Up on the Woof Top

Chet and Bernie Mystery #14

by Spencer Quinn

Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe) and his human partner Bernie Little find themselves high in the mountains this holiday season to help Dame Ariadne Carlisle, a renowned author of bestselling Christmas mysteries, find Rudy, her lead reindeer and good luck charm, who has gone missing.

At Kringle Ranch, Dame Ariadne’s expansive mountain spread, Chet discovers that he is not fond of reindeer. But the case turns out to be about much more than reindeer after Dame Ariadne’s personal assistant takes a long fall into Devil’s Purse, a deep mountain gorge. When our duo discovers that someone very close to Dame Ariadne was murdered in that same spot decades earlier, they start looking into that long ago unsolved crime.

But as they reach into the past, the past is also reaching out for them. Can they unlock the secrets of Dame Ariadne’s life before they too end up at the bottom of the gorge? Is Rudy somehow the key?

Up on the Woof Top is a brand-new holiday adventure in Spencer Quinn's delightful New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that the Los Angeles Times called “nothing short of masterful.”

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Mystery, Dogs, Fiction, Animals, Humor, Christmas, Audiobook

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 17, 2023

About the author

Spencer Quinn lives on Cape Cod with his dog Audrey, and is hard at work on the next Chet and Bernie adventure.

Spencer Quinn is a pseudonym of author Peter Abrahams.

Series:
* A Chet and Bernie Mystery

Reviews

[Donne · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE CHET!!!!! I read a lot of doggie stories. Some are doggie detective duos and some are search and rescue duos, but it doesn’t matter what kind of story it is, if it has a great doggie in it, who doesn’t die or get killed off in some horrible manner (dying of old age is fine), more times than not, I will continue the series or read more of the author. Of all my doggie series, Chet & Bernie is my absolute fave! When it comes to doggie MC’s/narrators, nobody does it better than Spencer Quinn. The character that Quinn has created in Chet always reminds me of some of my own fur babies that I have had throughout my lifetime.

Within minutes of starting the book, Chet had me totally cracking up. I think that may actually be a record; it seems like it usually takes at least a full chapter before that happens. Chet & Bernie stories are the kind of stories that I usually have to go read out in the living room because my laughing keeps hubby awake. If it’s an audiobook, I will typically get strange looks from others around me as I listen to it when I’m exercising.

Anyway, the book summary introduces all the different storylines starting with the disappearance of one of Ariadne’s reindeers, Rudy, who has gone missing from Ariadne’s Kringle ranch. There is the storyline regarding the investigation of what happened to of one of Ariadne’s assistants, Chaz, and why he was at the bottom of a gulch. Chaz has been in in love with Ariadne for a long time, but she’s not interested in him because of their age gap. There’s also a storyline regarding Adriadne’s writers’ block.

Most of the first half of the story revolves around looking for Rudy and investigating what happened to Chaz. It’s through this investigation that Bernie and Chet learn about the death of Ariadne’s teenage boyfriend, that Chaz had also discovered and was looking into it when he was pushed off a cliff. It’s well into the second half when this revelation is dropped and was added as another storyline. It's not long before all the storylines begin to merge and the end comes pretty quickly after that in a really scary scene for Chet & Bernie.

The cozy mystery part of this series is actually second to the relationship between Chet & Bernie. They are definitely teammates/partners that absolutely adore each other, especially Chet who never lets the reader forget that Bernie is the smartest guy in the room. Chet’s pretty amazing too with his read of certain things like smells and sounds. However, it was the scene with Chet and a handicapped child, who was also mostly non-verbal that had my eyes welling up. Chet was sooo sweet with the child and when the child spoke, it shocked the mother. I’ve actually seen dogs have that effect on special needs and/or neurodivergent kids. It’s amazing the way some dogs are and that scene was a bit of tear-jerker.

