Paw and Order (A Paw Enforcement Novel, 2)

The premise of the book held promise, but the execution was poor. Not one of the men in this book had the capability of holding a conversation that didn't include multiple sexual innuendos and slimy inferences. Also, why the main character's crude obsession with male genitals? The first book in this series included the same language - I thought there wouldn't be a carryover but I was wrong. Also, the main character's behavior while on patrol was very badly written. For example, the officer allowed a teenage civilian to maintain custody of her dog while she went on a carnival ride with a potential boyfriend WHILE ON DUTY!! I wonder how happy the real Chief of Police in Fort Worth would be to see that on YouTube. I've read the positive reviews and clearly I'm in the minority so I guess this kind of book just isn't for me. The concept of the series is a good one but Ms. Kelly, why the immature language and unprofessional behavior? Is it really necessary?

What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. - Dwight Eisenhower

In the case of Brigit, she has both size and fight. Rescued from a shelter, she appreciates her handler, Officer Megan Luz, and especially loves her shoes. Brigit finds the rodeo enticing with smelly animals and noisy children dangling corn dogs and pretzels (which she eats when no parent is looking). The junk food sustains her when she is directed by Megan to chase a suspect - a task she is happy to complete.

Kelly employs an unique method to share the story of Megan, Brigit, and even the suspect, Robin Hood - the chapters alternate with Megan's first person POV, Brigit's third person perspective, and Robin's first person POV. Kelly's innovative narrative offers a complete picture of how the petty crime at the rodeo spins out of control. I commend Kelly for diving into Robin's psyche so she is not simply the villain, but a victim too.

Kelly gives us a glimpse of Megan's psyche, too. Shy from childhood stuttering, Megan found solace in baton twirling - a talent that comes in handy as a police officer. Kelly probes Megan's feelings for both Seth (the hunky fireman with emotional baggage) and Clint (the cocky officer from the mounted police). While Kelly keeps it lighthearted and sweet natured, she hints that not everything is black or white, right or wrong. Brigit sums it up best,

Brigit was glad she wasn't a human. Their sexual relationships were far too complex. When dogs wanted to hump, they humped, pure and simple. No regrets afterward, no guilt, no tears if he didn't call. No walk of shame though really, a dog didn't mind any kind of walk, shameful or not.

I read the first book, PAW ENFORCEMENT, giving me the background of the characters in PAW AND ORDER. Yet Kelly seamlessly reintroduced the characters in PAW AND ORDER so it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Recommended read for fans of canine sleuths, flawed characters, and a compelling story.

I purchased PAW AND ORDER as I enjoyed PAW ENFORCEMENT.

. . . You like your cozy mysteries filled with sexual innuendo, a lot of it crude. I wasn't totally sold on the first in the series, but enjoyed the growing relationship between Megan and Brigit, her K9 partner so decided to give book 2 a chance. Got so disgusted with it, I gave up at page 167. Still love Brigit. Plus, Megan is an educated woman. She would know that saying "me and Brigit" is grammatically incorrect.

However, I do recommend her House Flipper series with Sawdust the cat which I read first.

It's an entertaining read, although not quite as funny or romantic as the first one in the series. I'd still like to read the next book to see if the series picks back up.

too slow, not very interesting

It was a bit of a disapointment.

This was a total disappointment. Figured the second in a series would be better than the first, but this story when no where, just was a lot of words, but very little plot.

Fun read!

A wonderfully trashy novel for when your brain is fried or your life is fried, and you just want light-hearted fun.

Being a dog lover, I opened the book and was very happy to find an interesting story and even some chapters written by the dog. Ms Kelly writes in an easy to read manner with you wanting to not stop reading. I finished the book quickly wishing there was more.