Reading Journal 2024: Shady Hollow
Author: Juneau Black
I noticed a descriptive that cited this as Wind in the Willows meets Agatha Christie. Not sure that totally works, but it’s fun to imagine and gets you thinking in the right direction in terms of the vibe of this book.
I’m not typically a big fan of mysteries, but when it is cloaked in a town filled with walking, talking, working, living, animals, and when the town is cloaked in a larger world building exercise that imagines such social classes and cultures exists, i will absolutely embrace it.
And in truth, this is straight up comfort food. Quirky, fun, charming, enjoyable comfort food.
I actually came across this book when I was visiting Mikwauke last summer. Penned by a local author whom residents are quite fond of and gladly recommended. It has that small city, working class, blue collar vibe too, where the local businesses and the local arts and culture are integrated. The kind of place where an unusual murder and the collective effort to solve it can frame the ethos of a place.
Definitely a world I wouldn’t mind returning to (would love to visit Milwaukee again too). And conveniently this book is listed as the first in a series 😀
The Stories of my Life 