Oberon the Irish wolfhound is off to Portland to smell all the things with canine companions wolfhound Orlaith and Boston terrier Starbuck, and, of course, his human, ancient Druid Atticus O’Sullivan. The first complication is an unmistakable sign of sinister agendas afoot: a squirrel atop the train. But an even more ominous situation is in store when the trio plus Atticus stumble across a murder upon arrival at the station. They recognize Detective Gabriela Ibarra, who’s there to investigate. But they also recognize the body—or rather that the body is a doppelganger for Atticus himself. The police, hampered by human senses of smell and a decided lack of canine intuition, obviously can’t handle this alone. Not with Atticus likely in danger. Oberon knows it’s time to investigate once more—for justice! For gravy! And possibly greasy tacos!
Alongside his faithful Druid, Oberon and the other loyal hounds navigate by nose through Portland to find a bear-shifter friend with intel, delicious clues at the victim’s home, and more squirrels. Always more squirrels!
But will our hungry band of heroes be able to identify the culprit before someone else is murdered? Will there be mystery meat in gravy as a reward or tragedy in store for the world’s (or at least the Pacific Northwest’s) greatest dog detective?The
How was it?
Once I finished The Purloined Poodle I jumped right into this one. The second opus of Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries is another detective story, more precisely a murder mystery with the best Irish wolfhound on the case. This time there’re more doggos investigating, Boston terrier, Starbuck, and female Irish Wolfhound Orlaith join the investigation that starts by most dogs’ favorite pass-time chasing squirrels.
This story is as clever as the other one, with the play on words, the jokes, and insights; but I feel like it ups the ante when it comes to the case. It reads – or sounds, because again I chose the aubible version – like a good detective series, more serious in tone, a real whodunit. For the fans of The Iron Druid Chronicles there are little nuggets of information about the main series, nothing major, mostly information that will broaden your knowledge about its characters a bit.
The Squirrel on the Train is entertaining as hell, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s a bit silly and fun, and would serve as a great bedtime story despite the murder in it. I just wish Hearne would write more in this series, for it to be in its own pocket universe.
You can get it here
Previous book in the series:
Review
Worn out Spines 
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