Juneau Black

A mystery novel debut from Juneau Black where Beatrix Potter meets Agatha Christie. Life in the peaceful village of Shady Hollow is home to all sorts of woodland creatures: from moose and mice, to bears and owls. They live together in harmony...until one of their own is found dead in the town millpond with a knife in his chest.

A Murder Mystery

Shady Hollow

The first book in the Shady Hollow series, in which we are introduced to the village of Shady Hollow, a place where woodland creatures live together in harmony--until a curmudgeonly toad turns up dead and the local reporter has to solve the case. Reporter Vera Vixen is a relative newcomer to Shady Hollow. The fox has a nose for news, so when she catches wind that the death might be a murder, she resolves to get to the bottom of the case, no matter where it leads. As she stirs up still waters, the fox exposes more than one mystery, and discovers that additional lives are in jeopardy. Vera finds more to this town than she ever suspected. It seems someone in the Hollow will do anything to keep her from solving the murder, and soon it will take all of Vera's cunning and quickness to crack the case. A VINTAGE CRIME/BLACK LIZARD ORIGINAL.

Raquel Garcia

Animals solving crime is very endearing but the mystery itself could’ve been written better

Margo Koss

I enjoyed this book, and liked how it had Zootopia vibes with the anthropomorphic characters. It was a good young adult mystery, although a bit predictable. I was confident I knew who the murderer was before it was revealed and I was correct. Nonetheless, it was a fun read.

Suzy

Madison Grady

2.5- it’s like animal crossing if they murdered each other… hm!

eh…it was cute ig? I liked the writing but the way the plot was written didn’t really catch me? I know its a “cozy” story but still, i was a bit bored and lost focus many times

Angelina

Shareca

Juneau Black has written an excellent cozy mystery in Shady Hollow. Unlike the traditional cozy mystery stories, a thoughtful and engaging narrative is infused with woodland creatures portraying human roles, with human traits blended with each species' quirks and characteristics. It is a lot of fun and what of the better aspects of the book. I rather enjoyed this one.

avanel young

it was cute and i’ll probably read the others in the series

The was a very quick and cosy read! I loved the world building and the quirkiness of the characters. The authors did a great job with making the characters different and interesting. The murder mystery was well done and kept me guessing whodunnit until the very end. Where it falls a bit short for me is 1. the omniscient narrator makes it hard for me to really connect with any of the characters, so it was hard for me to be emotionally invested 2. there were several moments where the authors reiterated something that just happened and that the readers could easily infer on their own. 

That being said, I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series! 

Floofyflower

The was a very quick and cosy read! I loved the world building and the quirkiness of the characters. The authors did a great job with making the characters different and interesting. The murder mystery was well done and kept me guessing whodunnit until the very end. Where it falls a bit short for me is 1. the omniscient narrator makes it hard for me to really connect with any of the characters, so it was hard for me to be emotionally invested 2. there were several moments where the authors reiterated something that just happened and that the readers could easily infer on their own. 

That being said, I’m looking forward to reading the next books in the series! 

Jackie 

A cozy mystery with woodland creatures as the main characters?? Yes, please. This book was such a great escape and fast read. Is there murder? Yes. Is it still adorable? Somehow, yes. This book would be a great introduction to mystery books for teens and young adults, but is definitely for readers of any age. I look forward to picking up Cold Clay and Mirror Lake to continue the Shady Hollow Mystery saga.

This was so much fun. It felt like Murder, She Wrote meets Zootopia. Though, I'm a little confused by it being categorized as a middle grade because it felt more mature than that. It was clever, entertaining, and cozy. If you're looking for a murder mystery to read this fall, check this one out.

Heather Harrington

Carrington Kinslow

This book was a lot of fun. I didn’t fall in love with it or anything, but it was a nice little step into the mystery genre, and I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. It was cute and sweet with the lil woodland creatures as the cast. But, it was also a really entertaining mystery. The characters were so fun, and I was pretty invested in the story. But, while I don’t read mystery much, this was pretty predictable. Nevertheless, it was fun and I enjoyed it. 

Shady Hollow - 3.5 Stars

“In the woodland village of Shady Hollow, animals live side by side, predator and prey alike. Life is quiet, and the harmony is threatened by nothing bigger than local gossip. Reporter Vera Vixen is a recent transplant, and she doesn’t let anything stand in the way of getting the scoop. The most recent piece of news was the crowning of a new spelling bee champion, eight-year-old Ashley Chitters. When local grouch Otto Sumpf is found dead in the mill pond, the suspicious circumstances shake up the town and bring several issues to light. Vera is hot on the trail of the killer, putting herself in the direct path of danger. Has Miss Vixen met her match in murder, or will her nose for news solve the case before more bodies appear?”

I’m going to keep my spiel short and sweet, just like 

If you’re the kid who grew up watching 

 on Nick Jr., this is the adult version with a pinch of murder and a dash of sleuthing. The setting is just as charming as the book cover advertises, and the story is the embodiment of cozy. Did I mention there’s a map of the town à la Hundred Acre Wood? My ideal day now has a new look: coffee at Joe’s Mug, hours of shopping at Nevermore Books, and lunch at the Bamboo Patch.

