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Chase #1
Chase
The Incredible Journey meets Gordon Korman's On the Run in this exciting middle-grade thriller.
Chipper is a very special dog. He's part of a multi-million dollar experiment at a secret organization known only as The Institute. The Institute has been experimenting with dogs, melding them with state-of-the-art computer technology. But there's a problem with Chipper. His natural dog instincts often overrule his computer side. No matter what he's doing, if he sees a squirrel or a mouse, he'll drop everything to chase it. So The Institute has decided it's time to pull the plug on Chipper. Chipper manages a daring escape with a destination in mind, but a team from the Institute, led by the cold-hearted Daggert, is hot on his heels.
Twelve-year-old Jeff Conroy lives with his aunt and helps run her business, a lakeside cabin-rental operation that caters to fishermen. Jeff desperately misses his parents, who were killed in a plane crash a year earlier. But at least he's made one Emily, whose ex-cop father owns a similar business down the lake. And Emily, a computer whiz, has the coolest fort a trackless, abandoned train station in the middle of the forest.
After eluding his would-be captors, Chipper boards a bus and ends up in the country, only to be hit by a truck that Jeff is driving (underage). Jeff takes Chipper to the train station to nurse him back to health, and it's here that he and Emily discover a computer port in Chipper's collar, and once Emily hooks her laptop to it, she and Jeff discovers that Chipper's arrival is not random. He has been looking for Jeff -- and now so is Daggert ...
Chipper is a very special dog. He's part of a multi-million dollar experiment at a secret organization known only as The Institute. The Institute has been experimenting with dogs, melding them with state-of-the-art computer technology. But there's a problem with Chipper. His natural dog instincts often overrule his computer side. No matter what he's doing, if he sees a squirrel or a mouse, he'll drop everything to chase it. So The Institute has decided it's time to pull the plug on Chipper. Chipper manages a daring escape with a destination in mind, but a team from the Institute, led by the cold-hearted Daggert, is hot on his heels.
Twelve-year-old Jeff Conroy lives with his aunt and helps run her business, a lakeside cabin-rental operation that caters to fishermen. Jeff desperately misses his parents, who were killed in a plane crash a year earlier. But at least he's made one Emily, whose ex-cop father owns a similar business down the lake. And Emily, a computer whiz, has the coolest fort a trackless, abandoned train station in the middle of the forest.
After eluding his would-be captors, Chipper boards a bus and ends up in the country, only to be hit by a truck that Jeff is driving (underage). Jeff takes Chipper to the train station to nurse him back to health, and it's here that he and Emily discover a computer port in Chipper's collar, and once Emily hooks her laptop to it, she and Jeff discovers that Chipper's arrival is not random. He has been looking for Jeff -- and now so is Daggert ...
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2017
86 people are currently reading
1191 people want to read
About the author
Linwood Barclay
83 books7,171 followersLinwood Barclay is the #1 internationally bestselling author of seventeen novels for adults, including No Time for Goodbye, Trust Your Eyes and, most recently, A Noise Downstairs. He has also written two novels for children and screenplays.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
Three of those seventeen novels comprise the epic Promise Falls trilogy: Broken Promise, Far From True, and The Twenty-Three. His two novels for children – Chase and Escape – star a computer-enhanced dog named Chipper who’s on the run from the evil organization that turned him into a super-pup.
Barclay’s 2011 thriller, The Accident, has been turned into the six-part television series L’Accident in France, and he adapted his novel Never Saw it Coming for the movie, directed by Gail Harvey and starring Eric Roberts and Emily Hampshire. Several of his other books either have been, or still are, in development for TV and film.
After spending his formative years helping run a cottage resort and trailer park after his father died when he was 16, Barclay got his first newspaper job at the Peterborough Examiner, a small Ontario daily. In 1981, he joined the Toronto Star, Canada’s largest circulation newspaper.
He held such positions as assistant city editor, chief copy editor, news editor, and Life section editor, before becoming the paper’s humour columnist in 1993. He was one of the paper’s most popular columnists before retiring from the position in 2008 to work exclusively on books.
In 2004, he launched his mystery series about an anxiety-ridden, know-it-all, pain-in-the-butt father by the name of Zack Walker. Bad Move, the first book, was followed by three more Zack Walker thrillers: Bad Guys, Lone Wolf, and Stone Rain. (The last two were published in the UK under the titles Bad Luck and Bad News.)
His first standalone thriller, No Time for Goodbye, was published in 2007 to critical acclaim and great international success. The following year, it was a Richard and Judy Summer Read selection in the UK, and did seven straight weeks at #1 on the UK bestseller list, and finished 2008 as the top selling novel of the year there. The book has since been sold around the world and been translated into nearly thirty languages.
Barclay was born in the United States but moved to Canada just before turning four years old when his father, a commercial artist whose illustrations of cars appeared in Life, Look and Saturday Evening Post (before photography took over), accepted a position with an advertising agency north of the border. Barclay, who graduated with an English literature degree from Trent University, in Peterborough, Ontario, was fortunate to have some very fine mentors; in particular, the celebrated Canadian author Margaret Laurence, whom Linwood first met when she served as writer-in-residence at Trent, and Kenneth Millar, who, under the name Ross Macdonald, wrote the acclaimed series of mystery novels featuring detective Lew Archer. It was at Trent that he met Neetha, the woman who would become his wife. They have two grown children, Spencer and Paige.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
July 4, 2017
4.5★s
Chipper was suspicious of what the Institute had in mind for him next, so when he saw the opportunity he escaped. The chase was on as Chipper hid on an underground train, finally making his way to the bus terminal to board the bus he needed. Chipper was a special dog – part dog, part computer. He’d been filled with special computer technology which made him almost as good as a human; he couldn’t talk though, but he could communicate. And his GPS tracking system would also direct him to the person he needed to find. The trouble was, it also made it easy for the people chasing him to track his movements…
Jeff Conroy was twelve years old and living with his Aunt Flo at the cabin rental business she owned. She worked Jeff hard, harder than a boy his age should have to work, but she was the only relative Jeff had after his parents were both killed in a terrible plane crash the previous year. The day Jeff and Chipper collided – literally – was the day Jeff was drawn into Chipper’s life. And the evil that was the Institute, with Daggert and two others chasing Chipper down, also drew Jeff’s friend Emily into the maelstrom.
Would Daggert find Chipper and Jeff? Or would Jeff manage to escape with his new doggy friend? One thing Jeff knew, he hadn’t know this much excitement in his whole life and he wasn’t sure if he should be scared or exhilarated.
Chase by Linwood Barclay is the first in the Chase series for children (probably tweens) and it was excellent. I know my eleven year old grandson would enjoy it! With Chipper being the intelligent part dog, part computer he is, and Jeff being a typical kid who loves dogs, they were a match made in heaven. I will say though that I found the writing a little stilted at times, almost as if the author was not quite comfortable writing "kids-speak". But I'm sure that will improve as he writes on in the series as he's a first class writer, high up there with my favourite authors. I'm really looking forward to book 2 coming in 2018. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
Chipper was suspicious of what the Institute had in mind for him next, so when he saw the opportunity he escaped. The chase was on as Chipper hid on an underground train, finally making his way to the bus terminal to board the bus he needed. Chipper was a special dog – part dog, part computer. He’d been filled with special computer technology which made him almost as good as a human; he couldn’t talk though, but he could communicate. And his GPS tracking system would also direct him to the person he needed to find. The trouble was, it also made it easy for the people chasing him to track his movements…
Jeff Conroy was twelve years old and living with his Aunt Flo at the cabin rental business she owned. She worked Jeff hard, harder than a boy his age should have to work, but she was the only relative Jeff had after his parents were both killed in a terrible plane crash the previous year. The day Jeff and Chipper collided – literally – was the day Jeff was drawn into Chipper’s life. And the evil that was the Institute, with Daggert and two others chasing Chipper down, also drew Jeff’s friend Emily into the maelstrom.
Would Daggert find Chipper and Jeff? Or would Jeff manage to escape with his new doggy friend? One thing Jeff knew, he hadn’t know this much excitement in his whole life and he wasn’t sure if he should be scared or exhilarated.
Chase by Linwood Barclay is the first in the Chase series for children (probably tweens) and it was excellent. I know my eleven year old grandson would enjoy it! With Chipper being the intelligent part dog, part computer he is, and Jeff being a typical kid who loves dogs, they were a match made in heaven. I will say though that I found the writing a little stilted at times, almost as if the author was not quite comfortable writing "kids-speak". But I'm sure that will improve as he writes on in the series as he's a first class writer, high up there with my favourite authors. I'm really looking forward to book 2 coming in 2018. Highly recommended.
With thanks to Hachette AU for my ARC to read and review.
July 12, 2017
This is the first thriller Linwood Barclay has written for a younger audience (as far as I know) and I can understand why youngsters would love it. It's thrilling with a very decent plot, which may sound far fetched to us oldies, but who knows what may be happening behind closed lab doors in the future? In my job I've been lucky enough to have a set of this title to read and review with some children in school. I will update their opinions in the next day or two (with their guardians' full permission).
NT, year 6
I recommend this book to people who are interested in thrillers. There’s suspense on every page and the book is hard to put down. 100% recommended!
KG, year 4
Just from reading the prologue I could tell this was going to be a fantastic book! Firstly it’s easy to read and the story is the most unique I’ve ever read. I could picture the scenes. I think it could be an interesting story to share with parents. I’d like to know more about Emily so I’m hoping she’ll be in the sequel next year. I especially loved the cliffhanger ending and will definitely look out for the sequel. I would recommend it to anyone from year 4 onwards.
MB, year 4
Chase was a brilliant book. It was thrilling, unputdownable and mind-boggling. It was written so well I could see it all in my head, especially the station in the forest. It was full of surprises, so when I had to leave the book for a while I always remained extremely inquisitive, even panicky! I had a huge shock at the end. Definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. I absolutely can’t wait for book 2!
RW, year 5
I found this book very suspenseful with the way it focussed at times on one character, then another. There were truckloads of surprises and plot twists, which were so brilliant I sometimes felt gullible. The characters are around my age and I felt I understood what they were going through. It’s been a great privilege to read this book, not just because it was pre-publication but because it will be such a success.
JD, yr 5
This book was fantastic. Especially the way each chapter chose a separate character to work with. The pace was perfect, and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved how the pressure in the book kept me reading and I think this book marks the beginning of an amazing series. I can’t wait to read the next book, since the resolution in this book was so brilliant. Each chapter got me sucked in more than the previous, and I think this book will do very well.
AV, Year 4
The book was really good as it was funny, puzzling and intriguing. I was not able to put it down because of all the thrilling bits. My favourite part was when the dog, Chipper, was able to
communicate with Jeff and Jeff was told about his parents. The ending is absolutely wonderful. I really need to know what happens next!
SB-Year 4
The book was very interesting, there was a lot of suspense. I was glued to the book, my eyes were stuck they could not stop looking. It was so intense it was like having a movie in your head. Everything in the world stopped I was just so focused on the book that I forgot where I was and what I was doing. The characters are so real I felt I could almost talk to them. I am so into this book! The end took me by surprise. I’ve never read anything like it. I cannot wait to read the next book.
OS, year 4
This book is fantastic and very cool. I t has a lots of suspense and a fantastic structure. I love this book! I would rate it 5 stars out of 5!
JW, year 4
I’d rate ‘Chase’ 5 out of 5 stars. It is really good. I like the way one chapter is written to focus on one area, the next another, and so on. Within the first couple of chapters I was hooked and knew I didn’t want to stop reading. I think it’s not bad considering it’s his first book for children!
