A Fistful of Collars

A Chet and Bernie Mystery, Book 5

By: Spencer Quinn

Narrated by: Jim Frangione

Hoping to bring some Tinseltown money to the Valley, the mayor lures a movie studio to town to shoot their next production, a big-budget Western in the classic tradition. The star is none other than ruggedly handsome—and notoriously badly behaved—Thad Perry. When the mayor decides that someone needs to keep an eye on Thad so that he doesn’t get into too much trouble, Bernie and Chet are handpicked for the job.

The money is good but something smells fishy, and what should have been a simple matter of babysitting soon gets more complicated—especially when they discover that Thad has a mysterious connection to the Valley that nobody wants to talk about. What kind of secret could Thad have left behind when he went to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune? The only people who might know the answer have a bad habit of turning up dead before they can talk.

©2012 Spencer Quinn (P)2012 Recorded Books

I love Chet and Bernie

What did you love best about A Fistful of Collars?

I have 5 Dachsunds nad they talk to me all the time. Chet's voice is familiar

Another great Bernie and Chet book!

I can't imagine ever tiring of Bernie and Chet books. This one had lots of twists and turns, as usual. I think this may have been the first one where Chet and Bernie didn't get separated and I enjoyed that because I think it's more entertaining when they are together (too stressful for me when they are apart :). Dog lovers who don't read this series don't know what they are missing! I recommend the Spencer Quinn series, but the audible books of them are even better! Quinn and Frangione both have their finger on the pulse of a dog's inner thoughts if you ask me.

Still cute

Any additional comments?

This series remains cute and funny, even in the face of some of Chet's limited and almost over-used catch phrases. Just when I think it's going to be too much I find myself chuckling. I'm a soft touch when it comes to Chet, I guess.

Chet the wonder dog

What made the experience of listening to A Fistful of Collars the most enjoyable?

The narrator is just wonderful.

What did you like best about this story?

The mystery was a good one

Which scene was your favorite?

Chet at the movie scene chasing the cat.

Still Going Strong in the Fifth Book

Would you listen to A Fistful of Collars again? Why?

Yes, because Chet and Bernie are my buddies and I love to revisit old friends.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chet - always Chet. He give me insight into my dogs brain.

Which character – as performed by Jim Frangione – was your favorite?

Although I adore Chet, its always fun to hear Bernie calling, "Che---et!"

Any additional comments?

After 4 wonderful book covers, why is this one boring white with writing?

If you love dogs and PI stories...

Any additional comments?

James Patterson. David Baldacci. Those are my most loved non-fiction authors and one month I took a vacation without knowing I was leaving when I selected an adventure by Spencer Quinn. This PI novel is told from the voice of a police-trained German Shepherd name Chet, and his person, “The Smartest Human in the Room,” Bernie Little. Together they own The Little Detective Agency.

Sometimes Chet startles himself with a profound thought, e.g., he saw the neighbor frustrated with not being able to start the leaf blower, which Chet hated because the high pitched whine hurt his ears. After many tries, the neighbor threw it to the ground and went inside. Chet thought about the many times he had seen humans get so frustrated with a machine that they stomped, kicked, punched or jumped on it. He thought of one man-machine incident after another, then the profound thought popped into his canine head: Can humans make machines mad? He amazed himself. But not too much.

Love dogs? Chet loves the bones that people give him, for example, the owner of the best restaurant in the valley gives him rib bones, “sometimes with the ribs attached.” As much as he loves treats, he dislikes cats. It was a cat that distracted him during the final exam for the police academy, and therefore became the reason he didn’t qualify for the K-9 Unit. There is a cat in this story that causes the expected chaos as many times as he has lives. Chet can smell things about the people they encounter. He’s a trained police dog, after all. Things like toothpaste and mouthwash on the “top layer,” and tobacco, cocaine and oxycontin below.

Want romance? Divorced now for several years and having his son for visitation every second weekend and Christmas opens the door for his soul match, Sandy, a reporter who moves a couple hours away in search of her big break. Of course the usual tension between Bernie and his ex, Leta, adds spice to a couple situations.

The case Bernie and Chet are on in this adventure involves a badly behaved actor named Thad Perry. The Mayor pays Bernie a hearty amount to shadow Chad and make sure that for the 10 days they are filming a movie in his city, Chad has no “situations.”

Quinn veraciously captures the devotion dogs have for their owners and the mindless antics they go through to occupy their day. Jim Frangione is absolutely perfect. He has a chesty voice and each character its own clear timber. This is the fifth in the series and I guarantee you that once you have heard this book, you will go back and pick up at least one of the other four. I bought them all!

Chet and Bernie are terrific as usual!

Would you listen to A Fistful of Collars again? Why?

I'd listen to any of the series again because the narrator (Chet the dog) is so delightful.

What did you like best about this story?

Chat's point of view is always entertaining, and the mystery was complex.

What about Jim Frangione’s performance did you like?

He so well interprets what it might be like to be a dog.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It's a bit long for that but I did stay in my car a few times listening.

Any additional comments?

The whole series is excellent, even if you are not a dog lover. I wasn't one before but have changed my mind!

Great Books

Love these books so far. The author has to have a dog. I think the narrator is great also.

Loved this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Having dogs myself I appreciate Chet & his way of thinking & his loyalty.

Chet lover.

I'm addicted to these books! Perfect for any dog lover. Chet is the best.