This was weird and different in a fun way. I didn't know what to expect and found a very human connection with that horse.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch!

I have seen all the raving reviews for Pony and was curious myself to see how I'd feel about it.

Unfortunately, I am in the outlier island on this one. I really enjoyed the overall adventure and story behind Pony but it just fell flat to me.

I was a tad bored by all the different owners for Pony and was skimming a lot of this. I felt the second half was better but it still left me wanting more from the story.

Overall, ok read not the best.

3/5 stars

Pony Confidential is quite possibly the most incredibly odd book I have ever read. When given the opportunity to review it for Berkley, I must have misread the small blurb at the beginning of the summary: "In this one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit." There was quite a bit of confusion and then delight when I realized that I had legitimately missed that the Pony had a POV!
This was a slow burn kind of mystery because quite a lot happened and to be honest not a lot of it had anything to do with the murder and a lot more to do with how this pony travelled. In fact, I forgot it was a mystery at all most of the time because I was just enjoying reading about all the absolute nonsense he got up to. I humbly ask that Christina Lynch give us a sequel about the rat and racehorse love story (yes you read that right).

A pony who saves the day? Sign me up!

This novel is told in two perspectives, Pony and Penny. Pony goes to the ends of earth and back again (multiple times which got a little old) to save his one true love, Penny. Penny & Pony were inseparable, until Penny moved to the city and Pony was sold. Until 25 years later, Pony races to try to save Penny who is on trial for murder.

I really enjoyed the antics of Pony and all the animal perspectives that we get, but the "adventuring" was over the top, and all the different owners of Pony (while I appreciated the message, it just could've been edited down a bit to hit harder). I really enjoyed the ending and how everything wrapped up, and the tension at the end had me racing to the turn the pages. Overall, I think the first half could've been edited down and written a little tighter to keep the reader interested.

Overall, I was a little disappointed in the execution of this book, the premise was amazing but the story itself fell a little flat for this reader.

Deadpool Black Beauty meets Homeward Bound. This book is everything. Written in dual timelines and POV’s (yes, the pony writes from his perspective and it’s brilliant) it’s got adventure, animal sass, incredible heart, and even a murder mystery! I completely loved it. It made me cry. Read this book!!!

***NO SPOILERS***

Meet Pony. Once owned and beloved by Penny, Pony got sold without warning when Penny was twelve. More than two decades later, he’s still bitter about it and one day runs away to find Penny and confront her. Christina Lynch’s PONY CONFIDENTIAL is a cute, funny, and sometimes wry murder mystery told in alternating chapters from the perspectives of this likable pony and the equally likable Penny.

In Pony’s chapters readers go on a harrowing cross-country adventure as he’s guided by educated guesses, his acute sense of smell, and other animal characters. Lynch threw in many creative obstacles and repeatedly put Pony in jeopardy as he finds himself taken to a racetrack, a horse show, an island of wild horses à la Assateague Island, and a ramshackle petting zoo, among other colorful places. The transience of the story is a large part of its appeal. In each setting Pony meets new endearing animal personalities before encountering the latest obstacle on his journey. The horseshoe in the cover design isn’t just because the book has a pony character—Pony is apparently the luckiest animal on the planet. He’s rescued or escapes every predicament and forges on, as happily as ever. But PONY CONFIDENTIAL is about a pony solving a murder, so readers should have suspended disbelief from page one.

In Penny’s chapters readers see her getting arrested and languishing in jail as she awaits trial for allegedly murdering a man when she was a child. Her efforts to get exonerated are their own journey, and although unlike Pony she spends most of her time in one place, her storyline is somehow just as engaging as his. Two villains are one-dimensional but well described as people to be feared. PONY CONFIDENTIAL is imaginative and unpredictable, heavy on amusing moments as its mystery moves steadily toward a surprising whodunnit-reveal.

