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Chet and Bernie Mystery #15
A Farewell to Arfs
Chet the dog and his human partner PI Bernie Little are back again, and this time they're entangled in a web of crime unlike anything they've ever seen before.
Their next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But days later, Mr. Parsons has discovered that his entire life savings is gone. Valley PD is certain this is an impersonation scam, but Bernie isn't so sure.
With Mrs. Parsons in the hospital and Billy nowhere to be found, it's up to Chet and Bernie to track Billy down and get to the bottom of things -- before it's too late.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Their next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But days later, Mr. Parsons has discovered that his entire life savings is gone. Valley PD is certain this is an impersonation scam, but Bernie isn't so sure.
With Mrs. Parsons in the hospital and Billy nowhere to be found, it's up to Chet and Bernie to track Billy down and get to the bottom of things -- before it's too late.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2024
187 people are currently reading
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About the author
Spencer Quinn
43 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 173 reviews
January 2, 2025
I love this series!!! Chet is such a great character and is always great entertainment! Chet is the series narrator and he spends a lot of time remembering previous cases or trying to figure out everything he does not understand, which is A LOT!!! However, he is perfectly clear (usually) who the perps are and what to do with them – chase them down (when necessary) and grab them by the pant leg and not let go, at least until Bernie tells him to. Chet is half of the Little Detective Agency and he is forever devoted to his partner Bernie Little for rescuing him when he flunked out of police K9 school many years ago (15 installments). Chet and Bernie’s relationship and escapades always have me laughing so much during the story and this installment didn’t disappoint.
The book summary lays out the primary storyline of Bernie’s elderly neighbor, Mr Parsons, getting scammed out $47,000. The bank refuses to assist in finding out what happened, but Bernie gets his police buddies in the fraud department to look into it. It’s pretty early in the story that Mr Parson’s son, Billy, was possible involved, but promises to find out what happened. So, Bernie goes after Billy in an effort to find out if he is involved and, hopefully, get Mr Parson’s money back.
What the book summary doesn’t mention is there is a secondary storyline of Bernie and Weatherly planning their wedding (engagement in the last installment), which provides some humorous moments. However, Bernie ends up doing something really stupid and way too macho man (flaming red flag!!!) that not only puts Weatherly’s job in jeopardy, but it also puts him on the outs with Weatherly in a major way, and possibly even canceling the wedding.
Most of the story revolves around Chet and Bernie trying to find Billy, who is now on the run for some reason. In the process, they stumble into something that goes way beyond the Parson’s getting scammed. The end was scary and intense for Bernie and Chet as well as Weatherly.
The character development of Chet and Bernie is pretty well fleshed out at this point, but with Bernie being engaged now, he is continuing to develop from a long time, single father and independent man to a fiancé to an independent woman who isn’t looking to marry a chauvinist. The pacing is steady to fast and the storyline interesting and entertaining. The writing is on par for Spencer Quinn and the series. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review.
The book summary lays out the primary storyline of Bernie’s elderly neighbor, Mr Parsons, getting scammed out $47,000. The bank refuses to assist in finding out what happened, but Bernie gets his police buddies in the fraud department to look into it. It’s pretty early in the story that Mr Parson’s son, Billy, was possible involved, but promises to find out what happened. So, Bernie goes after Billy in an effort to find out if he is involved and, hopefully, get Mr Parson’s money back.
What the book summary doesn’t mention is there is a secondary storyline of Bernie and Weatherly planning their wedding (engagement in the last installment), which provides some humorous moments. However, Bernie ends up doing something really stupid and way too macho man (flaming red flag!!!) that not only puts Weatherly’s job in jeopardy, but it also puts him on the outs with Weatherly in a major way, and possibly even canceling the wedding.
Most of the story revolves around Chet and Bernie trying to find Billy, who is now on the run for some reason. In the process, they stumble into something that goes way beyond the Parson’s getting scammed. The end was scary and intense for Bernie and Chet as well as Weatherly.
The character development of Chet and Bernie is pretty well fleshed out at this point, but with Bernie being engaged now, he is continuing to develop from a long time, single father and independent man to a fiancé to an independent woman who isn’t looking to marry a chauvinist. The pacing is steady to fast and the storyline interesting and entertaining. The writing is on par for Spencer Quinn and the series. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review.
August 6, 2024
★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S A FAREWELL TO ARFS ABOUT?
We start off this book with Bernie and Chet finishing a case for the Sonoran Museum of Art (an institution we learned about a couple of books ago), and with things looking up—and money in Bernie's pocket—this is a pretty happy way to start things.
But soon after that, Chet overhears a phone call that their neighbor, Mr. Parsons, is having—and the reader knows things are going bad for him. Bernie learns the next day that Mr. Parsons has been the victim of a phone scam and is wiped out. Bernie starts looking into it—and into the Parsons' ex-con of a son. It looks like he may have turned his life around, and is helping other former inmates adjust to the outside world and to stay on the right path. But is that what's really going on?
If Billy Parsons isn't involved—who is? And is there any chance that Bernie can get back any of the Parsons' money?
CHARLIE AND ESMÉ
Bernie's son, Charlie, has been a consistent pleasure in the series—particularly because of Chet's devotion to him. But adding his best friend, Esmé, in the last couple of books has made the character much more enjoyable for me.
I really enjoy their dynamic, for those familiar with Syfy's Resident Alien show, it's similar to the dynamic of Sahar and Max, only Esmé has a little more patience with Charlie than Sahar does with Max.
Even better, we get to meet Esmé's father in this book—who seems like a good guy for Bernie to talk to in general—he has no knowledge of Bernie's past, he's not involved with policing, investigations, or anything like that. Just a friendly guy—who happens to be smart and (coincidentally) involved in an area that Bernie needs help understanding for the case. I enjoyed their conversation and hope we get more in the future.
(still, I do like the way that Charlier got to shine a little brighter this time than he usually does)
BERNIE'S PAST
Whoa. I did not expect any of what we learned about Bernie's father in this book. Frankly, I didn't think we'd ever learn anything about him—we barely know anything about his mother (and I'm okay with that based on Chet's descriptions). But all of a sudden, there's a lot about Harry Little being talked about.
It works—don't get me wrong—and now I want to know more about Harry, his relationship with Bernie, and what was going on with him in general. We don't get that (now?), but we get a glimpse of the man that was a presence in Bernie's life until his early death. And that's not nothing.
FEELINGS, NOTHING MORE THAN FEELINGS
So, all the stuff about Harry Little added some emotional weight to the novel. But we didn't need any of it—I'm not objecting, don't get me wrong—but the last thing this book needed was more going on emotionally.
There's some drama between Bernie and Weatherly. Bernie's found a new way to botch things up with a woman—no real surprise there. The only plus is that it is a new way—he's not repeating mistakes he made with Leda or Suzie. Maybe there's some growth there—but it's not Bernie at his best.
