronic equipment.
Overall this was a good read and I will definitely be trying the next book.
I really enjoyed this story, it was a well put together paranormal detective story with a touch of romance. The main characters were interesting and there was a nice flow to the story.
There were a couple of little things that niggled me about their detective agency. They had been running the agency for quite a while, but they didn’t seem that organised when it comes to making use of Ari’s abilities. Admittedly she has a system of hidden stashes to enable her to turn back from a wolf and have access to some basic clothing, but that seems to be it.
They don’t even have any basic tracking or recording equipment, on several occasions Ari bemoans not having a way of recording the information she collects as a wolf/dog and she even has to find a public phone to tell Dale where she was. The dog collar she uses could easily have gps and a simple recording device. It’s not until the very end of the book that Ari makes use of some electronic equipment.
Overall this was a good read and I will definitely be trying the next book.
May 15, 2017
Es un muy buen libro con personajes encantadores,es imposible no caer rendida a los pies de Ari y Dale en esa dinámica que tienen a lo largo de toda la historia. Son justamente esos personajes fuertes los que te atrapan y no te dejan largar el libro hasta el final más allá de la trama en sí. Me gusta mucho el estilo de Geonn al plantear sus personajes, como los plasma de manera que sientas sus emociones y te identifiques con ellos. Este autor está siendo un gran descubrimiento este año, todo lo que he leído de él confirma y reafirma su talento.
May 16, 2021
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🐺👁️🕵️♀📁💘👩🦰👩💻👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of "Underdogs" by Geonn Cannon from Supposed Crimes (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 4 ⭐️
This is Book 1 in the "Underdogs" Series … But I’d advise anyone interested in this series to read ahead Book 0 titled "Underdogs – The First stories" before this one ‘cause it would help the reader to begin to know the MCs and understand a few things mentioned in this novel …
The story sets in Seattle, Washington – USA and focuses on Ariadne "Ari" Willow, a private investigator with a secret weapon & Dale Frye, Ari’s best friend /sidekick and associate in running their "private eye" agency called 'Bitches Investigations'.
Dale is fully human. Ari's a canidae — a person with the ability to transform into a wolf at will, so don’t call her a werewolf … — using her heightened senses to track and her shapeshifting to follow people without being seen.
When one of the richest women in Seattle — an immensely wealthy matriarch coming from an old money family — wishes to hire her, Ari and Dale think their ship has finally come in. Ari thinks the case will be a piece of cake, but a moment of shocking violence changes everything & Ari finds herself backed into a corner with no way out. With Dale refusing to leave her side, Ari decides to make a stand to remind her enemy with unlimited power and resources that there's only one rule in betting... Always bet on the underdogs.
The "Pros" :
° the very diverting aspect of this book which is, from my POV, an original and well put together & well paced paranormal detective story (spiced with a touch of romance) … There were a few good, unexpected & well placed twists in the narrative driving the plot and it kept me invested from the beginning to the end.
° the interesting, funny & touching MCs. I really like them a lot …
° the mentioned touch of romance besides the action caused by the mystery. Ari and Dale know each other for years now but they never crossed (too much) the line until now. I can’t wait to see how their relationship will progress over the series …
° good lil touches of smart-ass humor found all along the book…
° some interesting vocabulary to work on 😊
The "In betweens" :
° the general protected EPUB book’s presentation: I really don’t get neither why the chapters begin on the same page the previous chapter ends nor the non-justified state of the text. It doesn’t look very professional & the non-justified text makes the book slightly more tiring to read than one having a justified text.
° the few typos [including the double dashes ( -- ) instead of the em-dashes ( — )] and other mistakes like, for example those two by the end of chapter 6 "Pardonay moi monshore". & "Marie Antoinette" :
°° Marie-Antoinette must be spelt with an hyphen …
°° Laura has seemingly had the best private tutors for everything so, if she tool French lessons, she probably had a native French tutor (A Gavin wouldn’t go for anyhing less) & I really doubt this person would have allowed his/her pupil to massacre the spelling of his/her native language … => Meaning that Marie-Antoinette’s words should have been spelt like this "Pardonnez-moi, mon cher."
