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Chet and Bernie Mystery #5
A Fistful of Collars
The fifth installment in the New York Times bestselling mystery series that the Los Angeles Times says is “nothing short of masterful.”
Everyone’s favorite detective team returns in a new adventure as canine narrator Chet and his human partner P.I. Bernie Little find that Hollywood has gone to the dogs.
While Tinseltown bad boy Thad Perry is in town shooting a big-budget Western, Bernie and Chet have to keep him out of trouble. But soon they discover Thad has a mysterious connection to the Valley, and the only people who know his secrets keep turning up dead before they can talk.
As Bernie’s love life goes long-distance and Chet’s late-night assignations give rise to an unexpected dividend, it’s all our two sleuths can do to keep the actor in their sights. Worst of all, Thad is a self-proclaimed cat person, and his feline friend Brando has taken an instant dislike to Chet.
Like the winning books before it, this fifth book in the series combines a topnotch mystery with genuine humor and a perceptive take on the relationship between human and dog that will stay with you long after the case is solved.
Everyone’s favorite detective team returns in a new adventure as canine narrator Chet and his human partner P.I. Bernie Little find that Hollywood has gone to the dogs.
While Tinseltown bad boy Thad Perry is in town shooting a big-budget Western, Bernie and Chet have to keep him out of trouble. But soon they discover Thad has a mysterious connection to the Valley, and the only people who know his secrets keep turning up dead before they can talk.
As Bernie’s love life goes long-distance and Chet’s late-night assignations give rise to an unexpected dividend, it’s all our two sleuths can do to keep the actor in their sights. Worst of all, Thad is a self-proclaimed cat person, and his feline friend Brando has taken an instant dislike to Chet.
Like the winning books before it, this fifth book in the series combines a topnotch mystery with genuine humor and a perceptive take on the relationship between human and dog that will stay with you long after the case is solved.
336 pages, Paperback
First published September 11, 2012
470 people are currently reading
2188 people want to read
About the author
Spencer Quinn
44 books2,118 followersSpencer 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
Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.
Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 719 reviews
November 23, 2022
When I spend an extended time away from Chet and Bernie (as I certainly have since book 4), I tend to forget why I had done so, and just why I like them so much. There have been many a crime-fightin' duo out there to read or watch, but have any matched the sense of a dog as this series does with Chet? With fans of this series, there's no doubt that Bernie takes a back seat to his dog. You could say Chet is what drives every story, that he is the beating heart. But it is the combination that make this series so good. Chet would tell you how smart, tough and sensible is his master, until he forgot his train of thought due to the stray scent of a passing hot dog, or spied a cat giving him the eye from the two cars over. Chet would not be wrong, and together these two make for the best of duos.
December 6, 2025
In this 5th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team keeps an eye on a Hollywood star during a movie shoot. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet run the Little Detective Agency in Arizona.
The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, doggie logic, and tendency to get distracted set the stage for plenty of smiles.
Bernie is a West Point graduate, war veteran, former police lieutenant, and talented private detective. Chet is Bernie's invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants.
Chet and Bernie live and work in an area called the Valley, which Chet describes as follows: "Ah, the Valley. No place like it. The Valley goes on forever in all directions, and those smells! You haven’t smelled till you’ve smelled the Valley. Hot rubber, hot pavement, hot sauce, hot charcoal ash, hot everything! Yes, even hot ice cream. Plus all kinds of grease—deep-fry grease, pizza grease, burrito grease, unwashed human skin grease, and human hair grease—not to mention the grease on my tail at this very moment. Where had that come from? I tried to remember, but not hard."
In any case, a Hollywood western starring Thad Perry is currently being filmed in the Valley, and the production company, along with Thad's bodyguard, girlfriend, and various hangers on are in town.
The local mayor lobbied hard to attract the movie production company, in hopes of attracting more Tinseltown business to the region.
Thad is handsome and a fine actor, but he has a tendency to get drunk and use cocaine. So the mayor hires the Little Detective Agency to monitor the celebrity, to keep him out of trouble and make sure he shows up for his scenes.
Meanwhile, Bernie's journalist girlfirend Suzie Sanchez is moving to Washington DC for a better job, which will necessitate a long-distance romance. Prior to leaving town, Suzie mentions hearing that movie star Thad Perry, a long-time resident of Los Angeles, spent some time in the Valley years ago.
Before long, people who know about Thad's connection to the Valley are being murdered, and Bernie and Chad investigate their deaths. The duo keep coming up on brick walls, though, since no one will admit knowing Thad visited the Valley.....ever.
