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Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery #3
Eleven Huskies
Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, deserves a summer vacation. Peter and his family head to a remote fishing lodge in northern Manitoba for a canoeing trip with his champion sniffer dog, Pippin. But a series of incidents color their plans. The lodge’s sled team of huskies has been poisoned and, at the same time, a floatplane crashes into the lake, killing the pilot and both passengers. While Peter works to save the huskies, it is discovered that the plane crash wasn’t an accident. It was murder. It’s been a hot and dry summer, and one morning the Bannerman family wakes up to find a forest fire spreading quickly. They manage to dodge the conflagration, making it back to the lodge before it becomes cut off from the outside world. Peter soon figures out that the murderer, who probably also poisoned the huskies, must be among the other guests or staff trapped with them at the lodge. The power fails. The now-enormous fire draws nearer. Can Peter discover the culprit in time?
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Published May 14, 2024
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About the author
Philipp Schott
11 books149 followersPhilipp was born in Germany in 1965. A year later his family emigrated to Canada. Philipp grew up in Saskatoon, regularly returning to Germany to visit. He studied biology the University of Saskatchewan before switching to veterinary medicine. After graduation he moved to Winnipeg with his classmate and future wife, Lorraine. Except for a year taken to backpack around the world, Philipp has been in the same Winnipeg small animal practice since 1990.
His writing began with a travel blog and then a veterinary blog. His first book, "The Accidental Veterinarian", a collection of non-fiction stories from his practice, was published by ECW Press in 2019. It became a Canadian bestseller and was translated into five languages. "The Willow Wren" (ECW Press 2021) is his first novel. "How To Examine a Wolverine", a sequel to "The Accidental Veterinarian" was published in 2021, and the second sequel, "The Battle Cry of the Siamese Kitten" came out in 2023.
Philipp has also been writing cozy-ish mysteries featuring Dr. Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, ! So far there has been "Fifty-Four Pigs" (2022), "Six Ostriches" (2023), and "Eleven Huskies" (2024). "Three Bengal Kittens" should be out soon...
He and Lorraine live in a creaky old house on the river with two children and several pets. Although the clinic, writing, and his family keep him busy, he spends as much time outdoors as he can. He's a particular fan of long-distance walking, having completed the West Highland Way, the Hadrian's Wall Path, the Laugavegur, and the Inca Trail, among others. The pandemic has turned him to virtual walks, with the latest project being a 2300 km trek from The Shire to Mordor. He's learning how sturdy those hobbits really were.
His writing began with a travel blog and then a veterinary blog. His first book, "The Accidental Veterinarian", a collection of non-fiction stories from his practice, was published by ECW Press in 2019. It became a Canadian bestseller and was translated into five languages. "The Willow Wren" (ECW Press 2021) is his first novel. "How To Examine a Wolverine", a sequel to "The Accidental Veterinarian" was published in 2021, and the second sequel, "The Battle Cry of the Siamese Kitten" came out in 2023.
Philipp has also been writing cozy-ish mysteries featuring Dr. Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, ! So far there has been "Fifty-Four Pigs" (2022), "Six Ostriches" (2023), and "Eleven Huskies" (2024). "Three Bengal Kittens" should be out soon...
He and Lorraine live in a creaky old house on the river with two children and several pets. Although the clinic, writing, and his family keep him busy, he spends as much time outdoors as he can. He's a particular fan of long-distance walking, having completed the West Highland Way, the Hadrian's Wall Path, the Laugavegur, and the Inca Trail, among others. The pandemic has turned him to virtual walks, with the latest project being a 2300 km trek from The Shire to Mordor. He's learning how sturdy those hobbits really were.
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January 13, 2024
Manitoba veterinarian Dr Peter Bannerman makes an urgent house call to a remote fishing lodge in the north of the province, to the owner’s eleven huskies who have varying degrees of liver damage. Suspecting they have all somehow ingested a liver toxin, he sends the three sickest dogs to an animal hospital for intensive treatment, knowing that he’ll be returning to the lodge for his annual family vacation in two days time and can then keep an eye on the other dogs. Also on the morning he arrived at the lodge, a seaplane trying to land crashed into the lake, killing the pilot and both passengers. As one of the passengers was a crypto-currency magnate, so Peter wonders if the crash was in fact an accident.
After they arrive at the lodge, Peter and his wife Laura, her brother Kevin, a Canadian Mountie, and his partner Stuart along with Peter’s dog Pippin, are all looking forward to taking an overnight camping and kayaking trip. On their first day kayaking they notice a forest fire and pray it won’t come their way and interfere with their trip or come anywhere near the lodge.
This is another excellent addition to this series featuring Dr Bannerman. As always, I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape, this time in the wilderness in northern Manitoba. It was also great to see all the characters, Peter with his quirky personality, Laura helping to keep him calm, while knitting up LOR and Star Wars characters into jumpers and toques as well as jokey Kevin and his more sensible partner Stuart. I did miss seeing Peter with his patients at his practice, but even vets deserve to take a vacation.
Without giving spoilers, there is plenty of nail-biting action, danger and threat both outdoors and inside the lodge and it’s far from the relaxing outdoors vacation they had planned. Peter and Pippin do less sleuthing than in the previous two novels, but rest assured his brain is still actively thinking about the huskies and the plane crash and eventually all the pieces will fall into place. 4.5★
With thanks to ECW Press via Netgalley for a copy to read
After they arrive at the lodge, Peter and his wife Laura, her brother Kevin, a Canadian Mountie, and his partner Stuart along with Peter’s dog Pippin, are all looking forward to taking an overnight camping and kayaking trip. On their first day kayaking they notice a forest fire and pray it won’t come their way and interfere with their trip or come anywhere near the lodge.
This is another excellent addition to this series featuring Dr Bannerman. As always, I enjoyed the descriptions of the landscape, this time in the wilderness in northern Manitoba. It was also great to see all the characters, Peter with his quirky personality, Laura helping to keep him calm, while knitting up LOR and Star Wars characters into jumpers and toques as well as jokey Kevin and his more sensible partner Stuart. I did miss seeing Peter with his patients at his practice, but even vets deserve to take a vacation.
Without giving spoilers, there is plenty of nail-biting action, danger and threat both outdoors and inside the lodge and it’s far from the relaxing outdoors vacation they had planned. Peter and Pippin do less sleuthing than in the previous two novels, but rest assured his brain is still actively thinking about the huskies and the plane crash and eventually all the pieces will fall into place. 4.5★
With thanks to ECW Press via Netgalley for a copy to read
May 7, 2024
Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, is called to a remote lodge in Northen Manitoba where the lodge’s team of sled dogs has been poisoned and, in the same timeframe, a floatplane crashed into the lake, killing the pilot and both passengers. While Peter works to save the huskies, it's discovered that the plane crash wasn’t an accident. A few days later he and his wife and her brother and his partner return to the area for a long-planned fishing and camping trip.
This is the 3rd book in this series featuring Dr. Peter Bannerman but can be read as a standalone. I didn't read either of the others. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a cozy mystery but it isn't a genre I normally read. It sounded cute and just what I needed after some pretty intense books so I requested it from Netgalley and was approved.
I enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't go back and read the first two. I liked the characters and the setting, a part of Canada I've never visited. There are some pretty tense moments as Peter and his family try to escape a large wildfire, a very real threat in that area. There were so many suspects that I couldn't even make a wild guess at who was responsible for all the mayhem. At one point near the end Peter goes into an reverie about matter and atoms and elements and I'm not sure what the point of that was although he is mildly autistic and his mind is always active. Supposedly the daydream helped him take a guess as to who was behind the murders but I didn't get the connection. I thought the little sketch of a husky dog to separate passages within the chapters was adorable.
The book contains an excerpt from what I assume is Book 4, "Three Bengal Kittens" but no publication date. I'll keep an eye out for it though.
Thanks to ECW Press via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 14, 2024
This is the 3rd book in this series featuring Dr. Peter Bannerman but can be read as a standalone. I didn't read either of the others. I'm not sure if this qualifies as a cozy mystery but it isn't a genre I normally read. It sounded cute and just what I needed after some pretty intense books so I requested it from Netgalley and was approved.
I enjoyed the book but probably wouldn't go back and read the first two. I liked the characters and the setting, a part of Canada I've never visited. There are some pretty tense moments as Peter and his family try to escape a large wildfire, a very real threat in that area. There were so many suspects that I couldn't even make a wild guess at who was responsible for all the mayhem. At one point near the end Peter goes into an reverie about matter and atoms and elements and I'm not sure what the point of that was although he is mildly autistic and his mind is always active. Supposedly the daydream helped him take a guess as to who was behind the murders but I didn't get the connection. I thought the little sketch of a husky dog to separate passages within the chapters was adorable.
The book contains an excerpt from what I assume is Book 4, "Three Bengal Kittens" but no publication date. I'll keep an eye out for it though.
Thanks to ECW Press via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Publication Date: May 14, 2024
June 5, 2024
3.5 stars
Dr. Peter Bannerman, a veterinarian in the lakeside town of New Selfoss, Manitoba, is an amateur sleuth who can't help getting involved in criminal investigations.
In this third 'Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery' - which works fine as a standalone - Peter is called into action when his acquaintance, John Reynolds - owner of the Dragonfly Lodge in Northern Manitoba - calls with an emergency. Reynolds team of eleven huskies, the fastest team in Manitoba the last three years in a row, have become terribly ill.
Peter hops on a plane to Northern Manitoba, where he finds the huskies suffering from liver damage. Peter ships the four sickest dogs to New Selfoss for treatment, the rest of the team being left to recover in Northern Manitoba. It turns out the unfortunate canines were poisoned, and amateur sleuth Peter immediately wonders whodunit.
While Peter is at Dragonfly Lodge, he learns that a private plane crashed nearby that morning, and three people were killed: Ned Fromm - the pilot; Brendan O'Daly - a bitcoin entrepreneur; and Monique Gagnon - the lead singer of The Queenston Heights band.
The police determine the pilot, Ned Fromm, had been shot with a rifle, by someone on the ground.
