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When Squirrels Fly: A Novel
For fans of Connie Willis, Lucy Lyons, and Janet Evanovich, a debut cozy mystery with a speculative bent, set in Ann Arbor, that’s replete with wormholes, incorrigible pets, and delightfully quirky characters.
When Allie Caldwell gets a rambling middle-of-the-night call from her very excited aunt Mel, she initially curbs her concern; her aunt has always been a bit eccentric, after all. But when Mel disappears before telling anyone what has her so worked up, Allie drops everything –even her better judgement—to fly to Ann Arbor and find her.
In the ensuing days, Allie inexplicably ignores her gut instincts (and some weird dream-based warnings from angry flying squirrels) and accepts help in the search from her aunt’s handsome, enigmatic neighbor George Bennet. In order to discern how virtual reality goggles, innovative migraine research, hidden treasure, attack drones, and a neighborhood trellis are all connected to the case, they’ll need to survive bungled bids of help from Allie’s well-meaning brother, hidden agendas from multiple neighbors, constant interruptions from Mel’s itinerant Chihuahua and his exuberant pit bull puppy pal—and even some attempts on their lives.
When Allie Caldwell gets a rambling middle-of-the-night call from her very excited aunt Mel, she initially curbs her concern; her aunt has always been a bit eccentric, after all. But when Mel disappears before telling anyone what has her so worked up, Allie drops everything –even her better judgement—to fly to Ann Arbor and find her.
In the ensuing days, Allie inexplicably ignores her gut instincts (and some weird dream-based warnings from angry flying squirrels) and accepts help in the search from her aunt’s handsome, enigmatic neighbor George Bennet. In order to discern how virtual reality goggles, innovative migraine research, hidden treasure, attack drones, and a neighborhood trellis are all connected to the case, they’ll need to survive bungled bids of help from Allie’s well-meaning brother, hidden agendas from multiple neighbors, constant interruptions from Mel’s itinerant Chihuahua and his exuberant pit bull puppy pal—and even some attempts on their lives.
360 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Squirrels Fly by D. E. Carr is a warm, whimsical, science-kissed mystery set in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where missing goggles, migraine research, neighborhood gossip, flying squirrels, family secrets, and a hidden wormhole come together in a story that is far more charming than its premise initially suggests.
The novel follows Allie Caldwell, a psychology professor from Colorado, who arrives early for a visit after a strange late-night call from her Aunt Mel. The story begins as concern over her aunt’s disappearance but soon turns into a much stranger investigation involving Dr. Camille Jackson’s migraine-aura research, Mrs. Oakley’s supposedly haunted yard, George Bennet’s suspicious helpfulness, and a trellis that may be more than an ordinary garden entrance.
The book’s greatest strength is its tone. Author Carr balances mystery, speculative science, romance, and neighborhood comedy with a light touch. The Old West Side of Ann Arbor feels alive with eccentric charm while also providing the book with a delightful sense of comic unpredictability. The humor is gentle but consistent, and the novel has a pleasant, conversational rhythm that makes it easy to settle into.
Allie is a compelling protagonist because she is intelligent, skeptical, funny, cautious, and emotionally guarded. Her academic background in neuroscience and cognitive psychology makes her a strong lens through which to explore the book’s scientific oddities, especially the idea that migraine auras might reveal something unusual about perception and reality. Her dynamic with George is one of the most enjoyable parts of the novel. Their banter, mutual suspicion, growing attraction, and reluctant teamwork give the story both momentum and warmth.
The speculative element is handled in an accessible way. Author Carr introduces concepts such as quantum entanglement, Einstein-Rosen bridges, perception, and wormholes without making the narrative feel cold or overly technical. The science is playful rather than intimidating, and the mystery of Mrs. Oakley’s trellis works because it is grounded in ordinary domestic details.
What I particularly appreciated is that When Squirrels Fly does not rely solely on the wormhole for intrigue. The larger plot involving migraine research, pharmaceutical competition, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Berry, BLA, and the missing prototype goggles gives the book a sharper mystery spine. The final explanation ties the danger back to research rivalry and corporate interference, while still leaving room for the wonder and secrecy of the wormhole itself.