Bernie and Chet keep looking though, and mysterious deliveries of envelopes filled with cash; a dead body in a dumpster; a squatter in the old flower show venue; a bartender; and more eventually point the investigators in the right direction.
There's plenty of humor in the story, starting with Bernie's purchase of a new (used) Porsche, since Bernie's cars seem to constantly burn up; go over cliffs; and crash. This time Bernie's car dealer Nixon paints palm trees on the second-hand Porsche, to match Bernie's Hawaiian shirt.
It's also fun to hear Chet talk about various perps he and Bernie put away, and how they're wearing orange jumpsuits now. For instance, when Suzie mentions 'The Big Bear' case she wrote about, Chet recalls: "Whoa. Big Bear Wilderness Camp? The sheriff? Those deputies? That judge? The mama bear? All of them breaking rocks in the hot sun by now, or very soon. Except for that mama bear, of course. Let’s not get started on her."
And of course, Chet chows down on plenty of treats and Slim Jims, which people seem to keep on hand for thier favorite canine.
This is a fun cozy mystery, good for a few smiles.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Jim Frangione, who does a very good job.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 13, 2020
A Fistful of Collars is the 5th in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series by author Spencer Quinn and this time Bernie (human) and Chet (dog) are babysitting a spoiled, badly behaved actor from Hollywood named Thad Perry while the movie producers are shooting their latest film in the Valley. With the mayor hiring PI Bernie Little for the job, and the money good, Bernie couldn’t say no. But there were times he wishes he had. And with Thad being a definite cat person – Brando – the cat and Chet would not be seeing eye to eye.
Narrated by Chet, he tells the story of their latest adventure with the usual antics and woofs to the side, while Bernie and Suzie try to work out the change in their relationship with her accepting a new position at the Washington Post, taking her away from Bernie and Chet’s orbit. For me, not the most entertaining book I’ve read, as a lot seems just silly. But I know Bernie and Chet have a number of fans who enjoy the series. Recommended to fans of dog tails (tales)… 😉
Narrated by Chet, he tells the story of their latest adventure with the usual antics and woofs to the side, while Bernie and Suzie try to work out the change in their relationship with her accepting a new position at the Washington Post, taking her away from Bernie and Chet’s orbit. For me, not the most entertaining book I’ve read, as a lot seems just silly. But I know Bernie and Chet have a number of fans who enjoy the series. Recommended to fans of dog tails (tales)… 😉
March 16, 2013
The fifth in the Chet and Bernie series, the adventures of the Little Detective agency as told by Chet, the partner who happens to be a dog, is the best yet, but I think that about every new entry in this series. I listened to this book (read by Jim Frangione, who does a great job) while walking my own dog, and likely got a reputation around town as a nut because I so often found myself laughing out loud. I think any dog owner will recognize the traits of dogdom in Chet's "voice."
Although the dog tells the story, he has no special powers beyond those any dog of his size and training might have. We have often noticed how much effort our dog puts into trying to communicate with us -- and how often we probably fail to understand him. Chet is the same, so sometimes he "gets it" before Bernie and can't make him understand. And at other times, like any dog, he just gets distracted or confused.
A Fistful of Collars finds Bernie and Chet hired to make sure all goes smoothly on a film shoot in their area of the San Fernando Valley. The star seems to be wrestling with some private demons which turn out to be connected to a cold case which turns into a hot one. The climax is very scary! As usual, the characters and setting measure up to the plot. I hope Chet and Bernie continue catching perps for a long time to come. Highly recommended.
Although the dog tells the story, he has no special powers beyond those any dog of his size and training might have. We have often noticed how much effort our dog puts into trying to communicate with us -- and how often we probably fail to understand him. Chet is the same, so sometimes he "gets it" before Bernie and can't make him understand. And at other times, like any dog, he just gets distracted or confused.
A Fistful of Collars finds Bernie and Chet hired to make sure all goes smoothly on a film shoot in their area of the San Fernando Valley. The star seems to be wrestling with some private demons which turn out to be connected to a cold case which turns into a hot one. The climax is very scary! As usual, the characters and setting measure up to the plot. I hope Chet and Bernie continue catching perps for a long time to come. Highly recommended.
August 17, 2022
A Fistful of Collars (A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #5)
by Spencer Quinn
I am really enjoying this series. I am not reading them in order because I couldn't get them in order but it really doesn't matter. They are terrific no matter how you read them. Some are funnier than others but all have great mysteries and the story is mostly told by Chet, the dog!
by Spencer Quinn
I am really enjoying this series. I am not reading them in order because I couldn't get them in order but it really doesn't matter. They are terrific no matter how you read them. Some are funnier than others but all have great mysteries and the story is mostly told by Chet, the dog!