° it seems that this edition put very recently on NetGalley and labeled as ARC by the publisher is the one from 2012 … which means that, sadly, it has not been neither reworked, nor edited before being uploaded again.
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Yes, a lot …even if it’s not perfect
- Did I find the characters believable? => Yes!! They are funny and touching too
- Is this book now included in my "must be re-read"-list? => Yes!!
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes!! I’m totally hooked and I think I’m even becoming an addict to Mr Cannon’s books. I can’t wait to read the next 8 books in this series … Next step = Book 2 : "Beware of Wolf"
- Would I recommend this book => Yes, especially if you like some paranormal touches to go along with your mystery spiced by a lesbian romance…
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🐺👁️🕵️♀📁💘👩🦰👩💻👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
That’s in exchange of an honest review that I received an ARC of "Underdogs" by Geonn Cannon from Supposed Crimes (via NetGalley).
So, here it is !!!
My rating : 4 ⭐️
This is Book 1 in the "Underdogs" Series … But I’d advise anyone interested in this series to read ahead Book 0 titled "Underdogs – The First stories" before this one ‘cause it would help the reader to begin to know the MCs and understand a few things mentioned in this novel …
The story sets in Seattle, Washington – USA and focuses on Ariadne "Ari" Willow, a private investigator with a secret weapon & Dale Frye, Ari’s best friend /sidekick and associate in running their "private eye" agency called 'Bitches Investigations'.
Dale is fully human. Ari's a canidae — a person with the ability to transform into a wolf at will, so don’t call her a werewolf … — using her heightened senses to track and her shapeshifting to follow people without being seen.
When one of the richest women in Seattle — an immensely wealthy matriarch coming from an old money family — wishes to hire her, Ari and Dale think their ship has finally come in. Ari thinks the case will be a piece of cake, but a moment of shocking violence changes everything & Ari finds herself backed into a corner with no way out. With Dale refusing to leave her side, Ari decides to make a stand to remind her enemy with unlimited power and resources that there's only one rule in betting... Always bet on the underdogs.
The "Pros" :
° the very diverting aspect of this book which is, from my POV, an original and well put together & well paced paranormal detective story (spiced with a touch of romance) … There were a few good, unexpected & well placed twists in the narrative driving the plot and it kept me invested from the beginning to the end.
° the interesting, funny & touching MCs. I really like them a lot …
° the mentioned touch of romance besides the action caused by the mystery. Ari and Dale know each other for years now but they never crossed (too much) the line until now. I can’t wait to see how their relationship will progress over the series …
° good lil touches of smart-ass humor found all along the book…
° some interesting vocabulary to work on 😊
The "In betweens" :
° the general protected EPUB book’s presentation: I really don’t get neither why the chapters begin on the same page the previous chapter ends nor the non-justified state of the text. It doesn’t look very professional & the non-justified text makes the book slightly more tiring to read than one having a justified text.
° the few typos [including the double dashes ( -- ) instead of the em-dashes ( — )] and other mistakes like, for example those two by the end of chapter 6 "Pardonay moi monshore". & "Marie Antoinette" :
°° Marie-Antoinette must be spelt with an hyphen …
°° Laura has seemingly had the best private tutors for everything so, if she tool French lessons, she probably had a native French tutor (A Gavin wouldn’t go for anyhing less) & I really doubt this person would have allowed his/her pupil to massacre the spelling of his/her native language … => Meaning that Marie-Antoinette’s words should have been spelt like this "Pardonnez-moi, mon cher."
° it seems that this edition put very recently on NetGalley and labeled as ARC by the publisher is the one from 2012 … which means that, sadly, it has not been neither reworked, nor edited before being uploaded again.
If I had to make a very short and quite different version of my review, it’d be something like this :
- Did I enjoy this book? => Yes, a lot …even if it’s not perfect
- Did I find the characters believable? => Yes!! They are funny and touching too
- Is this book now included in my "must be re-read"-list? => Yes!!
