(10/6/2011)
The first thing you notice about a Chet and Bernie mystery is that Chet, the storyteller is a dog. A real dog, not a person masquerading as a dog. Chet loves cruellers, fancy dog biscuits, frisbees and a whole lot of things he should not. He makes a few mistakes as do we all, but in the end he loves Bernie, his PI partner and does everything to help him solve crimes and stay alive.
This is the second book in the series and it does not disappoint. Bernie is a divorced private investigator with big money problems, a needy used Porsche, an on-again-off-again girl friend and tenuous relationship with various law enforcement types. Both Chet and Bernie are smart, good-hearted and pretty decent at staying alive, if not avoiding trouble. Chet's patter and Bernie's bad luck make a great read.