January 8, 2024
Each book can be read as a one-off but if you like them you will want to start at the beginning, Dog on It. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Chet is the canine companion in Bernie Little’s detective agency. We get the entire story from Chet’s perspective.
“Sitting (on a stake-out) with Bernie on a hot dark night, lots of desert dust in the air, and that Vista City backed-up sewage smell drifting by, I couldn’t have be happier….we’re a team, me and Bernie. He kept an eye on the house, actually both eyes. I kept an eye on the house and an eye on Bernie. We in the nation within have certain advantages, no offense.”
This is a sad book with Bernie trying to make the best of many disappointments. His assignment is to keep a famous movie star (“Thad”) out of trouble while the movie is being shot locally. Thad is used to getting his own way and brings an entourage of trouble with him. Strange deaths occur while Bernie is being discouraged from connecting the dots.
All is good in the end with probably one of the most exciting and dangerous endings so far in this series.
Chet is the canine companion in Bernie Little’s detective agency. We get the entire story from Chet’s perspective.
“Sitting (on a stake-out) with Bernie on a hot dark night, lots of desert dust in the air, and that Vista City backed-up sewage smell drifting by, I couldn’t have be happier….we’re a team, me and Bernie. He kept an eye on the house, actually both eyes. I kept an eye on the house and an eye on Bernie. We in the nation within have certain advantages, no offense.”
This is a sad book with Bernie trying to make the best of many disappointments. His assignment is to keep a famous movie star (“Thad”) out of trouble while the movie is being shot locally. Thad is used to getting his own way and brings an entourage of trouble with him. Strange deaths occur while Bernie is being discouraged from connecting the dots.
All is good in the end with probably one of the most exciting and dangerous endings so far in this series.
May 30, 2018
I've read about 1/3 of the Chet & Bernie series. Most of the ones I've read were quite good, this one was lacking a little bit in plot and too much inappropriate language. I can put up with some, but this one had more surprisingly than I was comfortable with.
A Fistful of Collars is another Chet and Bernie mystery. For the uninitiated, Chet is the dog and the narrator of the tale. Bernie is his master and a private investigator. The titles are canine wordplays of well-known mysteries, though this one plays on an old Clint Eastwood spaghetti Western, a Fistful of Dollars.
It turns out Bernie is hired (he is always in need of money) to keep an eye on a temperamental movie star who is starring in a Western that is being filmed in the California desert valley where Bernie and Chet live. Thad Perry vaguely resembles Tom Cruise.
When Bernie first meets him, Thad challenges him to a boxing match. Thad keeps in shape partly by doing boxing drills, but Bernie was an actual boxer while he was in the service. It is hard to tell whether Bernie’s “whupping” of Thad makes Thad angry or respectful.
The plot gets curious and complicated. Bernie is hired not by the filming company or producers but by the mayor’s office. The mayor wants to make sure that Thad behaves and that the valley gets a good reputation in Hollywood. Chet and Bernie follow Thad’s main bodyguard to an abandoned neighborhood where he gives a mean looking guy a wad of money. When Bernie returns with some police friends, Chet finds that unsavory character dead from a stab wound. Bernie realizes there is more to Thad and company than meets the eye.
Bernie’s girlfriend Suzie gets a great job opportunity and moves to Washington DC to work for a big-name newspaper there. Suzie recommends he gets in touch with a reporter whom she had worked with and seems to have made a connection between Thad and the valley. (N.B.: Keep in mind that all the narrative is from the dog’s perspective, so this valley, though in Southern California, is not THE Valley.)
Bernie arranges a meeting with this reporter, but when he gets to the rendezvous, he discovers her body with a big stab wound in a dumpster. There are a number of other weird goings on. What started out as a glorified babysitting job becomes something else entirely.
What is really bugging Thad Perry? What has his bodyguard been up to? Is there another reason why the mayor’s office is so interested in keeping an eye on Mr. Perry? Will Bernie and Suzie find true love?
As with the past episodes in the series, A Fistful of Collars is well plotted, but kept down to earth and with comic relief as we see it all from Chet’s point of view. Oh yeah, Thad Perry has a pet—an enormous black cat. I'm a cat person, and am missing him terribly. I had to put him down about 5-6 weeks ago. Wah! Boo-hoo. Will be getting another one before too long.
A Fistful of Collars is another Chet and Bernie mystery. For the uninitiated, Chet is the dog and the narrator of the tale. Bernie is his master and a private investigator. The titles are canine wordplays of well-known mysteries, though this one plays on an old Clint Eastwood spaghetti Western, a Fistful of Dollars.