NT, year 6
I recommend this book to people who are interested in thrillers. There’s suspense on every page and the book is hard to put down. 100% recommended!
KG, year 4
Just from reading the prologue I could tell this was going to be a fantastic book! Firstly it’s easy to read and the story is the most unique I’ve ever read. I could picture the scenes. I think it could be an interesting story to share with parents. I’d like to know more about Emily so I’m hoping she’ll be in the sequel next year. I especially loved the cliffhanger ending and will definitely look out for the sequel. I would recommend it to anyone from year 4 onwards.
MB, year 4
Chase was a brilliant book. It was thrilling, unputdownable and mind-boggling. It was written so well I could see it all in my head, especially the station in the forest. It was full of surprises, so when I had to leave the book for a while I always remained extremely inquisitive, even panicky! I had a huge shock at the end. Definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. I absolutely can’t wait for book 2!
RW, year 5
I found this book very suspenseful with the way it focussed at times on one character, then another. There were truckloads of surprises and plot twists, which were so brilliant I sometimes felt gullible. The characters are around my age and I felt I understood what they were going through. It’s been a great privilege to read this book, not just because it was pre-publication but because it will be such a success.
JD, yr 5
This book was fantastic. Especially the way each chapter chose a separate character to work with. The pace was perfect, and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved how the pressure in the book kept me reading and I think this book marks the beginning of an amazing series. I can’t wait to read the next book, since the resolution in this book was so brilliant. Each chapter got me sucked in more than the previous, and I think this book will do very well.
AV, Year 4
The book was really good as it was funny, puzzling and intriguing. I was not able to put it down because of all the thrilling bits. My favourite part was when the dog, Chipper, was able to
communicate with Jeff and Jeff was told about his parents. The ending is absolutely wonderful. I really need to know what happens next!
SB-Year 4
The book was very interesting, there was a lot of suspense. I was glued to the book, my eyes were stuck they could not stop looking. It was so intense it was like having a movie in your head. Everything in the world stopped I was just so focused on the book that I forgot where I was and what I was doing. The characters are so real I felt I could almost talk to them. I am so into this book! The end took me by surprise. I’ve never read anything like it. I cannot wait to read the next book.
OS, year 4
This book is fantastic and very cool. I t has a lots of suspense and a fantastic structure. I love this book! I would rate it 5 stars out of 5!
JW, year 4
I’d rate ‘Chase’ 5 out of 5 stars. It is really good. I like the way one chapter is written to focus on one area, the next another, and so on. Within the first couple of chapters I was hooked and knew I didn’t want to stop reading. I think it’s not bad considering it’s his first book for children!
June 13, 2018
“Chase” an exciting and entertaining middle-grader sci-fy adventure begins when Chipper a bioengineered dog who’s part of a secret organization’s multi-million dollar project, and targeted for death for being too unfocused in a task escapes from the Institute. Hounded by agents lead by the merciless Daggert, he hides away in the luggage compartment of a bus going to Canfield where he’s determined to hunt for Jeff Conroy the son of two researchers at the Institute who were killed when their plane blew up.
Twelve-year-old Jeff Conroy living with his industrious aunt who runs a hunting camp on Pickerel Lake misses his parents, hating the isolation and hard work until he meets Emily the daughter of ex-cop and owner of a resort on the same lake. When Chipper collides with the truck Jeff’s driving to the dump and knowing how much his aunt hates dogs he hides him in a train station in the woods that Emily uses as her get-a-away. But all too quickly Jeff and Emily discover Chipper is more than he seems when they hook her computer into the port on his collar. A computer whiz Emily uncovers files that not only disable the Institute’s tracking devices but allow Chipper to communicate.
Fast-paced and action-packed as Chipper is chased by agents of the Institute who want to kill him, intensity and suspense escalate when a visual of Jeff on Chipper’s eye camera helps Daggert track them to his aunt’s camp. With twists and turns that have Jeff learning about his parents’ past and with rising suspicions about their death on the downed plane, the plot progresses smoothly to a startling climax that begs for a sequel.
Bringing the story to life are compelling characters like twelve-year-old awkward, bungler Jeff Conroy who’s saddled with an aunt who hates dogs, shows him no affection and wants to toughen him up. Still grieving the loss of his parents and his dog Pepper, he doesn’t flinch but bravely helps Chipper duck the agents who want him dead. Feisty and impulsive thirteen-year-old Emily Winslow is a tech whiz while Chipper is the highly intelligent but easily distracted dog who loves to chase squirrels and rats.
Although I liked “Chase” a sci-fy adventure with an element of mystery I felt it ended far too quickly. But, well-written and captivating I will continue to follow the story line in the sequel “Escape.”
Twelve-year-old Jeff Conroy living with his industrious aunt who runs a hunting camp on Pickerel Lake misses his parents, hating the isolation and hard work until he meets Emily the daughter of ex-cop and owner of a resort on the same lake. When Chipper collides with the truck Jeff’s driving to the dump and knowing how much his aunt hates dogs he hides him in a train station in the woods that Emily uses as her get-a-away. But all too quickly Jeff and Emily discover Chipper is more than he seems when they hook her computer into the port on his collar. A computer whiz Emily uncovers files that not only disable the Institute’s tracking devices but allow Chipper to communicate.
Fast-paced and action-packed as Chipper is chased by agents of the Institute who want to kill him, intensity and suspense escalate when a visual of Jeff on Chipper’s eye camera helps Daggert track them to his aunt’s camp. With twists and turns that have Jeff learning about his parents’ past and with rising suspicions about their death on the downed plane, the plot progresses smoothly to a startling climax that begs for a sequel.
Bringing the story to life are compelling characters like twelve-year-old awkward, bungler Jeff Conroy who’s saddled with an aunt who hates dogs, shows him no affection and wants to toughen him up. Still grieving the loss of his parents and his dog Pepper, he doesn’t flinch but bravely helps Chipper duck the agents who want him dead. Feisty and impulsive thirteen-year-old Emily Winslow is a tech whiz while Chipper is the highly intelligent but easily distracted dog who loves to chase squirrels and rats.
