I am not a reviewer who writes the entire gist of a story- it is not my style. Instead, allow me to briefly tell you a couple emotions I felt while reading this beautiful tale.

How often do you read a book that captures something inside of you and makes you feel something heartfelt? Not many, and if you do the books are far and few between. This beautiful story brought me to my knees. As a pet owner of 2 dogs, I must admit that this story made me feel closer to my pups after I had finished reading.

This story is told through the eyes of a dog and related some of the best human/canine interaction ever put to paper. Strong sentiment, yes, but true. Garth Stein managed to write a story that has it's share of heartache but also one that had me laughing aloud. It is like real-life. Death, custody battles and yes, race car driving.

The philosophy that is shared in this story is one that is uplifting. You will walk away from this story feeling good...and perhaps, just perhaps, have better insight into man's best friend.

I highly recommend this story to you.

This book was a hoot! Just off of a depressing read (Good Grief by Lolly Winston), and in the mood for some fun, this book hit "the spot". Boy, did this book entertain. It is a silly story about The Spellman family, who own and operate their own detective agency. The family is a wacky one, with each family member totally living in their own little world. Two of the Spellman children are indoctrinated into the family business, while one flees in horror! One of many plotlines in this read is how the family is always spying on one another. They tail each other while driving and tap each others phone calls. The mother figures this will be a wonderful way to keep tabs on her kiddos! The story is told by the middle daughter, who describes herself as a reformed bad girl. Her stories and antics are quite amusing and her list of ex-boyfriends gave me a flashback to my own college years!

From finding a couple of missing family members (one who goes on long benders), to solving the case of a young man who disappeared many years ago, you will enjoy the ride. It is a relatively easy read and one I would have recommended for the beach...I suppose now it can be recommended as a cuddle-up-by-the-fire kind of read!