The Wilmington Star News On The Dog Who Knew Too Much
My Christmas present to myself this year was “The Dog Who Knew Too Much” by Spencer Quinn (Atria, $25). It’s the fourth installment in his “Chet and Bernie” mystery series, and I hope and pray it goes on for years. – Ben Steelman.
http://books.blogs.starnewsonline.com/14999/the-dog-who-knew-too-much/
Tags: review, The Dog Who Knew Too Much
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at 7:58 am and is filed under Chet The Dog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
9:19 am on December 11th, 2011
Good morning. Looks like we may get to be first.
Glad Ben liked the books, but did he proof his article? Maybe we are being too picky for first thing Sunday morning. Having coffee, then cookie baking on the schedule.
3 Airedales up top, one of Barb’s favorites!
9:46 am on December 11th, 2011
Good morning.
There were a few typos in that article but…hello to Ben the Lurker.
Voting now.
9:50 am on December 11th, 2011
Good Morning all! I went back and read last night’s postings and I forgot to say good night. snickering here Just a tad tired.
Glad another person realizes that the Best Gift Ever is a Chet and Bernie book. In fact, all of the books at one time would be the greatest Best Gift Ever for everyone on anyone’s shopping list.
About his typos . . . he probably uses an iPaw.
B.Stover: “Bag of Bones” is a ghost story.
Dawson: Hope you get to “hang” with us today.
Today’s goal? Walk/run with the Pack.
10:01 am on December 11th, 2011
I called in sick to work and am going back to bed.
Will have to vote later because I can’t get on the site right now.
10:19 am on December 11th, 2011
Melanie, We have given the C & B books to several on our gift list in the past.
How is Dan today? Are you feeling good enough to go see him yet?
Good morning, Dawson.
10:20 am on December 11th, 2011
I like the review and the “tone of voice” that Ben uses. Excellent!
Thank you Melanie. Is Bag of Bones on today?
Hope you feel better Dawson.
Good morning B&M and all.
10:33 am on December 11th, 2011
I’ve been trying all morning to get on to remind all of you to VOTE for AJ, but my browser wouldn’t open the blog until just now. If you haven’t already done it for today, please place your vote.
We’re busy printing Blou Christmas Cards for special orders that just came in. I think Christmas surprised everyone by coming on the 25th this year.
10:54 am on December 11th, 2011
So let’s see Staff started this cold, correct? It’s amazing how the internet spreads germs . . 🙂
I can’t go see Dan yet. I’m at the stage of getting rid of things. Not a good idea to go into a nursing home/rehab with this thing.
Bag of Bones is on tonight and tomorrow. It’s a mini-series.
I’m glad to see that I’m not the only able to get on the Stormy Kromer site. I’ll try again in a bit.
TYB: I think you’re right about people being surprised about when Christmas is. My feeling is that like Zoë people add another week in there just to escape from being overwhelmed. And then when they figure out the extra week is not there? YIKES!
10:55 am on December 11th, 2011
TYB: You’re funny!
11:14 am on December 11th, 2011
I voted!
11:16 am on December 11th, 2011
The review took us deeper and deeper into a Labyrinth of quotes going back through the years…hence we have only now returned from the Journey Back in Time.
Where is our Ingrid? Where is Elvis Gospel?
It’s Sunday (I think) Have a Good Day Everyone.
(especially to the Royals’ Mum & Dad)
11:42 am on December 11th, 2011
My favorite line in the review is “I hope and pray it goes on for years”. Me too. That is a good review by someone who loves the books.
I was able to vote on the first try this morning.
12:28 pm on December 11th, 2011
Hope? It must go on!
Yuck factor here. Our kitchen spray faucet started leaking at the valve. I decided to tighten it. That helped but not a great deal. So I went on line and it said to take vinegar and water (they said a capful, but I went half and half) and dump it in there. So I did.