I flew through 219 pages and bought the other three books in the series before the ink had a chance to dry on Vera Vixen’s newspaper article. The pace is so soothing, and my only regret is picking this up during the heat of summer because it’s much more suited to a blanket nest and pumpkin spice latte; I would add chilly weather to the list, but I live in California so that only happens on one random week day in February, if we’re lucky. I’m struggling not to award this book with every star in existence, but the big reveal broke up the comfortable rhythm, not bad but more abrupt than it needed to be. My rating is an optimistic 

, and I’m fully prepared for this to become a new favorite series and obsession I won’t shut up about. I’m dying from the adorableness as I speak so I’m leaving now to pick up the sequel because life outside Shady Hollow isn’t worth living.

This section of my review is thorough and might contain 

 Mentions of Alcohol, Beer, Cigars, Cigar Smoking, Cordial, Intoxication, Liquor, Pipe Smoking, Spirits, & Wine

The murder investigation involves blood, drowning, a head wound, poison, stabbing by knife, & descriptions of dead bodies.

A character is revealed to be a former surgeon whose license was revoked after a patient died during what should’ve been a routine surgery.

There’s an attempted attack, the attacker loosening a boulder to roll down a hill & crush the victim; the victim suffers a few bruises from jumping out of the way.

During a knife attack, the victim suffers a paw wound & multiple cuts from broken glass after an escape attempt through a window.

Brief mention of spending one year living & praying in silence at a monastery

During Otto’s funeral at the cemetery, we’re introduced to Parson James “Dusty” Conkers, a clergyman from Shady Hollow Church.

There’s a character who’s treated with contempt due to her reputation as a serial dater who entertains many different men at her home, at least one of them married. Throughout the book, she’s referred to as “Home Wrecker,” “Hussy,” “Mistress,” & “Lover.”

Joe has been a single father to his son Joe Jr. ever since his wife left them without reason or warning.

Lauren Stewart

“In the woodland village of Shady Hollow, animals live side by side, predator and prey alike. Life is quiet, and the harmony is threatened by nothing bigger than local gossip. Reporter Vera Vixen is a recent transplant, and she doesn’t let anything stand in the way of getting the scoop. The most recent piece of news was the crowning of a new spelling bee champion, eight-year-old Ashley Chitters. When local grouch Otto Sumpf is found dead in the mill pond, the suspicious circumstances shake up the town and bring several issues to light. Vera is hot on the trail of the killer, putting herself in the direct path of danger. Has Miss Vixen met her match in murder, or will her nose for news solve the case before more bodies appear?”

I’m going to keep my spiel short and sweet, just like “Shady Hollow.” If you’re the kid who grew up watching Franklin and Little Bear on Nick Jr., this is the adult version with a pinch of murder and a dash of sleuthing. The setting is just as charming as the book cover advertises, and the story is the embodiment of cozy. Did I mention there’s a map of the town à la Hundred Acre Wood? My ideal day now has a new look: coffee at Joe’s Mug, hours of shopping at Nevermore Books, and lunch at the Bamboo Patch.

I flew through 219 pages and bought the other three books in the series before the ink had a chance to dry on Vera Vixen’s newspaper article. The pace is so soothing, and my only regret is picking this up during the heat of summer because it’s much more suited to a blanket nest and pumpkin spice latte; I would add chilly weather to the list, but I live in California so that only happens on one random week day in February, if we’re lucky. I’m struggling not to award this book with every star in existence, but the big reveal broke up the comfortable rhythm, not bad but more abrupt than it needed to be. My rating is an optimistic four stars, and I’m fully prepared for this to become a new favorite series and obsession I won’t shut up about. I’m dying from the adorableness as I speak so I’m leaving now to pick up the sequel because life outside Shady Hollow isn’t worth living.

•

Content Breakdown:

*Disclaimer: This section of my review is thorough and might contain SPOILERS.

Alcohol & Smoking: Mentions of Alcohol, Beer, Cigars, Cigar Smoking, Cordial, Intoxication, Liquor, Pipe Smoking, Spirits, & Wine

Blood, Death, & Violence: The murder investigation involves blood, drowning, a head wound, poison, stabbing by knife, & descriptions of dead bodies.

A character is revealed to be a former surgeon whose license was revoked after a patient died during what should’ve been a routine surgery.

There’s an attempted attack, the attacker loosening a boulder to roll down a hill & crush the victim; the victim suffers a few bruises from jumping out of the way.

During a knife attack, the victim suffers a paw wound & multiple cuts from broken glass after an escape attempt through a window.

Religion/Spirituality: Brief mention of spending one year living & praying in silence at a monastery

During Otto’s funeral at the cemetery, we’re introduced to Parson James “Dusty” Conkers, a clergyman from Shady Hollow Church.

Sensual/Sexual: There’s a character who’s treated with contempt due to her reputation as a serial dater who entertains many different men at her home, at least one of them married. Throughout the book, she’s referred to as “Home Wrecker,” “Hussy,” “Mistress,” & “Lover.”

Single Parenthood: Joe has been a single father to his son Joe Jr. ever since his wife left them without reason or warning.

Shady Hollow A Murder Mystery

Reviews