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donnek's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
OMG!!! Best Chet & Bernie story EVER!!! This one was a real tear jerker. Without going into any spoilers, Chet's escape and Bernie's birthday gift to Charlie had me tearing up. However, it was the ending that ultimately turned on the waterworks. LOVE CHET & BERNIE!!!
wanderaven's review against another edition
4.0
I have a tendency to best appreciate darker novels but if I discover a lighter novel or a series with elements I appreciate, I'll sometimes cling to them. I've been reading Chet & Bernie's stories since the beginning. If you're not familiar, Bernie is the private detective and Chet is his canine partner... and the protagonist and narrator of the mysteries. Also, though Chet is clever and funny and insightful, these stories aren't all light and fluff.
Scents and Sensibility is thus far the best exemplar of this. Readers have been surprised and confused by the ending here. All of the other Bernie & Chet books have contained continuing storylines and elements but can also be read as stand-alone novels, each mystery or major plotline resolved by the end. Scents ends, alternately, with a cliffhanger.
Many longtime fans of Chet & Bernie are worried about this - about what might happen in the next book or whether there even is a next one. I'm content either way, in part because I believe that this is just a clever cliffhanger that we've never seen before but that the story will continue on, but also because series feel most trustworthy and engaging for me when the characters do not remain static.
Speaking of which, if you're a fan, take a closer look at the book's cover and you'll see a second silhouette there - we have a return and more central role for Shooter, despite that Chet sometimes thinks he's a "very annoying dude". He's also a very cute and sympathetic dude.
If you already love Chet & Bernie, you'll love this newest addition and if you don't but like the idea of a clever and courageous and compassionate canine narrator, start in on the first book now.
*Also, unless I receive an ARC from the publisher (this was not one), I listen to these novels on audiobook because the narrator, Jim Frangione, is awesome.
Scents and Sensibility is thus far the best exemplar of this. Readers have been surprised and confused by the ending here. All of the other Bernie & Chet books have contained continuing storylines and elements but can also be read as stand-alone novels, each mystery or major plotline resolved by the end. Scents ends, alternately, with a cliffhanger.
Many longtime fans of Chet & Bernie are worried about this - about what might happen in the next book or whether there even is a next one. I'm content either way, in part because I believe that this is just a clever cliffhanger that we've never seen before but that the story will continue on, but also because series feel most trustworthy and engaging for me when the characters do not remain static.
Speaking of which, if you're a fan, take a closer look at the book's cover and you'll see a second silhouette there - we have a return and more central role for Shooter, despite that Chet sometimes thinks he's a "very annoying dude". He's also a very cute and sympathetic dude.
If you already love Chet & Bernie, you'll love this newest addition and if you don't but like the idea of a clever and courageous and compassionate canine narrator, start in on the first book now.
*Also, unless I receive an ARC from the publisher (this was not one), I listen to these novels on audiobook because the narrator, Jim Frangione, is awesome.
margaretefg's review against another edition
3.0
Another fun adventure with Chet and Bernie. Listened to the audiobook. Chet's descriptions of humans, his thought process, his love for Bernie and fondness for snacks haven't gotten old for me yet.
willac's review against another edition
5.0
I think this was the best Chet and Bernie mystery to date. The books are narrated by Chet, a dog, in a stream-of-consciousness style that is very engaging. Bernie Little, the "Little" of the Little Detective Agency, is divorced, war-wounded, and troubled. Subplots involving an on-again, off-again girlfriend, Bernie's son Charlie, his ex-wife and her current husband, and Bernie's elderly neighbors add atmosphere to the book, but pale in comparison to Chet's narration. Chet is motivated by his love for Bernie and his love for food; in this book he seemed to have a lot more thoughts that he was unable to convey to Bernie.
Chet and Bernie come home one day to find that someone has been in their house, and Bernie's father's watch, his most valuable possession, has been stolen. The watch seems to spend as much time in the pawn shop as it does in Bernie's safe, but now the watch, as well as the safe, are missing. Bernie's investigation leads him to his neighbor's house where a stolen saguaro cactus has turned up, along with an investigator and what appears to be (maybe?) the result of an assignation of Chet's in an earlier book.
