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Dog Duty: A Canine Noir Novel
A Canine Noir revenge story! When a late-night foot pursuit through dark back alleys goes terribly wrong in the jaws of an ex-military Rottweiler, Fritz, Grand City PD's top German Shepherd is driven into retirement to a place far worse than the crime-infested streets he the suburbs! Surrounded by suburbanite hounds and derelict mutts of all shapes and breeds, Fritz narrates his quest for revenge and redemption that takes him into the fringes of the seedy canine underworld of cat-races, underground clubs, back alleys, and dog parks.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2014
104 people are currently reading
480 people want to read
About the author
Bobby D. Lux
10 books17 followersBobby D. Lux is the author of the novel Dog Duty.
He has a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC and a BA in film from CSULB. His fiction, poetry, and non-fiction have appeared in various online and print publications. Christopher Walken does a great impression of him.*
*Not substantiated at all.
He has a Master of Professional Writing degree from USC and a BA in film from CSULB. His fiction, poetry, and non-fiction have appeared in various online and print publications. Christopher Walken does a great impression of him.*
*Not substantiated at all.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 31, 2014
Had to give my own book 5 stars! I mean, I loved it!
March 8, 2018
A cop is forced into retirement. His last case left open and haunting him. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Fritz will show you different.
Such a fun story and told from a dog’s point of view. Fritz is a police dog. He’s seen a lot. Taken down some nasty criminals. But an injury while on the job forces him into retirement, his last case left open. He’s determined to close the case and enlists some eager canines to sniff out leads.
I loved Fritz right out of the gate. So brave and dedicated and he just wants to keep doing his duty. I felt so sad for him when he was forced to retire. But the story shifts quickly as he goes on the hunt to track down the nasty rottweiler that injured him and helped a villain escape. Calling all dogs. It’s time to do your duty.
This book was a blast. I got so caught up in Fritz and the other character’s that I almost forgot they were dogs. The investigation leads them on a merry chase and I happily scampered along with them.
If you’re a dog lover and enjoy a good mystery, this is one for you. Don’t forget to hug your dog. He’s always on duty.
Such a fun story and told from a dog’s point of view. Fritz is a police dog. He’s seen a lot. Taken down some nasty criminals. But an injury while on the job forces him into retirement, his last case left open. He’s determined to close the case and enlists some eager canines to sniff out leads.
I loved Fritz right out of the gate. So brave and dedicated and he just wants to keep doing his duty. I felt so sad for him when he was forced to retire. But the story shifts quickly as he goes on the hunt to track down the nasty rottweiler that injured him and helped a villain escape. Calling all dogs. It’s time to do your duty.
This book was a blast. I got so caught up in Fritz and the other character’s that I almost forgot they were dogs. The investigation leads them on a merry chase and I happily scampered along with them.
If you’re a dog lover and enjoy a good mystery, this is one for you. Don’t forget to hug your dog. He’s always on duty.
February 25, 2015
This book was a cute little story. Nothing earth shaking but it didn't make me want to gouge my eyes out or bore me completely with the author trying to show me how great his writing is. I lost myself for the duration of the story in a fantasy world of talking dogs and other animals... not a bad way to kill a few hours.
October 31, 2014
A doggie noir story
Reads like a noir crime novel, but from the perspective of a police dog. Humorous and a good story. Not for Cat lovers, but no cats were injured in this story.
Good one.
Reads like a noir crime novel, but from the perspective of a police dog. Humorous and a good story. Not for Cat lovers, but no cats were injured in this story.
Good one.
August 22, 2014
An injury on the job ends up forcing a cop into retirement, but he finds it tough to adjust to the quiet life. Obsessed with his last case, he finds himself returning to his old patrol, brushing aside new friends for a chance at closure—and maybe revenge.
“I’ve been shot at,” he tells us near the start. “I’ve sniffed out bombs, drug paraphernalia, and crime scenes. I’ve chased killers and gang members in the rain. I’ve been punched and had my fur ripped out.”