- Would I read another book by this author? => Yes!! I’m totally hooked and I think I’m even becoming an addict to Mr Cannon’s books. I can’t wait to read the next 8 books in this series … Next step = Book 2 : "Beware of Wolf"
- Would I recommend this book => Yes, especially if you like some paranormal touches to go along with your mystery spiced by a lesbian romance…
🏳️🌈👩❤👩📚⚢🐺👁️🕵️♀📁💘👩🦰👩💻👩❤💋👩📖👭🏳️🌈
November 19, 2025
Well, points for innovation. Ari is a werewolf who uses her shapeshifting to covertly investigate things as a private eye. She's hired to investigate a supposedly reformed party girl heiress and does that by going undercover as a dog the heiress temporarily adopts. Also, she's a lesbian with a flirtuationship with her Girl Friday, Dale (given the dumb slang we have today, why shouldn't this catch on?).
The author does a good job of filling in some aspects of the world, with stuff like Ari having growing pains (transformation pains?) from turning into a wolf and needing massages like an athlete that's just been under a strain. Other parts, though, seem half-baked. There's no real mystery to solve: once the crime is committed, it's perfectly obvious who did it and it doesn't even take Ari much work to figure out why. Even the means of proving that they did it is pretty prosaic; admittedly, though, it's not like The Big Sleep had crackerjack plotting either.
And, maybe it's just me, but the structure seems janky. The book is, in part, a love story between Ari and Dale, but of necessity they interact little while Ari is undercover--a lot of the build-up is in the backstory. Then Ari is Framed For A Crime She Didn't Commit and it seems like tension should be mounting, but she and Dale basically go on vacation, decide they love each other, and have a lot of sex. Then that's done with, so they go back and do the third act.
I know Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese pretty much did that in The Terminator, but that was like one sex scene versus a lotta running from the T-800. I'm sorry, the ratio seems off here. The characters even comment on how they could just stay away and keep having sex and I'm just like... there's a manhunt on for you, girl. You should not be prioritizing this like it's updating your vehicle registration.
(Also, spoilers, but I'm not sure what the point of the cocaine-tainted condoms was given later revelations of what certain characters had planned. Maybe I missed something--just seems like a bad time to want to implicate yourself in any way, given you know this person is under surveillance).
The author does a good job of filling in some aspects of the world, with stuff like Ari having growing pains (transformation pains?) from turning into a wolf and needing massages like an athlete that's just been under a strain. Other parts, though, seem half-baked. There's no real mystery to solve: once the crime is committed, it's perfectly obvious who did it and it doesn't even take Ari much work to figure out why. Even the means of proving that they did it is pretty prosaic; admittedly, though, it's not like The Big Sleep had crackerjack plotting either.
And, maybe it's just me, but the structure seems janky. The book is, in part, a love story between Ari and Dale, but of necessity they interact little while Ari is undercover--a lot of the build-up is in the backstory. Then Ari is Framed For A Crime She Didn't Commit and it seems like tension should be mounting, but she and Dale basically go on vacation, decide they love each other, and have a lot of sex. Then that's done with, so they go back and do the third act.
I know Sarah Connor and Kyle Reese pretty much did that in The Terminator, but that was like one sex scene versus a lotta running from the T-800. I'm sorry, the ratio seems off here. The characters even comment on how they could just stay away and keep having sex and I'm just like... there's a manhunt on for you, girl. You should not be prioritizing this like it's updating your vehicle registration.
(Also, spoilers, but I'm not sure what the point of the cocaine-tainted condoms was given later revelations of what certain characters had planned. Maybe I missed something--just seems like a bad time to want to implicate yourself in any way, given you know this person is under surveillance).
August 8, 2019
I’m including a content note for some violence and some nicely-written, explicit lesbian sex.
I love the creative ways in which Ari uses her existence as a Canidae to make her a better investigator. She and Dale cleverly figure out a way to have Laura take care of Ari-as-a-“dog” for several days, making it extremely easy to observe her and search her apartment. Ari’s even had some training as a drug-sniffing dog, allowing her to figure out whether Laura has any drugs in her apartment.
The characters are excellent. Laura has a complicated past. Her new boyfriend Neal is deeply encouraging of her attempt to turn over a new leaf. Her childhood bodyguard is hiding a few secrets. Ari has something of a love-hate relationship with how she ended up as a Canidae, and Dale is devoted to Ari.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and seeing how Dale and Ari plan to bring the whole thing to a head. Ari’s abilities and weaknesses as a werewolf come strongly into play, making the fights and chases plenty interesting. I very much enjoyed this story.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/08/r...
