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In this cupcake of a novel, a pug helps solve an art heist at the Met.
Hope McNeill finally gets to show off Max at work (though she smuggles him to work everyday in his own Sherpa bag) at a fundraiser at the Metropolitan Museum of Art called "Pug Night." A soiree conceived to ingratiate an eccentric patron, pugs are running through the great halls of the Met, providing the perfect diversion for a heist. Before returning home, Hope checks her workstation (she's a restoration artist for the museum) and finds a Fantin-Latour painting of pansies propped against the door. On closer inspection, she discovers it's a forgery, and the spot where the real painting should be hanging on exhibit is empty. She calls her boss Elliot and the PR guy Gil, but oh, there is something suspicious afoot. Both Elliot and Gil insist that they hush up the theft and hire a private detective, a move that strikes Hope as peculiar (shouldn't they notify the police, or at least the museum directors?), but as they hang the forgery on the gallery wall Hope decides to crack the case herself, as it's becoming clear that Elliot and Gil suspect her. With the help of Daphne Markham, the elderly guest of honor at the Met's "Pug Night," Hope begins piecing the clues together. This is easier than one would expect because someone is actually sending Hope the clues. Like a scavenger hunt, Hope is traipsing through the museum, using her fine arts knowledge to follow one clue to the next, as she gets closer to the thief. And of course Max helps by growling at important moments. There is a subplot involving Hope's boyfriend, a lawyer in Africa doing aid work, but the important couple in this novel is Hope and little Max, sniffing out clues until they discover the authentic Fantin-Latour.
Though there have been plenty of fine dog-centered books (Virginia Woolf'sFlushand J.R. Ackerley'sMy Dog Tulipcome to mind), silliness reigns in this slight detective story.
Painting restorer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Hope McNeill loves her work and Max the pug who technically belongs to Ben the Lawyers without Borders boyfriend currently in Africa. She is euphoric when MOMA announces a Pug Night gala in honor of a substantial donation from philanthropist Daphne Markham, a pug lover especially her Madeline. Hope escorts Max to the shindig
The event turns into a canine free for all as the unleashed pugs attack the food; but Max also goes after Madeline and in the process soaks Daphne in the Temple of Dendur Hall. As MOMA's host Gil Turner rages and Daphne dries off, Hope takes Max to her cubicle in the Conservation Studio. She realizes shock number two when Max "shows" her that a valuable Henri Fantin Latour painting was inappropriately taken to the area. Hope reports to her superior Elliot Death what she found and soon realizes the painting was a fake; he decides not to bring in NYPD at this time. However, she also knows she is the prime suspect so with Max at her side, Hope investigates only to obtain allies as a professional sleuth, a shih tzu owner and Daphne join her inquiry.
This is a fun lighthearted amateur sleuth for canine caper fans as Max's ability to delineate a fake from a real painting is catchy. The entertaining story line is leisurely paced as pugs need pit stops. Still dog lovers will especially enjoy the return to Pug Hill as Hope and her significant other Max the dog accompanied by other strays investigate the stolen painting.
Harriet Klausner
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Oh the sweetness of this unique tale! I loved this story from the beginning and Hope the main character has the cutest personality ever. I love how Hope was in love with her boss Elliott, yet tries to convince herself she no longer is. Well Hope does have a boyfriend, even if he is half way across the world. Pace has a easy going smooth writing style that had me flying through this book in no time at all, or was it that I couldn't put it down. I laughed and enjoyed every little detail of this book from the way Max her pug, yet not her pug, behaves, to the way Hope goes around suspicious of everyone, which leaves her truly paranoid at times. Pace has taken a pug story and turned it into the cutest who dunnit I have ever read. The story is so intriguing, from the start up until the very end, an end, which brings unexpected surprises. A Pug's Tale is a little bundle of pleasure and delight, which can be read and enjoyed by anyone of any age. Glad I did!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Hope McNeill works at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where they are throwing a Pug party. The party is in recognition of the very generous donor and pug lover, Daphne Markham for anticipated donation which is to be significant. Hope's sweet pug, Max suddenly starts barking at the guest of honor-chaos ensues. Hope takes off up to her office, where she finds a painting not where it should be. A quick onceover she realizes she has stumbled onto a fake! The real masterpiece has been stolen!
A slew of characters and likely suspects are introduced. Gil Turner, who was in charge of the party, does not want word of such a scandal to compromise Ms. Markham's donation. Then there is Elliot Death, her boss and former object of her affection-before she met Ben, her now boyfriend who happens to live or rather work in Kinshasa. When the threesomes uncover how the original artwork has been checked out by Elliot and Hope's department, none of the three decide to call in the police. After they decide to bring in a private investigator, Hope soon realizes she herself is beginning to look like the only real suspect, so her and her trusty pug, Max go on a quest to solve the mystery.
Within the first few pages I was laughing. Max, the pug seems to notice little things Hope does not. The number of suspects grows, which I loved because I would constantly think oh yes he/she is the one only to say it again about the next suspect! While Hope is going through a scavenger hunt of clues, she realizes she needs to take more control over her own life and where it's headed (hopefully not the clink). I have to say I loved how the story ended, loved the twist. I found this to be a fun, quick and enjoyable read. I wasn't sure how the whole pug story would work, but I really rather enjoyed it. I best wait a few days before going to a pet store; I suddenly want a pug dog!
If you are looking for a light read I would recommended this!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 20, 2011
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Overview
The long-awaited follow-up to Pug Hill--from "a poignant and very funny" (Washington Post) writer.Hope McNeill has worked at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for years, but this is the first time she's been able to bring along her pug, Max (without sneaking him in in her tote bag). The occasion is a party for an Animals in 19th-Century Art exhibit, but the evening ends badly when a small but important painting seems to be missing. The Met needs Hope's-and Max's-help. And Hope has ...