As the last line hints, the noir core of “Dog Duty” is enhanced by the fact that its central figure is, well, a dog. Fritz is an alpha cop in the Grand City Police Department, but a run-in with a monstrous Rottweiler has left him with one lame leg and a hasty retirement party.
His old partner, Officer Hart, brings him back home to the suburbs, but Fritz can’t settle in so easily. Instead, he recruits his new backyard-mates—streetwise Ernie, a former stray, and dopey young Nipper—to trot down these mean streets in search of the dog who maimed him.
Written by Bobby D. Lux, the book offers a fun, imaginative look into the secret world of dogs. Fritz and his pals take us on a four-legged tour ranging from their cozy, confining backyard to secret dog speakeasies and high-rolling cat races.
The author does a great job capturing the world from a canine point of view, translating everything from doggie love to forbidden snacks to the rough business of discovering who’s top dog. “Only humans care about things like being fair and one-on-one and rules and you can’t do this or that,” an antagonist tells Fritz near the end, “but you got to remember that dogs ain’t like that…there’s just one rule I adhere to: I go home and you don’t.”
Lux is also serious about exploring the identity crisis sparked by Fritz’s forced retirement. Like many of his human counterparts, our dog has always defined himself by being a cop; he’s at a loss when the role is taken from him. Fritz’s reflections on the job convey a strong sense of pride and duty, but there’s arrogance as well as he dismisses others for not living up to his standard. His takeaway after filming a public-service announcement with the local police chief is revealing. “It took Chief Lennox six tries to get his speech right,” Fritz says. “I nailed the bark on the first take.”
Ultimately, Fritz has to resolve these complications before he can make headway in his old case—not to mention his new life. He’s a strong character: wounded, gruff, but self aware enough to change. While Fritz’s development is compelling over the course of the story, the book is at its best when he’s working with the rest of his scrappy ensemble, notably mutt Ernie, who enjoys the doggie pleasures in life and isn’t averse to the occasional breakout to pursue them. I had a lot of fun with the cast, although I do wish the strongest female character, Saucy, had gotten an earlier opportunity to roll with the rest of the gang.
Ultimately, “Dog Duty” isn’t going to win over the dog-show crowd (that bridge is burned), but it’s a great read. Lux has a lot of fun with the setting but plays it straight with the plot, even taking into account one questionable decision near the end by a human crook. (Hey, who said criminals were smart? Not Fritz.) In any case, the dogs run the show, and they’re a delight. I only hope the promised sequel becomes a reality.
“I’ve been shot at,” he tells us near the start. “I’ve sniffed out bombs, drug paraphernalia, and crime scenes. I’ve chased killers and gang members in the rain. I’ve been punched and had my fur ripped out.”
As the last line hints, the noir core of “Dog Duty” is enhanced by the fact that its central figure is, well, a dog. Fritz is an alpha cop in the Grand City Police Department, but a run-in with a monstrous Rottweiler has left him with one lame leg and a hasty retirement party.
His old partner, Officer Hart, brings him back home to the suburbs, but Fritz can’t settle in so easily. Instead, he recruits his new backyard-mates—streetwise Ernie, a former stray, and dopey young Nipper—to trot down these mean streets in search of the dog who maimed him.
Written by Bobby D. Lux, the book offers a fun, imaginative look into the secret world of dogs. Fritz and his pals take us on a four-legged tour ranging from their cozy, confining backyard to secret dog speakeasies and high-rolling cat races.
The author does a great job capturing the world from a canine point of view, translating everything from doggie love to forbidden snacks to the rough business of discovering who’s top dog. “Only humans care about things like being fair and one-on-one and rules and you can’t do this or that,” an antagonist tells Fritz near the end, “but you got to remember that dogs ain’t like that…there’s just one rule I adhere to: I go home and you don’t.”
Lux is also serious about exploring the identity crisis sparked by Fritz’s forced retirement. Like many of his human counterparts, our dog has always defined himself by being a cop; he’s at a loss when the role is taken from him. Fritz’s reflections on the job convey a strong sense of pride and duty, but there’s arrogance as well as he dismisses others for not living up to his standard. His takeaway after filming a public-service announcement with the local police chief is revealing. “It took Chief Lennox six tries to get his speech right,” Fritz says. “I nailed the bark on the first take.”
