• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

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

“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>

“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

“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>

“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

“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