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Finding Angus: A Novel of a Woman, a Dog, and the Titanic
A bereft woman...An injured dog...An unbreakable bond...
Wealthy Chicago socialite Isabelle Bordner has lost her family to a deadly Typhoid outbreak. Heartbroken and alone, she travels to London in search of a new life... and a purpose that will heal her heart.
Angus, an old Irish Wolfhound, wanders the dark alleyways of London, lost and alone, until his destiny unexpectedly entwines with Isabelle's.
Together they embark on a remarkable journey to inspire the animal welfare movement in America and endure an unforgettable voyage aboard the RMS Titanic.
Wealthy Chicago socialite Isabelle Bordner has lost her family to a deadly Typhoid outbreak. Heartbroken and alone, she travels to London in search of a new life... and a purpose that will heal her heart.
Angus, an old Irish Wolfhound, wanders the dark alleyways of London, lost and alone, until his destiny unexpectedly entwines with Isabelle's.
Together they embark on a remarkable journey to inspire the animal welfare movement in America and endure an unforgettable voyage aboard the RMS Titanic.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
373 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 11, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 6, 2026
If you are a dog lover, and especially if you've ever made a rescue dog part of your life, you will love this book. But it's also an excellent historical novel that begins in Chicago during a typhoid epidemic, then moves on to London and eventually to the Titanic. The author's research on the Titanic and its first-class passengers is impressive, with plenty of tidbits that were new to me. Even though I knew this book would break my heart, I couldn't resist reading about Angus. It was worth every tear.
December 10, 2025
A wonderful read!
"Finding Angus" was absolutely beautiful! Very well written and full of wonderful descriptives. The cover and subject are what got my attention. I couldn't add it to my KU library fast enough! Once I started it, I did not want to put it down. This book is full of heart and you can't help but wish Isabelle was really your friend. Thank you to the author for sharing this story.
"Finding Angus" was absolutely beautiful! Very well written and full of wonderful descriptives. The cover and subject are what got my attention. I couldn't add it to my KU library fast enough! Once I started it, I did not want to put it down. This book is full of heart and you can't help but wish Isabelle was really your friend. Thank you to the author for sharing this story.
May 28, 2026
Finding Angus: A Novel of a Woman, a Dog, and the Titanic by L.K. Johnson follows Isabelle Bordner, a remarkable woman who has lost her family, and an old, stray wolfhound who unexpectedly saves her life. At first, she fears the shaggy mutt, never having owned a pet of her own, but soon enough she realizes that she owes her life to the dog. She works past her fear, takes him into her home and her heart, and the two soon form an unbreakable bond. Two injured, lonely souls finding solace in each other.
All is not well. Angus was injured saving Isabelle, and the few doctors who treat animals restrict themselves to livestock. By many, dogs are considered possessions at best and pests at worst. However, these long-held views are beginning to change… Along with the movement for women’s rights, the idea of animal rights is being brought to the forefront of newspapers across London. Isabelle meets like-minded animal lovers and hears news of a man wanting to create the first clinic for small animals in America… But he needs a wealthy patron to kickstart his dream. A wealthy patron like Isabelle.
An invitation to the maiden voyage of the Titanic comes from her dear neighbors, Tyler and Emily, who have supported her since her move to London and helped her broken heart begin to heal. With their support and her dearest Angus by her side, she decides to take a leap of faith and return to her homeland.
Only, the Titanic is famous for a reason, isn’t it?
This is a book unlike any I have read before. It is full of history and heart. It feels like a peek into the lives of those who came before us, and those who may have loved animals over a hundred years ago. It’s also a fascinating inside look at the first-class decks of the Titanic and what it might have felt like to travel on that legendary ocean liner. The characters feel real, and Isabelle’s emotions practically bleed off the page. I found myself attached to Angus almost as much as she was, drawn in by the relatable, loving depictions of Angus through her eyes. Her perspective is unique in historical fiction: an older widow who must find herself again after a tragedy tears her entire life to pieces.
