Arf: A Bowser and Birdie Novel

By: Spencer Quinn

Narrated by: James Frangione

New York Times best-selling author and King of Canines Spencer Quinn is back with the next Woof book.

Bowser Is Back!

Bowser the dog is doing great. He's been adopted by Birdie, the greatest girl in the world, and he gets lots of love, lots of walks, and sometimes even bacon!

But why is Birdie looking so worried? Who broke into their house? Why is the new girl in town digging into the old mystery of what really happened to Birdie's dad, a policeman killed in the line of duty?

Bowser better keep his ears perked and his paws at the ready. A murder case that went cold long ago is fixing to get way too hot.

Woof, the first Birdie and Bowser book, debuted on the New York Times best seller list, and Bowser is back with all his signature charm (and slobber) in Arf!

©2016 Spencer Quinn (P)2016 Scholastic Inc.

Loved it

I'm a huge fan of the Chet and Bernie books...and now Birdie and Bowser too. Frangione is the perfect narrator as well.

not just for kids

much like Chet and Bernie, but without all the adult drama. Like Chet and Bernie, Bowser adores Birdie, and vice versa. These mysteries are every bit as good.

Mama's Home!

Birdie's mother comes home from her rig job and the action does not stop. Quinn brings an entire gambit of emotional experiences and grit in this second installment of Bowser and Birdie. Memories of Birdie's father make the Gauex women misty-eyed a time or two. The personalities in this episode collectively deliver a wide range of feelings that dig deep to the core, including a load of the happy, laugh-out-loud sort from none other than Bowser. The Louisiana backdrop and references to bayou cuisine continue to awe and wet the appetite. Be prepared-- the crime factor ratchets up a few notches in this one. Frank Francine remains a master of his craft and true compliment to Spencer Quinn.

Enjoyable, but more intense than Woof.

My 9 and 5 year olds enjoyed both this and Woof (I was pretty entertained, too). This book was darker at times, with several murders, descriptions like "he walked up behind the man and shot him in the head", and a murder victim's body being recovered from a lake. Had I known that going in, I might not have let my 5 year old listen. But overall, these are very enjoyable stories. Being told from the dog's point of view sets then apart from other kids books we read. The narrator's performance was excellent.

Not just for kids

As an elementary librarian, I'm constantly looking for books that I can recommend to my students. I was delighted when I stumbled across Woof, the first in the Bowser and Birdie series, as an Audible subscriber. I bought Arf as soon as it was released. I like these stories so much that I'm always sad to reach the end. The combination of writing and narrating makes these stories among my favorite "listens," which are appropriate for kids and adults alike. (I bought the actual books for my son!) Adults will also like the Chet and Bernie series.