4.5 stars

Sirius (aka Hercules, Levi and Hansi) leads a very exciting life. This fox terrier starts out life as Levi, living in Berlin with a Jewish family in the 1930s. As tensions escalate in Germany during that time period especially for Jewish people, Levi, who is renamed Sirius by his owners to combat the anti-Semitism in Germany, escapes with his family to Los Angeles. Accompanying his owner Carl to work at one of the great Hollywood studios, Sirius gets “discovered” and is cast in a movie series about a dog names Hercules. Through a series of adventures, eventually Sirius ends up back in Nazi Germany and ultimately ends up becoming Hitler’s pet dog. Sirius is renamed Hansi by Hitler, and Sirius/Hansi uses his smarts to overcome a bad situation.

Crown’s style of writing is clever and witty, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. The storyline is so imaginative and quirky, and Crown creates a highly entertaining, inventive tale. Sirius makes his way through history leaving his paw print wherever he goes. The author’s depictions of 1930s Berlin and Hollywood are fascinating and well-researched. The inclusion of so many historical characters - Nazis, Nobel winning scientists and famous Hollywood movie stars - really adds to the book.

I highly recommend this novel especially for animal lovers but really for anyone who loves a clever tale. Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. ( )