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Monty Dog Detective #2
The Bone Ranger
A new wagtastic mystery.
Monty, the adorable, food-obsessed Golden Retriever will do anything for his owner, Detective Constable Rose Sidebottom.
Of course, as these things go, Monty is no ordinary dog and Rose is no ordinary hooman.
Monty's super-smart nose and network of unique informers, and Rose's uncanny ability to spot liars make them a funny and formidable team.
When Rose is on sick leave a stranger begs for their help to find a missing person. The case soon becomes a murder investigation, and Rose's boss warns her not to interfere.
But, when dogs start disappearing too, Monty and Rose have no choice but to track down the culprits by doing what they do best - together.
Monty, the adorable, food-obsessed Golden Retriever will do anything for his owner, Detective Constable Rose Sidebottom.
Of course, as these things go, Monty is no ordinary dog and Rose is no ordinary hooman.
Monty's super-smart nose and network of unique informers, and Rose's uncanny ability to spot liars make them a funny and formidable team.
When Rose is on sick leave a stranger begs for their help to find a missing person. The case soon becomes a murder investigation, and Rose's boss warns her not to interfere.
But, when dogs start disappearing too, Monty and Rose have no choice but to track down the culprits by doing what they do best - together.
- GenresCrimeCozy Mystery
314 pages, Paperback
Published November 18, 2021
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Louisa Bennet
3 books26 followersThe Bone Ranger, Louisa's new, hilarious, dog detective novel, is her latest cozy mystery.
Mystery author, Louisa Bennet, studied Literature at the University of London and went on to learn Canine Linguistics from her golden retriever, Pickles, which is how she discovered what dogs really get up to when we’re not around. Truth be told, Pickles came up with the story for the Monty And Sidebottom Mysteries, and Louisa just transcribed it. She’s faster on the keyboard and less easily distracted by food and passing squirrels.
Louisa also writes thrillers as L.A. Larkin and divides her time between London and Sydney. She runs courses on crime fiction and creative writing. Pickles runs courses on wee-mailing, duck toppling and drool management.
To stay in touch with Monty, the sniffer super-sleuth, please go to:
website: www.LALarkin.com
Facebook @authorLouisaBennet
Instagram: @PicklesandLilly
Twitter: @MontyDogD
Mystery author, Louisa Bennet, studied Literature at the University of London and went on to learn Canine Linguistics from her golden retriever, Pickles, which is how she discovered what dogs really get up to when we’re not around. Truth be told, Pickles came up with the story for the Monty And Sidebottom Mysteries, and Louisa just transcribed it. She’s faster on the keyboard and less easily distracted by food and passing squirrels.
Louisa also writes thrillers as L.A. Larkin and divides her time between London and Sydney. She runs courses on crime fiction and creative writing. Pickles runs courses on wee-mailing, duck toppling and drool management.
To stay in touch with Monty, the sniffer super-sleuth, please go to:
website: www.LALarkin.com
Facebook @authorLouisaBennet
Instagram: @PicklesandLilly
Twitter: @MontyDogD
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 2, 2022
Monty, a Golden Retriever, loved his owner Detective Constable Rose Sidebottom and would do anything for her. Together they made a good team, with her interpreting his woofs and paw lifts as messages for her. Rose was on sick leave from her previous case, with her anxiety levels and panic attacks debilitating for her. She was (reluctantly) seeing the force psychologist, but Monty was her calming device. When a stranger asked Rose for help locating a missing young woman, Rose had to do it behind her chief’s back. Would she find the woman before it was too late?
Meanwhile, dogs were being dognapped and hidden away. Monty and his backup team – Betty the rat, Nigel the squirrel and Dante the magpie – sent messages throughout the animal community. Monty’s howling messages disturbed the hoomans, but he soon had results. But the fear Monty felt when he picked up a scent which had terrible memories for him – was it the Bone Ranger who was causing the trouble?
The Bone Ranger was lots of fun and 2nd to Monty & Me, published in 2015 by Aussie author Louisa Bennet. The Monty Dog Detective series looks to be enticing and I hope there’s not too long a wait for book #3. Monty is a typical Golden – loves his food, is caring and adores his owner, prepared to attack to protect her, and loyal to his friends. The author has fashioned Monty on her own pet, Pickles, which is pretty cute. I did find some editing errors in the paperback copy I borrowed from my library, which is a shame, but didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I love the cover too! Recommended.
