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I didn’t think I’d read another book where the sleuths were animals after I picked up Three Bags Full almost 20 years ago, but here I’ve found another one — a whole series, in fact.
Shady Hollow is populated by a variety of animals that all get along just fine despite their different species’ natural tendencies to eat each other. Their town is a lovely, peaceful little spot, and life is good. But then its inhabitants are completely shocked when one of their own winds up murdered. Sure, the dead toad was roundly disliked, but no one seemed to have cause to kill him.
Vera Vixen hasn’t lived in Shady Hollow her whole life; she’s come to town from a larger city. But she’s serious about her reporting, and when news this big happens, Vera is going to sniff out the truth.
As she goes around town asking questions and, honestly, doing more than the inept (and inexperienced) police department, it becomes clear that someone will do anything to stop her from solving the murder. Even as she faces danger herself, Vera is undeterred.
This fun little murder mystery is a change of pace from the standard human fare. I enjoyed all the clever puns and little animal references throughout the story. If you’re looking for a light and quick mystery that’s clean and appropriate for pretty much all ages, go to the zoo … er, library, and check this out.
Rated: Mild. No profanity, a mild reference to a character having many lovers, an affair. There is only some mild violence, with two murders and an attempted killing, but no blood or gore. (It’s close to being a None.)
