The Dashing Dog Mystery is the 45th book in the Nancy Drew Notebooks series. It was published in December 1, 2001 for Aladdin Paperbacks. The cover tagline says “A sparkling doggie collar vanishes — and Nancy’s sniffing out suspects!”
Back of the Book Summary:
Nancy wins a holiday party raffle–but loses the prize!
Nancy and her Labrador puppy, Chocolate Chip, are enjoying the holiday party at the Dashing Dog salon. They even win the raffle prize–a one-of-a-kind doggie collar with rhinestones shaped like bones. But then the collar vanishes!
Now Nancy is digging up suspects. There’s Petra, a girl from her school. She really, really wanted the collar for her dog, Prince Fabian. And what about Alice Cahill, who writes about pets for the local newspaper? She was crazy for the collar, too. Then there’s Mrs. Vanderpool and her two yipping Yorkies–the collar is just their style. To solve this case, Nancy has to be sure she’s barking up the right tree!
Inside Teaser:
Nancy headed for Petra’s backyard. George and Bess followed her.
Nancy glanced around. She didn’t see Petra anywhere. But she did see Petra’s dog, Prince Fabian. He was running around and around with a chew toy in his mouth.
Nancy’s dog, Chocolate Chip, ran over to join him. The two dogs chased each other, barking happily.
“I wonder where Petra–” Nancy began. Then she stopped.
Nancy noticed that Prince Fabian was wearing a collar. A jeweled collar.
Prince Fabian was wearing Chip’s missing collar!
Review:
During the winter holidays, Nancy is is invited to the Dashing Dog pet Salon for a reopening party. She brings Chip, her puppy, and Bess and George to join many others with dogs at the café and salon. When Nancy wins the raffle prize – a jeweled dog collar – she doesn’t get to take it home. It disappears! Nancy and her friends spend the next few days questioning suspects, returning to the suspects homes, and gathering clues.
On character is described as being a spoiled brat, and the character accuses Nancy of theft. But Nancy and her friends are patient while defending themselves.
The clues to the crime exist for the reader to consider and solve and the ending is rather cute. The theme is pleasant and the quick appearances of Carson and Hannah help ground the universe and add realism to the world of River Heights.
Overall, I found this to be a really cute, fun read.
Nancy Drew Canon Observations:
Nancy, Bess, and George are eight years old and attend Carl Sandberg Elementary school.
Nancy keeps a blue notebook for her sleuthing which was given to her by her father.
George and Bess are cousins. Bess loves to talk about food as much as she likes to talk about clothes, while George was a lot more into sports.
The story mentions Hannah Gruen, the Drew housekeeper who has been the Drew’s housekeeper for five years, since Nancy’s mom died. She is described as being way more than just a housekeeper.
Nancy has a black Labrador puppy named Chocolate Chip, who is also featured on the cover wearing a red bow around her neck.
Nancy’s dad, Carson Drew calls Nancy “Pudding Pie.”
In downtown River Heights there is a restaurant that serves brunch on Sundays called Chez Meow, which is named after the cat who lives there named Meow.
Extra Notes:
A Minstrel book, published by Pocket Books.
Illustrated by Jan Naimo Jones. Cover photo-illustration by Joanie Schwarz.
Length: 73 pages in the main story (more with the title page, series lists, and ads).
In the back of this book is an ad for HeR Interactive’s Nancy Drew Game, Message in a Haunted Mansion.
