Travels with Oreo - A Book Review

I read the book, Travels with Oreo, in one sitting. The author, Lucinda Brief, insists it’s the only way to appreciate the book’s short, quirky plot.

The story begins in Galveston, Texas, where our hero, Jocelyn Starback, decides to go on a cruise through the beautiful northwest and into Canada. Her ticket purchased, her luggage packed, and her passport in hand, Jocelyn arrives at the airport only to discover she left Oreo home alone. That will not do.

Insisting the TSA Clerk hold her plane while she travels home to alleviate the situation, Jocelyn ends up in handcuffs. 

The plot moves forward, a bit slow in my opinion, until the FBI is called in. At that point, we are introduced to Jocelyn's father, Harry Hoopert, the head of the FBI. He releases her from airport security and admonishes her for causing such a ruckus at the airport. 

Meanwhile, her plane has left and Oreo is still home alone. The author now strays from the plot and moves back to Galveston where Oreo is guarding Jocelyn's house.

Two drug-induced neighborhood teens have decided to break into Jocelyn's home. They enter through the patio door, which Jocelyn never keeps locked. 

Oreo, a resourceful dog, grabs one teen by ankle and tosses him into the enormous, decorative cactus growing in Jocelyn’s living room. The second teen manages to get past Oreo and is now rummaging through stamps, dies, and other card-making supplies that fill Jocelyn’s ebony black desk. As the teen mutters about not finding money or jewels, Oreo devises a new plan of attack. Knowing that teens are always hungry and love sweets, Oreo grabs a wrapped, chocolate CBD gummy from the candy dish and drops it at the teen’s feet. 

The teen snatches up the treat, unwraps it and stuffs it in her mouth. 

At this point, Jocelyn walks in with her FBI dad and discovers one teen speared by cactus thorns and the other teen passed out in a drugged delirium.

The story ends with Jocelyn and Oreo taking off in a motorhome to travel the USA. “Screw the airplanes and TSA agents,” she shouts as dust kicks up behind her spinning wheels. “We’re off to see the USA.” 

I recommend reading this book with a steaming hot cup of cocoa. I guarantee you will finish the book before your delightful beverage gets cold. 

I give this book 2-1/2 stars. It was inventive; however a bit farfetched, too short, the language coarse, and the vocabulary too elementary. 

The author hints at a second book coming out soon. My recommendation to her is to spend money on the cover or no one will buy it.

Author's NOTE: The chocolate gummies are a figment of the author's imagination. No such things exist in the hero's home.