In Search of McDoogal

by Mae Clair

In search of something ugly…

All Brady Conrad wants to do is earn a few merit points with his artist girlfriend, so he volunteers to cover her gallery when she leaves town. What should be an easy day of sales goes belly up when he mistakenly sells a cherished painting.

With the clock ticking toward Vanessa’s return, Brady has less than a day to track McDoogal down. He coerces his friend Declan to tag along for moral support. How difficult can it be for an investigator and the director of a renowned institute to find a single painting in a town the size of a postage stamp?

Neither Brady nor Declan counted on a suspicious sheriff, rival baseball teams with a longstanding grudge, or a clueless kid trying to win his girlfriend with all the wrong gifts.

McDoogal is smack in the middle. But Brady’s biggest dilemma isn’t the disastrous hunt. It’s confessing to Vanessa her painting is the ugliest thing he’s ever seen.

64 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2020

About the author

A member of the International Thriller Writers, Mae Clair is also a founding member and contributor to the award-winning writing blog, Story Empire. Her preferred genre is mystery/suspense, though she flavors her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore.

Mae is married to to her high school sweetheart, lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats. Sign-up for her newsletter at https://maeclair.com/newsletter

You an also discover more about Mae on her website and blog at MaeClair.com

Finally, follow Mae on BookBub for more bookish recommendations and reviews: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/mae-c...

Reviews

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mae Clair's In search of McDoogal (2020) is fun, quick paced, and clever. It's not long so I barely started before I felt like it ended too soon. Brady Conrad thinks he has something special with his girlfriend of six weeks, Vanessa, like she could be The One. So he offers to help her out during an emergency, run a sale at her art gallery while she's taking care of personal business. It all goes well--he does end up selling a lot--but also sells a painting she wanted to keep. How hard can it be to get it back? Brady knows the man’s first name, where he lives, and that his van is bright orange (who else drives an orange van?). He’s about to find out even with that treasure trove of information, it can be nearly impossible.

I've read lots of Mae's prior books and always loved them for their careful plotting and well-developed characters. Despite this one's brevity, she again does a good job of developing her story with snappy dialogue, a mix of love and action, and a believable plot (I mean, anyone could make the mistake that landed Brandon in hot water). This is an entirely entertaining story I recommend to those who have experience with something so simple going so wrong.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In Search of McDoogal” is a fun short story. Brady helps his girlfriend, Vanessa, by working in her art studio when she’s out of town. He finds out he sold a painting of a beloved cat that he wasn’t supposed to. So, he grabbed his best friend Declan and headed off to get it back. I loved the easy friendship between the two men and Brady’s fear of disappointing his girlfriend. I smiled many times reading and was wholly entertained. It was funny how Brady disliked the painting, as well as others who had seen it, too. This was a quick read with a surprise twist at the end that I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend.

[Darlene Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, laugh-out-loud book. The use of dialogue is well done, as it is completely real and natural. Although it's a short book, the reader gets to know the characters well. I hope the author writes more books with Brady and Declan as I love them. Well written and edited, I highly recommend this book.

[Joan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Things We Do for Love

Anytime I see a new release by Mae Clair, I know it’s going to be a fantastic read. Having enjoyed both her Hodes Hill and Point Pleasant series, as well as single titles such as Eclipse Lake, I immediately bought a copy of In Search of McDoogle.

While this story is far different from her usual genre, it didn’t disappoint.

Brady Conrad wants to impress his girlfriend. When he accidentally sells her beloved painting, he enlists the help of his friend, Declan, to help retrieve it.

What follows is a trip to a nearby town in search of the elusive "masterpiece," a cast of quirky characters, a comedy of errors, and lots of laughs.

A solid five stars for this one.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several Mae Clair books now, but this short read is a departure from her supernatural suspense reads.  And boy, was it fun.

Poor Brady.  He's trying to win the girl, but accidentally sells her beloved painting.  After a stroke of good luck tracking it down, he thinks retrieving it won't be quite as difficult as he'd thought - guess again.  He and his friend hit one obstacle after another, and from the varying opinions on exactly what kind of animal is featured on this canvas (rat, hamster, cat, etc.), I had fun imagining what this "cherished painting" looked like.  Brady's and Declan's entertaining banter had me chuckling, as well as a certain Freddie Mercury-worshipping character.  As a cat lover, I especially enjoyed learning about the real McDoogal in the author's note at the end.  