As it happens, Peter is already planning to return to Dragonfly Lodge in a few days, for a vacation with his family and friends. These include:
Peter's wife Laura - who knits and sells items inspired by TV shows and movies, like Game of Thrones and Harry Potter;
Laura's brother Kevin - a detective with the Royal Canadian Mounties;
Kevin's Nigerian partner Stuart - an accountant and excellent cook;
and Peter's dog Pippin - a renowned sniffer canine.
Peter and his companions are planning an extended canoe trip, and Dragonfly Lodge will be their home base.
Peter's mind is always making connections, and he suspects the dog poisonings at Dragonfly Lodge and the plane crash near Dragonfly Lodge are linked somehow. To Peter's satisfaction, he even gets to participate in the investigation when the police recruit sniffer dog Pippin to look for the rifle used to shoot the pilot.
Everyone at Dragonfly Lodge is a suspect for the pilot shooting/plane crash, including the guests, the staff, and the owner - and Peter can't help but search for clues to unmask the killer. One of my favorite characters is a guest named Pyotr, who's with a group of Belarussians who say they're in Manitoba to hunt mushrooms. When Peter thanks the Belarussians for some of their morels, Pyotr says: "Is nothing! We are pleasured!" And later, when the lodge is endangered, Pyotr says, "What is plan? We are sitting goose up here." 🙂
In the midst of the police investigation, Peter and his party embark on their canoe trip, which involves paddling down waterways and carrying the canoes overland (portages).
Unfortunately, a massive wildfire spreads through Northern Manitoba during the canoe trip, and much of the book is an adventure tale as Peter and his companions try to stay ahead of the flames and get back to the lodge.
The crimes are solved in a satisfying finale, and I look forward to the next book in the series, 'Three Bengal Kittens.'
Thanks to Netgalley, Philipp Schott, and ECW Press for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
May 14, 2024
I received a review copy of this book from ECW Press via NetGalley for which my thanks.
This third in the Dr Peter Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Canadian veterinarian and author Dr Philipp Schott is rather different from the first two in that it sees Dr Bannerman and his family head out for a vacation, canoeing and camping in Manitoba, but while even before they start their holiday a mystery, in fact two have cropped up, the mysteries stay somewhat on the sidelines as they take their trip, another source of danger becoming far more threatening than even the murderer. But that isn’t to say that the murderer doesn’t intend further harm!
The story opens with Peter travelling to the Dragonfly Lodge where he with his wife Laura, brother-in-law Kevin and Kevin’s partner Stuart are to vacation in a few days as the Lodge’s husky team has suddenly taken very ill, some of them serious. Alongside a plane has gone down in the lake but this turns out not to have been an accident as the pilot was shot. Who could have done this? While Peter starts off the dogs’ treatment, sending the more serious ones on to his clinic, he finds the only possible cause of their illness to be poisoning. Could it be that the killer and poisoner are the same? His mind begins to work on the puzzle and there are some suspicious happenings at night.
Nonetheless he returns with Laura, Kevin and Stuart (and Pippin the dog of course, now famed for his tracking skills) and the four head off for their two-day canoeing and camping trip. Forest fires have affected areas at a distance but the Dragonfly and its surrounds were safe enough, yet right amidst their trip, the fires catch up with them trapping them and putting them in danger of their lives. But that isn’t the only danger for the murderer too is lurking.
This was an enjoyable entry in the series and in its setting and the vacation plot takes us into the Canadian wilderness as Peter and the others enjoy some time out under the stars (with some very beautiful views of the sky) in the midst of First Nations Territories. I enjoyed these descriptions and their holiday though it doesn’t last long for them with the forest fire catching up and they having to escape. Pippin plays a hero’s role here by helping them find a safe path, but getting back o the lodge itself isn’t so easy.
The mysteries or the actual sleuthing as a consequence takes more of a backseat, with Peter’s mind going to them off and on, and some discussion with Kevin and it is only in the later part of the book that it comes front and centre again. There are plenty of suspects but we don’t really get to know them or possible motivations here so it is mostly Peter working out the puzzle from the information he collects. Pippin plays his part here too, with his tracking skills leading them to answers.
It was fun catching up with the characters from the previous books including from the clinic (even Peggy and her dog Emma find a mention—these two I always remember because I too have dogs called Emma and Peggy) as also Laura’s knitting of LOTR and Potter themed things; there’s also some exploration of their town New Selfoss’s Icelandic heritage as some tourists are guided by Laura, keen to be in touch with her own roots. We also get to see Kevin and especially Stuart more closely. Introduced in this book are some mushroom-hunting (morels, specifically) Belarussians staying at the Lodge who make friends with Peter; and some other guests we don’t really get to know.
While I would have liked the mystery/mysteries to be a little more prominent in the book and one part of the solution felt a bit of a letdown, I still thought the book made for a very good read, with plenty of excitement, nature and animals and of course, the characters we now know and feel like old friends.
p. s. While this may count as a spoiler, I will reveal that the huskies themselves come through ok. There are mentions of hunting trophies, hunting and also some taxidermy which may bother some readers, but nothing that is dwelt upon too much.
This third in the Dr Peter Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Canadian veterinarian and author Dr Philipp Schott is rather different from the first two in that it sees Dr Bannerman and his family head out for a vacation, canoeing and camping in Manitoba, but while even before they start their holiday a mystery, in fact two have cropped up, the mysteries stay somewhat on the sidelines as they take their trip, another source of danger becoming far more threatening than even the murderer. But that isn’t to say that the murderer doesn’t intend further harm!
The story opens with Peter travelling to the Dragonfly Lodge where he with his wife Laura, brother-in-law Kevin and Kevin’s partner Stuart are to vacation in a few days as the Lodge’s husky team has suddenly taken very ill, some of them serious. Alongside a plane has gone down in the lake but this turns out not to have been an accident as the pilot was shot. Who could have done this? While Peter starts off the dogs’ treatment, sending the more serious ones on to his clinic, he finds the only possible cause of their illness to be poisoning. Could it be that the killer and poisoner are the same? His mind begins to work on the puzzle and there are some suspicious happenings at night.
Nonetheless he returns with Laura, Kevin and Stuart (and Pippin the dog of course, now famed for his tracking skills) and the four head off for their two-day canoeing and camping trip. Forest fires have affected areas at a distance but the Dragonfly and its surrounds were safe enough, yet right amidst their trip, the fires catch up with them trapping them and putting them in danger of their lives. But that isn’t the only danger for the murderer too is lurking.
This was an enjoyable entry in the series and in its setting and the vacation plot takes us into the Canadian wilderness as Peter and the others enjoy some time out under the stars (with some very beautiful views of the sky) in the midst of First Nations Territories. I enjoyed these descriptions and their holiday though it doesn’t last long for them with the forest fire catching up and they having to escape. Pippin plays a hero’s role here by helping them find a safe path, but getting back o the lodge itself isn’t so easy.
The mysteries or the actual sleuthing as a consequence takes more of a backseat, with Peter’s mind going to them off and on, and some discussion with Kevin and it is only in the later part of the book that it comes front and centre again. There are plenty of suspects but we don’t really get to know them or possible motivations here so it is mostly Peter working out the puzzle from the information he collects. Pippin plays his part here too, with his tracking skills leading them to answers.
It was fun catching up with the characters from the previous books including from the clinic (even Peggy and her dog Emma find a mention—these two I always remember because I too have dogs called Emma and Peggy) as also Laura’s knitting of LOTR and Potter themed things; there’s also some exploration of their town New Selfoss’s Icelandic heritage as some tourists are guided by Laura, keen to be in touch with her own roots. We also get to see Kevin and especially Stuart more closely. Introduced in this book are some mushroom-hunting (morels, specifically) Belarussians staying at the Lodge who make friends with Peter; and some other guests we don’t really get to know.
While I would have liked the mystery/mysteries to be a little more prominent in the book and one part of the solution felt a bit of a letdown, I still thought the book made for a very good read, with plenty of excitement, nature and animals and of course, the characters we now know and feel like old friends.
p. s. While this may count as a spoiler, I will reveal that the huskies themselves come through ok. There are mentions of hunting trophies, hunting and also some taxidermy which may bother some readers, but nothing that is dwelt upon too much.
April 13, 2024
I’m a sucker for a good doggie detective story. While these doggies don’t work with the detective, I still couldn’t pass it up. I also won’t read stories where I know there is animal abuse or where a beloved family pet is brutally killed. Can’t do it! As a long-time, devoted, dog mama, those are triggers for me. However, this one has the sick doggies getting good care and I can attest that none die. I know some readers will be pissed for that spoiler, but there will lots of others that will be glad for that spoiler. I also didn’t know it was actually the third installment in the series when I started, and I guess, it didn’t really matter either, but reading the previous installments would certainly provide more info that would give credibility to Pippin’s exceptional sniffing and detection skills and abilities.
The book summary lays out two of the storylines: Canadian Pet Vet, Peter, arrives at the Dragonfly, a Manitoba lodge, after receiving a call from the lodge owner, John, regarding his legendary Huskie mush team who have all fallen sick. Peter diagnoses them as being poisoned and sends the four sickest to his animal clinic for more intensive treatment and treats the others onsite. The other storyline is the crash of a plane in the river killing its three passengers, all local people with potential enemies that may have wanted to see them dead.
Most of the story revolves around Peter, who is later joined by his wife, Laura, and their dog Pippin, Laura’s brother Kevin (who is a BC Mountie) and Kevin’s husband, Steven. Peter and Pippin are on the hunt to find clues as to what happened to the dogs and if that is related to the plane crash. I love that Peter has long, in-depth conversations with Pippin. Lol😄 I do the same thing. Yes, I know it means absolutely nothing to my fur babies other than they may like the sound of my voice. However, they do possess a small vocabulary of words that they will recognize and respond to and/or react to. Anyway, I totally relate to folks who talk to their dogs. It’s an endearing quirk of us dog people. I also liked that Peter and Laura were Monty Python fans and had no problem breaking out in song and dance from some particular show or skit. Another endearing quirk, only this time, of Monty Python fans.
