Malachi and the Deadly Pool — Abigail Hilton

Malachi the boa constrictor is happy living with his friend Eve and her family of rats in the blackberry bushes. They escaped from the humans together. They don't quite fit with the wild animals, but they protect each other.

However, when Malachi tries to shed his skin for the first time in the wild, he discovers that the blackberry bushes are too dry. To survive, he will have to venture to the pool in the woods, which is more dangerous than it seems. Of course, Eve won't let him go alone.