Introduction
Recently, I completed a new book titled Muzzle the Black Dog by Mike Cobb, which was sent to me as a review copy. I want to thank Maryglenn M. Warnock for providing the book. This review contains my honest thoughts in exchange for the copy. I liked this psychological thriller, but the start was slow for me. At times, I considered DNFing the book, but I kept going. Although I didn’t quite like the ending, it was still a decent read.
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About Muzzle the Black Dog by Mike Cobb
Trigger Warnings: Murder, Arson, Past Trauma, Mental Health Problems
After a mysterious stranger appears at his isolated cabin door, Jack’s life is forever changed. The stranger’s cryptic message sets off a chain of events that lead Jack on a harrowing journey to uncover the true meaning of his own existence.
As a series of unexplained fires threatens to consume everything he holds dear, Jack is forced to confront his deepest fears and question everything he thought he knew about himself.
Set in the aftermath of the Centennial Olympic Park bombing, Jack’s search for the truth takes him to the edge of sanity and puts him on a collision course with a dark and powerful force that has been lurking in the shadows.
Join Jack on a gripping and thought-provoking quest for answers in this thrilling and suspenseful tale of self-discovery and redemption.
So, without further ado, let’s start with the Muzzle the Black Dog book review.
My Review
I am writing this review using the CAWPILE Rating System. If you want to know about the Cawplie rating system, then check out this page.
Character (6/10):
There are two or three main characters who play important roles in the story, with others being side characters. Our main guy, Jack Pate, lives in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. One night, a stranger knocks on his door at midnight. After learning that the stranger knows his name, Jack—out of curiosity—lets him in and begins to question how he knows him. Then a series of events unfold where Jack is accused of arson and murder. He begins to doubt himself, and that’s when you wonder if Jack is a reliable narrator. Personally, the characters were just okay for me.
Atmosphere/Setting (8/10):
The story primarily takes place in Jack’s cabin and locations like Villa Rica and Murphy. Some scenes were very well written, especially the descriptions of fires breaking out in different places and the bombing at Centennial Olympic Park. It felt like you were witnessing those events firsthand.
Writing style (8/10):
I liked the writing overall, but the pacing felt slow. At times, especially in dialogues, I had to reread lines to figure out who was speaking. The first half dragged for me.
“Maybe I was the book you never cared to read and you were the verse that I kept highlighting.”
Plot (6/10):
The plot was good overall, but had the potential to be much better. Although it started slowly, I felt it was heading in a promising direction by the middle. However, the ending didn’t live up to my expectations and left me disappointed.
Intrigue (5/10):
In the first half of the book, I found myself reading without much interest. Around the middle, it seemed like things were about to get interesting with a psychological twist, but unfortunately, the ending didn’t deliver.
Logic (5/10):
I didn’t quite understand the logic behind how Jack was arrested for murder without any solid evidence. He never asked for proof—he just accepted the situation and let the police take him. Just because a car similar to his was seen near the crime scene, and his gas canister was found at another murder site? When questioned, he said the canister was stolen from his home. The police then warned him not to leave town. He ignored the warning and left, and the next morning, he was arrested. Even later in the book, there’s no clear explanation or evidence for his arrest.
“What is manipulation, anyway? Isn’t that what we all do? Every day? To get what we want?”
Enjoyment (5/10):
I didn’t enjoy the book very much. It included some historical references related to the U.S. that I wasn’t familiar with, so I missed their significance and couldn’t fully connect with the story.
“Somebody once said live life every day on the edge because you never know when that edge might be gone.”
⚠️Spoiler⚠️
In the middle of the book, there’s a discussion about Jack’s childhood and his mental health issues. When he begins to doubt himself after the arrest, I suspected that he might have a split personality. I thought the story was about to get more interesting, but that didn’t happen, and I felt let down.
Final Rating: 43/70 (6.1)
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Conclusion
While this book wasn’t fully for me, I can see how readers who enjoy slow-burn psychological thrillers with introspective characters may appreciate it more.
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Let’s Chat!
Have you read this book? If yes, what did you think about it? And do you agree with any of the points I mentioned below? Let me know in the comments!