There is a decades-old crime that may or may not have been a kidnapping, prisoners released from prison, elderly neighbors in need of help, and a desert festival reminiscent of Burning Man. An altogether wonderful book, a great mystery, and a superb entry into the Chet and Bernie saga.
I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Chet and Bernie come home one day to find that someone has been in their house, and Bernie's father's watch, his most valuable possession, has been stolen. The watch seems to spend as much time in the pawn shop as it does in Bernie's safe, but now the watch, as well as the safe, are missing. Bernie's investigation leads him to his neighbor's house where a stolen saguaro cactus has turned up, along with an investigator and what appears to be (maybe?) the result of an assignation of Chet's in an earlier book.
There is a decades-old crime that may or may not have been a kidnapping, prisoners released from prison, elderly neighbors in need of help, and a desert festival reminiscent of Burning Man. An altogether wonderful book, a great mystery, and a superb entry into the Chet and Bernie saga.
I received this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
greenblue22's review against another edition
5.0
Another great Chet and Bernie! Don't be scared off, as I was, from readers who said the book was dark or had a bad ending. It's true there were a lot of questions left unanswered, but that's only more reason to look forward to the next one. I waited a long time to read this one out of fear for my imaginary pals, Chet and Bernie, and even considered just skipping this one until the next one was out to make sure it was safe. Without going into spoilers, I'm glad I finally read it and if you love the Little Detective staff, you should too.
kdf_333's review against another edition
3.0
this one was almost as good as the first couple of books. i do get the feeling though that bernie and chet are headed for retirement and i think that would be a good thing. many book (and TV) series go on too long because they continue to make money and not because they are still producing quality work.
quinn should start a new series or write different books. his new book [b:The Right Side|35515525|The Right Side|Spencer Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498424759s/35515525.jpg|53208040] proves he can do more. shoot i would totally like a book or 2 from Bernie's perspective since he sounds like he has some of the same issues the woman in [b:The Right Side|35515525|The Right Side|Spencer Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498424759s/35515525.jpg|53208040] does.
quinn should start a new series or write different books. his new book [b:The Right Side|35515525|The Right Side|Spencer Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498424759s/35515525.jpg|53208040] proves he can do more. shoot i would totally like a book or 2 from Bernie's perspective since he sounds like he has some of the same issues the woman in [b:The Right Side|35515525|The Right Side|Spencer Quinn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1498424759s/35515525.jpg|53208040] does.
auntblh's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I liked the book. However, I did not like the ending.
rouver's review against another edition
3.0
These books are what they are...a one trick pony that will continue to appeal to dog lovers. They've become a bit of a brain-break and quick read for me, and I tend to skim over the inner (heh) monologue of the narrator. (He's a dog. It's ALL inner-monologue). The books are fairly stand-alone stories. The dog rehashes anything you might need to know from previous books, and any other vague references are just for fans who can remember tiny details to congratulate themselves over. This one ends on a cliff-hanger, but much like the detective tv-series this reminds me of (the individual stores aren't why you watch the show...it's for the characters), you know everything will turn out ok.
A private eye & his dog solve crimes. The dog narrates the story. I appreciate that Quinn doesn't try to give the dog more cleverness than he should, nor does the private eye miraculously know what the dog is thinking.
A private eye & his dog solve crimes. The dog narrates the story. I appreciate that Quinn doesn't try to give the dog more cleverness than he should, nor does the private eye miraculously know what the dog is thinking.
colls's review against another edition
3.0
The final (so far?) installment in the Chet and Bernie mystery series where a private investigator (Bernie) and his canine partner (Chet) solve the mystery of who stole the cactus.
There is a LOT of Chet POV, which is entertaining. I feel Chet really goes off on wild tangents in this one and some of his threads were forced. However, I still adore Chet and the addition of Shooter to the mix was an amusing side-tale.
There is a LOT of Chet POV, which is entertaining. I feel Chet really goes off on wild tangents in this one and some of his threads were forced. However, I still adore Chet and the addition of Shooter to the mix was an amusing side-tale.