Gr 3–6—Two humans, Birdie Gaux and her grandmother, are standing in front of Bowser's cage at the shelter. It's Birdie's 11th birthday, and she's there to pick out a pet. The girl automatically connects with mutt Bowser, even though Grammy and the woman running the shelter advise against him. Bowser is beside himself—he has connected with Birdie, too. Soon they are speeding along in Grammy's beat up pick up truck, headed to St. Roch, LA. Before Bowser can even get settled in, he and Birdie have a mystery on their hands. Someone has stolen Grammy's prized mounted marlin, Black Jack, from the wall of her bait and swamp tour shop. It turns out that Birdie's small town harbours quite a few secrets and old family feuds. Bowser and Birdie must find Grammy's prized marlin and dig into the age-old rumour that there is a treasure map sealed within Black Jack. Told from Bowser's point of view, this hilarious story will elicit laughs from dog-loving kids as they recognise Bowser's loyal yet rambunctious behaviour. Reminiscent of Dug from the film Up, Bowser finds fun in every scrape he and Birdie get into, and he is devoted to Birdie from the start. VERDICT This suspenseful mystery filled with small-town characters takes readers to the very last pages, and the unresolved ending is a sure sign of more Bowser and Birdie books to come.—Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.