Meanwhile, dogs were being dognapped and hidden away. Monty and his backup team – Betty the rat, Nigel the squirrel and Dante the magpie – sent messages throughout the animal community. Monty’s howling messages disturbed the hoomans, but he soon had results. But the fear Monty felt when he picked up a scent which had terrible memories for him – was it the Bone Ranger who was causing the trouble?
The Bone Ranger was lots of fun and 2nd to Monty & Me, published in 2015 by Aussie author Louisa Bennet. The Monty Dog Detective series looks to be enticing and I hope there’s not too long a wait for book #3. Monty is a typical Golden – loves his food, is caring and adores his owner, prepared to attack to protect her, and loyal to his friends. The author has fashioned Monty on her own pet, Pickles, which is pretty cute. I did find some editing errors in the paperback copy I borrowed from my library, which is a shame, but didn’t take away from my enjoyment. I love the cover too! Recommended.
July 14, 2022
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The Bone Ranger is such a fun read; amusing, enjoyable and a little bit quirky.
Detective Rose Sidebottom is suffering from PTSD after a near death experience and is on sick leave. When a woman begs Rose to find her missing friend. Then when a girl is found murdered, Rose can't help but become involved even though her boss has warned her off the case.
Rose has a strong connection with her dog Monty, a golden retriever, who even seems to understand her when she talks to him. I loved the connection between Monty and Rose and how Monty could understand Rose and he found unique ways of trying to get her to understand him, even though she didn't get it some of the time.
The story is a dual narrative with Monty in 1st person which I found appropriate and Rose in 3rd person. I felt the change between perspectives flowed smoothly. I loved how Louisa Bennett got right into the mind and thoughts of a dog which were quite often amusing and gave me a few chuckles.
As Rose and Monty endeavour to uncover the identity of the murdered girl they come across a mysterious case of missing dogs. This detective duo are joined by a rat named Betty, Dante the magpie and a hyperactive squirrel. The animal community band together to help solve the mystery.
Even though the story is light and fun it is still a compelling crime read with captivating mysteries, tension, danger and suspense thrown in to give a read that is engrossing.
The Bone Ranger is the second book in the Monty Dog Detective series however reads well as a stand alone.
*I received my copy from the publisher
The Bone Ranger is such a fun read; amusing, enjoyable and a little bit quirky.
Detective Rose Sidebottom is suffering from PTSD after a near death experience and is on sick leave. When a woman begs Rose to find her missing friend. Then when a girl is found murdered, Rose can't help but become involved even though her boss has warned her off the case.
Rose has a strong connection with her dog Monty, a golden retriever, who even seems to understand her when she talks to him. I loved the connection between Monty and Rose and how Monty could understand Rose and he found unique ways of trying to get her to understand him, even though she didn't get it some of the time.
The story is a dual narrative with Monty in 1st person which I found appropriate and Rose in 3rd person. I felt the change between perspectives flowed smoothly. I loved how Louisa Bennett got right into the mind and thoughts of a dog which were quite often amusing and gave me a few chuckles.
As Rose and Monty endeavour to uncover the identity of the murdered girl they come across a mysterious case of missing dogs. This detective duo are joined by a rat named Betty, Dante the magpie and a hyperactive squirrel. The animal community band together to help solve the mystery.
Even though the story is light and fun it is still a compelling crime read with captivating mysteries, tension, danger and suspense thrown in to give a read that is engrossing.
The Bone Ranger is the second book in the Monty Dog Detective series however reads well as a stand alone.
*I received my copy from the publisher
August 30, 2023
‘The big secret is that dogs pretend to be dumb so that hoomans don’t feel threatened.’
This is the second time I’ve met Monty and his human companion, Detective Constable Rose Sidebottom. My first encounter was only a short one (‘When the Chips Are Down’) but it had me intrigued. In ‘The Bone Ranger’, Monty and Rose become entangled in both a murder investigation and a series of dog-nappings.
‘I sniff two warning wee-mails.
Dogs are disappearing. Stay home, stay safe.
He who must not be named is back! Be vigilant.’