Related to that are some real dark moments for Bernie—we've seen hints of things like this from him before. But I don't think it was ever this pronounced. Bernie is not always a good guy, he's not only a white knight—there's a noir character in him, battling to come out. And Bernie's control slips early on in the novel and he has to reckon with the fallout.
But that's not all. The Parsons have been aging and declining in health for a few books now, and for them to get wiped out like this—and then whatever that may or may not say about their son? There's just no way to read this without your heartstrings being tugged. Scratch that—they're yanked.
I don't want to be unclear here (he says after probably giving the wrong impression). This is still a Chet and Bernie book like fourteen that have come before. Chet's still irrepressible, he's still an unreliable narrator obsessed with Bernie, food, smells, putting his teeth on perps, and snacks. He will make you laugh, and you will enjoy Bernie tracking down clues and the rest. But, like the better installments of this series, there's a lot more going on than Chet's antics—and Quinn makes sure that the depth is there.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT A FAREWELL TO ARFS?
I admit that I was hoping for a criminal named Mike Craven to show up—to get back at Craven's accidental use of Quinn's name in last year's Fearless. But it's probably too soon for that—maybe in the next couple of years?
Once I saw what Mr. Parsons was doing on the phone, I muttered to myself (and texted a friend) that "Quinn's getting all the mileage he can out of the research he did for Mrs. Plansky's Revenge." More power to him, obviously, but it did feel a little like a re-run. Thankfully, the story went in a very different direction—as I assumed it would, but still. In fact, while this might have been the result of the same research, the nature of the phone scam was different enough to shut me up.
I'm not sure that Weatherly handled things as well as she could've, but I'm not bothered by an imperfect character—she can be as flawed as Bernie. But that was the only hitch I found in this book or the events in it.
I really appreciated the depth we see of Bernie's character, an angle or two that we haven't spent that much time looking at before—we get to focus on. There's more to him than being a decent PI with a lousy approach to finances. And if how he treats the Parsons doesn't make your heart melt a little, you weren't paying attention.
We get the usual chuckles (including Chet giving the reader a good idea about what he thinks about legalized marijuana), a good story, all the feels I described above (and more), and some good action scenes. What more is there to ask for?
Nothing that I can think of.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Tor Publishing Group via NetGalley—thanks to both for this.
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S A FAREWELL TO ARFS ABOUT?
We start off this book with Bernie and Chet finishing a case for the Sonoran Museum of Art (an institution we learned about a couple of books ago), and with things looking up—and money in Bernie's pocket—this is a pretty happy way to start things.
But soon after that, Chet overhears a phone call that their neighbor, Mr. Parsons, is having—and the reader knows things are going bad for him. Bernie learns the next day that Mr. Parsons has been the victim of a phone scam and is wiped out. Bernie starts looking into it—and into the Parsons' ex-con of a son. It looks like he may have turned his life around, and is helping other former inmates adjust to the outside world and to stay on the right path. But is that what's really going on?
If Billy Parsons isn't involved—who is? And is there any chance that Bernie can get back any of the Parsons' money?
CHARLIE AND ESMÉ
Bernie's son, Charlie, has been a consistent pleasure in the series—particularly because of Chet's devotion to him. But adding his best friend, Esmé, in the last couple of books has made the character much more enjoyable for me.
I really enjoy their dynamic, for those familiar with Syfy's Resident Alien show, it's similar to the dynamic of Sahar and Max, only Esmé has a little more patience with Charlie than Sahar does with Max.
Even better, we get to meet Esmé's father in this book—who seems like a good guy for Bernie to talk to in general—he has no knowledge of Bernie's past, he's not involved with policing, investigations, or anything like that. Just a friendly guy—who happens to be smart and (coincidentally) involved in an area that Bernie needs help understanding for the case. I enjoyed their conversation and hope we get more in the future.
(still, I do like the way that Charlier got to shine a little brighter this time than he usually does)
BERNIE'S PAST
Whoa. I did not expect any of what we learned about Bernie's father in this book. Frankly, I didn't think we'd ever learn anything about him—we barely know anything about his mother (and I'm okay with that based on Chet's descriptions). But all of a sudden, there's a lot about Harry Little being talked about.
It works—don't get me wrong—and now I want to know more about Harry, his relationship with Bernie, and what was going on with him in general. We don't get that (now?), but we get a glimpse of the man that was a presence in Bernie's life until his early death. And that's not nothing.
FEELINGS, NOTHING MORE THAN FEELINGS
So, all the stuff about Harry Little added some emotional weight to the novel. But we didn't need any of it—I'm not objecting, don't get me wrong—but the last thing this book needed was more going on emotionally.
There's some drama between Bernie and Weatherly. Bernie's found a new way to botch things up with a woman—no real surprise there. The only plus is that it is a new way—he's not repeating mistakes he made with Leda or Suzie. Maybe there's some growth there—but it's not Bernie at his best.
Related to that are some real dark moments for Bernie—we've seen hints of things like this from him before. But I don't think it was ever this pronounced. Bernie is not always a good guy, he's not only a white knight—there's a noir character in him, battling to come out. And Bernie's control slips early on in the novel and he has to reckon with the fallout.
But that's not all. The Parsons have been aging and declining in health for a few books now, and for them to get wiped out like this—and then whatever that may or may not say about their son? There's just no way to read this without your heartstrings being tugged. Scratch that—they're yanked.
I don't want to be unclear here (he says after probably giving the wrong impression). This is still a Chet and Bernie book like fourteen that have come before. Chet's still irrepressible, he's still an unreliable narrator obsessed with Bernie, food, smells, putting his teeth on perps, and snacks. He will make you laugh, and you will enjoy Bernie tracking down clues and the rest. But, like the better installments of this series, there's a lot more going on than Chet's antics—and Quinn makes sure that the depth is there.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT A FAREWELL TO ARFS?
I admit that I was hoping for a criminal named Mike Craven to show up—to get back at Craven's accidental use of Quinn's name in last year's Fearless. But it's probably too soon for that—maybe in the next couple of years?
Once I saw what Mr. Parsons was doing on the phone, I muttered to myself (and texted a friend) that "Quinn's getting all the mileage he can out of the research he did for Mrs. Plansky's Revenge." More power to him, obviously, but it did feel a little like a re-run. Thankfully, the story went in a very different direction—as I assumed it would, but still. In fact, while this might have been the result of the same research, the nature of the phone scam was different enough to shut me up.
I'm not sure that Weatherly handled things as well as she could've, but I'm not bothered by an imperfect character—she can be as flawed as Bernie. But that was the only hitch I found in this book or the events in it.