I love the creative ways in which Ari uses her existence as a Canidae to make her a better investigator. She and Dale cleverly figure out a way to have Laura take care of Ari-as-a-“dog” for several days, making it extremely easy to observe her and search her apartment. Ari’s even had some training as a drug-sniffing dog, allowing her to figure out whether Laura has any drugs in her apartment.
The characters are excellent. Laura has a complicated past. Her new boyfriend Neal is deeply encouraging of her attempt to turn over a new leaf. Her childhood bodyguard is hiding a few secrets. Ari has something of a love-hate relationship with how she ended up as a Canidae, and Dale is devoted to Ari.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot, and seeing how Dale and Ari plan to bring the whole thing to a head. Ari’s abilities and weaknesses as a werewolf come strongly into play, making the fights and chases plenty interesting. I very much enjoyed this story.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/08/r...
June 27, 2021
I'll admit this is one of my favourite genres. But I especially liked this one as it feels like a mystery within a mystery.
I was a little confused at first when I started the book because before the book starts the author gives you a snippet of the Little Red Riding Hood story. Yes, the lead character does refer to herself occasionally as the big bad wolf but in essence she is anything but. So I guess it affected my expectations when she turns out to be nothing of the sort.
It did not in any way deter my enjoyment of the story. The author makes you laugh and cry but you find yourself routing for the underdogs hence the title.
It is truly a David and Goliath story, a good verses evil where the good guys win.
The problem I'm having is how much to reveal. So I've decided to stop there. This book is definitely worth your time. So grab a drink put your feet up and enjoy. You wont be able to put it down.
Yes, I would recommend this book.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
I was a little confused at first when I started the book because before the book starts the author gives you a snippet of the Little Red Riding Hood story. Yes, the lead character does refer to herself occasionally as the big bad wolf but in essence she is anything but. So I guess it affected my expectations when she turns out to be nothing of the sort.
It did not in any way deter my enjoyment of the story. The author makes you laugh and cry but you find yourself routing for the underdogs hence the title.
It is truly a David and Goliath story, a good verses evil where the good guys win.
The problem I'm having is how much to reveal. So I've decided to stop there. This book is definitely worth your time. So grab a drink put your feet up and enjoy. You wont be able to put it down.
Yes, I would recommend this book.
*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*
July 31, 2020
I loved this more than I expected to.
I was hesitant to read this, as werewolves aren’t really my thing, but I decided to give it a shot after it was recommended to me. I’m so glad I did! This is another amazing character-driven story by Geonn Cannon about a female private investigator that just happens to be part wolf. Even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy the book because of the werewolf aspect, don’t be scared and just give it a try. It is so not like the cliche stuff that I associate with werewolves, and that’s part of what the book such a pleasant surprise for me. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. :)
I was hesitant to read this, as werewolves aren’t really my thing, but I decided to give it a shot after it was recommended to me. I’m so glad I did! This is another amazing character-driven story by Geonn Cannon about a female private investigator that just happens to be part wolf. Even if you don’t think you’ll enjoy the book because of the werewolf aspect, don’t be scared and just give it a try. It is so not like the cliche stuff that I associate with werewolves, and that’s part of what the book such a pleasant surprise for me. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. :)
June 3, 2021
A psychotic mother, a disgraced cop with a dangerous ego, a damaged daughter and an unsuspecting detective. Ari is a small time private investor with a specific skill set - she's a shape shifter. She is great at remaining under the radar while on stakeout. Who would suspect a stray wolf as the one watching you? Ari takes on a surveillance job, looking for proof a reformed addict is on the straight and narrow. Once she accepts the job, everything changes with irreparable damage. This is the third book I've read by the author - he consistently writes a well paced, engrossing story featuring strong women.
March 1, 2020
An enjoyable read with an entertaining take on werewolves. A good portion of the story gave a kind of human element to stray dogs. I particularly liked the part where Ari was chased by animal control while in wolf form.
It did feel a bit incomplete, though, as if it were missing details and information. That might be expected with such a short book, but it would have been better longer. Some things could have used a little more explanation.
It did feel a bit incomplete, though, as if it were missing details and information. That might be expected with such a short book, but it would have been better longer. Some things could have used a little more explanation.
