The Labrador Pact

Not just another dog story, Matt Haig's dark satire features Labrador Prince and the code of ethics, "the pact," that guides his role with his human family. Simon Jones is superb portraying an array of dog characters with voices that convey their characters as well as their species--for example, wise, brutish, or gregarious. The family's cat, Lapsang, gets a wonderfully languid voice that Jones nails with perfect ennui. Listeners will enjoy Prince's studies of "wag control" and "pleasure sniffing," delivered with impeccable timing and tone. The story takes a dark turn, as the hollowness of suburban life eats away at Prince's family. The dialogue and portraits of the teenagers are well done. Jones stays perfectly in tune as the story takes some unusual turns and the frolic ends. R.F.W. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Starred review from March 31, 2008
Award-winning narrator Simon Jones does not rest on his hind legs, as Prince, the black Lab who narrates this novel, might put it. Prince has a lot to say, and though Jones is generally even-toned and thoughtful, he can make Prince sound confused, excited, panicky, sad and remorseful. In addition to Prince, Jones takes on a large cast of humans, canines and one feline. Falstaff, a springer mix, is so hyper that Jones makes listeners imagine the mutt bouncing up and down. Prince's master, Adam, comes across as a shaky voice of reason who attempts to cover up his insecurities and desires. Emily, an aroma therapist and Adam's illicit love interest, sounds girlish and a bit dizzy. The novel is more kibble than meat; however, Jones's brilliant performance will have listeners howling with glee and begging for more. Simultaneous release with the Viking hardcover (Reviews, Nov. 19, 2007).

November 19, 2007
In the second novel by British author Haig (The Dead Fathers Club
), morality is left to the dogs. Prince, the Labrador narrator, lives by the creed, “Duty over all.” At the beginning of the novel, it seems that Prince has failed all of humanity and disgraced Labs for all time, and, as he is about to be put down, he tells his own tragic story. Although he clings to the teachings of his mentor, Henry, a former police dog, Prince can't keep his married master Adam's eye from roving toward Emily, the new gal in town who just happens to be married to old schoolmate Simon. Further puzzling Prince are the aromas of fear and desire that Adam's wife, Katie, exudes whenever Simon comes around. And he certainly can't seem to sniff out a fix for the teenage woes encountered by Adam and Katie's two kids. With dogged determination, he sacrifices his own pleasure to protect and serve the family that can neither understand his entreaties nor appreciate his level of commitment. Although a little heavy-handed and arguably gimmicky, readers can't help feeling bad for Prince, a good dog just trying to do the right thing.