However, it was the very end, when Chet & Bernie made it home for Christmas that had me choking up. It will be interesting to see how this transpires in the next installment.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chet and Bernie are back in a book that has a nod to Agatha Christie with the mystery author character named Ariadne, who is also of the right age, who appears in a number of Christie stories, including full length novels and one featuring her on her own.

Ariadne hires them to find her missing reindeer, Rudy, but during the process our detectives begin working on solving a cold case as well, one that might be directly tied into the disappearance of Rudy.

The book is fun and I enjoyed it, but it's not one I liked enough to give it 4 stars.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was this the best mystery in the series? Not really, but they are all good. It was by far the best and most surprising in its emotional depth. The scenes with Ariadne and her struggles with age and accepting love, Bernie and the Desert Star, and Chet with Timmy more than earn this five stars!

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Tammie]

Stephen King compliments this series, told from the POV of a dog, and I believe wholeheartedly it deserves the praise. Not a talking dog, not a reliable narrator either, Chet is assistant to private investigator Bernie Little. Everything Bernie does and says is delightfully interpreted through the eyes and ears and nose of Chet, and I enjoyed every bit of it. I started this series out of order because I was looking for a Christmas-themed read. But I don't intend to let the rest of the books go unread. Such a fabulous, witty, funny, touching mystery! I absolutely loved it.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an especially fun Christmas mystery! Magical and unique with Chet's usual humorous escapades. Murder, mayhem and heart.

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chet is such a good boi! 5 out of 5 stars for him! This book I got as a gift in our cousin gift exchange. The story as told from a dog perspective is new to me, but super cute. The ending I kind wish ended with a little more pizzazz maybe. But, I enjoyed this story! Christmas and doggos, they're my favorite for sure and then you add a mystery, ok yes!

[Donna Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a pleasure to read Chet and Bernie books. They form the Little Detective Agency. Chet is a big dog, and Bernie (Little) adopted Chet when he sadly flunked his police test.

Chet, of course, narrates the book. He is like a little old lady. He says whatever is going on in his mind…past, present, future…a constant stream of consciousness, which actually is very humorous. He often interrupts his musings with mental pictures from past adventures.

Chet also is good with numbers, at least up to two, maybe three. And, since he cannot talk, he has perfected some hundreds of growls and barks than he uses to get Bernie and others to do his bidding.

The action takes place in the Colorado mountains. This case is about a famous author with writers block. Her muse is a pet reindeer, and he is missing. Murder, sleuthing, and skiing (and snow). What fun!

[BookTrib.com]

UP ON THE WOOF TOP by Spencer Quinn is the latest entry in the clever and always endearing Chet and Bernie series that features well-written, solid mysteries with a theme and a riff on a literary title. 🐶

Read the full review on BookTrib.com

[Robin Hatcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook (narrated by Jim Frangione)
I am a Chet and Bernie fan, and I really enjoyed this addition to the series. Bernie’s client is a bestselling author of Christmas mystery novels who is suffering writer’s block. She hires Bernie and Chet to find a missing reindeer that serves as inspiration for her writing. But something more sinister is at work, too. The ending was so, so good.



Note: I appreciated that there was very little foul language in this book compared to some in the series.

Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved/really enjoyed it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it. Engaging/entertaining/interesting.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed other books so much more.
1🌟 = For whatever reason, I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.

[Linda Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Homage to Charles Dickens. This is a 5 Star+ Chet and Bernie. A good plot, clever nuanced references to literature, especially Charles Dickens characters and plotting, a few heart tugging moments and a happy ending. I couldn't ask for anything more... except for better proof reading because I found a few typos.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chet and Bernie are in the Colorado mountains helping an author with writer’s block whose muse, a reindeer, has disappeared. The author’s manager is found by Bernie near death in a canyon. Same site of the death of the author’s fiancé some decades ago. It wraps up quickly and motive is never clearly indicated.

[Hobart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
---
WHAT'S UP ON THE WOOF TOP ABOUT?
Bernie accompanies his elderly neighbors to a book signing for Dame Ariadne Carlisle, the author of a series of Christmas-themed mysteries. This, as one has to assume, is interrupted by some canine-induced chaos. However, it wasn't Chet that got out of hand this time. Nevertheless, Chet and his human partner do grab the attention of Carlisle.

