Joe Cooper has a big secret. He was once a cocky, wise-cracking K9 cop in Cincinnati, but quit the force after experiencing a traumatic event. Joe now makes a living as a private investigator in his hometown of Dayton. Joe suffers from PTSD, which he hides behind his confident exterior, while also living with the fear that he will never live up to the legacy of his deceased father, a legendary Dayton police detective.

Joe’s past connection to his father comes into focus when a retired Dayton police officer, who served with Joe’s father, is shot and left for dead. The tragedy is twofold as the officer’s loyal dog goes missing in the aftermath—a dog that may hold the key to unraveling the mystery due to Joe’s secret: A unique mental link that allows him to communicate with animals.

Joe’s latest case introduces him to four thirty-something strangers, who have recently discovered they are all half-siblings, and searching for the identity of their father. As he digs into the investigation, it is clear someone wants the past to stay buried—a mysterious stranger threatens Joe’s efforts, and ultimately his life, at every turn.

Joe’s path unexpectedly leads him to an old girlfriend whose father served alongside his own. As the pieces fall together, Joe discovers a coverup, that connects the murdered officer to the siblings’ paternity mystery. With every growl, bark, and snarl Joe interprets through his extraordinary gift, he unearths secrets that some would kill to keep hidden. Secrets that would either validate his father’s legacy, or tarnish it forever.

My novel offers readers the sharp-tongued wit and rough-around-the-edges charismatic PI, combined with the magical ability of Doctor Doolittle, and will appeal to fans of the hilarious Carl Hiaasen and readers who enjoy the supernatural sleuthing of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files. With a blend of humor, action, and a touch of the fantastic, it stands as a fresh voice in the private detective genre.