Okay, I'm going to freely admit I chose this book to review based entirely on the title. And it was just as funny and pun-filled as I'd hoped.
Kevin Hearn's Iron Druid series is a bestselling phenomenon, and the Oberon's Meaty Mysteries are an offshoot series, told from the point of view of Atticus the Druid's faithful wolfhound Oberon.
Light in tone, funny and charming, this was a delight to read. I'm still giggling over Oberon's desire to write an inspirational book called All The Food We Cannot See, and the hound logic that squirrels are hell creatures whose presence clearly indicates the impending apocalypse.
In pursuit of the squirrel called He-Who-Knows-How-To-Travel-On-Loud-Shiny-Human-TubeThings (aka; trains), Oberon and his canine pals stumble onto the scene of a murder. Which would be disturbing even if the victim wasn't a dead ringer for their very-much-alive master.
Obviously, this isn't a case they can keep their noses out of, and soon they are hunting down murderers, were-bears and squirrels alike, with regular breaks for tacos and naps, because it's a dog's life, after all.
You don't need to have read any of the Iron Druid books to follow along with what's going on in The Squirrel On The Train, and in fact I'd suggest that this series would be a great introduction to Hearn's work for younger readers. I'll be sharing it with my 11-year-old son, who probably isn't quite ready for the Iron Druid books just yet, but I know he's going to love this one!
Five stars for a charming, light-hearted read which had me giggling numerous times throughout.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.