Rose is on sick leave, and while she wants to return to work, she is having trouble complying with the medical fitness requirements. Monty, who loves Rose dearly, has his patience tested when Rose insists on washing his yellow toy duck. Hoomans just do not understand:
‘At least my bed carries my doggy aroma. The smells that come with me to bed at night are the memories of that day and they rub off on the bed cover. When I sniff my bed, all those memories come flooding back. Wash my bed and the result is olfactory amnesia. A terrible affliction.’
But back to the case of The Bone Ranger. Monty can enlist help from his friends Betty the rat and Nigel the squirrel. Dante the magpie also helps with aerial surveillance. If only Rose could understand when Monty tries to share some of the clues with her! [We hoomans can be so slow, as my own late doggy companion Sir Bruce the Battle Rat could have attested. Sir Bruce, a Jack Russell Terrier, would have loved to assist Monty, although he may not have been quite so keen on Betty.]
And poor Rose. While she can tell whether someone is telling the truth (or not) it is hard for her to help when she’s been directed not to. But our intrepid detectives are not deterred, and together after a misadventure or two, they sniff out the culprits.
I really enjoyed this novel: wondering whether Rose would make the breakthrough she needed and hoping that Monty could communicate the information he received from his wide network of advisers and informers. After all, lives are at stake!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This is the second time I’ve met Monty and his human companion, Detective Constable Rose Sidebottom. My first encounter was only a short one (‘When the Chips Are Down’) but it had me intrigued. In ‘The Bone Ranger’, Monty and Rose become entangled in both a murder investigation and a series of dog-nappings.
‘I sniff two warning wee-mails.
Dogs are disappearing. Stay home, stay safe.
He who must not be named is back! Be vigilant.’
Rose is on sick leave, and while she wants to return to work, she is having trouble complying with the medical fitness requirements. Monty, who loves Rose dearly, has his patience tested when Rose insists on washing his yellow toy duck. Hoomans just do not understand:
‘At least my bed carries my doggy aroma. The smells that come with me to bed at night are the memories of that day and they rub off on the bed cover. When I sniff my bed, all those memories come flooding back. Wash my bed and the result is olfactory amnesia. A terrible affliction.’
But back to the case of The Bone Ranger. Monty can enlist help from his friends Betty the rat and Nigel the squirrel. Dante the magpie also helps with aerial surveillance. If only Rose could understand when Monty tries to share some of the clues with her! [We hoomans can be so slow, as my own late doggy companion Sir Bruce the Battle Rat could have attested. Sir Bruce, a Jack Russell Terrier, would have loved to assist Monty, although he may not have been quite so keen on Betty.]
And poor Rose. While she can tell whether someone is telling the truth (or not) it is hard for her to help when she’s been directed not to. But our intrepid detectives are not deterred, and together after a misadventure or two, they sniff out the culprits.
I really enjoyed this novel: wondering whether Rose would make the breakthrough she needed and hoping that Monty could communicate the information he received from his wide network of advisers and informers. After all, lives are at stake!
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
December 15, 2021
I LOVED this book! Thank you to Louisa Bennet for generously sharing a copy with me. Rose and Monty, the dog detective, are at it again. This time they're trying to solve a murder and dognappings.
Rose and Monty's connection is fun and heartwarming to read. Monty says what we all know our dogs are silently saying to us. I liked how if a chapter was from Monty's point of view, there was a dog silhouette at the beginning, and if it was third person/Rose's, it was a woman's silhouette.
This book was suspenseful, and one part even brought happy tears to my eyes. Dog lovers who like mysteries would like this a lot, but you don't have to be a dog lover to be charmed by Monty.
Rose and Monty's connection is fun and heartwarming to read. Monty says what we all know our dogs are silently saying to us. I liked how if a chapter was from Monty's point of view, there was a dog silhouette at the beginning, and if it was third person/Rose's, it was a woman's silhouette.
This book was suspenseful, and one part even brought happy tears to my eyes. Dog lovers who like mysteries would like this a lot, but you don't have to be a dog lover to be charmed by Monty.