November 4, 2017
I was reluctant to read a lesbian romance written by a man but it wasn't bad at all. Not my favourite shifter but I liked the characters and enjoyed their interactions. There was a grittiness to it which was refreshing. The main baddy's motivations seemed flimsy to me and maybe there wasn't enough exploration around that.
September 5, 2019
It's a cute little queer werewolf detective book, and I like the emphasis on personal choices and inter-connectedness and community being what saves or damns people. Some of the plot points feel a little stretched, and the prose doesn't always flow as smoothly as I would like, but if you like queer werewolves it's probably worth a read.
August 2, 2018
Review to come!
October 12, 2021
A good read
I quite enjoyed the book, it was very well done. Sad how thing's turned out with Laura but it's bitter sweet, she won in the end.
I quite enjoyed the book, it was very well done. Sad how thing's turned out with Laura but it's bitter sweet, she won in the end.
February 27, 2017
What I like best about Geonn is that he transforms a scenario known as an old story and provides a personal touch. This time I talk about a canidae (not a werewolf) with her problems hiding her own nature, trying to survive with his modest agency of private investigations in which Dale, her assistant also works.
When Ari is hired by the legendary Gavin family to report all of the heiress's moves, she believes it will be the forty-five thousand dollars she has earned in her entire career, something that will take her out of debt and can give her sometime a comfortable life. Like anyone who is always lacking in money, she begins to think about things that could spend that huge amount instead of thinking negative things.
So she will become Tule, the dog Laura Gavin will take care of for a week, and her own vision of the Laura that appears in the tabloids and the Laura that she really is, will change her own perspective on the work, making her doubt.
That said, on more than one occasion in these everyday dialogues I have found both Ari and Dale charming. Lovely. The story itself is very well treated, perhaps as always the authors leave it without so much review the end although it does not mean that it is bad, only unpolished as much.
I really like it.
When Ari is hired by the legendary Gavin family to report all of the heiress's moves, she believes it will be the forty-five thousand dollars she has earned in her entire career, something that will take her out of debt and can give her sometime a comfortable life. Like anyone who is always lacking in money, she begins to think about things that could spend that huge amount instead of thinking negative things.
So she will become Tule, the dog Laura Gavin will take care of for a week, and her own vision of the Laura that appears in the tabloids and the Laura that she really is, will change her own perspective on the work, making her doubt.
That said, on more than one occasion in these everyday dialogues I have found both Ari and Dale charming. Lovely. The story itself is very well treated, perhaps as always the authors leave it without so much review the end although it does not mean that it is bad, only unpolished as much.
I really like it.
June 20, 2021
Underdogs is the first book in the series. When I picked this story I was going for the werewolf investigator line, as I was always into this type of fantasy books.
It’s about Ariadne Willow a private investigator who’ve been hired for a job, and she was thinking it’s will be a simple accomplishment till an unexpected violence. Ari has a secret, she is a shapeshifter and it helps her in following people without being noticed. Her best friend Dale, who is her sidekick. There relationship is forming in front of our eyes, getting some love story in between the actions.
I wasn’t disappointed at all, I got what I was expecting, female lead, werewolf, mystery, paranormal fantasy, action and some romance. Their were some twists in the book to spice up the storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It’s about Ariadne Willow a private investigator who’ve been hired for a job, and she was thinking it’s will be a simple accomplishment till an unexpected violence. Ari has a secret, she is a shapeshifter and it helps her in following people without being noticed. Her best friend Dale, who is her sidekick. There relationship is forming in front of our eyes, getting some love story in between the actions.
I wasn’t disappointed at all, I got what I was expecting, female lead, werewolf, mystery, paranormal fantasy, action and some romance. Their were some twists in the book to spice up the storyline.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 21, 2016
This book came recommended, so I was excited to give it a read. I jokingly said, “No werewolf stories!” and was informed that I would like this one because the main character is a wolf (technically “canidae”), not a werewolf.I’m pleased to say that I wasn’t at all disappointed. It’s a fun, light read that had all the elements to make me happy: A bit of fairy tale/supernatural, a crime to solve, and women falling in love. What’s not to like?