I really appreciated the depth we see of Bernie's character, an angle or two that we haven't spent that much time looking at before—we get to focus on. There's more to him than being a decent PI with a lousy approach to finances. And if how he treats the Parsons doesn't make your heart melt a little, you weren't paying attention.
We get the usual chuckles (including Chet giving the reader a good idea about what he thinks about legalized marijuana), a good story, all the feels I described above (and more), and some good action scenes. What more is there to ask for?
Nothing that I can think of.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Tor Publishing Group via NetGalley—thanks to both for this.
September 14, 2024
Bernie helps his neighbor who has been scammed by hackers out of his life savings and the suspect appears to be their ex-con son. Another book that goes on too long. At the 2/3's point I just wanted it to be over. Bernie always giving money away is getting old too. The ending was rushed and weak.
March 9, 2025
Love Bernie and Chet, pure and simple
September 7, 2024
Another winner featuring Chet and Bernie! I can't get enough of Chet! Write faster, Mr. Quinn!
April 28, 2025
Taken from the Goodreads synopsis. "Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe) and his human partner PI Bernie Little are back again, and this time they're entangled in a web of crime unlike anything they've ever seen before.
Their next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But days later, Mr. Parsons has discovered that his entire life savings is gone. Valley PD is certain this is an impersonation scam, but Bernie isn't so sure.
With Mrs. Parsons in the hospital and Billy nowhere to be found, it's up to Chet and Bernie to track Billy down and get to the bottom of things -- before it's too late."
I enjoyed this book but is does have me gravely concerned on what is going to happen in the next book, if there is going to be a next book. The story had a nice mix of mystery and living life, the good and bad part of getting older. Had me guessing what was going on but once I figured it out the ending was a letdown. The last few chapters felt rushed, pushed and left me underwhelmed on how things were handled. I just did not like how things ended, could have been handled differently. I still like Chet being the narrator but feel like his narrations have changed a bit too.
Their next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But days later, Mr. Parsons has discovered that his entire life savings is gone. Valley PD is certain this is an impersonation scam, but Bernie isn't so sure.
With Mrs. Parsons in the hospital and Billy nowhere to be found, it's up to Chet and Bernie to track Billy down and get to the bottom of things -- before it's too late."
I enjoyed this book but is does have me gravely concerned on what is going to happen in the next book, if there is going to be a next book. The story had a nice mix of mystery and living life, the good and bad part of getting older. Had me guessing what was going on but once I figured it out the ending was a letdown. The last few chapters felt rushed, pushed and left me underwhelmed on how things were handled. I just did not like how things ended, could have been handled differently. I still like Chet being the narrator but feel like his narrations have changed a bit too.
October 8, 2024
3.5🌟
Audiobook
I continue to enjoy the Chet and Bernie mysteries. And I thought it was clever of the author to mention Mrs. Plansky (the woman in Florida who went to Romania to get back her money) when the scam came up early in this book. However, Farewell to Arf left me feeling sad. I know people have to die in books like this, but I wish this one could have gone a little differently. [Note: my usual warning about some foul language.]
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
Audiobook
I continue to enjoy the Chet and Bernie mysteries. And I thought it was clever of the author to mention Mrs. Plansky (the woman in Florida who went to Romania to get back her money) when the scam came up early in this book. However, Farewell to Arf left me feeling sad. I know people have to die in books like this, but I wish this one could have gone a little differently. [Note: my usual warning about some foul language.]
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
February 14, 2025
I really love these books! I can’t believe this is already book 15! I listen to them on audiobook and the narrator does such a good job with the voices!
These books are all written with the point of view of Chet the dog! Sometimes Chet takes a nap and you might miss something but overall, it’s fun to hear the story from the dog’s point of view.
Chet and Bernie have a great relationship. Chet knows just what to do as Bernie’s partner going after the perps. In this book Bernie’s neighbor is swindled out of a large chunk of money. They literally follow the money to figure out what happened. The neighbors have been a part of all the books. This was a very interesting case.
These books are all written with the point of view of Chet the dog! Sometimes Chet takes a nap and you might miss something but overall, it’s fun to hear the story from the dog’s point of view.
Chet and Bernie have a great relationship. Chet knows just what to do as Bernie’s partner going after the perps. In this book Bernie’s neighbor is swindled out of a large chunk of money. They literally follow the money to figure out what happened. The neighbors have been a part of all the books. This was a very interesting case.
October 10, 2024
My husband reads the Chet and Bernie mysteries aloud to me, which is a perfect way to read these lightweight offerings narrated by a very brave and stalwart dog. This one didn't hang together all that well, and I still don't really know what the bad guy was actually up to, except as with regard to Bernie; it wrapped up a little too fast. Still, it's great to hear once again as Chet ruminates on exactly what a metaphor might mean (he takes them literally, you see), saves Bernie's life (at least once per book, it seems) and negotiates getting along with Trixie, who somehow looks just like Chet -- and acts much like him, too. Don't come for the mystery, come for the dog! And you'll be charmed.
November 3, 2024
Another good installment in the series. As always, the mystery itself takes a back seat to Chet and his observations about humans, life, treats, and his understanding of the plot....so therefore.....
September 9, 2024
All good things come to an end - and maybe that end is now for Chet, Bernie and me. Too many references to the past adventures and not enough focus on making the current adventure remarkable.
October 31, 2024
I am more in love with Chet than I am with my true first love, Paul McCartney, or any other humans, come to think of it!
December 1, 2024
“A Farewell to Arfs” by Spencer Quinn is the latest installment of the Chet and Bernie mystery series, narrated by Chet, the crime fighting dog. I really enjoy this series, with Chet’s entertaining and distinctive voice, and this one features multiple murders, AI, and Bernie’s neighbors, the Parsons. The mystery was a little complicated, but, as always when Chet is involved, I am happy to be along for the ride.
April 13, 2025
3.5 stars
In this 15th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team investigates a financial scam.
*****
In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet are partners in the Little Detective Agency in Arizona.
Bernie is a West Point graduate, former police officer, and good at his PI job. Sartorially, Bernie is a fan of Hawaiian shirts, which are loose enough to hide a gun when Bernie's carrying.
Chet is Bernie's invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants.
The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, and doggie logic set the stage for plenty of smiles.
Bernie and Chet's next door neighbors, Daniel and Edna Parsons, are an elderly couple with a dog named Iggy. Bernie helps out the Parsons from time to time and one of those times is at the core of this story.
Mr. Parsons gets a call from his ex-convict son Billy, who's currently a director at ProCon, an NGO that helps former convicts get back on their feet. Billy asks his dad to loan him two thousand dollars for a few days, to fix a temporary payroll problem.