Well into the second half, the story becomes a closed-door mystery. I figured out the killer about the same time as Peter. I had figured out the other foe as soon as he was introduced. Such is the case for cozy mysteries. However, the end came to a satisfying conclusion. I’m having mixed feelings about the narrator, Miles Meili, though. From the get-go, his voice kind of bothered me; it had that kind of snide inflection and tone to it, and it kind of made Peter sound kind of pretentious, which I didn’t find Peter to be, just…quirky. I’m debating about whether or not I will continue with the series. I noticed that the earlier audiobooks are with the same narrator, so if I do continue with the series, I’ll just read the books instead of listening to the audiobook.
The narration aside for a moment, the storyline and pacing were ok and fine for a cozy mystery. While cozy mysteries aren’t my typical go-to genre, I do enjoy reading them periodically. They’re a nice break from all of the crazy murder and mayhem I typically read. They’re not as thrilling, but enjoyable just the same. However, for me, a narrator can make or break a story. A good one can also be the difference between a 3star rating and a 4star rating because the narration is a big part of the storytelling. I want to thank NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #ECWPressAudio #ElevenHuskies
The book summary lays out two of the storylines: Canadian Pet Vet, Peter, arrives at the Dragonfly, a Manitoba lodge, after receiving a call from the lodge owner, John, regarding his legendary Huskie mush team who have all fallen sick. Peter diagnoses them as being poisoned and sends the four sickest to his animal clinic for more intensive treatment and treats the others onsite. The other storyline is the crash of a plane in the river killing its three passengers, all local people with potential enemies that may have wanted to see them dead.
Most of the story revolves around Peter, who is later joined by his wife, Laura, and their dog Pippin, Laura’s brother Kevin (who is a BC Mountie) and Kevin’s husband, Steven. Peter and Pippin are on the hunt to find clues as to what happened to the dogs and if that is related to the plane crash. I love that Peter has long, in-depth conversations with Pippin. Lol😄 I do the same thing. Yes, I know it means absolutely nothing to my fur babies other than they may like the sound of my voice. However, they do possess a small vocabulary of words that they will recognize and respond to and/or react to. Anyway, I totally relate to folks who talk to their dogs. It’s an endearing quirk of us dog people. I also liked that Peter and Laura were Monty Python fans and had no problem breaking out in song and dance from some particular show or skit. Another endearing quirk, only this time, of Monty Python fans.
Well into the second half, the story becomes a closed-door mystery. I figured out the killer about the same time as Peter. I had figured out the other foe as soon as he was introduced. Such is the case for cozy mysteries. However, the end came to a satisfying conclusion. I’m having mixed feelings about the narrator, Miles Meili, though. From the get-go, his voice kind of bothered me; it had that kind of snide inflection and tone to it, and it kind of made Peter sound kind of pretentious, which I didn’t find Peter to be, just…quirky. I’m debating about whether or not I will continue with the series. I noticed that the earlier audiobooks are with the same narrator, so if I do continue with the series, I’ll just read the books instead of listening to the audiobook.
The narration aside for a moment, the storyline and pacing were ok and fine for a cozy mystery. While cozy mysteries aren’t my typical go-to genre, I do enjoy reading them periodically. They’re a nice break from all of the crazy murder and mayhem I typically read. They’re not as thrilling, but enjoyable just the same. However, for me, a narrator can make or break a story. A good one can also be the difference between a 3star rating and a 4star rating because the narration is a big part of the storytelling. I want to thank NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
#NetGalley #ECWPressAudio #ElevenHuskies
February 19, 2024
Veterinarian Peter and his family are taking a camping/canoeing vacation in northern Manitoba, where he learns that some champion sled dogs have been poisoned, and a floatplane has been shot down, killing three people. Are the two incidents related? Then the vacation is marred by a large forest fire, and someone else is shot when everyone is trapped by the fire. The power goes out, and Peter is sure the murderer is trapped with them. The title is kind of misleading since the huskies aren't really the focus of the story. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 21, 2024
Eleven Huskies is the third book in the Dr Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Canadian veterinarian and author, Philipp Schott. Shortly before he is due to go there on a family canoeing trip, veterinarian and part-time sleuth, Dr Peter Bannerman is called to Dragonfly Lodge to examine some very unwell huskies.
When he arrives, he learns that a float-plane has gone down on the lake that morning, with the loss of three lives and, as he puzzles over what is ailing the dogs, the RCMP report that the pilot was shot, making this a triple murder. As he organises transport to New Selfoss for the sickest dogs, apparently poisoned, he wonders who might have wanted to harm John Reynolds’s prize-winning dogs, coming up with theories that range from credible to utterly outlandish as he uncharacteristically indulges in wild speculation with no basis in fact.
Before returning home, he observes the interplay between Lodge staff, notes a pre-dawn canoe crossing the lake, and is shot at when he visits an old friend at the Dragon Lake First Nation settlement. He can’t help wondering who might have been the target of the plane crash: aside from the pilot, there were a flashy entrepreneur and a local indigenous politician on board; and, not believing in coincidence, he wonders if the poisoning is somehow related.
A few days later, Peter arrives for his trip, this time accompanied by his wife, Laura, his RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin and Kevin’s partner, Stuart, and of course his champion scent dog Pippin. And while Kevin is on vacation, he and Peter can’t help discussing both of the so-far-unsolved mysteries, postulating that everyone at the Lodge, staff and guests, are potential suspects.
In this instalment, Schott subjects his characters to a terrifying ordeal when a natural disaster cuts short their canoeing trip, gives Laura’s seemingly bumbling brother a chance to shine, deprives Peter of a classic locked-room denouement, and has Pippin using his sensitive nose on three occasions, one of which saves the lives of four people.
Peter eventually figures out who the killer is: “This process was always mysterious to him. His mind would meander somewhere that was pleasant but felt irrelevant, and then it would leap across a void to an unseen path that had been running in parallel all along. He wished he understood it so he could harness it properly, but at least it existed at all.” Or does he?
As usual, the prologue is from the perspective of the creatures requiring Peter’s veterinary expertise, and there is a preview of the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens. This is an entertaining and very enjoyable cosy mystery series, and more of quirky Peter Bannerman, Pippin, and their support characters, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and ECW Press
When he arrives, he learns that a float-plane has gone down on the lake that morning, with the loss of three lives and, as he puzzles over what is ailing the dogs, the RCMP report that the pilot was shot, making this a triple murder. As he organises transport to New Selfoss for the sickest dogs, apparently poisoned, he wonders who might have wanted to harm John Reynolds’s prize-winning dogs, coming up with theories that range from credible to utterly outlandish as he uncharacteristically indulges in wild speculation with no basis in fact.
Before returning home, he observes the interplay between Lodge staff, notes a pre-dawn canoe crossing the lake, and is shot at when he visits an old friend at the Dragon Lake First Nation settlement. He can’t help wondering who might have been the target of the plane crash: aside from the pilot, there were a flashy entrepreneur and a local indigenous politician on board; and, not believing in coincidence, he wonders if the poisoning is somehow related.
A few days later, Peter arrives for his trip, this time accompanied by his wife, Laura, his RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin and Kevin’s partner, Stuart, and of course his champion scent dog Pippin. And while Kevin is on vacation, he and Peter can’t help discussing both of the so-far-unsolved mysteries, postulating that everyone at the Lodge, staff and guests, are potential suspects.
In this instalment, Schott subjects his characters to a terrifying ordeal when a natural disaster cuts short their canoeing trip, gives Laura’s seemingly bumbling brother a chance to shine, deprives Peter of a classic locked-room denouement, and has Pippin using his sensitive nose on three occasions, one of which saves the lives of four people.
Peter eventually figures out who the killer is: “This process was always mysterious to him. His mind would meander somewhere that was pleasant but felt irrelevant, and then it would leap across a void to an unseen path that had been running in parallel all along. He wished he understood it so he could harness it properly, but at least it existed at all.” Or does he?
As usual, the prologue is from the perspective of the creatures requiring Peter’s veterinary expertise, and there is a preview of the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens. This is an entertaining and very enjoyable cosy mystery series, and more of quirky Peter Bannerman, Pippin, and their support characters, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and ECW Press
April 13, 2024
Fans of quirky amateur sleuths will love the Dr. Bannerman series. Peter Bannerman is a veterinarian, practicing in a small Manitoba town, close enough to Winnipeg for day trips. He has developed a reputation for being an amateur sleuth (see books 1 and 2 in this series). In Eleven Huskies, he is called to northern Manitoba to see about some very sick huskies. It seems they’ve been poisoned and no one can figure out why. At the same time, a small plane is shot down nearby on Dragonfly Lake. Again, no one can figure out why someone would do that. Coincidentally, the location is where Peter and his wife are scheduled for an upcoming canoe and camping vacation (Peter has friends in the area, and has enjoyed being there before.)
There are some very frightening scenes as Peter and his friends and family are caught in a wildfire while on their camping and canoe vacation, which elevates this story from a “typical” cozy mystery. (The author notes that this was written before the horrific wildfires of the summer of 2023.)
There are a wide variety of people in this story, including visitors from Iceland (Peter’s town has a solid Icelandic heritage), his Nigerian friend Stuart, some mushroom-hunting men from Belorus and First Nation people, including Peter’s friend Lawrence. Peter’s dog, Pippin, plays a large role in the story, with his excellent sense of smell and tracking capabilities.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Miles Meili narrates the audiobook and does an excellent job with the many voices and accents.
Thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
There are some very frightening scenes as Peter and his friends and family are caught in a wildfire while on their camping and canoe vacation, which elevates this story from a “typical” cozy mystery. (The author notes that this was written before the horrific wildfires of the summer of 2023.)
There are a wide variety of people in this story, including visitors from Iceland (Peter’s town has a solid Icelandic heritage), his Nigerian friend Stuart, some mushroom-hunting men from Belorus and First Nation people, including Peter’s friend Lawrence. Peter’s dog, Pippin, plays a large role in the story, with his excellent sense of smell and tracking capabilities.
I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Miles Meili narrates the audiobook and does an excellent job with the many voices and accents.
Thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
April 22, 2024
Eleven Huskies is the third book in the Dr Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Canadian veterinarian and author, Philipp Schott. The audio version is narrated by Miles Meili. Shortly before he is due to go there on a family canoeing trip, veterinarian and part-time sleuth, Dr Peter Bannerman is called to Dragonfly Lodge to examine some very unwell huskies.