The main characters, Ari and Dale, are likeable and fun. I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolded. They are smart, savvy, and capable, but they’re not specimens of perfect womanhood, which I appreciated. Their relationship felt natural to me, if a bit predictable (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).
It felt a bit slow to start, though I was glad for the background information. The pace picked up quickly, however, and I was soon absorbed.
There were a few moments where I had to suspend my disbelief, and not regarding the wolf-human elements. For example, the climactic “take down the bad guys” scene was a bit over-the-top and unrealistic. However, it fit the story, and unless one cares about having a true-to-life crime story ending, it doesn’t really matter.
The “murder mystery” plot wasn’t much of a mystery, as it’s both predictable from the beginning and the whodunnit is known about halfway through. So if you’re looking for a true mystery, this is not it. The fun is in how Ari and Dale thwart the bad guys and find their happy-for-now ending. So if that’s your thing, this is definitely the book for you.
I did think there were some frequently-used detective story themes, and it was a bit hard to tell if those were intended as tongue-in-cheek or to be taken seriously. I lean towards the former because the general tone of the book is fairly light, but that might be off-putting for someone looking for a fresh take.
I thought the sensuality was just right in terms of how much/how descriptive relative to the rest of the plot. There were a few moments where it felt just a bit choppy, but it evened out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to more.
The main characters, Ari and Dale, are likeable and fun. I enjoyed getting to know them as the story unfolded. They are smart, savvy, and capable, but they’re not specimens of perfect womanhood, which I appreciated. Their relationship felt natural to me, if a bit predictable (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing).
It felt a bit slow to start, though I was glad for the background information. The pace picked up quickly, however, and I was soon absorbed.
There were a few moments where I had to suspend my disbelief, and not regarding the wolf-human elements. For example, the climactic “take down the bad guys” scene was a bit over-the-top and unrealistic. However, it fit the story, and unless one cares about having a true-to-life crime story ending, it doesn’t really matter.
The “murder mystery” plot wasn’t much of a mystery, as it’s both predictable from the beginning and the whodunnit is known about halfway through. So if you’re looking for a true mystery, this is not it. The fun is in how Ari and Dale thwart the bad guys and find their happy-for-now ending. So if that’s your thing, this is definitely the book for you.
I did think there were some frequently-used detective story themes, and it was a bit hard to tell if those were intended as tongue-in-cheek or to be taken seriously. I lean towards the former because the general tone of the book is fairly light, but that might be off-putting for someone looking for a fresh take.
I thought the sensuality was just right in terms of how much/how descriptive relative to the rest of the plot. There were a few moments where it felt just a bit choppy, but it evened out.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and look forward to more.
January 27, 2017
Now, I am extremely cautious when I find a book with lesbians in it when the author is not (sorry Geonn), but I have to say that this is done as it should be. There's no obvious pointing of fingers, nothing to show that being a lesbian is odd. Everything is normalized, which is exactly how it should be.
I also want to extend a huge thank you to whoever made the decision of NOT having a sexual cover. That's actually what drew me to this book initially, because most wlw fiction I was looking into had sexual poses on the cover, or someone was partly nude, or they were supposed to look "pretty" as a really nice gift in the shop would if you looked through the window. I didn't want that, and everything this cover portrays is how the book feels.
Regardless of my love for werewolf monsters I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was truly a shifter book series. There are more than just wolves, and that adds a nice little detail to the world. The writing was incredibly easy to follow and enjoy (even with the British robot voice telling me the story on my android) and it didn't take me long to get sucked into the investigation about Laura Gavin.
The mystery side of this writing style also made it possible to follow the plot line exactly as it happened for Ari Willow. This is extremely important to me because I typically find myself ahead of the protagonist and solving the mystery before them. I was very relieved that suspense hit me when it should, instead of never feeling it at all.
I will say that I'm writing this after reading the second book because I wanted give Underdogs a chance, and I have to say that I am rooting for them as the title promotes. I can only promise you the story gets even better down the line.
I also want to extend a huge thank you to whoever made the decision of NOT having a sexual cover. That's actually what drew me to this book initially, because most wlw fiction I was looking into had sexual poses on the cover, or someone was partly nude, or they were supposed to look "pretty" as a really nice gift in the shop would if you looked through the window. I didn't want that, and everything this cover portrays is how the book feels.