There was a lot of gunk. And we clean regularly (the Pack says we clean way too much). So as I was brushing it with an old tooth brush, the top of the plastic head came off in my hand. MORE GUNK.
So I washed that. Didn’t help. Leak is still there, but I feel better about drinking the water out of the faucet now. Next move? Turn the water off, remove the valve and use repair tape and maybe a new washer. That’s a job for another day.
12:30 pm on December 11th, 2011
Me, too! I voted!
Nana’s sister, a big lover of the nation within, just finished TFAT. Guess what she’s getting for Christmas?
We picture Dan steadily improving day-by-day and soon to be returning home for the Holiday. Bear’s prescription for Melanie and Zoe: Get Some Rest So You Can Feel Your Very Best.
12:52 pm on December 11th, 2011
Hey!
Staff did not start this cold…tsk tsk tsk Rumors Melanie. Vile rumors.
Maggie, Mom of Staff and Dawson, started this cold. She gave it to Dawson and Dawson has been playing on and off with it ever since. Staff has been very healthy all through it. Of course she wore her mask and kept away from all those sickies when they were snuffling and coughing up their nasty old lungs.
Just saying!
My favorite line from the piece, and I copied and pasted so it would be correct….
“Fans of the previous Chet and Bernie books — “Dog On It,” “Thereby Hangs a Tail” and “To Fetch a Thief” — will recall that Bernie has occasionally slipped away from home for nights of passion with a lady coyote out in the desert.”
So not only does he have a little trouble with spelling he also gets Bernie and Chet a little mixed up.
1:30 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary here. The busy place dinner was very nice, but my mom is very sick. We had to call an ambulance to the hotel this morning, and half way down the hill they decided to medivac her to Fresno. She has COPD and sometimes she has trouble breathing. We are at the hospital now,
So please, dear Plunderers, send your all-powerful prayers. Thank you.
1:33 pm on December 11th, 2011
Our snow situation is improving and skiing will start this Wednesday. Here’s a picture of what little snow Mother Nature has given us.
1:35 pm on December 11th, 2011
Here’s what the great snow guns have given us. These mountains of snow will get all smoothed out and groomed.
1:48 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary, Our hearts and prayers are with you. Please keep us posted
1:55 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary,
Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
You will see all of us beside you . . .
Keep us posted
2:17 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary – Your Mom is in good hands with the medivac team. Those guys are the best.
2:25 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: Prayers of comfort and healing are being said. Please keep us posted and in the mean time, make your way to the center of the Plunderer’s quilt—it is a place where comfort is always found.
Melanie: Thank you for putting that lovely visual in my mind.
2:30 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary,
We are in your corner with you!
2:59 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary – something or someone tapped on our shoulder while we are here at the show and told us to check the blog. We don’t usually do that during show hours but we heard the message loud and clear.
We saw your post and are sending up prayers from here. And Leonard is going to some other friend’s here and asking all of them to send prayers too. Word got around the show and the band playing the background music just made an announcement asking every person in the crowd to” think positive thoughts for Mary’s mom”
3:05 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: I’m adding my hope for your mother’s full recovery. Get back to us when you can.
3:52 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary, we are beside you as well, and pray for your mother’s recovery.
3:56 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: Add my prayers for your mother in with all the rest.
4:05 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary — Thoughts and prayers from all of us here in Chevy Chase for your mother’s speedy recovery. Wookie, mom and dad.
4:11 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: My thoughts and prayers are with you, and your mom. We are all here for you.
4:26 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary, We are here too. Many healing thoughts and prayers.
4:40 pm on December 11th, 2011
Staff!….When I read that review I laughed out loud at that part you quoted….heh!snort!…Chet – Bernie, Bernie- Chet! It’s all so confusing for those poor book critics…heh!
