The Shady Hollow Mystery series is one of my favorites; it has all the cozy vibes and charm but also with a well-thought out mystery to hold your interest. This addition takes us outside Shady Hollow (or the surrounding area) for the first time, and to the archeological site of Summer's End. I really enjoyed the component of the dig site as well as the rival world of academia. There were concurrent plots going on with this one, but the authors managed to tie it all together in the end. Overall, it wasn't my favorite since I missed being in Joe's Cafe and the town of Shady Hollow, but I really did enjoy it. I can't wait to add this one to my collection when it's published in July.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early copy!

Another great book from Juneau Black! This book was the perfect cozy mystery and did not disappoint. After reading the last book, I was a little hesitant to pick this one up because it was starting to read like a pro-police plot which I don’t tend to enjoy. This book didn’t include Vera’s boyfriend much at all but instead focused on a nearby town, Summer’s End. There is a murder that takes place here when Vera is on a field trip with some local school critters. And of course, she has to stay and get the scoop, along with her best friend and a few other trusted creatures. I really enjoy this writing style and story. I think it could even be read as a standalone without reading the previous books (although I still recommend the previous books too!). Thank you Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

One thing I saw addressed over and over with the first four books of the series, was that the mystery proved overly predictable. The charm of the characters and the setting made the story worthwhile regardless, however.
With this newest addition, I did not find that to be the case. I felt that there was a more intricate case to solve. Possibly due to the fact that there were more characters to keep track of. Also, the setting strayed from Shady Hollow, so the characters were less familiar. I did miss those friends; but enjoyed the time away.
There was one sentence that I would like to black out of the story, because it was completely unnecessary, other than to meet a politically correct checkmark for the publisher.
I will continue to read this endearing series. It is a solid three star series with such a cozy feel that I cannot resist. Topped with such endearing covers.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book ahead of its publication date.

I found the story being told from an animal POV was interesting however I’m not sure it was for me. I found it hard to engage with and I struggled to read because I wasn’t engaged. I may have to revisit this later and try again

4 stars
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Vera Vixen is back to solve another murder mystery! I have such a deep love for the Shady Hollow series and this book was no exception.

I eternally enjoy reading about a community of creatures living in harmony. I was excited to see the same characters a new setting, especially in such a relaxed place like Summer’s End. The murder was interesting and as an anthropologist, I loved the incorporation of the archaeology plot. It added a fun element to the book, clashing historical and modern death. The mystery and investigation was exciting to read. It was well considered and just twisty enough to keep me on my toes. I love our cast of characters in this one. As always, Vera and Lenore are some of my favorite Shady Hollow characters, so seeing a book with them as the leading characters was perfect. I loved the individual professors and how different they were from Shady Hollow regulars.

This book is such a fun little cozy murder mystery.

This whimsical series only continues to grow on me, if only because my dream life is to be a squirrel running an inn or a fox eating blueberry pancakes. It always takes me a bit to get used to Black's very factual writing style, but with each installment, the descriptions, pacing, and gradual reveal of information feel more natural and ultimately make the story compulsively readable. This book features a mix of returning characters and new suspects, as well as a very satisfying twist ending.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this early!

I have loved all of the shady hollow mysteries and this one did not disappoint! Our cast of characters expanded quite a bit with our new location but the mystery and drama remained the same. I was a little sad not to have Orville in most of the book, but the epilogue cuteness helped with that. My only complaint (MINOR) was that some of the plot seemed to move pretty slowly especially with Vera recognizing she’s missing something and then not doing anything to resolve that, which normally she would right away.

Excited for the next one though, which sounds like it will be sunset point?!?!

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advance copy of “Summer’s End” by Juneau Black.

I loved the four previous books in this series, so I was ecstatic to read the fifth! It did not disappoint. These books are so cozy and always right on theme. This brought all the bright, summery vibes. Loved the characters and as always, the murder mystery story was a joy to read. This is my favorite cozy mystery series! I know I can read anything by Juneau Black and love it.

E-arc provided by Netgalley

Another addition to the Shady Hollows novels and this one was cute and interesting however I'm hoping this series will come to an end soon as the charm is starting to wear off

I will have to revisit this book after I have read the previous titles in the series. Because these cozy mysteries are all about animals and are from the point of view of animals, I’m sure to enjoy it, but starting off with the fifth book in the series was probably not the right move after all.

Thank you NetGalley!

Summers End offers a tantalizing blend of mystery and academia, with a touch of wit and charm provided by the ever-clever Vera Vixen. Black weaves a captivating tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Vera and her friend Lenore through the twists and turns of the investigation. The setting of the ancient tomb adds an intriguing layer to the story, and the cast of characters is as colorful as they come. With its unique take on dark academia and a cunning vulpine sleuth at its center, Summers End is a delightful read for mystery lovers and fans of anthropomorphic fiction alike.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I have loved this series since book one. I love these cozy mysteries and all the animals involved in each book. When I saw I received an advance digital copy I was so excited. Having this book take place in a different part of the world of Shady Hallow was refreshing and exciting. Getting acquainted with new characters, while having some old friends was so much fun. I loved learning a new part of this world with new animals. Loved that Vera had Lenore by her side investigating the murder. Thank you to the writing duo for creating this amazing world and who still keep each book fun and new. Thank you Juneau Black, NetGalley and Vintage for this advance digital copy.

Within the last few months, I have devoured each of the books in this series and the short novellas. I couldn't get enough of them. With the last installment though, 'Twilight Falls', I was starting to feel that there was a pattern to the storytelling and plot twists as they had been laid out.

I went into 'Summers End' worried that this might be the last installment I would read in the series, but, I was HAPPILY surprised to see an exciting new format to the plot and storytelling with exciting action and twists that I didn't see coming!

This was an exciting story with a new location and interesting new characters being brought in. There was great character development for secondary characters and their interactions and place within the story felt right and needed.

I couldn't put this one down and am looking forward to more installments within the series!

THIS! WAS! SO! FUN!!!!! i already adore the Shady Hollow series but this one was so fresh and fun and NEW!!!! i loved meeting new characters and the setting for the crime was truly so original and made my history-loving self so happy. also, that plot twist????? i truly did not see that coming. probably one of the biggest “oh!” book moments ive had in a while!

5 books in and this cozy mystery series continues to delight. The way the series keeps switching up the setting and expanding the world seems to support Vera & company sleuthing for a while longer.

I am such fan of the Shady Hollow mystery series. I love the concept of having all animal characters, their co-habitation and relationships among , in our world, common enemies. A must for cozy mystery fans.

FIVE HUGE STARS! I sure hope Juneau Black keeps 'em coming because I'm hooked on this sweet mystery series. I feel like Vera, Lenore, Orville, and the rest of the gang are my friends now. I'm amazed at how well they incorporate the natural traits of the animals into their personalities and make it totally believable that a panda bear could have tea with a raven and a fox. These books just warm my heart.

I love this charming series of cozy mysteries with woodland critters and hope the authors continue it for many more installments.

In the fifth installment of the Shady Hollow Mystery series, we follow best friends Vera and Lenore on a school trip to the historic site of Summer's End. However, when their visit is interrupted by a murder and Lenore's sister, Ligeia, is framed, Vera must get to the truth!

This book is perfect to snuggle up and read with a hot cup of tea. The town of Summerhill is rich and vibrant, with colorful locals and academics alike, and many hidden places to explore, such as a shady antique shop, the best bakery in town, and the police station (which used to be a spa!).

For me, the richest part of the story was the world building. Through Vera's eyes, we get to hear all about the ancient cultures of the woodlands, and how they became the civilized community we know and love. Each professor contributes tidbits of information to the whole picture, and it's captivating.

Book six soon? We heard mentions of 'the city...' Is Vera heading there next?

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for this ARC!

I absolutely love the Shady Hollow series - it's such a quirky take on cozy mysteries. Don't think about it too hard, or you'll get hung up wondering how all of these animals live in harmony and do human jobs. But suspend disbelief and you get a loveable cast of characters, spearheaded by journalist Vera Vixen, who loves to embroil herself in a good murder mystery for the sake of getting the scoop first.

This book takes Vera and her friend, the raven Lenore, out of Shady Hollow and to the town of Summer's End as chaperones on a school trip to a Stonehenge-esque mysterious monument of animals past. Naturally, there's a murder, Vera insists on figuring out what happened, and we get a brand new cast of characters. Animal academics vying for research grants, innkeepers concerned about the tourist market, purveyors of antiques that may or may not be priceless artifacts. This one truly kept me guessing.

I love that each of the animals has a clearly outlined personality, one that typically reflects some of their animalistic characteristics as well. Vera is a meddler, but a cute and loveable one, and you know she'll get to the bottom of the case but also probably find herself in trouble at least once. It's generally low stakes, formulaic, and an absolute delight. I will read this series until the end of time. My absolute favorite cozies.