Welcome to the blog for Blackout the Dog, a fictional character in a series of environmentally-focused novels.
Blackout is a 3-year old female black mixed breed dog -- some lab, some shepherd, and who knows what else. She's jet black with a few white highlights. She was adopted from a shelter by David Samuels, an environmental consultant from Boston, who named her Blackout after a blackout that occurred around the time he adopted her.
David taught Blackout to sniff out chemicals and other substances. She became so good at it that David began to use Blackout as his "secret weapon" in helping to uncover pollutants and even track them to their source. As a result, Blackout became something of a local celebrity.
Tragically, David's wife Lisa was killed in a car accident when he was still in Boston. This event prompts David, who has just turned 60, to make a dramatic life change. He decides to retire, taking Blackout with him and relocating to Asheville, NC.
But one day David gets a call from his former employer. Apparently, someone is polluting the French Broad River in Asheville with benzene. David reluctantly agrees to get involved, and with Blackout's help, uncovers a bizarre and sinister plot.
This story is told in Water's Edge, the first environmental thriller in a series featuring Blackout the Dog. It's available as an eBook on leading eBook platforms and websites, including Smashwords.
Look for the next book in the series coming soon.
Copyright 2011 by Barry Silverstein
