The Dudley Files by Cary Robinson ~ review

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Two Harbors Press (March 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1937293793
• ISBN-13: 978-1937293796

Publication Date: March 5, 2012

A young man nicknamed Careless by his friends (although he claims to have no friends) is coerced, then seduced, into a life partnership with a big golden-colored hound dog named Dudley (not that there's anything wrong with that). Once Dudley is rescued from the SPCA, their man/dog bromance brings together one's peculiar appreciation for seemingly obscure details with the other's supremely talented schnoz. Their warehouse loft neighbors-a sharp-tongued beautiful blonde named E.D. (who has no interest in Careless, but not for a lack of trying on his part) and Sarge (a stammering throwback from the '60s)-join the pair when road-raged, redneck friend, Birk, learns of a mystery involving their favorite country western singer.

Against the backdrop of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Careless continues to be thoroughly slobbered on by day and spooned every night by the large hound dog (not that there's anything wrong with that either). Careless is a fictional character concocted by Dudley, the hound dog, who swears the story is true… well, mostly true.

My take on this book:

This was a different kind of book, now when I say different I mean it in a very good way!There were so many things that made the story a stand out read. First I don't think I have ever read a story where a man and a dog had such an interesting relationship. The author also shares tidbits of information about Houston that flowed easily within the story, which allowed me to learn a bit about the city. As an animal lover I fell in love with Dudley, and loved that he was an adopted shelter dog. His funny antics, such as driving a truck, shredding a sofa, or the way he acted around the neighbor E.D. were just hilarious!

Cary Robinson also known as Careless lives in the Big Rock Lofts in Houston Texas alone. An unusual character to say the least, he enjoys iced coffee, with a shot of Jack. He has a way with women, Not, but that doesn't stop him from trying. He thinks he is happy living alone, but his friend Birk decides that Careless needs to adopt a dog, and that's when the fun begins. Careless adopts a big hound dog named Dudley from the SPCA and the two become inseparable. The antics of Careless and Dudley are often funny, that is until they are ask to help solve a mystery involving a country singer! It will take Dudley's nose to figure out the mystery!

The author weaves a tale wagging read, full of interesting characters that literally jump off the page. Careless was such a funny character, but he also had a few serious moments. I loved the relationship that sorta developed with the new neighbor E.D. The names that she called Careless was priceless,Birk was a larger than life "redneck" who loved zooming around in his Cowboy Cadillac, and I have to mention Sarge, such an oddball character that fit into the story perfectly. 

I thought the mystery, which actually only encompassed the last third of the book, was very well done, and the ending left me hoping that this might be the first in a long line of books featuring Dudley, Careless and the gang. Anyone who enjoys a very well written story, where one of the primary characters is a dog will fall in love with this book, but if you enjoy a fast paced plot, wacky, but lovable characters, along with interesting glimpses of Houston then your going to want to read this one as well! Dudley errr I mean Careless I certainly hope your working on a sequel!

reviewed for Reader'sFavorite.com