Review: The Dog of the North by Elizabeth Mckenzie

The Dog of the North by Elizabeth Mckenzie

Blurb from Goodreads:

Penny Rush has problems. Her marriage is over, and she's quit her job. Her mother and stepfather went missing in the Australian outback five years ago; her mentally imbalanced father provokes her; her grandmother, Dr. Pincer, keeps experiments in the refrigerator and something worse in the woodshed. But Penny is a virtuoso at what's possible when all else fails.

The Dog of the North follows Penny on her quest for a fresh start. There will be a road trip in an old van with gingham curtains, a piñata, and stiff brakes. There will be injury and peril. There will be a dog named "Kweecoats" and two brothers who may share a toupée. There will be questions: Why is a detective investigating her grandmother, and what is "the scintillator"? And can Penny recognize a good thing when it finally comes her way?

This slyly humorous, thoroughly winsome novel finds the purpose in life's curve balls, insisting that even when we are painfully warped by those we love most, we can be brought closer to our truest selves.

My Review:
I did not know what to expect when I started this book and I'm so glad I didn't -- I was sucked in immediately and read it in nearly a day.  I couldn't put it down -- I loved the story, the pace, the writing and couldn't imagine what would happen next.  I laughed out loud so much during this book but it also had its dark moments.  I can't believe I haven't read more from this author and I shall promptly remedy that!  Read this book!!

I absolutely loved this book, and I give it my highest recommendation.  The Dog of the North comes out next week on March 14, 2023, you can purchase HERE, and I hope you consider reading this one!  

The root beer tasted especially good. I would never have thought of having it myself. It was uncanny how a stranger might know what you needed better than you did yourself. I drank the whole thing immediately.