A local vet along with his trusty dog try to work out who is killing and decapatating local animals. Is it religious sacrifice?

Somewhere between cozy crime and psychological thriller.

I found this book a bit of a letdown.
The problem for me was that it didn't have much flow. The first part was good, the middle slow and the last few chapters felt rushed.

I liked all the norse mythology and bonus points for the references to knitting but on the whole this book was a Miss for me

I was new to the series with this book and the combo of a Canadian, autistic veterinarian who helps solve a crime spree connected to Odinists was as original as I could imagine. This story felt evenly-paced, LGBTQ+ character, quirky locals, and a gaggle off interesting animals, at the top of which stands Pippin, the sniffer dog. I've never laughed out loud over a hideously violent act occurring to end a mystery, but I did here. All pleasant surprises.

Thank you NetGalley and ECW Press Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

YES. I loved this book. I loved the vet.. I didn't realize it was a "part two" definitely going to read #1 and awaiting #3!!!

I just love those "not main streamed" characters!!!

This is the second in the series but my first encounter with Canadian Philipp Schott's Manitoba based vet Dr Peter Bannerman who is on the spectrum, his practice in rural New Selfoss, close to Winnipeg. I listened to this entertaining addition on audio, ably narrated by Miles Meili, and is 7 and half hours long. A man who likes his routines, he lives with wife, Laura, and his beloved dog, Pippin. He finds himself out of his depth when he is called by Dan Favel to examine a sick ostrich, Big Bird, and has to operate to remove what turns out to be a mjolnir, identified by Professor Grimur Sturulson as a real ancient Viking artefact that attracts the attention of university archaeologists.

On his birthday, Laura gifts him a metal detector, and Peter finds himself immersed in a mystery involving some gruesome animal mutilations, a ram, a Shetland pony and a goat, and strangely drained of their blood. Matters become more personal when his dog, Pippin, is seriously injured, there is no way he is going to let this go, despite being warned off by Laura, and his gay brother-in-law, RCMP Kevin Gudmunderson, although Kevin later requests the help of Pippin over a hunch he has. There are murders, and Peter even finds himself helped by Laura's research, she comes across a right wing group as he looks into the now deceased Jim Thorkelson's field where there is a search to find other artefacts, is there any connection with the animal mutilations?

I liked learning of the fascinating past, the Canadian history of the small community and the determined character of Peter, his life as a vet in a small town propelling him to become a amateur detective. Whilst there are numerous references to the first book, I think this works reasonably well as a standalone which I think will appeal to many readers. However, some animal lovers might find the horrifying animal mutilations hard to stomach. An engaging listen that kept my interest throughout. Many thanks to ECW Press for an ALC.

Another "fun" book from Philipp Schott about his veterinarian Dr. Bannerman. His first Bannerman book Fifty-Four Pigs introduced us to the Vet, his wife, their dog, and murder. His wife's brother is a policeman but Dr. Bannerman manages to find clues, help the police, and solve the mystery.

The blurbs tell you that if you are a fan of the Thursday Murder Club, you will love these books. It's true you may love these books but they don't match the wit of the Osman books. They are narrated by Miles Mieli. Mr. Miles talks VERY fast and barely pauses between one sentence and the next. When he finished the book, without even a breath, he launched into the first chapter of Schott's upcoming book. It is a bit disconcerting. It doesn't take away from the writing but when you listen to a book, so much depends on the narrator. I hope Schott and his publisher consider getting a different narrator or having a chat with Mr. Mieli and ask him to please slow it down.

Dr. Peter Bannerman is a west Manitoba vet and an amateur detective. When an ostrich swallows a shiny object, he removes it and finds something that looks like something ancient Viking. Soon two local farm animals are slain and their blood drained. Mayhem continues when a university professor is found dead. Although Peter’s brother-in-law Kevin wants Peter to butt out, Peter and his sniffer dog play a major role in solving the crimes. Kevin is gay, although that is immaterial to the story. Since the Canadian government helped the publish the book, it seems to me a concession to woke ideology. Although the reader of this audiobook is said to be a member of a union - sorry but I found his voice and delivery to be off putting (sorry). Thanks to NetGalley for offering this ARC audiobook to me in exchange for an honest review.

Six Ostriches is the second book in the Dr Bannerman Vet Mystery series by Canadian veterinarian and author, Philipp Schott. The audio version is narrated by Miles Meili. While Manitoba vet Peter Bannerman claims no experience with exotic birds, some research and a quick call to an expert allows him to treat the digestive problem Dan Favel’s ostrich is suffering.

When Big Bird’s impacted proventriculus is cleared, it yields a small metal item, something that Peter’s wife, Laura, with her Icelandic heritage, identifies as a mjolnir. It turns out to not be a cheap tourist trinket, but, according to Professor Grimur Sturulson, a genuine Viking artefact. Why it was lying around in the late Jim Thorkelson’s field is a mystery that greatly interests the University of Manitoba’s Archaeology Department.

Not long after, a mystery of a different sort: Rose Baldwin’s prize ram, Patrick has had his throat cut, been bled, and had certain bits of his nether regions removed. Peter recalls that some Icelanders have a taste for these, but who and why remain unknown.

As a Shetland pony, then a billy goat suffer similar fates, Peter makes sure each case is reported to his brother-in-law, Kevin Gudmundurson of the RCMP, but he can’t help wanting to set his champion scent dog, Pippin on the trail, even as Laura and Kevin sternly warn him not to get involved.

