Review
5 Star Kindle Reader Review; Horatio "Harry" has a problem - a few problems, really. His marriage might be in jeopardy. His best friend crashed at his pad for two weeks and stayed for two years. Counseling is fruitless, his therapist more unhinged than he is. He can't move forward with anything in his life because in every scenario, all he sees is absurdity. Everything lacks meaning for him. Prostitutes offering services makes it all sound "like work." And Harry doesn't want to work. Trying his hand as a private investigator, specializing in cases of adultery, he can barely get himself to bother charging his clients - hoping instead to find that their spouses aren't even cheating. His investigative talents, and better judgment, are put to the test, though, after an attempted murder on one of his friends launches Harry on an adventure that forces him to solve more than just a crime. Dressed up in bawdy, even scatological, gross-out, humor, Dogs Chase Cars has wit - real wit - to spare. Almost every paragraph builds up to its own punch line, and delivers a blow every time, even a few knock-outs. Porter rarely misses a jab, handing out wry observations like they were kittens, cleverly setting the stage for Harry's emotional transformation to re-engaging with his life, friends and family. Mystery, humor, sex - it's all there, but what elevates Dogs Chase Cars in the end is heart. Porter's characters walk, talk and act like real people - he nails the dialogue, the interaction, the attractions, the challenges and the conflicts with subtlety and nuance, and has us laughing and rooting for Harry and his misfit circle of friends as they track down a would-be killer, and learn to take care of each other along the way. With strains reminiscent of John Barth's The End of the Road, or Jason Schwartzman's character in HBO's Bored to Death, Porter's debut novel is a fun read - a humorous and compelling mystery with a heartfelt ending that draws a path from finding absurdity to finding meaning in our lives through the people we know and care about. --www.amazon.co.uk
"Dogs Chase Cars made me laugh out loud. Many times. It is reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen's books - an excellent crime drama coupled with hilarious dialogue and situations. I totally loved it. - Mike Boon, writer/comedian --www.amazon.co.uk
"Dogs Chase Cars made me laugh out loud. Many times. It is reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen's books - an excellent crime drama coupled with hilarious dialogue and situations. I totally loved it. - Mike Boon, writer/comedian --www.amazon.co.uk
Product Description
Horatio Goodman appears beset by large decisions that make themselves around him whilst he ties his shoe laces. He has made the unlikely swap from store detective to private detective following a night on the couch. He did not realise just how much of his time would be spent sat in his van, waiting for unfaithful spouses to provide ammunition for the divorce courts.
His best friend, Lambert Windle, failing at most things, except attracting women, is a college lecturer in English Literature and has somehow been decamped in the spare room for two years now. Two years of nocturnal shuffling and bumping, of bouncing bed springs and another stranger at the breakfast table.
Horatio’s wife, Megan appears to take all in her stride, fixed she says by her therapist. Changes are coming for Horatio, Megan has warned him. He must first visit the therapist and then notes can be compared, decisions arrived upon.
But just who is Caleb Pink? This shrink with the life saving touch? Was he not the bass player in a 1970s glam rock band, isn’t he massively and hopelessly depressed?
Megan floats through a world in which the three men closest to her, husband; lodger and former therapist look to her for reason and warmth. Two of them would probably like to share her bed; one of them just wants to connect with her again.
This is the story of what happens when broken people try to make some of the pieces fit together.
Praise for 'Dogs Chase Cars'
"Dogs Chase Cars made me laugh out loud. Many times. It is reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen's books - an excellent crime drama coupled with hilarious dialogue and situations. In terms of laugh-a-minute romps, this is indeed one, but with slightly less romping than the average Jilly Cooper horse-fest. Porter has pulled one out of the hat with Dogs and if you asked me whether you should read it I would reply, "yes - definitely." Take this book up to the counter now and buy it. Unless you are shopping on-line, in which case you should add it to your 'cart' and proceed to the 'checkout' neither of which have a tangible existence outside the ether of the interworld.... um, anyway, in Mike Boon speak that basically means I totally loved it.
- Mike Boon, Stand-up/Writer
His best friend, Lambert Windle, failing at most things, except attracting women, is a college lecturer in English Literature and has somehow been decamped in the spare room for two years now. Two years of nocturnal shuffling and bumping, of bouncing bed springs and another stranger at the breakfast table.
Horatio’s wife, Megan appears to take all in her stride, fixed she says by her therapist. Changes are coming for Horatio, Megan has warned him. He must first visit the therapist and then notes can be compared, decisions arrived upon.
But just who is Caleb Pink? This shrink with the life saving touch? Was he not the bass player in a 1970s glam rock band, isn’t he massively and hopelessly depressed?
Megan floats through a world in which the three men closest to her, husband; lodger and former therapist look to her for reason and warmth. Two of them would probably like to share her bed; one of them just wants to connect with her again.
This is the story of what happens when broken people try to make some of the pieces fit together.
Praise for 'Dogs Chase Cars'
"Dogs Chase Cars made me laugh out loud. Many times. It is reminiscent of Carl Hiaasen's books - an excellent crime drama coupled with hilarious dialogue and situations. In terms of laugh-a-minute romps, this is indeed one, but with slightly less romping than the average Jilly Cooper horse-fest. Porter has pulled one out of the hat with Dogs and if you asked me whether you should read it I would reply, "yes - definitely." Take this book up to the counter now and buy it. Unless you are shopping on-line, in which case you should add it to your 'cart' and proceed to the 'checkout' neither of which have a tangible existence outside the ether of the interworld.... um, anyway, in Mike Boon speak that basically means I totally loved it.
- Mike Boon, Stand-up/Writer
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