Overall, When Squirrels Fly is an engaging, funny, and affectionate novel about curiosity, family loyalty, scientific wonder, and the strange secrets that can hide in familiar places. It is best suited for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, light speculative fiction, quirky neighborhoods, intelligent heroines, and stories where the extraordinary appears just across the street.
The novel follows Allie Caldwell, a psychology professor from Colorado, who arrives early for a visit after a strange late-night call from her Aunt Mel. The story begins as concern over her aunt’s disappearance but soon turns into a much stranger investigation involving Dr. Camille Jackson’s migraine-aura research, Mrs. Oakley’s supposedly haunted yard, George Bennet’s suspicious helpfulness, and a trellis that may be more than an ordinary garden entrance.
The book’s greatest strength is its tone. Author Carr balances mystery, speculative science, romance, and neighborhood comedy with a light touch. The Old West Side of Ann Arbor feels alive with eccentric charm while also providing the book with a delightful sense of comic unpredictability. The humor is gentle but consistent, and the novel has a pleasant, conversational rhythm that makes it easy to settle into.
Allie is a compelling protagonist because she is intelligent, skeptical, funny, cautious, and emotionally guarded. Her academic background in neuroscience and cognitive psychology makes her a strong lens through which to explore the book’s scientific oddities, especially the idea that migraine auras might reveal something unusual about perception and reality. Her dynamic with George is one of the most enjoyable parts of the novel. Their banter, mutual suspicion, growing attraction, and reluctant teamwork give the story both momentum and warmth.
The speculative element is handled in an accessible way. Author Carr introduces concepts such as quantum entanglement, Einstein-Rosen bridges, perception, and wormholes without making the narrative feel cold or overly technical. The science is playful rather than intimidating, and the mystery of Mrs. Oakley’s trellis works because it is grounded in ordinary domestic details.
What I particularly appreciated is that When Squirrels Fly does not rely solely on the wormhole for intrigue. The larger plot involving migraine research, pharmaceutical competition, Dr. Jackson, Dr. Berry, BLA, and the missing prototype goggles gives the book a sharper mystery spine. The final explanation ties the danger back to research rivalry and corporate interference, while still leaving room for the wonder and secrecy of the wormhole itself.
Overall, When Squirrels Fly is an engaging, funny, and affectionate novel about curiosity, family loyalty, scientific wonder, and the strange secrets that can hide in familiar places. It is best suited for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, light speculative fiction, quirky neighborhoods, intelligent heroines, and stories where the extraordinary appears just across the street.
July 29, 2026
With thanks to the folks at Booked PR for the advance copy.
"When Allie Caldwell gets a rambling middle-of-the-night call from her very excited aunt Mel, she initially curbs her concern; her aunt has always been a bit eccentric, after all. But when Mel disappears before telling anyone what has her so worked up, Allie drops everything –even her better judgement—to fly to Ann Arbor and find her.
In the ensuing days, Allie inexplicably ignores her gut instincts (and some weird dream-based warnings from angry flying squirrels) and accepts help in the search from her aunt’s handsome, enigmatic neighbor George Bennet. In order to discern how virtual reality goggles, innovative migraine research, hidden treasure, attack drones, and a neighborhood trellis are all connected to the case, they’ll need to survive bungled bids of help from Allie’s well-meaning brother, hidden agendas from multiple neighbors, constant interruptions from Mel’s itinerant Chihuahua and his exuberant pit bull puppy pal—and even some attempts on their lives."
This book was touted as being for "fans of Connie Willis, Lucy Lyons, and Janet Evanovich, a debut cozy mystery with a speculative bent, set in Ann Arbor, that’s replete with wormholes, incorrigible pets, and delightfully quirky characters" and was my first proper read of a cozy mystery, so I was not sure what to expect.
First off, I loved the small-town nature of this book - it really felt like you were walking right into a Hallmark film from the get-go, well with a bit of mystery added ;) There are a lot of cozy mystery elements that you can identify just from the first few pages. We meet Aunt Mel, who disappears immediately (she’s the main mystery – where did she go?) and some of the ongoing themes/storylines that make up the book – nosy neighbours, quirky characters, flying squirrels, virtual reality goggles, and an unusual discovery. The first few scenes/pages take place in the middle of the night, heightening the sense of mystery. There is *a lot going on* to say the least.