Although I liked “Chase” a sci-fy adventure with an element of mystery I felt it ended far too quickly. But, well-written and captivating I will continue to follow the story line in the sequel “Escape.”
July 9, 2017
After the death of his parents in an horrific plane explosion, Jeff Conroy is taken in by his seemingly indifferent Aunt Flo. Even though he is only 12, he toils long days to help run her summer rental cabins. Because his aunt doesn't like dogs, he was forced to give away his beloved dog.
Life is looking down until he meets Emily, daughter of the owner of a several nearby rental cottages. Their friendship is in the early stages when Chipper, a run away dog, bounds into their lives. They soon learn that Chipper is a very special dog, with state-of-the-art computer implants. The people who created him are most anxious to get him back and will do almost anything to achieve that goal.
It may seem far fetched to have a dog with such skills and intelligence, but in the hands of talented author Linwood Barclay, I had no trouble accepting Chipper and his gifts. I have always wondered what dogs thing about and what they would say if they could talk with us. This is a fast paced story that is sure to capture the imagination of middle school readers. They will be able to identify with Jeff and the troubles he is having adapting to life with his aunt.
The only problem with this book is that it ended to soon. I'm hanging off the cliff with no idea when the next part of the story will be published.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
#IndigoEmployee
Life is looking down until he meets Emily, daughter of the owner of a several nearby rental cottages. Their friendship is in the early stages when Chipper, a run away dog, bounds into their lives. They soon learn that Chipper is a very special dog, with state-of-the-art computer implants. The people who created him are most anxious to get him back and will do almost anything to achieve that goal.
It may seem far fetched to have a dog with such skills and intelligence, but in the hands of talented author Linwood Barclay, I had no trouble accepting Chipper and his gifts. I have always wondered what dogs thing about and what they would say if they could talk with us. This is a fast paced story that is sure to capture the imagination of middle school readers. They will be able to identify with Jeff and the troubles he is having adapting to life with his aunt.
The only problem with this book is that it ended to soon. I'm hanging off the cliff with no idea when the next part of the story will be published.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.
#IndigoEmployee
July 5, 2017
Chipper isn't just any dog. Well not now anyway. He grew up on a farm with his brothers and sisters but one day was picked up and taken to a laboratory.
Everything was white. The walls, the floor, his cage and the coats the people wore. And then everything was black while they operated on him, replacing parts and adding things like GPS, USB ports, and cameras to make him a super smart canine. But on the day they decide he still has too many of his dog instincts (he likes chasing things), he knows his hours are numbered.
Using the intelligence they gave him, he escapes. Meanwhile there is a boy named Jeff. He's lost his parents in a plane crash and is living with his aunt, working at her camp ing ground. He soon makes a friend in Emily, a girl who is visiting with her dad.
Chipper, Jeff and Emily are quickly caught up in spy rumours, escape plans, super technology, men in black suits and explosions. Who can they trust and where can they hide?
This is the first in a new series, with more action, intrigue and evil plans afoot to come....
Everything was white. The walls, the floor, his cage and the coats the people wore. And then everything was black while they operated on him, replacing parts and adding things like GPS, USB ports, and cameras to make him a super smart canine. But on the day they decide he still has too many of his dog instincts (he likes chasing things), he knows his hours are numbered.
Using the intelligence they gave him, he escapes. Meanwhile there is a boy named Jeff. He's lost his parents in a plane crash and is living with his aunt, working at her camp ing ground. He soon makes a friend in Emily, a girl who is visiting with her dad.
Chipper, Jeff and Emily are quickly caught up in spy rumours, escape plans, super technology, men in black suits and explosions. Who can they trust and where can they hide?
This is the first in a new series, with more action, intrigue and evil plans afoot to come....
July 19, 2017
There are good things and bad things about this book. The good thing is that it is written by Linwood Barclay, who proves he can write in the tween genre just as well as the big kids, and the bad thing is the story was to be continued 😳.
Chase reminded me of Dean Koontz "Watchers" where intelligent dogs are the main character.
Chipper is a dog who has been part of a top secret mission where electronics have been implanted in his brain and eyes so he possibly could be used for espionage. But giving a dog intelligence can work against you, especially when you decide the dog isn't up to the job and must be euthanised. Chipper works out something is up and manages to escape in a brilliant manner. His one goal is to find Jeff, an orphan working on his aunts lakeside business. Together they must hide from the men and women hunting for Chipper. Excellent story for the 8 to 12 year olds.
Chase reminded me of Dean Koontz "Watchers" where intelligent dogs are the main character.
Chipper is a dog who has been part of a top secret mission where electronics have been implanted in his brain and eyes so he possibly could be used for espionage. But giving a dog intelligence can work against you, especially when you decide the dog isn't up to the job and must be euthanised. Chipper works out something is up and manages to escape in a brilliant manner. His one goal is to find Jeff, an orphan working on his aunts lakeside business. Together they must hide from the men and women hunting for Chipper. Excellent story for the 8 to 12 year olds.
August 18, 2018
Chipper is a dog, but he’s much smarter than the average dog (to say the least!). As the book opens, he is in a cage and the “White Coats” are coming for him. He manages to outsmart the humans and get away: far away, where he is looking for Jeff. Jeff is 12-years old. His parents both recently died and he is living with his aunt, who is making him work hard at her business. But, the White Coats, who are coming after Chipper, won’t stop…
I really enjoyed this. It’s YA, so not nearly as complex as Barclay’s other novels, but I thought it was still a good thriller. As YA, it’s a quick read. The point of view alternated, mostly between Chipper and Jeff, but I think there was an occasional other POV thrown in every so often. Unfortunately, there wasn’t really an end to the book, as it left off on a cliffhanger. I will, of course, pick up the sequel.
