Muzzle the Black Dog

by

Mike Cobb

Is the mysterious stranger whom Jack Pate welcomed into his home an arsonist or a figment of Jack’s imagination?

Muzzle the Black Dog is a new psychological thriller by veteran author Mike Cobb that opens a door into one man’s struggle to regain control of his life. After the breakup of his marriage, Dr. Jack Pate sells his dental practice and moves to a secluded cabin in the North Carolina woods, steadily distancing himself from everyone he loves, including his wife and two young children who are now three hours away, along with his elderly, infirm parents. So, a knock at the door after midnight on a cold January evening is completely unexpected and definitely cause for alarm. The mysterious stranger claims to be a friend there to help Jack; at least he knows Jack’s name and has intimate knowledge of Jack’s life, but is steadfastly unforthcoming in regard to exactly who he is or why Jack needs his help. But when an arson fire in the vicinity draws a visit from a sheriff’s deputy canvassing the area cabins, the man just as mysteriously disappears. As the fires continue, so does the deputy’s interest in Jack, and soon, he looks like their number one suspect. Jack must pull himself together and track down his visitor, who Jack believes is the real culprit before the deputy decides they have a case against him. 

Jack Pate is a likable guy, but readers will slowly come to realize he’s struggling with some serious mental health issues and wondering if he’s at all reliable as the narrator of his story; he clearly does need help. He’s seemingly mesmerized by the man who refuses to give him a straight answer about anything, preferring instead to spout literary references and tantalizing hints about Jack’s past and warnings of his future. Still, Jack is amazingly patient as he waits for his guest to come clean regarding his late-night visit, disappearing acts, and close-held secrets. As Jack questions what he’s gotten himself into, so did I. Was Jack the perpetrator behind the fires who the deputy seems to think he is? 

The story unfolds in multiple timelines from the past and the present date of 2004, but the activities during each era are distinctly different and easy to keep separate. The plot moves quickly, with Jack first delving into his visitor’s identity and coming up with more questions than answers. The novel is on the shorter side and can easily be read in one sitting, a good thing since I certainly didn’t want to put it down once I started. The secrets that are slowly revealed make the resolution of the story all the more startling. 

I recommend MUZZLE THE BLACK DOG to readers of historical, literary, and crime fiction, as well as psychological thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.