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Thereby Hangs a Tail
Thereby Hangs a Tail
Thereby Hangs a Tail
Audiobook9 hours

Thereby Hangs a Tail

Written by Spencer Quinn

Narrated by Jim Frangione

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

()

About this audiobook

In the irresistible second installment of the New York Times bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series, which has been hailed as "enchanting [and] one-of-a-kind" (Stephen King), Chet gets a glimpse of the show dog world turned deadly. What first seems like a walk in the park to wise and lovable canine narrator Chet and his human companion Bernie-to investigate threats made against a pretty, pampered show dog-turns into a serious case when Princess and her owner are abducted. To make matters worse, Bernie's on-again, off-again girlfriend, reporter Susie Sanchez, disappears too. When Chet is separated from Bernie, he's on his own to put the pieces together, find his way home, and save the day. Spencer Quinn's "brilliantly original" (Richmond Times-Dispatch) and "masterful" (Los Angeles Times) series combines genuine suspense and intrigue with humor and insight for a tail-wagging good time readers won't soon forget.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJan 5, 2010
ISBN9781440784385
Thereby Hangs a Tail
Author

Spencer Quinn

Spencer Quinn is the pen name of Peter Abrahams, the Edgar-award winning author of 47 novels, including the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Chet and Bernie mystery series, Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge, The Right Side, and Oblivion, as well as the New York Times bestselling Bowser and Birdie series for younger readers. He lives on Cape Cod with his wife Diana—and Dottie, a loyal and energetic member of the four-pawed nation within.

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Reviews for Thereby Hangs a Tail

Rating: 3.928985471014493 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Love it, love it, love it! That Chet writes a darn good book. As usual, Chet and Bernie are in pursuit of some bad guys. They are on the road almost the entire book with Chet riding shotgun and making observations as they go. This time Bernie's romantic interest, Suzie Sanchez, goes missing along with a charming little show dog, Princess, and her owner Adelina. As usual, Chet knows way more about this than Bernie. But Bernie will finally catch up with Chet, and justice will be served. This is the most original mystery series to come down the pike in years. Can't wait for Chet to speak again! (And by the way, we vote that Princess is definitely a Maltese.)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The second in the Chet & Bernie series, "Thereby Hangs the Tail" is a fun and entertaining read. Anyone who has a dog will love this series and chuckle when Chet tells a few tales of his exploits. Take a few hours and read an enjoyable story!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bernie Little and his dog Chet are on a case involving a two-pound show dog, Princess. Princess's mistress is a contessa, and she's concerned about a threatening mailing she receives -- a photo of Princess with a bull's eye superimposed. Almost as soon as the sleuthing duo is on the case, they're off it -- fired. But when Princess and the Contessa are kidnapped, Bernie feels he must solve the case whether or not he has a paying client.Of course, things get more and more complex and it's tough for the narrator to sort it all out. Anyone who read Dog On It, the first book in this series, knows that Chet is the narrator. In his doggie world, memory is short and centered on food and scents. It makes for some hilarious moments and I was again stunned by how the author maintained Chet's voice for the entire book. This is lighthearted LOL fun -- guaranteed -- and a truly one-of-a-kind mystery!04/30/2010
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Bernie gets hired to guard a show dog. A threatening note leads the owner to believe the dog may be a target for a kidnapping. Or is that dog-napping? Anyway, an ill-timed treat retrieval by Chet gets them fired moments after they were hired. And, of course, the dog and the owner both disappear shortly after that. Bernie and Chet are back on the case, hired by the husband. There are some nefarious goings-on, and Bernie’s close friend Susie is reporting on the situation. And then she, too, disappears. It is quite an action-packed tale, and with Chet’s narration, sprinkled with his doggy humor.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Adult fiction/dog humor/mystery. I like the Chet and Bernie stories so far, but more for their humor/action than for the mystery (hard-core mystery readers might be disappointed--plenty of clues are sprinkled throughout to allow the reader to draw conclusions well before Bernie).

