A Fistful of Collars (33 page)

“Not sure of all the details, my friend, but the movie people seem very pleased with your work.”

“Uh-huh,” Bernie said.

“And what with Cal Luxton taking early retirement, I was wondering if you’d be interested in the job? Head of security for the mayor’s office, starting salary a hundred and—”

“Nope.”

After that, Bernie poured himself a stiff drink. “Some dark night let’s you and me pay Cal Luxton a visit.”

I looked out the window. It was night. But not dark enough? I didn’t get it.

We were back on our feet by the time Suzie flew in. I kind of remembered that things weren’t right between them, but you wouldn’t have known from their faces when they saw each other. We had a nice dinner out on the patio, the night cooler than any night we’d had in a long time, the sky so clear after the dust storm. We all gazed at the stars.

Suzie reached for Bernie’s hand. “Crazy to screw up the time we have for no good reason,” she said.

“Sounds like the beginning of a sappy song,” Bernie said.

“What?” said Suzie, withdrawing her hand.

“That’s a good thing,” Bernie said. “Sometimes there’s wisdom in sappy songs.”

Suzie looked surprised. Bernie took her in his arms. And just at that moment, when their lips were touching and I was thinking of doing something about it, barking started up in the canyon,
beyond our back gate. Funnily enough, it sounded something like my own bark, but higher-pitched.

“What’s that?” Suzie said.

Bernie shot me a strange sort of look, no idea why. I wasn’t the one barking; I was the one sitting quietly, keeping my nose clean. Just to be sure, I gave it a nice wet lick.

“I think I know the answer,” Bernie said. He picked up a flashlight, limped across the patio, and opened the gate.

W
riting the Chet and Bernie series is the best kind of labor—that of love. And one of its greatest pleasures has been the constant feeling of enthusiasm from my wonderful publisher, Atria Books. My grateful thanks to everyone at Atria, and especially Peter Borland, Judith Curr, and Ariele Fredman.

THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH

“A charming tale.”
—People

“Outstanding. . . . intelligent writing and on-the-mark pacing and tone.”
—Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“Human cunning and canine smarts triumph once again.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A thoroughly entertaining comic mystery. A must-read, of course, for everyone who likes a canine presence in their crime novels.”
—Booklist

TO FETCH A THIEF

“Terrific. . . . You don’t have to be a dog lover to enjoy this deliciously addictive series.”
—Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“If you like Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich, hop on this train. . . .
To Fetch a Thief
is every bit as good as the first two.”
—LA Times Magazine

“Tender-hearted Chet and literal-minded Bernie are the coolest human/pooch duo this side of Wallace and Gromit.”
—Kirkus Reviews

THEREBY HANGS A TAIL

“Pulls the reader along as if on a leash.” —
Booklist

“A proper, satisfying whodunit.” —
Publishers Weekly

“For all mystery lovers, even those with cats.” —
Library Journal

“The most winning detective duo since Shaggy met Scooby. . . . Quinn mixes suspense and humor as Chet tries to puzzle out humans’ odd ways.” —
Christian Science Monitor

DOG ON IT

“Spencer Quinn speaks two languages—suspense and dog. . . . My sincere advice to you is to rush to your nearest bookstore and put your paws on this enchanting one-of-a-kind novel.”—Stephen King

“Nothing short of masterful.”
—Los Angeles Times

“Chet is a hoot
—
or should I say a howl.”
—Boston Globe

“Sweetly engaging . . . and wonderfully entertaining.”
—The Denver Post

“Readers will love Chet’s ruminations on steak, bacon, chew toys and cats. Adorable describes this character-driven novel, which is also well-written and nicely paced. . . . Even cat lovers will howl with delight.”—
USA Today

“A winning debut . . . that fans of classic mysteries are sure to appreciate.”
—Publishers Weekly
(starred review)

“Excellent and fully fleshed primary and secondary characters, a consistently doggy view of the world, and a sprightly pace make this a not-to-be-missed debut. Essential for all mystery collections and for dog lovers everywhere.”
—Booklist
(starred review)

“At last, a dog lover’s mystery that portrays dogs as they really are.”
—Library Journal
(starred review)

“A detective, a dog, and some major league prose.
Dog On It
is a genuine joy.”—Robert B. Parker

“Bernie and Chet may be the most appealing detective duo since Watson and Holmes.”—Sharon Kay Penman

Atria Books was launched in April 2002 by publisher Judith Curr as a new hardcover and paperback imprint within Simon & Schuster, Inc. The name Atria (the plural of
atrium
—a central living space open to the air and sky) reflects our goals as publishers: to create an environment that is always open to new ideas and where our authors and their books can flourish. We look for innovative ways to connect writers and readers, integrating the best practices of traditional publishing with the latest innovations in the digital world. We are committed to publishing a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for readers of all tastes and interests.

The first book published under the Atria name,
The Right Words at the Right Time
by Marlo Thomas, became an instant #1
New York Times
bestseller, and since then Atria has gone on to publish more than 185 
New York Times
bestsellers. Atria is the publishing home to many major bestselling authors including His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Jude Deveraux, Vince Flynn, T.D. Jakes, Shirley MacLaine, Kate Morton, Jodi Picoult, Sister Souljah, Brad Thor, Jennifer Weiner, Lauren Weisberger, Zane, and Rhonda Byrne, author of the international bestsellers
The Secret
and
The Power.

In recent years, the imprint has placed a strategic emphasis on publishing for diverse audiences through the acquisition of the African American–oriented press Strebor Books, the launch of Atria Books Español, and co-publishing agreements with Beyond Words Publishers and Cash Money Records. Atria Books also publishes literary fiction and topical nonfiction in trade paperback under the Washington Square Press imprint, and popular fiction and nonfiction under the Emily Bestler Books imprint, launched in 2011.

Atria—books that entertain and enlighten.

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is a place where you can ask all your questions about book publishing—ask an editor, a publicist, a publisher, or a marketer!

Visit
vyou.com/AskAtria

Look for The Spencer Quinn Reader's Companion, a free collection of excerpts from Spencer Quinn’s irresistible novels, at your favorite ebook seller.

Spencer Quinn The Spencer Quinn Reader's Companion

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Copyright © 2012 by Spencer Quinn