Dog Walker

by Jack McGuigan

"A BOY AND HIS DEMON"Ben Carter, pet care specialist, is hired to walk a Shiba Inu named Toby. Unbeknownst to Ben, Toby is no ordinary dog but an "inugami" - an immortal demon born in feudal Japan and bred for only one purpose...murder.

When a sinister cult seeks to capture Toby and harness his demonic power for evil, Ben must protect his furry friend at all costs. With the help of an elderly luchador and a cop with a heart of gold, Ben races against the clock to stop the cult before it's too late. Can he save Toby before the beast is unleashed? Or will the demon dog's bloodlust claim it once more?

Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime - join Ben, Toby, and their motley crew on an unforgettable journey through the streets of Chicago and beyond.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Humor, Audiobook, Dogs, Fiction

184 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 2, 2016

About the author

Jack McGuigan is the writer of Dog Walker, a novel, and Agents of Paradox, a comic book. In his youth, he made movies under the pseudonym “John McGuigan” which can be found pretty easily on the internet. He lives in Chicago with his wife, kid and dog. Years from now, when Jack’s grandkids ask what his first novel was about, he will probably lie.

Reviews

[Montzalee Wittmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

4-27-2018
Dog Walker
By: Jack McGuigan
Narrated by: Travis Baldree
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary.
I read this book a couple of years ago and loved it and wanted to hear it as an audible book since this is one of my favorite books. It is even better as an audible! Funny and good hearted dog walker Ben gets a new dog but finds out this dog comes with a lot of trouble. People trying to kill the dog, demons after him, and the dog is not really a dog! It is a fun and clever book that made me smile frequently and glad I listened to it again! The narrator made the story really a blast! Perfect voices for the characters, just like I imagined. Well preformed. I love this book in any form but audible is great for driving or housework.


4-30-2016 e-book version

Dog Walker by Jack McGuigan should come with a warning, "Don't drink while reading", you will laugh and liquid will come back up the nose and mouth. This book is a hoot! I laughed off and on through out this book. Ben the dog walker is suppose to walk all of these dogs and leave notes on each dog, and the notes are hilarious! He gets a new dog to walk, Toby,t he later finds he is not just a dog but a "inugami"-an immortal demon born in feudal Japan bred for murder. But he guards Toby from those that want to kill him and release the demon on the world. Then, he even faces Hell to get Toby back! It is a witty story with so many crazy characters in it you just have to read it to believe it. I laughed and enjoyed this book so much. Thank you so much Jack McGuigan for making my day, week, MONTH! I have a lot of dogs myself and I could so relate to so many things in this book. I hope we see more of Toby and Ben.

[Stephen Kozeniewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few months ago Jack McGuigan asked me to take a look at his debut novel, DOG WALKER. I don't know if I looked at the synopsis then, but if I did, I had already forgotten what the book was about when I finally sat down this month to read it. So you can imagine my surprise when I started reading what appeared to be a wacky romantic comedy that if it had been made into a movie in the '90s would have starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

I found myself wondering why had Jack asked me to read this book. I don't really like dogs and I'm not a big fan of farce in general or romantic comedy in particular. It was cute enough. It was sort of funny and silly. A dog walker was getting into all kinds of shenanigans dealing with vicious pit bulls and so forth. And he had a crush on a cute girl who would obviously turn out (after some wacky hijinks) to be the love of his life.

Then about three chapters in things took a hard left hand turn. Suddenly there were demons and cultists and a Japanese luchador. There were dogs with magical powers and a massive conspiracy, and even a kappa. So I went back and re-read the synopsis, and even the original e-mail Jack had sent me. He had compared his novel to JOHN DIES AT THE END and THIS BOOK IS FULL OF SPIDERS by David Wong, and I think those are fair comparisons. What had started out as a dog walker getting into some farcical situations had, by the end, turned into a unique vista of a non-Western hellscape, and yet the whole book held together. If you like either of those books, or the sort of verging-on-bizzaro gonzo horror genre in general, you definitely want to pick up this book. I'm looking forward to reading more about the dog walker Ben and his supernatural charge Toby.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I had expected in this giveaway book and I'm glad I recieved it. Twists and turns that made the book enjoyable. Another book that I'll have to read and read again. Plus give to my daughter when she's much older.

[Adam Oster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


Ben Carter walks dogs for a living, which makes the opening to this book appear rather mellow. Sure, he might get attacked every once in a while, but the majority of his day appears to be picking up behind greyhounds with over-active bowels.


But things change rather quickly when he begins walking a little dog who goes by the name of Toby.


