Review By Gabrielle
Pony Confidential weaves an utterly unique tale that defies conventional genre boundaries, blending elements of animal adventure with a cozy mystery.
Favourite Quote:
“I am a pony. But not just any pony. I am a pony who is bent on revenge. I am the Iago of ponies, a furry Fury. I am both adorable and devious, and, until I get what I want, I’m going to make every human I meet pay for your collective crimes. I am a tiny, mop-topped demon, and I’m coming for you.”
Goodreads Synopsis:
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 the only little girl he ever loved, Penny, 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 are the memories 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.
This one is quirky friends. Christina boldly ventures where few authors dare by making a pony not just a protagonist but a determined amateur detective. I was intrigued by the premise and prepared for the ride, but I honestly didn’t expect to like it as much as I did.
I was pulled in right away by Penny’s arrest, but what made me stay was Pony’s character. I couldn’t help but love him from the start. He’s sassy and more than slightly angry (with good reason). Christina writes Pony from a non-human perspective without falling into cutesy anthropomorphization. Instead, she crafts a complex character whose understanding of human nature has been shaped by years of observing different owners – both kind and cruel.
The murder mystery element adds unexpected depth to what could have been a simple reunion story. Penny’s adult life crashing down around her creates genuine tension, while her childhood memories of Pony provide much-needed touching moments. Christina cleverly uses these flashbacks to establish the deep bond that makes Pony’s desperate quest to help her feel entirely believable, even while it is fantastical. There are parts that ran a little long for me, and there were a few timeline things that didn’t quite line up, but overall, I enjoyed following Pony’s epic journey.
While some readers might struggle with the premise of a pony-turned-detective, Christina’s writing makes even the most improbable scenes work. The author’s sharp insights into both equine and human psychology ground the story in emotional truth, even as the plot takes surprising turns. Animal lovers will rejoice in a variety of great animal characters, like a rat and a very memorable goat.
For her part, Penny’s character is also great. The story is mostly told in alternating chapters. She is arrested right in the prologue and then we follow her along as she attempts to navigate the justice system. Many readers may find her journey equally as improbable as Pony’s, but the irony is hers is very honest and real. It’s a great contrast in the overall narrative that I appreciated.
This unconventional story succeeds as both a heartwarming animal tale and a compelling mystery, proving that sometimes the most unlikely premises can yield the most memorable stories.
Thank you, Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
