Vera Vixen, ace journalist, investigates the seamy side of academic life in the fifth book in the Shady Hollow series. She helps chaperone a group of students to Summers End, where an ancient tomb is being excavated. The tomb may hold clues to how animals all came to work together and live more or less in harmony. But when one of the academics turns up dead at the site, Vera and her best friend Lenore must find new resources to solve the murder.

This is a great series and I enjoy how the various creatures interact in ways that are sometimes all too human. Just like us, they have their foibles and stereotypes (industrious beavers, clever foxes, etc.), and it's fun to see how the authors keep them familiar, but also just a bit different. While Vera is the heroine, the sense of community that the animals share is also a main character.

Vera is once again thwarted by local law enforcement in the course of her investigation, as well as by some of the citizenry. She and Lenore must use all their skills and cunning to solve the case. Fortunately, they're up to the task.

I loved seeing the characters in a new setting. Vera also acquires a protégé, and it gives her opportunity for some introspection and character development.

Why you should read this book: Vera is a great heroine, and always gets her story. The new setting and new characters add extra flavor to the mix, and help make this a great addition to the series.

Why you might not want to read this: If you don't like anthropomorphized animals and will get stuck on wondering how they're able to do all the things they do in the book without opposable thumbs, this probably isn't the series for you.

I received an advance copy from Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor | Vintage via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 out of 5 stars. Recommended.

I am a Shady Hollow lover through and through; I am always recommending the series to family and friends. Summers End is not my favorite of the series, unfortunately. There were several things that didn't work as well for me and some that absolutely still did.
Pros:
Vera Vixen is a great MC. She's clever and intuitive, without being unkind.
Lefty and Lenore are some of my favorite secondary characters of the series and because of the location change we got to see even more of them in this book.
Some of the new characters were great - I really liked Professor Ford and would be interested to see him reappear in other books.
The mystery itself was intriguing and provide the reader with enough twists to keep most guessing.
Another beautifully designed cover!

Cons:
The location change - I actually really liked seeing a different town, but some choices made it harder for me to appreciate.
I missed some of our other usually cast of characters, especially Orville. I thought that was going to be remedy via letters between Vera and Orville, but it was mentioned once and then not again until the last few pages. I would have liked to see them interact from afar.
I am not sure what to think about Lenore's family estrangement and the way the relationship with her sister was developed here. I'll reserve judgement for know since I think we will see more of that.
Some continuity issues - there were a few times in this outing that topic was mentioned and then never revisited. I think if that had been tightened up it would have helped with the other cons I mentioned.

Overall, this was a good outing for our friends in Shady Hollow, but I do look forward to a return to the quaint forest town we love.

This newest addition to the Shady Hollow series takes Vera Vixen and her best friend, Lenore the raven, to a famous prehistoric monument at Summers End, a town two days upriver. They’re chaperones for a school group until those duties get sidelined when the ram in charge of the site is murdered. Vera’s reporter’s instinct kicks in and she know she has to investigate because Lenore’s sister is the prime suspect.
As much as I love Shady Hollow and it’s residents, it was fun to see Vera and just a few friends in a new setting where she can no longer rely on her local knowledge and police chief beau, who happens to be a bear. The archeological descriptions of the site took my mind to Newgrange, in Ireland , and being in the very back of the passage when they shone in a bright light that hit the back in order to replicate the sunrise that hits it once a year. I loved Lenore’s sisters area of study, how the ancient stories and myths that have been passed down may reflect actual history. I enjoyed how the authors wove all of this into the plot.
If you’ve not read any of this series, prepare to take the advice of the authors and stop wondering how this world works, one in which a moose runs a coffee shop, a raven runs a bookstore and all kinds of creatures live together in harmony (well, mostly…), just let those matters go, you’ll be rewarded with a wonderful new world. My thanks to NetGalley, Vintage Books/Penguin Random House and the coauthors who write as one under the name Juneau Black for such an entertaining, charming world where I am more than happy to suspend my expectation normal and read about a crime solving fox.

Another excellent addition to the Shady Hollow series! This is the first time that the events of the story take place entirely outside of the town of Shady Hollow, and it was a refreshing change of pace. Some of our favorite characters are still present but we are also introduced to a whole new town comprised of some interesting individuals. The mystery was well thought out and fun to suss out alongside Vera, overall a delightful summer read.

I'm not big on cozy mysteries, but I do love clever little animals walking about, wearing clothes, and drinking tea—so I decided to request a review copy of Summers End. Also, the mystery here involves an ancient burial mound built by animals and the artifacts it contains, and little animals in clothes, plus archaeology was too tempting to ignore.