If you're looking for a humorous, light-hearted, quick read, In Search of McDoogal checks all those boxes.   

[Judith Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed after a busy week. It's short. Only a 90-minute read, but those minutes were at the end of the day, right before bedtime, and they were the perfect way to wash away thoughts and make me smile. This story was pure fun and entertainment. The two guy pals sounded like the old friends they were, giving each other grief while constantly being in each other's corners. The plot was sheer delight. You know the saying, "Things can always get worse?" Well, these guys go from one mishap to the next. They would have been lucky if there really were a Murphy's Law, because then, after the third mess-up, they'd have been done. No such luck. The humor kept me snickering through the entire thing. If you need something to lift your mood, this is the perfect read.

[Sally Cronin · Rating 4 out of 5]

No good deed goes unpunished as the saying goes and certainly Brady Conrad is willing to go to any lengths to minimise the fallout from an honest mistake he made when helping out his girlfriend. He and his friend meet barriers to the successful completion of this quest at every turn, but it does provide for entertaining reading and the author has created some quirky characters and laugh aloud moments along the way. The book is well written and the escapade flows seamlessly from start to finish.

Certainly an hour well spent and I look forward to more adventures in the future as there is certainly the potential for a series. I can recommend for lovers of lighthearted mysteries who want to take a break from the headlines and give a much needed boost to their sense of humour.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

After hearing a lot of great things about In Search of McDoogal on social media, I was anxious to read it. Let’s just say, reading it on the patio with golfers passing through the back yard wasn’t very considerate of me. No doubt I added some strokes to their scorecard with my laugh-out-loud outbursts. I loved Clark Barr! I can’t recall when I’ve enjoyed a story this much. Each of the characters were well developed and so likeable. This is my first book by Mae Clair, since I’m not brave enough to read her spooky stories. I do hope she writes more in this genre, as it seems to come natural for her. I highly recommend this fun and delightful read!

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Mae Clair’s shivery tales for a long time. Her Hode’s Hill series is one of my favorites, especially the final book of the trilogy, Eventide. Talk about spooky chills! So when I sat down to read her latest book, In Search of McDoogal, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I wanted to give it a try, because as much as I love scary stories, I love to laugh even more. But could a writer of such strong mysteries really pull it off? I wondered.

I needn’t have worried. Mae Clair did not disappoint, and she has proven her versatility with In Search of McDoogal. A radically different tone and mood, yes, but the realistically funny, snarky conversations between two old friends and the fast-paced plot were perfect for this short read. It had me laughing all the way from Page One to The End, and I can’t wait to share another adventure with Brady and Declan!

One thing for sure. Mae Clair has proven her versatility as a writer with her new fun series. There’s no doubt about it, In Search of McDoogal is a delight!

[Jessica Bakkers · Rating 5 out of 5]

'In Search of McDoogal' by Mae Clair is one heck of a hilarious ride. It reminded me of an episode of Fawlty Towers or Doc Martin in its zany antics and zinging back-and-forth dialogue. 

'McDoogal' centers around hapless big-hearted Brady who accidently sells his girflfriend's most treasured painting (of her deceased cat McDoogal) to an unknown customer who happens to live four hours away. Dragging best friend and comedy buddy Declan along for the ride, Brady hunts down the customer to retrieve 'McDoogal', only to find getting back the painting isn't going to be quite as easy as he'd hoped.

A small-town Sherrif, brawling baseball teams, dolphin-loving college girl, and chilli-dog-eating hippy-wannabe stand in Brady's way of claiming 'McDoogal', and you can feel his stress and tension rising as the situation gets more desperate with every turn of the page. 

'McDoogal' is a wonderfully written short(ish) story, that gave me a good laugh and the 'feel goods' all the way through. The author's acknowledgments at the end of the book sucker-punched me a little about the revelation of the actual McDoogal and his relationship with Arafel (I won't say anymore here; go read it for yourself and see if you don't come away with tears in your eyes). 