I really enjoyed this. It’s YA, so not nearly as complex as Barclay’s other novels, but I thought it was still a good thriller. As YA, it’s a quick read. The point of view alternated, mostly between Chipper and Jeff, but I think there was an occasional other POV thrown in every so often. Unfortunately, there wasn’t really an end to the book, as it left off on a cliffhanger. I will, of course, pick up the sequel.
June 15, 2018
I won this as part of a giveaway on a site called library thing. I enjoyed reading it. I had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. I look forward to reading the sequel of this book called The Escape. It was so good that I read it in just one afternoon.
June 21, 2018
I recently won the sequel to this book in a Goodreads giveaway so when I saw that Kobo had this eBook on sale I decided to go for it. What a fun middle grade adventure it turned out to be. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
January 15, 2020
Really good book better then other books on this topic
November 4, 2025
This book was my 9 year old daughter’s book club book (the club is for kids in grades 4-8). It was the first suspense type of book she has read and she loved it! I skipped a couple of quick sentences that were a little “dark” because we read it together. I haven’t seen her so excited about a book before and we can’t wait to read the second book Escape next!
August 8, 2019
Een Young Adult boek van Linwood Barclay. Dat belooft wat en dit boek komt die belofte zeker na. Chipper is een hond die ontsnapt uit een instituut waar hij is 'aangepast' om als spion te fungeren voor de regering. Maar hij is een beetje mislukt omdat hij zich niet goed kan concentreren op zijn taak, maar afgeleid wordt door iedere eekhoorn die zijn pad kruist. Daarom zal hij worden afgemaakt zodat ze alle implantaten kunnen hergebruiken. Maar hij is slim en weet te ontsnappen. Hij gaat op zoek naar Jeff. Op weg daar naar toe wordt hij achtervolgd en moet allerlei trucjes toepassen om vrij te blijven. Als hij Jeff gevonden heeft slaan ze samen met het buurmeisje, Emily op de vlucht. Zeker een spannend boek voor kinderen van 10 - 12 jaar. een 7 maar hier een 8.
April 7, 2021
titular sentence:
p9: The White Coats could send him, for example, to sniff out the location of a terrorist bomb, the lives of thousands hanging in the balance, but if he caught sight of someone tossing around a ball, he'd interrupt his mission to go and chase it.
A little too sci-fi and too juvenile for me. Or maybe just the former.
p9: The White Coats could send him, for example, to sniff out the location of a terrorist bomb, the lives of thousands hanging in the balance, but if he caught sight of someone tossing around a ball, he'd interrupt his mission to go and chase it.
A little too sci-fi and too juvenile for me. Or maybe just the former.
August 25, 2022
At first I was hesitant to read this book because it looked a bit too young for me. But this book was so entertaining and interesting, I loved the concept. I recommend reading this book if you want a quick read with a lot of action.
December 8, 2019
This is a cute story with some excitement but it's really half a book. Definitely left hanging before the story gets started very much...
March 7, 2020
great book for kids and adults alike ;)
November 15, 2023
Grabbed this audiobook because it was only a couple hours. Middle school novel. Good enough to entertain me for the morning.
April 2, 2024
Audiobook
April 14, 2019
It was okay but it could have been better.
March 24, 2018
The 7-11 year old group read Chase by Linwood Barclay for March and it was much more enjoyable than our dud last month! We had a great conversation about how suspense was built from the very first sentence and about the action and violence which was probably more than in many other books we had read - being on the run from a secret organisation who wants to kill you leads to more danger and even death. Most of us loved it, although some thought a little too violent and the impatient among us hated being left in suspense! This is definitely one of our highest rated books - the 4 coming from someone who stopped early as it was a little too violent as the scientist attempted to put the dog down and was later killed.
We rated it:
7.5 / 9 / 4 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10
We rated it:
7.5 / 9 / 4 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10 / 10
July 18, 2017
I found this an exciting, intriguing read that should really appeal to young thriller and sci-fi fans. Chipper is not your average dog, thanks to the scientists of the Institute, but their failure to actually train the dog they’ve shoved all their expensive tech into means that while he might be a super intelligent spy dog with the ability to do unexpected and extraordinary things, he’s also easily distracted – especially by squirrels.
I have to say, the whole super-smart-dog-distracted-by-squirrels thing really reminded me of Pixar’s Up, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because I love Up, but it also felt a bit too easy. Chipper is a border collie. Untrained they will chase anything, not just small furry mammals (like car wheels or bikes or anything going faster than a walk), so I feel like there could have been more scope for Chipper’s distracted behaviour.
It also takes a very, very long time for Chipper and Jeff to meet. On the one hand this is okay because Chipper’s escape is action-packed and full of peril enough on its own. Jeff’s life, however, is the complete opposite as his aunt works him tirelessly around her fishing cabins. While it’s nice getting to know Jeff and I definitely felt bad for him having to do all he does, I also spent most of his scenes wanting to get back to Chipper and all the action. Once the two do meet, things definitely speed up and the story really begins to take off.
In all this is a good start to what promises to be an exciting adventure series. Chipper is super smart, Jeff is just crying out for a more interesting life, they have a few good friends, the bad guys are really bad and there’s a final twist that might leave readers howling at the unfairness of not being able to read more just yet. In all, this is definitely one for readers seeking excitement and adventure.
(ARC provided by the publisher via Amazon Vine.)
I have to say, the whole super-smart-dog-distracted-by-squirrels thing really reminded me of Pixar’s Up, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing because I love Up, but it also felt a bit too easy. Chipper is a border collie. Untrained they will chase anything, not just small furry mammals (like car wheels or bikes or anything going faster than a walk), so I feel like there could have been more scope for Chipper’s distracted behaviour.
It also takes a very, very long time for Chipper and Jeff to meet. On the one hand this is okay because Chipper’s escape is action-packed and full of peril enough on its own. Jeff’s life, however, is the complete opposite as his aunt works him tirelessly around her fishing cabins. While it’s nice getting to know Jeff and I definitely felt bad for him having to do all he does, I also spent most of his scenes wanting to get back to Chipper and all the action. Once the two do meet, things definitely speed up and the story really begins to take off.
