The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster

by Andrea Hahnfeld

What if dogs were not only man's best friend – but also his last hope? Clement is a disgraced dog show judge whose wife, Edith, left him under mysterious circumstances. When he is asked to step in as a last-minute substitute to judge at the famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, he learns two things: Edith is about to be killed by a shadow and it’s up to him to prevent it.

According to the Hunts, the only way to save Edith is making sure Irving, a hideous mongrel dog with special abilities, wins Best in Show.

This heart-hugging story about love, loss, and hope features memorable characters that will leave you inspired.

78 pages, Paperback

First published March 28, 2021

About the author

Andrea is an indie author based in Leipzig, Germany, who cannot function without a good night's sleep and coffee, preferably black. If she's not wrestling words to the page, she blogs about her writing process trying to help other aspiring writers to bring their ideas to the shelves.

Andrea studied German and English in Saarbrücken, Norwich, Leiden, Leipzig, and Stellenbosch. Before switching to fiction, she was a copy writer, German teacher, and co-author of textbooks for German as a Foreign Language.

Her children's book “Der Baum und das Mädchen” is nominated for the German Selfpublishing Book Award 2021 and the Kindle Storyteller X Award 2021.

Reviews

[Carina Borutta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bei einer so knappen Länge möchte ich vermeiden, genaui auf den Inhalt einzugehen und stattdessen eine absolute Leseempfehlung aussprechen! Diese Geschcihte ist nciht nur brilliant geschrieben, sie ist auch voller Wendungen, Überraschungen und toller Ideen. Kafkaesk mit einer gehörigen Prise Lovecraft wird die Leserin in eine Welt gezogen, deren Fokus mir zumindest fremd war. Geschickt wird durch tolle Charaktere und vor allem Dialoge Spannung aufgebaut! Für mir ein absolutes Must-Read!

[Rafiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story ,The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster by the author Andrea Hahnfeld, is a 78 paged short story of pure delight that will leave you at the edge of your seat.
The author has done a fantastic job of writing this short story that will totally immerse you into this new world but still familiar world and capture all your attention and have you super excited to know what the next page brings.
This short story is about a disgraced dog show judge, Clement, who was asked to step into the judge arena to become a last minute judge at the dog show to save his ex-wife Edith that left him under peculiar circumstances. The story takes us on a wild ride filled with love, hope, renewed trust in humanity.
One of the things I loved most about this short story was the very first part, the writing style and the conversation style was just intriguing. I did not know what was going on in the story but I knew I had to find out. The supernatural undertone of the story was so welcoming and unexpected yet delightful and I am glad about the way the story ended.
I wish the story could have been longer because that way the Hunts would have been demystified some more but overall this was a lovely story to read and i would give it 4 stars out of 5.

[Jasmin Borr · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading “The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster”, I found myself in a catch-22 situation: Should I devour the book or slow down my reading pace so the story would last longer? I just did not want it to end! I fell for the story immediately. It’s told through the eyes of Clement with whom I felt an instant connection. His feelings and insecurities are described in such an authentic, vivid way. In fact, that could be said about all characters in “The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster”, including the dogs. I felt like I was part of the story.
In the end, the surprising plot twists made me follow Clement eagerly on his journey that’s full of questions unanswered.
This is a book for lovers of good stories, and pets of any kind. Honestly, aren’t all pets shadow hunters at heart?

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story draws you in quite quickly and brings to the light the incredible idea of how your dog has a deeper, more meaningful purpose in your life. Not by chance, but intentionally – that’s what he’s meant to do from day one. Ever thought that your dog has entered your life with a certain purpose? Neither have I. Personally, I always thought it simply happens because you decide to get a dog. Instead you get to have a loyal pal who understands you beyond words.

This book reminded me that I shouldn’t underestimate a short read, because it might contain meaningful ideas. This is exactly what I enjoyed when reading this book. The approach is original, interesting and inspiring! At the same time, it gives out a positive vibe and a lot of hope. By the end, you feel like the story could easily flow into the next chapter – a promising one!

[Christian S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend going down this story rabbit hole! The plot pulled me in immediately. Once I’d entered the world of the Marvelous Misfits, I didn’t want to leave it—or rather, I couldn’t. I had to know where this was going. I especially liked Clement, the disgraced dog show judge. Right from the start, he’s a man with a mission—but boy was I surprised with the mission he ended up with. Note to author: Please do write more Misfit stories!

[Kato Justus · Rating 4 out of 5]

A curious and delightfully well written book about a group of unlikely friends, lovers and their dogs. I enjoyed their mysterious quest and message of hope to save lives and love as they confront being righteous with just doing the right thing. Following the journey of this quirky team of misfits and their prophetic dogs will leave you wanting more. What happens next to Edith? Will we ever know? What about the shadow? “Now you’ll always have Hope. Keep her close. She’s special. I’ve made sure.”

[Jasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bereits beim Betreten der Welt der "Marvelous Misfits" fühlte ich mich sofort wohl. Da dieses Buch durch eine geringe Seitenanzahl besticht ist es umso wichtiger, dass die Geschichte einen sofort abholt & bei sich behält. Genau das ist, meiner Meinung nach, Andrea Hahnfeld hier außerordentlich gut gelungen.
Sie hat einen sehr tollen, flüssigen Schreibstil & beschreibt die Umgebung um ihre Charaktere herum so gut, dass man das Gefühl hat selbst vor Ort zu sein & den Protagonisten lauscht.

Das Thema Charaktere ist auch hier wundervoll! Gegensätzlicher könnten sie gar nicht sein & hier prallen bereits in den ersten Seiten Welten aufeinander, welche einen "Spießer" natürlich erst einmal in seinen Grundtiefen erschüttert. Ihr letztliches Zusammenspiel lässt einen aber immer mal wieder kurz schmunzeln & die ein oder andere Szene berührt einen tief im Herzen.

Ich würde nicht sagen, dass nur Hundebesitzer hier auf ihre Kosten kommen & diese Liebe zu ihnen nachempfinden kann. Denn wir alle haben ein Tier oder etwas anderes zu dem wir eine tiefe Verbundenheit fühlen, sodass wir die Story an uns ran lassen können.

Das Cover ist trotz der grellen Farbe nicht aufdringlich und gut zum Inhalt des Buches gewählt. Es sticht ins Auge & lässt den Blick kurz verweilen mit der Frage was sich wohl dahinter verbirgt.

Fazit:

Ich kann dieses Buch absolut empfehlen. Die englische Sprache sollte einen nicht abschrecken, da man dem Ganzen gut folgen kann. Das Schulenglisch sollte hier ausreichend sein. Die Geschichte hat alles was man in einem Buch sucht: Herz, eine gute Prise Humor & viel Liebe im Detail der Autorin mit grandiosen Ideen!

[Ru · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Marvelous Misfits of Westminster” is an unexpectedly fabulous tale about a straight-laced by-the-book dog show judge, who encounters an extraordinary mutt when he is asked to fill in as judge for the final 'best in show' contest at the Westminster Dog Show. As explained by the dog's peculiar handlers, the dog has an urgent life-or-death mission, which can only be accomplished if the judge pronounces him the winner of 'best in show.' The entertaining story captivates the reader into suspending disbelief as it romps to its satisfying conclusion.

[Dustin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was für eine Geschichte. So etwas habe ich noch nie gelesen und ich muss sagen, dass es mir sehr gefallen hat.
Da es eher eine Kurzgeschichte ist, lernt man nicht übermäßig viel aber genau richtig viel über die Figuren. Die Geschichte ist gut zu lesen und zwar teilweise voraussehbar, aber das passt absolut. Ich wollte, dass zumindest "Vor Drei Monaten" so ausgeht.
Irgendwie möchte ich mehr von den Dreien lesen.

[Jurga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, curious read, involving dogs! Sometimes, this is all you need - a dog. Or, the dog.
It is very easy to read, pacing smooth and the story sucks you in, because only towards the end of it, you start to get the grasp of what kind of message it carries.
It could easily grow into a bigger book or series of stories. I would love it to.

[Katelynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Truly a bizzare story, but in a good way!

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster by Andrea Hahnfeld encompasses the expression "expect the unexpected" in a nutshell. There aren't many short stories that combine a dog show and a broken marriage with a second-chance grasp at a dream career, all while throwing in a side plot of mystery and suspense – not to mention, it's got a target audience for all ages.

It's been five years since protagonist Clement entered the Westminister Dog Show. A gentle character with a big heart and comforting energy, he never expected to be a judge again. However, one thing is clear – something's brewing. After an unusual decision during the Best of Group event, one way too unacceptable to simply bypass, the board is upset, and it's Clement's job to set things straight. In a sticky scenario, the judge who has made the decision is Edith, Clement's ex-wife. All too soon, the reasoning for Edith's outrageous judgment comes to light in the form of Irving, who's the size of a Shetland pony, matted and dirty, from a rare line of hero dogs. The issue: Irving's dying. He's also the key to saving Edith's life from the shadow, a being that stole Edith and Clement's child in the night and is now set to return at any moment. To accomplish this, Irving must breed with Salvatora – a notorious prize-winning show dog – who comes from a long line of survivors. The connection between Salvatora and Irving is vital, their offspring will save many lives, and Clement is destined to bring about their connection.

Many will connect with and enjoy following Clement's character throughout the story. I loved that the story was told from Clement's perspective because I could understand his motives and thoughts. The vivid details immerse the reader into the story, and I feel like I was alongside Clement at the dog show. This unique plot is different but captivating, and I found it hard to put it down because I wanted to know more. The author's writing is imaginative, making this a read unlike any other.