He's quickly thrust into a world of demons and cultists and a luchador from Japan...


This book is completely ridiculous, but in a very good way. Much like John Dies at the End, it strikes this incredibly irreverent tone while dealing with some deeply dark issues. The amount of detail which is placed behind the world McGuigan can be easily overlooked amid Ben's infatuation with a young hipster girl who turns out to be...well, let's just say she plays a very integral role to the story Ben finds himself directly in the middle of.


In the end, this story is a great one revolving around developing responsibility and crafting courage to stand up for things, even if you find them absolutely insane.


And it's a lot of fun.


If you like books like John Dies at the End, you're certain to dig this light tale about a Dog Walker and his pet demon.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben is a pet health care and wellness specialist for Windy City Waggers. Ok. He is a dog walker. Not the most glamourous of jobs, but he dreams of being a famous screenwriter one day. Enemy Mine 2 is his ticket to fame and fortune. He can sell that one to the studios for sure. First, he must unlock the secrets behind the demon that evidently lives inside Toby the dog and fight off the crazed cultists bent on capturing him and harnessing Toby’s power for world domination. Not a problem. Well…maybe a little.

I usually gravitate to the darker side of fiction, but when I saw the audiobook was up for grabs it occurred to me that something a little lighter might just be what the doctor ordered. I was not disappointed. This one was exactly what I was hoping it was going to be. It was quick, light and entertaining and there was no shortage of laughs or silly antics either.

Written well, with a nicely developed cast of whacky characters and a really well produced and executed audio. Very nice all around. 3.5 Stars and recommended for an easy, entertaining listen.

Flaming chickens, a Samurai warrior luchador, eye-butts, turtle demons and Stoney and Fergie the Greyhound poop machines. It’s all there.

*I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I won this book from FirstReads. Winning the Dog Walker will have no influence on my honest review.* I'd like to thank Jack McGuigan for the cute dog drawing that accompanied his signature.
I really liked this book. The snarkily kindhearted writing was entertaining and sometimes charming. Don't get me wrong, there is horror in the story. If you are easily frightened or creeped out you'll find material to provide that for you. I'm not frightened easily, a book hasn't scared me since 'Salem's Lot at age 12. I still enjoy horror stories. I like the plots and imagery. There are some disturbing images inside this book.
But I felt the real focus of this book was friendship and loyalty. Especially between Toby and Ben, though Dragon Mask and Sarah(and all the dogs) added to it. There is humor as well, mostly dry.
If you're looking for a book to relax with and enjoy, I recommend this one. It's well rounded and satisfying. I'll read the sequel.

[Katie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The story was fun - interesting in parts, exciting in others and had just the right note of funny throughout. I really enjoyed the narrator as well. His reading really made the experience for me.

[Bibliovoracious · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the narration!

[Beverly Laude · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Ben Cooper is an aspiring writer earning money as a dog walker in Chicago. When he is assigned to watch a Shiba Inu named Toby, things start to get a little crazy. It turns out that Toby is an Inugami, a Japanese demon wanted by a strange cult. Toby's protector is a Luchador (Mexican wrestler) who lives next door. For some reason, Toby picks Ben to bond with and the action begins!

I loved the descriptions of Ben and his canine charges, complete with poop diaries for the dog's owners. The two greyhounds were especially wonderful. The humor throughout the book really added a lot to it. There is plenty of urban fantasy-type action, great world building and Japanese mythology mixed in. The characters were well-developed and well-written.

The narrator did a fantastic job with his pacing and the different accents for the various characters. I will definitely be looking for more books that he has narrated.

I am sure that I will listen to this book again because it wildly entertaining and wonderfully weird. I was given the chance to listen to this audiobook by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Story (Plot) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Production Quality ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Attention Holding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I love this book. Ben Carter is a clumsy, unlucky guy who walks dogs and picks up poop all day while trying to write a screenplay between charges. He seems to have about as much success with his work in progress as he does with the dogs and running out of bags at the wrong time. Of course, he's got a crush on the Blonde Hipster Girl he sees during his walks, and, when she asks him out one evening, he has no idea what he's in for.

The author, Jack McGuigan, has quite an imagination and sense of humor. The creatures and settings he created are phenomenal. The story is fantastic with a moderate pace and just the right amount of twists and surprises. It isn't very scary but definitely a bit dark and disturbing at times. The writing is clever and vivid. I won't spoil too much for you by giving the best lines, but phrases like “eye butt” and “his head looked like a thumb that had been in the bath too long” have a way of hitting just the right synapses. I chuckled throughout the whole thing – both times I listened to it.
The characters are incredibly fun and likable. My favorites are the (probably) alcoholic and hilarious luchador, “Dragon Mask”, and the Shiba Inu (being a sweet, though stubborn, pet when he's not a murderous beast), aside from our obviously unlikely hero. There are a handful of characters not to like, and one or two to despise.