In all this is a good start to what promises to be an exciting adventure series. Chipper is super smart, Jeff is just crying out for a more interesting life, they have a few good friends, the bad guys are really bad and there’s a final twist that might leave readers howling at the unfairness of not being able to read more just yet. In all, this is definitely one for readers seeking excitement and adventure.
(ARC provided by the publisher via Amazon Vine.)
August 4, 2017
To be continued? Arrooooooh! Still more Linwood Barclay is always a good thing. As a children's writer myself, I love the way he's pushed the boundaries. The threat of killing in the second line?
Yet the bad guys only use a stun gun of some sort. They may threaten but the reader feels confident our main characters will survive. View point changes: even the villains voice the story.
I love the humour: "'The billions of dollars that have been channeled to our research don't even show up on the books...we are so secret that even the people who are supposed to know about us don't know about us."
And more dog is also a good thing! Chipper can talk and bark and outsmart villains. He reasons through dog difficulties and yet can't resist the chase of a rabbit or squirrel. The human main characters Jeff and Emily are real and realized and equally strong-Jeff is a loveable loose lips bumbler,Emily's the techno whiz in this three-o.
Make no mistake (and I make so many) this is high, high action--Linwood writes like a motor boat zipping across the surface of the lake. I'm left wondering about some subplots but then there's the sequel coming. I don't want more description but child at heart that I am I would love for some illustrations. Can't wait to share this with my grands!
Yet the bad guys only use a stun gun of some sort. They may threaten but the reader feels confident our main characters will survive. View point changes: even the villains voice the story.
I love the humour: "'The billions of dollars that have been channeled to our research don't even show up on the books...we are so secret that even the people who are supposed to know about us don't know about us."
And more dog is also a good thing! Chipper can talk and bark and outsmart villains. He reasons through dog difficulties and yet can't resist the chase of a rabbit or squirrel. The human main characters Jeff and Emily are real and realized and equally strong-Jeff is a loveable loose lips bumbler,Emily's the techno whiz in this three-o.
Make no mistake (and I make so many) this is high, high action--Linwood writes like a motor boat zipping across the surface of the lake. I'm left wondering about some subplots but then there's the sequel coming. I don't want more description but child at heart that I am I would love for some illustrations. Can't wait to share this with my grands!
July 5, 2017
Well I for one enjoyed this book! I received an ARC from the lovely people at 5getbookish on Twitter and as well as being beautifully packaged it arrived incredibly quickly! I actually stayed up way too late reading it and can see this being a very popular title with the 9-12 year olds when it hits the shops in July. The fact that it is obviously the start of a series also bodes well.
The story of a super dog and his mission to find 'the boy' (aka Jeffrey) and their subsequent flight from bad peeps makes for a wonderfully entertaining adventure story with quite a few gasp moments. I didn't like the 'Cinderella' aspect to Jeffrey's stories in the beginning (although his moments of vulnerability were so real it was a real heartbreak for the mum in me) so I was a bit happier following his moment of understanding with Aunt Flo. Jeffrey's new found friend 'Emily' was a bit annoying but then I think that is supposed to highlight the annoying/attractive elements of boy/girl friendships as they enter their teens. And as for Harry? Hmmmm...... well I am not sure about all that.
Overall a really excellent introduction to what promises to be an entertaining adventure/sci-fi series perfect for the 9-12 year olds.
The story of a super dog and his mission to find 'the boy' (aka Jeffrey) and their subsequent flight from bad peeps makes for a wonderfully entertaining adventure story with quite a few gasp moments. I didn't like the 'Cinderella' aspect to Jeffrey's stories in the beginning (although his moments of vulnerability were so real it was a real heartbreak for the mum in me) so I was a bit happier following his moment of understanding with Aunt Flo. Jeffrey's new found friend 'Emily' was a bit annoying but then I think that is supposed to highlight the annoying/attractive elements of boy/girl friendships as they enter their teens. And as for Harry? Hmmmm...... well I am not sure about all that.
Overall a really excellent introduction to what promises to be an entertaining adventure/sci-fi series perfect for the 9-12 year olds.
February 15, 2018
When an animal research centre decides to terminate an experiment that isn’t going as planned that particular experiment known as chipper the dog has other ideas and escapes the centre triggering a fast paced action packed read that will have you turning pages faster than you thought possible! I have read quite a few of Linwood Barclays adult novels and absolutely love them, great stories and great twists with a momentum that doesn��t let up and for his first children’s book he manages to hook you in just the same! I was a bit gutted to discover it ends on a cliff hanger and I have to wait another year for the next one but that’s ok I shall wait with anticipation.
December 23, 2020
Chase is an amazing novel it was fun and exciting throughout I really enjoyed reading it. I liked it because there was a lot of action that made me want to keep on reading and find out what was going to happen next.
I would recommend this for anyone that is 9 years or older.
Overall Chase is one of the most exciting books.
Also if you are interested there is a second book in the series.
I would recommend this for anyone that is 9 years or older.
Overall Chase is one of the most exciting books.
Also if you are interested there is a second book in the series.
July 13, 2018
Not one I would recommend
April 25, 2018
I recommend this book to people who are interested in thrillers. There’s suspense on every page and the book is hard to put down. 100% recommended!
By Nibha
Just from reading the prologue I could tell this was going to be a fantastic book! Firstly it’s easy to read and the story is the most unique I’ve ever read. I could picture the scenes. I think it could be an interesting story to share with parents. I’d like to know more about Emily so I’m hoping she’ll be in the sequel next year. I especially loved the cliffhanger ending and will definitely look out for the sequel. I would recommend it to anyone from year 4 onwards.
