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Meg Langslow #16
Duck the Halls
A new side-splitting Meg Langslow mystery from award–winning, New York Times bestselling author of Six Geese A Slaying, just in time for the holidays
The brilliantly funny and talented Donna Andrews delivers another winner in the acclaimed avian-themed series that mystery readers have come to love. A few nights before Christmas, Meg is awakened when Michael is summoned to the New Life Baptist Church, where someone has rigged a cage full of skunks in the choir loft. The lengthy process of de-skunking the church requires its annual pre-Christmas concert to relocate to Trinity Episcopal, where Mother insists the show must go on, despite the budget-related protests of Mr. Otis, an elderly vestryman. Meanwhile, when Meg helps her grandfather take the skunks to the zoo, they discover that his boa has been stolen—only to turn up later during the concert slithering out from the ribbon-bedecked evergreens.
It’s clear that some serious holiday pranksters are on the loose, and Meg is determined to find them. But before she can, a fire breaks out at Trinity, and Mr. Otis is discovered dead. Could this be a bit of nasty revenge from the now deposed Pruitt family? Or harassment from the Evil Lender? As Meg searches for answers she also races to finish all of her Christmas shopping, wrapping, cooking, caroling, and decorating in time to make the season jolly for Michael and the twins.
Guaranteed to put the "ho ho hos" into the holidays of cozy lovers everywhere, Duck the Halls is a gut-bustingly funny mystery, the latest from the award-winning Donna Andrews.
The brilliantly funny and talented Donna Andrews delivers another winner in the acclaimed avian-themed series that mystery readers have come to love. A few nights before Christmas, Meg is awakened when Michael is summoned to the New Life Baptist Church, where someone has rigged a cage full of skunks in the choir loft. The lengthy process of de-skunking the church requires its annual pre-Christmas concert to relocate to Trinity Episcopal, where Mother insists the show must go on, despite the budget-related protests of Mr. Otis, an elderly vestryman. Meanwhile, when Meg helps her grandfather take the skunks to the zoo, they discover that his boa has been stolen—only to turn up later during the concert slithering out from the ribbon-bedecked evergreens.
It’s clear that some serious holiday pranksters are on the loose, and Meg is determined to find them. But before she can, a fire breaks out at Trinity, and Mr. Otis is discovered dead. Could this be a bit of nasty revenge from the now deposed Pruitt family? Or harassment from the Evil Lender? As Meg searches for answers she also races to finish all of her Christmas shopping, wrapping, cooking, caroling, and decorating in time to make the season jolly for Michael and the twins.
Guaranteed to put the "ho ho hos" into the holidays of cozy lovers everywhere, Duck the Halls is a gut-bustingly funny mystery, the latest from the award-winning Donna Andrews.
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 22, 2013
257 people are currently reading
1926 people want to read
About the author
Donna Andrews
103 books2,093 followersDonna Andrews was born in Yorktown, Virginia, the setting of Murder with Peacocks and Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos, and now lives and works in Reston, Virginia. When not writing fiction, Andrews is a self-confessed nerd, rarely found away from her computer, unless she's messing in the garden
http://us.macmillan.com/author/donnaa...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/donnaa...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 419 reviews
December 19, 2018
Duck the Halls by Donna Andrews is a 2013 Minotaur publication.
This holiday edition of the long running Meg Langslow series is centered around a string of criminal mischief incidents at several local churches. The damage done by these invasions has forced the churches, which are of differing denominations, to help each other out so their Christmas pageant show can go on.
Meg, who is helping Robyn, a new minister who happens to be both young and female, with her scheduling issues. In the process, Meg witnesses a few skirmishes between church members, all of whom seem to have forgotten the spirit of the holiday. Things go from bad to worse when one of them is murdered. Meg must prove which of the prime suspects is a murderous grinch, hopefully before the all important Christmas presentation.
