The Mouse in the Mountain: By Norbert Davis

This is the first of three novels about the mystery team of Carstairs and Doan written by Norbert Davis. Doan is a chubby, drunken private detective and Carstairs is his bumbling, mumbling Great Dane sidekick. They formed a team when Doan acquired Carstairs in a game of craps. Now, they are rarely apart. They have a sort of love-hate relationship. Each seems to enjoy having the other around, but they do not tolerate each other's weak points. For instance, Carstairs despises when Doan drinks and Doan dislikes when Carstairs does not stay on guard or fully pull his own weight in the team. But, together they manage to fight crime and solve mysteries. In The Mouse in the Mountain they travel to the small town of Los Altos, Mexico to persuade a fugitive not to return to the United States. However, their trip is complicated by the daughter of a millionaire, the Mexican military police, and all the other tourists they meet on the trip. Add to this group of quirky characters some murders and a natural disaster to truly make this book a fast, and interesting read. Although Norbert Davis wrote The Mouse in the Mountain in the 1940's, the book still has an easy-to-read feel. It is quick-paced and entertaining throughout. I only wish there had been a bit more of Carstairs in the novel. He really plays a minor role. Perhaps in the following books his character will be expanded upon. I will just have to read to find out.