Ultimately, Fritz has to resolve these complications before he can make headway in his old case—not to mention his new life. He’s a strong character: wounded, gruff, but self aware enough to change. While Fritz’s development is compelling over the course of the story, the book is at its best when he’s working with the rest of his scrappy ensemble, notably mutt Ernie, who enjoys the doggie pleasures in life and isn’t averse to the occasional breakout to pursue them. I had a lot of fun with the cast, although I do wish the strongest female character, Saucy, had gotten an earlier opportunity to roll with the rest of the gang.
Ultimately, “Dog Duty” isn’t going to win over the dog-show crowd (that bridge is burned), but it’s a great read. Lux has a lot of fun with the setting but plays it straight with the plot, even taking into account one questionable decision near the end by a human crook. (Hey, who said criminals were smart? Not Fritz.) In any case, the dogs run the show, and they’re a delight. I only hope the promised sequel becomes a reality.
December 1, 2015
I really, really enjoyed 'Dog Duty'! I knew this was a canine caper of sorts and all the main characters are dogs, and I believe the novel also falls under the noir fiction category though I'm not entirely sure since that's not a genre I've ever really explored.
I'll try my best to summarize without revealing too much about the plot.
Chapter 1: a chase! (lots of running)
Chapters 2-24: revenge, drama, self-discovery, redemption, friendship (lots of running)
Chapter 25: Solid conclusion (not as much running)
Bonus: dog parks, car rides, some doggy treats, and ridiculous dog costumes. Oh, and cats, gambling, and gangsters.
When you're reading 'Dog Duty' you can't help but root for our hero, Fritz, and you also can't help but love his two sidekicks, Ernie and Nipper. The novel is a quick read that's fluidly written with an engaging plot and with characters that have pretty complicated human qualities. I'm happy to include 'Dog Duty' in my 2015 reading challenge and I'm really hoping this will become a series.
I'll try my best to summarize without revealing too much about the plot.
Chapter 1: a chase! (lots of running)
Chapters 2-24: revenge, drama, self-discovery, redemption, friendship (lots of running)
Chapter 25: Solid conclusion (not as much running)
Bonus: dog parks, car rides, some doggy treats, and ridiculous dog costumes. Oh, and cats, gambling, and gangsters.
When you're reading 'Dog Duty' you can't help but root for our hero, Fritz, and you also can't help but love his two sidekicks, Ernie and Nipper. The novel is a quick read that's fluidly written with an engaging plot and with characters that have pretty complicated human qualities. I'm happy to include 'Dog Duty' in my 2015 reading challenge and I'm really hoping this will become a series.
November 27, 2014
If Chet is a dog's dog then Ftitz is a cop in a fur suit,
December 22, 2024
I like dogs and this novel gave a great story about courage and a sense of duty even in the face of uncertainty.
September 5, 2024
Good dog story
I enjoy books told from the dog’s perspective and this was a solid story. There was humor, romance and adventure narrated by Fritz, a retired police dog.
I enjoy books told from the dog’s perspective and this was a solid story. There was humor, romance and adventure narrated by Fritz, a retired police dog.
August 6, 2017
very good
June 13, 2017
Born to be a cop
Great story as told from a dog's (and some cats) perspectives. I especially enjoyed the conversations and thinking processes from a dog's mind that related to human thoughts and culture. The characters were humorous and thought provoking and remind us all that we have to find our place and reason to belong. Nice job, Officer Fritz.
Great story as told from a dog's (and some cats) perspectives. I especially enjoyed the conversations and thinking processes from a dog's mind that related to human thoughts and culture. The characters were humorous and thought provoking and remind us all that we have to find our place and reason to belong. Nice job, Officer Fritz.
October 16, 2025
I love this book. Lots of fun and a great idea. You can tell it was written by a dog lover.