By Kaysia
Chase was a brilliant book. It was thrilling, unputdownable and mind-boggling. It was written so well I could see it all in my head, especially the station in the forest. It was full of surprises, so when I had to leave the book for a while I always remained extremely inquisitive, even panicky! I had a huge shock at the end. Definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. I absolutely can’t wait for book 2!
By May
I found this book very suspenseful with the way it focused at times on one character, then another. There were truckloads of surprises and plot twists, which were so brilliant I sometimes felt gullible. The characters are around my age and I felt I understood what they were going through. It’s been a great privilege to read this book, not just because it was pre-publication but because it will be such a success.
By Ryan
This book was fantastic. Especially the way each chapter chose a separate character to work with. The pace was perfect, and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved how the pressure in the book kept me reading and I think this book marks the beginning of an amazing series. I can’t wait to read the next book, since the resolution in this book was so brilliant. Each chapter got me sucked in more than the previous, and I think this book will do very well.
By Jordan
The book was really good as it was funny, puzzling and intriguing. I was not able to put it down because of all the thrilling bits. My favourite part was when the dog, Chipper, was able to communicate with Jeff and Jeff was told about his parents. The ending is absolutely wonderful as Jeff’s friend, Harry Green, works for The Institute, so he texted them, saying he had both the dog and the boy with him! I really need to know what happens next!
By Akshia
The book was very interesting, there was a lot of suspense. I was glued to the book, my eyes were stuck they could not stop looking. It was so intense it was like having a movie in your head. Everything in the world stopped I was just so focused on the book that I forgot where I was and what I was doing. The characters are so real I felt I could almost talk to them. I am so into this book! The end took me by surprise. I’ve never read anything like it. I cannot wait to read the next book.
By Suhani
This book is fantastic and very cool. It has a lots of suspense and a fantastic structure. I love this book! I would rate it 5 stars out of 5!
By Oli
I’d rate ‘Chase’ 5 out of 5 stars. It is really good. I like the way one chapter is written to focus on one area, the next another, and so on. Within the first couple of chapters I was hooked and knew I didn’t want to stop reading. I think it’s not bad considering it’s his first book for children!
By Jan
By Nibha
Just from reading the prologue I could tell this was going to be a fantastic book! Firstly it’s easy to read and the story is the most unique I’ve ever read. I could picture the scenes. I think it could be an interesting story to share with parents. I’d like to know more about Emily so I’m hoping she’ll be in the sequel next year. I especially loved the cliffhanger ending and will definitely look out for the sequel. I would recommend it to anyone from year 4 onwards.
By Kaysia
Chase was a brilliant book. It was thrilling, unputdownable and mind-boggling. It was written so well I could see it all in my head, especially the station in the forest. It was full of surprises, so when I had to leave the book for a while I always remained extremely inquisitive, even panicky! I had a huge shock at the end. Definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. I absolutely can’t wait for book 2!
By May
I found this book very suspenseful with the way it focused at times on one character, then another. There were truckloads of surprises and plot twists, which were so brilliant I sometimes felt gullible. The characters are around my age and I felt I understood what they were going through. It’s been a great privilege to read this book, not just because it was pre-publication but because it will be such a success.
By Ryan
This book was fantastic. Especially the way each chapter chose a separate character to work with. The pace was perfect, and I couldn’t stop reading. I loved how the pressure in the book kept me reading and I think this book marks the beginning of an amazing series. I can’t wait to read the next book, since the resolution in this book was so brilliant. Each chapter got me sucked in more than the previous, and I think this book will do very well.
By Jordan
The book was really good as it was funny, puzzling and intriguing. I was not able to put it down because of all the thrilling bits. My favourite part was when the dog, Chipper, was able to communicate with Jeff and Jeff was told about his parents. The ending is absolutely wonderful as Jeff’s friend, Harry Green, works for The Institute, so he texted them, saying he had both the dog and the boy with him! I really need to know what happens next!
By Akshia
The book was very interesting, there was a lot of suspense. I was glued to the book, my eyes were stuck they could not stop looking. It was so intense it was like having a movie in your head. Everything in the world stopped I was just so focused on the book that I forgot where I was and what I was doing. The characters are so real I felt I could almost talk to them. I am so into this book! The end took me by surprise. I’ve never read anything like it. I cannot wait to read the next book.
By Suhani
This book is fantastic and very cool. It has a lots of suspense and a fantastic structure. I love this book! I would rate it 5 stars out of 5!
By Oli
I’d rate ‘Chase’ 5 out of 5 stars. It is really good. I like the way one chapter is written to focus on one area, the next another, and so on. Within the first couple of chapters I was hooked and knew I didn’t want to stop reading. I think it’s not bad considering it’s his first book for children!
By Jan
April 13, 2024
Chase by Linwood Barclay.
Quick synopsis : A secret government agency is making spy dogs -- dogs full of high tech cybernetic gear.
Brief opinion : This middle grade book would insult the intelligence of any middle grader who read it.
Plot : Set in the real world and current time, a super secret evil government agency is taking dogs, stuffing them full of high tech gear, and using them to spy.
One hyper-intelligent dog, Chipper, is a failure and escapes the lab before they can put him down.
The head of this super secret evil government agency forces the scientist who was outsmarted by Chipper to swallow a dog tranquilizer while showing him that as soon as he passes out, she's going to put him down the same way one would a dog. She literally murders her employees for making a mistake. This is apparently a common thing at the super secret evil government agency.
Once Chipper is free, chapters alternate between the dog, the main character boy (Jeff) who lives with his Aunt Flo (gods above, the author is an older man, but did not one person who read this story before it was published tell him what Aunt Flo is a euphemism for?), and the super secret evil government agents who are trying to recapture Chipper.
Aunt Flo, like every other adult in this book, is useless, mean, and oftentimes just evil for evil's sake. Among other things, she forced the 12 year old Jeff to drive a pickup truck on a regular basis, bullying him when he said he shouldn't or didn't want to.
