Harvey Takes the Lead

This third offering in the “Harvey'' series, the previous novels being Harvey Comes Home and Harvey Holds His Own, finds dog owner Maggie struggling with her role as an understudy in the middle school play, classmate Austin concerned about financing a special school trip and worried about elderly Mr. Kowalski, and West Highland Terrier Harvey devoted to tracking down an odd smell that he has discovered at the Brayside Retirement Home. Additionally, everyone is upset by the new assistant director of Brayside, a young woman full of rules and regulations intended to keep everyone at the retirement home safe.

Nelson builds on the solid characters developed in her previous books to move the story along. Maggie is becoming more self-confident about her own abilities as well as more aware of the problems others may face. Austin is embarrassed by his family’s lack of funds to enable him to attend the school trip, but he continues to channel his energies in a positive direction, particularly through his volunteering at the retirement home. Mr. Kowalski is sad that his wife of sixty years is very ill in the hospital, but Austin helps him to remember the pleasant memories and music of their earlier years. And Harvey continues to do what he does best: comforting the retirement home residents and searching for the source of the scent that he knows means mice. For the most part, the story strands move on separate tracks (chapters are narrated by Maggie, Austin, and Harvey) until the end when they are woven together in a satisfying conclusion. A welcome treat for Harvey fans and dog lovers everywhere.