This Dog for Hire

If you love dogs, a superb mystery, and fine writing, this book was written for you...... The hero, clearly, is pit bull Dash; and Ms. Benjamin presents him as a totally believable participant in his "partner's" investigation into murder. Interspersed throughout the book are some clues into what makes Dash's human counterpart, Rachel Alexander, tick....almost a mystery within a mystery....and Rachel's periodic rules for private detectives are delightful. So also is the little basenji Magritte, who has quite a personality of his own; and the reader will get a peek into the inside world of dog shows. Sit back, relax, enjoy a good read, and be prepared to anticipate the next book in the series!

This book is written very well! The author uses her extensive knowledge of dog shows/training to enthrall the reader and create a trust of the main character. Her details are incredibly accurate -- from baiting a dog in the show ring to AKC rules and regulations. Benjamin also educates the reader on the true, loving nature of pit bulls -- something so rare in today's media. I truly enjoyed this mystery and plan to read the rest in the series. 5 stars!!

I liked this book very much. Rachel seems like a real person, and Dash seems like a real dog (by which I mean, he's not some anthropomorphized cutesy little woof-woof thing, he acts like an actual dog). The mystery kept me puzzled and interested til the end, the subsidiary characters were interesting and well fleshed out, and I thought the writing style was pleasant and flowed well. I went back and found the other two titles in the series, and I hope there'll be more after that.

What seems to be another mindless killing on the piers off Christopher Street takes you to an Art Opening in SoHo, a Dog Show at The Garden, hidden places in the Village, and introduces a dog that sees and understands more than most people. Walking the streets of NY with Dash and Rachel gives the reader an insider's perspective. I am hooked. Could Benjamin become the Clancy of Canines? I hope so! Waiting for the sequel.

Renowned dog trainer Carol Lea Benjamin brings us a hard boiled detective novel set in New York City. Rachel, who has disappointed all family expectations and her highly trained faithful companion, pit bull, Dash are hired to find out who killed the owner of a famous champion bisengi. The search winds through the SOHO art scene, wanders the West Village and includes a tour behind the scenes of the AKC show at Madison Square Garden. A fast-paced read. Can't wait for the further adventures of Rachel and Dash