When he arrives, he learns that a float-plane has gone down on the lake that morning, with the loss of three lives and, as he puzzles over what is ailing the dogs, the RCMP report that the pilot was shot, making this a triple murder. As he organises transport to New Selfoss for the sickest dogs, apparently poisoned, he wonders who might have wanted to harm John Reynolds’s prize-winning dogs, coming up with theories that range from credible to utterly outlandish as he uncharacteristically indulges in wild speculation with no basis in fact.
Before returning home, he observes the interplay between Lodge staff, notes a pre-dawn canoe crossing the lake, and is shot at when he visits an old friend at the Dragon Lake First Nation settlement. He can’t help wondering who might have been the target of the plane crash: aside from the pilot, there were a flashy entrepreneur and a local indigenous politician on board; and, not believing in coincidence, he wonders if the poisoning is somehow related.
A few days later, Peter arrives for his trip, this time accompanied by his wife, Laura, his RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin and Kevin’s partner, Stuart, and of course his champion scent dog Pippin. And while Kevin is on vacation, he and Peter can’t help discussing both of the so-far-unsolved mysteries, postulating that everyone at the Lodge, staff and guests, are potential suspects.
In this instalment, Schott subjects his characters to a terrifying ordeal when a natural disaster cuts short their canoeing trip, gives Laura’s seemingly bumbling brother a chance to shine, deprives Peter of a classic locked-room denouement, and has Pippin using his sensitive nose on three occasions, one of which saves the lives of four people.
Peter eventually figures out who the killer is: “This process was always mysterious to him. His mind would meander somewhere that was pleasant but felt irrelevant, and then it would leap across a void to an unseen path that had been running in parallel all along. He wished he understood it so he could harness it properly, but at least it existed at all.” Or does he?
As usual, the prologue is from the perspective of the creatures requiring Peter’s veterinary expertise, and there is a preview of the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens. This is an entertaining and very enjoyable cosy mystery series, and more of quirky Peter Bannerman, Pippin, and their support characters, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and ECW Press
When he arrives, he learns that a float-plane has gone down on the lake that morning, with the loss of three lives and, as he puzzles over what is ailing the dogs, the RCMP report that the pilot was shot, making this a triple murder. As he organises transport to New Selfoss for the sickest dogs, apparently poisoned, he wonders who might have wanted to harm John Reynolds’s prize-winning dogs, coming up with theories that range from credible to utterly outlandish as he uncharacteristically indulges in wild speculation with no basis in fact.
Before returning home, he observes the interplay between Lodge staff, notes a pre-dawn canoe crossing the lake, and is shot at when he visits an old friend at the Dragon Lake First Nation settlement. He can’t help wondering who might have been the target of the plane crash: aside from the pilot, there were a flashy entrepreneur and a local indigenous politician on board; and, not believing in coincidence, he wonders if the poisoning is somehow related.
A few days later, Peter arrives for his trip, this time accompanied by his wife, Laura, his RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin and Kevin’s partner, Stuart, and of course his champion scent dog Pippin. And while Kevin is on vacation, he and Peter can’t help discussing both of the so-far-unsolved mysteries, postulating that everyone at the Lodge, staff and guests, are potential suspects.
In this instalment, Schott subjects his characters to a terrifying ordeal when a natural disaster cuts short their canoeing trip, gives Laura’s seemingly bumbling brother a chance to shine, deprives Peter of a classic locked-room denouement, and has Pippin using his sensitive nose on three occasions, one of which saves the lives of four people.
Peter eventually figures out who the killer is: “This process was always mysterious to him. His mind would meander somewhere that was pleasant but felt irrelevant, and then it would leap across a void to an unseen path that had been running in parallel all along. He wished he understood it so he could harness it properly, but at least it existed at all.” Or does he?
As usual, the prologue is from the perspective of the creatures requiring Peter’s veterinary expertise, and there is a preview of the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens. This is an entertaining and very enjoyable cosy mystery series, and more of quirky Peter Bannerman, Pippin, and their support characters, is eagerly anticipated.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and ECW Press
March 25, 2024
I suppose I understand the reason for naming the book Eleven Huskies - so as to fit in with other Bannerman mysteries - but what this book should really be called is A Very Big Fire That Takes Up Over A Third of the Novel plus some dogs.
This is the first Bannerman vet mystery I've listened to but I'm afraid it will be the last.
The story starts with the poisoning of some huskies. You'd sort of expect a self-styled detectective vet to be all over that but he has no idea who did it or what they used. So then we get to the "meat" of the storyline, which is the murder of three people in a plane. Turns out the killer had to be a crack shot who didn't mind collateral damage (ie killing others to claim the real target).
As he's pondering this mystery Dr B, his wife, brother in law and brother in law's partner go off on a canoeing trip into tinder dry countryside when they know there's a fire in the vicinity. What could possibly go wrong?
This is where the book lost me because we're then treated to a good third of the book being all about the fire whilst the murders are tacked on at the end in a ridiculous unbelievable rush - and the great amateur detective even fumbled that.
I thought the plot ludicrous, the solution even more ridiculous and felt the book was a very thinly veiled excuse to write about climate change.
Sorry. Not for me.
The narrator also had a curious delivery which took some getting used to. I'd also question his "Nigerian" accent which wavered between Austrian German and Scandinavian. I'd exhort all narrators not to attempt accents they are not expert at.
Thankyou to Netgalley and ECW Press Audio for the advance review copy.
This is the first Bannerman vet mystery I've listened to but I'm afraid it will be the last.
The story starts with the poisoning of some huskies. You'd sort of expect a self-styled detectective vet to be all over that but he has no idea who did it or what they used. So then we get to the "meat" of the storyline, which is the murder of three people in a plane. Turns out the killer had to be a crack shot who didn't mind collateral damage (ie killing others to claim the real target).
As he's pondering this mystery Dr B, his wife, brother in law and brother in law's partner go off on a canoeing trip into tinder dry countryside when they know there's a fire in the vicinity. What could possibly go wrong?
This is where the book lost me because we're then treated to a good third of the book being all about the fire whilst the murders are tacked on at the end in a ridiculous unbelievable rush - and the great amateur detective even fumbled that.
I thought the plot ludicrous, the solution even more ridiculous and felt the book was a very thinly veiled excuse to write about climate change.
Sorry. Not for me.
The narrator also had a curious delivery which took some getting used to. I'd also question his "Nigerian" accent which wavered between Austrian German and Scandinavian. I'd exhort all narrators not to attempt accents they are not expert at.
Thankyou to Netgalley and ECW Press Audio for the advance review copy.
April 23, 2024
I was feeling nostalgic about the beloved James Herriott books when I requested an early release of Eleven Huskies by Phillip Schott. This cozy mystery is the 3rd book in a series featuring Peter Bannerman, a neurodivergent Canadian vet and amateur detective. In this latest adventure. Peter is on vacation in northern Manitoba with his wife, Laura, beloved dog, Pippin, and brother-in-law, Kevin, who is a member of the Canadian Royal Mounted Police. The lodge owner where they stay asks Peter to care for his team of huskies who may have been poisoned. There’s also a suspicious plane crash that could be related. Peter and his family work to solve the series of mysteries as a terrible forest fire breaks out. It took me some time to get into this novel, but the action really picked up in the last 25%. There were a lot of ancillary characters to keep track of and the climax wrapped up a bit quickly for me. The narrator did a fine job voicing all of the characters, but may have benefited from additional actors to help with different accents. Consider if you enjoy quirky amateur detective stories. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own. Available 5/13/24
Thank you to NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for this advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own. Available 5/13/24
March 25, 2024
4.5 stars
Pro
* The animals 💜💜💜
* Tolkien and No 1 detective agency reference
* Classic locked-room mystery, complete with Agatha Christie reference
* Love Peter with his big heart and all his quirks
* Love the setting
* Very good pacing
* The series is really hitting its stride
Con
* Really dislike the audiobook narrator. He has a nasal tone and an odd inflection that fails to follow the storyline. Terrible accents.
* Very similar to Christi Lefteri’s Book of Fire. Coincidental.
Thank you to Philipp Schott, Miles Meili, ECW Press, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pro
* The animals 💜💜💜
* Tolkien and No 1 detective agency reference
* Classic locked-room mystery, complete with Agatha Christie reference
* Love Peter with his big heart and all his quirks
* Love the setting
* Very good pacing
* The series is really hitting its stride
Con
* Really dislike the audiobook narrator. He has a nasal tone and an odd inflection that fails to follow the storyline. Terrible accents.
* Very similar to Christi Lefteri’s Book of Fire. Coincidental.
Thank you to Philipp Schott, Miles Meili, ECW Press, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2024
Peter Bannerman is looking forward to a vacation, and has one planned with his wife Laura, brother-in-law Kevin and his partner Stuart, and of course Pippin, sniffer dog extraordinaire, to a fishing lodge in northern Manitoba for a canoeing trip. Before they plan to leave, Pete is urgently called there to treat the lodge's owner's sled dog team, who have all been poisoned. When Pete arrives by float plane, he finds the dogs suffering to differing degrees, but knows they need immediate health, which is better provided down south at home.
At the same time, another float plane crashes into the lake, with the pilot and two passengers all dying. The RCMP are called, and it's discovered the pilot was shot from somewhere near the lodge.
When Pete and family arrive some days later for their vacation, all seems well, but the next morning after setting up camp, they are greeted by a forest fire, and what follows is a terrifying trip through forest and water back to the lodge while the fire grows ever closer. Though they get separated and Pete is injured, luck is thankfully with them all.
Once reunited back at the lodge, Pete comes to realize that whoever shot the pilot is at the lodge with them, along with various other guests al equally trapped by the fire, a lack of power, and no way to communicate with the outside world.
I found this entry to have genuinely terrifying moments, especially as the Pete and family must find a safe path through a terrifying spectacle. I could practically feel the crackle, roar and heat as Pete was lying in a shallow bit of muddy water, trying to figure out a way past very fast approaching fire.
The murder mystery was interesting, but honestly not as engaging as the flight to safety. Pete's moments of camaraderie with Stuart (bighearted Kevin's partner) were wonderful, as they both tend to approach the world in similar ways, though Pete's obsessiveness and inability to deal with certain types of behaviours are much more pronounced than Stuart's.
