Book Review: K-9 by Rohan Gavin

K-9 by Rohan Gavin is the second book in the Knightley and Son series. This is a series that is important to read in order. There are major plot points and character traits that are explained by the first book, and only glossed over briefly in this installment to remind readers. I really enjoyed the first book, so if this one sounds interesting I would recommend starting at the beginning with Knightly and Son.

Darkus Knightley, the thoroughly logical 13-year-old investigator of the weird, was just getting used to having his dad back in his life. Then Alan Knightley went off-radar, again, leaving Darkus with a traumatized ex-bomb-disposal dog as his only partner in crime-solving. Now things are getting even stranger. Family pets are being savaged by a beast at a top London beauty spot. Policemen have been tracked and attacked by a particularly aggressive canine. And two curiously alert hounds seem to be watching Darkus's house. As the full moon approaches, it doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to work out that someone or something sinister is messing with the minds of London's dog population. A mysterious canine conspiracy is howling for the attention of Knightley & Son.

K-9 is a fast paced mystery with a nice level of character growth and development. Darius is only 13, and has a mind better suited to solving mysteries and puzzles than understanding other people. His small group off confidants is not even that, as he keeps small details and theories to himself. However, he is not the only one keeping secrets in order to solve the mystery or protect others. The chase was complicated and fairly involved, leaving some pieces of it never really explained as far as I was concerned. but the big mystery was solved with a great climax and good humor tossed in along the way. If you enjoyed the first book, you will enjoy this one. I do not think it was as good as the first, but it was still an entertaining and enjoyable read.

K-9 is a wonderful book for mystery fans. Those that enjoyed the first book and books with a highly intelligent and analytic lead that is a little behind on social skills and cues will enjoy this series. Sherlock for the middle grade set.