First published 2012
Barney Barrington arrives in Woodford as a wealthy but shy pianist, only to discover he has stirred up trouble with the town's established millionaire, Jasper Jellit. Jasper resents the newcomer's popularity and throws a lavish chocolate party to win back the spotlight. The rivalry escalates when both men set their sights on purchasing the same artwork. While the gentle Barney trusts everyone around him, Jasper resorts to underhanded tactics to claim the painting. Barney's brilliant cat Dandelion recognizes the danger her owner cannot see. She teams up with Jasper's two misunderstood dogs, Cannibal and Bruiser, to protect Barney from his rival's schemes. This tale celebrates the loyalty between pets and their humans while exploring how kindness can triumph over greed.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, mystery, contemporary
Vibes: emotional, intimate, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Woodford
208 pages · ebook · Faber and Faber Ltd