Woof: A Bowser and Birdie Novel

By: Spencer Quinn

Narrated by: James Frangione

"I defy anyone to read this book--kid or adult--without a big, goofy grin."--HARLAN COBEN, #1 New York Times bestselling author

The New York Times Bestselling Mystery

There is trouble brewing in the Louisiana swamp--Bowser can smell it. Bowser is a very handsome and only slightly slobbery dog, and he can smell lots of things. Like bacon. And rawhide chews! And the sweat on humans when they're lying.

Birdie Gaux, the girl Bowser lives with, also knows something is wrong. It's not just that her grammy's stuffed prize marlin has been stolen. It's the weird rumor that the marlin is linked to a missing treasure. It's the truck that seems to be following Birdie and the bad feeling on the back of her neck.

When Birdie and Bowser start digging into the mystery, not even Bowser's powerful sniffer can smell just how menacing the threat is. And when the danger comes straight for Birdie, Bowser knows it up to him to sic 'em.

©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.

great mystery and funny

love that this book is told from bowsers prospective. makes it funnier. enjoyable for mom to listen to with kids. performance is so good, i read the next book with readers voice in my head! my son has listenend to this book 3 times and my daughter has listened at least 2 times! (ages 8 and 11)