The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs

By: Nick Trout

Narrated by: Peter Berkrot

Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Dr. Cyrus Mills returns to his hometown after inheriting his father's failing veterinary practice. Cyrus intends to sell the practice and get out of town as fast as he can, but when his first patient - a down-on-her-luck golden retriever named Frieda Fuzzypaws - wags her way through the door, life suddenly gets complicated.

With the help of a black Labrador gifted in the art of swallowing underwear, a Persian cat determined to expose her owner's lover as a gold digger, and the allure of a feisty, pretty waitress from the local diner, Cyrus gets caught up in a new community and its endearing residents, both human and animal. Sensing he may have misjudged the past, he begins to realize it's not just his patients that need healing.

The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs is a winsome tale of new beginnings, forgiveness, and the joy of finding your way home.

©2013 Nick Trout (P)2013 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Trout's charming novel strikes just the right balance between humor and drama. The cast of characters are delightfully entertaining....Highly recommended for anyone who has ever had a beloved pet." ( Library Journal Starred Review)

Dogs good, people and plot lacking

This plot might have worked in outline, but then it appears the outline got lost. The story wanders in search of its redemptive narrative, which is imposed instead of earned. We never learn essential things, such as, what the vet did or didn't do to get his license revoked, what his dad didn't do right to deserve all this alienation and how the false premises trick ever worked on anybody.

Plus, somebody who takes a child's pet to the vet to be put to sleep on the sly and lets the child and mother search for it afterward deserves a punishment. Some punishment. At least shame. Add blackmail to his crimes. I hung in with the story, hoping the writer would grind this person into the dirt, but no. The person capable of such wrongdoing will do it again.

The dogs are lovely, and well described, but they can't save this bumbling tale. Besides the animals and one great little girl, I didn't believe any of it.

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

Must have for every dog lover

Would you consider the audio edition of The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs to be better than the print version?

Did not read the print verson

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs?

The ending

What about Peter Berkrot’s performance did you like?

His voice emphasis

If you could take any character from The Patron Saint of Lost Dogs out to dinner, who would it be and why?

The old guy on oxygen... He was a lover of Clint Eastwood, and dogs.... He must be an Allright guy... Not to mention his sincerity

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wonderful from the first word to the last!

Having been a dog owner for over 40 years I related to many of the clients in this book. I sympathized with the break in the relationship between Cyrus and his father and wish that they could’ve had a better relationship while he was growing up. He moved me to tears more than once. So grateful for his change of heart and for Lewis bringing that out in him.
I felt the characters were well-developed, the story connected and its appeal to human emotion unchallenged.

The book I wish I'd written

What about Peter Berkrot’s performance did you like?

Peter Berkrot's performance was outstanding

Any additional comments?

I had never heard of Nick Trout before I purchased this book as a Kindle and an Audible. What a lucky find! This is the best new author I've read since I discovered Jodi Taylor a couple years back. Full of heart (human and pet), emotional intelligence, wit, humor, insight, solid writing, and suspense. An unqualified five stars!

A superbly engaging tale!

I was eased into this wonderful book from the first line. Along the way, I laughed out loud, cried and was fantastically well entertained from start to finish as Nick Trout rolled out this heartwarming and thoroughly engaging story that left me wanting for more.

ENJOYED VERY MUCH!

I was in need of something less daunting with some fun added in to lighten my drives - this book was perfect. I love good books about or with dogs/animals, however it also needs to be a good story to keep my attention. This is all of the above - I'm very much hoping Mr. Trout continues this series and I hope he gets # 3 out quickly! As soon as I finished this book I immediately went and used my very last credit to get #2 - sadly I just finished it and there is no # 3 at this point. So.... if you'd like a good book with some mystery, some romance, a lot of humor and some old town charm - along with dogs/animals - you'll like this book - go ahead,, enjoy.