Kirkus-style review of Paw and Order

Paw and Order by Spencer Quinn

This seventh installment in the Chet and Bernie Mysteries finds Bernie Little and his partner Chet the dog embroiled in political intrigue in the nation’s capital.  

Chet, who flunked out of K-9 school and prefers not to talk about it, is riding shotgun in Bernie’s real old Porsche when he smells barbecue.  After a small misunderstanding at the barbecue place, Chet notices a biker gal whipping out a little pink-handled gun, and “The next thing I knew I had that little pink popgun in my mouth and the thick-necked biker gal was holding her wrist and calling me names I’m sure she didn’t mean.”   Chet and Bernie then head east, little pink gun in glove-box, to visit Suzie Sanchez, an up and coming journalist in Washington D.C. and Bernie’s girlfriend.  Upon their arrival, Bernie meets Eben St. John, a friend and informant of Suzie’s to whom he takes an instant dislike (most likely due to the English accent and some hand-kissing by said informant.)  When Suzie finds Eben dead and a particular pink-handled gun turns up at the scene, Bernie ends up in jail and Chet must help him find the real killer to prove his innocence.  After a few twists and turns, some political intrigue, the “accidental” destruction of a spy drone, a little bit of international espionage, some very clever sniffing and at least one pants-leg grabbing, Chet and Bernie discover the truth, justice is done, and Suzie just might forgive Bernie. 

Spencer Quinn is brilliant at the dogs-eye point of view, the story is fast-paced, humorous and insightful, and Chet is irresistible.