I was thankful this didn't turn into an all-out romantic comedy. It was a nice combination of (occasionally dark) urban fantasy, action, and adventure, and comedy – with just a sprinkle of horror. The “s” word is used a few times but otherwise, the language isn't too bad. There are elements of gore, violence, and animal cruelty, though I think the ends will justify the means for most readers. I'd say mature teens could handle this.

The narrator, Travis Baldree, was excellent! He played a whole gamut of characters flawlessly, from an old, scornful woman, to a Hispanic female, to a Japanese luchador, and a mother at her wit’s end. The range of voices this guy can do is seriously impressive. I looked more than once to see if he was the only narrator. His voice acting and narration were phenomenal. I really liked the story but I don't think the book would have been nearly as amusing if I had simply read it. I certainly have a new favorite narrator. The production of this audiobook was flawless, sound quality was fantastic, and the only sound effects I picked up on that the narrator didn't do were pen writing sounds while Ben was writing notes. They were perfect for the story. Otherwise, sounds like the “dee-dee-dee-dee” of an alarm are voiced quite convincingly.
Although this is most definitely a stand-alone novel, there's a sequel in the making and I can't wait to hear it.




My original Dog Walker audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Audiobook was provided for review by AudioBookReviewer.com.

[Emmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Audiobook)

What did you love best about Dog Walker?
I loved the characters, the writing, and the plot line. Soo... um- everything!

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dog Walker?
When Ben realized Toby was not "just a dog", the drunk Master, the flaking human skin, when Ben learns the girl's name and realizes he still crushes on her

Have you listened to any of Travis Baldree’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I was introduced to Travis in The Novices and he had a thumb attached to my funny bone. This book was not as comedic, but he is a masterful storyteller who excels in different genres.

Any additional comments?
I was genuinely pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got lost in this book! The book description leads one to think it was paranormal with plots tied to folklore, but I was blown away at how entertaining and incredible it delivered. This was a fantastic listen! An excellent blend of talent -both the author and narrator.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is NOT what I usually like

Ben is a would-be screenwriter. And a dogwalker. We get to go along on some of his walks. I almost checked out about 10 pages in, but I kept going. Because Ben met his newest dog, Toby. Except Toby was a Japanese demon. It just gets weirder from there. One of my criteria for liking a book is fun factor. This. Was. Fun.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an entertaining read!
Yes, the characters are a bit on the 2-dimensional side. But the story is quite well-told, with nice tidbits in-between, and another weirdness around every corner.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

[Paula E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really fun fast listen. I got this book because my husband is into Japanese culture and anime and I love dogs. Also I have another book with the same narrator and love the way the voices each character. Will definitely get the next book in series.

[Maureen Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

An easy fun read that you don't want to put down; you need to see what happens year and a lot of hilarious action.

[Paul McAniff · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was awesome!

The description does it justice. It's wacky and wonderful. Of you like Christopher Moore you will totally dig story. Loved it.

[Bae's Fire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok

Because it was so lon g and boring I hated it you should choose something different next time you write a book

Haskell
s

[Christopher Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting to say the least

The story blends urban fantasy and comedy surprisingly well, making use of detailed life and fun characters. It's a great read.

[Nicholas Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book about a Dog Walker and his dog! :D

[Nadine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good!! Lots of action that’s for sure. I liked the back stories to some of the characters. Happy Reading :)

[Scott Shjefte · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seemed a bit repetitive and sort of strange, Obtained for free from Amazon on September 28, 2022.

[Ilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the funny interesting premise of a demon dog, I found this rather underwhelming and silly. A glossary of all the Japanese terms would have also been useful.

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to adopt an inugami!

This was one hilarious read.

Ben Carter, just your average dogwalker with big dreams, get a new client in the form of a shiba inu named Toby who's a bit strange. Together with Dragon Mask, a Japanese luchador, he needs to keep the demon dog safe from a cult who wants to do terrible things to this adorable furball.

This was the ideal book for me to start 2021. I needed something light and funny and this book had it all. One thing that irked me was that this book contained Japanese phrases and some Spanish words, but there's no list with translations (at least not in the kindle version) so I had to google them. That took me out of the story.

Want a laugh? Read this book, you won't regret it.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally different

Once you start, you gotta finish it. Its fun, full of unexpected twists & turns. Haven't read anything so fun!