Although Lynch’s book is cute, it avoids <i>cutesiness</i> thanks to its tone of occasional cynicism from Pony and plentiful sarcastic asides from a pessimistic goat friend. In Penny’s chapters this fluff book loses a little fluff as Lynch highlighted some of what’s unfair about the criminal-justice system. She used Pony’s chapters to (nongraphically) highlight animal mistreatment. Nevertheless, Lynch kept heavy observations minimal to ensure her light read stayed light, and here her definition of “light” means a winning combination of whimsy, charming animals, ridiculousness, and a dash of tang to prevent it all from becoming saccharine. Lynch created something strongly heartwarming and easy to like, even by readers who normally prefer deep, serious mysteries.

This was one of my highly anticipated reads but unfortunately it just didn't hit the mark for me. The story follows the POV of an irascible pony and his former owner who is being tried for a murder she claims she didn't commit. It's a Cute premised with plenty of Snark but felt unnecessarily Long at times. The pony's narration seemed too try-hard funny at times and all of his adventures started jumbling together in my brain because he was either constantly in peril or getting in trouble.

Read if you enjoy:
Anthropomorphism
Horses (think Black Beauty, Mr. Ed, and Perestroika in Paris by Jane Smiley)
Sassy attitudes
Light mystery

When Penny, a mild-mannered school teacher and mother of a teenager, is arrested for murder, she thinks there must be some mistake. The crime occurred twenty years ago, making her only twelve at the time, and she simply didn't do it. But the criminal justice system continues along a snail's pace, with only the public defender's intern willing to hear side of the story--even if there's not much she can do about it, either. Meanwhile, Penny's childhood pony crisscrosses the the country, looking for the human who abandoned him a decade prior, set on revenge. That is, until a hound and a goat show him that maybe it was he who abandoned his human, not the other way around. So the pony continues to seek Penny, now to apologize... and maybe solve a murder along the way.

A truly bizarre premise, right? A non-anthropomorphic pony traversing the United States solving a murder? I was hesitant to pick this one up for exactly that reason, but when I saw the stellar reviews, and then had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook, I was just to curious to resist--because what *does* a pony sound like? (A disgruntled 35 year old man with attitude is the answer.) This book was a fun ride. Penny's chapters made me really angry at the American legal system, and the pony's chapters were enlightening in a different way. I'm not really an animal person, and certainly not a horse girl, but looking at the world through the eyes of a pony was certainly fascinating. I think this book would be a good read--and excellent listen--for mystery lovers looking for something unique, horse and animal lovers, and people like me who were just too darn curious as to how everything would work out.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC and PRHA for my ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

I honestly did not expect to love this one as much as I did, but from the moment I heard Pony’s voice, I knew I was in for a treat! Pony Confidential is part animal caper, part murder mystery, and all heart and humor. When Penny is jailed for a murder that took place 25 years ago – a murder Pony knows she did not commit – he will overcome impossible odds and crisscross the country multiple times to save Penny.

This book is perfect for readers who love a smart, funny, and insightful animal POV – think Charlotte’s Web, Marcellus from Remarkably Bright Creatures, or Six-Thirty the Dog from Lessons in Chemistry.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me an advance copy of this book.

I truly didn't know what to expect when I opened up this book, but I can confidently say any expectations I had were exceeded. I loved the mystery, it kept me on my toes. I loved the duelling perspectives from Penny and Pony. I laughed out loud several times throughout the course of the book, largely due to Pony and the absurd situations and he found himself in.

I was particularly impressed by the attention to detail in the setting. Because Pony was moving all of the time, it would have been easy to be nondescript about the parts of the country that he was in, but Lynch did not do that. Instead, every description of setting made me feel like I was on the journey with Pony. And being very familiar with several of the settings, I can say she was accurate!

The cast of characters, from Lisa to Laus, all the other ponies and horses, Dr. Rat, Caya, Circe, and most of all Tella gave this story so much depth. I loved getting to know them all and watch them help (or hinder) Penny and Pony in there quest to find each other. I can't recommend this book enough!

Pony Confidential is worth all the hype. It's a very unique mystery, told from the point of view of a mischievous and determined pony on a quest to find his person. I've grown up with working with horses (and my share of ponies) and Lynch completely nailed the idiosyncrasies and quirks. I laughed my way through this book, especially Pony's various thoughts and conversations.

While it's a great story in itself, the premise that Pony is trying to find his forever person, while at the same time trying to help her solve a murder is fantastic. I honestly loved this book and can't recommend it enough!

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book immediately reminded me of Anna Sewell's “Black Beauty”, as the eponymous character narrates his increasingly harrowing life before finally finding peace and safety many years later.

In this case, the equine narrator is a pony who harbours intense anger toward the twelve-year-old girl who loved him then abandoned him. He's cultivated a bad attitude because of his anger, biting humans and generally being a menace. Consequently, our narrator has been passed from owner to owner, each time Pony is a little more angry, a little more determined to find that girl, Penny, and let her know that he's mad and hurt.

Meanwhile, Penny grew up, and never got over the loss of her parents selling her pony, whom she loved unreservedly. She has never felt as happy since, or as transported, as when she was with her even then grumpy pony.

Penny is a grade school teacher, is married with a teenaged daughter who has suffered from being too intensely sensitive to everything around her, driving Penny around the bend, and sometimes causing her to wish she did not have to deal with Tella. Penny drops Tella off at a camp for kids with a variety of mental health issues, and is later arrested by police for a murder that occurred when Penny was twelve, and lived across the country.

Penny discovers just how much injustice is part of the justice system, as she ends up in jail, accused of killing someone on a day she was riding her pony with a boy she was trying to impress. Penny cannot fully remember what occurred that day, and her public defender's intern doesn't hold out much hope of Penny of getting out of jail any time soon.

When Pony discovers that his understanding of what really happened the day that separated him from Penny (Pony has many conversations with a rat, horse, goat, dog, etc.) Pony is contrite. And he decides to reunite with Penny and apologize.

Pony then begins an epic journey travelling the country in search of Penny, again receiving much needed help from other animals, starting from where he last saw her, and in the process, begins to unravel the true events years ago that led to a man's death. Pony also discovers kindness and empathy within himself, making friends with those who help him.

While Pony's journey changes him profoundly while travelling back and froth across the country, Penny stays in one place, and discovers just how much she loves her small family. Her case does not look good, but it's Pony's efforts, putting details together, that save her.

This book should not have worked. A pony as a main character, whose first person narration is full of grumpiness, anger, and a transactional approach to others, should have either been too cute or too hard to swallow. Instead, despite the dangers and cruelty he encounters at each destination, there is friendship, and lessons offered by various other lovable animals, with a growing understanding that his behaviour has been less than exemplary.

Penny's third person perspective chapters are equally compelling, as her belief in how the world works is blown apart by her experiences in the justice system. We see enough of the baddies in this story to understand that they're self-absorbed, and lacking empathy, and that without some sort of miraculous intervention (i.e., Pony), Penny's chances are slim of ever going home.

The concept could have become a cute, silly story, but author Christina Lynch instead has crafted something incredibly affecting. Even with scenes of animal mistreatment and abuse, and the problems in the justice system, this is an incredibly hopeful story, full of love, humour, and friendship. And tasty carrots.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for my review.

From the moment this book’s point of view switches over to that of the pony at the heart of the dual narrative, I was deeply in love:

QUOTE
I am a pony. But not just any pony. I am a pony who is bent on revenge. I am the Iago of ponies, a furry Fury. I am both adorable and devious, and, until I get what I want, I’m going to make every human I meet pay for your collective crimes. I am a tiny, mop-topped demon, and I am coming for you.
END QUOTE

I was so taken by this voice, by this juxtaposition of anger and adorableness, that I immediately took a picture of this paragraph to send to my bookish group chat. I was never a horse girl growing up – though I absolutely wanted to be! – but I am a woman who’s been underestimated and disdained for being small and pretty more times in my life than I care to think about. The Pony’s rage resonates, even before you find out what he’s mad about and what he ultimately decides to do about it.

Fifteen years ago, The Pony belonged to a young girl named Penny, who promised that they’d be together forever. But one day she left, and he was sold and has never really known happiness since. Older, bitter and facing the unwelcome prospect of being sent to become food at a big cat sanctuary, he’s determined now to find her and exact his revenge.

Penny, meanwhile, has grown up to be a wife, mother and schoolteacher. Her life is fine enough, until she’s arrested for a murder she didn’t commit and definitely doesn’t remember. Extradited from her California home to a holding cell in a New York prison, she has a lot of empty time in which to reflect on her life and past. When a fellow prisoner exhorts her to think of happier times in an effort to avoid despair, her thoughts unerringly turn back to the sweet pony she was forced to leave behind as a child:

QUOTE
I loved that pony more than I have ever loved anyone. I’ve known that for a long time, but I felt guilty about it. My husband, my child. I love them, of course. But it’s so complicated. I never feel like I’m doing it right.

Every time I looked at the pony, my heart would swell and lift and sing. I loved everything about him, even his naughtiness and bad moods and little tricks. I loved the little black tips of his ears, and his prickery whiskers, and the feathers on his fetlocks. The silly frizz of hairs that stuck up around the base of his tail. He wasn’t the tallest or most athletic or most beautiful. It didn’t matter. He gave me courage, he made me laugh. I loved him intensely, with a connection that I have never felt since then.
END QUOTE

As The Pony embarks on a cross-country odyssey to find his former owner, Penny must also contemplate the circumstances under which they parted: the very same circumstances that have now landed her in jail. At the mercy of the carceral system, Penny has to fight with what few resources she has to establish her innocence in hopes of regaining her freedom. The Pony, meanwhile, learns a thing or two about his own culpability in their separation. When he finally discovers where she is now and why, he must take it upon himself to help prove that she’s no murderer. Will their efforts be enough, though, to ensure at least their reunification, if not an outright happily ever after?

I know that this book sounds completely bonkers, but it is truly one of the most heartfelt, thoughtful and hilarious books I’ve read in 2024. The Pony spends years blaming Penny for their rupture when he was absolutely as responsible as she was: their separate recollections of and reconciliations with the past make for one of the most convincing arguments for self-reflection I’ve read in ages. Further, Penny’s ordeal in prison is a clear-eyed indictment of a criminal justice system skewed towards the rich. Perhaps most importantly, however, this book is a celebration of friendship and family and the kind of pure, uncomplicated love that is all too rare, and should be all the more cherished and fought for because of it.

This is such a fun, interesting, and intriguing story that follows the two main characters, The Pony and Penny, as they each navigate their own set of challenging circumstances. I love all of the wonderfully colorful animals we meet along Pony's journey that add to his adventures. Penny's storyline is not as fast-paced, but it's an enlightening look at the flaws in our justice system as she faces a murder charge from her childhood. I love being surprised by a unique plotline and I really enjoyed this engaging debut novel.

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch is a unique standalone novel about a Pony and his former owner, Penny. Years have passed, and Penny has never forgotten her childhood memories of her love for her Pony, when she was 12 years old: she is now 37 years old. The story opens when Penny opens the door, and the police are arresting her for a murder, that she may have committed when she was 12 years old. She is whisked back to Ithaca, NY, where she grew up.
Pony has constantly been passed over from many different owners, and now he is fed up, determined to find the only girl he ever loved; Penny. Pony busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to find her. Pony can talk to all animals, and gets help from them, but the mission that he embarks on is a long-drawn-out journey. It was fun with Pony being one of the narrators, and listening to him talk to the other animals; dog, birds, rat, sparrow, goat, butterflies and other species, who will eventually lead him to where he can find Penny. Each animal has a distinct personality; including other horses who give Pony advice. Pony will also learn along the way, that Penny is in danger, and he needs to save her.
Penny works with a law student, as her actual attorney only appears in the courtroom. Slowly, Penny’s memories begin to remember that day 25 years ago, when someone else committed the murder. Pony also remembers when another horse played a prank on Penny and the boy she was riding with, leaving both stranded in the woods. Of course, Pony feels guilt, as he is determined to rescue Penny; since she was attacked, and someone was killed; but Penny was not the murderer. The family moved away, and Penny never was able to say good-bye to her wonderful Pony.

Penny’s daughter pays a big part closer to the end, as she finds Pony, and together they will help Penny discover the two villains who were the true murderers. I really loved Pony, and his friends who helped him to find Penny, and the real culprits. This was a wonderful ending. Pony Confidential was an interesting and different kind of story, which was so very well written by Christine Lynch.

This was such a lovely book! The premise sounded really interesting, unlike anything I've ever read. I'm glad to say it also delivered! The main characters were quirky, and the plot was very entertaining. It left me on the edge of my seat! This is definitely a book I can recommend.

Pony and Penny have a bond that even a 25 year separation can't break. What will Pony do to reunite with his dear Penny again and save her from a lenghty prison sentence for murder? He will criss cross the country from side to side and top to bottom in a quest to find Penny and show her how much he loves his girl.

This was a surprisingly engaging read. Pony is a rascal at times -- most of them are -- and his "frequent trotter miles" accumulate through trotting, riding, paddle boarding, swimming, plodding, and more. . . How many places that Pony visits are also places you have visited?

Penny has been falsely accused of a murder that happened decades ago when she was twelve. Her memories of that night will need to be brought to the forefront to save her from a prison sentence. Her frustrations with the legal system are heartbreaking and her determinination to bring about change is inspiring.

If you have ever had a pony or wanted a pony, this book is for you. I couldn't help thinking of my faithful pony Trudy. She was a competitive little thing and always wanted to be the fastest in the bunch. 🐴

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Berkley Pub for the free book and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I knew to expect a pony POV, but I had not expected the pony to introduce itself as vengeful, mean-spirited, and hateful of children. It was a rocky start for me. But I came to really love the pony and it's pervious person, Penny.

There's a lot going on in this book with a closed case murder mystery, present suspense and intrigue, and a pony taking multiple cross-country adventures. And I became surprisingly invested in all of it.

The book incorporates strong themes of environmentalism, the treatment of animals, and the criminal justice system. There are fascinating metaphors of jail and cages that really explore treatment in a variety of ways.

I found it utterly fascinating and so thought-provoking.

Rounded up to 4 stars

As seen on www.mysteryandsuspense.com

Author Christina Lynch has managed to craft an engaging, entertaining mystery novel with a pony as the protagonist. Yes, a four-legged, adorable, rideable pony. Although he goes by many names depending on who owns him at the time, he is identified to readers as “Pony,” and his quest to find his previous owner during her darkest time is both fun and heartwarming.

Penny can’t remember a time when she was happier than when she was spending time with her beloved Pony. Even though it’s been twenty-five years, her times with Pony were some of the best of her life. Now, she is a teacher, a mother, and a wife, living a moderately satisfying and very normal existence—until the day a police officer shows up at her door and arrests her for the murder of a man who died over twenty-five years ago. Now, Penny is in jail, and the only thing getting her through the hard times is the memory of her beloved Pony. Pony himself is trying to find a home where he was as happy as he was with Penny. Finally deciding to seek out the only owner he ever truly loved, he sets off on a nationwide journey to reconnect with the only family he has, just at the time when she needs him the most.

Pony Confidential is a quirky and boundary-defying mystery unlike anything in the genre. Part Homeward Bound and part Toy Story, yet with a murder mystery component and a plot geared toward adults, Lynch has written a story that will attract horse lovers across the globe.

The story is narrated by both Penny and Pony, in alternating chapters. Pony is sarcastic, bitter (and a biter!), and has managed to turn on anyone who ever shows him affection, leaving him isolated and lonely. Penny is struggling to raise a daughter with mental health challenges while navigating the possibility of a separation from her husband. Both Penny and Pony’s stories run parallel to each other, as they both find themselves in situations beyond their control, often in confined spaces, wanting nothing more than to be reunited with each other.

Not to be outdone, the mystery component is full of unexpected twists and turns. There is plenty of potential in the characters that Lynch scatters throughout the plot, but the ending took me by complete surprise in a delightfully unexpected way.

Pony Confidential was a novel I did not expect to enjoy as much as I did. Lynch’s writing flows, her plot is intriguing, and her characters—especially Pony—are sassy and lovable. Horse lovers, mystery lovers, or anyone looking for a delightfully unusual read should check out Christina Lynch’s Pony Confidential.