She ends up offering the duo a job they can't turn down. She owns quite the little compound up in the mountains. It's called Kringle Ranch and has buildings with names like Cratchit House. Carlisle knows her brand and has fully embraced it. As part of this brand, she owns a group of nine reindeer—her favorite, Rudy, has gone missing. For a sizeable payday, successful or not, she wants Bernie (or probably his friend with the superior sense of smell) to find Rudy and bring him back home.

Once they get to the Ranch, Bernie learns that Carlisle is suffering a career-risking case of writer's block—which is ascribed to Rudy's absence, but it could be the pressure that book 100 is too much for her. Or a combination of things. But it's this block that Bernie really focuses on.

Or he tries to, anyway. Shortly after they arrive, the duo finds Carlisle's personal assistant at the bottom of a gorge, barely alive. It turns out that Carlisle's one, true love was also found at the bottom of that gorge, murdered, before she started writing. Bernie assumes that there's a link between the two and plunges into the unsolved murder case as a way of finding the attempted murderer.

A HOLIDAY SAMPLER
Along the way, we get the occasional excerpt from Carlisle's Trudi Termaine series—which is interesting enough and does help you understand the character. But...I've gotta say, I hope Quinn doesn't go the Seanan McGuire/A. Deborah Baker route and put out books under her name, I don't know that I could deal with an entire novel's worth of it.

(of course I would inevitably try it)

THE HOLIDAY CONTENT
Unlike the previous holiday-themed installment, It's a Wonderful Woof , where I said that it "would be very easy to forget that this is a Christmas/Holiday Themed novel," it is impossible to forget that about this book. I mean, for crying out loud, Bernie is hired to search for a reindeer named Rudolph.

Christmas just flat-out permeates Up on the Woof Top. Thankfully, not in a cheesy way, or one that should offend anyone, or put off Scrooges. It's part of the setting, it's part of every plotline*, and the holiday is discussed frequently.

* I should probably qualify that with a "nearly," but I can't think of an exception off the top of my head.

None of this makes this one of those novels/stories that you can only read during the holiday season—like The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol. Whenever you get to it during the year, it'll be fine—but you won't forget for a second what time of year it takes place in. (which makes it different from almost every single other book in the series, which could take place anytime)

CONTINUING ARCS
Sure, it wasn't the biggest series-changing moment, but Chet getting out to...ahem...become a father was so subtle that you could be forgiven for missing it. And many of the series' bigger moments (both for individual novels or overall) are underplayed—thanks in part to Chet not understanding them at the time or his unreliable narration.

That is not the case in this book. Not even close. Bernie does some things here that are going to change the books, his work, Chet's life, and more in ways that readers can only guess at for now. (Quinn might only be guessing at for now, too)—and they make up the B-story, frequently distracting Bernie and the reader from murders, attempted murders, sleigh-pulling mammals, aging friends (new and old), and so on.

Here's a fairly non-spoilery way to talk about how big and unusual Bernie's actions in this novel are—he goes to his regular pawn shop not to hock or buy-back the watch. He goes there to just buy something. It threw me almost as much as it did the owners of the pawn shop.

SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT UP ON THE WOOF TOP?

"You did us proud. You're the brains of the outfit, no doubt about it.”

Me the brains? That had to be one of Bernie’s jokes. He can be very funny at times. If I were the brains how could the Little Detective Agency be so successful, except for the finances part? Still, it was nice to hear. If only I knew exactly what I'd done I could do it again, and then hear Bernie say “You did us proud,” once more. Or even more than once! But you can’t have everything, which kind of makes sense, because who could possibly carry everything? You could have it, but you couldn't go anywhere. What would be the point of that?"

I had a blast with this—there's a subplot or scene or two that I wondered about. But they were either eventually justified or were fun enough that I didn't care. The rest was just a ball of holiday-flavored Chet-goodness.

