Octavius Bear

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was a bear? Alternative Universe Mysteries for Adult Animal Lovers that relate the exploits of super-sleuth Octavius Bear and his cohorts. Just for fun, this series swaps anthropomorphic animals for humans in a world very similar to our own 21st century. Earth minus homosapiens.

Sorry, Holmes fans, not a snake in the entire book. The Spotted Band is a rock group of jungle cats: an Ocelot, Jaguar, Himalayan Snow Leopard and the irrepressible Cheetah, Chita. (She left Arch Villain Imperius Drake in a hurry in Book One.) The story begins in Reno, Nevada where Imperius and Bigg Baboon (recovering from their near misses with death in Book One) are searching for a replacement for Chita. They think they may have found him in an absolutely terrible magician appearing in, or being fired from, the show lounges in Reno casinos. Hairy Otter, soon to be renamed Otto the Magnificent becomes a pawn in the claws of Imperius but Otto turns out to be much more than Imperius can handle with some special talents all his own. Meanwhile, in Rio attending Carnaval for some well deserved R&R, Maury, Inspector Wallaroo and Howard Watt encounter the Spotted Band in a Brazilian bistro and the story further unfolds. They end up battling Pontius Puma, a gangster who controls all entertainment in Brazil and does substantial trading in stolen military and industrial secrets. They destroy his vast computer network with the help of L.Condor, a cyber net genius with a 12 foot wingspan and no voice. Back in the States, Imperius plans to use Otto as his Weapon of Bear Destruction.

Imagine if Sherlock Holmes was a bear. This book in the Octavius Bear series starts at Bearmoral Castle in the Shetland Islands, home of the exquisite and very rich Bearoness Belinda Béarnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black). She and Octavius married in Book Two but are keeping up separate residences in Scotland and Cincinnati. What starts out as a routine visit by Octavius and his crime fighting team, Maury, Otto, L.Condor, the Frau and Colonel, swiftly turns into startling tales of seemingly impossible sabotage against Scottish oil rigs in the North Sea and murder at the castle. Chita reappears as the owner of an oil rig bequeathed to her by a petroleum wildcat, now-deceased.

The Case of Scotch - Volume Three of the Casebooks of Octavius Bear, concluded with a triumphant singing debut at the Edinbeargh Opera by Octavius' and Bearoness Belinda's protégés Bearnice Blanc, a polaratura soprano and her baritone singing partner, Leperello, a highly talented Himalayan Snow Leopard. In this volume - The Lower Case - they arrive at Winnipeg, Manitoba to begin a North American tour. With them is Maury Meerkat, our narrator, Octavius Bear's sidekick and talent agent for the singers as well as Bearnice's twin sister Bearyl, a budding actress. Unfortunately, they are also accompanied by Honoria Heifer, a preposterously bad voice coach, mistakenly hired by Bearoness Belinda to aid the singers on their musical journey. No sooner have they arrived than the cow appears on a TV chat show and essentially says that the singers are light on talent and skill and that she, Honoria, has been totally responsible for their current rise in esteem and popularity. Bearnice and Lepi are enraged and storm out of the hotel lounge where they were watching the show, in pursuit of Honoria. Next morning, Honoria is found dead outside the TV station with her neck broken and several gashes in her hide. The singers are the number one suspects. Enter Octavius, Frau Schuylkill, Colonel Wyatt Where, Otto the Magnificent, Chita and L.Condor to assist the Royal Canadian Unmounted Police in finding the real culprits.

After a two volume absence, the mad duck, Imperius Drake, and his dumb heavy subordinate, Bigg Baboon return with a vengeance (literally.) Set on conquest of the cosmos, the duck has hatched (sorry) a plot to revivify a savage ancient Egyptian Pharaoh, Tsk VI and his ghost armies of crocodiles and lions. He plans to clone them and use them to overcome his enemies, real and imagined. Many new characters appear but most important are Octavius' and Belinda's twin cubs, Arabella and McTavish. (Yes, a Polar and Kodiak can have offspring.) You may remember that the on again-off again" lovers were married offstage in Book Two. The kids start to receive signals over their Egyptian internet video game from a Uraeus, a cobra sacred to the gods and charged with protecting the tombs and mummies of the great kings of Egypt. She tells them of Imperius' plan and enlists the Great Bear's assistance. Octavius, Belinda, Maury Meerkat, the cubs, plus the usual and some new team members are called into action once again against the infamous Imperius. Chita still wants an opportunity to kill off the duck after his attempts to do her in. Who knows?

More exploits of super sleuth Octavius Bear and his cohorts. Just for fun, this series swaps anthropomorphic animals for humans in a world very similar to our own 21st century Earth minus Homo Sapiens. Are there other alternate universes? Could be! Never known for his diplomacy, Octavius and his team are called upon to investigate the violent death of an Impala, the Commercial Attaché for an African embassy in Washington DC. Was he killed or was it an accident? That is the question! As usual, complications arise. Was the Impala engaged in illicit activities leading to his death? If so, who did him in? Bearoness Belinda and the Cubs arrive with Octavius on a very expensive and exclusive helicopter for a tour of "Washing-Tub" but soon uncover some very interesting evidence bearing on the case. Chita makes another cameo appearance via Skype. Is the Ambassador, a mysterious Rhino, hiding something? All of these questions and more unravel leading to a rather unusual conclusion. The Great Bear is involved once again in international intrigue.

