The Dudley Files

Sold Out Without The Holdout

Fiction - Humor/Comedy
284 Pages
Reviewed on 11/24/2012
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Author Biography

The Dudley Files - Sold Out Without The Holdout: Dudley started off with very little in life. After an extended stay in the executive suite at The SPCA, he found his life-partner (not that there's anything wrong with that). Even though he became famous when he solved a mystery at The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, he still goes to work every day and still takes telephone calls (although his phone skills are lacking). This is a classic American wags to riches tail. He is a fine Texan!

Burp Gun Bandit - The Dudley Files Book II: Dudley is back with his life partner, Careless, (not that there’s anything wrong with that) in Book II of The Dudley Files. Dudley, Careless, and their rather eclectic group of friends, E.D, the beautiful blonde, sassy upstairs neighbor, Birk, a Cowboy Cadillac driving redneck with road rage, and Sarge, an Idiot Savant throwback from the 1960's, solve the mysterious disappearance of a pet miniature donkey named Eddie in the Texas Hill Country, and a diabolical mystery surrounding an antique World War II rifle that some may say takes on a supernatural flair. All the while Careless gets slobbered on during the day and spooned every night by Dudley as they go on their hilarious adventures.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Brenda Casto for Readers' Favorite

This was a different kind of book, now when I say different I mean it in a very good way! There were so many things that made the story a standout read. I don't think I have ever read a story where a man and a dog had such an interesting relationship. The author also shares tidbits of information about Houston that flowed easily within the story, which allowed me to learn a bit about the city. As an animal lover I fell in love with Dudley, and loved that he was an adopted shelter dog. His funny antics, such as driving a truck, shredding a sofa, or the way he acted around the neighbor E.D. were just hilarious!

Cary Robinson also known as Careless lives alone in the Big Rock Lofts in Houston, Texas. An unusual character to say the least, he enjoys iced coffee, with a shot of Jack. He has a way with women--not--but that doesn't stop him from trying. He thinks he is happy living alone, but his friend Birk decides that Careless needs to adopt a dog, and that's when the fun begins. Careless adopts a big hound dog named Dudley from the SPCA and the two become inseparable. The antics of Careless and Dudley are often funny, that is until they are asked to help solve a mystery involving a country western singer. It will take Dudley's nose to figure out the mystery!

The author weaves a tale wagging read, full of interesting characters that literally jump off the page. Careless was such a funny character, but he also had a few serious moments. I loved the relationship that sorta developed with the new neighbor E.D. The names that she called Careless was priceless. Birk was a larger than life "redneck" who loved zooming around in his Cowboy Cadillac, and I have to mention Sarge, such an oddball character that fit into the story perfectly.

I thought the mystery, which actually only encompassed the last third of the book, was very well done, and the ending left me hoping that this might be the first in a long line of books featuring Dudley, Careless and the gang. Anyone who enjoys a very well written story, where one of the primary characters is a dog will fall in love with this book, but if you enjoy a fast paced plot, wacky, but lovable characters, along with interesting glimpses of Houston then you're going to want to read this one as well!

Anne Boling

Careless wasn’t sure why he agreed to adopt a dog. From the beginning he thought it would be a disaster. The whole idea came from his friend Birk, who always wanted a dog and thought it was an excellent idea. When they went to the dog shelter, Careless had no intention to get a dog but then he saw the perfect dog named Bubba. However, Bubba wasn't available. He had already been adopted. Careless gave up, knowing there were no dogs meant for him. When he took one final look he found his dog, Dudley. His coat was a glowing golden color. Life was certainly different with Dudley in the apartment. The sofa would never be the same.

Careless repeatedly tried to ask the woman at the dog pound for a date and she repeatedly refused. He also asked out his upstairs neighbor who never seemed to be interested. Careless hoped to wear her down. It seemed to be working since they were at least talking to one another, although she could never get his name right.

"The Dudley Files: Sold Out Without The Hold Out" by author Cary Robinson is very funny. Dog lovers will rave about this book and others will laugh out loud at Dudley’s antics. One of the things I like about this book is Robinson’s emphasis on adopting a dog. Each year many animals are euthanized. In this story, Dudley is an older dog that made an excellent pet. Most people want younger dogs. Cary Robinson clearly demonstrates his ability to make people laugh and his sensitivity toward animals. Well done Mr. Robinson.

Stephanie Dagg

The Dudley Files by Cary Robinson is a humorous mystery set in Houston, Texas, and peopled by some fascinating characters. Unexpectedly lured into dog ownership, Careless, our likable, witty but, as he admits, socially retarded hero, finds life much more interesting with Dudley by his side. He’d like to make it even more interesting by adding attractive neighbor E.D. to his other side, but she’s not interested. However, she’s happy to help him together with friends Birk and Sarge when he becomes embroiled in solving a mystery involving the country western band Jake Harm and the Holdouts. Both Careless and Dudley prove to be very resourceful and they make an impressive clue-cracking team.

Narrated by Careless, although according to him Dudley is the “true author”, this is a very readable and enjoyable story. The author (whoever that really is) has a conversational style that occasionally threatens to ramble a bit too far from the point, but never quite does. It’s exactly like having someone chat to you in a bar or café. It’s fair to say the characters are all a little off the wall and that adds enormously to the book’s appeal. There are no pretentious or false people on parade here - just genuine guys who can be moody and unpredictable but always genuine. Dudley is a dog we’d all love to have. You get a strong sense of place in this novel and there’s a lot of attention to detail. It’s the perfect book for dog lovers and anyone wanting an entertaining, original book to lose themselves in.