Elizabeth George (3)

Mr. Waggles and his person Peter have just bought the perfect place for their pet resort. The only problem is that there are strange happenings and noises in the place, leading Mr. Waggles to conclude that the place is haunted. Thus, he begins his search for the “ghosts”. Mr. Waggles is a loyal mutt owned by Peter. The book follows his search for ghosts and the myriad of twists and turns the plot takes him in his search. The story is about both Peter and Mr. Waggles, but the story focuses more on Mr. Waggles, Peter’s loyal dog. Though the blurb did not say, I figured this book was geared toward the adolescent market. The book is truly interesting and has a fantastic story about a dog and his master who experience many different and mostly unexpected things as they get the place ready for opening as a pet resort and as they welcome their first “guests” to the resort.

The one thing I did not like was the cliff hanger ending. I always wonder about these endings. The author who chooses them must be fairly anxious about his/her future, and, to ensure this, decides a cliff hanger will ensure a certain number of readers will buy the next book just to see how the story turns out. I personally hate cliff hanger endings and deliberately will not buy the follow-on book. I do not think a reader who takes the time to read a book (and, yes, I got this one free I exchange for a review) should have to get (pay for, in in most cases) another book to finish the story. I am also not sure how a youngster, who reads or is read this book will take to a cliff hanger. I personally would not encourage reading of or give such to a youngster. I do not know all that much about youngster and am no psychologist, but I would not want to have to tell the eager child the book will be continued elsewhere in a book that may not be available for months. Perhaps the author does not mean this to be a cliff hanger, because the part not resolved is not the basic plot but one of many, but it sure came across to me that way, with the definite “hook” to get you to look for the follow-on book.

This is a good book for youngster. It will definitely entertain them as well as any “older” person who picks it up. I received this from Library Thing to read and provide an honest review.… (mer)