    originally read the print version (over 10 years ago!), but I hadn't remembered any of the story. This time around I borrowed the overdrive e-audio version (which still bears the "time to change CD" marks of the original recording) and enjoyed frequent chuckles over Chet's doggy earnestness. A nice light read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Don't usually read mystery, but these are fun! Quinn definitely has a doggy mindset.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Another good entry in the series. Nice mystery. It may be a sad commentary on the mystery genre that a dog's point of view is more interesting than some all human stories, or it may be that Mr. Quinn just is a really good author.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is a reread for me. I first read it in 2010 when it was published. I enjoyed it just as much now as I did back them, which is to say a lot. Chet's voice is not cloying the way some canine narrators can be and I find him amusing. It is the sort of book that not everyone will appreciate, but I am a dog lover and the humor hits the right notes for me. It is a great series for lifting you out of the dumps! Inspired by Marie Kondo, I am trying to edit down the number of books I own, but this experience has taught me that I am right to hang onto books read just for amusement if I really enjoyed them the first time.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is the 2nd Chet and Bernie mystery; Bernie’s a PI, and Chet is his partner and dog. When Chet and Bernie are hired to be bodyguards for a show dog, Princess – although being bodyguards are not their usual “thing” – things go wrong when both Princess and her owner are kidnapped. The story is told from Chet’s point of view. It took a chapter or two at the start of the book for me to remember/get used to this, but after that, I quite enjoyed the dog’s POV. It added some humour and we got to see some things that Bernie didn’t get to see, particularly between Chet and Princess. I didn’t like Princess, initially (neither did Chet), but she grew on me (as she did Chet), and I quite enjoyed their interactions after that. I’m pretty sure I liked this better than the first book in the series and I will definitely be continuing on. (Hmmm, reread my review, and I guess I rated both books the same, after all!)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A fun mystery to take your mind off serious issues. Although Chet and Bernie investigate some serious stuff. All told from Chet's point of view. Chet is Bernie's dog. This could almost descend into cutesy, but the author is good at pulling it back and continuing with the plot before you tire of it. This time they are hired to protect a miniature poodle which is a prize winner in one of the big dog shows.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A solid follow-up to the first book in the series, this book follows Bernie and his dog Chet, partners in a private eye business. This time they're hired to guard a champion show dog, a tiny miniature poodle named Princess. After Chet makes a doggie faux pas at the first meeting Princess's female owner fires them both from the case. But shortly after Bernie is contacted by the police -- Princess and her owner have been kidnapped. Bernie and Chet are back on the case.

    Like the first book, this story made me laugh quite a few times in the book. Chet and his interaction with Princess provided most of the amusement. Although the resolution to the crime comes as no surprise, I still enjoyed the ride.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Chet the dog is an irresistible hero, and an irresistible narrator, which is why I bought this book (number two in the Chet and Bernie series) as soon as I finished number one. For any dog lover, at least any dog lover who can deal with a little anthropomorphism, the dog's voice is funny, endearing, and (we'd like to think) spot on. Atop his order of priorities is his master, followed by food in any form, followed by a miscellany of other dogs, other people, potential things to chase, and his own physical being. Bernie, Chet's "partner" is a likable and well developed character, and the secondary characters are more fully realized than is often the case. An enjoyable read, but I am not going to "fetch" Number Three in the series right away. Rather, I will save this books for times when I need a cheerful distraction.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    AUTHOR Quinn, SpencerTITLE: Thereby Hangs a Tail DATE READ 04/09/16RATING 4/BGENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF PAGES Mystery/ 2010 / Atria / 309 pgsSERIES/STAND-ALONE: #2 Chet & Bernie CHARACTERS Bernie Little/ PI & Chet his canine assistantTIME/PLACE: Present/ AZFIRST LINES The perp looked around -- what nasty little eyes he ha d! -- and saw there was nowhere to go.COMMENTS: Bernie & Chet are hired to safeguard a prissy little showdog. There have been threats made against this dog and the owner is taking this very seriously… when Princess is abducted Bernie & Chet are on the case.
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    Cute, but the repetition of certain thoughts of Chet's made this a bit tiresome. As "mysteries" go, it wasn't much of one. Admittedly after reading Louise Penny, a lot of books will pale by comparison. I won't be reading more of the series.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I LURVS Chet.....he's the Canine Protagonist that along with his human companion Bernie Little solve crimes.

    Chet was kicked out of the Academy for chasing a cat on his final round of K-9 exams, and we really don't know all of Bernie's story. But both are low on cash and have resorted to taking on divorce cases....however, in this book they are working on their specialty, kidnapping/dognapping.