Mr. Parsons is proud Billy turned his life around, and is happy to lend his son the two grand. But when Mr. Parsons checks his bank account the next morning, ALL his money is gone, the entire $47,600. Bernie and Chet take Mr. Parsons to the bank, where they consult a bank manager called Ms. Mendez.
With gentle questioning, Ms. Mendez learns that Mr. Parsons is not familiar with online money transfers, and he gave Billy his password and banking number. One minute later ALL the funds were gone from Mr. Parsons' account, and the cash can't be traced.
Mr. Parsons can't believe his son would steal more than 45 thousand dollars from him, and Bernie and Chet set out to find Billy and see what happened.
Unfortunately, Billy seems to have vanished! Billy's live-in girlfriend doesn't know where he is, and Billy's secretary speculates her boss went off to help an ex-con having a hard time, as he's done before.
The plot thickens, and tragedy strikes, before this swindle is resolved.
In an adjacent storyline, Bernie recently got engaged to his girlfriend, police officer Weatherly Wauneka. When Bernie happens to hear that a perp gave Weatherly a hard time, his masculine hormones kick in, and Bernie races off to rough up the thug.
This infuriates Weatherly, who can fight her own battles, thank you very much!!
Worse yet, the subsequent 'police brutality' charges get Weatherly suspended by the new district attorney - an arrogant woman with an agenda. Will this mishap end Bernie and Weatherly's engagement? Time will tell.
For me, the plot of this novel is too convoluted, but I still enjoyed the book, especially Chet's narration. I'll include a couple of examples of Chet's amusing remarks.
➤ Mr. Parsons is speaking to the banker, Ms. Mendez, and says, "Just let me get my ducks lined up."
Hearing this, Chet observes: Would it be true to say that I was totally on top of things up to this point? No. But no way was I expecting ducks. Where were they? I didn't have to look around for ducks. They have a very distinctive smell - a sort of combo of down pillows and an oven getting opened on Thanksgiving morning - and there wasn't a trace of it here.
➤ When Bernie and Chet are passing a block with self-storage units, Chet notes: A very bothersome fact is that one of those self-storage units is ours. You'll never guess what's inside so I'll tell you. Hawaiian pants stacked floor to ceiling. balled up on shelves, hanging from wall hooks. Hawaiian pants are just like Hawaiian shirts, except for being pants. A lot of guys, Bernie included, love Hawaiian shirts, but it turns out that none, not even one lone dude, loves Hawaiian pants. I still remember the moment Bernie snapped his fingers and said, 'Hawaiian pants! Chet! We're rich! After that a whole boatload of Hawaiian pants arrived....and we didn't sell a single pair.
This worries Chet because it contributes to the Little Detective Agency's constant financial problems.
This is a fun mystery and a must-read for fans of the series.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
August 10, 2024
Another great Chet and Bernie book!
August 8, 2025
I found this latest in the series a bit on the sad side. The Parsons are going downhill and then they lose their son; even their dog Iggy is depressed in this book. Bernie can't seem to figure out how to be an adult & deal with relationships & especially money. While I admired & fully supported his gesture to the Parsons, it was beyond stupid to not take any of the case money at the end. It's a bad theme throughout the series. Otherwise, the story was a typical Chet & Bernie mystery - nothing new or really great unfortunately so a decent one to listen to but just ok.
October 8, 2024
Was this really a 5 star book? No, probably closer to a 3. But does Chet - who is such a good boy - deserve 5 stars? Absolutely! And a bowl of steak tips!
And Chet, thanks so much for explaining soccer in such a way that even I could understand it!
And Chet, thanks so much for explaining soccer in such a way that even I could understand it!
December 13, 2024
A DNA sample of Spencer Queen‘s brain would likely show vast amounts of canine. What else could explain how he writes from a dog‘s perspective? The Little Detective Agency might need to investigate for us.
From a human perspective I appreciate that Spencer Quinn’s stories are basically told chronologically and the timeline doesn’t jump around drastically.
I like how Spencer Quinn is keeping current and included artificial intelligence in this book
Maybe part of my fascination with the Chet series is I’d like to have someone like Chet in my life. Someone who accepts me unconditionally, defends me and emphasizes my good points. Someone who is playful, silly and likes the outdoors. Someone who wakes up every day loving life, who can sense trouble before I can. Someone who automatically comforts me because they know just when I need it even if I don’t ask for it. Someone who understands and forgives easily and holds no grudges. Someone who gets excited and delighted by their own new thoughts and revelations; but at the same time holding it lightly because it might not be quite right. Someone I could dare to love back with the ferocity that they love me. Someone with such a positive outlook on life and that finds a good twist every time.
Chat humbly summing up a story he told, “there you have it, all I know about everything. “
Sometimes it’s funny in two ways: what Chet says, his non sequitur thoughts and how he says it, with clever word and unusual combinations.
As Bernie was watching his son kick his backpack down the sidewalk and his shoe fell off, Bernie said, “good God in heaven, “which Chet interpreted to mean that Bernie must be quite the proud dad.
Charlie becomes fascinated with artificial intelligence and tells his dad that soon toasters will talk and become smarter than humans. When he asks his dad what the toasters will say, Bernie replies,“don’t butter me up.”
Chet’s take on the way tacos are rolled up with holes on the ends is that ”it’s a great invention because what’s inside can’t stay inside”. Exactly the human frustration.
When Chet misunderstands phrases that Bernie uses, like people being wolves in sheep‘s clothes, I settle in for a most amazing dialogue in Chet’s brain as he tries to unpack it.
Instead of saying back-and-forth Chet says backing and forthing.
It’s much improved but there is still some recycling from Quinn‘s old books, like the little girl in the broom closet, the Hawaiian shirts and pants in the warehouse…
I felt the definite tenseness in my body when Spencer Quinn was describing the bar fight with a huge guy that used a wrench to hurt Bernie’s fiancé.
Chet is a picture of humility. He admits he doesn’t know more often than he admits he knows. He never hesitate to tell us he can’t count beyond two.
Even after all these novels, I still laugh at Chet not owning up to his barking. Like after a buzzard landed, Chet thought that must’ve accounted for some sudden barking in the area but said he put a stop to any barking that may or may not have been going on.
I disagreed with Bernie‘s conclusion that Mr. Parsons would never mistake his son‘s voice for anyone else’s. Our brain will go to any means to produce what we think or want to be true. It’s our innate cognitive bias at work.
Chet said he was beginning to feel somewhat close to the bird he had spotted. Close in a way that seemed to involve his teeth.
Chat described the enormous night sky as, “getting ready to do colorful things.“
Chet thinks Bernie sings a lot of fun songs like, “death don’t have no mercy”, “ god walks these dark hills.”
Chet says he and Bernie go to the door ”side-by-side with me first.”
The only name Chet knows for cleaning tools used for guns is a toothbrush.