November 29, 2021
This is like nothing else! Brilliant! I read a lot of animal sleuth mysteries with dogs in them, and I can honestly say this is the best I have ever read! I couldn't help but fall in love with Monty, the dog who is the central character. He is so loyal, caring and courageous and the great thing about a cozy is you know there will be a happy ending, so there's no fear that anything bad will happen to the dog. The dog's owner is Rose Sidebottom (great name!) a detective struggling with anxiety, and I was cheering her on throughout the book. And I really liked the vet, Malcolm, who is the potential love interest. Set in rural England, this mystery has everything: a tense mystery, cute moments, and big doses of humor.
December 23, 2021
This charming novel was the perfect read after the end of term busyness and the lead-up to Christmas. Although The Bone Ranger is the second book in the Monty Dog Detective series it can also be read as a stand-alone.
Rose is a detective working for the Major Crimes unit; due to a recent traumatic case, which nearly cost Rose her life, she is on sick leave and can only return back to work once the psychiatrist gives her a clean bill of health. As of yet, Rose hasn't attended any appointments. During a routine visit to the supermarket, Rose is stopped by a young woman who recognises her, and her dog, from solving a recent murder case. She asks for Rose's help in finding her friend who has gone missing. Adamant that she doesn't want to go to the police Rose calls her work colleague Joe to help her look into the case.
Over the course of the next few days Rose finds herself emerged in a murder investigation (albeit on the sidelines and without the support of her former boss and colleagues), a suspicious farmer, a series of dognapping in the local area and in helping a young boy escape the thugs who threaten to hurt him. This is just the distraction that Rose needs and a way of avoiding her psychiatrist appointments. With the help of her faithful crime-seeking dog, Monty, and her friends Joe and Malcolm the vet, Rose sets off on a mission to solve the recent crimes and in doing to prove to her boss that she is fit to return to the job the loves.
This cosy mystery was very endearing and quite the page-turner. I loved how the chapters were split between Rose and Monty and how the author truly captured the voice of Monty. You can tell that Bennet is a dog owner and any dog lover will appreciate how she has completely captured the spirit and personality of a dog through her storytelling and depiction of Monty. I must admit when reading I often thought about my own dog and would laugh along at some of the things that Monty was 'saying'.
A clever read for anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries, is a dog lover or a pet owner. This book made me smile, kept me entertained and was a fantastic read. Many thanks to Louisa Bennet for gifting me a copy of The Bone Ranger. I will look forward to more in the Monty Dog Detective series.
Rose is a detective working for the Major Crimes unit; due to a recent traumatic case, which nearly cost Rose her life, she is on sick leave and can only return back to work once the psychiatrist gives her a clean bill of health. As of yet, Rose hasn't attended any appointments. During a routine visit to the supermarket, Rose is stopped by a young woman who recognises her, and her dog, from solving a recent murder case. She asks for Rose's help in finding her friend who has gone missing. Adamant that she doesn't want to go to the police Rose calls her work colleague Joe to help her look into the case.
Over the course of the next few days Rose finds herself emerged in a murder investigation (albeit on the sidelines and without the support of her former boss and colleagues), a suspicious farmer, a series of dognapping in the local area and in helping a young boy escape the thugs who threaten to hurt him. This is just the distraction that Rose needs and a way of avoiding her psychiatrist appointments. With the help of her faithful crime-seeking dog, Monty, and her friends Joe and Malcolm the vet, Rose sets off on a mission to solve the recent crimes and in doing to prove to her boss that she is fit to return to the job the loves.
This cosy mystery was very endearing and quite the page-turner. I loved how the chapters were split between Rose and Monty and how the author truly captured the voice of Monty. You can tell that Bennet is a dog owner and any dog lover will appreciate how she has completely captured the spirit and personality of a dog through her storytelling and depiction of Monty. I must admit when reading I often thought about my own dog and would laugh along at some of the things that Monty was 'saying'.
A clever read for anyone who enjoys cosy mysteries, is a dog lover or a pet owner. This book made me smile, kept me entertained and was a fantastic read. Many thanks to Louisa Bennet for gifting me a copy of The Bone Ranger. I will look forward to more in the Monty Dog Detective series.
August 19, 2022
Loved it. Highly recommended I especially Monty’s pov. I can’t wait for the next one looking forward to spending more time with Monty and his friends hopefully Nigel makes another appearance.
Trigger warning animal cruelty.
Trigger warning animal cruelty.
February 10, 2022
review to come
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews