Mockingbird Court by Juneau Black

Mockingbird Court is the sixth and final novel in the delightful Shady Hollow mystery series.

Shady Hollow is a bustling community on the river where the forest animals live harmoniously, own all the village businesses, and manage to use silverware! (Yes, it’s fiction!) Vera Vixen, a reporter (fox) with the local newspaper, is also an amateur sleuth.

Days before the annual Harvest Festival, Vera arrives home to find the celebrated author Bradley Marvel (wolf) in her living room.  Marvel is the chief suspect in the murder of Richard Renard (fox), and he needs Vera’s help to prove his innocence.   Vera who is not overly fond of the dramatic and self-important author reluctantly agrees to help. But as the victim was Marvel’s editor and was found in Marvel’s penthouse apartment, Vera is somewhat skeptical.  

The Chief of Police, Orville Braun (bear), and Vera’s best friend and bookstore owner, Lenore Lee (raven), lend a paw/claw to help Vera solve the crime!

If you haven’t read this series, charming.