I know what you're thinking: Another veterinarian tries to rip off James Herriot — you know, the Yorkshire vet with all the heart-warming animal tales. But stop right there. It's true that Gillian Hick is a young Irish (not British) vet, and that her stories are funny and often heartwarming. But this is not a rerun of Herriot's tales, as Gillian has her own unique voice as she recounts tales from her practice in Dublin and the countryside. She has quite a knack for storytelling and characterization. This little book is a gem and a keeper, and personally I'd love to see a sequel or two.

(Full disclosure: My sister went to vet school in Dublin with the author, which is why I have one of the few copies of this book in the States. My own acquaintance with Ms. Hick extends no further than that, and she didn't even buy me a pint to get this review.)