This book, as with most of the books in the series, has some laugh out loud moments in it. The church politics and the stress of rehearsal for the Christmas pageant was humorous, because, while exaggerated for this story, was also a little too realistic.
The only small complaint I had was that Meg’s father and brother have very small and muted roles and I missed their presence. However, I did enjoy the prominence of the female characters in this one, with Meg’s mother working in concert with Meg, which was actually pretty funny.
This is the sixteenth installment in the series, and I inadvertently picked this one out thinking it was the sixth installment. I was shocked by some of the developments that took place since I’ve only read the first four or five books in the series, but sadly, I will not be able to read the series in order, because of a licensing issue with my library and the publisher So, it was just as well.
Despite missing out on the events that led up to this point, I found this story to be just as refreshingly funny as the previous installments, maybe even more so. The mystery is solid, and I enjoyed the festive atmosphere, and the touching, heartwarming conclusion.
Overall, this was a fun, highly entertaining holiday mystery anyone can enjoy.
4 stars
This holiday edition of the long running Meg Langslow series is centered around a string of criminal mischief incidents at several local churches. The damage done by these invasions has forced the churches, which are of differing denominations, to help each other out so their Christmas pageant show can go on.
Meg, who is helping Robyn, a new minister who happens to be both young and female, with her scheduling issues. In the process, Meg witnesses a few skirmishes between church members, all of whom seem to have forgotten the spirit of the holiday. Things go from bad to worse when one of them is murdered. Meg must prove which of the prime suspects is a murderous grinch, hopefully before the all important Christmas presentation.
This book, as with most of the books in the series, has some laugh out loud moments in it. The church politics and the stress of rehearsal for the Christmas pageant was humorous, because, while exaggerated for this story, was also a little too realistic.
The only small complaint I had was that Meg’s father and brother have very small and muted roles and I missed their presence. However, I did enjoy the prominence of the female characters in this one, with Meg’s mother working in concert with Meg, which was actually pretty funny.
This is the sixteenth installment in the series, and I inadvertently picked this one out thinking it was the sixth installment. I was shocked by some of the developments that took place since I’ve only read the first four or five books in the series, but sadly, I will not be able to read the series in order, because of a licensing issue with my library and the publisher So, it was just as well.
Despite missing out on the events that led up to this point, I found this story to be just as refreshingly funny as the previous installments, maybe even more so. The mystery is solid, and I enjoyed the festive atmosphere, and the touching, heartwarming conclusion.
Overall, this was a fun, highly entertaining holiday mystery anyone can enjoy.
4 stars
October 22, 2025
I love every single one of Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow mystery series books because in addition to having a great mystery to figure out, they always have something absolutely WACKY going on that is so laugh out loud funny, you just can’t help but wonder how she comes up with this stuff. In DUCK THE HALLS, I’m going into it thinking we’re going to get Christmas and ducks, but we start off with skunks who have been dropped off in a church. Like a whole cage of skunks. And then it’s chapters and chapters of information about skunks and skunk removal and you’d think that would be too much information about skunks, but it’s just so darn funny (and actually quite interesting) and I just love these books. And then we learn a snake has gone missing, and I’m in stitches just waiting to see what will happen with the ducks from the title. Meg and Michael have twin boys, who are trying to find their mother an appropriate non-hamster Christmas present while Meg tries to help organize the church performances and prevent further church vandalism. Meg has her usual relatives about being somewhat helpful and extremely funny.
January 12, 2015
Book Reaction (not a full review)
I think this book may have jinxed me.
The story starts with an unknown prankster leaving a cage full of skunks in the Baptist church.
On two of the nights that I listened to the audiobook on the way home from work, I nearly ran right into a skunk. I am deathly afraid of skunks.
As with the rest of the book, the story is charming, with a boatload of wacky characters and a protagonist who is both sympathetic and humorous. I love visiting Donna Andrews' Caerphilly in much the way that I used to enjoy my visits to Lillian Jackson Braun's Moose County: I read the books for the characters' antics, not for the mystery.
