What is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest about?
A very special fox named Clare, lives in Deadwood Forest. He is an Undead Usher, or spirit guide – sending lost animal souls onto to their correct realms, for eternity.
His quiet life is soon upended by a badger whose soul doesn’t fit any of the realms. He must try and learn why, so this badger will stop ‘badgering’ him, but the answer is much more complicated than he can imagine.
Plot summary of The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest (no spoilers)
Clare is a fox who has a very important job. He aids the lost souls of dead animals into the Afterlife. He lives in Deadwood Forest, which like Clare, is not quite alive, but not quite dead either.
When a badger arrives, he begins the process he has honed to an art, of sending her soul into the best place for her. There are four realms. Peace, Progress, Pleasure and Pain. Depending on how the animal has lived their life, is the realm they will spend eternity in. Clare gently guides them all in the right direction.
But this badger keeps returning to his cottage in the forest, despite sending her to all four realms. She’s getting cross, asking lots of questions and causing quite a fuss. Clare decides to follow a rumour he has heard, about something bad about to happen in Deadwood Forest. In particular, to the one who lives in Deadwood Forest. He knows it can only be him.
The badger insists on coming with him to see a wise creature in another forest close by. Clare asks his questions, but doesn’t like the answers. He can see that his life is about to change forever.
My thoughts
This middle-grade novel is unlike anything I’ve read before. The topic of souls moving on, and how they spent their lives determining where they go, is a thought-provoking one.
Anthropomorphism (humanising animals), makes this grim topic an intriguing read, and when we realise where our main character Clare got his hooded read coat, it brings his story full circle to when he became undead himself.
Clare changes across the novel after meeting and making friends with Gingersnapes, who despite being treated badly herself in life, is a kind, caring soul.
There is humour in the mix along with horrible young humans, but love shines through in the end. The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest is much deserving of its accolades.
Characters
Clare – A fox who is a guide to Undead Animal Souls. He himself died as a kit, and inherited this job from another fox. He lives in Deadwood Forest which is a place that is not quite dead, but not quite alive either. He grows and sells all types of mushrooms to a rat named Nine, who finds and trades things with Clare, like human’s discarded books.
Clare has become skilled at his job as an Undead Usher, and enjoys his quiet life, tree sap tea, and tending his treasured mushroom garden.
Gingersnipes – A lost badger soul who arrives at Clare’s Deadwood Cottage. She’s not sure what to do, and is increasingly confused and cross as each piece of guidance from Clare goes awry. She asks lots of questions, and is constantly inquisitive about Clare’s actions. She’s a kind soul however, and helps Clare sort through his past.
Hesterfowl – A wise, old grouse who lives in a neighbouring forest.
Nine – a business minded rat who buys mushrooms from Clare to resell to other forest creatures.
Writing Style
A narrator tells the story, and speaks directly to the reader every now and then, with a warning or two.
FAQs
What age is it for?
9-12 years
Where & When is it set?
Set in a fictional forest called Deadwood, opposite a lush, thriving forest called Fernlight.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
An Omniscient Narrator tells the story of Clare the Undead Usher Fox, to listeners/readers.
Is there any Violence?
A terrifying animal chase, and children causing chaos in the forest.
What genre is The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest?
Middle Grade Fantasy
Themes
Death, Grief, Self Worth, Friendship and misconceptions of others
Is it part of a series?
No
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Author
Aubrey Hartman
Publisher
Harper Collins
(2025, Walker Books, Animals, Fantasy, Ghost, Humour, Action, Conflict, Courage, Friendship, Secret, Newbery Honor Book, Grief, Love, Fox, Rat, Badger, Grouse, Forest, Afterlife Realm, Award Winner)