I loved Kevin's dwarven braided beard (it's just like this character to find humour in a every situation) and appreciated the character more than ever with the way he went from relaxed vacationer to RCMP officer when things started to go bad at the lodge.
The poisoned dogs, while seeming to have little to do with the downed float plane, are actually just one of a number of terrible things the murderer does in this novel, and it's actually because of Pete's observation and deduction skills that the killer is finally unmasked.
I enjoy this series for its quirkiness, Pippin (keep giving me more Pippin!) and the gentle humour paired with some fairly dark moments, which this book had plenty of. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Thank you to Netgalley and to ECW Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
At the same time, another float plane crashes into the lake, with the pilot and two passengers all dying. The RCMP are called, and it's discovered the pilot was shot from somewhere near the lodge.
When Pete and family arrive some days later for their vacation, all seems well, but the next morning after setting up camp, they are greeted by a forest fire, and what follows is a terrifying trip through forest and water back to the lodge while the fire grows ever closer. Though they get separated and Pete is injured, luck is thankfully with them all.
Once reunited back at the lodge, Pete comes to realize that whoever shot the pilot is at the lodge with them, along with various other guests al equally trapped by the fire, a lack of power, and no way to communicate with the outside world.
I found this entry to have genuinely terrifying moments, especially as the Pete and family must find a safe path through a terrifying spectacle. I could practically feel the crackle, roar and heat as Pete was lying in a shallow bit of muddy water, trying to figure out a way past very fast approaching fire.
The murder mystery was interesting, but honestly not as engaging as the flight to safety. Pete's moments of camaraderie with Stuart (bighearted Kevin's partner) were wonderful, as they both tend to approach the world in similar ways, though Pete's obsessiveness and inability to deal with certain types of behaviours are much more pronounced than Stuart's.
I loved Kevin's dwarven braided beard (it's just like this character to find humour in a every situation) and appreciated the character more than ever with the way he went from relaxed vacationer to RCMP officer when things started to go bad at the lodge.
The poisoned dogs, while seeming to have little to do with the downed float plane, are actually just one of a number of terrible things the murderer does in this novel, and it's actually because of Pete's observation and deduction skills that the killer is finally unmasked.
I enjoy this series for its quirkiness, Pippin (keep giving me more Pippin!) and the gentle humour paired with some fairly dark moments, which this book had plenty of. I am looking forward to the next instalment.
Thank you to Netgalley and to ECW Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
December 16, 2023
Poor Peter Bannerman! He is planning to enjoy a camping trip in northern Manitoba with his family, including his dog Pippin, of course, but their plans are sidetracked when the owner of a local lodge asks him to look at his sled dogs, who appear to have eaten something poisonous. On his way to examine the dogs, Peter encounters some officials from the Traffic Safety Board who are investigating a plane wreck that resulted in the deaths of the three people aboard, and the investigators recruit Pippin’s champion sniffing skills. Peter and Pippin help with both issues, but when they finally embark on the planned canoe trip, they are again thwarted by a raging forest fire. It appears the dogs were probably poisoned, and it is clear that the plane was shot down. Are these unusual incidents possibly related?
The plot thickens further, and there is certainly enough excitement and intrigue to make for a good read, but what I enjoyed most in this book as well as the others in the series are the absorbing setting, the cast of characters, and the warm, engaging vibe, despite the dreadful things that take place. Like most Americans, I know very little about Manitoba, and it was extremely interesting to hear about it. Like Peter Bannerman, the author lives in Manitoba and clearly loves its natural beauty as much as Peter does. The descriptions of the outdoors were lovely, even a stunning description of the sun setting behind the forest fire.
Peter is a marvelous protagonist. He is definitely a bit further along the autistic spectrum than most people, an organized almost obsessively analytic problem solver who is not too perceptive about people. This adds a lot to my enjoyment of the book because of his knowledge and descriptions of things like “Poisson clumps” (Look THAT one up!). It also makes him a vet I would want taking care of MY animals; when he arrives at the lodge, he insists on seeing the sick dogs before he even visits his cabin. His wife Laura, who knits for a living, provides a nice balance to Peter’s idiosyncrasy, and Laura’s RCMP investigator brother Kevin and his boyfriend Stuart, a Nigerian-born accountant, complete the wishful camping group.
Of course, Peter sees his way to the solution of the crimes. The story certainly kept me engaged, but the denouement was perhaps the weakest part of the book. Nonetheless, the ENDING was perfect and left me with a big smile on my face.
If you have not read the first two books in the series, you can enjoy this book anyway, but I highly recommend you read Fifty-four Pigs and Six Ostriches first so you can get to know the characters and enjoy Manitoba. I also recommend Schott’s memoir, The Accidental Veterinarian.
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher.
The plot thickens further, and there is certainly enough excitement and intrigue to make for a good read, but what I enjoyed most in this book as well as the others in the series are the absorbing setting, the cast of characters, and the warm, engaging vibe, despite the dreadful things that take place. Like most Americans, I know very little about Manitoba, and it was extremely interesting to hear about it. Like Peter Bannerman, the author lives in Manitoba and clearly loves its natural beauty as much as Peter does. The descriptions of the outdoors were lovely, even a stunning description of the sun setting behind the forest fire.
Peter is a marvelous protagonist. He is definitely a bit further along the autistic spectrum than most people, an organized almost obsessively analytic problem solver who is not too perceptive about people. This adds a lot to my enjoyment of the book because of his knowledge and descriptions of things like “Poisson clumps” (Look THAT one up!). It also makes him a vet I would want taking care of MY animals; when he arrives at the lodge, he insists on seeing the sick dogs before he even visits his cabin. His wife Laura, who knits for a living, provides a nice balance to Peter’s idiosyncrasy, and Laura’s RCMP investigator brother Kevin and his boyfriend Stuart, a Nigerian-born accountant, complete the wishful camping group.
Of course, Peter sees his way to the solution of the crimes. The story certainly kept me engaged, but the denouement was perhaps the weakest part of the book. Nonetheless, the ENDING was perfect and left me with a big smile on my face.
If you have not read the first two books in the series, you can enjoy this book anyway, but I highly recommend you read Fifty-four Pigs and Six Ostriches first so you can get to know the characters and enjoy Manitoba. I also recommend Schott’s memoir, The Accidental Veterinarian.
I received an advance review copy of this book from Edelweiss and the publisher.
April 18, 2024
The lodge’s huskies are sick so Peter, the nearest vet, flies up from Manitoba to check them out. They’ve been poisoned, but why and by whom? At the same time, a seaplane carrying a couple of important people has crashed. Are the cases related? The RCMP are too busy to look into the dogs between the plane crash and the threatening wildfires. But those poor dogs! Pete and his wife, along with his brother-in-law and his partner, agree to look into the dog situation while on their upcoming canoe trip not too far from the lodge. Naturally they get embroiled in far more than they expected, and ultimately help solve both the mystery of the dogs and of the seaplane crash.
I enjoyed the setup of this mystery, the quirky, on-the-spectrum musings of Peter, and the Canadian wilderness setting. It was my first time reading this author and while I typically prefer to start a series from book one, I found this easy to follow and enjoyable.
My only negative response was to the audiobook narrator. He has a strangely flat delivery that made it difficult to stay engaged until I got used to it. I had thought about abandoning the book, but I’m glad I stuck it out. Finally, about halfway through I no longer noticed the delivery. In retrospect, the intonation (or lack thereof) could have been related to Peter’s character. In any case, I look forward to reading more in the series.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and to #NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.
I enjoyed the setup of this mystery, the quirky, on-the-spectrum musings of Peter, and the Canadian wilderness setting. It was my first time reading this author and while I typically prefer to start a series from book one, I found this easy to follow and enjoyable.
My only negative response was to the audiobook narrator. He has a strangely flat delivery that made it difficult to stay engaged until I got used to it. I had thought about abandoning the book, but I’m glad I stuck it out. Finally, about halfway through I no longer noticed the delivery. In retrospect, the intonation (or lack thereof) could have been related to Peter’s character. In any case, I look forward to reading more in the series.
My thanks to the author, publisher, and to #NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.
May 22, 2024
"Eleven Huskies" by Philipp Schott is a part of the Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery Series. It really isn't a cozy mystery as it gets pretty violent. It's a good thriller that's hard to put down, as the action is very exciting.
TW: pet abuse,
Trapped in a forest fire,
Gunshots
Dr. Bannerman is on the autism spectrum, and he's also brilliant. His dog, Pippin, is very well trained and a fun character to read about.
Characters - 4/5
Main characters are well described.. not so much the rest of the crew at the lodge.
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 3/5 by Miles Mielli. I didn't care for his voice and voice used for Peter.
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, ECW Press Audio, and Philipp Schott for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
TW: pet abuse,
Trapped in a forest fire,
Gunshots
Dr. Bannerman is on the autism spectrum, and he's also brilliant. His dog, Pippin, is very well trained and a fun character to read about.
Characters - 4/5
Main characters are well described.. not so much the rest of the crew at the lodge.
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 4/5
Pacing - 5/5
Unputdownability - 5/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Narration - 3/5 by Miles Mielli. I didn't care for his voice and voice used for Peter.
Cover - 3/5
Overall - 3.5/5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley, ECW Press Audio, and Philipp Schott for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
January 4, 2025
A weak third entry in the Bannerman vet series. An imbalance of sitting around talking and Peter figuring things out in his head. Heavy emphasis on a forest fire; a plethora of unconvincing forced red herrings. A lack of suspense in this one, which is a little too much faux Agatha Christie puzzle. I liked the introduction of Littlebear, who appeared too seldom. For me the elements just didn't add up. Hoping Schott returns to the more action based plot in which suspense rises from events rather than discussion.
May 29, 2024
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Eleven Huskies is the third Dr. Bannerman veterinary mystery by Dr. Philipp Schott. Released 14th May 2024 by ECW Press, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a credible follow up to the first two books in the series, featuring an amateur sleuth who is also a veterinarian and somewhat neurodivergent (but high-functioning) protagonist alongside his trusty canine sidekick Pippin, a husky/lab/border collie mix with a gifted sense of smell and an unusually high degree of intelligence to go with it. Dr. Bannerman struck me as an odd guy, generally likeable but also stubborn and often pedantic. Readers who enjoy nerdy culture references with which the author liberally sprinkles around in the story will find a lot to enjoy here. Additionally, it's cool that Bannerman's wife is a nerdy fibre artist and knitting designer.
