Every dog gets his day, and today belongs to Achilles. This time he, not Phoenix Smith, narrates the story of how he found the clue that led her to investigate a congressman’s “accidental” death in Show Me the Sinister Snowman.

He tells his tale in a diary entry on book advocate Dru Ann Love’s Raven award-winning Dru’s Book Musings. For several years Dru has invited mystery writers to mark the release of a new book by writing a “A day in the life” post about the book’s protagonist or another character. I wrote about Phoenix’s day for earlier releases, so I decided to feature Achilles for book 5.

The blog, a little over 800 words, served as an experiement. I’d been thinking of writing some short stories from Achilles point of view. He doesn’t perceive the world the same way Phoenix does. He adores her, but he reprimands her when she’s harsh with someone and holds her back when she’s rushing into danger.

Achilles often expresses his opinion in the books without spoken language. He obviously understands many words and, IMHO, can think in words he can’t speak. Can he form complete sentences? Yes, simple ones, but often he doesn’t bother. He goes straight to the point.

His speaking style works for a telling a short tale. I suspect that style would not appeal to me or readers for a whole book, but he could share narration with Phoenix occasionally.

Judge for yourself. Here’s the opening of “A day in the life of Achilles, K-9 Sidekick.”

“Footsteps woke me. I sprang to my paws. Still night. I sniffed. No stranger, no danger. Annalynn was pacing again, grieving for her dead mate.

“Phoenix, my human, stirred. No need to wake her. I would comfort Annalynn. I trotted across the hall to her.”

To read the rest, go to https://drusbookmusing.com/2017/05/27/achilles-k-9/.

Love to hear how you like Achilles as a storyteller.

—Carolyn Mulford