From School Library Journal
Adult/High School–This novel is the first of a proposed eight-volume mystery series and, as might be expected, a great deal of time is spent introducing the characters who live in Near Sawrey, England, where Beatrix Potter has recently bought the farm of the title. This rather curious story, in which all the animals interact and speak to one another, opens with a death, strictly in the "cozy" category; however, the first eyewitness testimony comes some 60 pages later, and from a cat at that. The book comes "fully loaded" with an author's note, a cast of characters (actual beings distinguished from fictional), historical notes, a map, resources, recipes, and a glossary. Keeping track of all of the villagers plus all of the "talking" animals (never mind trying to keep track of clues–this is a mystery after all) can become a chore. All that said, Tale is endearing and worth the work for most readers. The English country village resonates with charm and humor, and sleuth Beatrix positively shines. When the animals or children appear, the story gains an even more vivid voice. Teen fans of Potter or any book in which animals are the protagonists will find this mystery appealing.–Jane Halsall, McHenry Public Library District, IL Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
This is a perfectly charming cozy, as full of English country loam, leaf, and lamb as could be desired--no murder occurs, although the action begins with a death. What is a bit hard to take is the quasi-real historical setting, the Lake District farm in Near Sawrey that children's author and illustrator Beatrix Potter purchased soon after the death of her fiance in 1905. The story is as full of pinched schoolmistresses, vicar's widows, and goodhearted volunteers as any Barbara Pym novel, with the added fillip that the animals all talk to each other, as Potter's mice and bunnies and hedgehogs were known to do, and one timid cat puts a difficult human out of commission in a very catlike way. Potter herself is a shy but spirited presence, one player among many. Albert, of China Bayles fame, adds biography, recipes, and the promise of a series. If only she'd lose the talking animals. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description
The author of Peter Rabbit and other creature tales, Beatrix Potter is still, after a century, beloved by children and adults the world over. In this first Cottage Tale, Albert introduces Beatrix, an animal lover who has just bought a farm in England's beautiful Lake District. As Beatrix tries to win over the hearts of her fellow villagers, her animal friends set out to solve a mystery all their own.

About the Author
Susan Wittig Albert is the bestselling author of the China Bayles series and, with her husband Bill, co-author of the Victorian mysteries, under the pseudonym Robin Paige.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"In the first of the Cottage Tales mysteries, author Susan Wittig Albert creates her own tale featuring Beatrix Potter, animal lover and Good Samaritan - with a knack for solving mysteries. And with her entourage of animal friends, Beatrix sets out to win over the human hearts of Sawrey." "In 1905 England, it was most unusual - if not outright scandalous - for an unmarried woman to buy and run a farm. But that's exactly what Beatrix Potter sets out to do when she purchases Hill Top Farm in the Lake District hamlet of Near Sawrey. Beatrix, trying to recover from her sorrow at the death of her fiance, believes that the countryside will have a healing effect, while providing a quiet place for her to work on her sketches and stories for children. But when one of the villagers dies unexpectedly, with allegations of foul play, Sawrey turns out to be anything but quiet." Some villagers meet Beatrix with genuine warmth. Others keep her at arm's length. After all, she is a Londoner - a female Londoner - used to city living. But soon enough Beatrix makes herself useful. She reads aloud to the schoolchildren - and when the parish registry goes missing, she won't rest until it's found.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Beatrix Potter fans will welcome the talented Susan Wittig Albert's The Tale of Hill Top Farm, the first in a new cozy series to feature Peter Rabbit's creator as sleuth. Newly arrived in Near Sawrey in 1905, the sensible and charming Beatrix, aided by an assortment of talking animals, looks into a suspicious death and several small happenings that mainly serve to introduce the residents of the Lake District village. Despite weak British dialogue ("By Jove" isn't enough), this promises to be a series with legs-and tails. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

When children's author Beatrix Potter moves from London to the Lake District, locals worry about female farmers and tenant eviction. Beatrix has talking rabbits, a hedgehog, and a mouse in tow and only has sketching in mind, which she hopes will take her mind off her late fianc . The town boasts the usual, odd characters (both human and animal); a constant, muted flurry of daily activities; and the sudden, suspicious death of one of its own. Beatrix soon fits right in, sleuthing and all. A fine series start. Albert, the author of the China Bayle herbal mysteries, lives in Houston. [See Mystery Prepub, LJ 6/1/04.] Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

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