Jocelyn Cole and Sharon Nagel, writing as Juneau Black, return to the world of Shady Hollow in Twilight Falls, their engaging fourth animal-centric entry in the Shady Hollow Mystery series. Newspaper reporter Vera Vixen and her beau, police chief Orville Braun, are enjoying a day out at the titular falls when they witness an argument between otter Shelby Atwater and his son, Jonah, who's dating a local beaver. The day turns from sour to tragic when Shelby, adamantly opposed to his son's interspecies relationship, goes over the falls and disappears. Vera and Orville immediately launch an investigation. Though they can't find Shelby's body, it seems clear this was a murder. But as Vera soon learns, not everything is what it seems.
Black (Shady Hollow) paints a lovely picture (sans murder, of course) of spring in Shady Hollow: new green leaves, the annual Apple Blossom Walk, the new gourmet popcorn cart operated by hedgehog Muriel. Familiar characters--such as Lenore, the bookselling raven (Vera's best friend), and Joe, the moose who runs the local café--return in their supporting roles. Vera and others enjoy several gourmet meals prepared by panda restaurateur Sun Li, and Black introduces a few new characters, including a hawk who helps out with the investigative work. The nods to each animal's particular strengths (as well as modified words like "pawkerchief") are delightful, and the mystery, though fairly cozy, contains some surprising twists. As always, Vera's nose for clues wins the day, leading to a conclusion that will delight mystery fans and animal lovers alike. --Katie Noah Gibson, blogger at Cakes, Tea and Dreams