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A review by flubbs
Cold Clay by Juneau Black
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Such a Good Sequel!
Plot:
It's been a month or so since Herald Office reporter, Vera Vixen, solved the case of Otto Sumpf & Reginald von Beverpelt's untimely murders.
The town is finally back at peace, and Vera is now happily dating the attractive Shady Hollow Police deputy, Orville Braun. And just in time for the crisp chilly early autumn breeze. You would think life would be perfect for Vera with the solved case and dating a kind and respectful bear who cares about her more than anything. Right? Wrong.
As much as she likes her new life, friend, and lover, she's bored and is scared for her job with the news shortage. That is, until, a School of etiquette opens and bones are found in the main source of Shady Hollow's fruit, Cold Clay Orchards.
Pros:
This book was such a good way to get back into the world of Shady Hollow. It had similar focuses to the first book while also doing a good job of making it its own separate novel. Unlike some book series and movies where it's just a remake of the first one.
An interesting thing about Cold Clay is that the murder is of someone who died not only before the series but years ago (11 years to be specific), unlike the first book where the murder is fresh.
Cons:
The murder was a bit weird since it was from over a decade ago. And there's some spots in the book where little happens. I think this was so it would fill more pages which they needed since it would be clue, clue, clue, and I'm guessing they wanted to space it out to make Vera's sleuthing to feel more natural (although it did keep me reading so I'm not too mad about it).
Like I said there's not much to the murder and it's pretty straight forward which made a lot of little things in between. Vera's life outside of sleuthing was also slightly exaggerated. And the Wilbur Montague Nevermore Books reading scene aside from the Royal History of Minks book wasn't tied to the murder nor did it effect Vera's personal life. Although the book was very well written and it was all tied together pretty neatly.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a good sequel and a lot of fun to read. While I gave Shady Hollow a 4.75, I give Cold Clay a 3.75.
Plot:
It's been a month or so since Herald Office reporter, Vera Vixen, solved the case of Otto Sumpf & Reginald von Beverpelt's untimely murders.
The town is finally back at peace, and Vera is now happily dating the attractive Shady Hollow Police deputy, Orville Braun. And just in time for the crisp chilly early autumn breeze. You would think life would be perfect for Vera with the solved case and dating a kind and respectful bear who cares about her more than anything. Right? Wrong.
As much as she likes her new life, friend, and lover, she's bored and is scared for her job with the news shortage. That is, until, a School of etiquette opens and bones are found in the main source of Shady Hollow's fruit, Cold Clay Orchards.
Pros:
This book was such a good way to get back into the world of Shady Hollow. It had similar focuses to the first book while also doing a good job of making it its own separate novel. Unlike some book series and movies where it's just a remake of the first one.
An interesting thing about Cold Clay is that the murder is of someone who died not only before the series but years ago (11 years to be specific), unlike the first book where the murder is fresh.
Cons:
The murder was a bit weird since it was from over a decade ago. And there's some spots in the book where little happens. I think this was so it would fill more pages which they needed since it would be clue, clue, clue, and I'm guessing they wanted to space it out to make Vera's sleuthing to feel more natural (although it did keep me reading so I'm not too mad about it).
Like I said there's not much to the murder and it's pretty straight forward which made a lot of little things in between. Vera's life outside of sleuthing was also slightly exaggerated. And the Wilbur Montague Nevermore Books reading scene aside from the Royal History of Minks book wasn't tied to the murder nor did it effect Vera's personal life. Although the book was very well written and it was all tied together pretty neatly.
Overall, I liked the book. It was a good sequel and a lot of fun to read. While I gave Shady Hollow a 4.75, I give Cold Clay a 3.75.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief, Murder, and Alcohol