{Reason for Content Warning} – It is and will always be at a parents discretion if they’d like to let their child read any book I review. I am placing a content warning on this book for those parents that are overly cautious about what they subject their child to in terms of reading material. We don’t particularly sensor our children and allow them to make their own choices, however, they do know that it is not okay to write, use or say inappropriate language.

In this particular book in chapter ten on page 138 is the following sentence. “Harley’s my ride, now and forever. Any more dumb-ass questions?”

I understand the use of the word within the sentence helps to show the negative, smart alec character of the person speaking. However, this book is geared for 8-12 year-olds and if I heard my young child use that word period I’d be grounding them for quite awhile. I don’t think that bad language should be used in books geared for any child under the age of 14 years. I am not fond of coming across bad language in books geared for a younger age group.

Keeping all of that in mind – I still do believe that Spencer Quinn is a brilliant writer and I’m thankful for being able to read and promote his books.

{Synopsis} – A bull shark in the swamp? No one in the Louisiana town of St. Roch believes it at first, but when a local boy has a face-to-face encounter with the toothy monster, every big fisherman is called out for the hunt. There’s a big cash bounty on the shark.

Sharp-eyed Birdie Gaux and her handsome dog Bowser can’t help noticing that shark fever is causing some shady doings in town. For instance, where is Snoozy, the clerk who works at the Gaux family fishing store? He’s the town’s best fisherman, but suddenly he’s missing. Is a rival bounty hunter behind Snoozy’s suspicious disappearance? Or perhaps the marine biologist who said he’ll do anything to keep the shark alive?

Birdie and Bowser are determined to find Snoozy and bring him home safe, but the job is more dangerous than they know. Bowser better practice his paddling: He and Birdie are heading for deep waters . . .

{My thoughts} – Spencer Quinn has managed to do it again and rather brilliantly in this third book to the Bowser and Birdie series. I really enjoy reading detective type books geared for children. They help to teach children how to put things together and make sense of things that are presented to them. They help children to put a bunch of small clues together in order to form a bigger picture.

Snoozy decides that he wants to help out a bounty hunter looking for a particular bull shark. However, another bounty hunter wants him to help him find it first. There is a bit of disagreeing and Snoozy ends up missing. It is then up to Bowser and Birdie to put all the little clues together in order to try and find Snoozy. Birdie does do the right thing first and explains to the police what she thinks happened, but they don’t seem to take it all that serious, because it’s days later before they really start to investigate.

I really enjoyed this book, it’s a fun and interesting take on a detective book for children. Spencer Quinn can definitely relate to dogs. Has has an incredible ability to show what could possibly be happening in the mind of a dog and he presents it flawlessly in Bowser’s character and personality.

I highly recommend this book for any child that loves animals and mystery. I promise they won’t be disappointed. ( )

Shark fever has invaded Birdie’s Louisiana town, but Birdie and her two friends are more interested in winning a song contest. And wherever Birdie is, her loyal dog Bowser is right there, too. There’s a reward for capturing a shark that had been sighted, and Snoozy, the clerk in Birdie’s family store, was hired to find it. He gets more than he bargained for, and Birdie, and Bowser of course, hunt for Snoozy when he disappears. It’s an exciting time, and leads Birdie and her friends into danger. This series is a great one for all ages, though it is intended for children. The story is told by Bowser, in his limited doggie way, which just adds to the fun. The audio, notably performed by James Frangione, is highly recommended. ( )

BOWSER AND BIRDIE novels are a mystery series by Spencer Quinn.
Told from the perspective of a dog living in the swampland of Louisiana with a girl and her family, each title features a mystery that threatens Bowser and Birdie.
WOOF introduces a dog named Bowser and the girl he lives with, Birdie Gaux. The first detective story focuses on a stolen stuffed marlin.
ARF features a house break-in that may be connected to the death of Birdie’s father.
In the latest book titled BOW WOW, Bowser and Birdie are immersed in a mystery surrounding to a shark and a missing fisherman.
Librarians will find this sweet dog mystery series to be well received by children who enjoy detective stories and dog adventures. Children will enjoy the effective balance of suspense and humor. Recommend the series to children looking for a different approach to mystery stories.
Published by Scholastic. ARC courtesy of the publisher. ( )

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