    A very wealthy Contessa has hired Chet & Bernie to protect her prize dog, Princess, who is to be shown in a Dog Show. Both have gone missing, immediately after Chet & Bernie have been fired from the case, because Chet unceremoniously snatched Princess's bacon treat and caused a scene.

    Neither the trainer nor the driver, who were in the limo at the time, remember a thing about the kidnapping. Then the girl reporter who has high hopes for Bernie goes missing as well....

    The local Sheriff & his dim-witted Deputy cousin are there at the scene and arrest Bernie, while Chet scents out the missing Princess & her owner.

    I like this series....Chet's voice seems very true to how I believe a dog might think. Normally, I do not read animal themes mysteries as they are a bit too cozy or the animal's voice is over exaggerated.

    I do recommend this series.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Book #2 in the Chet and Bernie series finds the Little Detective Agency hired as bodyguards for a prize-winning pooch, Princess … and just as quickly fired when Chet snatches the tiny fluff-ball’s bacon bit. Before they can find a new client, Princess and her owner, Adelina Borghese, are kidnapped and Chet and Bernie are brought into the case by Adelina’s husband, Count Borghese. When Susie Sanchez (Bernie’s on-again-off-again reporter girlfriend) goes missing while investigating the story, their interest in the case escalates.

    There’s plenty of intrigue and suspense to keep the plot moving (a must for the mystery genre), but the star of this series is the narrator – Chet the Jet. He’s intelligent (though easily distracted), loyal (to anyone with good treats), strong and determined. He’s also an astute judge of character. He recognizes the bad guys (“perps”) almost immediately (but did I mention his judgment might be clouded by a bacon bit or Slim Jim?). His ruminations on subjects near and far – javalinas, various kinds of balls, the Porsche, Bernie’s sterling qualities – are an absolute delight.

    Jim Frangione does a great job narrating the audio book. He has great pacing and he brings Chet to life. I can really see a dog thinking this way!
  • Rating: 2 out of 5 stars
    2/5
    This second in the “Chet” series is another romp through a kidnapping with the Little Detective Agency. The twist is that this time the victim is a dog. As usual, Chet is the narrator.

    These are fun books and always leave enough of a bone (pun fully intended) to make me want to read the next book. Although I will pick up the next book, they are already feeling a little formula-ish.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Thereby Hangs a Tail is Spencer Quinn’s second Chet and Bernie mystery, but the first one I’ve read. Told from the point of view of hundred-pound canine Chet, it’s a tale of mystery and suspense, with occasional squirrels, dog biscuits, car chases and the chance to chew a bad guy’s pant leg. The voice reads like a cross between Mr. Ed and LA Noir. The digressions are fun and thoroughly canine. And the plot is nicely drawn, becoming clear despite the curious viewpoint, with just the right amount of human dialog caught between the lines.Okay, it’s a fairly twisted plot, with a few seriously convenient coincidences. But it works, it yields its fair portion of serious bad guys, and a reasonable number of characters (human and canine) survive. I’ll certainly read more, while Chet will undoubtedly seek more treats from the coffee shop, and Bernie will maybe see a little more of his son sometime. With humans a little more flawed than their pets, Chet and Bernie are well worth following as they seek out more mysteries to solve.Disclosure: I’d been waiting to read one of these for ages.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the second in the Chet and Bernie series. I had read the first one when it was published several years ago and enjoyed it, but don't remember loving it like I loved this entry! It's told from the point of view of a dog, Chet, who assists his person, Bernie, in his private detective practice. It is so funny--the author really gets how dogs are. It hardly matters what the plot is--this is what you'd call a character-driven novel, and the main character is Chet. If you love dogs and like mystery / PI books, this is a winner! By now there are a couple others in the series--you can bet I'll be getting my hands on them!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A lot of fun. Book 2 in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series. Chet is the narrator (and is a dog). He and his human Bernie Little make up the Little Detective Agency. (First book in series was Dog On It)
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn was enjoyable and gave an inside a dog's mind to criminal investigation. Chet, the dog's partner is Bernie Little. They live out where there are mesas and both have had disappointments in their lives. Chet, a talented sniffer did not make it through K 9 School due a cat. Bernie has had some financial setbacks that Chet could give some good advice on if Bernie could understand him and also is trying to recover from a divorce.Chet is the narrator and tends to be a little tangential when he thinks and talks to the reader. He tends to take things too literally. He also has a knack for description. Sometimes when reading this book, I really wanted Bernie to read Chet’s mind. That would speed up the investigation.Originally the pair was hired to be body guards for an adorable prize winning dog Princess. Later Princess and her owner were kidnapped. The story is pretty simple and it is easy to figure out who did it, the main focus of the story is Chet and his view of the world. There were moments of violence that Chet was unfortunate to witness but food seems to keep him from feeling too low. I think that this book is more focused on what a dog’s world than an actual mystery.I recommend this book to all dog lovers and hope that Chet has more adventures in the future.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Review: 9 of fiftyRating: 3.5* of fiveThe Book Report: The second book of an irresistible series narrated by a loveable and wise dog. In the newest Chet and Bernie mystery, Chet gets a glimpse of the show dog world turned deadly. "We run a detective agency, me and Bernie, called the Little Detective Agency on account of Little being Bernie's last name. My name's Chet, pure and simple. Headquarters is our house on Mesquite Road, a nice place with a big tree out front, perfect for napping under, and the whole canyon easily accessible out back, if it just so happens someone left the gate open. And then, up in the canyon -- well, say no more."Praised by Stephen King as "a canine Sam Spade full of joie de vivre," Chet and his human companion Bernie have both had some setbacks in life -- Bernie in combat, Chet in K-9 school, but together they make up a team like no other. In Thereby Hangs a Tail, Bernie and Chet are called on to investigate threats made against an unlikely target -- a pretty, pampered show dog named Princess. What seems like a joke turns into a serious case when Princess and her owner are abducted. To make matters worse, Bernie's on-again, off-again girlfriend, reporter Susie Sanchez, disappears too. When Chet is separated from Bernie, he's on his own to put the pieces together, find his way home, and save the day.With genuine suspense and intrigue, combined with humor and insight into the special bond between man and dog, Thereby Hangs a Tail will have everyone talking.My Review: Cute! Very cute! Chet is such a clever boy I want to give him Milk Bones until he faints!And that's kinda the problem under the fun: Cute. It's fun, yes, and it's pleasantly written with a well-imagined dog's point of view. But I think this is a series that needs to be taken in annual doses, and in the proper mood. I am, admittedly, as curmudgeonly as the day is long. But I'm not immune to charm. The series has charm.It's just, well, it's wearing a bit thin at the elbows. Also, I hate Susie.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Chet and Bernie novels are not great literature, but if you have a dog, enjoy a good satire, and want a light mystery/detective story to read, This series by Spencer Quinn is satisfying. Told from Chet the dog's point of view.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Private Investigators Chet (a dog) and Bernie are hired to find a missing showdog named Princess and her owner who have been kidnapped. Also missing is local newspaper reporter and very good friend, Suzie Sanchez. As Chet and Bernie dig further into the case, there seems to be a lot more going on than a missing showdog.Quinn's Chet and Bernie books are great. The two work together and always manage to solve their quirky cases. In typical PI fashion, Bernie never has any money and tends to drink a little too much, but Chet is really the main character and is also the narrator of the story. Quinn does a great job of writing the books through Chet's eyes and that's what makes them so humorous. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Chet and Bernie run the Little Detective Agency - because Bernie's last name is Little, as Chet will let you know - Bernie's a P.I. and Chet is his dog, a K-9 school almost graduate.Back in their second mystery of this series, Chet and Bernie are pulled into a world they're both almost wholly unaware of: that of the competitive dog shows. When Princess, one of the top competitors is threatened, or, at least, her owner feels that way, she comes to Bernie for protection.It's not their usual type of job, but as Chet wants to point out, money is money. And they're in sore need of it. No one - aside from Princess' owners and trainer are taking the case that seriously, police included, until Princess and her owner are kidnapped.That's when Chet and Bernie's real detective skills come into play.Then when the two are separated, it's up to Chet to find clues, stay safe, and get back to Bernie all on his own.Will the two be able to solve this mystery? One that started out seeming so silly but is gradually seeming more and more dangerous - to them and those around them.I really loved Dog on It (the first in this series) and was excited to see that this continued with the elements that made that novel so unique and enjoyable. Of course, I do love dogs and would probably love just about any (well written) book where a dog is one of the true characters. The Chet and Bernie Mysteries take things a step (or two or three) further, though by making Chet the series' narrator.It seems to be a great literary device. Not only is Quinn able to leave out parts of dialogue and/or observation that a human narrator would absolutely be faulted for, he's also able, through Chet, to bring in almost completely random parts of back story. Sometime they stay completely random but other times they seem to come into the story at a later time and are actually relevant.All this while making Chet more endearing and definitely more than 'just a dog' - if it's ever possible to be that.Some of the characters from the previous novel were carried over. In a way that those who read Dog on It would know who they were and have a bit more to start with than those who didn't, but they weren't so integral to the story that you have to have read the first mystery. Chet and Bernie are the real stars here and this series seems fairly standalone.There's one not major, but not tiny part of the plot that I'm hoping wasn't resolved in Thereby Hangs a Tail. If it was, it wrapped up much too quickly for how long it was a part of the story. There's also one part that I'm almost hoping is wrapped up but, at the same time, am pretty sure is not . . . it's something sure to keep you reading to the third To Catch a Thief, though!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Finding the Chet and Bernie series have been very enjoyable. After reading book one I had to immediately go get book two. Spencer Quinn hones in The emotions and thoughts of a dog that many of with dogs as companions have experienced. The mystery still light to be cozy but suspenseful. The humor just enough to add to character set up and the enhancement of Chet himself. I'll be on my way tomorrow to search out book three as book two leaves you with a nagging thought.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    These books are like the potato chip under the coffee table is to a dog. Not the most nutritious thing to eat, but ooohboy what a find!In this second of the Bernie and Chet detective series, more perps are collared, er, pant-legged, Bernie's military past is brought a little more to light, love-interest/reporter Susie Sanchez is kidnapped, a pricey pooch is dognapped, and Chet makes some amazing leaps, mental and physical. Have a biscuit. Good doggie.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Thereby Hangs a Tail by Spencer Quinn is the second in the Chet and Bernie Mystery series. It revolves around a case of a missing teenager, with our detectives getting involved in several mysteries as they try to solve the case. If you've not read any of the series yet, you should know that Chet and Bernie are private investigators. Bernie, the owner, is down on his luck detective with a heart and social conscience, while Chet, the narrator of the story, is a happy-go-lucky live for the moment sort of guy. Chet, incidentally, is a dog, and the entire story is told from his optimistic perspective. He enjoys the scents, sounds and tastes of life, loves Bernie unconditionally, and understands Bernie's words and gestures. He really doesn't solve any crimes, because he lives for the moment and forgets almost everything that happened previously, but helps out with his keen sense of smell, his ability to track, his protectiveness of Bernie, and his sixth sense for quickly assessing who is the bad guy. He quickly became my hero, with his keenness to please Bernie, his loyalty, enthusiasm, and good-natured humor. I had many laugh-out-loud moments in the story at Chet's narration; the author has found exactly the right tone for Chet. Bernie, as seen though Chet's eyes, is sweet, thoughtful, strong and wonderful. He talks to Chet constantly, which allows the story to flow along seamlessly. I laughed out loud many times while reading this book. It is really great fun, and highly recommended for dog and/or mystery lovers.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I listened to DOG ON IT (review in link) a few months ago and became enamoured of Chet and Bernie...mostly Chet. The story told from the point of view of a smart dog was a very neat premise. Add that to the well written mystery and it was a winner. THEREBY HANGS A TAIL was equally as good. It doesn't go all Disney and have all the dogs talking to each other. It's just Chet doing the narrating, leaving it sort of noir-ish in feeling. There's the down on his luck PI, the sassy reporter girlfriend of the DOHL PI and there's the dog. Perfect.Bernie is a good PI, but a little naive when it comes to finances, making bad investment choices in tin futures from a guy who even Chet knows is a shyster. Bernie has to take the job as the bodyguard of the pampered show dog, Princess, just for the dough. Then the dog and her owner go missing and no one knows nuthin'...Chet and Bernie on the case. Darkly funny and a fab mystery..I can highly recommend this series.Five dog-earred beans....
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Thereby Hangs A Tail by Spencer Quinn, is a book I finished reading earlier this year. It is another Chet and Bernie mystery following in the footsteps of Dog On It. It was entertaining, but, I enjoyed the first one more than this one. Three stars.