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Metzger's Dog: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.05) - 1,496 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
When Leroy "Chinese" Gordon breaks into a professor's lab at the University of Los Angeles, he's after some pharmaceutical cocaine, worth plenty of money. Instead, he finds the papers the professor has compiled for the CIA, which include a blueprint for throwing a large city into chaos. But how is the CIA to be persuaded to pay a suitable ransom, unless of course someone actually uses the plan to throw a large city into chaos—Los Angeles, for instance?
Assigned to cope with the crisis and restore the peace, veteran agent Ben Porterfield steps onto the scene to remind us that the CIA's middle name is, after all, Intelligence. Enlivening the mix are Gordon's beautiful girlfriend, Margaret, his temperamental cat, Dr. Henry Metzger, and Metzger's friend, an enormous half-wild dog with huge teeth.
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"Such an enjoyable book. Kind of a combination of Donald Westlake, Ed McBain, Carl Hiaasen, and Elmore Leonard. I'm so glad I found this author...sad, though, that I have read almost all his books. Except his series about the Indian "guide." This is a caper book, complicated and amusing. Loved it."
— Pat (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“There are probably only half a dozen suspense writers alive who can be depended upon to deliver high-voltage shocks; vivid, sympathetic characters; and compelling narratives each time they publish. Thomas Perry is one of them.”
— Stephen King -
“Thomas Perry is, quite simply, brilliant. And as each book comes out he becomes more so.”
— Robert B. Parker -
“Very sharp, very funny…Should not be missed.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“In a word—wonderful!”
— Chicago Tribune -
In a word---wonderful!
— Chicago Tribune
Metzger's Dog Listener Reviews
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" Read the reviews before I bought this, love The Butcher's Boy and Jane Whitefield, just couldn't find a way to care about anybody in this book and didn't find it funny at all. The Informant, Strip, Dead Aim, and The Boyfriend are all 4-5 stars, this one just fell flat for me. "
— Don Hamilton, 6/12/2017 -
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Codename Eric, 9/13/2015
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" The story is kind of conventional, but I loved the interactions between the characters. "
— Heidi, 1/31/2014 -
" Outstanding book. A few parts were confusing but overall it was very well put together. Enticing and surprising all the way to the end. "
— Nola, 1/31/2014 -
" The story is kind of conventional, but I loved the interactions between the characters. "
— Heidi, 1/31/2014 -
" Outstanding book. A few parts were confusing but overall it was very well put together. Enticing and surprising all the way to the end. "
— Nola, 1/31/2014 -
" One of my favorite books, I think of it every time I add pepper to my food, just read it. "
— Marysue, 1/24/2014 -
" One of my favorite books, I think of it every time I add pepper to my food, just read it. "
— Marysue, 1/24/2014 -
" This is a lighthearted caper novel with a handful of colorful characters and a touch of "The Cat Who". Perry uses words well, and instills the story with a wry humor, occasionally veering off into outlandishness. Dialogue is quick and witty. Not a gourmet meal, but a nice little fizz like cotton candy in your mouth. "
— Stan, 1/19/2014 -
" This is a lighthearted caper novel with a handful of colorful characters and a touch of "The Cat Who". Perry uses words well, and instills the story with a wry humor, occasionally veering off into outlandishness. Dialogue is quick and witty. Not a gourmet meal, but a nice little fizz like cotton candy in your mouth. "
— Stan, 1/19/2014 -
" Loved, this book, even though it was light weight, without any great point. Funny, with delightful ideas--loved the cat and his dog--and the story was kind while still captivaing enough to draw me in. Blundering criminals fumble through a crazy blackmail plot to hoodwink the CIA. "
— Mom, 1/10/2014 -
" Loved, this book, even though it was light weight, without any great point. Funny, with delightful ideas--loved the cat and his dog--and the story was kind while still captivaing enough to draw me in. Blundering criminals fumble through a crazy blackmail plot to hoodwink the CIA. "
— Mom, 1/10/2014 -
" A scarily believable,funny & clever terrorism plot "
— Lndpearce, 1/9/2014 -
" A scarily believable,funny & clever terrorism plot "
— Lndpearce, 1/9/2014 -
" This was not high art, but it was extremely funny and well-paced. Even though it is an early 80's novel, it would hold up today with a few minor technology updates. "
— Jeremy, 1/8/2014 -
" The Metzger in the title is a cat. How could you go wrong with that? Old-fashioned detective story with good guys and bad guys. I adored it. Woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep until I finished it. Just ordered 3 more by this guy. Can't wait to read 'em. "
— Wren, 1/8/2014 -
" This was not high art, but it was extremely funny and well-paced. Even though it is an early 80's novel, it would hold up today with a few minor technology updates. "
— Jeremy, 1/8/2014 -
" The Metzger in the title is a cat. How could you go wrong with that? Old-fashioned detective story with good guys and bad guys. I adored it. Woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't go back to sleep until I finished it. Just ordered 3 more by this guy. Can't wait to read 'em. "
— Wren, 1/8/2014 -
" Very entertaining read with terrific characters and dialog. "
— Chris, 11/19/2013 -
" Very entertaining read with terrific characters and dialog. "
— Chris, 11/19/2013 -
" Thomas Perry pens a delightfully comic novel, a great break from his other work. Very enjoyable! "
— Bradley, 10/18/2013 -
" Thomas Perry pens a delightfully comic novel, a great break from his other work. Very enjoyable! "
— Bradley, 10/18/2013 -
" I can't say enough good things about Thomas Perry novels. This is another book full of fascinating detail, hilarious situations and a bad guy you can't help but like. "
— Heather, 10/15/2013 -
" I can't say enough good things about Thomas Perry novels. This is another book full of fascinating detail, hilarious situations and a bad guy you can't help but like. "
— Heather, 10/15/2013 -
" Like other Thomas Perry books, this one is complex, tense, and well put together. But surprisingly, this one is also pretty damn funny. I love all his work, but have a special affection for this one because of the humor and, dare I say it, sweetness at its center. "
— Laura, 10/10/2013 -
" Like other Thomas Perry books, this one is complex, tense, and well put together. But surprisingly, this one is also pretty damn funny. I love all his work, but have a special affection for this one because of the humor and, dare I say it, sweetness at its center. "
— Laura, 10/10/2013 -
" Interestingly written, but I probably will not read another book by this author. "
— Janet, 9/30/2013 -
" Interestingly written, but I probably will not read another book by this author. "
— Janet, 9/30/2013 -
" I liked this book for it's biting humor, and social satire, and for perhaps the greatest cat in literature. "
— Elizabeth, 6/21/2013 -
" I liked this book for it's biting humor, and social satire, and for perhaps the greatest cat in literature. "
— Elizabeth, 6/21/2013 -
" This was a real romp. It was somewhat dated due to advances in technology, but I still loved it, especially the dog and Dr. Henry Metzger. "
— Dee, 6/20/2013 -
" This was a real romp. It was somewhat dated due to advances in technology, but I still loved it, especially the dog and Dr. Henry Metzger. "
— Dee, 6/20/2013 -
" Right up there with "Road to Gandolfo" "
— Michael, 6/16/2013 -
" Right up there with "Road to Gandolfo" "
— Michael, 6/16/2013 -
" Such an enjoyable book. Kind of a combination of Donald Westlake, Ed McBain, Carl Hiaasen, and Elmore Leonard. I'm so glad I found this author...sad, though, that I have read almost all his books. Except his series about the Indian "guide." This is a caper book, complicated and amusing. Loved it. "
— Pat, 5/23/2013 -
" read it years ago, several times, need to revisit. "
— Jennifer, 3/18/2013 -
" read it years ago, several times, need to revisit. "
— Jennifer, 3/18/2013 -
" this is not generally my genre - antiheroes vs. the cia set in the present - but i really enjoyed it. i may even look for more of thomas perry. "
— phoenix, 2/22/2013 -
" this is not generally my genre - antiheroes vs. the cia set in the present - but i really enjoyed it. i may even look for more of thomas perry. "
— phoenix, 2/22/2013 -
" One of, if not the best, crime thrillers I've ever read. Very clever, Mr. Perry. Very clever. "
— Laura, 11/30/2012 -
" One of, if not the best, crime thrillers I've ever read. Very clever, Mr. Perry. Very clever. "
— Laura, 11/30/2012 -
" One of the best suspense/thrillers I've ever read. "
— Cyn, 11/3/2012 -
" One of the best suspense/thrillers I've ever read. "
— Cyn, 11/3/2012 -
" I read this right after Perry's The Butcher's Boy, which was a great novel. This one was a lot of fun, so I highly recommend it as one of Thomas Perry's outstanding early novels. "
— Newton, 8/23/2012 -
" I read this right after Perry's The Butcher's Boy, which was a great novel. This one was a lot of fun, so I highly recommend it as one of Thomas Perry's outstanding early novels. "
— Newton, 8/23/2012 -
" What a fun read. If you like stories where everyone (criminals, cops, drug dealers) are all equal in the eyes of the author then you will love this. Just a fun and quick read that twists the crime drama around a bit to help you see all sides. "
— Jason, 8/21/2012 -
" What a fun read. If you like stories where everyone (criminals, cops, drug dealers) are all equal in the eyes of the author then you will love this. Just a fun and quick read that twists the crime drama around a bit to help you see all sides. "
— Jason, 8/21/2012 -
" Interesting approach, but I probably will not read another book by this author. "
— Janet, 3/10/2012 -
" Interesting approach, but I probably will not read another book by this author. "
— Janet, 3/10/2012 -
" Good. Smooth writing style, humor, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? "
— Ruth, 2/9/2012 -
" Good. Smooth writing style, humor, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? "
— Ruth, 2/9/2012 -
" Not as funny as I had hoped, but fun to read. I especially appreciate the cat. I think his cousin might live with me. "
— Jennifer, 6/5/2011 -
" Not as funny as I had hoped, but fun to read. I especially appreciate the cat. I think his cousin might live with me. "
— Jennifer, 6/5/2011 -
" This book combines humor with action involving a group of people that the CIA believes are terrorists. It pokes fun at the organization comprised of several self important leaders who are obviously operating out of their element. Kind of a cross between Mission Impossible and Maxwell Smart. "
— Elsie, 1/31/2011 -
" This book combines humor with action involving a group of people that the CIA believes are terrorists. It pokes fun at the organization comprised of several self important leaders who are obviously operating out of their element. Kind of a cross between Mission Impossible and Maxwell Smart. "
— Elsie, 1/31/2011 -
" he is a great story teller "
— Steven, 12/20/2010 -
" he is a great story teller "
— Steven, 12/20/2010 -
" Unexpectedly funny and absurd, I was told by a few friends that they hated it (but I gave it a go anyway for our book club). I'm glad I gave it a shot! "
— Virginia, 12/5/2010 -
" Unexpectedly funny and absurd, I was told by a few friends that they hated it (but I gave it a go anyway for our book club). I'm glad I gave it a shot! "
— Virginia, 12/5/2010 -
" Good. Smooth writing style, humor, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? "
— Ruth, 11/29/2010 -
" Good. Smooth writing style, humor, who are the good guys and who are the bad guys? "
— Ruth, 11/29/2010 -
" I can't say enough good things about Thomas Perry novels. This is another book full of fascinating detail, hilarious situations and a bad guy you can't help but like. "
— Heather, 8/20/2010 -
" I can't say enough good things about Thomas Perry novels. This is another book full of fascinating detail, hilarious situations and a bad guy you can't help but like. "
— Heather, 8/20/2010 -
" A little slow to get into it, but then it was complex, funny, surprising, and very satisfying. "
— Lois, 8/8/2010 -
" A little slow to get into it, but then it was complex, funny, surprising, and very satisfying. "
— Lois, 8/8/2010 -
" Can't remember this book. Know I have read it.? "
— Michelle, 3/10/2010 -
" Can't remember this book. Know I have read it.? "
— Michelle, 3/10/2010 -
" Thomas Perry pens a delightfully comic novel, a great break from his other work. Very enjoyable! "
— Bradley, 2/6/2010 -
" Thomas Perry pens a delightfully comic novel, a great break from his other work. Very enjoyable! "
— Bradley, 2/6/2010 -
" A funny mystery novel, with a twisting plot and interesting characters. "
— Jenn, 1/29/2010 -
" A funny mystery novel, with a twisting plot and interesting characters. "
— Jenn, 1/29/2010 -
" I can't for the life of me remember where I heard of this book - I chose it because it had a cat as a character. That's just funny. "
— Crystal, 1/23/2010 -
" I can't for the life of me remember where I heard of this book - I chose it because it had a cat as a character. That's just funny. "
— Crystal, 1/23/2010 -
" A comedy thriller, that was a big hit when it came out in '83. Follows up his Edgar winning "The Butcher's Boy". Great fun. "
— Lee, 12/30/2009 -
" A comedy thriller, that was a big hit when it came out in '83. Follows up his Edgar winning "The Butcher's Boy". Great fun. "
— Lee, 12/30/2009
About Thomas Perry
Thomas Perry (1947–2025) wrote acclaimed mysteries and suspense thrillers, including seventeen stand-alone novels, sixteen novels in three of his own series, and two novels co-authored with Clive Cussler in the Sam and Remi Fargo series. The Butcher’s Boy was named by Parade magazine among its 2021 list of 101 Best Mystery Books of All Time, and Metzger’s Dog, was voted by NPR listeners as one of the “Best Thrillers All Time.” His novel The Old Man was the inspiration for the television series starring Jeff Bridges and John Lithgow, and his novel Strip inspired the 2025/2026 film Bear Country starring Russell Crowe. His books have won the Edgar Award and three Barry Awards and were named finalists for the Dilys, Macavity, Libby, and John Creasey awards. He received a BA degree from Cornell University and a PhD in English from the University of Rochester.
About Michael Kramer
Michael Kramer is an AudioFile Earphones Award winner, a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for Best Narration, and recipient of a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award. He is also an actor and director in the Washington, DC, area, where he is active in the area’s theater scene and has appeared in productions at the Shakespeare Theatre, the Kennedy Center, and Theater J.