Chet describes elephants peeing pools big enough to swim in.
When Chet wanted to stop thinking about something, he said he, “tapped the brakes on it, “
While interviewing Gillian Chet lusted after her leather sandals that had a good sweaty smell. After they left her and were traveling home Bernie noticed the chewed up sandal in Chet’s mouth. Chet didn’t understand how it got in his mouth and perhaps he had nothing to do with it. After Chet looked at the frayed sandal, he supposed it had been chewed by something or other but claimed no responsibility.
When Chet had to pass by a ceramic jockey without peeing on it, he gave the jockey a look he wouldn’t soon forget.
Chet constantly criticizes Bernice’s financial state. At a poker game he said that’s where we learned about something called third mortgages or perhaps fourth.
Chet recalls that Bernie’s mom’s husband was wearing a white belt when they visited last time but figures he’s had plenty of time to find a replacement by now.
When Bernie started smoking again, Chet said that meant that he could stop smoking again and he was excellent at doing that because he’d done it so many times.
When Chet and Bernie met the barefooted man in a suit at the lunar imperial enterprise, Chet thought the man needed to lay down and take a rest because he was laughing so strangely.
Chet could also envision peeing on the man’s bare feet and up and down his trouser legs if necessary.
Chet thinks a baseball is aces. No ordinary superlatives from spencer Quinn.
Extremely tense and wildly exciting description of the scene where Bernie and Chet are fighting the man at the dome. Chet was hanging over the cliff with the perp’s leg in his mouth and Chet refusing to let go. Then Bernie pulled them all up to safety only to have the perp fall over the cliff on his own as he got off balance due to a missed an uppercut to Bernie’s face.
Chet said there was something that children seem to lose as they grew up, “perhaps it leaked out of them”. A sad thought in general, but Chet noticed Bernie didn’t have it leaking out of him.
Chet looked at Meloo in his speedo, and said, “perhaps not the best choice in his case. “
A good reply when someone gives us a short answer and would like to know more: “you have my attention.“
Chet’s take on soccer was that the ball never quite did what the kids wanted. To be fair to the ball, the kids had forgotten how to pick it up so all they could do was kick it.
The soccer ball approached Charlie, who was the goalie and had just finished with a bit of nose picking. He caught the ball with his hands, then kicked it down field.
When someone asked Bernie if he was buying some esoteric concept, Bernie said, “renting with an option. “
If Chet ever has to say anything derogatory about Bernie, like playing pool isn’t his best game, he asks us to forget it immediately.
I like that instead of swearing, the words are referred to as something Bernie tells Charlie not to say.
Swearing can be so common place, but this leaves it open to my imagination.
To get Bernice’s attention, Chet sat on Bernie’s foot. When he didn’t seem to notice, he tried to think of a way to sit harder, but came up empty.
Clever title, but I’m not sure how it fit with the book. I didn’t read Hemingway’s.
From a human perspective I appreciate that Spencer Quinn’s stories are basically told chronologically and the timeline doesn’t jump around drastically.
I like how Spencer Quinn is keeping current and included artificial intelligence in this book
Maybe part of my fascination with the Chet series is I’d like to have someone like Chet in my life. Someone who accepts me unconditionally, defends me and emphasizes my good points. Someone who is playful, silly and likes the outdoors. Someone who wakes up every day loving life, who can sense trouble before I can. Someone who automatically comforts me because they know just when I need it even if I don’t ask for it. Someone who understands and forgives easily and holds no grudges. Someone who gets excited and delighted by their own new thoughts and revelations; but at the same time holding it lightly because it might not be quite right. Someone I could dare to love back with the ferocity that they love me. Someone with such a positive outlook on life and that finds a good twist every time.
Chat humbly summing up a story he told, “there you have it, all I know about everything. “
Sometimes it’s funny in two ways: what Chet says, his non sequitur thoughts and how he says it, with clever word and unusual combinations.
As Bernie was watching his son kick his backpack down the sidewalk and his shoe fell off, Bernie said, “good God in heaven, “which Chet interpreted to mean that Bernie must be quite the proud dad.
Charlie becomes fascinated with artificial intelligence and tells his dad that soon toasters will talk and become smarter than humans. When he asks his dad what the toasters will say, Bernie replies,“don’t butter me up.”
Chet’s take on the way tacos are rolled up with holes on the ends is that ”it’s a great invention because what’s inside can’t stay inside”. Exactly the human frustration.
When Chet misunderstands phrases that Bernie uses, like people being wolves in sheep‘s clothes, I settle in for a most amazing dialogue in Chet’s brain as he tries to unpack it.
Instead of saying back-and-forth Chet says backing and forthing.
It’s much improved but there is still some recycling from Quinn‘s old books, like the little girl in the broom closet, the Hawaiian shirts and pants in the warehouse…
I felt the definite tenseness in my body when Spencer Quinn was describing the bar fight with a huge guy that used a wrench to hurt Bernie’s fiancé.
Chet is a picture of humility. He admits he doesn’t know more often than he admits he knows. He never hesitate to tell us he can’t count beyond two.
Even after all these novels, I still laugh at Chet not owning up to his barking. Like after a buzzard landed, Chet thought that must’ve accounted for some sudden barking in the area but said he put a stop to any barking that may or may not have been going on.
I disagreed with Bernie‘s conclusion that Mr. Parsons would never mistake his son‘s voice for anyone else’s. Our brain will go to any means to produce what we think or want to be true. It’s our innate cognitive bias at work.
Chet said he was beginning to feel somewhat close to the bird he had spotted. Close in a way that seemed to involve his teeth.
Chat described the enormous night sky as, “getting ready to do colorful things.“
Chet thinks Bernie sings a lot of fun songs like, “death don’t have no mercy”, “ god walks these dark hills.”
Chet says he and Bernie go to the door ”side-by-side with me first.”
The only name Chet knows for cleaning tools used for guns is a toothbrush.
Chet describes elephants peeing pools big enough to swim in.
When Chet wanted to stop thinking about something, he said he, “tapped the brakes on it, “
While interviewing Gillian Chet lusted after her leather sandals that had a good sweaty smell. After they left her and were traveling home Bernie noticed the chewed up sandal in Chet’s mouth. Chet didn’t understand how it got in his mouth and perhaps he had nothing to do with it. After Chet looked at the frayed sandal, he supposed it had been chewed by something or other but claimed no responsibility.
When Chet had to pass by a ceramic jockey without peeing on it, he gave the jockey a look he wouldn’t soon forget.
Chet constantly criticizes Bernice’s financial state. At a poker game he said that’s where we learned about something called third mortgages or perhaps fourth.
Chet recalls that Bernie’s mom’s husband was wearing a white belt when they visited last time but figures he’s had plenty of time to find a replacement by now.
