“Shady Hollow” by Juneau Black is a cozy mystery. It is set in the charming village of animals, Shady Hollow. “Shady Hollow” is characterized by its whimsical and light-hearted tone, reminiscent of classic animal fables.
In this cozy mystery series, Brambly Hedge meets Agatha Christie.
Summary
The story is about Vera Vixen, a clever, curious fox. She is a reporter for the local newspaper. The tranquil life in Shady Hollow gets disrupted with the discovery of a dead toad named Otto in the millpond. Initially thought to be an accidental drowning, Vera’s keen instincts suggest foul play. Determined to uncover the truth, she delves into the investigation.
The more Vera investigates, the more she uncovers Otto’s numerous enemies and complicated history. Her investigation leads her to learn about Shady Hollow’s critters and their secrets.
In the end, Vera’s persistence pays off. She uncovers the true culprit and restores peace to Shady Hollow. The novel ends with a satisfying resolution. It leaves readers eager for more adventures in the quaint, curious village.
The mix of mystery, humor, and lovable characters makes “Shady Hollow” a charming read. It is a promising start to the series by Juneau Black.
Main Characters
Vera Vixen: A clever and determined fox who works as a reporter for the local newspaper. She is the protagonist and leads the investigation into Otto’s death.
BW Stone: Skunk and editor of the Shady Hollow Herald and Vera’s boss.
Lenore: A raven, Vera’s best friend, and owner of the town’s bookstore, Nevermore Books. Get the pun? It’s punny. Lenore provides valuable help during the investigation.
Lefty: A raccoon and a known town thief.
Heidegger: An owl and professor.
Gladys Honeysuckle: Town gossip.
Otto: A toad whose mysterious death sets off the main events of the story.
Joe: A moose who owns and operates the local coffee shop.
Chief Meade: A bear who is the police chief of Shady Hollow. He is a lazy police chief and rarely shows up to work.
Deputy Orville: Hardworking police bear. He will be a more important character throughout the Shady Hollow series.
Reginald von Beaverpelt: A distinguished beaver and owner of the sawmill.
Anastasia and Esmeralda von Beaverpelt: The two beaver daughters of Reginald von Beaverpelt.
Edith von Beaverpelt: Wife of Reginald von Beaverpelt.
Sun Li: A Giant panda with a mysterious past. He also runs the town restaurant, The Bamboo Patch.
Howard Chitters: An accountant mouse and a father to many litters of mice he needs to provide for.
These characters, with their unique personalities and roles within the village, create a rich tapestry of interactions and relationships that drive the narrative of “Shady Hollow.”
Cozy Mystery Rating:
Characters: 5 Stars
- Even with so many characters as a reader, I was not overwhelmed.
- I enjoyed the puns like Lenore, the Raven of Nevermore books.
- The characters’ animal types added to their personalities
Setting 5 Stars
- Shady Hollow the small town of woodland creatures (and others like the panda)
- Nevermore books owned by Lenore the Raven
- Joe’s Mug – the Coffee shop run by a moose named Joe
Plot 4 Stars
- The plot was easy to solve which may turn off some mystery lovers
- The protagonist, Vera, who is the town reporter and sleuth, stays on task and keeps the story moving.
- While the characters may have not appreciated the deceased character in the beginning of the story, by the end of the story they appreciate his character, and are glad justice was served.
Pacing 4 Stars
- It’s not a fast-paced book but there’s a lot going on.
- Uncovering more elements than just finding whodunit helps the pacing of the story.
- The setting doesn’t weigh down the plot.
Overall Rating: 4.5
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Best,
Anita