Busy!….Christmas is indeed sneaking up on my friend at rapid-fire speed. Her brother announced yesterday that he thinks we should all exchange gifts…grunt!… Last year we did not exchange gifts and someone here was planning on doing that again ensuring a stress free Christmas….sniff!… So today she has been busy busy busy trying to make something suitable for her Sis-In-Law….wuffle! …Her brother is going to get a Gag-Gift…heh!….Or booze. Or both…sniff!
Mary!….I will be saying a powerful Pug-Prayer for your mother. I really wish for once you could have a nice celebration without something awful happening….wheeze!
5:06 pm on December 11th, 2011
Dear Mary: Prayers and Healing Thoughts winging their way to your mom.
5:15 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mom is stabilized and intubated and is in ICU. We are waiting to see the doctor, but I think she will pull through. Thanks, everyone.
Wookie, I can’t wait to see the Photos.
5:38 pm on December 11th, 2011
Wolfie’s Mom: Thanks for letting us know. I hope she is out of the ICU very soon.
5:47 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: Thank you for updating us on your mother. Stabilized is good.
T&G: It seems like your pop does a lot of good. Yesterday, it was to warn other artists about the professional lookie-lou and today it was to spread the word that Mary’s mom needed thoughts and prayers. What a guy, what a guy.
6:02 pm on December 11th, 2011
YSAS needs some positive thoughts tomorrow. He’s going in on an audition for a “day player”. That’s up from an extra with lines and everything!
The audition is sometime tomorrow.
Mary, hope all is okay.
6:04 pm on December 11th, 2011
Okay that is weird. It’s 6:03 and Mary’s and BSD and Bella’s comments didn’t appear until after I put mine up. That’s 47 minute time delay.
6:10 pm on December 11th, 2011
Positive thoughts going to YSAS.
Thank you for letting us know Mary.
6:17 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary: Hope your mom will be tip-top soon!
Crossing fingers, and toes for YSAS!!!!
6:34 pm on December 11th, 2011
Go YSAS! Knock ’em dead.
6:47 pm on December 11th, 2011
That is excellent news for YSAS! Positive thoughts going his way for the audition tomorrow.
We noticed the same thing with an earlier post, Melanie.
6:51 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mary, I’m glad your mom has stabilized. That is excellent.
I’m hitting the hay early tonight. Zoë’s not feeling very well and both of us need sleep.
Dan watched the Patriots win against the Redskins so he’s happy. The Pack is out like lights because they ran and ran and ran. Patsy even ran for around 50 feet!
Let’s all get better! TTFN
6:54 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mom!….Mary’s mom will pull through! I hope Mary and Wolfie let her know a whole group of artists, their band and customers, not to mention the plunderers are rooting for her!…snort!
Broncos!….They could pull this thing out of their butt if they are careful and dawg-willing…heh!…Woooooo!
7:00 pm on December 11th, 2011
CLARKSON!….WOOOOOO!…. He is going to be in the Big-Time soon!…snort!…Maybe as soon as tomorrow!….WoooooooWhhhhhhheeeeee!… I just know he will Ace that audition. ACE IT!…snort!
Tebow!…He’s cutting it close this week….18 seconds to go!…snort!
7:02 pm on December 11th, 2011
Alice! Heh, heh. Leave it to one of us kats to notice the Big Blooper in today’s review. I did find amusing his remark about Bernie’s “Fatal Sweet Tooth for Get-Rich-Quick-Schemes”.
MollyPop’s Mom: Let’s hope the weather continues in a cooler trend in the days ahead. Paws crossed for you.
Tyb: Your post this morning reminded us of something very important.
7:03 pm on December 11th, 2011
Unbelievable!… A 59 yard field goal has tied the game….Wooooooo!… My friend was listening to the game as she was trying to pull together a project…sniff!…Beau and I have been glued to the game all afternoon….Yeeeep!…Its TIED!
7:13 pm on December 11th, 2011
FUMBLE!…The Broncos have it!….Wooooooo!… I hope her mother is watching the spaghetti sauce…snort! ….Unbelievable! …heh!
