Saratoga Bestiary: A Charlie Bradshaw Mystery

Better known for his poetry, Dobyns has shown his mastery of the mystery genre as well. This addition to the Saratoga series is especially great, but I have yet to read one that's poor or even just good; each one has been excellent. Dobyns talent is in taking the conventions of the typical mystery and giving them a facelift. Saratoga Bestiary--and the other Saratoga books--are filled with comedy, excellent characterization, and a poet's flair for masterful language and dialogue. I found myself strangely attached to the characters in a way that I haven't been since adolescence. I highly, highly reccomend this series of books--even if you don't like mysteries as I didn't--as well as the rest of Dobyns work.