Thursday 14 July 2022

Book Review: The Bone Ranger by Louisa Bennett

The Bone Ranger
by
Louisa Bennett
 

Publication date: 18th November 2021
 
Series: Monty Dog Detective #2
 
Genre: Crime / Mystery
 
Pages: 314
 
RRP: $32.95AUD
 
Format read: Paperback 
 
Source: Courtesy of the publisher 
 
My review of The Bone Ranger
 
The Bone Ranger is such a fun read; amusing, enjoyable and a little bit quirky.
 
Detective Rose Sidebottom is suffering from PTSD after a near death experience and is on sick leave. When a woman begs Rose to find her missing friend. Then when a girl is found murdered, Rose can't help but become involved even though her boss has warned her off the case.
 
Rose has a strong connection with her dog Monty, a golden retriever, who even seems to understand her when she talks to him. I loved the connection between Monty and Rose and how Monty could understand Rose and he found unique ways of trying to get her to understand him, even though she didn't get it some of the time.
 
The story is a dual narrative with Monty in 1st person which I found appropriate and Rose in 3rd person. I felt the change between perspectives flowed smoothly. I loved how Louisa Bennett got right into the mind and thoughts of a dog which were quite often amusing and gave me a few chuckles.
As Rose and Monty endeavour to uncover the identity of the murdered girl they come across a mysterious case of missing dogs. This detective duo are joined by a rat named Betty, Dante the magpie and a hyperactive squirrel. The animal community band together to help solve the mystery.
 
Even though the story is light and fun it is still a compelling crime read with captivating mysteries, tension, danger and suspense thrown in to give a read that is engrossing.
 
The Bone Ranger is the second book in the Monty Dog Detective series however reads well as a stand alone. 
 
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 
 About the author
 
Photo credit Goodreads
Louisa studied Literature at the University of London and went on to learn Canine Linguistics from her Golden Retriever, Pickles, which is how she discovered what dogs really get up to when we're not around.
Truth be told, Pickles came up with the story for the Monty Dog Detective Mysteries, and Louisa just transcribed it. She's faster on the keyboard and less easily distracted by food and passing squirrels.
Louisa worked in magazine publishing before her eyes were opened to the world of woofers. She divides her time between London and Sydney, Australia, and runs courses on crime fiction and creative writing

 
Louisa Bennett also writes thrillers a L.A. Larkin 
 
Devour

 * I am saddened to add that Louisa's beloved dog Pickles passed away last week aged 12 years - RIP Pickles 💗

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for such a lovely review of The Bone Ranger and for your kindness in mentioning that my beloved golden retriever passed away last week. He was my best buddy, my inspiration, and I miss him terribly. I hope I have captured some of Pickles' loving and cheeky personality in The Bone Ranger's Monty dog detective character.

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    1. You are welcome Louisa. I loved Monty's POV. It gave me a few laughs.

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