I never understood Bernie's approach to the search for Rudy, I will admit. It really felt like he was just taking a vacation and occasionally remembered he had a chore to do. But that job was just an excuse to put him in this setting so he could look into this murder/attempted murder and associated shenanigans—that was clear from the jump (well, not what he was really going to be doing there, but that a case other-than the Rudy-hunt was in the wings)—so I didn't worry about it too much. Also, the payoff to that particular gig was dealt with well enough by Quinn, that any quibbles just didn't matter.

The novel is largely Bernie and Chet getting to play in the snow while doing what they do best while encountering a few characters that the reader will want to get to know better (a former Sheriff and a current deputy for starters). There's a child that will steal your heart as he does Chet's. And then there's the setup for the series change that I mentioned above. Up on the Woof Top delivers plenty of fun from page 1 to 307.

Naturally, we get some healthy doses of what a friend calls Chet the Jet wisdom and other real heartwarming moments (see above quotation) that will flip in a moment to welcome silliness. There's also a conversation about the lifespan of dogs that hit me right in "all the feels" after my dog's recent death (it would've done it anyway, but the hit landed a bit harder). To be clear: I absolutely loved that moment and would've given the book 3 stars just because of it had I been annoyed by the rest of it.

Fans of this series will be very happy to unwrap this gift—and it should win a new reader over as well. If either of those two labels applies to you, I heartily recommend this novel to you.

[Donna J. Murphy · Rating 2 out of 5]

oh dear

I love all the Chet and Bernie books. I’ve read them all. Even pre-ordered this one as soon as I could. But I have to wonder : maybe our author is running out of ideas. This was slow, tedious, made no sense, boring, and I feel so bad for saying this, but this was not fun. The whole idea behind this novel was ridiculous. Let’s hope the best for the next one. I’m not giving up on Chet and Bernie yet.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read with Chet, the dog, the narrator of this detective/dog duo. It has humor provided by Chet but his narration gets away from the plot too many times for my liking. This proved to be a distraction to the story’s plot. When Chet goes away from the plot he is actually talking about previous cases with his detective human, Bernie. If you have read the previous books in this series this may provide a delight, but it frustrated me, since I had no point of reference. This caused the action to drag much of the time.

If you like crime novels with dogs, I would recommend David Rosenfelt’s series with lawyer Andy Carpenter and dog Tara. This series has much more humor and the plots are more interesting.

[Elyse Mcnulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up On The Woof Top by Spencer Quinn has Chet leading us on another great adventure. Dame Ariadne Carlisle is a famous mystery author. She is working on her 100th novel when Rudy (Rudolph) goes missing. Rudy is her red nosed muse and now she is totally blocked. Chet and Bernie are hired to find Rudy and bring him back to the ranch. If you have read other Chet and Bernie mysteries, you know there is more to come. So much fun!!!!!!!!! Enjoy!

[Heidi Funk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this release in time for the holidays but great any day of the year! I can never decide whether I like Bernie better of Chet but oh I SO wish Chet could just talk to Bernie once in a while! Lots of heart and lots of detecting that make this book fun and grabs your attention. A great holiday read!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series continues to amuse and entertain. Chet and Bernie are offered a job to find a missing reindeer as Christmas approaches. One thing leads to another, and they find themselves pursuing the answer to an old unsolved murder. With a successful ski resort providing a backdrop along with a successful author's compound on the backside of the mountain the Little Detective Agency finds itself on snowshoes and skis following the clues. They keep finding reindeer but not poor Rudolf! Great fun and adventure.

[Dolores J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say it enough how much I enjoy these books. Even though Bernie's many talents are unrealistic, it doesn't bother me a bit. I love that he can excel at everything and keep impressing Chet. And then there's Chet. Everyone wants a dog like him, especially me. It's a joy to read these books!!!

[Jami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with Chet and Bernie! Looking forward to seeing the direction this is taking, given the ending!

