The Nightingale Before Christmas by Donna Andrews is a 2014 Minotaur Books publication.
I’ve been leisurely reading through this series for a while noThe Nightingale Before Christmas by Donna Andrews is a 2014 Minotaur Books publication.
I’ve been leisurely reading through this series for a while now- This eighteenth installment was the next book in line- and happened to be one of Andrews's Christmas themed novels- which was fortuitous as I had been thinking of doing a ‘Christmas in July’ read- so- win-win!
This is another hilarious chapter in this long-running series. The premise is a little offbeat- and occasionally Meg’s inner thoughts and musings go a little too far off the rails, but there were some laugh out loud moments involving the twins's Christmas pageant- and if you aren’t familiar, Andrews always adds something a little more heart warming to her holiday novels, in keeping with the Christmas spirit.
As to the mystery, it was solid enough, with a nice unforeseen twist, that kept me from fully guessing whodunit.
Overall, this was another madcap adventure for Meg- with ‘Mother’, Michael, and the twins playing the prominent roles. This turned out to be a perfect choice for a little ‘Christmas in July’ fun!
The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews is a 2014 Minotaur publication.
The past few weeks I have been required to participate in an unusual The Good, the Bad, and the Emus by Donna Andrews is a 2014 Minotaur publication.
The past few weeks I have been required to participate in an unusual amount of ‘peopling’. Family gatherings, holidays, birthdays, traveling, and taking part in activities I don’t ordinarily engage in. This has resulted, as it always does, in a case of introverted stress, anxiety and crankiness…
Which means it’s time for a cup of hot tea and a Meg Langslow mystery!! Just what the doctor ordered!
Installment number seventeen begins with Dr. Blake- aka Meg’s grandfather- hiring Stanley Denton, to find Meg’s biological grandmother, Cordelia. Unfortunately, Stanley learns that Cordelia is not only dead, but that she died under mysterious circumstances. The local law enforcement seems to feel it was an accident- but Cordelia’s cousin, Annabel isn’t buying that. She’s sure Cordelia was murdered and she’s positive she knows who killed her.
So, Stanley stays on the case, and Meg and Dr. Blake joins him, while at the same time trying to rescue a group of Emus who were released after a nearby Emu farm failed. Dr. Blake naturally uses the opportunity to film all this for television while Meg does some amateur sleuthing…
The humor in this chapter of the series was somewhat subdued, but it was replaced by a more reflective Meg, who is grappling with the reality of losing her grandmother, though she never had the pleasure of meeting her. Her emotions are conflicted, and her melancholy is palpable, though the story retains its usual light tone throughout.
There is a nice little surprise in here- though savvy readers will have figured it out early on- but I loved the way it unfolded and how Andrews ties everything up in the end. As for the murder mystery, it was another solid guessing game, but those fabulous Emus nearly stole the show! Overall, another entertaining adventure for Meg and the gang!
Hollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett is a 2017 Midnight Ink publication.
Amusing and highly entertaining!
Dayna, an out of work actress, is in desperaHollywood Homicide by Kellye Garrett is a 2017 Midnight Ink publication.
Amusing and highly entertaining!
Dayna, an out of work actress, is in desperate need of money- not just so she can eat, but because her parents need her help. When she witnesses a hit and run, and discovers there is a sizeable reward for information leading to an arrest- Dayna turns amateur detective in hopes of claiming the reward money.
She soon discovers the case could be connected to a recent spate of crimes in Hollywood- which sends her on a madcap mission to find a murderer. It’s a grand adventure until Dayna becomes a target...
I found this book on Scribd and liked the sound of it. The ratings were solid, so I decided to give it a try- and hit pay dirt. A light, very funny, mystery with great characters, some surprise twists, against a Hollywood backdrop. Dayna is hysterical, the pacing is brisk, and the story is entertaining all the way around.
Yes, it checks all the ‘cozy’ mystery boxes, but anyone who likes humorous mysteries will enjoy this one.
Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews is a 2002 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This series so fun!
A craft fair and annual revolutiRevenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews is a 2002 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This series so fun!
A craft fair and annual revolutionary reenactment celebrating the anniversary of the British surrender gives Meg a chance to set up a booth and sell her wrought iron art work. But, she must also contend with her boyfriend's mother, who has become the ‘authenticity’ police, making sure everyone is strictly adhering to the customs, dress, and speech of the period. Not only that, Meg’s not so favorite reporter is snooping around constantly, and generally being a pain in the neck. Then there is her father, who is enjoying impersonating an eighteen- century doctor a bit too enthusiastically, and her brother Rob, who may be entering into a bad business arrangement, and Michael’s increasing pressure to have Meg move closer to him so they can see each other more often. If that weren’t enough, a murder is committed and one of Meg’s friends could be arrested, meaning that once more, she must don her sleuthing cap to keep an innocent man from going to prison.
I’m reading through a great many series, but there are three I’m hoping to catch completely up with by year’s end, and this was one of them. But, I hit a major snag when my library lost the digital license to loan these books out. It’s going to take me a little longer to piece the series together than I originally thought, as a result. All the same this book was worth the extra time, money and effort. It got off to a slow start, with the mystery being more about who the victim might be, rather than a whodunit. Finally, almost a hundred pages in, a crime was committed, and we were off the races. From that point on, the story was utterly absorbing, with plenty of surprising developments and revelations. The screwball antics and hilarious dialogue were a nice compliment, propelling the story along at an even faster pace. The mystery kept me guessing until the end and the conclusion was very satisfying. Can't wait to what happens with Meg and her offbeat family next!! 4 stars
Murder with Puffins by Donna Andrews is a 2001 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This second book in this long running series has Meg, a newly minted amMurder with Puffins by Donna Andrews is a 2001 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This second book in this long running series has Meg, a newly minted amateur detective, investigating a murder on a small Maine island, where she and her boyfriend had hoped to enjoy a little alone time, only to find her entire family had arrived ahead of her. Now, due to a hurricane, they are marooned on the island with a murderer!
I’m still acclimating myself to this series, but so far, so good. This second installment features another madcap and zany murder mystery, featuring a few rather odd characters, which was nice because they were very hard to read, and I couldn’t seem to decide who the murderer was.
I like Meg and the way she has inadvertently discovered a knack for solving murder mysteries, which has her father preening, he is so proud! She and her boyfriend, make a terrific investigative team and really do have a charming chemistry between them.
I think the further along into this series, I travel, the more I am going to like it.
Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is a 2017 Simon & Schuster publication.
This fifth installment in the “Under Suspicion’ Every Breath You Take by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke is a 2017 Simon & Schuster publication.
This fifth installment in the “Under Suspicion’ series has Laurie reluctantly agreeing to investigate a cold case suggested to her by her new co-host, Ryan, who is still an insufferable jerk.
The case involves Ivan, a fitness guru, suspected of murdering his much older lover for money. Charges were never brought, but the man lives under a constant shadow of suspicion and wants to see his name cleared.
As Laurie and Ryan dig into the cold case, they discover the victim, Virginia Wakeling, a wealthy widow, had been thinking about changing her will, which sent her children, and her son in-law, into sheer panic mode.
Could one of them have killed Virginia? Is Ivan as innocent as he claims?
For me, this series is very appealing, not only because of the two fabulous authors, but because I really love the set up. A series focused solely on cold cases is right up my alley because of all the mystery tropes out there, cold cases are one of my all-time favorites.
I have really enjoyed watching Laurie’s character bloom, as she slowly comes back to the land of the living after the tragic death of her husband. There is a little romantic angst tossed in, along with the mystery, which is a nice addition to the story, as well.
This particular segment is just as fun as the first four installments have been, although, I must confess, I didn’t feel a connection with the suspects or even the victim, in this case, even after all the facts were presented. I found myself thinking that I didn’t really like most of the characters this time around, which muted the feeling of vindication a little bit.
But, I couldn’t decide who was trustworthy, or who to suspect, which at the end of the day, is the most important element of a mystery- trying to figure out whodunit! The suspense builds at a nice brisk pace, and kept me fully invested in the story, if not the characters.
The dry spell in Laurie’s love life is about to come to head- one way or another- and I thought perhaps there was a bit more time spent on this area than in the past, but it was also something I thought should be resolved and was happy with how things turned out.
Overall, I enjoy the light, clean mysteries these stories provide, and with the powerhouse team of MHC with Alafair Burke, the writing is always superb, giving their readers the type of entertaining stories they expect and enjoy, and will come back for time and time again.
Curiosity Thrilled the Cat: A Magical Cats Mystery by Sofie Kelly is a 2011 NAL publication.
Cats, libraries and books are a winning trifecta, and theCuriosity Thrilled the Cat: A Magical Cats Mystery by Sofie Kelly is a 2011 NAL publication.
Cats, libraries and books are a winning trifecta, and they tend to complement each other, especially well when these three elements apply to mystery novels. So, it’s no surprise that there is no shortage of mystery series, especially in the cozy genre, featuring cats, books, and libraries, in one combination or another.
I wasn’t sure about this series when it was recommended to me, because, although I love it when pets and animals have a role in a story, I’m not especially fond of the magical or paranormal elements, since, well, it’s just too silly for me. But, in this case, I found the entire story very charming. The mystery is solid, well plotted, with quick pacing, strong dialogue, with a little humor sprinkled in along the way.