7:19 pm on December 11th, 2011
Melanie: Your YsuccessfulActorS will be a “day artist”. I can’t wait to hear him speak! Positive thought will be sent tomorrow.
I can’t speak. I have laryngitis. I caught it at work from a nurse. “Why are you whispering?” says I. “Because I’m sick.” Oh. Thanks Marie. I owe you one.
7:20 pm on December 11th, 2011
Thoughts. Plural. Positive thoughts, lots of them.
7:21 pm on December 11th, 2011
OMG!….heh!wheeze!….The Broncos Winnit!…snort! ….How exciting! Now we have to go beg for spaghetti ….wooooooo!….Life just doesn’t get any better than this!…sneeze!
7:41 pm on December 11th, 2011
We are whipping up some beef stew and biscuits. Ready in time to watch Once Upon a Time. You guys were right, it is really good!
Hope Mary’s Mom, Zoe, Melanie and Dawson all sleep well and wake up feeling better.
8:04 pm on December 11th, 2011
‘Oh, the weather outside is frightful,
but the fire is so delightful,
and since we have no place to go
let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!’
It has been snowing all afternoon. AJ is out on a training run, and I (insert yawn and stretch here) took a bit of a nap by the fire.
I can’t wait to hear about YSAS’ audition. I bet he will blow them away. Consider the good thoughts sent.
8:25 pm on December 11th, 2011
Beef!….How does one “whip-up” some beef stew?…grunt!… It takes these guys here hours and hours to make beef stew…heh!
Training!… Rebeccer, so you don’t worry at all when AJ the Giant goes on training runs all by himself with the A-Team…sniff!…You only start worrying the minute he starts the Last Great Race. Is this what I am understanding?…wuffle!
8:49 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio: I worry any time the team goes on a training run. I say a prayer each time that the training run will be fun and successful and for their safe return. There is a difference between doing a 40, 50, 60+ mile training run with the pla to return home and running in a race, especially the Iditarod. I can usually estimate when the team will arrive home from a training run. If they’re gone an hour past when I expect them, I start to keep an even closer eye on the clock and start checking the trail every few minutes.
9:00 pm on December 11th, 2011
Watchful!….Okay Rebeccer!…snort! …I just didn’t want you falling down on your duties…sniff! … I hope AJ and the A-Team return on time…sniff!….How can they see the trail after it has been snowing and while it is still snowing?….grunt!
9:07 pm on December 11th, 2011
Dear Wolfie’s Mom,
Prayers and good wishes from Alice M.,Abbie and me. Hope you are able to get a good nights sleep under the Plunderers quilt.
Melanie. Whoo Hooo for Your Successful Actor Son. Here’s to him becoming a ‘day’ actor. Sniff I never heard that phrase before.
Rio. Aren’t you glad your team isn’t the Vikings? What a bunch of dopes.
9:17 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio: We have a pretty extensive trail system throughout our area. AJ knows the way as do the dogs. Years ago, I did get caught in a rare ground blizzard on a short 20 mile run when I was by myself. I called the right command, but on the wrong trail—I couldn’t see where I was going. Fargo, my main leader hesitated, but did as I asked. I should have listened to him. Darkness fell and I was lost on a trail I did not know. Finally, I set the snowhook, walked to the front of the team and told Fargo it was on him and to get us home. Within minutes, I was on a trail I knew by heart and heading home. On the way, a band of drunk snowmachiners drove way to close to my dogs, missing Fargo by inches. I thought I would lose my mind. I think they though I had lost it—I set one snowhook and took the other with me and just held it at my side. I unleashed every horrible word I could muster. I did have the quick realization that it was ten of them and one of me. I got back on the sled, freed the snowhook from the snow, and they let me pass by without a word. It was complete silence.