All and all, I found this book charming, if a bit twee. Juneau Black (actually a pen name for a pair of women who write this series together) has a deft hand with suspects and with herrings (red or otherwise), so the mystery has enough mystery to force one to do a bit of guessing.

If you're an adult who still finds Beatrix Potter's work charming, you'll be cooing over this series as you sip tea from your Benjamin Bunny mug. And, based on my experience, you can start with any volume you want in this series. There's backstory, but our author(s) introduce it nimbly.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.

Summer’s End, the latest cozy mystery in the Shady Hollow series by Juneau Black, is a delightful and refreshing addition that takes readers on a new adventure beyond the familiar borders of Shady Hollow. Vera Vixen, our favorite sleuthing fox, and her best friend, Lenore the raven, embark on an intriguing journey to unravel a murder mystery at an archaeological site.

This installment begins with Vera and Lenore chaperoning a group of high school students on a field trip to Summers End, an ancient site rich with woodland culture. The serene setting quickly turns mysterious when a professor's body is discovered. Vera, with her sharp reporter’s instincts, dives into the investigation, navigating academic rivalries and uncovering long-buried secrets.

The new setting of Summers End breathes fresh life into the series. It offers an exciting change of pace and introduces readers to new dynamics and characters. The archaeological backdrop is particularly fascinating, providing a perfect blend of cozy mystery and dark academia. While some might miss the comfort of Shady Hollow’s familiar faces and places, the new environment adds a refreshing twist to the series.

Vera and Lenore's deepening friendship is beautifully portrayed, adding warmth and charm to the story. The introduction of a junior reporter, a curious vole, brings an adorable new element to the mix. The characters remain as endearing as ever, and their interactions are a joy to read.

The mystery itself is engaging and keeps readers on their toes. Even if the culprit may seem predictable to some, the journey to uncover the truth is filled with delightful twists and turns. The inclusion of myths from Shady Hollow's history enriches the narrative, seamlessly integrating the new setting into the beloved world we’ve come to know.

Overall, Summer’s End is a wonderful addition to the Shady Hollow series. It maintains the charm and coziness of the previous books while introducing an exciting new setting and intriguing characters. Fans of the series will thoroughly enjoy Vera and Lenore's latest adventure and look forward to more mysteries in the cozy, familiar streets of Shady Hollow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Summer’s End is the latest cozy mystery in the Shady Hollow series, a grouping of novels with woodland creatures located in a special town of their own where murders sometimes occur. Once again we enjoy Vera the fox, a novice sleuth, running into a dead body. She uses her reporter’s instincts to flush out clues and the killer. However I enjoyed this installment less than usual because although Vera has one of her friends with her, this mystery does not take place in comfortable, familiar Shady Hollow. Perhaps the author felt the need to add more zip with characters and a town that were all new, but I missed the usual suspects, their comments, and the sweet locations where they usually meet. In addition, the occasion for the out of town visit of observing a burial site we a bit boring for me. We see Vera and her best buddy Lenora the raven get even closer as friends and there is an addition of a junior reporter who is a vole with the same inquisitive nature as Vera. The murderer was actually guessable early on in the story, totally based on the animal that died and the characters in the neighboring town. I will look forward to the next mystery in the series if it’s back in the town we know and where we feel at home. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this earc in return for my honest review.

Thanks to Net Galley for an ARC e-book!

The forest creatures mystery crew is at it again, but this time they're on a summer school trip, chaperoning the youth of Shady Hollow to an ancient burial site and archaeological dig.

With not just a murder but a string of thefts to investigate, this installment brings in some new dynamics and new characters while focusing on the core team of besties Vera (fox) and Lenore (raven). Journalist and amateur detective Vera even has time to fleetingly wonder about her transactional relationships in pursuit of the truth before getting back on her bullsh*t.

If you are looking for super cozy (anthropomorphized animals, many breakfast pastries, bucolic descriptions of nature) and solvable you will not be disappointed.

I keep reading these because they are light and I am invested in the goings on of this sweet little community the authors have created. It was also really cool to get more world building in the form of myths from Shady Hollow's history.

Review also posted on goodreads.

We are back in Shady Hollow with Vera the newspaper journalist. She has signed up to be a chaperone from the local high school to go to Summers End, an archaeological site. They find a lot of professors fighting about everything. They also find a dead body.
Vera uses her sense of curiosity to investigate the murder. I really enjoyed this mystery and had no clue whodunnit. I love the quirkiness of each character. Overall, a fantastic cozy mystery.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley.

The joy of returning to the world of Shady Hollow, where various animals live in harmony (except for when they murder each other). Good thing reporter Vera Vixen, a fox, is on duty. In this book, she helps chaperone high school students on trip to Summers End, a vital archaeological site for sentient woodland creatures. There, a professor is soon found dead, and Vera has to delve through academic gossip and small town shenanigans to find out who the murderer is.

