Book Review: The Dogcatcher and the Fox

The Dogcatcher and the Fox. J. D. Porter. Self-Published, June 30, 2020, Trade Paperback and E-book, 268 pages.

Reviewed by Florence Osmund.

It’s 1919 Chicago, and Raven Griffith works at the Animal Welfare Association. Young, gutsy, and determined, Raven faces numerous obstacles in her work, often putting her health and safety at risk as she tries to fulfill her life goal of protecting animals from people who abuse them. And matters are complicated with her being in a field dominated by men.

Raven’s animal escapades begin with her rescuing two horses during the Chicago Race Riot of 1919, and that is when she meets Rondell, a Black man she befriends and relies on throughout the story. Certain other people play a significant role in Raven's life as she pursues justice for animals, including Min Lee, who teaches her how to train dogs as well as a few old-but-true Chinese proverbs; Raven's boss, Lou Hanson, who has a rough exterior but a soft heart; Jo Washington, who has a deep-seated secret of her own; and Katherine Ruebottom, who believes in Raven and gives her a place to live.

The bulk of Raven's rescue and sleuth work involves dogs that go missing from various parts of the City. In her attempt to discover who is stealing the dogs and for what purpose, she runs up against an array of gangsters, including Johnny Torrio (a mob boss known as The Fox), who is more than just a little annoyed with Raven’s interference with his business. Fortunately, the gangsters have rivals who want to help Raven, including a young Al Capone.

At times, it’s difficult for Raven to tell which of the Chicago police are mixed up with the gangsters’ illicit activities, and when Raven meets Officer Walt Miller, it takes her a while to determine which side he’s really on. The story wouldn’t be complete without Raven becoming attached to some of the dogs she rescues and falling in love with one of Chicago’s finest. 

I found this book to be engaging, entertaining, and enlightening. It includes a nice balance between Raven’s story and facts about early twentieth-century Chicago history and landmarks. The plot was well-structured, creative, and appropriately paced. The characters were deftly created and believable.