The book is well plotted and moves along at a good clip; definitely action driven and engaging. Un usually in this case, the characterizations are above average and believably rendered. There were a few places in the book where the dialogue didn't ring true at all, but all in all, well written and enjoyably readable. The overarching mystery is heavily foreshadowed and not a surprise, but there were motivations and hidden aspects which definitely are unexpected and twisty. The climax, denouement, and resolution had a bit too much deus-ex-machina to be entirely satisfying, but overall it's an enjoyable, readable mystery set in rural Canada.
It's not really a cozy mystery at all and shares more in common with modern medical thrillers than "James Herriot". The author is clearly familiar with rural Manitoba and he does a great job describing the weather, the area, and the history of the place. There is some on-page violence as well as some mildly graphic descriptions of blood, shooting, poisoning (including animals) and *long* and harrowing descriptions of forest fires and danger of immolation. Language and dialogue are mostly PG rated shading toward the R-rated end of the spectrum. Also, there's explicit violence toward animals and very sensitive readers might want to check the discussion threads (spoiler: the dog doesn't die).
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 31 minutes and is capably narrated by series narrator Miles Meili. He has a rugged and rough-edged baritone which suits the dialogue very well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
Four stars. Very enjoyable, looking forward to seeing what comes next for Peter, Laura, and Pippin (&co). The author/publisher have included a sneak peek at the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens at the back of the book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Eleven Huskies is the third Dr. Bannerman veterinary mystery by Dr. Philipp Schott. Released 14th May 2024 by ECW Press, it's 256 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.
This is a credible follow up to the first two books in the series, featuring an amateur sleuth who is also a veterinarian and somewhat neurodivergent (but high-functioning) protagonist alongside his trusty canine sidekick Pippin, a husky/lab/border collie mix with a gifted sense of smell and an unusually high degree of intelligence to go with it. Dr. Bannerman struck me as an odd guy, generally likeable but also stubborn and often pedantic. Readers who enjoy nerdy culture references with which the author liberally sprinkles around in the story will find a lot to enjoy here. Additionally, it's cool that Bannerman's wife is a nerdy fibre artist and knitting designer.
The book is well plotted and moves along at a good clip; definitely action driven and engaging. Un usually in this case, the characterizations are above average and believably rendered. There were a few places in the book where the dialogue didn't ring true at all, but all in all, well written and enjoyably readable. The overarching mystery is heavily foreshadowed and not a surprise, but there were motivations and hidden aspects which definitely are unexpected and twisty. The climax, denouement, and resolution had a bit too much deus-ex-machina to be entirely satisfying, but overall it's an enjoyable, readable mystery set in rural Canada.
It's not really a cozy mystery at all and shares more in common with modern medical thrillers than "James Herriot". The author is clearly familiar with rural Manitoba and he does a great job describing the weather, the area, and the history of the place. There is some on-page violence as well as some mildly graphic descriptions of blood, shooting, poisoning (including animals) and *long* and harrowing descriptions of forest fires and danger of immolation. Language and dialogue are mostly PG rated shading toward the R-rated end of the spectrum. Also, there's explicit violence toward animals and very sensitive readers might want to check the discussion threads (spoiler: the dog doesn't die).
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 31 minutes and is capably narrated by series narrator Miles Meili. He has a rugged and rough-edged baritone which suits the dialogue very well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.
Four stars. Very enjoyable, looking forward to seeing what comes next for Peter, Laura, and Pippin (&co). The author/publisher have included a sneak peek at the fourth book in the series, Three Bengal Kittens at the back of the book.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
April 3, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook.
Peter Bannerman gets a call about sick sled dogs and thus begins the series of events in this book. A camping trip gone wrong, a mysterious plane crash, and a legit firestorm is unleashed on this Canadian vacation lodge and it seems that only Peter and his family can make sense of it all.
Book review - I can admit when something isn't my cup of tea (Peterism intended). I love a good mystery and add some dogs into the mix....sign me up. I also love books with neurodivergent main characters. It adds a level of interest that can be quite charming. However, this book misses the mark a bit. Peter's condition (which I think is autism/Asperger's but I can't be sure) overpowers the rest of the story. I truly understand what the author was trying to do. It just seems that he missed the mark a bit. I don't know if some of the Peterisms were supposed to be funny or obnoxious or endearing. It is obvious that people like Peter, but we are just in his head too much in this book (which is odd because it's written in 3rd person). In addition to my failure to connect with Peter (which may be the point), I felt like parts of the story dragged on forever but that the ending was rushed and confusing. I did not feel satisfied with the culprit, motive, method combo that was given.
Audio review - I was not crazy about this narrator. I normally listen to audio books at 1.5x or 1.75x speed so that I can blast through them. So when this narrator (male) sounded like Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek, I figured that it was the speed that caused him to sound that way. I slowed the audio down to 1.0x and it got worse. So, I sped it back up and hoped that it would get better. It, in fact, did not get better.
Peter Bannerman gets a call about sick sled dogs and thus begins the series of events in this book. A camping trip gone wrong, a mysterious plane crash, and a legit firestorm is unleashed on this Canadian vacation lodge and it seems that only Peter and his family can make sense of it all.
Book review - I can admit when something isn't my cup of tea (Peterism intended). I love a good mystery and add some dogs into the mix....sign me up. I also love books with neurodivergent main characters. It adds a level of interest that can be quite charming. However, this book misses the mark a bit. Peter's condition (which I think is autism/Asperger's but I can't be sure) overpowers the rest of the story. I truly understand what the author was trying to do. It just seems that he missed the mark a bit. I don't know if some of the Peterisms were supposed to be funny or obnoxious or endearing. It is obvious that people like Peter, but we are just in his head too much in this book (which is odd because it's written in 3rd person). In addition to my failure to connect with Peter (which may be the point), I felt like parts of the story dragged on forever but that the ending was rushed and confusing. I did not feel satisfied with the culprit, motive, method combo that was given.
Audio review - I was not crazy about this narrator. I normally listen to audio books at 1.5x or 1.75x speed so that I can blast through them. So when this narrator (male) sounded like Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek, I figured that it was the speed that caused him to sound that way. I slowed the audio down to 1.0x and it got worse. So, I sped it back up and hoped that it would get better. It, in fact, did not get better.
April 4, 2024
This might be my favourite of the Dr. Bannerman series so far. The remote wilderness was a nice change of setting from the previous two books. The plot was entertaining and thrilling, and I enjoyed the main character and his interactions with the others.
Some parts of the plot seemed a bit rushed or convenient, but I still found it to be a fun read. I look forward to seeing Peter in the next book.
Thanks to ECW Press for the ARC!
Some parts of the plot seemed a bit rushed or convenient, but I still found it to be a fun read. I look forward to seeing Peter in the next book.
Thanks to ECW Press for the ARC!
June 9, 2024
2.5/5 stars. Reasonably entertaining but a CRIMINALLY underwhelming amount of huskies (like, yes, there were eleven, but they were like barely relevant to the book and never showed up) (criminally is not a pun because of the crimes in this book, I'm just mad) (two parentheticals in a row feels weird, maybe a third will help). I also didn't find the reveal or the solution to the mystery or whatever all that satisfying, so the ending fell flat for me despite a lot of action/excitement in the final chapters.
Pippin is a good good boy.
Pippin is a good good boy.
December 6, 2023
A very enjoyable mystery! Dr Bannerman, a vet, is called to investgate the poisoning of eleven huskies at the same time as a small plane crash nearby. He's a very methodical, orderly and precise man which leads him eventually to conclude the two incidents must be related. And so starts his investigation into the two incidents, together with his wife, his dog Pippin, and his RCMP brother-in-law. This was more than a cosy mystery but less than a heavy thriller. A comfortable, easy reading mystery. This is the third book in the series. I haven't read the first two books but I was able to pick up the characters and references quite easily. The only thing that isn't mentioned is what type of dog Pippin is! Maybe that's in the other two books! All round good read!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2024
Whilst on holiday in a Manitoba lodge with his dog Pippin, veternarian Peter Bannerman has his asleuthing skills put to the test when the lodge's huskies are found to have been poisoned. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
April 2, 2024
Peter is a vet on holiday in northern Manitoba with his wife and dog. Should be a relaxing canoeing break but when huskies get poisoned and a floatplane is downed these are mysteries to be uncovered.
Enjoyed this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters and plotline. Well paced with twists. Need to resolve mysteries while avoiding the forest fires. Enjoy.
Enjoyed this well written and well narrated novel (I listened to the audiobook). Good characters and plotline. Well paced with twists. Need to resolve mysteries while avoiding the forest fires. Enjoy.
December 16, 2023
4.5 Stars. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of Eleven Huskies by Dr. Philipp Schott. Having enjoyed the two previous books featuring Dr. Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, I immediately moved it to the top of my reading list. Recently, I have been struggling with finishing several books and even not completing a couple. I felt this would be an entertaining remedy for my reading slump due to my experience reading about Dr. Peter's compelling exploits. I found this intriguing mystery even better than the previous two crime books in the series.
The author, Dr. Schott, lives in Winnipeg and has many years of clinical practice in veterinary medicine. Before starting this fictional series, he wrote popular books of anecdotes and essays about his clinical experiences as a vet. His fictional series, starring Dr. Peter Bannerman, describes a man who gets involved in criminal cases due to the animals connected, much to the dismay of his wife, who fears for his safety. His brother-in-law, Kevin, is a member of the RCMP and regards Peter's investigations as interference in police procedures.
Dr. Peter is much admired and respected as a capable and caring veterinarian by pet owners, but he is regarded as odd in the community. He has obsessive-compulsive traits and minor characteristics of autism. He has displayed some difficulty in socializing and in reading people. He does feel emotions but submerges them with rational, logical thought guided by order, numbers, lists, and his love of puzzles. In this book, his unusual thought patterns and problems conversing with people are not as noticeable. He has been following advice and making a great effort to socialize and talk to people.
