Books On Board
series Reading Order

Chet & Bernie Mysteries Books in Order

20 Books
2 Reading orders
2008 – 2024 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with Chet & Bernie

For the best reading experience, you should start with the very first novel, Dog on It. While each mystery is a standalone case, the personal lives of private investigator Bernie Little and his loyal, snack-loving canine partner Chet progress significantly across the series. Reading the books in order ensures you won't miss the evolution of their partnership, Bernie's relationships, and recurring characters.

If you want to start at the absolute chronological beginning, you can read the prequel short story A Cat Was Involved first, which details how Chet flunked out of K-9 school and first teamed up with Bernie. However, most readers find it more satisfying to meet the duo in Dog on It and read the prequels and short stories as fun side adventures later.

Chet & Bernie Mysteries in Publication Order

Here is the complete order of the main novels as they were published. This is the recommended path for most readers:

  1. Dog on It (2009)
  2. Thereby Hangs a Tail (2010)
  3. To Fetch a Thief (2010)
  4. The Dog Who Knew Too Much (2011)
  5. A Fistful of Collars (2012)
  6. The Sound and the Furry (2013)
  7. Paw and Order (2014)
  8. Scents and Sensibility (2015)
  9. Heart of Barkness (2019)
  10. Of Mutts and Men (2020)
  11. Tender Is the Bite (2021)
  12. It's a Wonderful Woof (2021)
  13. Bark to the Future (2022)
  14. Up on the Woof Top (2023)
  15. A Farewell to Arfs (2024)
  16. Cat on a Hot Tin Woof (2026)

Chronological Reading Order (Including Short Stories)

If you want to integrate the digital-exclusive novellas and short story collections exactly where they fit into the timeline, follow this list:

  • A Cat Was Involved (Prequel Short Story, 2012) — How Chet and Bernie first met.
  • Dog on It (Book 1)
  • Thereby Hangs a Tail (Book 2)
  • To Fetch a Thief (Book 3)
  • The Dog Who Knew Too Much (Book 4)
  • A Fistful of Collars (Book 5)
  • The Iggy Chronicles, Volume One (Short Story, 2013)
  • The Sound and the Furry (Book 6)
  • Tail of Vengeance (Short Story, 2014)
  • Paw and Order (Book 7)
  • Scents and Sensibility (Book 8)
  • Santa 365 (Short Story, 2015)
  • Heart of Barkness (Book 9)
  • Of Mutts and Men (Book 10)
  • Tender Is the Bite (Book 11)
  • It's a Wonderful Woof (Book 12)
  • Short Tails (Short Story Collection, 2022) — Contains "Upper Story", "The Iggy Papers", and "The Numbers After Two".
  • Bark to the Future (Book 13)
  • Up on the Woof Top (Book 14)
  • A Farewell to Arfs (Book 15)
  • Cat on a Hot Tin Woof (Book 16)

Spin-offs and Related Books

If you run out of Chet & Bernie adventures, author Spencer Quinn (the pen name for thriller writer Peter Abrahams) has written other mystery series narrated from a pet's point of view:

  • Bowser & Birdie Series: A middle-grade mystery series set in Louisiana, following a dog named Bowser and his young owner, Birdie Gaux. It begins with Woof (2015).
  • Queenie & Arthur Series: Another fun middle-grade series featuring a dual perspective from a dog (Arthur) and a cat (Queenie), starting with Ruff vs. Fluff (2018).

Frequently Asked

QWho is the narrator of the Chet & Bernie Mysteries?

The entire series is narrated by Chet, a lovable dog who flunked out of K-9 police academy on his final test. He brings a unique canine perspective to the mysteries, focusing on smells, loyalty to Bernie, and frequent snack distractions.

QDo I need to read the Chet & Bernie books in order?

While the individual crime investigations are resolved in each book, the overarching character arcs, family dynamics, and Bernie's relationship status develop continuously. Reading them in publication order is highly recommended.

QIs Spencer Quinn the author's real name?

No. Spencer Quinn is a pen name used by Peter Abrahams, an acclaimed mystery and suspense novelist, who adopted the pseudonym specifically for his pet-centric novels.

QWhat is the latest book in the Chet & Bernie series?

The latest novel is Cat on a Hot Tin Woof, which was published on April 14, 2026. In this book, Chet and Bernie search for a viral internet-famous missing cat.

QWhere does the prequel story "A Cat Was Involved" fit in?

Chronologically, "A Cat Was Involved" takes place before the first novel, Dog on It. However, it was published in 2012, and is best read after you have already read a few of the main novels to appreciate the characters' origins.

QAre there other dog-narrated series by the same author?

Yes, Spencer Quinn has written two middle-grade mystery series: the Bowser & Birdie series (starting with Woof) and the Queenie & Arthur series (starting with Ruff vs. Fluff).