Hercules and Owen, Kathleen Paulson’s adopted cats, are ‘special’, and they do help Kathleen find clues, in small ways, but I found myself caught up in the spirt of the book, and enjoyed the pure whimsy of it. In fact, the cats are what made the book so utterly charming.
Kathleen is a likeable character who is licking her wounds after a bad break up, and adjusting to small town life, as well as her decision to try a super short hairdo, which is driving her nuts. (I can relate!) Her new job as the town’s librarian is fraught with a plethora of issues due to a major renovation, which is not going so well.
But, when Kathleen finds the body of a famous, and difficult, musical conductor, things get a whole lot worse when she discovers she is suspect number one.
Things get dicey from there as she copes with Marcus, the detective working the case, and a string of ‘accidents’, as well as feeling as though someone doesn’t want the library renovated, for some reason.
This first book in a series, sets the stage for future installments, giving it a nice foundation to build on. So, overall, this one turned out to be an unexpected pleasure, so I’ll be adding yet another series to my enormous TBR pile.
Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews is a 2008 Minotaur publication.
Now that Meg and Michael are married, Meg's thoughts have begun to flow toward thCockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews is a 2008 Minotaur publication.
Now that Meg and Michael are married, Meg's thoughts have begun to flow toward the next step- children. Meg gets a good dose of reality when Karen, an old friend, drops by out of the blue asking Meg to babysit her son, Timmy, for a while.
As time passes, and Karen still hasn’t come to claim Timmy, Meg must find out what’s become of her friend, while also caring for Timmy full time. Naturally, the situation takes on a sinister tone when a dead body is found, and the possibility that little Timmy could be in danger becomes more apparent.
This is one of my ‘read though’ series. I love touching base with these zany characters, but I thought Meg was especially funny in this episode. The mystery, as always, is very well executed, the pacing is brisk, and the dialogue is top-notch.
Another hysterically wild and entertaining installment in this beloved series!! ...more
Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews is a 2010 Minotaur publication.
This is a long running cozy mystery series I have been gradually reading through. MeStork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews is a 2010 Minotaur publication.
This is a long running cozy mystery series I have been gradually reading through. Meg Langslow is the first-person narrator, and she is outrageously funny. The last chapter I read in this series was flat- but I was positive it was just a one-off- and I was right.
This twelfth installment sees Meg back to her usual self- except now she is very, very pregnant- with TWINS! If that weren’t enough to try someone’s patience, her home has been turned into a makeshift hotel for Michael’s drama students due to do a heating problem on campus. Meg, though, is as cool as a cucumber…
Until...
A member of the University faculty is murdered in their home- and it might not bode well for Michael's long- awaited tenure!
Meg was exceptionally sharp in this installment. The various names she gives the twins were hysterically funny.
I don’t know how Andrews manages to create such solid mysteries amid Meg’s always chaotic life, but it works.
While the recurring characters all make an appearance, some more prominent than others, this episode mostly featured Meg and her grandfather. The cast of characters was maybe a little too large, but I managed to keep everything straight. Lots of great revelations, zany dialogue, and comedy-
Overall, another wildly entertaining effort from Donna Andrews. Looking forward to reading lucky thirteen in the series, soon!!
The Real Macaw by Donna Andrews is a 2011 Minotaur Books publication.
Meg and Michael are proud, but tired parents of twin boys! But, of course, thingThe Real Macaw by Donna Andrews is a 2011 Minotaur Books publication.
Meg and Michael are proud, but tired parents of twin boys! But, of course, things are about to get even crazier when Meg awakens to a house full of dogs, cats, and… and one foul mouthed Macaw.
As it turns out an animal activist group, which surprise, surprise, Meg’s grandfather is a member of, has stolen the animals from a shelter, which has reversed its ‘no kill’ policy’ due to a lack of funds.
For some reason, Parker, the volunteer who has promised to transport the animals to another shelter, hasn’t shown up and all efforts to contact him have been for naught. When the sheriff shows up, he comes bearing bad news- Parker has been murdered, and he would like to know why someone from Meg’s house has been trying to call Parker repeatedly over the past few hours…
The mystery in this installment is quite good. The plot was absorbing and well executed. The humor was toned down, just a bit, though there were still some laugh out loud moments. I loved all those animals, and the funny things they did, and how some of them found good homes.
Because the book was published in 2013 some of the technologies mentioned are a little nostalgic, but other than that, I usually find that these stories are timeless. Though the characters are very quirky, and occasionally silly, Andrews dots all the I’s and crosses the T’s, so that Meg’s amateur sleuthing makes sense, and mysteries are challenging, but also loads of fun!
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