Which is a good thing, as there's not much of a mystery to speak of. Andrews follows the Cozy Mystery Formula for detective fiction, which makes the crime very easy for the reader to solve. First, identify the Unpleasant Newcomers (not necessarily to the town, but to the cast). There will likely be three or four of them. One of them will be distinguished early on as the chief antagonist and someone that everyone, including the protagonist, wants to kill. This will be the murderee. The others will split into two logical groupings. One, the one with the superficial but breakable alibi, will be guilty of the murder. The other will initially be suspected, but will turn out to be involved in a different crime. The protagonist will surprise the villian in the act, the villain will tie her up and monologue, and another member of the cast will surprise them and save the day.
One of the reasons that I don't tend to dip into the cozy mystery genre much is that this particular formula troubles me. It creates a division between the comfortable and comedic characters and those whose lives are of so little worth that their death or misery can be cheerfully put aside as the characters go on with their lives. After all, that's why the genre is called "cozy."
But for all that, the Meg Lanslow series is so very charming and so much fun that even I can put aside my annoyance with cozies and join everyone else in treating murder as a minor inconvenience.
In this case, my favourite parts were Meg's sang-froid in dealing with the crazy circumstances that her family creates, such as a duck appearing in her bathtub. (She puts it in her brother's bathtub, and later, when she is faced with telling her sons about the duck's future as Christmas dinner, she presents it to her grandfather as a Christmas present that she didn't have time to wrap.)
The ending, too, had me in stitches.
I think this book may have jinxed me.
The story starts with an unknown prankster leaving a cage full of skunks in the Baptist church.
On two of the nights that I listened to the audiobook on the way home from work, I nearly ran right into a skunk. I am deathly afraid of skunks.
As with the rest of the book, the story is charming, with a boatload of wacky characters and a protagonist who is both sympathetic and humorous. I love visiting Donna Andrews' Caerphilly in much the way that I used to enjoy my visits to Lillian Jackson Braun's Moose County: I read the books for the characters' antics, not for the mystery.
Which is a good thing, as there's not much of a mystery to speak of. Andrews follows the Cozy Mystery Formula for detective fiction, which makes the crime very easy for the reader to solve. First, identify the Unpleasant Newcomers (not necessarily to the town, but to the cast). There will likely be three or four of them. One of them will be distinguished early on as the chief antagonist and someone that everyone, including the protagonist, wants to kill. This will be the murderee. The others will split into two logical groupings. One, the one with the superficial but breakable alibi, will be guilty of the murder. The other will initially be suspected, but will turn out to be involved in a different crime. The protagonist will surprise the villian in the act, the villain will tie her up and monologue, and another member of the cast will surprise them and save the day.
One of the reasons that I don't tend to dip into the cozy mystery genre much is that this particular formula troubles me. It creates a division between the comfortable and comedic characters and those whose lives are of so little worth that their death or misery can be cheerfully put aside as the characters go on with their lives. After all, that's why the genre is called "cozy."
But for all that, the Meg Lanslow series is so very charming and so much fun that even I can put aside my annoyance with cozies and join everyone else in treating murder as a minor inconvenience.
In this case, my favourite parts were Meg's sang-froid in dealing with the crazy circumstances that her family creates, such as a duck appearing in her bathtub. (She puts it in her brother's bathtub, and later, when she is faced with telling her sons about the duck's future as Christmas dinner, she presents it to her grandfather as a Christmas present that she didn't have time to wrap.)
The ending, too, had me in stitches.
January 1, 2014
With the town churches being overrun by a series of pranks, Meg is called in to organize a schedule so all the Christmas concerts and services can still go on as planned. But who is behind the pranks? And why have things escalated to murder?
