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.

Summers End is the fifth book in Juneau Black's Shady Hollow Mystery series. Vera Vixen is temporarily stepping away from her reporter duties to chaperone a school trip to Summers End with her friend Lenore. Summers End is an ancient tomb that is thought to have been built by the early woodland animals. It is the focus of study by many intellectuals in the animal community. While entering the tomb the group stumbles upon a body. Vera and Lenore must join together to solve the murder when Lenore's sister becomes a suspect.

I love this series so much. It remains so inventive and fun. I really look forward to getting new installments and was thrilled to be approved to read this one early. I can't wait to get my physical copy too. Aside from being fun books the artwork on the covers are always beautiful! Vera is one of my favorite leads out of all the cozy mysteries I have read. I loved getting a little insight into how this world of intelligent animals came to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A new favorite from this series!! These mysteries are perfect for someone in a reading slump. Murder mystery+ cute woodland animals+ a fox detective= a lovely cozy read. I especially enjoyed the dark academia vibes and the prickly professors in Summers End. I grew up being obsessed with archaeology, so the archaeological site and artifacts component of this one was really fun. I sometimes see complaints with this series about it being too predictable. I think the culprit was less obvious in this one than the others in the series. However, I personally don't mind the simple nature of the storylines in this series. The scenery and characters in this series add so much to my enjoyment that I don't feel like I miss elaborate twist and turns. I hope there will be more in the series! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC!

"Summers End" was an unusual, cozy mystery for me. All the characters are animals living in a world of animals—think modern-day Beatrice Potter creatures, Aesop's fables, or the Hundred Acre Wood without Christopher Robin. I was curious about this mystery because my local bookstore mystery book club selected another one from the same series (A Shady Hollow Mystery) for discussion. I decided to check out what it was all about.

Vera Vixen – a fox - is an intelligent reporter and detective who agrees to chaperone a group of students on their annual field trip to Summers End, an important historical place, a tomb with a significant meaning, especially on the day when the sun is in such a position that the rays enter the tunnel. It's a bit like the Stonehenge monument, but underground, a mystical and important landmark for the animals. Students are supposed to learn an appreciation for their ancestors; however, what awaits them at the underground stone altar is a body, obviously a recent murder victim. With her friends, Vera uncovers the mystery, not forgetting to discover all the charms of the local coffee shops; some descriptions of the excellent pastry in Summers End made me want to go to my local pastry shop.

I enjoyed this story very much. It's a cozy mystery with a good plot and a rather unexpected ending. Vera, a lady fox detective, is a great character. Other memorable characters include a grumpy professor, a poet peacock, a brilliant raven Lenore, and a deer chief inspector. Reading this novel feels fresh and relaxing, just what one expects from a good mystery.

Thank you Net Galley for this ARC. I am loving this series and loved seeing Lenore have some more character development in this story. This one was harder for me to get into but it was worth the read. I didn’t see the ending coming and it was really fun to have new characters.