Sometimes I feel like reading something lighthearted, whimsical, and relaxing, especially in the fall, when the days start getting shorter and darker, and diving into a book that tackles serious issues doesn’t appeal. The Shady Hollow series latest – and the final – installment fits the bill. Vera Vixen, the village reporter and self-proclaimed detective, investigates the murder that occurred in the city where she once lived as a young fox. Oh, she is also a fox, just like the other residents of the village, who are all different forest creatures. However, they share the same problems as humans, although it seems they live in harmony and get along well… with some exceptions.
Vera is pleased living in a small village: she has a nice, albeit imposing, boyfriend, Orville (a bear), and a circle of friends. To her surprise, a visit from a city police inspector reveals that she is a primary suspect in the murder investigation. Granted, she was somewhat naïve as a young fox, and it caused her some troubles, heartbreaks, and even led to her being fired from her first important job, but it’s hard to believe that she would now decide to take revenge. She must investigate the crime, and do it quickly! Or should she instead escape somewhere and start a new life?
If one feels like escaping oneself, this time to a sleepy coastal village, with lots of cute shops, a bookstore run by Lenora, a crow, and Joe’s Mug diner, where you can find the best pastries available, this is the book that supplies all. The mystery is good, although I managed to guess the killer pretty quickly (and I didn’t really want that creature to be a killer…), and the final revealing scene is very satisfying. Although the series is over, there are still six books about this magical place, where animals live in harmony.
MOCKINGBIRD COURT by Juneau Black, Vintage, 2025
Infinite Books 
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