When Bernie started smoking again, Chet said that meant that he could stop smoking again and he was excellent at doing that because he’d done it so many times.
When Chet and Bernie met the barefooted man in a suit at the lunar imperial enterprise, Chet thought the man needed to lay down and take a rest because he was laughing so strangely.
Chet could also envision peeing on the man’s bare feet and up and down his trouser legs if necessary.
Chet thinks a baseball is aces. No ordinary superlatives from spencer Quinn.
Extremely tense and wildly exciting description of the scene where Bernie and Chet are fighting the man at the dome. Chet was hanging over the cliff with the perp’s leg in his mouth and Chet refusing to let go. Then Bernie pulled them all up to safety only to have the perp fall over the cliff on his own as he got off balance due to a missed an uppercut to Bernie’s face.
Chet said there was something that children seem to lose as they grew up, “perhaps it leaked out of them”. A sad thought in general, but Chet noticed Bernie didn’t have it leaking out of him.
Chet looked at Meloo in his speedo, and said, “perhaps not the best choice in his case. “
A good reply when someone gives us a short answer and would like to know more: “you have my attention.“
Chet’s take on soccer was that the ball never quite did what the kids wanted. To be fair to the ball, the kids had forgotten how to pick it up so all they could do was kick it.
The soccer ball approached Charlie, who was the goalie and had just finished with a bit of nose picking. He caught the ball with his hands, then kicked it down field.
When someone asked Bernie if he was buying some esoteric concept, Bernie said, “renting with an option. “
If Chet ever has to say anything derogatory about Bernie, like playing pool isn’t his best game, he asks us to forget it immediately.
I like that instead of swearing, the words are referred to as something Bernie tells Charlie not to say.
Swearing can be so common place, but this leaves it open to my imagination.
To get Bernice’s attention, Chet sat on Bernie’s foot. When he didn’t seem to notice, he tried to think of a way to sit harder, but came up empty.
Clever title, but I’m not sure how it fit with the book. I didn’t read Hemingway’s.
October 4, 2025
I love Chet and Bernie. I count on this series for when I need a light, fun read. The first half of this one delivered that with Chet's usual lovable perspective. This one gets personal for Bernie and the case involves Iggy's family next door. However, it turns dark and sad and I was wishing it went differently. There's a clever reference to Mrs. Plansky's Revenge (a book I absolutely loved!). I'll continue reading whatever Quinn comes up with next but I hope he lightens up again in the next.
November 25, 2024
Although I am always happy to read Chet's thoughts, this one lost me a bit. Too many plots going on and not only could I not figure out how they fit together, the fact that they did fit together was too coincidental. At one point I just gave up and followed along with Chet, enjoying his happy doggo life counting to two and didn't worry about the rest of it! Hopefully the next book is a bit more cohesive.
August 26, 2024
not sure
Not my favorite Chet book. In my humble opinion….A bit slow on actual action, a bit slow on the story line and too much ( can’t believe I’m saying this…listening to Chet’s thinking!). Too many not important characters. I still love these books though.
Not my favorite Chet book. In my humble opinion….A bit slow on actual action, a bit slow on the story line and too much ( can’t believe I’m saying this…listening to Chet’s thinking!). Too many not important characters. I still love these books though.
September 3, 2024
3.5 stars because I really really didn’t like the way they killed the boys’ dad - injuring and maiming and jailing but not killing would have been better imo. I also wish they would have had Gillian discover she was pregnant so Edna and Daniel could have had a grandchild.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2024
While Spencer Quinn's popular and enjoyable Chet and Bernie series is filled with marvelous mysteries, we read these books for the pitch-perfect narration by perhaps the most lovable of canine characters, Chet.
A FAREWELL TO ARFS opens with Daniel Parsons, an elderly neighbor of Chet and Bernie, getting a call from his son Billy, who asks to borrow $2,000 just for the weekend because of a financial problem. Daniel readily agrees, but when he checks his bank account the next day, he finds that his life savings are gone. Bernie takes him to the bank, and the police are called. Billy says he hasn't talked to his father for a while and definitely didn't make that call. But Billy is an ex-con, and Bernie isn't sure that he isn't somehow involved in the scam.
Just as I was thinking that this part of the plot sounds a bit like Quinn's previous novel, MRS. PLANSKY’S REVENGE, the bank’s reporting officer from the fraud squad remarks, "Did you hear about that old lady in Florida? A grandson impersonator in her case. It was on the news. I'll be damned if she didn't hop on a plane to Romania to get her money back." Shades of Mrs. Plansky, especially for those of us "of a certain age."
Unlike the dry, clear air in the desert setting in which most of the Chet and Bernie stories take place, the plot thickens like a New England fog in a gothic novel. It turns out that Billy has redeemed himself since his less-than-law-abiding days. He now runs an organization that helps former prison inmates go clean, find work and lead productive lives. But after the scam on his parents, Billy disappears. His girlfriend says he occasionally is out of town helping former convicts, but Bernie is worried that there is more going on here.
In trying to find Billy, Chet and Bernie meet a unique cast of characters. Some are from Bernie's past, some are new, and we also find that Chet often knows more than Bernie does thanks to his super sleuth of a nose. Speaking of Chet, it's because of that personable pup that these mysteries are so incredibly popular. We love Chet and enjoy hearing his thoughts because they are so doggy-perfect. It's as if Quinn got into the mind of his dog and learned to speak canine language. An example is when Chet and Bernie are driving, and Chet sees a cat in the car next to them. When such a sighting occurs, he can't think of anything else.
Chet explains, "Your mind just goes CAT CAT CAT until finally it ends, you give yourself a good shake, starting at the head, rippling through to the tip of the tail and back again, and then your mind returns to its peaceful resting state, mostly blank. But here's the worst part. While your mind is going CAT CAT CAT, the cat's mind is doing nothing of the sort. What the cat's mind is doing I couldn't tell you." There are more Chet-isms as we are reminded that only occasionally can he count past two. But he is there in his finest form when Bernie needs him and especially when his human’s life is at stake.
Bernie is far from perfect, and he and Weatherly may or may not be getting married. Will he be able to convince her to overlook his sometimes brutish behavior? Or his overwhelming need to protect those he loves, whether or not they want him to do so? Bernie may make mistakes and antagonize people, but we know his heart is made of pure gold, which just happens to be one of Chet's favorite flavors.
As we knew would happen, Chet and Bernie prevail. And as fans of the series know, Bernie's bank account at the end of the story is no greater than it was at the start. His investigative skills are only surpassed by the generosity of his spirit. We adore Chet, but we also respect and admire Bernie. And we can't wait for their next adventure.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
A FAREWELL TO ARFS opens with Daniel Parsons, an elderly neighbor of Chet and Bernie, getting a call from his son Billy, who asks to borrow $2,000 just for the weekend because of a financial problem. Daniel readily agrees, but when he checks his bank account the next day, he finds that his life savings are gone. Bernie takes him to the bank, and the police are called. Billy says he hasn't talked to his father for a while and definitely didn't make that call. But Billy is an ex-con, and Bernie isn't sure that he isn't somehow involved in the scam.