9:23 pm on December 11th, 2011
Vikings!…huh?…So glad, so glad…sniff! … Football started getting a little more interesting around here once they let the lame duck go finally!…snort!… My friend says her very best friend who is deceased now would have loved Tebow…heh!…As it happens, she was a really big Elway fan and before she died he (Elway) gave her an autographed football and a personal letter. Oh and he had some gourmet meals brought in for her and her boys from his restaurant….wheeze!…Apparently, my friends friend had connections…wuffle!
9:29 pm on December 11th, 2011
Sled dogs and snow machines…a very scary thought.
Mary, thinking of you and your mom. I hope you both have a restful night.
Paws crossed for YSAS tomorrow!
Rio, Thanks for the report on the Broncos game. They are winning!!
9:30 pm on December 11th, 2011
Whoa!….Rebeccer!. Please never ever tell me when you are going to go out on a short run by yourself…sniff!… I do not want to worry myself sick about you the whole time you are gone…wuffle!… You are one courageous little Giantess if I do say so myself…snort!….And you bring a whole new meaning to the name Snowhook…heh!
9:38 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio: I don’t go out by myself now, and haven’t for years. I have some back problems (which is why AJ is the racer and I’m the Best Damn Handling Wife). When I go out now, AJ is always with me. I would have been fine that night if the snowmachiners had obeyed trail practices and let me have the right of way. Yet, when the one snowmachiner drove up on the team, straight towards Fargo and swerved at the last second I took that as a threat to my dogs. Unacceptable!
9:42 pm on December 11th, 2011
The Vikings used to be top dogs back in the day. What happened.
SnowBella: I can just picture you and the team out on the trail giving those stupid snowmobilers the what-for-all.
The lovely fire sounds very inviting. Time to cozy up near mine. Bear
9:42 pm on December 11th, 2011
SiberH!….snort!….Don’t tell me you are a Broncos Fan!?….wooooo!…. I usually keep quiet about what happens during the game….sniff!… There are those here that frown upon sporting events and up-to-the-minute sporting news…sniff!….But if you are a fan of my football team I will try and post during the last 5 minutes or so, because this is when the team typically comes to life and does amazing things…heh!heh!… Its always Heart-attack time during these few minutes, but it sure is fun!fun!fun!….snort!…Even Beau was cheerful today…wuffle! …There is definitely a change in his attitude and demeanor today…chorkel! …My friend says, it has been almost 30 days since he was dumped off for us to take care of…grunt!… I guess it is finally time for him to Get Happy!…woooo!
9:48 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio, As Spock would say, it is most logical that I am a Broncos fan. (Spock would say something like that)
I remember the days of Elway.
9:52 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio: Have you seen the most recent episodes of Grimm? I just started watching the second to last one a few minutes ago. I guess they had two this week.
9:54 pm on December 11th, 2011
Dawson!…. Her quilt square came up on top just now…snort!… I have not seen that one in a long, long time…wuffle!… I do hope she feels better soon so she can make a surgical repair on The Fan…heh!…A steady hand and a brave heart is needed to place that little bitty stone in the right place….sniff!….One small slip and that damned thing will go underneath the other parts and stick itself to…..well, we don’t want to get her all riled up before she even attempts this surgery…wheeze!
10:00 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rats!…. Is this the episode you guys are watching Rebeccer?….GAH!…. We hate rats…sniff!… This is going to be a really good one. What am I saying? We will be up all night long sniffling for Rats….gurgle!
CRAP!…I just remembered that Bag of Bones is on RIGHT NOW!….grunt!….We have missed a full hour of it already…sob!sob!sob!….Well, I guess we will have to order it on Netflix or sumthing….dammit!
10:04 pm on December 11th, 2011
Bella: Yes, two episodes of Grimm this week and I must say the first one was named very appropriately – Danse Macabre.
Did anyone else see it?
Siber: Elway was something to see.
10:06 pm on December 11th, 2011
Yes, rats are everywhere. Ugh and ick!