The chapters are short (the book is fairly long - over 300 pages) and various scenes in each chapter are divided up by tiny charming illustrations (squirrels!) and the book is filled with suspense - there are a lot of layers of mystery to uncover, so the book keeps you on your toes!
Though there is a fair amount of science (fiction?) involved in the story, it's handled in a way that makes it feel accessible to the reader, rather than an extra element to decode. There's a certain comedic air to some of the scenes - this would lend itself well to TV, I think!
At the end of the day, this might not be my favourite genre to read, but this is an excellent example of a very well-done cozy mystery.
"When Allie Caldwell gets a rambling middle-of-the-night call from her very excited aunt Mel, she initially curbs her concern; her aunt has always been a bit eccentric, after all. But when Mel disappears before telling anyone what has her so worked up, Allie drops everything –even her better judgement—to fly to Ann Arbor and find her.
In the ensuing days, Allie inexplicably ignores her gut instincts (and some weird dream-based warnings from angry flying squirrels) and accepts help in the search from her aunt’s handsome, enigmatic neighbor George Bennet. In order to discern how virtual reality goggles, innovative migraine research, hidden treasure, attack drones, and a neighborhood trellis are all connected to the case, they’ll need to survive bungled bids of help from Allie’s well-meaning brother, hidden agendas from multiple neighbors, constant interruptions from Mel’s itinerant Chihuahua and his exuberant pit bull puppy pal—and even some attempts on their lives."
This book was touted as being for "fans of Connie Willis, Lucy Lyons, and Janet Evanovich, a debut cozy mystery with a speculative bent, set in Ann Arbor, that’s replete with wormholes, incorrigible pets, and delightfully quirky characters" and was my first proper read of a cozy mystery, so I was not sure what to expect.
First off, I loved the small-town nature of this book - it really felt like you were walking right into a Hallmark film from the get-go, well with a bit of mystery added ;) There are a lot of cozy mystery elements that you can identify just from the first few pages. We meet Aunt Mel, who disappears immediately (she’s the main mystery – where did she go?) and some of the ongoing themes/storylines that make up the book – nosy neighbours, quirky characters, flying squirrels, virtual reality goggles, and an unusual discovery. The first few scenes/pages take place in the middle of the night, heightening the sense of mystery. There is *a lot going on* to say the least.
The chapters are short (the book is fairly long - over 300 pages) and various scenes in each chapter are divided up by tiny charming illustrations (squirrels!) and the book is filled with suspense - there are a lot of layers of mystery to uncover, so the book keeps you on your toes!
Though there is a fair amount of science (fiction?) involved in the story, it's handled in a way that makes it feel accessible to the reader, rather than an extra element to decode. There's a certain comedic air to some of the scenes - this would lend itself well to TV, I think!
At the end of the day, this might not be my favourite genre to read, but this is an excellent example of a very well-done cozy mystery.
August 5, 2026
D. E. Carr’s When Squirrels Fly is a playful blend of mystery, science fiction, romance, and neighborhood comedy set in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The story begins when Mel Caldwell experiments with virtual reality goggles designed for migraine research and discovers what appears to be a wormhole near her neighbor’s backyard trellis. After Mel disappears, her niece Allie, a skeptical neuroscience professor, arrives in town and joins forces with handsome travel writer George Bennet to find her. Their investigation soon expands to include secret research, surveillance, kidnappings, pharmaceutical interests, federal agents, and a surprising amount of trouble caused by pets.
I loved the book’s lively cast. Allie is smart, athletic, and capable, but her guarded personality gives her room to change as she begins trusting George, her brother Nick, and her own instincts. Nick’s wisecracks add warmth to nearly every scene, while Aunt Mel brings the kind of cheerful unpredictability that makes her both lovable and dangerous to underestimate. Even the animals have distinct personalities, particularly Chidi, the tiny Chihuahua who behaves like a cat, ignores every rule, and repeatedly proves more useful than the humans expect. Carr uses these relationships to keep the novel grounded even when the plot begins hopping through portals and uncovering conspiracies.