February 18, 2020
I got this book free via Booksends on my kindle and did not have much expectation. After the first chapter, I was captured by the story in dogs voice telling his story which seemed believable. There are some parts that seem almost like Human behavior and thoughts. I could relate to the feelings on retirement that Fritz expresses. There is intrigue, action and mystery as well as plenty of humor. It was hard for me to put this down which is when I know I am into a great read. This was definitely five star read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series about Ernie.
November 8, 2016
Top notch book
I really enjoyed this book because it was well written and the characters were engaging and real. Many have tried to write this "life from an animal's view", but this one really works. Bravo to the author. Great book, good story and believable characters. I recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book because it was well written and the characters were engaging and real. Many have tried to write this "life from an animal's view", but this one really works. Bravo to the author. Great book, good story and believable characters. I recommend this book.
July 29, 2015
great read I really enjoyed this book
February 27, 2018
I fell in love with the cover of this book and the idea of a book written from the POV of police dog Fritz was very appealing, so I went ahead and bought it. I'm sad to say that I was quite disappointed with what I read of it.
It gets off to a good start with Fritz on the trail of a fleeing suspect, and Fritz is confident enough in his ability to catch the bad guy that he even takes time to save a grateful cat. When he follows the suspect down an alley, the thug's violent dogs ambush Fritz who is badly hurt and can't chase after them. Now Fritz is not only facing forced medical retirement, and life as a civilian pet. He also has to face being replaced in the police force by cocky new rookie dog Nitro, who is less than complimentary about what happened to Fritz.
After the attack, things get rather boring for me. Fritz attends his retirement party where he is mocked by the obnoxious Nitro again. We get the story of his last night at the police kennel, the journey back to the house of his handler, and his new kennel. It is here that we are introduced to two more obnoxious dogs already owned by the family, who get Fritz into trouble straight away. What is it with all these other dogs being complete asshats? And why doesn't Fritz just explain the situation to them? We then go into Fritz settling into this new environment.
I don't know when the action starts moving on to Fritz going to solve the original crime but I was getting personally bored waiting for it to happen. I wanted to read about that, not Fritz having issues with every dog that comes along. Maybe more patient readers will like this kind of thing but for me it just didn't seem to be going anywhere fast. I just found it pretty dull if I'm being honest.
It gets off to a good start with Fritz on the trail of a fleeing suspect, and Fritz is confident enough in his ability to catch the bad guy that he even takes time to save a grateful cat. When he follows the suspect down an alley, the thug's violent dogs ambush Fritz who is badly hurt and can't chase after them. Now Fritz is not only facing forced medical retirement, and life as a civilian pet. He also has to face being replaced in the police force by cocky new rookie dog Nitro, who is less than complimentary about what happened to Fritz.
After the attack, things get rather boring for me. Fritz attends his retirement party where he is mocked by the obnoxious Nitro again. We get the story of his last night at the police kennel, the journey back to the house of his handler, and his new kennel. It is here that we are introduced to two more obnoxious dogs already owned by the family, who get Fritz into trouble straight away. What is it with all these other dogs being complete asshats? And why doesn't Fritz just explain the situation to them? We then go into Fritz settling into this new environment.
I don't know when the action starts moving on to Fritz going to solve the original crime but I was getting personally bored waiting for it to happen. I wanted to read about that, not Fritz having issues with every dog that comes along. Maybe more patient readers will like this kind of thing but for me it just didn't seem to be going anywhere fast. I just found it pretty dull if I'm being honest.
November 14, 2017
The book was okay. Fritz, a retired police dog is trying to figure out the meaning of life after academy. His partner, Officer Harts purchased him for a dollar. His replacement, Nitro is rubbing it in his face. He was forced into retirement by a rogue dog named Clay. He goes home with Officer Harts then the adventure begins. The writing is clear; plot easy to follow. There were just no bells and whistles for me, however; I would read another "Fritz" story. I received this book in a goodreads giveaway.
September 26, 2017
Too boring
Did not book me at all. I thought it would have more of the police dog story, how important they are and how they become to be a family member.It ended up to be a cartoon story.
Did not book me at all. I thought it would have more of the police dog story, how important they are and how they become to be a family member.It ended up to be a cartoon story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews