Six Ostriches is the second book in the Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery series. I enjoyed the first story and was looking forward to seeing what Peter would get up to next. Wow, this book really crossed the line for a cozy mystery in my opinion. The crimes against animals and humans was gruesome and descriptive which is not what I expect from a cozy mystery. Dr. Bannerman is called to an exotic animal farm to clear an obstruction from an ostrich. He finds what looks like a ancient Viking coin. Shortly after that several animals are mutilated and a local man with Viking heritage is killed. Dr. Bannerman is sure these things are all linked to a shadowy group of white supremacists that he comes across online.

This book is a cross between a mystery and a racist story with some connections to Viking history. I found that I was often lost in the story with the characters' names being similar to one another, as well as not having knowledge of some of the Viking/Icelandic history and how it relates to those living in Southern Manitoba. The character of Peter Bannerman is interesting. He is probably on the autism spectrum as his manner is very logical, he is perseverant and doesn't read social cues well. He is unable to leave it be, if he thinks someone needs his help. I must say that his wife is wonderful. She accepts his quirks and although she doesn't always agree with his actions, she does understand them. With the crimes that were committed, the police are quite involved in these crimes and they are solved in a good way. Overall, this was an interesting mystery, and I did learn about the Icelandic contributions to settling Manitoba, but I do not think this should be identified as a cozy mystery. Miles Meili narrates this story and does a good job. As it is told by a male POV, the choice of performer worked well.

I love this series and I can't wait for book 3 to come out! Dr. B is quirky but also super endearing and he just can't keep himself out of getting into the middle of is BIL's cases and pretty much solving them for him! This was a fun read!

#SixOstriches
#NetGalley

This is my second book about Dr Bannerman which I have read.

I really enjoy the characters and the rapport between Dr Bannerman and his gruff brother-in-law police officer is highly amusing.

The rural settings are well-written and the author really sells Manitoba as a lovely place to live, even with all of the murders!

The narration was very good at keeping the flow of the book and the voice even seemed a perfect fit for Dr Bannerman’s character.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

What do you get when you put a veterinarian, an ostrich named Big Bird and a mystery? A good read that what.

"Six Ostriches" was entertaining to say the least. Then protagonist, Dr. Peter Bannerman, is a veterinarian by day and amateur sleuth might night. This man just can't help but get in the middle of danger. To be fair, Peter patient Big Bird did bring the mystery to him

It was a good read overall, at times I thought it was a bit to slow and choppy but overall I'm excited to see what comes next.

Thank You to Philipp Schott and ECW Press Audio, for the audio-digital ARC provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

This was an unusual how done it. Viking artefacts, mutilated animals and somethings that really are just very strange.
This book is a quirky mystery. The narrator of the audiobook was wonderful bringing each character to life.
Cracking little read.

Six Ostriches is another good mystery featuring a neurodivergent veterinarian, Dr. Peter Bannerman. I love that the setting is small town Manitoba, Canada (near enough to Winnipeg for day trips), as that’s not a place you find too many books being set. The people in the area are a fairly diverse bunch, with a lot of them having Icelandic heritage, and this Norse background forms a large part of the story this time. Peter’s wife, Laura, makes a living by creating custom knitted goods, featuring popular culture items like scarves with the colors of the Ravenclaw house in the Harry Potter books. When an ostrich swallows what appears to be an ancient Viking talisman, Laura’s research uncovers information about what it might be. Once again, Peter’s dog Pippin plays a role, with his magnificent sense of smell and his tracking capabilities.

Spring has come to Manitoba and the descriptions of the landscape are wonderful, including Peter’s delight in witnessing the Northern Lights on a sleepless night.

Warning: bad things happen to some animals in this story.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. Miles Meili narrates the audiobook and does an excellent job with the many voices.

Thank you to ECW Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I’ve only ever read Philipp Schott’s non-fiction work about his veterinary practice, so finding the ARC of this was a pleasant surprise. I loved the variety of unique characters and the inclusion of the mystery with the animals entrenched in the center of it. I will admit to having gotten lost a bit in all the Norse and Viking history, but it is clear that Schott did a lot of research and all of the details well thought out. I am looking forward to reading the next Dr. Bannerman mystery.

As for the narrator, I found him to be a little flat. He did voices for some of the characters, but for others he used his regular voice, and it made it a little confusing at times to know which character was talking. So, although I really enjoyed the story, I did not enjoy the narrator.

4.5 stars

Pro:
* Ostriches are fun
* Pop culture, quirky humor
* Veterinary expertise
* Dr. Pol meets Donna Andrews
* The relationship between Peter and Laura
* Laura’s knitting
* Pippin
* Setting up a great series

Con:
* Narrator has a nasal whining/ style

Thank you to Philipp
Schott, Miles Meili, ECW Press, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I always love Philipp Schott's books, both non fiction and mysteries featuring Peter Bannerman, an intriguing and well written amateur sleuth and vet.
This story is darker than the first and there's some gore and graphic scene that I found a bit disturbing.
That said it's another well plotted and enjoyable mystery and I hope there will be more mysteries in this series.
The narrator did a good job and I enjoyed reading and listening to this book.
Many thanks to ECW Press for this arc, all opinions are mine

Super fun and well written mystery. Almost a cozy mystery but just a little bit too intense to be fully cozy which is honestly right where I like them!
I loved the characters - especially a real time internal narrative about autism spectrum disorder and the little ways it impacts someone.
The mystery itself was intriguing and not at all easy to guess which I also enjoyed.
Will definitely be reading the first book in this series and any others that come out.

I think I was expecting something more James Herriott so it took me a while to get into this. The detective with autism is a slightly tired trope but his job as a vet makes up for that and adds an enjoyable element to an otherwise straightforward plot. I enjoyed the Viking elements to the plot but no prior knowledge is needed. Very plot driven with little character depth but a quick enjoyable read.

Six Ostriches is the second Dr. Bannerman veterinary mystery by Dr. Philipp Schott. Due out 23rd May 2023 from ECW Press, it's 272 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats.

This is a credible follow up to the first story, featuring an amateur sleuth who is also a veterinarian and somewhat neurodivergent (but high-functioning) protagonist alongside his trusty canine sidekick Pippin, a husky/lab/border collie mix with a gifted sense of smell and an unusually high degree of intelligence to go with it. Dr. Bannerman struck me as an odd guy, generally likeable but also stubborn and often pedantic. I appreciated the nerdy culture references which the author wrote into the story, and it's cool that his wife is a nerdy fibre artist and knitting designer.

The book is well plotted and moves along at a good clip; definitely action driven and engaging. Unusually in this case, the characterizations are above average and believably rendered. There were a few places in the book where the dialogue didn't ring true for me at all, but all in all, well written and enjoyably readable. The overarching mystery is heavily foreshadowed and not a surprise, but there were motivations and hidden aspects which definitely surprised me. The climax, denouement, and resolution had a bit too much deus-ex-machina to be entirely satisfying, but overall I enjoyed it very much.

It's not really a cozy mystery at all and shares more in common with modern medical thrillers than "James Herriot". The author is clearly familiar with rural Manitoba and he does a great job describing the weather, the area, and the history of the place. There is some on-page violence as well as some mildly graphic descriptions of blood and exanguination, mutilation of livestock, and a couple of quite shocking decapitations. Language and dialogue are mostly PG rated shading toward the R-rated end of the spectrum. The author has not shied away from mentioning and exploring the themes of right-wing political culture and extremism. Also, there's explicit violence toward animals and very sensitive readers might want to check the discussion threads (spoiler: the dog doesn't die).

The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 26 minutes and is capably narrated by Miles Meili. He has a rugged and rough-edged baritone which suits the dialogue very well. Sound and production quality are high throughout the recording.

Four stars. Very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next for Peter, Laura, and Pippin (&co). The author/publisher have included a sneak peek at the third book in the series, Eleven Huskies.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

A quirky little mystery that begins from the perspective of... an ostrich named Big Bird.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of both the text and audiobooks. I'll try my best to do justice to both in my review.

Let's begin by saying that this is a sequel, and in some ways, it would have been more enjoyable had I begun with the first book. As it stands, the story threw readers into the thick of it. Sometimes, when the story develops more naturally, this ploy works and makes for a standalone enjoyable read. On other occasions, the author rapidly attempts to develop the characters and their backstories again, usually at the beginning, and the story feels forced. The latter is the case here, and I spent a good portion of the book rebuilding my patience and empathy.

Once past that little hiccup, the cozy mystery is just odd enough to make for an appealing read. However, the thing that makes this book, and perhaps this series, special is the treatment of its animal characters. The reader can tell the author is just wild about animals, with the care and fulfillment he gives his animal characters, both their internal monologues and their actions throughout the story. It is a rarity among authors that they are able to extend that empathy to animal characters without overly anthropomorphizing them, but that is achieved here, and rather brilliantly, despite the genre and airiness of the plot.