Can it be true? Is Octavius Bear actually accused of murder? When Professor Hercules Ovibos, an extortionate fraud pursuing a law suit against Octavius, is found floating in the Detroit River, evidence brought forward by the Professor's lawyers seems to point toward the Great Bear. Is this a frame-up? His team immediately joins forces to get him off the hook. Meanwhile, Howard Watt and Marlin are leading a group of scientists in a Quantum Physics experiment to create "electron tangling" between alternative worlds. All does not go well. Other new characters: The nasty inhabitants of Biosphere X (Home World) who are intent on preventing the experiment from working. Killings Galore! And please welcome Ursula - Universal Ursine Intellect Model 6 - Artificial Intelligence System. She's in for the long haul. The Cubs, Belinda, Mlle Woof, Chita, L. Condor, Marlin, Otto, The Wolves, Flying Tigers and of course, Maury are all back along with an additional cast of characters. Ain't science fun?

Christmas at the lavish Polar Paradise resort in the Shetlands, home of Bearoness Belinda Béarnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black); wife of Octavius Bear and mother of twin Cubs Arabella and McTavish. The entire Octavian team is on board including the Artificial Intelligence System Ursula 7. The hotel is packed with celebrating guests. It's a time for friendship and peaceful reflection as well as jubilant and spontaneous fun and enjoyment. Unfortunately, it's also a time for destructive and murderous pranks by characters calling themselves the Cranks. Obviously set on harassing Belinda, Octavius and the Cubs, they are bent on damage, injury and death for the holidays. Who are they? What are they up to and why? Octavius, his team, friends and the police all seek to find out and put a stop to it while the holiday festivities carry on. Merry Christmas; Jolly Boxing Day and Happy New Year!

Sedentary by nature, Octavius Bear is not a big Sports enthusiast. So, it is a bit out of character for him to pack his investigative team plus the Cubs and their governess onto the luxurious Ursa Minor helicopter and head for New York City. His assignment: investigate the killing of Ozzie Ostrich, a professional basketball player. The primary suspect is Joe Jeau, star member of the Gotham Giraffes pro ball team. The Giraffe's Head Coach, an old schoolmate of the Great Bear, wants him to clear his top performer's name and if possible, find the true killer. The team gets tangled up with professional gamblers, possible personal rivalries and even love interests. Once again, the detectives are assisted by Chita and the near-miraculous Artificial Intelligence Unit, Ursula 8. Needless to say, the Cubs have a spectacular time in the Big Apple. New York will never be the same. Oh yes, the real killer is discovered.

Welcome back, once again, to Polar Paradise in the Shetland Islands, part-time home of Octavius Bear's spouse Bearoness Belinda Béarnaise Bruin Bear (nee Black.) In Book Eight - The Crank Case, we introduced you to Preston Pavel Polar, Russian movie star and matinee idol. He's back, this time with a full-scale movie crew to shoot another one of his highly successful swasgger and swords epics in the castle/resort and using most of the Octavians as his cast members. Belinda and Octavius are financial partners in the production. Things seem to be going smoothly but then, an ingenue cast member takes a fatal dive into the ocean and is pulled out Dead. How did she die? Why did she die? Octavius and Maury swing into action to solve the mystery along with ace consulting detective Fetlock Holmes, Shetland Yard Superintendent Nigel Wardlaw and Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo. Belinda, the Cubs, Mlle Woof, Chita, Condo, Otto, the Wolves and all the other regulars are on hand to propel the action. Ready for another tail? Lights, Camera, Action!

Doctor Llewellyn Llama, Director of the Pharm and Pharma Division of Octavius Bear's Universal Ursine Industries (UUI) is found dead in his hotel room in Washington DC. How did he die? The DC Police believe he was poisoned. Why did he die? Unknown! He was there to consult with the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration on P&P's work on 'cultured meat' and artificial foods. "Best Wurst and Best Burgers!" 'Cultured meat' is one of P&P's most controversial projects. Government, the Press, Science and Academia, all sorts of political and pressure groups, even churches, are taking sides and being damn vociferous about it. Another piece of news. General Turmoil, Director of the Business, a clandestine Multiverse Agency is missing from his office in Washington. Interplanetary foul play or covert activity on the Business' part? Octavius and Maury swing into action to solve the mysteries. All the Octavians are also on hand to move things along. Join us and have a sandwich while you're at it.