It turns out Bernie is hired (he is always in need of money) to keep an eye on a temperamental movie star who is starring in a Western that is being filmed in the California desert valley where Bernie and Chet live. Thad Perry vaguely resembles Tom Cruise.
When Bernie first meets him, Thad challenges him to a boxing match. Thad keeps in shape partly by doing boxing drills, but Bernie was an actual boxer while he was in the service. It is hard to tell whether Bernie’s “whupping” of Thad makes Thad angry or respectful.
The plot gets curious and complicated. Bernie is hired not by the filming company or producers but by the mayor’s office. The mayor wants to make sure that Thad behaves and that the valley gets a good reputation in Hollywood. Chet and Bernie follow Thad’s main bodyguard to an abandoned neighborhood where he gives a mean looking guy a wad of money. When Bernie returns with some police friends, Chet finds that unsavory character dead from a stab wound. Bernie realizes there is more to Thad and company than meets the eye.
Bernie’s girlfriend Suzie gets a great job opportunity and moves to Washington DC to work for a big-name newspaper there. Suzie recommends he gets in touch with a reporter whom she had worked with and seems to have made a connection between Thad and the valley. (N.B.: Keep in mind that all the narrative is from the dog’s perspective, so this valley, though in Southern California, is not THE Valley.)
Bernie arranges a meeting with this reporter, but when he gets to the rendezvous, he discovers her body with a big stab wound in a dumpster. There are a number of other weird goings on. What started out as a glorified babysitting job becomes something else entirely.
What is really bugging Thad Perry? What has his bodyguard been up to? Is there another reason why the mayor’s office is so interested in keeping an eye on Mr. Perry? Will Bernie and Suzie find true love?
As with the past episodes in the series, A Fistful of Collars is well plotted, but kept down to earth and with comic relief as we see it all from Chet’s point of view. Oh yeah, Thad Perry has a pet—an enormous black cat. I'm a cat person, and am missing him terribly. I had to put him down about 5-6 weeks ago. Wah! Boo-hoo. Will be getting another one before too long.
February 12, 2013
In the fifth book in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series, our favorite four-legged private investigator, Chet the Dog, and Bernie Little, his partner in the Little Detective Agency, are back on the job - - albeit not the usual missing persons case, or even the less-desired divorce work. He has been hired, on very generous financial terms, at the recommendation of the mayor’s office to make sure the young star in a new movie being filmed in their town stays out of trouble during the film shoot. The Valley, a town in the southwest desert, is hopeful of becoming a mecca for movie-making if all goes smoothly. [A big “if,” in this instance, and definitely easier said than done.]
Things are currently not going that smoothly in Bernie’s personal life, with his ex-wife continuing to be an annoyance [on good days] and his girlfriend, reporter Suzie Sanchez, having been offered a job with the Washington Post.
This delightful series brings the reader a mystery, a dead body or two [or three], and somehow makes Chet [who narrates the tale] a completely believable sidekick. He is the devoted companion to Bernie, an ex-cop and wounded war vet, but brings his own special talents to the job, and is completely irresistible. Well-plotted, this charming novel is the perfect thing when one wants to hunker down on a cold winter’s night – or any other night, for that matter.
Recommended.
Things are currently not going that smoothly in Bernie’s personal life, with his ex-wife continuing to be an annoyance [on good days] and his girlfriend, reporter Suzie Sanchez, having been offered a job with the Washington Post.
This delightful series brings the reader a mystery, a dead body or two [or three], and somehow makes Chet [who narrates the tale] a completely believable sidekick. He is the devoted companion to Bernie, an ex-cop and wounded war vet, but brings his own special talents to the job, and is completely irresistible. Well-plotted, this charming novel is the perfect thing when one wants to hunker down on a cold winter’s night – or any other night, for that matter.
Recommended.
August 8, 2018
'Chet the jet'! ... my favourite dog.
Great light reading, cheers me up every time.
Great light reading, cheers me up every time.
April 24, 2022
Chet and Bernie get involved with a movie star when a movie is being shot in the valley. It turns out that the star had a past connection with the area. A very enjoyable, quick and fun book.
January 28, 2022
Those intrepid private investigators, Bernie Little and his canine partner, Chet, go just a little bit Hollywood in "A Fistful of Collars!" Well, not really.😊 But Hollywood does come to the Valley, bringing its magic...and murder!