Just as I was thinking that this part of the plot sounds a bit like Quinn's previous novel, MRS. PLANSKY’S REVENGE, the bank’s reporting officer from the fraud squad remarks, "Did you hear about that old lady in Florida? A grandson impersonator in her case. It was on the news. I'll be damned if she didn't hop on a plane to Romania to get her money back." Shades of Mrs. Plansky, especially for those of us "of a certain age."
Unlike the dry, clear air in the desert setting in which most of the Chet and Bernie stories take place, the plot thickens like a New England fog in a gothic novel. It turns out that Billy has redeemed himself since his less-than-law-abiding days. He now runs an organization that helps former prison inmates go clean, find work and lead productive lives. But after the scam on his parents, Billy disappears. His girlfriend says he occasionally is out of town helping former convicts, but Bernie is worried that there is more going on here.
In trying to find Billy, Chet and Bernie meet a unique cast of characters. Some are from Bernie's past, some are new, and we also find that Chet often knows more than Bernie does thanks to his super sleuth of a nose. Speaking of Chet, it's because of that personable pup that these mysteries are so incredibly popular. We love Chet and enjoy hearing his thoughts because they are so doggy-perfect. It's as if Quinn got into the mind of his dog and learned to speak canine language. An example is when Chet and Bernie are driving, and Chet sees a cat in the car next to them. When such a sighting occurs, he can't think of anything else.
Chet explains, "Your mind just goes CAT CAT CAT until finally it ends, you give yourself a good shake, starting at the head, rippling through to the tip of the tail and back again, and then your mind returns to its peaceful resting state, mostly blank. But here's the worst part. While your mind is going CAT CAT CAT, the cat's mind is doing nothing of the sort. What the cat's mind is doing I couldn't tell you." There are more Chet-isms as we are reminded that only occasionally can he count past two. But he is there in his finest form when Bernie needs him and especially when his human’s life is at stake.
Bernie is far from perfect, and he and Weatherly may or may not be getting married. Will he be able to convince her to overlook his sometimes brutish behavior? Or his overwhelming need to protect those he loves, whether or not they want him to do so? Bernie may make mistakes and antagonize people, but we know his heart is made of pure gold, which just happens to be one of Chet's favorite flavors.
As we knew would happen, Chet and Bernie prevail. And as fans of the series know, Bernie's bank account at the end of the story is no greater than it was at the start. His investigative skills are only surpassed by the generosity of his spirit. We adore Chet, but we also respect and admire Bernie. And we can't wait for their next adventure.
Reviewed by Pamela Kramer
August 14, 2024
Spencer Quinn's A Farewell to Arfs ups the ante in the action-packed and witty New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that Stephen King calls "without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available."
From the Amazon synopsis: Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe) and his human partner PI Bernie Little are on to a new case, and this time they're entangled in a web of crime unlike anything they've ever seen before.
Their elderly next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But soon, Mr. Parsons discovers that his entire life savings is gone. A run-of-the-mill scam? Bernie isn’t so sure that the case is that simple, but it's Chet who senses what they're really up against.
Only Billy knows the truth, but he's disappeared. Can Chet and Bernie track him down before it's too late? Someone else is also in the hunt, an enemy with a mysterious, cutting-edge power who will test Chet and Bernie to their limit―or maybe beyond. Even poker, not the kind of game they're good at, plays a role.
Feels shorter than some of the others in the series even though there's just as much, if not more, happening. These books are really great and work for all ages from grammies like me to the grandkids like the young lady I pass these on to once I finish. I did tell her dad if she doesn't want to keep them, bring 'em back because I want to read them again in order, but I have a feeling I won't be getting them back.
There are several places where I had to laugh out loud and others where I had a hard time not to break down in tears. Really runs the gamut.
From the Amazon synopsis: Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe) and his human partner PI Bernie Little are on to a new case, and this time they're entangled in a web of crime unlike anything they've ever seen before.
Their elderly next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But soon, Mr. Parsons discovers that his entire life savings is gone. A run-of-the-mill scam? Bernie isn’t so sure that the case is that simple, but it's Chet who senses what they're really up against.
Only Billy knows the truth, but he's disappeared. Can Chet and Bernie track him down before it's too late? Someone else is also in the hunt, an enemy with a mysterious, cutting-edge power who will test Chet and Bernie to their limit―or maybe beyond. Even poker, not the kind of game they're good at, plays a role.
Feels shorter than some of the others in the series even though there's just as much, if not more, happening. These books are really great and work for all ages from grammies like me to the grandkids like the young lady I pass these on to once I finish. I did tell her dad if she doesn't want to keep them, bring 'em back because I want to read them again in order, but I have a feeling I won't be getting them back.
There are several places where I had to laugh out loud and others where I had a hard time not to break down in tears. Really runs the gamut.
October 16, 2024
Enjoyed this one too! I was reluctant to start it, & was going to read it more slowly, because of it being the last one of the series (so far?), but once I got into it, I couldn't help it, it whizzed right along. It took me a few books into the series to appreciate the style, me thinking I preferred smarter dogs, but I came to appreciate the humor & also found it humorous (& concerning?) to realize my mind works kind of like Chet's! (Particularly the going-off-on-tangents part!)
2 of my favorite lines from this one (Ooh, that's another thing reading on Kindle would let me do: highlight favorite passages. Hmm.) :
1. (Referring to Bernie's mom's current husband): "He'd been sporting a white leather belt on their last visit and by now had had plenty of time to find a replacement." (Chet does love the feel of leather in his mouth. 😉) 😁 Perfect example of Chet's subtle hints at his POSSIBLE prior misdeeds. (But we don't have time for that now. Forget I even said it. 😉)
2. "Are you buying this?"
"I'm renting with an option". 😁
(i.e. For anyone unfamiliar with it, the expression of renting (anything) with an option to buy it.) Clever way to say he hasn't yet made up his mind.
There are times I think reading these on a Kindle might be better so when a person or company is mentioned & I can't remember who they are I could just quickly & easily look up the 1st time the name was mentioned. But I do like turning the pages & seeing by looking at the edges of the book how far into it I am & reading on something other than a screen.
There were the usual typos of missing words here & there & once they lived on "Mesquite STREET".
