Possums, Pilfering, and Persimmons: Small Town Cozy Mystery

by MK Scott

The annual persimmon festival in Emerson is supposed to be a time of joy. But this year, strange things are happening. Missing items, both mundane and precious. Odd noises at night. And possums—lots of them—acting strangely.

Tenny Taylor, the town’s librarian and occasional sleuth, can’t ignore the chaos. She starts digging into the town’s history, uncovering secrets that even the local conspiracy theorist finds hard to believe.

What connects the possums, the pilfering, and the persimmons? Tenny’s investigation will take her deeper than she ever
expected.

A quirky mystery with twists you won’t see coming. Perfect for fans of small-town intrigue and unexpected discoveries.

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Eileen Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to be able to read this book because I love the idea of possums and raccoons being part of a story. And this book didn’t disappoint in any way.
It was very well written and included things that actually took me into the heart of a small town. Neighbors helping each other and lots of people with nicknames for each other.
The main character, Tenny, returned to her hometown with a degree in Library Science so she could help her aunt and uncle. But following their examples she felt the community needed to have a library. And from this point I thoroughly recommend that you grab a copy. It’s a great read.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fresh and funny mystery with a clever, twisty plot and a heartwarming ending. I loved the characters, especially Tenny and Blue, their friendship is amazing.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Randee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I sincerely hope this isn’t the last in the series, I want more stories of Tenny, Ethel, Precious, Blue and the town of Emerson!

[Marseydoats · Rating 4 out of 5]

A huge THANK YOU to the authors for giving me an ARC of their book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoy this series, the characters are so down to earth and real. I love Tenny and Blue!
I like books that teach me something --- I didn't know what sock garters were, and had to look them up. Love persimmon pudding, but I haven't had any in years.
Don't really care for possums --- they carry disease that kills horses, and one of them killed my last two old hens who were family pets.
Really enjoyed this, and will be waiting for the next one!

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for the annual Homecoming game and Persimmon Festival in Emerson. Tenny's Aunt Cinnamon used to make persimmon pudding to sell at the fund raiser event. Meanwhile, town librarian, Tenny Taylor, is getting new neighbors. The house next door has been empty for quite a while and in need of repair. It also has a reputation for being a hide-out for various animals, especially Tenny's pet racoon, Precious. Precious had been taken in by her Aunt Cinnamon and when her aunt died, Tenny kept Precious. The house had also become home to a family of possums. All but one of which escaped when the new family moved in. The lone remaining possum was picked up by their daughter, Heather, who asked Tenny to look after Opie, the name she had given to the possum. People have also been complaining about a series of thefts / lost items as of late and Tenny noticed several crows in the area lately. While Tenny is not into persimmons, her friend Blue has promised to help her clean them for the festival.

Tenny is also wondering what is going on with Dallas. He has finished harvesting his crop, but seems to be avoiding her. Blue knows something about it, but promised not to tell Tenny.

Who are the new neighbors? Are crows responsible for the thefts? If so, can they get their missing items back? Why does Dallas seem to be avoiding Tenny?

M.K. Scott has another wonderful mystery with this latest story. No murder, but plenty of surprises with wonderful characters, realistic situations, and plenty of unexpected events.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful, fun addition to the The Tenacious Librarian series that grabs you from beginning until the surprise and sweet ending. In this 5th book, it is time for the Persimmon Festival and like her Aunt Cinnamon, Tenny will make the special persimmon pudding. Tenny is the town librarian and also drives the bookmobile to different places. We are treated with a great best friend relationship with Blue who is loyal and always there to ground Tenny and help her when she needs it. And then there is Tenny's boyfriend, Dallas. Of course, besides Tenny's dog, we have a pet raccoon, Precious that Aunt Cinnamon had taken in and Tenny kept her. And for a short while, she is watching a possum for the daughter of her new neighbors. In this book, there isn't a murder, but strange happenings like things keep going missing and a strange crow keeps showing up. Is he taking the random missing items? And why is Dallas seem to be ghosting Tenny? It seems there are other people including her best friend keeping secrets from her. This is a fun addition to the series and the characters are like friends. I can't wait to read more from the small town of Emerson! not only do I recommend this book, but I highly recommend the whole series. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun filled adventure with Tenny, her library in the small town of Emerson, and her bookmobile. Add in her pets, including Precious a pet raccoon, new neighbors with possums squatting in their house, a thieving crow, and a persimmon festival for non-stop fun! This is small town. living at it's best.
Aside from wonderful characters and a fun plot, reading this book makes you appreciate small towns for their quirks as well as their friendly residents. Reading this book-this series- is a breath of fresh air and a step back to when neighbors helped each other, never too busy or uncaring. I love the series and appreciate the chance to leave the stress of the present and immerse myself into Tenny's world.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully relaxing read‼️

Friends like Blue are a once in a lifetime happening ~ so the relationship between her and Tenny is a delight to behold. Several plot lines are intertwined ~ it's tough fitting in to a new small town even if you've only been away for a while. Then there's the mystery of who's doing the pilfering that needs solving! ......and what's going on with that Dallas? ~ there's a big secret and everyone except Tenny knows it! This was a really nice read ~ small town dramas, excellent and 'real' characters, and a mystery! Highly recommend it as your next read as well as MKScott's book ~ Bullies, Bovines, & A Bookmobile which is book 1 of the series......and the ones in between as well ‼️‼️

[Kathy Brenzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great instalment in this series.

Tenny is again dragged into a fund-raiser that her late aunt normally undertook. It is the persimmon festival and she had to, not only preserve a huge amount of persimmons, but also had to make persimmon puddings. Meantime, things are going missing all over town. Not necessarily expensive things, but still it was a mystery, one that Tenny was determined to solve. New neighbours have moved in next door to Tenny, only to find that family of possums were already in residence. With the help of Precious, her pet raccoon , Tenny managed to encourage the possums to leave.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Possums, Pilfering, and Persimmons, Tenny is irritated by the noise generated by the family who has moved next door where a possum family is already squatting! She is also inundated with persimmons because of the festival! If you love interesting small towns, fascinating people, and a bit of mystery this is a good series. There is no murder, but many small items are missing around town. Some people are displaying odd behaviors. Tenny just wats to help - run the library, drive the bookmobile, be a good neighbor and find the missing items. This is a wonderful series about small towns, quirky people, and strange pets with a sweet amateur sleuth!

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got the book 📙 yesterday Morning Tuesday 5-27-2025 and started reading it last Night and loved it so much I read the first 18 Chapters and then I finished reading the book tonight 5-28-2025, that being said the author did a fantastic job pulling the story lines and plots together but what I liked best about the book is that it kept engaged in reading and wanting more, it was interesting, mysterious, a page turner, action packed, had animals, had quirky characters, can't really think of anything else but I would like to see if Tenny & Dallas get married or not.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tenny is called upon again to fill in at a festival her Aunt used to do. The annual persimmon festival in Emerson is starting and Tenny needs to make persimmon pudding along with helping with the festival. She has new neighbors moving in next door, and they find a family of possums squatting in the house. Plus items are going missing over town. Tenny is determined to solve the mystery and help the neighbors evict the possums. Plenty of mystery and fun. Enjoy.

[Jacque Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possums,Pilfering and Persimmons

A very fun read. Has alot of different interests, like, animals, not your normal run of the mill animals. You'll have to read it to learn just like I did about the animals. Also has books in this fun read, interesting considering we're reading this book in the first place. Enjoy, I did.

[Christmas Angel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story reminiscent of small town USA. A special place where neighbors know and help each other. Tenny and Blue would be great friends to have. And Precious, what can I say? Precious is precious! A fun read to brighten your day. Highly Recommended.

[Amary Chapman]

Small town librarian cozy

Tennis runs her library and bookmobile while caring for her neighbors and late aunt's pet raccoon, despite it's annoying tendencies. Contains humor, romantic bits and a mystery.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful series! Well written with interesting humans and animals, fun plots, and a multitude of mysteries to solve. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next in the series. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[James Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple reading

Not too in depth but kind and safe for younger kids and religious. Great story if it was longer. But good none the. Lesd

[Sandy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable cozy mystery, no murder, just some missing small items, people keeping secrets, and displaying unusual behaviors. Tenny is back in the very small town of Emerson, working as the librarian plus driving a bookmobile, funded by herself. There are several quirky characters and animals keeping the story fun. If you like small town settings and pleasant kind people you will find this story entertaining. Part of series, the book can be read as a standalone.

Thanks to the author for a free advance readers copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review