This is a second Christmas entry in the Meg series, and it was purely delightful. I finished it on Christmas Eve, and it helped put me in the Christmas spirit, yes even with murder involved.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This is a second Christmas entry in the Meg series, and it was purely delightful. I finished it on Christmas Eve, and it helped put me in the Christmas spirit, yes even with murder involved.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 10, 2014
A 3.5 for me because the ending kind of went flat. Quite a few cute parts and funny characters but I think if I knew them better it would have been a more enjoyable read. Comming in in the middle of a series can be tricky that way. A well rounded story about what starts out as harmless pranks turns into a murder investigation. A small town, family and church oriented Christmas story. Skunks and bunnies and snakes, Oh No! Believable characters and good narration kept it going for me.
June 9, 2014
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! And i love the author. Such a talent. She must have a wicked sense of humor because her characters are too funny. And, the situations are just belly laugh good!!
READ...READ...READ!!!
READ...READ...READ!!!
March 29, 2022
So I enjoy books in this series and I find them fun to read, even if I read them in some random order. And I suppose it might be weird to be reading a Christmas book at the end of March (??) but it is a fun story. And I actually guessed the killer too!
And a few lines in here towards the end really made me chuckle too. Which did catch me off guard. I know these books are supposed to be humorous and the plots are indeed very entertaining but that doesn't mean it will actually make you laugh. This particular storyline contains many animal related pranks - and yes, ducks are involved in one of them - but I really didn't find the pranks funny. There are also skunks, a giant snake and a few other types of creatures.
And there are a few very sour, grumpy characters in here. Like severely sour. The one makes Scrooge look like a happy person! Yeah, he is bad! So much yelling and stuff. Throwing stuff. For awhile this nasty person took over the plot and Meg tried to stay out of his way. But I remember a similar character from the previous book I had read in this series, the one about the owls at the hotel. I do believe that this guy was way worse and to think he was conducting a chorus! Needless to say I didn't like this guy at all! Who would?
Of course there was a murder...and it came unexpectedly too. And it was not who I was expecting to get killed. Ok, I never really thought about who might get killed. And do you know why? Because I was enjoying all the crazy stuff going on in here! Meg not only had to deal with juggling multiple churches and all of their holiday plans plus the weird animal pranks (which do stinky types of damage) but also try to plan Christmas dinners! So she is very, very busy! And then poof! The murder! So there is a ton of stuff going on and Meg does like to snoop. Listen in from behind doors. Figure things out.
Somehow to me it was very obvious who the killer was! And I was pleased to learn I was right too. I actually guessed who it was before Meg found out the hard way!
Only one little thing confuses me in here: the little parade they had with the real animals way at the end for the Christmas celebration. Some of those animals are from hot climates. I don't understand how Dr Blake, being a zoologist, can in good faith bring those animals outside in winter when there is snow on the ground. They are not made for that climate. And I had thought he had always put the safety of his animals first? So how could he be carelessly taking them out into snowy conditions where it's like only 20 F? They would freeze! I hope he is not getting senile in his old age. Because it's not worth risking an animal's life for some parade.
And a few lines in here towards the end really made me chuckle too. Which did catch me off guard. I know these books are supposed to be humorous and the plots are indeed very entertaining but that doesn't mean it will actually make you laugh. This particular storyline contains many animal related pranks - and yes, ducks are involved in one of them - but I really didn't find the pranks funny. There are also skunks, a giant snake and a few other types of creatures.
And there are a few very sour, grumpy characters in here. Like severely sour. The one makes Scrooge look like a happy person! Yeah, he is bad! So much yelling and stuff. Throwing stuff. For awhile this nasty person took over the plot and Meg tried to stay out of his way. But I remember a similar character from the previous book I had read in this series, the one about the owls at the hotel. I do believe that this guy was way worse and to think he was conducting a chorus! Needless to say I didn't like this guy at all! Who would?
Of course there was a murder...and it came unexpectedly too. And it was not who I was expecting to get killed. Ok, I never really thought about who might get killed. And do you know why? Because I was enjoying all the crazy stuff going on in here! Meg not only had to deal with juggling multiple churches and all of their holiday plans plus the weird animal pranks (which do stinky types of damage) but also try to plan Christmas dinners! So she is very, very busy! And then poof! The murder! So there is a ton of stuff going on and Meg does like to snoop. Listen in from behind doors. Figure things out.
Somehow to me it was very obvious who the killer was! And I was pleased to learn I was right too. I actually guessed who it was before Meg found out the hard way!
Only one little thing confuses me in here: the little parade they had with the real animals way at the end for the Christmas celebration. Some of those animals are from hot climates. I don't understand how Dr Blake, being a zoologist, can in good faith bring those animals outside in winter when there is snow on the ground. They are not made for that climate. And I had thought he had always put the safety of his animals first? So how could he be carelessly taking them out into snowy conditions where it's like only 20 F? They would freeze! I hope he is not getting senile in his old age. Because it's not worth risking an animal's life for some parade.
April 11, 2020
This cozy mystery by Donna Andrews included more church aspects--both the religious celebration of Christmas and the politics. It included the usual community capers, with a murder and lots of animals!
August 24, 2025
sixth read in as many years. Meg Langslow and clan never get old. Happily on my way to counting down to Christmas Langslow style this year as well.
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How much do I love this series? Enough to count down to Christmas with Meg Langslow! And, yes, there are enough Christmas books so I can read (listen) to one a week until Christmas. My audible version of an advent calendar. :-) This is my third read and the Langslow/Waterson household seasonal shenanigans never get old!
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How much do I love this series? Enough to count down to Christmas with Meg Langslow! And, yes, there are enough Christmas books so I can read (listen) to one a week until Christmas. My audible version of an advent calendar. :-) This is my third read and the Langslow/Waterson household seasonal shenanigans never get old!
January 11, 2025
I was really quite confused for most of this book, between the numerous churches and their holiday celebrations and the flocks etc. of the different animals, I just didn't get into the mystery or the holiday spirit.
May 4, 2022
As always this series provides a good laugh and the author creatively includes animals in her mysteries.
December 5, 2017
A very cute, very light holiday mystery that starts with a series of silly pranks where a person or persons unknown are filling various places of worship with animals – skunks, snakes, ducks, etc – that eventually turns dark, and then someone is dead and it’s not a joke to anyone. Our protagonist isn’t a professional detective or sleuth for hire. As far as I can tell, she’s just an unashamedly nosy mom. But then, this is book #16 in the Meg Langslow series and there is probably a whole lot more to this character and her history than I was able to grasp in this one short book. Certainly there is a whole history to her extended family dynamics, which come into play throughout the story and bring us a really adorable holiday scene at the conclusion. This does work okay as a standalone, but I suspect the pleasure in it would be enhanced for readers who are already familiar with the series.
Many thanks to Themis-Athena and Murder by Death – I can’t remember which of you recommended this one to me, but you were right, this was a fun antidote to the string of unfinishable holiday-themed books that I kept trying to use to put myself in a holiday mood.
Audiobook, purchased via Audible, with a very good performance by Bernadette Dunn, although I think she does a much better job on all the Shirley Jackson books – maybe she needs that darker material to really sink her teeth into.
I’d have liked to use this for The 16 Tasks of the Festive Season, but I already have books lined up for all the book tasks and I already have a Christmas book for the Holiday Book Joker.
Many thanks to Themis-Athena and Murder by Death – I can’t remember which of you recommended this one to me, but you were right, this was a fun antidote to the string of unfinishable holiday-themed books that I kept trying to use to put myself in a holiday mood.
Audiobook, purchased via Audible, with a very good performance by Bernadette Dunn, although I think she does a much better job on all the Shirley Jackson books – maybe she needs that darker material to really sink her teeth into.
I’d have liked to use this for The 16 Tasks of the Festive Season, but I already have books lined up for all the book tasks and I already have a Christmas book for the Holiday Book Joker.
February 19, 2020
Most cozy Christmas themed series installments can be read any time of year, I’ve found, but this isn’t one of them, IMHO. It’s pretty heavily focused on holiday themes, & not the “cultural ritual” ones I enjoy. Added to it is a Christian church & “Jesus is the reason for the season” focus, making this an installment I wish I’d have skipped. Unfortunately, it didn’t move the overall series plot forward either.
The characterization of the 4 yr old twins is off, especially their speaking ability; they’re maturing over time in the series, but their speech never seems to. And, overall, the addition of the kids in the series just seem to be a distraction, what with the protagonist constantly needing them out of the way; & her obligatory, unprofessional, brushes with murderers hell-bent on killing her, & her other seemingly casual encounters with life-threatening dangers.
The protagonist’s family members are typically funny characters, but finding those instances of LOL moments are growing few & far between in this series. My interest is waning, unfortunately. I typically enjoy the animal antics, at least; but each book’s plot is predictable, to the point of boredom. Formulaic plot lines are tolerable, if the character development or other aspects are strong enough, but this installment (& the last few, actually) is making me question if I should continue.
The characterization of the 4 yr old twins is off, especially their speaking ability; they’re maturing over time in the series, but their speech never seems to. And, overall, the addition of the kids in the series just seem to be a distraction, what with the protagonist constantly needing them out of the way; & her obligatory, unprofessional, brushes with murderers hell-bent on killing her, & her other seemingly casual encounters with life-threatening dangers.
The protagonist’s family members are typically funny characters, but finding those instances of LOL moments are growing few & far between in this series. My interest is waning, unfortunately. I typically enjoy the animal antics, at least; but each book’s plot is predictable, to the point of boredom. Formulaic plot lines are tolerable, if the character development or other aspects are strong enough, but this installment (& the last few, actually) is making me question if I should continue.
April 23, 2023
Lots of laughs in this cozy mystery!
Quite enjoyable series .. I hope to catch up with the ones I have missed by end of 2018.
2023 Re-read. Plot order: Skunks & snake pranks by the teen boys.
Then LOTS of white ducks dumped in the Catholic church.
First murder in basement of Trinity Episcopal of Van
(80 yr old retired banker & church budget nitpicker).
Hilarious = whole description of Judge Jane holding court in her barn. And Rob does a defense lawyer bit.
[Really glad i now own a copy of the book.]
Like Meg’s mom’s scenes so far. Btw: twins = 4y old.
[think i dropped one star in my original review because the mystery got too complicated for this reader.]
Quite enjoyable series .. I hope to catch up with the ones I have missed by end of 2018.
2023 Re-read. Plot order: Skunks & snake pranks by the teen boys.
Then LOTS of white ducks dumped in the Catholic church.
First murder in basement of Trinity Episcopal of Van
(80 yr old retired banker & church budget nitpicker).
Hilarious = whole description of Judge Jane holding court in her barn. And Rob does a defense lawyer bit.
[Really glad i now own a copy of the book.]
Like Meg’s mom’s scenes so far. Btw: twins = 4y old.
[think i dropped one star in my original review because the mystery got too complicated for this reader.]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
Sixteenth in the Meg Langslow humorous mystery series based in Caerphilly, Virginia, and revolving around the village blacksmith and her extended family.
My Take
A sweetly easy mystery with a focus on merry and not-so-merry pranksters and the goodwill and cooperation of truly Christian people as they help each other out. I do love this example of true Christianity with people of different denominations helping each other out so beautifully. Exactly how it should be.
Lucky for Meg, both Michael and Rob have joined the Caerphilly Volunteer Firefighters, which means she learns quickly where the mysterious excitement is. Our girl simply cannot resist being in on all the action.
I love the description of the Christmas decorations Mother has put up---definitely my style, LOL. But it’s the sound of the old ballroom-turned-library that really has me melting in my wing chair.
