CAT ON A HOT TIN WOOF

Searching for a kidnapped cat, Bernie Little and Chet, his canine companion, are soon awash in human murders.

When Miss Kitty goes missing, her humans, Evelyn Pond and daughter Bitty, turn to Bernie and Chet for help. Chet, who narrates the story, is a K-9 school dropout who adores detective Bernie, an ex-cop, West Point graduate, and war hero who’s solved many cases with his help. Bitty’s 6 million followers on the social media app Slickety love the black-and-white cat, and an impending sponsor deal will fall through unless she’s located. Chet quickly finds the broken window in Evelyn and Bitty’s garage that was Miss Kitty’s likely escape route. For his part, Bernie considers Evelyn’s ex-husband, Phillips Pond, a likely suspect. Visiting Phil’s house out in the Arizona desert, they find a large pig in the backyard, along with Phil, his girlfriend, Yolanda, and a shotgun. Phil, who mistakes Bernie for a bill collector, denies knowing anything about Miss Kitty. And that’s the last they’ll hear from him, because their next visit to Phil’s place reveals him shot dead at his kitchen table. While Bernie and Chet rescue the escaped Señor Piggy from coyotes and leave him with food and water, Phil’s body vanishes. Despite being in his friend Fritzie’s police district, Bernie does some sleuthing instead of reporting the crime. The desert is full of secrets, surprises, and tough characters, some of whom may be helpful. Bud Stiles, Phil’s partner in a new rare earth enterprise, ends up dead alongside Phil’s body in a setup that makes it look like they killed each other, turning the search for Miss Kitty into a dangerous manhunt.

The twisty mystery, presented from the dog’s viewpoint, is enlivened by his misinterpretations of his partner’s musings.