Give a dog a bad name (USA title: Smoke Across the Highlands)

I came across this book as I searched out juvenile young adult adventures stories set in scotland. I started down this path years ago when I read an old book entitled 'Lost Karin' by Elizabeth Kyle. Since then I have learned to enjoy the genre. The basic recipe is teenage youths in the countryside, a dog or two (usually a Scottish Terrier), a mystery to solve, and little or no interference from grown ups as the youth go about solving a major or minor mystery.

This book fits into the above category. There are only two youths in this story, which is two or three less than the usual number. The dog is a collie, a popular second choice if a Scottish Terrier won't do. The mystery to be solved is to find out what is killing the sheep of the show more local farmers. The collie, Lady, is the prime suspect of course, as she lives wild in the mountains. If true, the boys will have to turn her in to be destroyed.

The author brings a nice description of mountain climbing to this book, which sounds authentic. I believe the author enjoyed this sport. A gentle read if you want to visit Scotland of the early 60's or late 50's as a young, healthy, teenage boy. show less