[Antonietta tesfaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas magic!

[Nathan Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! This book is told from the perspective of the dog.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of fun whodunit!!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could anything be better than reading a Chet and Bernie Christmas book on Christmas itself? Come on, you might as well ask if Chet would like a Slim Jim!

Fun read, so great to get back together with the boys. Nailed the cozy mystery genre! Loved the nod to Dickens with so many of the character names. Chet can always crack me up. And Spencer Quinn can bring a tear to my eye when I least expect it.

(My only quibble is that Bernie's son Charlie seems to be stuck as a 6-year-old. Years pass, romances fade and blossom, Chet references past cases...but Charlie is still and always 6.)

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in the mountains—and a missing reindeer !

A best selling author of Christmas mysteries with writer’s block; a missing reindeer, Rudolph, aka Rudy; and Chet and Bernie in the mix? What a Christmas season this is turning out to be!

Another delightful tale of Chet and Bernie by Spencer Quinn, told from Chet’s perspective. If you haven’t guessed yet, Chet is Bernie’s dog and an important part of The Little Detective Agency. Mr. Quinn definitely gets into character as Chet. I’ve often wondered what the dogs in my life are thinking (and sometimes, I think I’m better off not knowing!), and I can imagine them thinking just like Chet.

Chet often finds clues for Bernie (who is perfect in Chet’s mind), who then puts the clues together and another perpetrator is nabbed, literally, that is, by Chet when he grabs a pant leg.

I can’t wait for the next book to be published! These two have entertained me through several difficult times. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves dogs and mysteries.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this 14th book in the 'Chet and Bernie' series, the detective team investigates the disappearance of a reindeer.

In the Chet and Bernie stories, Bernie Little and his hundred-plus pound dog Chet run the Little Detective Agency in a region of Arizona called The Valley.



The books are narrated by Chet, whose somewhat limited vocabulary, unfamiliarity with idioms, doggie logic, craving for treats, tendency to get distracted, and affection for Bernie (whom Chet considers the smartest, strongest, toughest, best-looking fellow around), set the stage for plenty of smiles.



Bernie is a West Point graduate, military veteran, former police lieutenant, and talented private detective. Chet is Bernie's invaluable partner, always ready to clamp his jaw on perps and drag them off by the pants.

*****

As the story opens, it's Christmas season, and Chet and Bernie accompany their elderly neighbor to a bookstore, where suspense novelist Dame Ariadne Carlisle is promoting her new Christmas mystery 'Bad or Good.' This is book #99 in Dame Ariadne's 'Trudi Tremaine' series and the writer is said to be working on book #100.



During Dame Ariadne's book signing, Chet rescues her gold pen from the jaws of his doggie pal Iggy, which is much appreciated by the author. Afterward, Bernie and Chet are hired to find Dame Ariadne's missing reindeer Rudy, who disappeared from her Colorado estate, called Kringle Ranch. Rudy is Dame Ariadne's muse, and his absence is causing writer's block, and stalling book #100.



The Little Detective Agency is always in financial straits due to two bad business ventures. Bernie - who's very fond of Hawaiian shirts - invested in Hawaiian pants, which now sit in a storage facility .....not one pair sold. Afterwards, Bernie bought into a tin mine, which immediately went belly up.



Finding Rudy the reindeer would net Bernie and Chet more than $50,000. So they take the case, and drive to Colorado in their latest used Porsche, called the Beast.



Shortly after Bernie and Chet arrive at Kringle Ranch, they make a startling discovery. The detectives find Dame Ariadne's personal assistant, Chaz LeWitte - badly injured and unconscious - at the bottom of a gorge called Devil's Purse. Chaz is taken to the hospital, where he's in a coma, and the prognosis isn't good.



Chaz's fall is called an accident, but it 'smells off' to Bernie, who determines that Chaz was pushed. Moreover, this occurrence seems to mirror a decades old tragedy in which Dame Ariadne's boyfriend (at the time), Teddy, was found dead at the bottom of Devil's Purse. The case was never solved and remains on the books.