June 20, 2024
Maybe the best one yet
July 29, 2014
Chet (the dog) and Bernie Little (the guy), are partners in the Little Detective Agency, for those unfamiliar with the series. (No need to worry about reading them in order, although there are some allusions to past events). Improbably, Chet and Bernie are hired by the mayor's office to keep a big name celebrity with modest acting credentials, Thad Perry, safe from his own excesses while he is in town to shoot a new movie. The mayor is interested in establishing the town as a filming mecca, but Bernie has previously been a vocal opponent of the mayor's environmental policies, so the gig comes as a bit of a surprise, though not an unwelcome one. The pay is considerably more than Bernie's normal rate. Plus a bonus is promised if the assignment ends successfully.
Thad is a decent enough actor, but otherwise a complete jerk. Of course, other complications are bound to ensue. Thad's bodyguard seems a bit off to Bernie, and information on a daily basis leaks like a mangled faucet as evidenced by the mayor's security liaison, Cal Luxton's coy remarks and frequent phone calls. The worst part for Chet, however, is that Thad is a cat person, and is accompanied everywhere by his cat, Brando. Chet puzzles: “Cat person? I tried to make sense of that idea and failed completely.” Nevertheless, Chet does his best to assume a professional attitude. Overall, he's more creeped out by Brando the cat than hostile. How does he move so silently, converting his pudgy body into a gliding presence? How does he do that stretching thing with his back? And what's with those eyes, narrow slits staring at him with indifference in the desert sunlight?
As always, this was fun to read. Chet is an entertaining narrator, and he continues to puzzle over idioms and inferences connecting cause and effect. On the other hand, touch, smell and hearing are his strong suites. A nighttime probe prompts Chet to muse: “Day or night doesn't make much difference to me, but it's a game changer for humans. They can't seem to see at all in the dark, and what's there to fall back on? Hearing? Smell? Please. So it's no surprise to me that nighttime is when humans tend to land in trouble. Don't get me wrong. I liked just about every human I've ever met, even some of the perps and gangbangers, but in my opinion they're at their best right before lunchtime.”
Nevertheless, this was not one of my favorites in the series. For one thing, I missed Suzie's encouraging presence. She is absent for a large part of the story, although she does play a role in the case. For another, Quinn usually endows his secondary characters with a fuller arsenal of quirky traits that add to the humor. Finally, he barely scratches the surface in exploiting the film setting with it's collection of Hollywood egos.
Still, a romp with Chet and Bernie is always fun, and this book did not disappoint.
Thad is a decent enough actor, but otherwise a complete jerk. Of course, other complications are bound to ensue. Thad's bodyguard seems a bit off to Bernie, and information on a daily basis leaks like a mangled faucet as evidenced by the mayor's security liaison, Cal Luxton's coy remarks and frequent phone calls. The worst part for Chet, however, is that Thad is a cat person, and is accompanied everywhere by his cat, Brando. Chet puzzles: “Cat person? I tried to make sense of that idea and failed completely.” Nevertheless, Chet does his best to assume a professional attitude. Overall, he's more creeped out by Brando the cat than hostile. How does he move so silently, converting his pudgy body into a gliding presence? How does he do that stretching thing with his back? And what's with those eyes, narrow slits staring at him with indifference in the desert sunlight?
As always, this was fun to read. Chet is an entertaining narrator, and he continues to puzzle over idioms and inferences connecting cause and effect. On the other hand, touch, smell and hearing are his strong suites. A nighttime probe prompts Chet to muse: “Day or night doesn't make much difference to me, but it's a game changer for humans. They can't seem to see at all in the dark, and what's there to fall back on? Hearing? Smell? Please. So it's no surprise to me that nighttime is when humans tend to land in trouble. Don't get me wrong. I liked just about every human I've ever met, even some of the perps and gangbangers, but in my opinion they're at their best right before lunchtime.”
Nevertheless, this was not one of my favorites in the series. For one thing, I missed Suzie's encouraging presence. She is absent for a large part of the story, although she does play a role in the case. For another, Quinn usually endows his secondary characters with a fuller arsenal of quirky traits that add to the humor. Finally, he barely scratches the surface in exploiting the film setting with it's collection of Hollywood egos.
Still, a romp with Chet and Bernie is always fun, and this book did not disappoint.
April 16, 2013
Chet the dog and his private investigator companion, Bernie Little, set out on case number 5 in this New York Times Bestseller series, Chet and Bernie Mysteries.