2 of my favorite lines from this one (Ooh, that's another thing reading on Kindle would let me do: highlight favorite passages. Hmm.) :
1. (Referring to Bernie's mom's current husband): "He'd been sporting a white leather belt on their last visit and by now had had plenty of time to find a replacement." (Chet does love the feel of leather in his mouth. 😉) 😁 Perfect example of Chet's subtle hints at his POSSIBLE prior misdeeds. (But we don't have time for that now. Forget I even said it. 😉)
2. "Are you buying this?"
"I'm renting with an option". 😁
(i.e. For anyone unfamiliar with it, the expression of renting (anything) with an option to buy it.) Clever way to say he hasn't yet made up his mind.
There are times I think reading these on a Kindle might be better so when a person or company is mentioned & I can't remember who they are I could just quickly & easily look up the 1st time the name was mentioned. But I do like turning the pages & seeing by looking at the edges of the book how far into it I am & reading on something other than a screen.
There were the usual typos of missing words here & there & once they lived on "Mesquite STREET".
May 26, 2024
If you aren't familiar by now with Spencer Quinn's mystery series starring the famous Arizona P.I. team of Chet and Bernie, it's time to "dig" in. Narrated by Chet who has a "man" crush on his partner, the Nick Nolte type, ex-baseball player and war hero, Bernie, the crimes usually take place in the Valley of the Sun where they both live. And Chet is a very unreliable narrator, seeing as how his main contributions to the team involve leaping to disarm perps, and his keen sense of smell.
This time, their neighbor gets a phone call from his ex-con son, asking for a loan. Billy Parsons has made some bad choices, but has turned his life around, and his dad oks the loan, which is transferred by phone. When Mr. Parsons checks his bank account he finds that every penny he ever had is gone and now no one can find Billy. Bernie roughs up a guy who threatens his cop fiancee and when she makes it obvious that she wants to take care of it herself, he doesn't know if they're still getting married or not. Meanwhile, Chet has followed a kid who was supposed to get him some biscuits, through his house to a room filled with complicated sound equipment. If Chet could actually tell Bernie this, they could crack the case, but unfortunately, Chet's method of communication leaves much to be desired.
This is book 15 in the series-they can be read as stand-alones but it's much more fun to start with the first...Dog On It and follow the team's adventures from the beginning. We are so happy to know that Chet and Bernie ride again!
August 19, 2024
I was so excited for the latest installment of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries – CHET, HOW I HAVE MISSED YOU – but unfortunately this one was, as much as I hate to say it, a disappointment.
Chet is his adorable self, of course. His observations made me laugh out loud on a couple of occasions, and his love and adoration of All Things Bernie makes my heart melt.
Unfortunately, I felt like Chet was the only thing that really worked. Bernie was a bit too philosophical, briefly reverted back to Suzie-era Bernie, and wasn’t very relatable. Something happens with Weatherley and her job that Bernie gets involved in that felt very out of character, and I hated the way the author dealt with the aftermath.
Granted, having every event filtered through Chet’s perspective is a special challenge for these books. Sometimes it’s successful, but this time it just was not. Not only did the relationship drama feel unresolved, but so did some outside factors like the issue with the new DA – I have no idea what Mr. Quinn was going for there. And the mystery itself didn’t come together for me either. I admit I’m not entirely sure how everything fit together in the end.
*sigh* I still love you, Chet.
Chet is his adorable self, of course. His observations made me laugh out loud on a couple of occasions, and his love and adoration of All Things Bernie makes my heart melt.
Unfortunately, I felt like Chet was the only thing that really worked. Bernie was a bit too philosophical, briefly reverted back to Suzie-era Bernie, and wasn’t very relatable. Something happens with Weatherley and her job that Bernie gets involved in that felt very out of character, and I hated the way the author dealt with the aftermath.
Granted, having every event filtered through Chet’s perspective is a special challenge for these books. Sometimes it’s successful, but this time it just was not. Not only did the relationship drama feel unresolved, but so did some outside factors like the issue with the new DA – I have no idea what Mr. Quinn was going for there. And the mystery itself didn’t come together for me either. I admit I’m not entirely sure how everything fit together in the end.
*sigh* I still love you, Chet.
May 8, 2024
I read a free advance digital review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
Regular readers of this series don’t need a review to know they want to read this next book. But there may be other readers out there who think a book in with a dog as narrator (and a punning title) must be too cutesy. I’m here to tell those readers that’s not the case. I generally read grittier crime fiction, but doesn’t everyone like a change of pace occasionally? I know I do, and I get a kick out of Chet’s point of view. Oh, and Bernie is appealing too.
Only a few months ago, I read another mystery in which a senior citizen was cleaned out financially by a phone call from a relative (grandson in that case) in desperate need of money in a big hurry. Giving the grandson financial details lead to scammers accessing all the senior’s assets. And then the grandson, like Billy in this case, denies ever making the phone call. This is an interesting theme in the AI era, and Spencer Quinn handles it well. There is plenty of interesting action in Chet and Bernie’s pursuit of the bad guys, and this novel is as big-hearted as all the rest in the series.
Regular readers of this series don’t need a review to know they want to read this next book. But there may be other readers out there who think a book in with a dog as narrator (and a punning title) must be too cutesy. I’m here to tell those readers that’s not the case. I generally read grittier crime fiction, but doesn’t everyone like a change of pace occasionally? I know I do, and I get a kick out of Chet’s point of view. Oh, and Bernie is appealing too.
Only a few months ago, I read another mystery in which a senior citizen was cleaned out financially by a phone call from a relative (grandson in that case) in desperate need of money in a big hurry. Giving the grandson financial details lead to scammers accessing all the senior’s assets. And then the grandson, like Billy in this case, denies ever making the phone call. This is an interesting theme in the AI era, and Spencer Quinn handles it well. There is plenty of interesting action in Chet and Bernie’s pursuit of the bad guys, and this novel is as big-hearted as all the rest in the series.
July 16, 2024
The Parsons live next door to Bernie Little and Chet. An elderly couple with a tiny dog, Iggy, Bernie and Chet look after them. Mr. Parsons calls Bernie to ask him to take him to the bank, his account has been robbed. Turns out a phone call Mr. Parsons thought was from his son was actually from a cyber hacker, who stripped the account. Bernie decides to investigate and things go downhill quickly. Meanwhile, Bernie's fiancee, Weatherly (a local cop) gets beaten up by a suspect she is arresting and Bernie tracks down the miscreant and teaches him a lesson. However, Weatherly, is not impressed and tells Bernie as much. So, Bernie is dealing with a angry female cop and a band of crooks who think nothing of robbing old folks. The investigation into the bank heist uncovers a criminal conspiracy that, unfortunately, results in the death of the Parsons' son. This makes Bernie even more focused on finding the bad guys. Another great entry in the series. Chet, as always, is the dog of the hour, finding clues and helping Bernie apprehend the villains. He gets them by the pant leg and doesn't let go.
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