In this one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit.
Pony has been passed from owner to owner for longer than he can remember. Fed up, he busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to reunite with Penny, the little girl who he was separated from and hasn’t seen in years.
Penny, now an adult, is living an ordinary life when she gets a knock on her door and finds herself in handcuffs, accused of murder and whisked back to the place she grew up. Her only comfort when the past comes back to haunt her is the memory of her precious, rebellious pony.
Hearing of Penny’s fate, Pony knows that Penny is no murderer. So, as smart and devious as he is cute, the pony must use his hard-won knowledge of human weakness and cruelty to try to clear Penny’s name and find the real killer. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
What a unique story. I work at a mental health facility where we have equine therapy. We have two horses, two goats, and two donkeys and they participate with the patients in groups. When I first started attending these groups I was a bit afraid. Horses are large animals and while I am a huge animal lover, I have only ever interacted with dogs and cats and pet some animals at the zoo. It is so fascinating to see these animals interact with people and one another and this story gave me a whole new perspective. The patients often ask if the animals talk to one another or get along. I think I will think about this story every time I attend these groups or meet new animals and wonder those same things too.
I binged this one and loved the short chapters told from alternating perspectives of Penny and Pony. I know that sounds a little weird but it really worked for me. Think Homeward Bound or The Art of Racing in the Rain mixed with some crime and mystery. I don’t want to spoil anything but know that Penny is in jail and Pony is on a quest to find her. Pony and Penny have both gone through things that are surprisingly relatable. There are themes of mental health struggles, grief, and finding your happiness. I loved the gruff spunkiness turned tender (at times) Pony and the loving Penny.
Pony was by far my favorite. The adventure he goes on, the animals he meets along the way, and the growth he demonstrates really warmed my heart. He starts out the story very angry and I loved how this evolves. He learns that some emotions, like anger, make us feel justified and lose sight of the bigger picture. I think so many humans struggle with that and how the Pony handles those feelings really resonated. Again, I know that sounds a little weird to be relating to a Pony but you’ll get it when you read the story.
This is my first read by Lynch and she has some of the best one-liners I have ever read. The dialogue between the animals will give you pause and make you think. There is a nice blend of heartwarming and mysterious moments that will have you laughing out loud and also racing to see how it all turns out.
I was not sure what to expect when I started this one. This isn’t just for animal lovers. I enjoyed it so much and I think you will too!
Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review. Purchase Pony Confidential here.
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