Missing jewelry, a false accusation, and a real thief. Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. is on the case.

The name’s Shamus. I’m a special kind of dog known as a Rez Dog. That means I’m a mix of different breeds and I come from a reserve. I live in the city with Mom and the twins, Rainey and Cole. We are one of many Indigenous families on our block.

Life is great — until Mom is falsely accused of stealing from the jewelry store she’s worked at for years. When the kids and I set out to catch the real thief, we discover some surprising and, if I do say so myself, hilarious clues — including a false wall, a lucky bowling ball, and a vicious poodle named Hepzibah!

Leslie Gentile’s debut novel, Elvis, Me, and the Lemonade Stand Summer (2021), won the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize, the Jean Little First-Novel Award, and has been short-listed for ten other awards. Leslie is also a singer/songwriter and performs with two of her adult children in The Leslie Gentile Band. Leslie lives on Vancouver Island on the traditional territory of the W- SÁNEĆ people with her husband and a German shepherd who is convinced that he’s a lapdog. Though not connected with a specific nation, Leslie is of Indigenous and settler heritage, and has Salish, Tuscarora, and Scottish ancestry.

Leslie Gentile's profile page

• Short-listed, Chocolate Lily Award
• Short-listed, Victoria Children’s Book Prize

“It isn’t easy to write a consummately light novel, but Leslie Gentile has achieved this with Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. The dog’s loopy, highly distractible (food!) narration is fun and genuinely funny. The Hardy Boys-type mystery is the breezy ride that kids will love to flop down with.”

Victoria Children’s Book Prize jury citation

“Have you ever wanted to read a perfect detective story for animal lovers written from the perspective of a dog? Well, if you do, read this book! I give this book five stars because it’s very entertaining and captivating.”

<em>Young Mensan Magazine</em>

“Leslie Gentile has written a touching novel with a unique narrator.”

Canadian Review of Materials

“I'm a sucker for a four legged P.I. Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. by Leslie Gentile is my new favorite flea attracting clue-chaser … I love this book, it was so adorable.”

CBC's The Next Chapter

“A fun detective story featuring a pretty wild doggo, Shamus the Urban Rez Dog, P.I. by Leslie Gentile is a story that will be easily gobbled up.”

Storytime with Stephanie

“Leslie Gentile has written an amusing and heartfelt mystery from the perspective of Shamus the dog.”

Ildiko Sumegi, <em>Canadian Children’s Book News</em>

“The view from the doghouse isn’t half bad, and Shamus the Urban Rez Dog should know. As a pup, he’s got lots to learn about becoming that ‘well-behaved dog,’ but as a P.I., this dog can sniff out a clue like no-puppy else (as long as he avoids those Thai leftovers).”

Angela Misri, author of Tails from the Apocalypse and the Portia Adams Adventure Series