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)

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.

Like nothing else.

The very funny author Carl Hiassen wrote the introduction to this book, which is appropriate. Except that Carl Hiassen is predictable -- his villains are always polluters or property developers -- and Thomas Perry never is.

I've read enough of his novels to know that he never repeats himself. (At least the ones that don't feature Jane Whitefield; I haven't read those.) Perry's plots are always unique and ingenious. Audible now has many more of his books, and I look forward to every one.

BEST OF MY LAST 100 READS

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

Very clever, witty and challenging plot. Perry has never received his due. Thank you Mr. Perry

Least favorite Thomas Perry book...

Any additional comments?

I have read over 75% of Mr. Perry's books and have loved them all. It took almost halfway through the book to start feeling the plot. I did not finish it. Well, onto the next one.......

L M A O

Would you consider the audio edition of Metzger's Dog to be better than the print version?

Never read the book, but Listen to the book frequently

Who was your favorite character and why?

Chinese Gorden, twisted genius

Which character – as performed by Michael Kramer – was your favorite?

Porterfield The only sane person left in company

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Closing down LA.

Great Book. Great reader.

This is an exceptionally fun exciting and smart book. Unlike almost anything else I can think of except maybe Elmore Leonard.

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.