I don’t mind at all that I guessed the guilty party early on. This book is a joyous romp, everything a cozy mystery should be, and all the more charming because of its diverse citizens and unique setting. This remains one of my current favorite cozy series!

I can not get enough of this series!

Summers End is the 5th installment of this series and just like the others, this was a fun, relaxing read and a much appreciated palette cleanser. One of the sweetest treats in this series is that all the characters are animals, usually a cozy mystery will feature an animal on the cover but they have no real importance, but nope! No people here! Anyone who knows me will tell you if there is a Raccoon involved, I'll be there, so I was over the moon to see Lefty make an appearance again as a core character in this world!

Once again we are following Vera Vixen (our favorite foxy detective news reporter) as she tries to find the truth.

Summer is at it's close and where better to celebrate this change of seasons than in the town of Summers End. Summers End is a historical archeological site that would be comparable to Stonehenge. While the school is talking their field trip, Vera and Lenore decide they can volunteer to help keep all the littles ones in line. They are prepared for sneak outs and general trouble making, but what they are not prepared for is seemingly ritualistic murder.

While a few fan favorites critters are present, Vera and Lenore for the most part will have to navigate this mystery with new shop owners, new law enforcement, new towns folks and new suspects!

I enjoyed the new scenery presented in this title as well as the new cast of characters! It's always a delight to see this world expand.

I found the mystery itself to be entertaining and easy to read. These books are great for people looking for something lighthearted and simple. I had my suspicions but was pleased to be left guessing for the majority of the novel!

I will say I was delighted with what felt like a bonus at the end of this story. While I was excited to see who done it, I was also thrilled to see an extra discovery made before it's conclusion. No spoilers, but it was just a little treat in my opinion how things wrapped up.

This is such a fun cozy mystery! It has a “winds in the willow” meets “Agatha Christie” feel to it.

The animal characters are so fun and the use of seasons in the books makes it extra special. This multilayered mystery is one I’ll come back to.

Thank you NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an advance copy of “Summer’s End” by Juneau Black. This non spoilers review is of my own, honest opinion.

You can see my reviews on GoodReads and Instagram:
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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6600799315

"A unique take on dark academia, featuring everyone's favorite vulpine sleuth, Vera Vixen."

Vera Vixen solves another mystery but this time in Summers End. Vera Vixen volunteered to help chaperone an annual student trip to an archeological site in Summers End. As they are entering a tomb on the morning of the special sunrise, they discover that one of the professors had been murdered! It's up to our woodland friends to catch the murderer before they can escape!
I'm a huge fan of The Shady Hollow Mystery series. These books have the coziest mystery vibes. They are hard to put down once you stop reading. I recommend these books to all of my reader friends. Make sure to get your copy when it releases July 9, 2024!

As wonderful and delightful as always, I am such a huge fan of this cozy series and recommend it frequently. Was fun to see our characters explore a new place and bring in new faces

"A unique take on dark academia, featuring everyone's favorite vulpine sleuth, Vera Vixen.

It's late August in Shady Hollow, and intrepid reporter Vera Vixen agrees to chaperone the school's annual field trip to Summers End, an ancient tomb built by an early woodland culture. Naturally, her good friend Lenore Lee comes along to help her.

But when the group enters the tomb one morning, they find a corpse that is distinctly more...modern than expected. Digging deeper, Vera and Lenore discover that the deceased was involved in the recent excavation at the site, and very unpopular with their colleagues - including Lenore's sister, Ligeia. Now the fox and raven must delve into the dark world of academia and archaeology to clear Ligeia's name. Some creature at Summers End thought they were clever enough to get away with the perfect murder. Can Vera and Lenore unearth the truth in time?"

I mean, you KNOW this is the dark academia take you've been waiting for!

I was super excited to get an ARC of the have read all the pervious Shady hallow installments as well as the two short stories published only in kindle format. I really enjoy these cozy mysteries that take place the fictional town of Shady Hallow an functioning animal community where Vera Vixen (fox, reporter), Lenore Lee (Raven, bookstore owner), Deputy Orville Braun (Bear and Police Chief) work together to solve these cases. In this installment Vera and Loren sign up to chaperone the student trip to summer end, but everything falls apart at the start of the trip. I enjoy this story, but it took place in a nearby town and not in Shady Hallow. So, you don’t really get to visit Joe’s Coffee, a café owned by a Moose or the Bambo Patch, a vegetarian restaurant owned by Sun Lie (panda). I love the well written descriptions on food that often pop up in this series. They were still there in Summer’s End, but I missed the places I grown to know and love as a returning visitor the town of Shady Hallow.

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