An absolute gem of a book you need to read.

[Pete Springer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a short, feel-good novella, I highly recommend In Search of McDoogal by Mae Claire. This book may take only an hour to read, but there is one laugh after another.

Brady Conrad promises his girlfriend, Vanessa, that he will fill in for her at her art gallery while Vanessa is out of town. He thinks that he will make many points by doing his girlfriend this favor. Unfortunately, Brady sells a painting that Vanessa's sister, Chloe, thinks is important to Vanessa. What follows is a series of funny scenes as Brady and his best friend, Declan, drive four hours to try and recover the painting before Vanessa gets home.

Much of the humor revolves around an animal in the painting. Brady thinks it is McDoogal, a cat that Vanessa used to own. Every person who sees the artwork has a different interpretation of what kind of animal McDoogal is. Brady and Declan go to great lengths to try and recover the painting. It's a race against time. I don't want to spoil the ending for you, but it is delightful.

Many of Clair's previous books are suspenseful mysteries, but this story goes in a completely different direction. I think most fans of romantic comedies would enjoy this read. A lot of the priceless humor could have come right out of an Abbott and Costello film.

[John W. Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mae Clair is one of the finest writers active today. Her books are well researched, well written, and tend to keep the reader on the edge of the seat. In search of Mc, Doogal is a different kind of book from Ms. Clair’s usual offerings. There are no spooky happenings or mysterious bumps in the night. No monsters jump out and terrify the reader either. What Mc Doogal does have is a delightful story of two dear friends Brady and Declan, on a quest to correct a mistake made by Brady. He was entrusted with a treasured painting by his girlfriend, and he unwittingly sells it to an out of towner. The two friends have a description of the car and the location of the buyer.

As fate dictates, that buyer is four hours down the road so, here we go. You guessed it a chase to catch the buyer and get the painting back before the girlfriend even knows it’s missing. Whoever thinks this is going to be easy, raise your hand. As simple as that sounds, it would not be a Mae Clair story without complications. Oh, and there is a twist in there too. That is very like Mae Clair. Do the boys get the painting back? Well, you’ll just have to read the book. One more thought, if you like to laugh and have fun, this is the book for you.

[Miriam Hurdle · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of McDoogal by Mae Clair is a fast-read short story. The main characters and the problem were established in the story's onset. Brady and Declan were best friends from high school. Brad showed up before dawn to ask Declan’s help. The way they communicated with each other was nothing less than that in such a friendship.

It horrified Brady when he sold his girlfriend Vanessa’s cherished painting while watching her shop. He had one day to retrieve it before her return from a trip. The all-day tracking of the painting and the incredible chain of actions bolted me to the seat. The dialogue was hilarious and kept me laughing from the beginning to the end. It felt like these two guys were chasing their hundred-dollar bill got blown away, every time they almost touched it to grab it, another wind swooped it up.

The characters are believable. The mistake Brady made could have happened to anyone. The panicking, the willingness to go all the way in remediation, and the bargaining in saving a situation are so real in life. Yet the story put humor in such seemingly desperate circumstance. I look forward to more short stories from this author and this cast. Highly recommended.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short read from Mae Clair is funny and filled with quirky characters. When Brady mistakenly sells his girlfriend's painting, her talisman, her treasure, he will move heaven and earth to get it back. He grabs his best friend, Declan and the two set out to retrieve the painting before the girlfriend returns from out of town. The search almost reads like a "who's on first" scenario, as they met dead-end after dead-end in a small town four hours away. The characters come to life and jump off the pages, from the love-struck Brady to the star-struck Dorie. I loved everything about this story. It is well-written, is a quick easy read, and will make you laugh out loud! But my favorite part of Brady's quest was his own discovery of how much he'd come to care for (no fall in love with) Vanessa. While the quest was to retrieve the dreadful painting, it accomplished so much more. If you're looking for a lighthearted escape from life, this is a perfect choice! It is well-written and shows the diverse talent of this author! I highly recommend it!

