Thor

First novelist Smith convincingly spins a werewolf story from the third person perspective of a German shepherd. While the plot is predietable-it's easy to guess who will survive the monster's attacks-Smith does a fine job of characterizing his canine hero. Thor considers himself a member of a hierarchical Pack, which consists of a Mating Pair (Mom and Dad), their three pups and a kitten (yes, the cat is doomed). This pack commands Thor's unfailing loyalty, and he uses his intuition to protect them from danger. But a threat that only Thor can sense arrves in the form of the Pack's Uncle Ted. Ted's clothes smell like a predatory animal, and he acts, in Thor's opinion, in the evasive, guilty manner of a Bad Dog. Naturally, the moon gets fuller, and Ted creepier, by the day. Smith spices the narrative with some sex and violence; he cleverly details the dog's reflex actions, inability to comprehend human language and tendency to get distracted. Readers willing to suspend disbelief will enjoy this exciting tale and its unconventional point of view. (Nov.)