Most of the book was just the super evil bad guys chasing Jeff and Chipper. The book concluded with the head of the super evil bad guys deciding she now wanted to experiment on human children as well as dogs.
Writing/editing : The technical writing/editing was fine. The plot writing was painfully bad. Awful. I feel like I lost IQ points because I read this book. I was angry when I finished it; how did this book get published when so many better ones don't! And the poor trees that died to make paper to print this book!
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : The positive first, and the only reason I didn't DNF the book: I liked the early Chipper chapters, when he was in the lab and had just escaped.
But everything else in this book was awful and stupid. There was zero logic. Nothing made sense.
For example, so this evil agency was trying to make spy dogs to send into other countries because "no one notices dogs". Why would they pick Chipper? A border collie with "unique markings" (black around one eye, white around the other). Would you not want a dog to blend in? Something that looks like a mutt or a street dog? Border collies are striking!
Chipper flunked out of the program because he was too distractible, he couldn't override his instincts. Again, why on earth would you pick a border collie if you wanted a dog that could override its instincts!
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : A quarter star. It's my blog and I can rate it under 1 if I want to, though on Goodreads I'll have to round up to 1. It would be a zero star if not for the few chapters I liked.
Quick synopsis : A secret government agency is making spy dogs -- dogs full of high tech cybernetic gear.
Brief opinion : This middle grade book would insult the intelligence of any middle grader who read it.
Plot : Set in the real world and current time, a super secret evil government agency is taking dogs, stuffing them full of high tech gear, and using them to spy.
One hyper-intelligent dog, Chipper, is a failure and escapes the lab before they can put him down.
The head of this super secret evil government agency forces the scientist who was outsmarted by Chipper to swallow a dog tranquilizer while showing him that as soon as he passes out, she's going to put him down the same way one would a dog. She literally murders her employees for making a mistake. This is apparently a common thing at the super secret evil government agency.
Once Chipper is free, chapters alternate between the dog, the main character boy (Jeff) who lives with his Aunt Flo (gods above, the author is an older man, but did not one person who read this story before it was published tell him what Aunt Flo is a euphemism for?), and the super secret evil government agents who are trying to recapture Chipper.
Aunt Flo, like every other adult in this book, is useless, mean, and oftentimes just evil for evil's sake. Among other things, she forced the 12 year old Jeff to drive a pickup truck on a regular basis, bullying him when he said he shouldn't or didn't want to.
Most of the book was just the super evil bad guys chasing Jeff and Chipper. The book concluded with the head of the super evil bad guys deciding she now wanted to experiment on human children as well as dogs.
Writing/editing : The technical writing/editing was fine. The plot writing was painfully bad. Awful. I feel like I lost IQ points because I read this book. I was angry when I finished it; how did this book get published when so many better ones don't! And the poor trees that died to make paper to print this book!
What I Liked/What I Didn’t Like : The positive first, and the only reason I didn't DNF the book: I liked the early Chipper chapters, when he was in the lab and had just escaped.
But everything else in this book was awful and stupid. There was zero logic. Nothing made sense.
For example, so this evil agency was trying to make spy dogs to send into other countries because "no one notices dogs". Why would they pick Chipper? A border collie with "unique markings" (black around one eye, white around the other). Would you not want a dog to blend in? Something that looks like a mutt or a street dog? Border collies are striking!
Chipper flunked out of the program because he was too distractible, he couldn't override his instincts. Again, why on earth would you pick a border collie if you wanted a dog that could override its instincts!
Rating: 1-Hated / 2-Disliked / 3-Okay / 4-Liked / 5-Loved : A quarter star. It's my blog and I can rate it under 1 if I want to, though on Goodreads I'll have to round up to 1. It would be a zero star if not for the few chapters I liked.
December 23, 2018
Jeff Conroy is a twelve-year-old orphan who lives with his Aunt Flo at her fishing cabin rental business. Jeff is not particularly happy; he works non-stop doing all of the chores: cleaning the cabins, mowing the acres of grass, hauling trash to the dump and anything else Aunt Flo demands of him. He meets Emily who lives with her father who runs a similar business nearby. The two become friends as Emily shows him her favorite places around the lake, the best being an abandoned train station in the middle of the woods.
Chipper is a young border collie who loves to chase squirrels and mice. He lives in a cage at a secretive institute where he and many other dogs are part of an experimental program which turns the canines into spies. Fitted with millions of dollars worth of computer parts, Chipper is super intelligent, able to communicate with the 'white coats', and being trained for future missions. At heart though, Chipper is a dog who loves to play and is easily distracted from his job. The sinister director at the institute has sent her henchman, Daggert, to dispose of Chipper. The dog manages a daring escape and heads for Jeff as he has important information for the boy. Daggert and his cohorts are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to reclaim Chipper even if it costs Jeff his life.
This is a new young adult series written by one of my favorite authors, Linwood Barclay. It is a fun and thrilling ride with 2 protagonists to root for: a boy and a dog. It is a bit dark at times so this might not be appropriate for younger children but it was quite well done. Now I need to get to the next book to see what happens next!
Chipper is a young border collie who loves to chase squirrels and mice. He lives in a cage at a secretive institute where he and many other dogs are part of an experimental program which turns the canines into spies. Fitted with millions of dollars worth of computer parts, Chipper is super intelligent, able to communicate with the 'white coats', and being trained for future missions. At heart though, Chipper is a dog who loves to play and is easily distracted from his job. The sinister director at the institute has sent her henchman, Daggert, to dispose of Chipper. The dog manages a daring escape and heads for Jeff as he has important information for the boy. Daggert and his cohorts are in pursuit and will stop at nothing to reclaim Chipper even if it costs Jeff his life.
This is a new young adult series written by one of my favorite authors, Linwood Barclay. It is a fun and thrilling ride with 2 protagonists to root for: a boy and a dog. It is a bit dark at times so this might not be appropriate for younger children but it was quite well done. Now I need to get to the next book to see what happens next!
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