Nop's Trials: A Novel

This is a "Lassie come home" type of book. Nop is a Border Collie that is a top worker herding sheep. Another dog on the farm (Stink) is also a top working collie but has been retired because of injuries. Lewis and Beverly own the farm and their pregnant daughter and husband come back to live on the farm also. At a Christmas dinner Nop is let out with a visiting hound puppy and they take off. Both dogs are picked up. The puppy is killed but Nop begins a series of adventures and troubles while Lewis searches everywhere to bring him home. I really appreciated the note at the end by the author as a caution to go and get a Border Collie unless you do research into the breed and are prepared for their high energy and intelligence.

It was a lovely book. Maybe a little heavy on the stocks of trial details and lingo, but I looked forward to settling in every evening with Lewis, Nop, and their lives. It does have some unsettling parts about cruel people, but it is well-written and the powerful story about hope, faith, and the strong bond between humans and dogs.

I fell in love with Nop and his family. And I learned a lot reading this novel, Nop's Trials  Nop's Trials: A Novel ! I learned about Border Collies and their skills, as well as the illegal dog trade. The story itself kept me on the edge of of my seat while waiting to learn what happened to Nop, the hero of the story. Any dog lover would enjoy this book, as would anyone interested in a good, old fashioned yarn. I am looking forward the next book, Nop's Hope  Nop's Hope: A Novel By The Author Of Nop's Trials .

Interesting, heartbreaking book with a happy ending. It took me a bit longer to read than usual. It was descriptive and because of some of those descriptions, I would occasionally need a break. Some breaks longer than others. In that respect it was not easy to read but if you start it, you must finish it for the ending. I definitely needed to read the outcome.

When a really good writer finds a subject close enough to the passion, the result can be a wonderful read. This is such a book. Nop is a Border Collie, and a wonderful hero. Like others of his breed, he is a workaholic, sensitive, happy to please, brave beyond brave. When he is kidnapped by Bad Guys, his owner goes in panicked but purposeful pursuit (whew!).Thoroughly enjoyable, and I learned even more about sheepdog trials and other worlds...

It was a very good read along with being a good dog story ,It had people who wanted to take advantage of good people and good dogs, If you like sheep dog trials and rancher you would like it.

I loved the author's use of imagery. It really drew me into the story and engaged me emotionally. Great character description and a story that spoke to my heart.

I myself read it and loved it in 2005, and recently recommended it to my husband. He bought the ebook for his Kindle and read the book and liked it. And he reports that Nop's Hope, the sequel to Nop's Trials, was included in the $9.99 download.

this is a very good book, it will make you cry and make you angry, it will make you want to do something to change what people do to each other, but it will give you a great feeling and it is a great story that you will enjoy.

Beautiful story of a lost border collie and his devoted owner's unwavering quest to find his dog and bring him home. Written in the same vein as "Lassie Come Home", "Nop's Trials" is a riveting, sometimes heart wrenching read, one that every dog lover should have on his or her bookshelf.

I've said it all before while reviewing Donald McCaig's work, but here it is again. He is one of the TRUE masters of his craft, the proof of which is that he'll be the first to tell you he learns something new every day. If you love a herding dog, you simply must own the works of McCaig. I promise you won't be disappointed, and you'll find yourself reading them again and again.