The Phantom Mudder

Jack Russell Dog Detective #2

by Darrel Odgers, Sally Odgers, Janine Dawson (Illustrator)

Jack and Foxie attend Doggeroo Dog Show with Sarge and Auntie Tidge, and straightaway Jack is paw-deep in a new mystery. Dogs are mysteriously ending up covered in mud just before their classes. The dogs all deny that they're doing it on purpose, so Jack sets out on the trail of the phantom mudder. Before he discovers the criminal, he has a close encounter with some scented pooch polish. It's amazing what a dog detective will do in the line of duty!

Genres: Mystery, Chapter Books, Literature, Childrens, Fiction, Animals

80 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2005

About the author

Darrel Odgers was born in Tasmania. He has been married to Sally Odgers since 1979, and they have two adult children. Darrel and Sally Odgers have co-written several books, including the popular Jack Russell: Dog Detective series.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: One wet Friday, Sarge told me about the Doggeroo Dog Show.

Premise/plot: Jack Russell, our hero dog-detective, returns for his second adventure in The Phantom Mudder. Once again we have a mystery to solve. The action occurs at a local dog show. SOMEONE--the Phantom Mudder--is muddying ALL the dogs before the show. Can Jack Russell push past the smell of soap, soap, and more soap and find out WHO is determined to ruin the dog show?

My thoughts: I really loved this one. I think I do love it more than the first book actually. Jack is as adorable a narrator as ever. And the mystery seems more solid in my opinion. Once again Jack is sharing his Jack Facts and his glossary.

Jack's Facts

Dogs understand what humans say. Humans think they understand what dogs say. Therefore dogs are smarter than humans. This is a fact. (2)
A Jack Russell may be sweet. A Jack Russell may be little. A Jack Russell is never a "sweet little doggie." This is a fact. (18)
Dogs don't do anything if there's nothing in it for them. People sometimes do. That makes dogs smarter than people. This is a fact. (34)


Jack's Glossary

Daching. The way dachshunds move about.
Skulldoggery. Wicked goings on that concern dogs.
Bathwater. One of the worst swear words I know.

[Paméla B.]

These books (I have 3 of them from the series) made me so happy as a kid, combining my 3 favourite things to this day: books, dogs and puns!

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute little mystery series with dogs as the characters. simple, large text, some text boxes w/definitions and certain words in bold or italics. good for transitioning readers from 'easy readers' to chapter books

[Sammy McGregor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun story that perfectly captures the fun and the heart of the JRT!

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 3 out of 5]

My love of reading started when i was young, and it gives me immense pleasure to provide books to Spread the Word Nevada, an organization that passes them on to children in the community. They are a terrific organization supporting an important cause. If your local I encourage you to check them out. For those living further a field, look in your own community, their may already be a similar program in place. And if not, you can always help start one.

http://spreadthewordnevada.org/

Myself, I go out on the weekends and
shop thrift store and bulk book lots to rescue books and donate them. Sometimes I'll find a book I remember reading when I was young and will read it again before passing it on.

I don't rate these books using my normal scale, instead I give most of them three stars. This isn't a Criticism of the book, simply my way of rating them as good for children.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because there are dogs included since it is about a Jack Russell Terrier. The dog's name is Jack, which is a little weird since he is a Jack Russell. His owner is Sarge Russell. Jack was on a mission to find out who was making dogs get kicked out of a dog show because they were all muddy. There is a person that didn't really like dogs much at all and she liked cats better because cats don't bother her a lot at all.

I like that Jack Russell always finds out who or what the problem is. Detectives always catch people in the act at the very end instead of right away.

[read and reviewed by an 8 year old, typed by his mama]

[Twyla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Someone is muddieing dogs so Jack is trying to figure out how it is happening.It was a girl withe high heels on,she said that a dog bit her hand and a dog chewed her shoes and a dog got mud on her new coat.Auryn 7yo

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books make me chuckle. In this dog detective book, the dogs in the dog show are getting muddy. How is this happening? You will find out in The Phantom Mudder. I like the special "dog" definitions that are given throughout the book.

[Horace Mann Family Reading Challenge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarge took Foxie and Jack to a dog show, but lots of dogs were getting mudded and no one knew who was behind this crime. J.

[Riverina Regional Library]

Members of Riverina Regional Library reserve your copy now

[Hillvan]

630L

[Darby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for taking a closer look at text features and talking about predictions and inferences.

[Aubrie Senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very fast pace.

[Alexis Munk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for younger elementary school students to transition into lengthier chapter books. This book is about dogs (which almost everyone loves). Dogs being detectives can't be any cuter.