It is also a heart-wrenching take on the tragic legend of Titanic passenger Ann Elizabeth Isham: As the Titanic sank, she refused to abandon her loyal dog and exited a lifeboat to be with her Great Dane. Although her body was never recovered, it is said that rescuers spotted her frozen body floating with her arms wrapped around the body of a large dog.
As a fellow animal lover myself, Johnson’s Finding Angus was an absolutely fascinating look into the early animal rights movement as well as a beautiful story of love between a woman and her dog. It is also a story of grief and love, how memories of those who leave us will live forever in our hearts, and how one woman manages to find purpose through the pain of it all.
All is not well. Angus was injured saving Isabelle, and the few doctors who treat animals restrict themselves to livestock. By many, dogs are considered possessions at best and pests at worst. However, these long-held views are beginning to change… Along with the movement for women’s rights, the idea of animal rights is being brought to the forefront of newspapers across London. Isabelle meets like-minded animal lovers and hears news of a man wanting to create the first clinic for small animals in America… But he needs a wealthy patron to kickstart his dream. A wealthy patron like Isabelle.
An invitation to the maiden voyage of the Titanic comes from her dear neighbors, Tyler and Emily, who have supported her since her move to London and helped her broken heart begin to heal. With their support and her dearest Angus by her side, she decides to take a leap of faith and return to her homeland.
Only, the Titanic is famous for a reason, isn’t it?
This is a book unlike any I have read before. It is full of history and heart. It feels like a peek into the lives of those who came before us, and those who may have loved animals over a hundred years ago. It’s also a fascinating inside look at the first-class decks of the Titanic and what it might have felt like to travel on that legendary ocean liner. The characters feel real, and Isabelle’s emotions practically bleed off the page. I found myself attached to Angus almost as much as she was, drawn in by the relatable, loving depictions of Angus through her eyes. Her perspective is unique in historical fiction: an older widow who must find herself again after a tragedy tears her entire life to pieces.
It is also a heart-wrenching take on the tragic legend of Titanic passenger Ann Elizabeth Isham: As the Titanic sank, she refused to abandon her loyal dog and exited a lifeboat to be with her Great Dane. Although her body was never recovered, it is said that rescuers spotted her frozen body floating with her arms wrapped around the body of a large dog.
As a fellow animal lover myself, Johnson’s Finding Angus was an absolutely fascinating look into the early animal rights movement as well as a beautiful story of love between a woman and her dog. It is also a story of grief and love, how memories of those who leave us will live forever in our hearts, and how one woman manages to find purpose through the pain of it all.
June 17, 2026
Cry for Them
The dignity in this retelling of the sinking of the Titanic is poignant. It is a unique story of one woman… and the seeds of the idea for a small animal hospital.
The dignity in this retelling of the sinking of the Titanic is poignant. It is a unique story of one woman… and the seeds of the idea for a small animal hospital.
December 26, 2025
When you read historical fiction, you always know where the story is going. Still, this story has a unique main character and the story is well-told.
February 6, 2026
Review
I enjoyed this book. I am fascinated by the Titanic, like most people. The descriptions of the ship were great. I loved the story of Angus. Held my breath until the end.
I enjoyed this book. I am fascinated by the Titanic, like most people. The descriptions of the ship were great. I loved the story of Angus. Held my breath until the end.
March 13, 2026
I don't usually go for dog stories but this was one of the best stories I've read so far this year I would highly recommend it
April 5, 2026
I went right into the story.
April 8, 2026
Couldn’t stop reading it. What a beautiful story😢
August 25, 2026
Moving story
Any dog lover would like this story about loyalty and love. This story has been told over and over about the passengers. This one about the other souls aboard the ship. Canine souls.
Any dog lover would like this story about loyalty and love. This story has been told over and over about the passengers. This one about the other souls aboard the ship. Canine souls.
August 7, 2026
Heartbreaking
This is not a happy ending book Honestly My very heart and soul shattered at the very end of this book.You will need tissue
This is not a happy ending book Honestly My very heart and soul shattered at the very end of this book.You will need tissue
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews