Dandy Detects

A Victorian San Francisco Story

By: M. Louisa Locke

Narrated by: Alexandra Haag

In this short story it is the fall of 1879 and San Francisco swelters under a heat wave while Barbara Hewitt, a reserved schoolteacher, uncovers a mystery with the help of her son's Boston Terrier, Dandy.

This story is set in the gas-lit world created by Locke in her Victorian San Francisco Mystery series, which includes Maids of Misfortune, Uneasy Spirits, Bloody Lessons, and the short story "The Misses Moffet Mend a Marriage".

©2010 M. Louisa Locke (P)2014 M. Louisa Locke

Great Short Story

What did you love best about Dandy Detects?

I have read the full-length Victorian San Francisco Mysteries, so I was looking forward to listening to this short story. I really like the characters in this story and the interaction between them.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Though I pretty much knew what was happening, it still did keep me at the edge of my seat because Alexandra brought the mystery to life.

What does Alexandra Haag bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brings the story to life with her voice characterizations.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, it was just a very good story. Can't wait til the next book comes out!

Great Dog Great Story!

Dandy is a great little doggie and quite the gentleman! He handles himself well in many situations. This one is quite nasty! Men just aren't to be trusted! This is a good little read! I highly recommend it!

Fast paced mystery

Two abused women; the choices of one saved her from the fate of the other.

Smart dog, lovely ladies.

I really enjoyed this short story. Well written and we'll read. I am recommending it to my Audible friends.

Dandy Little Short Story

Having listened to the first Victorian San Francisco mystery, I jumped on this little short story . . . I enjoyed it just as much . . . and I'm very pleased that the narrator has changed from the first in the series . . . Alexandra Haag does a much better job . . . the history of the Boston Terrier was a bonus!

A great little mini-mystery for M Locke fans!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this little gem of a mystery to fans of the Maids of Misfortune series as well as anyone who enjoys historical or cozy mysteries

What did you like best about this story?

I listened to this one while out on a beautiful walk in the sunshine and I enjoyed it immensely. It was an easy story to get into and I was left wondering who-done-it.

Which character – as performed by Alexandra Haag – was your favorite?

I loved hearing Barbara Hewitt's voice, and, of course, Dandy himself!

Who was the most memorable character of Dandy Detects and why?

All my favorite characters were back from the other novels in the series, so it was like meeting with old friends again. I particularly enjoyed hearing from Barbara Hewitt's point of view, as I connected with her in the last book I read of Locke's.

Any additional comments?

M. Louisa Locke has a fine command of her world, her characters, her stories. I always know I'm in good hands!

I love listening to the story while working out

What did you love best about Dandy Detects?

I really enjoyed listening rather then reading while I was working out it made the time fly by. I felt like I was part of the story.

Have you listened to any of Alexandra Haag’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Her intonation made the story come alive.

Any additional comments?

I never realized how nice it was to listen to the story. It took me back to when I was young and I almost forgot just how nice that was, when our father used to read stories to us.

Slow

Lacks a plot. Narration is so so. Difficult to hold interest. A short story for someone else.

Great Story but too short!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was a delightful, engaging story and as a fan of the series it was like visiting old friends and getting to know a minor character better.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Not really - it was more of a known conclusion, but interesting to see how it unfolded. After all these are lone women in 19th century America, so they have almost no power.

What does Alexandra Haag bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She brought a warmth to the character, creating a feeling of coziness and intimacy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

Any additional comments?

Great story, very good narration, but too short at just 41 minutes!

Why one star when the story is 4 star?

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I was bitter that the short stories that are sold individually are part of a larger book.

What other book might you compare Dandy Detects to and why?

I was bitter that the short stories that are sold individually are part of a larger book.

What does Alexandra Haag bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I was bitter that the short stories that are sold individually are part of a larger book.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Dandy Detects?

I was bitter that the short stories that are sold individually are part of a larger book.

Any additional comments?

I was bitter that the short stories that are sold individually are part of a larger book. I had bought all the stories in hopes of some nice cozies. Bah. Shame on you Audiobooks.