All said it's worth a read if you're looking for something warm and cozy. This book won't challenge you, but it will raise your awareness of how we might be perceived by the animals around us (and entertain you in the offing). Definitely recommend the text over the audiobook, as the narrator's voice can become a bit grating after a while.

Six Ostriches by Philipp Schott
Narrator, Miles Meili
Book Two in the Dr Peter Bannerman series
I have enjoyed both books so far in this series about a veterinarian in Manitoba who happens to be on the autism spectrum. I also love Pippin the scent dog. This story is a bit gory but not really graphic if that makes sense.
I learned the definition of Poisson clumping and I like Peter’s definition of the scale of white lies.
My only complaint would be the use of the phrase “ bolus the LRS” during a veterinary surgery. I know what that means because I’m a retired RN but everyone might not get it. By the way, it means to run a bag of lactated ringer’s IV fluid wide open. Also, I wish these books were a little bit longer for longer entertainment.
The narrator is very good and does both male and female voices very well.
I’m looking forward to the next book about sled dogs. Hope it comes soon.

3.5 stars

This second 'Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery' is set in a Canadian town in early spring. It features animal desecration, Nordic cults, murder, tattoos, and a good sniffer dog.

Dr. Peter Bannerman, a veterinarian in the lakeside town of New Selfoss, Manitoba, is an amateur sleuth who can't help getting involved in criminal investigations. This puts Peter at odds with his brother-in-law Kevin, an officer in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who doesn't want Peter's 'help.'

Bannerman has a varied veterinary practice, but 'Big Bird' is his first ostrich patient. Big Bird's owners, Dan and Kim Favel, note that their ostrich is off his feed and call Dr. Bannerman to have a look. An X-ray reveals a foreign object in Big Bird's digestive tract, and a surgical extraction unearths a mjolnir - a Norse religious symbol worn as a pendant.

Bannerman thinks the ornament is a tourist knick-knack but Professor Grimur Sturluson, an archaeologist at the University of Manitoba, identifies the mjolnir as a Viking artefact that's at least 1000 years old. The Vikings arrived in Canada in the 11th century, and there are many Icelandic and Scandinavian people in Manitoba, so an ancient Norse relic is not unprecedented.

Afterward, Bannerman gets called to several 'crime scenes' where carnage has been inflicted on innocent animals. First, Rose Baldwin's ram Patrick has his throat cut, his penis cut off, his testicles removed, and his blood drained. Second, Dan and Kim Favel's pony Misty is killed, decapitated, and bled out. Third, Peggy Dinsdale's billy goat Stinky is gouged in the neck and exsanguinated.

To add to the disquiet, the Favels' receive a note reading: "Skraelings! Now that you have proof that you occupy the sacred Vesturvatnsland (west water country) of our ancestors, you have no excuse to stay. This will be your only written warning." Worse yet, the pony Misty's head - gross and maggoty - is later left on the Favels' doorstep.

Bannerman speculates that all these atrocities are related to a Norse cult that demands animal sacrifice and uses blood. This theory is reinforced after Peter and his champion sniffer dog Pippin .find a nithing pole, a wooden pole used in a Norse religious ritual where an animal's head is put on a stake and pointed toward a person to curse them.

Peter also sees several people in New Selfoss with tattoos featuring snakes, which are often depicted in Viking art. Peter shares his cult theories with his cop brother-in-law Kevin, who's skeptical.....as is Kevin's police partner Kristine.

More attacks follow, and the stakes get very high when a person is killed. Though Peter is discouraged from 'aiding' in the investigation, he can't help himself, and Peter and Pippin carry on and uncover important evidence.

As all this is going on, we get glimpses into Bannerman's personal life. Peter is married to his college sweetheart Laura, a professional knitter. Laura makes specialty items to order, such as a cardigan in Ravenclaw house colors and Game of Throne mittens. As it happens, Laura - who's descended from Icelandic ancestors - is very knowledgeable about Norse culture, and actually uncovers information that helps Peter's inquiries. Peter also gets veterinary advice from an old crush; tries out for a dart-throwing team; becomes re-acquainted with a bully that tormented him in high school; drinks many cups of artisanal tea; treats additional ailing ostriches; and more.

All this leads to an exciting climax and surprising revelations.

For me the plot is over-complicated and a little hard to follow. Still, I enjoyed the story and like the characters, especially the Bannermans' dog Pippin and their cat Merry, who loves to cuddle with Laura.

I'd recommend the book to fans of cozy-ish mysteries.

Thanks to Netgalley, Philipp Schott, and ECW Press for a copy of the book.

I was keen to support a Canadian author, especially from Manitoba, a province that doesn't often get the love in crime fiction. So, an unusual premise, a promise of humour and a Canadian setting. Unfortunately, this was both slow and too "plotty", with a lack of compelling characterization, to see me give it an enthusiastic recommendation.

Thanks NetGalley for an audio version of this book by Philipp Schott. I had never read any of his books and was delighted with this one. Dr Peter Bannerman is a vet living in Manitoba with his wife and lab-mix dog Pippin. One of Dr Bannerman’s first patients is an ostrich who has eaten something shiny. Turns out that the shiny thing is Thor’s Hammer. And it is old. And people will hurt animals and people to keep it. White supremacy abounds but not the German variety, the Norse variety. The book gives you some medical terms, gives you an idea of Manitoba in the Spring, and helps you understand Asberger’s Syndrome a bit more. This is a quick read, and if you have to put it down to care for your furry friends, you won’t lose your place. Enjoy, I did.

I liked this second installment in the series marginally less than the first.

We have the return of Dr. Peter; trusty canine sidekick Pippin; wife Laura; and brother-in-law Kevin, an RCMP officer. New characters include a host of high-personality animals (Peter's patients, including a group of ostriches named after Sesame Street characters), the members of a darts team trying to recruit Peter, and a college crush of Peter's, among others.

Foul language use was harsher and more plentiful than I remember from the first book. As I'm not terribly sensitive to swearing, the fact that I registered this seems notable. Peter's college crush was useful in terms of the expertise she could lend to solving the mystery. Her use as a temptation to infidelity on Peter's part was uninteresting and unwelcome—it didn't add to the story. Peter struck me as introverted in the first book and perhaps on the autism spectrum in the second book. I don't know if I'm misremembering the first book or if his characterization has changed considerably in the second. There were plenty of red herrings. The main culprit was not a shocking surprise to me. As in the first installment, there was a frenetic increase in activity at the very end, while the bulk of the book was pretty steady and uneventful, the excessively gory multiple murders notwithstanding.

Fun detail: Peter very appropriately celebrates his 42nd birthday with a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy-themed party. Not fun: This book made me aware of Odinism and, further, its ties to white supremacy. Yikes!

Content warnings include senseless violence toward and mutilation of animals (including human).

I imagine I'll continue reading the series, though I'm hoping that subsequent installments will be more consistently exciting without depending on shock value.

Thank you, NetGalley and ECW Press Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review. Publication is expected May 22.

Murder/mystery in rural Canada where the local vet races against the police to solve the murders. Think James Herriot's "All Creatures Great and Small" meets M C Beaton's "Agatha Raisin".

Peter Bannerman has a cosy life at his veterinary practice until peculiar 'accidents' begin to befall the animals. When his own dog is injured, Peter knows the issue has to be given more credence than the police are allowing it, and sets out to solve it for himself.

The characters are likeable and believable and I'm beginning to get a feel for them by the end of the book. This is #2 in the series, and I'll keep an eye out for book one (although I don't feel I missed anything by having #2 first).

🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧

Six Ostriches is the second book in the Dr. Bannerman Vet Mystery Series but can be read as a standalone too.

Connected with Norse Mythology stories, this one is a mystery story involving a Vet as a lead. In my personal experience, this was my first mystery book that portrays a vet as the main protagonist. The curious angle of the ancient societies, Vikings and lost histories related to Mjölnir.

The book was fast-paced and moved with quiet vigour. There was this sequence of events going on in the book that I found a little mainstream though- where you discover some fact and immediately fit in the pre-curated puzzle, rather than mentioning instances throughout the story and letting them come together at the end. This sequence led me to a little bland end, which otherwise could have been atypical closure. A thing that stuck out with me even when the story ended was the pet Dog, he might be my favourite thing in this book.

Thank you @netgalley @ecwaudio and @philippschott for the Audiobook

Genre: #mystery #norsemythology #cozy
Rating 3/5 ⭐️

#SixOstriches #NetGalley