Promising and critically-acclaimed novelist Mathieu Terence creates a hypnotizing atmosphere in his haunting new book set in Brazil. Johann is a young French artist wandering around Rio: aimless, no prospects, and tired of life. In the midst of his existential crisis, he comes upon a curious, foreboding compound and is mistakenly identified as the newly hired boss. Just moments after he learns exactly what his new position entails, he solidifies his place by fearlessly subduing an angry Rottweiler. From then on, Johann embraces his new role as the leader of an outfit that breeds and trains ferocious guard dogs. Surprisingly, the troubled aspiring writer adapts perfectly to the paramilitary security of the organization and the intensity of attack-dog training. For the first time in his life, he finds satisfaction in the terror-packed world around him, counting down the days until the true boss arrives. Yet as he becomes embroiled in a passionate affair with the owner of the company and her dangerous, wealthy Rio underworld, the riddle about how Johann fits into the shady enterprise begins to unravel.

A modern, gritty take on the borders between man and beast, a life of the mind and a life of triggered instincts, Maître-Chien paints an indelible picture of this terrifying business.