Dr. Peter makes a quick trip to the north of Manitoba before a family camping holiday. The remote area is noted for visitors who hunt in the forests and fish in the lakes. The writing is descriptive and atmospheric, and the characters are intriguing and believable. He discovers that a lodge owner has eleven husky sled dogs that have fallen sick. It is believed that someone poisoned their food. Dr. Peter arranges to have the sick animals transported south to Winnipeg for further diagnosis and vet care. He also learns that a floatplane has been shot down, and three people on board have been killed. He feels that the two crimes must be more than a coincidence.
After a quick flight home, he returns for the camping adventure with his champion sniffer dog, Pippin, his wife, her brother, RCMP officer Kevin and Kevin's significant other. Peter is obsessed with the well-being of the sled dogs now in Winnipeg, and a way the plane shot down may be connected. The situation surely won't interfere with a pleasant camping vacation in the wilderness. A raging forest fire approaches, and the group must run for their lives. The firestorm rapidly surrounds them, and Peter's eyes are temporarily damaged. Some unexpected help saves their lives and gets them back to the lodge.
The complex plot now shifts to a locked room mystery. There are twenty-four inside the lodge, and one may be a killer. There is a former guide and trapper that Kevin suspects. He resembles Santa Claus and is friendly and jovial, but he is considered a loony and wanders around outside with a gun. Did he set the fires? Among the guests are American fishermen and three Belorussian men gathering mushrooms. Why would they come all the way for mushrooms? Kevin suspects a nefarious purpose. It is known that one of the staff members has a criminal record. Peter believes he has worked out a motive involving a deranged, frustrated romantic obsession. The generators go out in the blizzard, and the fire approaches the lodge. The radio has been broken. Who is sabotaging the equipment?
Everything is thrown into darkness. A shot rings out, and someone is seriously wounded. The people gathered in the darkened room are terrified. Who will be the next victim? Physical fights break out as they struggle to save themselves from the gunman. Have Peter or Kevin come closest to figuring out the solution to the crime spree, or is it too late? Will the lodge catch on fire amid all the terror and chaos?
Recommended to readers who like complex crime stories, especially ones involving animals. The publication date will be in May.
The author, Dr. Schott, lives in Winnipeg and has many years of clinical practice in veterinary medicine. Before starting this fictional series, he wrote popular books of anecdotes and essays about his clinical experiences as a vet. His fictional series, starring Dr. Peter Bannerman, describes a man who gets involved in criminal cases due to the animals connected, much to the dismay of his wife, who fears for his safety. His brother-in-law, Kevin, is a member of the RCMP and regards Peter's investigations as interference in police procedures.
Dr. Peter is much admired and respected as a capable and caring veterinarian by pet owners, but he is regarded as odd in the community. He has obsessive-compulsive traits and minor characteristics of autism. He has displayed some difficulty in socializing and in reading people. He does feel emotions but submerges them with rational, logical thought guided by order, numbers, lists, and his love of puzzles. In this book, his unusual thought patterns and problems conversing with people are not as noticeable. He has been following advice and making a great effort to socialize and talk to people.
Dr. Peter makes a quick trip to the north of Manitoba before a family camping holiday. The remote area is noted for visitors who hunt in the forests and fish in the lakes. The writing is descriptive and atmospheric, and the characters are intriguing and believable. He discovers that a lodge owner has eleven husky sled dogs that have fallen sick. It is believed that someone poisoned their food. Dr. Peter arranges to have the sick animals transported south to Winnipeg for further diagnosis and vet care. He also learns that a floatplane has been shot down, and three people on board have been killed. He feels that the two crimes must be more than a coincidence.
After a quick flight home, he returns for the camping adventure with his champion sniffer dog, Pippin, his wife, her brother, RCMP officer Kevin and Kevin's significant other. Peter is obsessed with the well-being of the sled dogs now in Winnipeg, and a way the plane shot down may be connected. The situation surely won't interfere with a pleasant camping vacation in the wilderness. A raging forest fire approaches, and the group must run for their lives. The firestorm rapidly surrounds them, and Peter's eyes are temporarily damaged. Some unexpected help saves their lives and gets them back to the lodge.
The complex plot now shifts to a locked room mystery. There are twenty-four inside the lodge, and one may be a killer. There is a former guide and trapper that Kevin suspects. He resembles Santa Claus and is friendly and jovial, but he is considered a loony and wanders around outside with a gun. Did he set the fires? Among the guests are American fishermen and three Belorussian men gathering mushrooms. Why would they come all the way for mushrooms? Kevin suspects a nefarious purpose. It is known that one of the staff members has a criminal record. Peter believes he has worked out a motive involving a deranged, frustrated romantic obsession. The generators go out in the blizzard, and the fire approaches the lodge. The radio has been broken. Who is sabotaging the equipment?
Everything is thrown into darkness. A shot rings out, and someone is seriously wounded. The people gathered in the darkened room are terrified. Who will be the next victim? Physical fights break out as they struggle to save themselves from the gunman. Have Peter or Kevin come closest to figuring out the solution to the crime spree, or is it too late? Will the lodge catch on fire amid all the terror and chaos?
Recommended to readers who like complex crime stories, especially ones involving animals. The publication date will be in May.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley & ECW Press Audio for the ARC of Philipp Scott’s latest Dr. Bannerman mystery. I’ve been following Peter & Pippin's adventures from the start so was thrilled to get an early listen. I wasn’t disappointed although I didn't appreciate Eleven Huskies as much as I did the previous book, Six Ostriches. As a neurodivergent geek who worked in the veterinary field for close to 30 years, I enjoy the autistic Dr. Bannerman, the animals and veterinary references, the nods to geek culture.
Like the prior titles in the Dr. Bannerman series, the mystery begins with a veterinary call-out that embroils Peter in a human murder mystery. Peter flies to a lodge in northern Manitoba where the owner’s sled dog team of huskies have suddenly fallen ill. He arrives on the same flight as the team investigating a small plane crash in the nearby lake. Peter quickly realizes that the dogs have been poisoned, as it’s discovered that the plane's pilot was shot. Of course Peter can't believe the two events aren't related, and he begins considering suspects.
We get some old friends returning, as Peter's wife, Laura, brother-in-law Kevin, and Kevin's partner Stuart, along with Pippin the scent tracking dog head on a kayak trip based out of the same lodge. A rapidly spreading forest fire leads to a closed room mystery situation, Peter’s life is put in danger. Peter, Laura, and RCPM Kevin narrow down the suspects with Pippin's help. Just a typical vacation in the life of a northern Canadian veterinarian!
As always in a Dr. Bannerman mystery, the animals (especially Pippin) play a key role. Rest assured that we still get mentions of tea, the expected Lord of the Rings references, and neurodivergent Peter's personality shining through. Miles Mieli returns to narrate this third mystery. I appreciate his somewhat nasal delivery & by this point expect him to be Peter's voice. Although it's not necessary to read the prior books first, you'll definitely appreciate the recurring cast of characters more if you do.
I did find the mystery more involved in the previous book (Six Ostriches) and missed the history & Nordic mythology that we received in this earlier book. The second half of Eleven Huskies, with the closed room situation, justifiably led the sleuths to Agatha Christie references but didn't give Peter as much opportunity to sleuth. This was still a fun, engaging addition to the Dr. Bannerman series. A solid 4 star listen.
Like the prior titles in the Dr. Bannerman series, the mystery begins with a veterinary call-out that embroils Peter in a human murder mystery. Peter flies to a lodge in northern Manitoba where the owner’s sled dog team of huskies have suddenly fallen ill. He arrives on the same flight as the team investigating a small plane crash in the nearby lake. Peter quickly realizes that the dogs have been poisoned, as it’s discovered that the plane's pilot was shot. Of course Peter can't believe the two events aren't related, and he begins considering suspects.
We get some old friends returning, as Peter's wife, Laura, brother-in-law Kevin, and Kevin's partner Stuart, along with Pippin the scent tracking dog head on a kayak trip based out of the same lodge. A rapidly spreading forest fire leads to a closed room mystery situation, Peter’s life is put in danger. Peter, Laura, and RCPM Kevin narrow down the suspects with Pippin's help. Just a typical vacation in the life of a northern Canadian veterinarian!
As always in a Dr. Bannerman mystery, the animals (especially Pippin) play a key role. Rest assured that we still get mentions of tea, the expected Lord of the Rings references, and neurodivergent Peter's personality shining through. Miles Mieli returns to narrate this third mystery. I appreciate his somewhat nasal delivery & by this point expect him to be Peter's voice. Although it's not necessary to read the prior books first, you'll definitely appreciate the recurring cast of characters more if you do.
I did find the mystery more involved in the previous book (Six Ostriches) and missed the history & Nordic mythology that we received in this earlier book. The second half of Eleven Huskies, with the closed room situation, justifiably led the sleuths to Agatha Christie references but didn't give Peter as much opportunity to sleuth. This was still a fun, engaging addition to the Dr. Bannerman series. A solid 4 star listen.
March 18, 2024
I had the pleasure of both reading and listening to the audio of Philipp Schott's latest addition to his veterinarian Dr Peter Bannerman, an on the spectrum amateur sleuth series set in Manitoba in Canada. The audio is once again ably narrated by Miles Meili, with clarity, with the ability to keep me immersed in the gripping mystery from beginning to end, it is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes long, and includes the start of the next in the series at the end. Peter finds himself called to a remote fishing lodge in the beautiful Canadian wilderness, where John, the owner, has had his 11 husky sled team poisoned, with the leader of the pack suffering the most, with serious liver damage. As it happens, a seaplane has come down, with the pilot and his 2 passengers killed.
It turns out it is a case of murder, Peter is planning to come back here for a break, first returning home to his wife, Laura, and, along with RMCP police officer and brother-in-law, Kevin, and his Nigerian partner, Stuart, pack for a kayaking and hiking holiday, staying at the Lodge, accompanied by beloved smart, well known sniffer dog, Pippin, Peter, being the curious soul and lover of puzzles that he is, cannot help but investigate, thinking the poisonings and the seaplane murders are probably connected. While the landscape is breathtaking, the group unfortunately find themselves caught in the terrifying firestorms, so intense and harrowing that even the lodge comes under threat, a dangerous lodge that harbours a killer amongst its guests and staff. Matters worsen with the increasing chaos as the fire storms come closer, and with the lack of power and no communications. Will Peter be able to sift through the host of suspects to arrive at the truth?
