The story is narrated by Doodle, a working dog who has no interest in people except to earn his "pay" -- food. He is purchased by a man with a young daughter, Molly (warning her over and over that Doodle is NOT a pet). The man has started his own business searching hotels, resorts, and the like for bed bugs. For this, he relies on Doodle's keen nose. And Doodle is a pro, and bed bugs are easy to sniff out. Unfortunately, Doodle is starting to become attached to Molly, and Molly's secret obsession with documenting the events of her life in case her mother, who left them years ago, ever comes back, gets her in danger with some bad people who don't like some of the things she has recorded on her camera.

Although I finished the book, I felt it was too light weight, albeit charming in a way. I felt a great deal better about it after discovering that it was aimed at middle-grade readers, something I hadn't been aware of. For that age group, I would heartily recommend it. For adult readers, not so much.

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Josh Hunter has started an unusual business in the Washington, D.C. area that specializes in searching for bedbugs in buildings. He's aided by his service dog, Doodle, who has been trained to find the critters wherever they hide. Since it's summer vacation, his 10 year old daughter, Molly, tags along on jobs and takes photographs for a secret project she's been working on.

The book is narrated by Doodle, the bedbug-finding dog who has a unique outlook on the world due to his very sensitive sense of smell. It's good fun as Doodle tries to communicate with his boss and Molly while trying to maintain his image as a professional service dog.

Lest this sound like a too cutesy a doggie story, be assured that there is a real mystery in the book where Molly and Doodle each use their own talents to track down the answers and do it in an entertaining and believable way.

I found this to be a very engaging and well-told story for adult readers, but the bonus is that this book would also be enjoyed by 'tweens (or older kids) with an appropriate reading level.

A short excerpt from the next book in the Doodle series is included. I'm looking forward to reading more installments of Doodle's and Molly's adventures.

Recommended, especially for dog lovers or lovers of squeaky clean mysteries.

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I was in the mood for a mystery narrated by a dog, so I decided to give Bed-Bugged a try because I wanted to compare it to Spencer Quinn's Chet & Bernie series. Right off the bat, I learned that Doodle is a much different dog than Bernie. It must be his poodle blood that gives him a more intelligent voice. (Hey, I'm not kidding. The most intelligent breed of dog is the border collie. The second most intelligent? The standard poodle.)

Doodle has had some difficulties in his life. His first job didn't work out because, well, he'll be the first to tell you that "...smart and obedient do not always go hand in hand." With this new bed bug job, his primary concern is his wages (food), but that begins to change due to his growing relationship with Molly-- and watching that develop is just as much fun as trying to solve the mystery.

If you're in the mood for a light-hearted, well-plotted and -paced mystery told by a sharp-nosed narrator with an independent streak, Bed-Bugged is a good choice for adults even though it was originally aimed at middle-grade readers.

I wonder how Chet and Doodle would work as a team?

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First in a series of mysteries featuring a Labradoodle simply named Doodle. The dog has recently come from the pound to live with a master he calls boss and his daughter Molly. Doodle has been trained to sniff out bedbugs. Boss organized the Hunter Detection Company in the hopes of making a new start in the Washington, DC area. Everything rests on Doodle making it a success.

Ten year old Molly is smart; she will begin a special science school program at the end of the summer. Molly's hobby is taking pictures; she keeps a secret album of memories for her Mexican mother, who she has not seen since the age of three. When intruders steal Molly's album and her computer, Doodle is frustrated that he is unable to catch them. It does not take Molly long to realize that there might be a connection to work that her father Josh has recently completed. Like Doodle the young preteen is relentless in her will to solve the mystery. There will be unlikely connections to crime and family.

This story is told in the first “person” voice of Doodle. It is lots of fun to hear a dog's perspective and humor as to the quirky habits and personalities of humans. While the book touches on serious issues like family relationships, immigration, and divorce, the overall tone is upbeat making this book appropriate for preteens, teens and adults. The plot contains unexpected turns and characters are well-balanced. Recommended for mystery fans, animal lovers, and anyone who enjoys curling up with an interesting read for a few hours.

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This book was a delightful, quick read. I couldn't help but love the narrator, a somewhat-misunderstood Labradoodle, who is trying his best to do what his Boss wants, protect his Boss's daughter, and get them both to see what he feels he is clearly telling them. The Boss and daughter are both struggling with personal problems, and Doodle is seen as the solution. I sympathized with The Boss, and wished more of our children could be as intelligent and self-sufficient as his daughter. There are some bad guys and more good guys, and the violence is not graphic. Now I want to read the rest of the series.

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An absolutely wonderful read. All seen through the eyes of a dog trained in sniffing out bed bugs. His employer and his young daughter take him on a job to some upscale apartments. Why do they suffer a break in later? Why are bed bugs found in some prints? A great plot that although you get who the "baddie" is early on is full of humour and a delight to read. It also delves into the pitfalls that can happen after childbirth. Warm real characters but the real star is Doddle with his common sense and logic. Leaving him totally confused by the phrases used by humans and the way they relate to issues.

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Doodle is a sniffer dog who is trained to sniff out bed bugs. Molly, his owner's daughter, gets involved in a situation when she goes on bed bug hunt with Doodle and her dad. I liked that the story is told by Doodle himself and reading it from a dog's point of view is entertaining. I hope that Doodle gets the chance to tell us more about his adventures with Molly.

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This was a quick gentle read and will be perfect for a bedtime story for your little one. Written from the POV of Doodle, the ex-service dog and star of the show. There are scenes that will have you sniggering usually thanks to Doodle.
I am curious where Doodle will turn up again

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Good reads for younger and older

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My children enjoyed it