10:10 pm on December 11th, 2011
Elway!….Some of the best memories my friend has with her father was the two of them watching that guy Elway play football….sniff!…That all sounds a little sad right now….huffle!
10:16 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio, Guess we really didn’t just whip up the stew. We put some beef in the oven with onion and garlic, then later added carrots, then later potatoes and green beans. So it sorta whipped up over 2 or 3 hours.
We turned on Bag of Bones and watched a little but it was just too far out there for us. So we shut it off and a watching some Hallmark fluff for a bit while we have some ice cream.
Night all.
10:19 pm on December 11th, 2011
Fluff!…..Barb we started watching some of the Bag O’ Bones, and then opted for the fluffiness of Grimm and Rats instead….yeep! …. It might be a Cold Day in Hell when we attempt the Stephen King story afterall…heh!..sniffle!
10:31 pm on December 11th, 2011
Rio: It sounds like your friend had some quality time with her father. Those are always good memories. I love the memories of watching Coach’s team play and when he taught me how to drive.
Grimm, round two will begin in a couple of minutes. Thank heavens we are past rats. I said it before, I’ll say it again: Ick!
10:31 pm on December 11th, 2011
Mom’s friend told her today that the A&E version of the Stephen King story got very bad reviews. Bad acting and not well done at all. I guess we’ll hear tomorrow what the verdict is.
10:40 pm on December 11th, 2011
Film!….They have done that to a lot of Mr. Kings novels, trashed them on film or TV…sniff!…And yet some of them have come across okay…heh!….The Charming Mr. Abrahams has not been so lucky with Hollywood as they destroyed his great story, The Fan…. burp!….Even the great Robert DeNiro could not save that screenplay…yeep!
10:50 pm on December 11th, 2011
Screenplay!….Speaking of screenplays in-between Rats!…gah!… Didn’t Spencer write a screenplay for “Dog On It” quite some time back?….wheeze!… I wonder whatever came of that or if “they” are working on the Movie by now….grunt!…Dunno if a movie is a good idea unless of course it is Spencer’s screenplay they use…sniff!
10:59 pm on December 11th, 2011
Princess Sam is counting on that book making it to the big screen.
11:09 pm on December 11th, 2011
Just came by before bed to make sure no other surprises happened. Hope you guys stay or get well. Night all
And Liz, G’day to you.
11:09 pm on December 11th, 2011
AJ came inside to fill up water buckets for the dogs after their run. The pups, Mick and Jodi followed him in. This is normal practice as they refuse to be denied the use of one of Tenzing’s pillows. Tonight was a bit different though. Standing behind Mick and Jodi on the welcome mat was a black yearling with tan eyebrows. “Would you like to come in?” I asked. In response to the invitation Junior followed the pups into the living room, turned and ran out of the house and back down to the kennel. Who knows what he is telling his friends? 🙂
I wonder if the art show picked up for the Royals’ mum?
11:22 pm on December 11th, 2011
Okay, AJ is home safe. We can turn in for the night.
Sleep well everyone and Good morning to Liz.
11:50 pm on December 11th, 2011
Hi y’all! First day of sight-seeing here in NOLA. We walked for miles and rode every streetcar in town. Twice. We had beignets (no idea how to spell it) for lunch, topped off with New Orleans pralines. Sugar overload!
Tomorrow we are going to one of the historic above-ground cemetaries, see Boubon street by day, then a quick peek by night.
Mary, we are among those sending up prayers. (((hugs)))
Macy’s mom, putting tired knees to bed, signing off. Later, folks.
12:04 am on December 12th, 2011
Good night, all.
12:11 am on December 12th, 2011
Home home home from the show. They pulled it out to a decent show – not spectacular but decent.
And next weekend is the final show of the series – hopefully they didn;’t sell out at this show just so they would have enoght for the (hopefully)HUGE crowds next weekend.
We talk more tomorrow – time for tired puppies to go to bed!