Overall The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster is a well-written and original mystery with an unanticipated collision of themes and genres. I highly recommend this brilliant story with a well-paced plotline and strategic depth embossed into each character, to everyone, especially dog lovers.

[JCL · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Cross-posted from Amazon but with more thoughts)

The descriptor of this book, "a cozy mystery story about love, dogs and believing in miracles", is 100% the best descriptor.

It is a mystery combining dogs, dogs with supernatural talents, dog shows, love and grief.

I do not read a lot of mystery books so the premise of this was new for me, and to be honest, at first, I found it ridiculous, but held on and I am glad I did.

This is one of those short stories where the characters are written with such a depth. They are given life so well that it does not feel like I was just reading them, it feels like I was there, witnessing all of this in real time.
I found that the way Clement, the main character, was written so well because I can deeply empathize with him. Not as a passive witness but as if I was there.

Then there is the pacing of the story. I would say that this is what I liked the most about this book. It is paced so well that it makes this a gripping read. The pace and the way the story is told makes you lock in and read it in one sitting.

Overall, I am glad I took a chance to read this after stumbling upon it somewhere (I forgot if it was TikTok, Pinterest or Substack) during my search for the next short story that I will read.

If you are looking for a cozy, gripping but ends well mystery, this is a good read.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one, I wrote myself – and of course I think it's fabulous. But don't take my word for it, judge for yourself. :-)

Structurally, I was inspired by John Irving's “The Pension Grillparzer”. I am convinced that anyone who liked Irving's story, will also like “The Marvelous Misfits of Westminster”. Somehow, I always find myself writing about the shadows that haunt us. This one is about a shadow, too. But mainly, it's about love and loyalty and the hope that everything will change for the better. I believe in silver linings. I hope you do like the story. If you do, I'd appreciate your feedback.

By the way, you can read this short story for free on Kindle Unlimited.

[Birgit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eine nette Kurzgeschichte für Zwischendurch, die absurd-komisch beginnt und sich dann etwas zu viel vornimmt. Von jetzt auf gleich wird die Geschichte um einiges düsterer und greift ein Thema auf, dass in so einer Kürze nicht ausreichend behandelt werden kann. Wenn man dies jedoch ignoriert, ist die Geschichte gut gelungen und es wert gelesen zu werden - es dauert ja auch nicht all zu lang.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the strangest and most puzzling stories I've read. I'm not a dog person so it was even more puzzling for me, like "Why was it gifted to me?!", frowning while I was reading the first pages. And yet, I read it in one go, not able to stop. And I loved it. I need to read it a second time to understand why I loved it, but I sure did.

[Frankie Pendles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

It's a cute little story. Not much substance to it, but it's entertaining. As a short story with a special plot, I'm happy I gave it a shot.

[Maria Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is very tiny, but I spent good moments with it :) I wish we had a second book :p please need more :)

[Livia Verrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Andrea Hahnfeld has written the beginnings of a delightful short story but unfortunately leaves the reader wanting more. The plot is compelling, and the characters are interesting, but neither is well developed. The writing style is in the present tense and narrated in the first person by Clement the disgraced dog show judge.

The reader first briefly meets Cynthia with a hidden past and links to the Price of Wales but not much else is said about her. The story quickly moves past her leaving unanswered questions.
We then meet the mysterious Hunts, Haimi and Harvey, along with their Eppinger dog Irving. Clement is outraged that they would try to show an unknown breed, and a dog so obviously unworthy to be in the Westminster Dog Show.

Clement is briefly reunited with the love of his life Edith, but the reader never knows much about their backstory.

This story feels more like a brief proposal for a novel with some key scenes and not a completed story. Major events are passed by. The reader never sees the Eppinger, Irving, participate in the dog show. Nothing is shown what happens later. Story questions are not satisfactorily answered.

Dog lovers will be disappointed that so little is revealed by the Eppingers. There was so much missed opportunity to develop the characters further and to elaborate on the plot. An adequate read but too short. I give this story 3 stars.

[Margareta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dieses Hörbuch hat selbst mich als Katzenliebhaberin überzeugt ;). Eine wunderbare Geschichte. Obwohl sie recht kurz ist, konnte sie mich sehr überzeugen und hat mich gut unterhalten.

Die Story hat einen tollen Erzählstil und interessante Charaktere. Die Sprache ist in einem sehr authentischen Englisch gehalten. Der Erzähler hat eine tolle Aussprache und eine angenehme Stimme. Dadurch wird das hören zum Genuss.

Auch die das Cover finde ich echt schön, wodurch ich sogar überlege, mir die gedruckte Variante zu holen.

Ich kann dieses Hörbuch nur weiter empfehlen.

[Christian S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wunderbar gelesenes Hörbuch! Ich kenne bereits das Buch und war neugierig, wie die Geschichte wohl gesprochen wirkt. Ich kann nur sagen: Es lohnt sich! Der Witz der Geschichte kommt beim Vorlesen noch besser heraus. Ich musste mehrmals schmunzeln.