Readers who enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels will recognize a similar comic energy here. Like Evanovich, Carr surrounds her central mystery with eccentric neighbors, chaotic family members, romantic tension, and ordinary errands that can turn into minor disasters. Carr’s approach has a more academic and speculative flavor, though, drawing on neuroscience, migraine research, and questions about consciousness and space. Ann Arbor also becomes a character in its own right. Its historic homes, university buildings, bike paths, local restaurants, wildlife, and proudly unconventional residents give the adventure a strong sense of place instead of serving as interchangeable scenery.
When Squirrels Fly is an ambitious, good-humored debut that values curiosity, community, and human connection as much as solving its mysteries. The many characters, investigations, and scientific ideas make the story busy, but that abundance suits its slightly mischievous personality. Beneath the wormhole experiments and criminal schemes, the novel is really about Allie learning to reconsider the life she’s built and the defenses she’s carried since her father disappeared. Carr leaves several possibilities open for future adventures, and by the final chapters, Allie, George, Nick, Aunt Mel, and Chidi feel like a team worth following through another impossible situation.
I loved the book’s lively cast. Allie is smart, athletic, and capable, but her guarded personality gives her room to change as she begins trusting George, her brother Nick, and her own instincts. Nick’s wisecracks add warmth to nearly every scene, while Aunt Mel brings the kind of cheerful unpredictability that makes her both lovable and dangerous to underestimate. Even the animals have distinct personalities, particularly Chidi, the tiny Chihuahua who behaves like a cat, ignores every rule, and repeatedly proves more useful than the humans expect. Carr uses these relationships to keep the novel grounded even when the plot begins hopping through portals and uncovering conspiracies.
Readers who enjoy Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels will recognize a similar comic energy here. Like Evanovich, Carr surrounds her central mystery with eccentric neighbors, chaotic family members, romantic tension, and ordinary errands that can turn into minor disasters. Carr’s approach has a more academic and speculative flavor, though, drawing on neuroscience, migraine research, and questions about consciousness and space. Ann Arbor also becomes a character in its own right. Its historic homes, university buildings, bike paths, local restaurants, wildlife, and proudly unconventional residents give the adventure a strong sense of place instead of serving as interchangeable scenery.
When Squirrels Fly is an ambitious, good-humored debut that values curiosity, community, and human connection as much as solving its mysteries. The many characters, investigations, and scientific ideas make the story busy, but that abundance suits its slightly mischievous personality. Beneath the wormhole experiments and criminal schemes, the novel is really about Allie learning to reconsider the life she’s built and the defenses she’s carried since her father disappeared. Carr leaves several possibilities open for future adventures, and by the final chapters, Allie, George, Nick, Aunt Mel, and Chidi feel like a team worth following through another impossible situation.
July 28, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed When Squirrels Fly, a unique mystery filled with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The story takes readers on a journey through Ann Arbor, where every clue uncovered leads to yet another layer of the mystery. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the plot shifted in an unexpected direction.
The characters were warm, memorable, and so well-developed that they felt like neighbors by the time I reached the final page. Add in a healthy dose of mayhem, lovable dogs, and a beloved aunt, and you have a mystery that's equal parts charming and suspenseful. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with plenty of surprises, this one is well worth the read.
I was provided an advanced readers copy to read. These thoughts and opinions are my own, as Bibliophile Reviews.
The characters were warm, memorable, and so well-developed that they felt like neighbors by the time I reached the final page. Add in a healthy dose of mayhem, lovable dogs, and a beloved aunt, and you have a mystery that's equal parts charming and suspenseful. If you're looking for a cozy mystery with plenty of surprises, this one is well worth the read.
I was provided an advanced readers copy to read. These thoughts and opinions are my own, as Bibliophile Reviews.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thoroughly enjoyed When Squirrels Fly. Allie and George were both compelling, relatable, and wonderfully believable characters. The dialogue sparkled with wit and kept the pages turning, while the supporting cast added depth, humor, and charm to the story. Ann Arbor provided the perfect backdrop, bringing an extra layer of personality to this quirky, engaging, and beautifully written novel. A delightful read that left me smiling long after I turned the final page.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews