On Sundays we do beginnings – taking a look at the start of a Peter Abrahams novel in including those written under the Spencer Quinn pen name. I’ve done some writing for younger readers in my career. Here’s the start of Woof, first in the Bowser and Birdie mystery series. Middlegrade but available to adults with fake ID):
Two humans stood outside my cage, a white-haired woman and a gum-chewing kid. Gum-chewing is one of the best sounds out there, and the smell’s not bad either. I liked the kid from the get-go.
They gazed in at me. I gazed out at them. The white-haired woman had blue eyes, washed out and watery. The kid’s eyes were a bright, clear blue, like the sky on a cloudless day. I hadn’t seen the sky in way too long.
“How about this one, Grammy?” the kid said.
5 Comments on “Beginnings”
Always like that beginning.
Good day to all.
Greetings!
Me too, B. :^)
Good Sunday to all!
Always one of my favorite book for a number of reasons, but one in particular. Woof was nominated for an Agatha aAward for best young adult mystery in 2016 (it did not win, but we won’t dwell on that). However, as a result of the nomination, Spence attended Malice Domestic in April 2016, which is when he and Teddy had their in person meeting. Spence actually even got a ride in the Teddymobile as well, as Teddy and I provided chauffeur services to him to get him to a meeting downtown during the event.
I really liked the Bowser and Birdie series. The books are related loosely and the last one had a satisfying closure to the series.
Unlike the Queenie and Arthur series. That is still open for more books, should anyone eventually be inspired to continue. Too many loose ends that could continue on.
I was instantly hooked on Bowser and Birdie. Arthur and Queenie took me a little longer but I did enjoy them and so am hoping at some point, when OFA needs a bit of a break and change, a flash of inspiration might come over him and a fourth book emerge.
While Bowser has an inner voice, like Chet does, in now way are they the same. Two very individual dogs. Very different.
One of my favorite books. I loved the dynamic between Bowser and Birdie. What a very good dog!