Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

*Possible spoilers, read with care.

5/5 ⭐

Welcome to Shady Hollow. This village lives in harmony with one another until tragedy strikes with the sudden death of the cantankerous old toad that lived in the pond.

I love a good cozy mystery. Something lighthearted and fun but still thrilling and thought provoking. Shady Hollow hit all the marks making this a series you won't want to miss.

I had seen this one on so many people's TBR lists that I knew I needed to read it as well. And what better time than during Autumn. It just felt right.

This mystery follows Vera Vixen, the local reporter who just so happens to be a fox. Having come from a bigger town, she seems much more in the know of what to do in the case of a murder than the local constabulary. Which is made up of two bears named Meade and Orville. They do get their chance to make up for what they lack.

Let me just put it here, the names of these characters is incredible and l loved the inclusion of a 'Cast of Characters' page as well as a map page! Juneau Black out did themselves!

Now for the murder. I was left in the dark until the big reveal. It was not one that I saw coming. The author did a fantastic job as providing us with all the clues but not giving anything away. You got to solve the mystery with Vera as she worked through alibis and digging up facts all the while dodging threats and angry beavers.

And as for the setting, the prose and imagery were stunning and put you right there with the characters as they travelled from Joes to the Mill and back to the newspaper office. And of course Nevermore, the local bookstore ran by Lenore, a raven.

All in all this is a series you should definitely pick up if you like cozy mysteries, woodland creatures and a whimsical story.

Chelsea

Comments

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