Metzger's Dog

A Novel

By: Thomas Perry

Narrated by: Michael Kramer

Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

When Leroy "Chinese" Gordon breaks into a professor's lab at the University of Los Angeles, he's after some pharmaceutical cocaine, worth plenty of money. Instead, he finds the papers the professor has compiled for the CIA, which include a blueprint for throwing a large city into chaos. But how is the CIA to be persuaded to pay a suitable ransom, unless of course someone actually uses the plan to throw a large city into chaos - Los Angeles, for instance?

Assigned to cope with the crisis and restore the peace, veteran agent Ben Porterfield steps onto the scene to remind us that the CIA's middle name is, after all, Intelligence. Enlivening the mix are Gordon's beautiful girlfriend, Margaret, his temperamental cat, Dr. Henry Metzger, and Metzger's friend, an enormous half-wild dog with huge teeth.

©2008 Thomas Perry (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Very sharp, very funny...should not be missed." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"In a word - wonderful!" ( Chicago Tribune)

Laugh Out Loud Funny!

I like the way Perry writes. I am not so in tune with his feminine side (Jane Whatshername), but the Butcher's Boy books we among the best I've found in the genre. Metzger's Dog petered out just a tad near the end, but until then I was bathed in some of the funniest ironic humor (just shy of sarcasm) in memory. The black, fearsome pall of the dog-beast is priceless! More, Mr. Perry, More!!!

Delightful unexpected comedy

I think that the world in this book is not the world that Perry lives in, but the world that he wished it to be. This author has, even in his darkest stories, demonstrated a sly sense of irony and off-hand humorous comments on the absurd. The quality of his characters and their dialogue has elevated his suspense stories beyond the typical - Now we have a sweet colorful cast of characters in a comedic caper where most the guys are good guys and they all win. There is also an incredible cat and his (yes his, the cats') 200 pound dog. Somehow Perry makes it all believable. This is a great, fun story.

A satiric look at the CIA

Would you listen to Metzger's Dog again? Why?

Perry's use of humor and vivid imagery made this book a joy.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Metzger's Dog?

My favorite scene was when Dr. Henry Metzger (the cat) showed that he was the "alpha cat" and tamed the 200 pound dog.

What does Michael Kramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Michael Kramer brings the story to life, giving each character and voice a unique flavor.

I'm so hooked on Thomas Perry books now...

I had to go back to the beginning and really...Chinese Gordon? Who doesn't love that name? And then what about Dr. Harry Metzger? The names already had me hooked and especially when I got a taste of those personalities, I was IN!!! And this was Perry's second book? Really? Incredible. I'm on to my next one. I've now listened to at least 5 or 6 and will likely buy them all. THANK YOU!!! And Michael Kramer. What a find for Thomas Perry's books. Ideal.

absolutely fabulous and absurdly funny!

I very much enjoyed this story - interesting and also really funny!

One of my favorites

Thomas Perry is a master. First this then the entire Butcher’s Boy series. Perfect reading then listening on Audible

Love the dog

Very good descriptions of the black dog that made me laugh out loud which added to overall enjoyment of the dialogue and plot.

Messrs. Perry and Kramer should get six stars.

Metzger's Dog is yet another triumph for Mr. Perry. I only know two authors who can effectively weave suspense and humor together: Mr. Perry and Tim Hallinan. Both have carved out unique niches for themselves. In this book Mr. Perry creates a whole raft of interesting new characters, he keeps us guessing and delighted throughout the book, and his humor is just sometimes LOL funny. At other times his humor can be rueful, sarcastic, warm, affectionate and anything else you can think of. All the guys like Nelson Demille, Tom Clancy and their peers approach the CIA in deadly earnest. I now would have a hard time going back to any of them. Mr. Perry creates a Keystone Kops aura around the CIA and makes vicious fun of the bureaucracy and the politics within. On the other side is a small group headed by Chinese Gordon and his soon-to-be-wife Margaret. Dr. Henry Metzger is Gordon's cat, and they adopt a gigantic and ludicrously ferocious dog during the caper. Mr. Perry could write a whole new series around these characters. His ingenuity and creativity are on show here, and one can only marvel at how far he pushes the envelope of this genre. The tricks they pull involving the crippling of Los Angeles and how they outwit the CIA over and over are such fun that I will listen to the book again in a year or so, just for the laughs. Mr. Kramer is perfect. He narrates with consistent skill and he deals with the humor with nuance. He is equally good at suspense and all forms of humor. Keep on truckin', gentlemen. We are listening.

Extremely well written low key thriller

This book is a great story and one that does not have crazy unbelievable physical stunts or superhuman fire fights. Great story great performance . Thoughtful and smart.

Tongue in cheek and fun!

The foibles of our government come through in spades,,,and narrator picks up with the "dead pan" performance. Woof Woof!