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This was one of those books I couldn't put down. A memoir about a community of dog walkers in a park, and I thoroughly enjoyed the way we got to know the individual characters and their canine counterparts. Plus they have an adventure, one which I found both plausible and exciting. Duerden creates a strong picture of the sort of relationships that these dog walkers have. Intimate sometimes, boring sometimes, and often full of concern for one another. They frequently see one another every day - yet their relationships are limited to the parameters of the park.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Duerden's description of the various dogs, especially his own, Missy - a feisty Border Terrier - whom he is obviously besotted. Yet he often describes her quirky antics with a cool eye, which is unusual when considering the impassioned glue that usually holds people and their dogs together. Perhaps because until Missy came along he says he has always been a cat person. For whatever reason, it gives him a bit of distance which makes his writing that much more interesting.

Over and above these people and their dogs, the book also has an ace adventure as part of the story. For me it really added spice to the book. The book is full of emotions and small, everyday, but extraordinary scenarios. Life in the park has successes, failures, occasional dog fights and loss. I thought it was a fabulous read. My only complaint is that in spite of Missy clearly being a Border Terrier, the dog on the front of the book looks like a large-eyed labradoodle. Good eye-candy but bad marketing.