In the second "Cottage Tales" mystery, Beatrix Potter and her four-legged cohorts sniff out the murderer of a local shepherd in Sawrey, England. Albert lives in Austin, TX. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

As in 2004's The Tale of Hill Top Farm, Albert skillfully blends fact and fiction in her second Beatrix Potter tale set in the quaint English Lake District village of Near Sawrey. Beatrix is in the midst of renovating Hill Top Farm when she discovers the body of Ben Hornby, a local sheep owner who has recently had more than his share of bad luck. She suspects foul play and joins the local constable and real-life solicitor William Heelis in investigating the cause of Hornby's demise. Still reeling from the sudden death of her fianc?, Beatrix becomes more involved with her fellow villagers, in particular 11-year-old Caroline, who lives with her grandmother, Lady Longforth. Vivid descriptions of Sawrey and its environs, attractive human characters and unobtrusive animals with delightful personalities combine to create a mystery that's a stellar tribute to the famous children's author. As charming as the "little books" themselves, this is sure to delight Beatrix Potter fans and cozy lovers everywhere. (July 5) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Albert returns to early-twentieth-century England and the bucolic village of Swaney for this second entry in her coziest of cozy series, the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. Facts about the real-life children's book author turn up in the story, which once again plunks Potter down in the vicinity of crime. This time she's present at the discovery of the body of a local farmer, whose death is determined to be murder. While officials chew on that shocking event, Potter befriends a lonely orphan whose wealthy grandmother is too self-involved to care for her. In addition to Beatrix, some well-defined, gossipy, class-conscious country folk populate the story, accompanied by a handful of personable animal characters that are just as invested in village goings-on as their two-legged neighbors. There are no surprises here, and the curious mix of talking animals and humans won't be everyone's cup of tea. Still, some readers will find Albert's nimble evocation of country life--above- and belowground--hard to resist, especially on a sleepy, sunny afternoon . --Stephanie Zvirin Copyright 2005 Booklist

Murder interrupts Beatrix Potter's latest visit to her beloved Hill Top Farm in England's Lake District. It's 1906. When the noted children's author goes to neighboring Holly How Farm to see her new Herdwicks, she discovers the body of the shepherd, Ben Hornsby. Though it first appears he fell over a cliff, the doctor discovers he was hit in the back with an undetermined weapon. Beneath the village of Sawrey's placid surface lurks unpleasantness. Lady Longford's candidate for the head teacher's position is opposed by the villagers, who prefer to promote the current lower-school teacher; the sly companion Miss Martine is cruel to Caroline, daughter of her Ladyship's castoff son; and one of the local badger setts has been raided and its occupants taken for an illegal badger-baiting. Beatrix is embroiled in these affairs through her meeting with Isaac Chance, who's suspected of burning down Hornsby's barn, and her visit to Caroline, to whom she offers a guinea pig as a short-term companion. She foils several nefarious schemes with the help of Justice of the Peace Miles Woodcock, solicitor William Heelis, and a large group of local animals tame and wild. Albert (Dead Man's Bones, p. 259, etc.) provides enchantment for fans of Beatrix Potter and Sneaky Pie Brown, and anyone else who likes mysteries that are easy to solve. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Adult/High School-In this second entry in a delightful and cozy mystery series, Albert hits her stride. Miss Potter is starting to make a life for herself, both on her farm and in the villages of Far and Near Sawrey. She's acquired a herd of Herdwick sheep, is remodeling the farmhouse, and is slowly recovering from the death of her fianc?. Nefarious and curious events begin to happen: the body of a local shepherd is found at the base of a cliff; a pair of badgers is missing, presumably to be used in an illegal badger-baiting fight; and rich Lady Longford is putting forward her own candidate to teach in the Sawrey School. The animals (who can talk to one another) have been joined by the redoubtable Professor Galileo Newton Owl and the stalwart Bosworth Badger XVII, hotelier and genealogist of the badger clan. The plot moves swiftly and surely, with deft characterizations and comic charm, culminating in a rally of "Big Folk" and animals to save the innocent and punish the guilty. As in the first Cottage Tale, Albert has included research resources, recipes, a glossary, a map, an author's note, and a particularly helpful cast of characters. Teens will enjoy this small gem of a mystery revolving around the sweet Miss Potter, her neighbors, and the charming creatures she holds dear.-Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library District, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.