Burp Gun Bandit by Cary Robinson is the second in The Dudley Files series. Dudley is the best friend of Careless, a free spirited single man who works by day in the family's pipe business and by night solves mysteries. With the help of his gorgeous upstairs neighbor, E.D., his other neighbor, Sarge, and his redneck friend, Birk, Careless will look into anything baffling or interesting. Dudley is the real hero of the group, though. He has tracking senses bar none (even if he lacks secretarial or driving skills). This edition takes them to a friend's farm in search of a missing miniature donkey and brings them right into the middle of a wild animal den. The death of a patriarch brings another case across Careless' desk as he tries to find out what is going on with the estate. Especially of interest is an old World War II burp gun that could just be the very key to the entire mystery!

Cary Robinson has a distinct writing style. Probably because Dudley cannot type but one can only wonder. Burp Gun Bandit is one book that whether you like it or not, you will certainly never forget it. Or at least a few of the catchy lines. Or Paul Simon lyrics. I would highly recommend starting at book one because I didn't and honestly, I think the whole thing would have made a lot more sense. If you like books with animals that play a big role in solving mysteries, characters that are as quirky as your own neighbors (probably), then you will love this one!

Burp Gun Bandit by Cary Robinson begins with a serious historical summary of the United States Texas Oklahoma 90th Infantry Division storming of Normandy, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. The prologue is detailed and impressive as it recounts the skirmishes faced by the 90th Infantry over the course of many months. I was somewhat taken aback, because the title and the description led me to believe this was a humorous book. In fact, it is a VERY humorous book, but the seriousness of the prologue was vital to setting up the rest of the story. Once I started reading Chapter One, I honestly can’t remember the last time I laughed so much. From start to finish, Burp Gun Bandit is precisely my idea of good humor. I laughed long, loud, and often as I read of the exploits of “Careless” and his dog, Dudley. Much to my surprise and delight, Burp Gun Bandit also turned out to be a pretty good mystery, too. Careless, whose real name is Carlos (which nobody ever calls him), works in his family’s steel yard, but has also enjoyed some success as a part-time private detective. Dudley, his golden-colored black-mouth cur, is his partner in life, as well as his partner in investigation. With help from a few friends, Careless and Dudley were able to solve a mystery involving the death of a beloved grandfather, a missing will, and a very wicked, greedy aunt.

Burp Gun Bandit is a brilliantly told story. Cary Robinson has captured the essence of a laid-back Texas redneck with a fondness for iced coffee and Jack Daniels. But he’s not hooked; he can quit coffee any time he wants! To truly appreciate the talent of Robinson, one has only to return to the prologue. It is almost unbelievable that the same person who wrote that laudable homage to the 90th Infantry Division also wrote such a funny story, in which he mastered the local color and idiom so well. Burp Gun Bandit gives ample evidence that things are not always as they seem, as in the case of Careless. Robinson has an extraordinarily broad-ranging imagination, which is on display throughout this story. If you have an appreciation for good, mostly wholesome humor, I heartily recommend Burp Gun Bandit as a must-read for your bookshelf.