[Balroop Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of McDoogal is a gem that shimmers amongst the engaging works of Mae Clair, a superb storyteller, with a unique style. I’ve never read a story that could make me smile till the last page. At places, giggles erupted unknowingly, adding a blush to my ears, as I like to laugh loudly but felt guilty, with Kindle in my hand. It is a pleasure to read that McDoogal was the name of Mae’s loving cat whose cherished memory has been encapsulated so lovingly within this story.

Brady’s love for his girlfriend impels him to retrieve the precious painting that he had inadvertently sold to a guy who drove a bright orange Dodge pick up and the whole fun starts. Though Brady is really upset with the situation he is placed in, but Clair turns it into a light-hearted tale with crafty dialogues, funny situations, eccentric characters and names like “Abe Barr,” “Webb,” “Jenks,” “Clark Barr,” who looked like “a rat.” Even names of places evoke humor. I loved the ending, which left me craving for more such stories.

[Harmony Kent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud funny.

I grabbed this book as soon as it released because I love this writer. While it’s not her usual supernatural thriller, it is a fun comedy-of-errors romance with a cute twist at the end.

The book is a quick read of about an hour and a page turner.

If you need some light relief then In Search of McDoogal is for you.

I give it a solid five stars.

***

NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.

5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.

[D. Peach · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this lighthearted novella (about a 90-minute read), Brady and his friend Declan go in search of a painting of an ugly cat named McDoogal. Brady accidently sold his artist-girlfriend’s creation when filling in for her at an art sale, and he’s got one day to hunt it down and buy it back.

A road trip ensues and finding the painting isn’t as simple as it seems. Several colorful characters come into play, and there’s plenty of witty dialog about the feline subject of the artwork. Brady’s deadline keeps the pace moving.

This is a purely feel-good read, fine for the whole family. Definitely check out the author’s Afterword about the real McDoogal – it’s a touching treat for anyone who’s ever loved a cat.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The things we do for love…

When Brady Conrad inadvertently sells his girlfriend’s prized painting of her beloved feline, he talks friend Declan into helping in its recovery.

They follow a vague trail of clues leading them to a small town with a suspicious sheriff and a calamity of events that make for entertaining reading. Brady and Declan act more like brothers with their witty dialogue and unending support and the supporting characters are a hoot!

The more we learn of this painting, the curiouser it gets and was a highlight of the story for me.

If you’re looking for a little lighthearted relief from the current world crisis, this book fits the bill!

[Julie Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great little story! Mae Clair is better known for suspenseful mysteries, but this little gem has humor all over it. When buddies Brady and Declan head off on their search for McDoogal, they hit a roadblock. There's nothing quite like a "treasure" hunt in which the treasure keeps slipping away.

Light-hearted and fun, this is a great afternoon read that puts the "good" in "feel good". An obstacle-riddled quest with a satisfying ending, this is a delightful story, and I hope Mae Clair writes more like this.

[Gwendolyn Plano · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Search of McDoogal by Mae Clair is a delightful read. Fast-paced and character-driven, this short story had me from the first few lines. The plot is simple but the intricacies - and delicacies - of the storyline will hold you to the end.

Clair is masterful in developing her characters. They become the guy/girl down the street, someone you say hello to every day. The neighbor you depend upon. Within a few pages, I cared about each person. That is a writing feat!

Will Brady find and return Vanessa’s painting? Clair makes sure you really, really want to know.

[C.S. Boyack · Rating 5 out of 5]

McDoogal came along at a perfect time for me. I always appreciate a short read, but it’s hard to make them fun. McDoogal did not disappoint. It reminds me of one of those comedy films from the 80s in that whatever can go wrong, will. Comedy is something new from Mae Clair, and I certainly hope this isn’t her last foray into it. McDoogal gets five stars from me, and everyone should give it a chance.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The situation is irresistible: a guy has to retrieve an item or jeopardize a promising relationship. So he and his buddy race around trying to find it, getting into a bunch of comical scrapes in the process. My favourite parts were the scenes whose dialogue reminded me of "Who's on First?" The characters were realistic and memorable and the setting (a charming small town) described enough that I had no trouble visualizing it. My only problem with this story is that it's too short!