A Farewell to Arfs By Spencer Quinn: Review/Giveaway

Sep 21, 2024 | 2024 Articles, Mysteryrat's Maze, Pets, Sandra Murphy

by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase the book from Amazon.

Everyone who knows Chet (the dog) and Bernie (Bernie Little of the Little Detective Agency), knows about Mr. and Mrs. Parsons and Iggy (their dog) who live next door. Mrs. Parsons isn’t doing too well, she’s in the hospital again.

Billy Parsons is an ex-con. He’s a director for an organization that helps cons rehabilitate instead of returning to crime. It looks like his life has turned around—until Mr. Parsons gets a call from Billy who needs $2,000, just until Monday. Iggy is barking like crazy and it’s hard to hear but Mr. Parsons knows Billy’s voice and gives him the bank password to take the money from their savings account. It’s only needed over the weekend, what’s the harm?

But on Monday, Mr. Parsons finds out their entire savings are missing. Has Billy reverted to his old ways? Is it a bank glitch? Or a total scam? Billy’s missing so it’s hard to tell.

Bernie and Chet are on the case. Of course, there are distractions. Bernie is engaged to Weatherly. They make a good match since he’s a PI and she’s a cop. When she’s injured during the arrest of an arsonist, Bernie steps in to “help,” wanted or not. Turns out, not. Weatherly can take care of herself, thank you very much, and his interference got her suspended.

AI is also involved—it’s everywhere. Then there’s the bird guy out in the desert, the observatory, the drones, the nerd guy with no shoes, the kids with virtual reality games, and an arsonist. How will it all come together? Only Chet and Bernie know.

This is book 15 in the popular series. As always, Chet steals every scene and since the story’s told from his point of view, that’s all of them. Chet often finds clues or notices something important but has no way to tell Bernie—and Chet has a very short attention span unless perps are involved. It’s a challenging way to write but so entertaining to read. Be warned, read one, want them all. Chet and Bernie always make my annual Best-of List. This year will be no exception.

Writing as Peter Abrahams, there are 19 novels, and three series for younger readers—the Bowser and Birdie books, Queenie and Arthur series, and the Echo Falls Trilogy.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of A Farewell to Arfs, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “arfs” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 28, 2024. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

4 Comments

  1. Would really enjoy reading. Sounds like my kind of book.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  2. This book sounds awesome & the dog on the cover is adorable!!! I actually have the Bowser & Birdie series and Queenie & Arthur series because of my youngest daughter and I also read it and thought it was cute!

    Reply
  3. would love to try this series.
    thanks. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  4. We have a winner!

    Reply

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