Laura’s birthday gift of a metal detector sends him looking in a different direction: Old Jim Thorkelson’s field, where might there be more bits of Viking metal? But what he and a former classmate find is much more grisly.

When Peter spots more than one local with distinctive dragon tattoos, Laura’s research uncovers an extremist group that seems to want land rights for early Norse settlers of the area, and quietly infiltrates their online message boards. Of course, codenames make identification near impossible.

Peter’s hyperrational brain warns him that these three: a Viking artefact, animal mutilations, and an extremist group, might be completely unrelated, but it’s hard not to look for connections. Then there’s a threatening note, and it seems that Pippin’s talented nose has made him a target.

Before all these mysteries are solved, Peter is surprised to find himself enjoying competitive darts; he has to hide with Pippin in a wardrobe; Pippin is asked to use his nose in an official capacity; someone falls foul of an angry ostrich; and Pippin saves Peter’s life (again). Animals and people, a body count of six.

Peter is a quirky protagonist, and the following illustrates, a little, how his mind works: “As was his habit with so much else in life, if there was a scientific consensus regarding the correct approach to something in life, then he abided by it. It was that simple. (A) Find out what the right thing to do is. (B) Do it. That others didn’t follow this uncomplicated strategy continued to confuse him. Even Laura, who was at least as smart as he was, followed her feelings and scientifically unfounded inclinations far more than seemed advisable. But curiously, she was at least as happy and satisfied with her life as Peter was, so somehow her shambolic approach also seemed to work.”

Once again, there’s plenty of intrigue, a few red herrings, and a good helping of humour leading up to a nail-biting climax, and even the most astute reader is unlikely to pick the perpetrator. This second dose of Peter Bannerman and co is at least as good as the first, and fans will be pleased to know it includes an extract of the third book, Eleven Huskies. An entertaining Canadian cosy crime read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and ECW Press

Really enjoyed this.
I liked Peter and Laura.
I loved Pippin.
Smiled to myself a lot at any geeky reference.
Also felt I learnt a thing or two.

I'm not sure if it's classed as cosy crime, it definitely has those vibes, but it seems quite bloody for that.

Enjoyable narrator, and it works well as a stand alone.

I'd definitely pick up another in the series.

The second book in the Dr. Bannerman Mystery Series brings together two of my favorite things, animals and cozy mysteries. This was my first book in the series but was able to pick up on the backstories quickly. Peter is a rural vet in Manitoba. He stumbles upon a mystery with a Viking twist while working on a sick ostrich. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book. I was glad to see the autism representation too. I could have lived without the side story involving the accidental date with his former college friend. I will be checking out the first book in the series and any follow ups.

This was my first encounter with author Philipp Schott. It appears that from his ratings, a lot of people are thrilled with his writing, but it left me less than impressed.

As far as the writing style, it seemed to me that it was really "hot and cold". There would be some wonderful imagery or language about the setting or characters. But then the next section would be some researched information, which would feel really dry. These two aspects could be woven together fluidly, but it was really startling to me between the two types.

I'm also not sure how I feel about the characters, particularly the main character, Dr. Peter Bannerman. It was never stated in this book, but he must be somewhere on the autistic spectrum. He seemed similar to Freddie Highmore's Dr. Shaun Murphy on The Good Doctor. Bannerman tends to overthink situations and at times can be quite socially awkward. I think if it had been mentioned, the autism wouldn't have bothered me as much as it did. I don't think that was supposed to be a main focus of the character, but it could've been used as an effective literary device and given the character a lot more depth.

I also saw no reason to have his character almost talked into breaking his marriage vows. It was nice that his old college flame had the kind of knowledge that he needed to have to help solve the book's mysteries, but there was no reason for the temptation of an affair. It seemed that his marriage was solid. He didn't mention any doubts about his love for his wife. Plus his wife wasn't thrilled that he had talked to his college "friend". There was some background information missing...I think. That's why this "date" was confusing. Again, this could've been written into the novel without bringing up any unrequited feelings.

I don't think I'll be reading either the first book in the series or the soon-to-be released follow-up.

I wish this could've been a more positive review, but I still want to thank ECW Press Audio and NetGalley for an ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

For most of it I LOVED THIS BOOK

This is a perfect detective story that mixes some elements of Sherlock Holmes, Nordic Mythology and Cute animals!

Peter is a veterinary that accidentally gets involved with a Norse mythology cult type of of thing that is killing farm animals in his town. But why are they doing that? Who is part of this group?
As Peter tries to stay away from the mystery more things keep happening around him!

I didn’t know this was the second book in a series, so now I have to go back and read the first one.

Although I loved the mystery, I didn’t like this side plot where Peter questions his marriage and even goes on what seems like a date with someone else. This plot doesn’t add anything to the story and it goes nowhere.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Mysteries aren’t my usual fare, but I like stories about animals, science and spectrum characters.
This one his all the high notes! I hate to call it ‘fun’ as there are several murders, dismemberments and animal death. Yet all ends well and the view from inside the brain of Peter the Vet is so entertaining. The animal and Norse mythology facts had me going down Wikipedia rabbit holes all night!

⚠️Content: death, murder, animal death and mutilation, dismemberment, decapitation, alcohol consumption

🏳️‍⚧️Representation: discussion of First Nations abuse and land rights, gay secondary character, female police, female vet, main character is on the spectrum

🎁Gift to: fans of cozy murder mysteries, people who like animals (esp. farm animals),

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.