Woof: A Bowser and Birdie Novel

By: Spencer Quinn

Narrated by: James Frangione

Bowser is a dog detective on the loose, paired with an 11-year-old girl, Birdie. Bowser and Birdie live on the Louisiana coast with Birdie's Grammy. When a prize stuffed marlin is stolen from Grammy's bait and tackle shop, Birdie and Bowser decide to take on the case. But what looks like a straightforward break-in soon becomes as tangled as a tourist's fishing line.

Was Grammy hiding a treasure map in the marlin? What's up with Old Man Straker, owner of a rival tackle shop, and his juvenile-delinquent son? And most sinister of all, why does it suddenly look as if someone wants to harm Birdie?

Told entirely from Bowser's hilarious dog point of view, Woof launches a brand-new slightly slobbery but utterly winning detective duo.

©2015 Spencer Quinn (P)2015 Scholastic Inc.

Critic reviews

"Spencer Quinn speaks two languages - suspense and dog - fluently." (Stephen King)

Wonderful💎💍🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕

I love dogs and I am 9 yr. old. The book has mistery , friendship , and the mane characters are a dog named bowser, and his ouner birdie. It's one of the best books I've ever read!

So fun

I'm a grownup but just loved the light diversion from all the adult mysteries. Narrator captured the essence of Bowser and captivated me. So fun.

Not just for kids

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, it is clearly written for a less sophisticated audience (younger) it is very much like Quinn's more adult series Chet and Bernie.

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

yes, it reads very smoothly and quickly, just as we are used to in the other books.

Any additional comments?

this book is certainly accessible to adults as well as young adults. The story is told through the dogs thoughts just as Chet and Bernie, in fact the dog is identical and while the story is simpler than most of Chets stories it is still entertaining and rewarding.

This is the kind of book that makes you happy

What a delightful read!! The tale/plot itself was just okay; it's the characters and narration that really made it for me, I think. I loved Bowser's "deep thoughts", phrased simply. My relationship with my dog actually improved while reading this, because it helped me remember the limitations of a dog's memory and abilities and also the pointlessness of getting frustrated with them. :) But it also highlights their love and loyalty, their desire to please and support. Really made me grateful that I have a sweet canine guy like Bowser in my life :)
I've read other books where the dog narrator is as smart or smarter than humans, having total awareness and equality. I still enjoyed them, but differently than his one.
I also appreciated the real imperfections and limitations of the humans themselves. Granny wasn't the typical sweet perfect grandmother. She was sometimes rude angry impatient, but loved Birdie and was understood and loved in return. I often think the perfect parents & grandparents often depicted in books for young people are really doing a disservice to kids, especially these days. Life is tough. People try their hardest but are not perfect! Just like dogs. :-) Best we don't get too frustrated. Focus on what's good in people we love! That's what Bowser would tell you.

Light hearted and fun

If you like the other series from Spencer Quinn -- Chet and Bernie -- you'll like this one. James Frangione's narration is solid and enjoyable. There's no real suspense or deep, hidden meaning. It's just a pleasant way to pass a few hours while working out or traveling alone.