Water Dogs

by Lewis Robinson

A bleak, snowy, small town in Maine sets the stage for our story. Bennie is a gentle 27-year-old college dropout who lives with his older brother, Littlefield, in the family's once grand, but now deteriorating home. Neither have amounted to much and have accepted their status as townies (water dogs).

The guys engage in intense weekly paintball games with their friend Julian and three fishermen. No matter the season, paintball is played. It has become a release for Bennie and Littlefield, though Bennie is not as attached to the game as his brother is.

The action begins with a paintball game in a blizzard. During the game, Bennie is injured. While recovering in the hospital, he learns that one of his opponents, Ray LaBrecque, is now missing. Ray never surfaced after that fateful game. Searching has proven useless. Ray is missing, and his motorcycle is gone.

Foul play is suspected, and Littlefield is a suspect. Determined to find out what happened and clear his brother's name, Bennie starts his own investigation with his girlfriend, Helen.

Part mystery, part dysfunctional family drama, Water Dogs will keep the reader's attention at all times. The setting immediately draws the reader in, and the mystery will keep the reader interested.

2/5/09