Regardless of my love for werewolf monsters I was pleasantly surprised to find that this was truly a shifter book series. There are more than just wolves, and that adds a nice little detail to the world. The writing was incredibly easy to follow and enjoy (even with the British robot voice telling me the story on my android) and it didn't take me long to get sucked into the investigation about Laura Gavin.
The mystery side of this writing style also made it possible to follow the plot line exactly as it happened for Ari Willow. This is extremely important to me because I typically find myself ahead of the protagonist and solving the mystery before them. I was very relieved that suspense hit me when it should, instead of never feeling it at all.
I will say that I'm writing this after reading the second book because I wanted give Underdogs a chance, and I have to say that I am rooting for them as the title promotes. I can only promise you the story gets even better down the line.
May 25, 2015
Four stars: f/f crime/shapeshifter/mystery
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this page turner of a novel. The introduction really set the scene with its traditional concepts on what proved to be an exciting new take on a very traditional tale.
The first two chapters, brilliantly captured the tone of the book as well as relating relevant information regarding both leading females. We were made aware of each of the characters strengths and weaknesses as well as their growing relationship and feelings towards each other.
Despite Ari being able to transform into a wolf this mystery was really believable due undoubtedly to the strength of the authors ability to create such a credible character in Ari. Dale, Ari's partners character proved to be an antithesis and great human counterfoil to Ari.
Not only was this novel an excellent mystery but it also was a tale of a growing and love and devotion between the two women.
I was slightly disappointed in the way the ending appeared to happen so quickly with everything developing and falling into place with great speed and alacrity.
If you enjoy suspense, mystery and a story of true love then I feel this book will not disappoint.
Another plus to this novel was the summation regarding the canidae family which I found interesting and informative
I was sent this book by Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this page turner of a novel. The introduction really set the scene with its traditional concepts on what proved to be an exciting new take on a very traditional tale.
The first two chapters, brilliantly captured the tone of the book as well as relating relevant information regarding both leading females. We were made aware of each of the characters strengths and weaknesses as well as their growing relationship and feelings towards each other.
Despite Ari being able to transform into a wolf this mystery was really believable due undoubtedly to the strength of the authors ability to create such a credible character in Ari. Dale, Ari's partners character proved to be an antithesis and great human counterfoil to Ari.
Not only was this novel an excellent mystery but it also was a tale of a growing and love and devotion between the two women.
I was slightly disappointed in the way the ending appeared to happen so quickly with everything developing and falling into place with great speed and alacrity.
If you enjoy suspense, mystery and a story of true love then I feel this book will not disappoint.
Another plus to this novel was the summation regarding the canidae family which I found interesting and informative
May 12, 2016
I enjoyed this book but wouldn't call it satisfying as a stand-alone or even the first in a series. The characters and their relationships are really established in the short stories set before this which, thankfully, the author has made available to read for free online. As a longer episode in an ongoing series of stories about Ari and Dale, this book works well, but as a novel I wish the short stories were more supplementary than foundational to the reading experience. The stories on Ao3 range in rating from Teen to Explicit, which should give you a clue about the sort of content, both in them and the book.
On a more technical side, I enjoy the writer's style but he could do with another proofreader or two. There are some minor inconsistencies and a few places that feel repetitive. It's pretty easy to overlook in the short stories but it stands out a bit more in a finished novel that you pay to read.
On a more technical side, I enjoy the writer's style but he could do with another proofreader or two. There are some minor inconsistencies and a few places that feel repetitive. It's pretty easy to overlook in the short stories but it stands out a bit more in a finished novel that you pay to read.
April 24, 2023
Wow. Intense. Geonn Cannon gives us a great mystery to kick off the Underdogs series.
Cannon gives us a good old-fashioned action mystery that just happens to have a paranormal slant to it. Ari gives Jessica Jones (Created by Melissa Rosenburg, 2015) a run for her money and then some…well because she is a lesbian of course.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
Cannon gives us a good old-fashioned action mystery that just happens to have a paranormal slant to it. Ari gives Jessica Jones (Created by Melissa Rosenburg, 2015) a run for her money and then some…well because she is a lesbian of course.
I received a free copy of this book and I am writing a review without prejudice and voluntarily.
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