For me, it is Peter's quirky obsessive personality that often struggles to understand other humans, along with the animals that come with his profession that make this such a delightfully engaging crime series. The sense of location here is marvellous, and we get an all too real feel for the horrors of the damage and fear that fire storms bring to the local area and its population. This is a wonderfully entertaining and compelling mystery series with an appealing protagonist and I recommend both the book and the audio to readers and listeners interested in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC and ALC.
It turns out it is a case of murder, Peter is planning to come back here for a break, first returning home to his wife, Laura, and, along with RMCP police officer and brother-in-law, Kevin, and his Nigerian partner, Stuart, pack for a kayaking and hiking holiday, staying at the Lodge, accompanied by beloved smart, well known sniffer dog, Pippin, Peter, being the curious soul and lover of puzzles that he is, cannot help but investigate, thinking the poisonings and the seaplane murders are probably connected. While the landscape is breathtaking, the group unfortunately find themselves caught in the terrifying firestorms, so intense and harrowing that even the lodge comes under threat, a dangerous lodge that harbours a killer amongst its guests and staff. Matters worsen with the increasing chaos as the fire storms come closer, and with the lack of power and no communications. Will Peter be able to sift through the host of suspects to arrive at the truth?
For me, it is Peter's quirky obsessive personality that often struggles to understand other humans, along with the animals that come with his profession that make this such a delightfully engaging crime series. The sense of location here is marvellous, and we get an all too real feel for the horrors of the damage and fear that fire storms bring to the local area and its population. This is a wonderfully entertaining and compelling mystery series with an appealing protagonist and I recommend both the book and the audio to readers and listeners interested in the series. Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC and ALC.
July 25, 2024
Dr Peter Bannerman, veterinarian and amateur detective, is planning a holiday at the Dragonfly Lodge in northern Manitoba. But, just days before, he receives an urgent call from the Lodge. Their champion sled dogs have suddenly become very ill. Peter has flown up alone in response and quickly realizes they have been poisoned. While there, he hears of another recent deadly mishap. A plane has crashed not far from the Lodge, killing everyone on board. Later, it is discovered the pilot was shot.
For once, however, Peter puts his love of sleuthing aside, determined to have a normal quiet vacation and returns to the Lodge with his wife, His RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin, Kevin's significant other, Stuart, and Peter’s prize winning sniffer dog, Pippin. But things don’t go quite as planned and, soon, they find themselves in an even worse danger than a simple poisoning or homicide.
Eleven Huskies is the third novel in A Dr Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Philip Schott, Canadian author and veterinarian and this has fast become one of my favourite series. I love the main characters all of whom are well-drawn. I also enjoy how the stories open with the thoughts of one of the animals referred to in the title and that, often an animal, in this case Pippin, becomes the real hero.
The books are listed as cozy mysteries and there are certainly elements of that including the main protagonist as amateur sleuth. But there is also elements of a thriller in the amount of action and violence. And, in the case of this story, there is even a touch of the adventure story as they are confronted by a fast-moving and out-of-control wildfire.
Throughout, there are plenty of twists and turns and tension to keep the reader flipping pages. All this, along with likeable characters and a satisfying ending, makes Eleven Huskies a very enjoyable read and I look forward to more Dr Bannerman mysteries in the future. I read an eARC of the book while listening to the audiobook narrated by Miles Meili who does an excellent job.
I received the eARC from Netgalley and ECW Press and the audiobook from ECW Press Audio
For once, however, Peter puts his love of sleuthing aside, determined to have a normal quiet vacation and returns to the Lodge with his wife, His RCMP brother-in-law, Kevin, Kevin's significant other, Stuart, and Peter’s prize winning sniffer dog, Pippin. But things don’t go quite as planned and, soon, they find themselves in an even worse danger than a simple poisoning or homicide.
Eleven Huskies is the third novel in A Dr Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Philip Schott, Canadian author and veterinarian and this has fast become one of my favourite series. I love the main characters all of whom are well-drawn. I also enjoy how the stories open with the thoughts of one of the animals referred to in the title and that, often an animal, in this case Pippin, becomes the real hero.
The books are listed as cozy mysteries and there are certainly elements of that including the main protagonist as amateur sleuth. But there is also elements of a thriller in the amount of action and violence. And, in the case of this story, there is even a touch of the adventure story as they are confronted by a fast-moving and out-of-control wildfire.
Throughout, there are plenty of twists and turns and tension to keep the reader flipping pages. All this, along with likeable characters and a satisfying ending, makes Eleven Huskies a very enjoyable read and I look forward to more Dr Bannerman mysteries in the future. I read an eARC of the book while listening to the audiobook narrated by Miles Meili who does an excellent job.
I received the eARC from Netgalley and ECW Press and the audiobook from ECW Press Audio
March 10, 2024
Review of “Eleven Huskies” by Philipp Schott.
Disclaimer: Please note that I received an ARC audiobook copy of this book from ECW Press Audio and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I stumbled upon “Eleven Huskies: A Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery” by Philipp Schott, I was immediately intrigued, being a Canadian and a husky owner myself. This captivating story, set against the backdrop of Canada’s wilderness, surpassed all my expectations, especially when experienced through the engaging narration by Miles Meili in its audiobook format.
Peter Bannerman, a veterinarian and amateur detective, embarks on a summer vacation with his family to a remote fishing lodge in northern Manitoba. What starts as a peaceful getaway soon turns into a series of chilling events, including the poisoning of the lodge’s sled team of huskies and a tragic plane crash. As Peter races against time to uncover the truth, the suspenseful plot keeps listeners on the edge of their seats with each unexpected twist and turn.
Schott’s storytelling skills bring the wilderness to life, immersing listeners in the heart of the action. The mystery is skillfully crafted, keeping me guessing until the very end. Miles Meili’s narration adds depth and immersion to the experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the story.
If you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, gripping mysteries, and, of course, dogs, “Eleven Huskies” is a must-listen, and can be read as a standalone to the series. I highly recommend preordering this gem in audiobook format for a thrilling journey. This exciting tale releases on May 14th, both in digital and paperback formats, with the audiobook likely available on the same day, although it’s not officially listed on the publisher’s website.
Disclaimer: Please note that I received an ARC audiobook copy of this book from ECW Press Audio and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
When I stumbled upon “Eleven Huskies: A Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery” by Philipp Schott, I was immediately intrigued, being a Canadian and a husky owner myself. This captivating story, set against the backdrop of Canada’s wilderness, surpassed all my expectations, especially when experienced through the engaging narration by Miles Meili in its audiobook format.
Peter Bannerman, a veterinarian and amateur detective, embarks on a summer vacation with his family to a remote fishing lodge in northern Manitoba. What starts as a peaceful getaway soon turns into a series of chilling events, including the poisoning of the lodge’s sled team of huskies and a tragic plane crash. As Peter races against time to uncover the truth, the suspenseful plot keeps listeners on the edge of their seats with each unexpected twist and turn.
Schott’s storytelling skills bring the wilderness to life, immersing listeners in the heart of the action. The mystery is skillfully crafted, keeping me guessing until the very end. Miles Meili’s narration adds depth and immersion to the experience, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the story.
If you’re a fan of outdoor adventures, gripping mysteries, and, of course, dogs, “Eleven Huskies” is a must-listen, and can be read as a standalone to the series. I highly recommend preordering this gem in audiobook format for a thrilling journey. This exciting tale releases on May 14th, both in digital and paperback formats, with the audiobook likely available on the same day, although it’s not officially listed on the publisher’s website.
March 29, 2024
🎧2⭐️
A Dr Bannerman vet mystery
A new author for me. I was drawn by the premise of a vet detective. It sounded intriguing with a unique angle.
I had the audiobook read by Miles Meili. I thought that the narrator was awful. He was seriously off putting. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to manage the book. It was very hard going. I tried a variety of speeds.
My first book by this author, I didn’t realise that it’s several books into the series, but it’s ok as a standalone. The title is misleading as only a short section is about sick huskies, most of it surrounds a plane crash investigation and a forest fire.
The writing style feels stilted and dull, plus the pace was too slow for me. I quite liked the author included a little of the dog’s POV.
The content is on the cosy end of the scale, with only a little bad language towards the end.
I didn’t find Peter a likeable character, he’s got an annoying personality, some might describe as quirky. It might be coming into an established series that I just didn’t ‘get’ Peter’s character.
There’s good detail of the environment and nature incorporated into the story.
I found Peter’s explanation of the killers reasoning very convoluted.
.
If you want a slow burn vet styled mystery I’d really opt for the book over the audiobook. There’s some action, and a feeling of jeopardy further in, but this wasn’t for me.
I don’t like leaving a 2⭐️review, it’s very rare for me. It’s a combination of the narration, the personality of the MC and the stilted writing style, which is a package that the author was probably aiming for to offer something different.
A Dr Bannerman vet mystery
A new author for me. I was drawn by the premise of a vet detective. It sounded intriguing with a unique angle.
I had the audiobook read by Miles Meili. I thought that the narrator was awful. He was seriously off putting. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to manage the book. It was very hard going. I tried a variety of speeds.
My first book by this author, I didn’t realise that it’s several books into the series, but it’s ok as a standalone. The title is misleading as only a short section is about sick huskies, most of it surrounds a plane crash investigation and a forest fire.
The writing style feels stilted and dull, plus the pace was too slow for me. I quite liked the author included a little of the dog’s POV.
The content is on the cosy end of the scale, with only a little bad language towards the end.
I didn’t find Peter a likeable character, he’s got an annoying personality, some might describe as quirky. It might be coming into an established series that I just didn’t ‘get’ Peter’s character.
There’s good detail of the environment and nature incorporated into the story.
I found Peter’s explanation of the killers reasoning very convoluted.
.
If you want a slow burn vet styled mystery I’d really opt for the book over the audiobook. There’s some action, and a feeling of jeopardy further in, but this wasn’t for me.
I don’t like leaving a 2⭐️review, it’s very rare for me. It’s a combination of the narration, the personality of the MC and the stilted writing style, which is a package that the author was probably aiming for to offer something different.
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