Does Octavius have a doppelgänger? Could be! One who's insisting that he is the Great Bear. The Octavians insist that he is a nut intent on creating chaos or worse. The plot gets much thicker. It seems the real target of this complex charade isn't Octavius at all. It's Howard, the porcupine genius who's the world's leading expert on alternate universe travel. And the Admiral, a mad Zebra on an alternate planet, wants to capture Howard to enable his dastardly strategies for cosmic conquest. Otto the Magnificent is commissioned by Octavius to scuttle the Admiral's plans. Little does the Zebra know how potent the little lutrine is. Does romance rear its head? Well, maybe. Enter Priscilla, a very clever porcupine femme fatale who gets Howard's spiky attention. Life gets curiouser and curiouser.

Has extortionist extraordinaire Caleb Cassowary gone off the grid? Not hardly! He and his assistant Byzantia Bonobo escaped from Earth and landed on Biosphere X and Exoplanet Gaea, respectively. Caleb has persuaded the leaders of the Biosphere (Home World) with his plans for interplanetary conquest. As a first step, he proposes to attack Earth where it is most vulnerable-GPS. Byzz has taken on a new career launching satellites on Gaea. The Cassowary once again calls on her for assistance. What happens next propels Octavius Bear and his associates into a whirlwind of galactic uproar. Watch this space, literally!

Caleb Cassowary's carcass is floating in near earth orbit, done in by his former assistant Byzz Bonobo. But the saga lingers on. Before succumbing, he set in motion a series of potential cyberattacks designed to wreak havoc on Earth and other planets as part of his plan for cosmic conquest. One of the less civilized exoplanets in the Milky Way is the one we refer to as Biosphere X-the Home World of a population of highly aggressive and paranoid birds. Earth has been attacked by them several times and has retaliated quite destructively. This volume relates the continual struggle. You will have ample opportunity to meet the villains, hiss and boo as you fly through these pages. C'mon In! The Mayhem's Fine! Oh, Surprise Ending. Don't Cheat!

Bearoness Belinda suggests that she and Octavius retire. He can become a Consulting Detective Emeritus. He's torn. Old habits and interests die hard. They compromise on a test. A one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop-A trip to Australia joined by Chief Inspector Bruce Wallaroo and Private Detective Matilda Roo. But a funny thing happens on their way around Oz. They're involved in two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce right when he asked, "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't shed their fur." We'll see!

Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective Emeritus? They agree on a one-year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. The Octavians are left in charge. First stop-A trip to Australia. See Book 16. The Cases Down Under. But funny things happened on their way around Oz. Two murders, contract rigging, money laundering, petty violence, monsoons, an accident and several near misses. Was Bruce Wallaroo right when he asked, "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't shed their fur." More adventures. in Volume 17. Belinda and the Twins make their first off world trips to several exoplanets while the Octavians get involved in defeating a major drug lord. Oh yes, Mlle Woof changes careers. Peace and quiet? Not Likely!

Octavians on a Cruise Ship! Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective Emeritus? They agreed on a one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. Off they went to Australia and then three exoplanets in Multiverse Space. In “Volume 18, The Bear Faced Liar”, they set off on a Caribbean cruise on an ecologically advanced ship-“The Solarwind”; Now “Volume 19, Bears at Sea”, continues the sea going saga. Another death, a fierce storm and a theft. Sail along with us. Was Bruce Wallaroo right when he asked "You're not really going to retire, are you? Leopards can't change their spots and bears can't change their fur." Doesn't seem like it, does it. We'll see!

Bearoness Belinda's suggestion that she and Octavius retire has produced some interesting results. Can he actually become a Consulting Detective EMERITUS? They agreed on a one year sabbatical tour with the Twins, away from UUI, the Hexagon and above all, criminals. Off they went to Australia and then three exoplanets in Multiverse Space. In Volumes 18 and 19, they set off on a Caribbean cruise on an ecologically advanced ship -The Solarwind; Now they are back and Belinda is ensconced in her suite at Polar Paradise. But who is this? Three polars appear claiming to be her father, his assistant and her brother. Are they for real and what do they want?

Endgames! The closing moves in chess. While there are Queens and many Pawns, this book is not about the board game! Heaven very seldom intervenes directly in the affairs of mortals - animals or humans. This time it's different. Mary, Queen of Heaven has become aware of a plot to subdue two distant worlds and reduce the survivors to slaves who will then conquer the entire cosmos. The villains - General Turmoil - a sociopathic horse on animal-based Earth Alpha and the infamous Professor James Moriarty of hominid Earth Beta are moving rapidly with their dastardly plans. She could have called on a fleet of angels to stop the carnage but chose instead to pit mortals against mortals. She called on the deceased but irrepressible Baroness Juliet Armstrong and her dog Pookie to work with Octavius Bear and his companions as well as Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson in this multiverse rescue endeavor. In the process, Octavius, his wife Belinda and sidekick Maury Meerkat take a short jaunt to Paradise. In turn, he and Lady Juliet must convince Holmes that Moriarty is not dead and indeed engaged in the evil partnership with the General. This book is the last volume in the Glamorous Ghost and Octavius Bear series. All the previous players are on the board. Join them in their adventures!