THE TALE OF BRIAR BANK: A BEATRIX POTTER MYSTERY (Susan Wittig Albert)

Susan Wittig Albert has done a superb job of recreating the world of Beatrix Potter, complete with anthropomorphic animals and charming segues from scene to scene.  Beatrix died in 1943, but I would swear that she has been reincarnated in Susan Wittig Albert.  This "mystery" is a delightful combination of actual facts from Potter's life, wonderful scenes of badgers, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, and even dragons, socializing and working (it is actually they who unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding Mr. Wickstead's death), and a narrator who leads us from scene to scene.  This was decidedly different.  It made me want to all of Beatrix Potter's books, especially since I feel that I already know many of the characters!