Ruff vs. Fluff, written by Spencer Quinn, reviewed by Katy Golden

Summary: In this new series, Quinn (the Bowser & Birdie series) takes us to the Green Mountains’ failing BlackBerry Hill Inn, inhabited by twins Bro and Harmony, their mom, and their two pets. Queenie, the glamorous, self-obsessed cat who observes the world from her “command post” atop the grandfather clock, and Arthur, the goofy, excitable dog who is constantly forgetting what he’s doing, narrate the story in alternating chapters. When an inn guest is murdered on an old mountain path, the inept, corrupt sheriff immediately suspects the twins’ cousin. With the help of their animal companions, Bro and Harmony set out to clear his name. The mystery that unfolds reveals a treasure stashed during Prohibition, as well as families that have been seeking the booty, and culminates in a suspenseful chase to a mountain cave where the murderer brandishes his gun. Queenie and Arthur, appropriately, each have roles in saving the day.

Straight Talk for Librarians: While the mystery plot is a bit convoluted and the amount of characters can seem daunting, the novelty of a story told through the pets’ point of view will engage animal-loving readers. Queenie and Arthur are both a bit charicaturized at times (there is only so much self-praise from Queenie and forgetfulness from Arthur that one page needs), but each are lovable in their own way. The reader does need to put some pieces together at times to solve the mystery, because the narrators are not doing the work for them, and a basic knowledge of the Prohibition era could be helpful in understanding the outcome. Use this as a mentor text to model voice or perspective using the dual narrators, or as a quirky read for an adventure or animal lover. Violence and use of weapons; grades 5-8.