I'd have taken out your heart of flesh and put in one of stone.

When Paul Iverson got a call at his office at the University that his wife was found dead he was beside himself. Lexi had fallen from a tree and the death was ruled accidental. The only witness was the couples dog Lorelai.

Paul spent the months after her death climbing through the fog of grief and trying to make sense of the world. We believes there has to be some kind of explanation, something more than 'she had an accident'. A few key factors stuck out to him in those days of investigating; 1. the books of the bookshelf were rearranged 2. An entire cut of steak was cooked and eaten without any evidence of utensils and 3. a mysterious, very expensive phone call was made just days before the accident in the middle of the night.

Paul decides to rely on his academic background of linguistic studies to try and make sense of all of this. He decides to get the only witness to the accident to tell him what happened, he is going to teach Lorelai to talk.

The Dogs of Babel by Carolyn Parkhurst is a witty, interesting and encompassing look into life, marriage, dogs and honesty. This book is a page by page surprise with compelling narratives that keep the story and the pages moving swiftly. You find yourself discovery who Lexi is through Paul's eyes as he re evaluates and learns about her as if for the first time. You feel invested in Paul and interested in Lexi as you put all the pieces of this odd story together.

Another major player in this story is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Lorelai. She is our key witness and our bridge to the conclusion of this story. Through the looking glass of Paul's grief we discover how his life journey collided and eventually merged with the free spirit that was Lexi and how the love and silence of a dog kept them together.

Did Lexi have a hand in her death or was it truly an accident? Did Paul teach Lorelai enough 'speech' for her to shed light on what happened that day? Can any solace be found in not having all the answers? Find out by reading the unique and well crafted novel that is The Dogs of Babel.