The Little Detective Agency's job now becomes a twofer: to find Rudy and to discover who targeted Teddy and Chaz. The local sheriff doesn't appreciate Bernie and Chet's interfering on his territory, and makes noises about Bernie not having a Colorado PI license, but the detective partners - backed by Dame Ariadne - carry on.



There's plenty of skullduggery and danger in the novel, and Bernie and Chet demonstrate previously unknown skills, like navigating a double black diamond ski run, which has vertical drops, narrow passages between rocks and trees, and winding paths with sharp turns.



Chet also demonstrates his support dog skills when he bonds with with a non-verbal, disabled child. This convinces the child's mother, a deputy sheriff, to help Bernie and Chet with their investigation.

The book's climax is heart-stopping and dramatic, though the Porsche comes through okay (which doesn't always happen.)

All the Bernie and Chet books contain a lot of humor, but this one is especially fun, with Chet at the top of his game. Here are some examples of Chet's humorous narration:

😄 Someone mentions pissing away money, and Chet observes: "Pissing away money? I'd seen quite a bit of pissing in my career, often in surprising places by surprising people - and let's not forget other creatures, including horses, an elephant name of Peanut, creator of yellow lakes, and once a bear....All that by way of making it clear that I'd never seen anyone piss money, or even piss on money. So something to look forward to."



😄 A man named Hal, who has a generous schnoz, says to Bernie, "You're kind of a nosy bastard down deep, huh?, and Chet notes: "Whoa! Hal said that? Nosy bastard? With a nose like his? Where did he get off? Look, as humans say, who's talking."



😄 Bernie mentions that Chet was running away from a bear, and Chet comments: "What a strange suggestion. I run from nobody, end of story. Although, thinking back, I did once run from a bear, specifically a mama bear on a mountain trail where we'd come between her and her cubs. The look on her face! That was something I'll never forget, and also unforgettable was the way Bernie had run, too. In fact, poor wounded leg or no, he'd blown right by me, maybe the most amazing sight I'd ever seen."



All in all, an entertaining light mystery. Highly recommended, especially to Bernie and Chet fans.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! All the usual elements are here - Chet’s wry observations on the limitations of humanity’s sense of smell and hearing, the aged Porsche, and the quirky girl friend, not to mention Chet’s absolute adoration of Bernie “always the smartest guy in the room.”
I was wary of how the final confrontation with the bad guys was going to turn out. In a couple of his more recent books the bare escape/ending has been a lot less than believable. But in “Up on the Woof Top “ not only is the denouement a lot less improbable than elsewhere but the pacing and foreshadowing and clues sprinkled through the narrative were better done than in any of Quinn’s other novels. And there was some sweet sentiment along with a number of laugh out loud passages.
Practice makes perfect? At number 14 in the series this one is clearly the best of the lot. So far... (We can only hope he’s at work on number 15!)

I like Peter Abraham’s style: as Spencer Quinn he writes funny, observant, can’t put it down murder mysteries with just enough danger and intrigue to keep them interesting but without a lot of horrifying gory detail. Not only have I read all of Spencer Quinn’s other Chet and Bernie books but also many of his other series including the “Bowser and Birdie” and “Queenie and Arthur” series (juveniles have just as good plots but no sex or violence — OK by me!).

Bravo, bravo, bravo! Encore! Encore!

[sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mystery and a dog who thoughts are part of the story. You can't go wrong.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always enjoy Chet and Bernie books!

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chet and Bernie have to be my favorite detective team. Chet, is a large dog and narrator of each of their cases. He has an innocence that is marvelous and quite a way with words. This story involves a famous mystery writer, snow and reindeer. So many new discoveries for Chet! As usual, as they look for a missing reindeer, the duo finds themselves in the middle of a much deeper and darker investigation - solving a recent murder as well as a cold case that turns out to be related. Happy endings all around. The mystery plots keep getting better and better and I cherish each visit with Chet and Bernie.