The mayor of the valley decides to bring some extra revenue to town by luring a Hollywood studio to shoot a big budget movie there starring movie idol, Thad Perry. Chet and Bernie are approached to keep an eye on the movie star who is known to have been a bit wild and unreliable in the past and is now under contract with the studio to deliver on time or be fired. The mayor wants the studio folks to be happy so they will come back again and he offers Chet and Bernie big money to keep Thad in line. Tempted by the lucrative paycheque, Chet and Bernie take the job and it isn’t too long before a mystery begins to unfold which connects Thad Perry to the valley and to an unsolved crime a couple of decades before.
This is the first book of the series I have read and from the start, I loved it. This story is written from an unusual perspective as the narrator is Chet the dog! Spencer Quinn does a good job of giving Chet a credible voice and he describes the relationship between dogs and their companions very well. It is clear that both Chet and Bernie adore each other and Chet’s unconditional love of Bernie is heart warming and funny at times. It wasn’t long before I was cheering them along too. The plot of the mystery is well written and there are a couple of twists and turns which are surprising. That I had not read the previous books in the series did not detract from my enjoyment of this story.
I will definitely be reading more Chet and Bernie Mysteries and would encourage you to do so too.
The mayor of the valley decides to bring some extra revenue to town by luring a Hollywood studio to shoot a big budget movie there starring movie idol, Thad Perry. Chet and Bernie are approached to keep an eye on the movie star who is known to have been a bit wild and unreliable in the past and is now under contract with the studio to deliver on time or be fired. The mayor wants the studio folks to be happy so they will come back again and he offers Chet and Bernie big money to keep Thad in line. Tempted by the lucrative paycheque, Chet and Bernie take the job and it isn’t too long before a mystery begins to unfold which connects Thad Perry to the valley and to an unsolved crime a couple of decades before.
This is the first book of the series I have read and from the start, I loved it. This story is written from an unusual perspective as the narrator is Chet the dog! Spencer Quinn does a good job of giving Chet a credible voice and he describes the relationship between dogs and their companions very well. It is clear that both Chet and Bernie adore each other and Chet’s unconditional love of Bernie is heart warming and funny at times. It wasn’t long before I was cheering them along too. The plot of the mystery is well written and there are a couple of twists and turns which are surprising. That I had not read the previous books in the series did not detract from my enjoyment of this story.
I will definitely be reading more Chet and Bernie Mysteries and would encourage you to do so too.
April 28, 2017
Re-read.
The mayor's office hires The Little Detective Agency (Chet the dog and Bernie Little) to assist security with a movie shoot. Like the others in this series everything is entirely POV of Chet, the fully trained police dog who failed his final exam. Bernie is the very capable PI who rescued Chet. Chet also understands English and narrates the story.
This fifth book in the series seems to be a little less focused than the previous four and loses the fifth star. These books are a lot of fun!
The mayor's office hires The Little Detective Agency (Chet the dog and Bernie Little) to assist security with a movie shoot. Like the others in this series everything is entirely POV of Chet, the fully trained police dog who failed his final exam. Bernie is the very capable PI who rescued Chet. Chet also understands English and narrates the story.
This fifth book in the series seems to be a little less focused than the previous four and loses the fifth star. These books are a lot of fun!
December 16, 2021
Audible audio performed by Jim Frangione
Book # 5 in the Chet and Bernie mystery series, has Bernie Small hired to “babysit” a notorious bad-boy Hollywood actor who’s the star of a movie being shot on location in his area. Thad Perry needs tending, to stay off drugs, stay out of trouble, and stay on the job. But Bernie notices that stories aren’t lining up, and he’s suspicious that there’s more to this assignment that originally stated. And before you know it he’s investigating not one but two murders.
Of course, Bernie goes nowhere without his partner, Chet, who is a dog of indeterminate mixed heritage and also narrates the tale. I just love this series. I never get tired of Chet’s way of interpreting what he witnesses. Of course he’s frequently distracted by the smell of a dropped Cheetoh, or the sounds of a particular automobile engine, not to mention others of his kind in the “nation within a nation,” or the promise of a treat (it was a promise, wasn’t it .. well, it was mentioned). And I certainly concur with Chet’s opinion of crullers – Delicious!
Jim Frangione is marvelous narrating this series. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing Chet to life the way Frangione does.
Book # 5 in the Chet and Bernie mystery series, has Bernie Small hired to “babysit” a notorious bad-boy Hollywood actor who’s the star of a movie being shot on location in his area. Thad Perry needs tending, to stay off drugs, stay out of trouble, and stay on the job. But Bernie notices that stories aren’t lining up, and he’s suspicious that there’s more to this assignment that originally stated. And before you know it he’s investigating not one but two murders.
Of course, Bernie goes nowhere without his partner, Chet, who is a dog of indeterminate mixed heritage and also narrates the tale. I just love this series. I never get tired of Chet’s way of interpreting what he witnesses. Of course he’s frequently distracted by the smell of a dropped Cheetoh, or the sounds of a particular automobile engine, not to mention others of his kind in the “nation within a nation,” or the promise of a treat (it was a promise, wasn’t it .. well, it was mentioned). And I certainly concur with Chet’s opinion of crullers – Delicious!
Jim Frangione is marvelous narrating this series. I can’t imagine anyone else bringing Chet to life the way Frangione does.
December 30, 2017
I gave this a really low rating because I can not stand at times Bernie, supposedly the smartest person in the room. I really like these stories narrated by Chet the dog. He is funny and sweet but I do not particularly like Bernie. Bernie might be a great detective but he can not hold a dollar bill without losing it and I do mean physically dropping it or falling out of his pocket or spending it on some crappy investment. If he is so darn smart how can he not even support himself or his own child. If I had been his exwife Leda I would have ran for the door years ago. Plus please no more lectures on the water table disappearing in California. California is a mess and most of us have figured it out.
September 22, 2018
Audiobook: I love Chet and I will not lie. That dog is awesome. The Chet and Bernie mysteries satisfy mystery lovers, humor, and make fantastic road trip entertainment for both adults and kids. I am so glad I found Chet!
December 15, 2019
First canine narrated private eye tale. Clever and amusing. 4 solid woofs.
September 27, 2020
One of the better on in the series, so fun and sweet.
October 30, 2020
This title had me literally laughing out loud. And this book is probably the best one so far. The supporting characters had more depth & backstory, which made a big difference. There were a couple of minor loose threads that didn't get wrapped up...making me wonder why Abrahams bothered starting them in the first place.
Also irritating is how Bernie continues to turn down payment for services rendered. I understand that Abrahams is trying to make him look like a white knight, but Bernie has child support payments, poor investment schemes, and drinks way too much. This is a man who needs to cash every check that is proffered. Chet (the dog!) has better money sense than Bernie.
This is also the book where you get a clearer picture of just how big of an asshole Bernie is. Readers know they're seeing a rose-colored-glasses version of him through Chet's eyes, but Bernie's obtuseness shines through a lot more in this book and makes him a lot less likeable. Bernie has a tough time, but he brings a lot of it onto himself, so my sympathy is waning.
I'm also tired of hearing the reference to the Teitelbaum divorce case in every single book. Chet offers the same description of the wife driving a forklift through her husband's antique car collection & Chet got to eat kosher chicken. That's the whole thing. Every single book. Did Abrahams lose a bet? Or is he trying to win one? Either invent new references to other adventures or give us more details.
Each of these books is *fairly* stand-alone, which is why I'm assuming that Abrahams recycles so much of his material. The only story arc between the books is Bernie's wife getting married, Bernie's relationship w/ Suzie the reporter (he met her in book 1, the relationship grew, but now she's moved to take a dream job w/ a bigger newspaper in Washington), and the slowly fading health of their elderly next-door neighbors.
You could easily read bk 1, then skip to this one.
Also irritating is how Bernie continues to turn down payment for services rendered. I understand that Abrahams is trying to make him look like a white knight, but Bernie has child support payments, poor investment schemes, and drinks way too much. This is a man who needs to cash every check that is proffered. Chet (the dog!) has better money sense than Bernie.
This is also the book where you get a clearer picture of just how big of an asshole Bernie is. Readers know they're seeing a rose-colored-glasses version of him through Chet's eyes, but Bernie's obtuseness shines through a lot more in this book and makes him a lot less likeable. Bernie has a tough time, but he brings a lot of it onto himself, so my sympathy is waning.
I'm also tired of hearing the reference to the Teitelbaum divorce case in every single book. Chet offers the same description of the wife driving a forklift through her husband's antique car collection & Chet got to eat kosher chicken. That's the whole thing. Every single book. Did Abrahams lose a bet? Or is he trying to win one? Either invent new references to other adventures or give us more details.
Each of these books is *fairly* stand-alone, which is why I'm assuming that Abrahams recycles so much of his material. The only story arc between the books is Bernie's wife getting married, Bernie's relationship w/ Suzie the reporter (he met her in book 1, the relationship grew, but now she's moved to take a dream job w/ a bigger newspaper in Washington), and the slowly fading health of their elderly next-door neighbors.
You could easily read bk 1, then skip to this one.
January 15, 2021
Chet and Bernie are simply the best.
Here we are, languishing through a "stay at home" order due to the Corona virus---yes, we have nothing but time to read, but concentrating is an entirely different issue for me. I can't seem to deal with most contemporary fiction---I definitely am seeking escape. Enter: Chet and Bernie !
Each episode in this wonderful series has me fully engaged for at least an afternoon or two---and, each book has me laughing out loud several times as Chet recounts his heroic tales of "catching perps" with his beloved partner, bernie. I know it sounds corny. I know a book from a Dog's point of view is a bit off-putting, but trust my judgment and give this series a try.
It restores your faith in right over might.
It restores your sense of humor.
It probably enhances your appetite for junk food (not its best feature, I fear !) and,
It definitely will make you dream of owning a dog as smart, loyal and fun-loving as Chet.
I can't gobble up these books any quicker---and, unfortunately, am also gobbling up all the Cheetos Chet hasn't already eaten.
Post script: each book in this series is fun and a great read, but this one is my favorite so far.
Here we are, languishing through a "stay at home" order due to the Corona virus---yes, we have nothing but time to read, but concentrating is an entirely different issue for me. I can't seem to deal with most contemporary fiction---I definitely am seeking escape. Enter: Chet and Bernie !
Each episode in this wonderful series has me fully engaged for at least an afternoon or two---and, each book has me laughing out loud several times as Chet recounts his heroic tales of "catching perps" with his beloved partner, bernie. I know it sounds corny. I know a book from a Dog's point of view is a bit off-putting, but trust my judgment and give this series a try.
It restores your faith in right over might.
It restores your sense of humor.
It probably enhances your appetite for junk food (not its best feature, I fear !) and,
It definitely will make you dream of owning a dog as smart, loyal and fun-loving as Chet.
I can't gobble up these books any quicker---and, unfortunately, am also gobbling up all the Cheetos Chet hasn't already eaten.
Post script: each book in this series is fun and a great read, but this one is my favorite so far.
October 28, 2019
There's truly no greater love than between a dog and his person. These Chet and Bernie stories emphasize just how close that bond is. It's been a while since I read something in the series, but in this one, I really felt the pace of Chet the Dog's thoughts and just how they flit from one thing to the next, but always, always staying right in focus with Bernie.
In this story, there's a movie set element.
In this story, there's a movie set element.
November 21, 2019
Another solid Chet & Bernie mystery. Chet is one of my favorite narrators in literature. I love dogs and I find Chet delightful, if somewhat frustrating at times. It does get a little repetitive at times, especially if you listen to too many in a row, so I'll probably take a break from Chet & Bernie for a little while, even though I haven't caught up to all the ones that have been published, yet. If you're looking for a light cozy mystery, I don't think you can go wrong with a Chet & Bernie story.
June 28, 2019
The series is OK, but were it it going? I've read the first 5 books int he series. I like the premise - the dog is the narrator, but its starting to feel like reading the same book with different character names (as opposed to moving a plot arc along, or growing the characters themselves).
June 22, 2020
I do like these Chet and Bernie mysteries - Chet is one of the most fun narrators I've read. But this one was definitely a cut below the other four I've read. The plot was so-so and took a long time to really get started.
November 2, 2018
A charming book, "pure and simple".
August 28, 2019
As Chet and Bernie Stories go, this plot line was most definitely not my favorite.
Although, Chet our intrepid 100+ pound dog is still trotting along with his doggie narrative continues to amuse me, Bernie's actions irked me a bit.
Bernie's one and only job is to keep a trouble-making Hollywood Star out of the tabloids and out of trouble. Yet, because of his personal sense of justice and a nose for smelling trouble and feelings to "fix" things, Bernie is everywhere but watching the Star. I found it irritating, irresponsible and a bit boring.
Although, Chet our intrepid 100+ pound dog is still trotting along with his doggie narrative continues to amuse me, Bernie's actions irked me a bit.
Bernie's one and only job is to keep a trouble-making Hollywood Star out of the tabloids and out of trouble. Yet, because of his personal sense of justice and a nose for smelling trouble and feelings to "fix" things, Bernie is everywhere but watching the Star. I found it irritating, irresponsible and a bit boring.
April 21, 2020
Another entertaining entry in this series. I think Quinn is getting better and better at inserting little bits and pieces of Chet's narration for humor. I love this series! :)
April 1, 2024
Another enjoyable Chet and Bernie mystery. Chet is a sweetheart who loves Bernie with all of his doggy heart, and it is adorable to have his pov for these books. I thought the mystery to be good if a bit overly complicated. Bernie and Suzy's relationship has started to irk me just a bit because it is such a roller coaster all the time. Quinn does an awesome job of writing these books and I can't wait for the next one!
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