It’s a different sort of Nativity scene in several ways with a surfeit of skunks, a brace of ducks, a herd of rabbits, a table for one (I love the twins’ hopeful looking around at all concerts and performances after that first time, LOL), appearing in churches while the most official reason requiring critters in this holiday season is the menagerie Mrs. D requires for the living Nativity play on Christmas Eve. Then there’s the Nativity play with its assortment of animals, including dinosaurs. Hey, God created them two-by-two, LOL.
Definitely a lesson in how to handle skunks!
I do have to laugh as we read of all the different ways Meg is scheming to get out of her mother’s plans for organizing repairs and scheduling. I think we should vote Mother in for president of the U.S.A. She’d tidy the country up right quick.
How unreasonable can someone get? Remove the communion rail? When it’s just as easy for a couple rows to stand in front of it?? Fortunately there are more in town who simply step up to help---I do love the description of the port-a-potties!
That sneaky Christmas Eve dinner implodes. There's just too much nosiness rampant. Definitely worth a rueful laugh.
This particular story was an excellent example of how not to do an info dump and still convey the relevant information as well as help us catch up with who’s doing what. Very nice. Good point on the boy-who-cried-wolf...a very useful character device.
LOL, I need to buy this one if only for Meg’s finely developed plan to counter her mother-in-law’s nasty comments. Too, too funny...and even more fun is watching mama-in-law’s reactions when she can’t get a rise out of Meg. It’s such a positive way to approach this divisive, mean holiday problem. Oh, lord, if you have family who never crafts you the right gift, this could well be another reason to buy! You’ll crack up reading about Cousin Sylvia’s Christmas gift giving propensities! And it’s a great segue into the denouement of the story!
The Story
Someone is pranking the churches in Caerphilly until it turns to murder. Until that point, however, rooms, concert halls, and spaces for the myriad of activities---including a much-beloved choir performance---that a church enjoys during the holiday season must be accommodated while repairs are made, and it’s up to Meg to coordinate it all. Much better than having to help with clean-up!
There’s also the new clash of mothers over who’s doing the most fabulous Christmas dinner---and not a traditional one.
Ah yes, it’ll be a Dickens of a Christmas...
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith and her husband, Michael Waterston, is a drama professor at the local college. Their twin sons, Josh and Jamie, are now four years old and have chosen to have their own bedrooms. A brave move on their parts. Rob is her klutzy but very computer-literate game developer little brother who lives with them in their renovated old (and big) Victorian farmhouse along with Rose Noire, a cousin into organics and nature. Tinkerbell is Rob’s Irish wolfhound while Spike is the vicious little furball.
Dad is Dr. Langslow, one-half of where Meg got her desire to be involved. He can’t resist keeping an ear out for the action on the police band radio. Mother, a very classy lady, is more circumspect but doesn’t hesitate to take over and impose her decorative taste on everything and everyone.
Dr. Montgomery Blake is Dad’s father, the distinguished zoologist who has a show on Animal Planet; he runs a private zoo in Caerphilly. Victor is the zoo’s night-shift head keeper. Caroline Willner is an old friend of Grandfather’s and a frequent partner in mischief who runs a wildlife sanctuary. Cleopatra is an emerald tree boa.
Dahlia Waterston is Michael’s mother with the mean comments. She normally takes a cruise at Christmas. This time around she’s thinking of an Asian dinner.
The Shiffley family
It’s a big family with their fingers in a lot of different pies. Randall is the town’s mayor and runs a construction company that handles a lot of things including snow removal, vandal repair, and hay bale placement. Caleb is one of the young ones. Quincy Shiffley is a bachelor recovering from heart surgery; his farm has been a source of multiple complaints. Judge Jane Shiffley prefers to hold court in her family barn.
Sammy Wendell is one of Rose Noire’s beaus. Charlie Gardner is the registrar at the college with the tips on where to look to confirm someone’s bona fides; he’s also the friend loaning Michael the basement apartment.
Caerphilly PD
Chief Henry Burke is a good guy and has come to accept Meg’s sleuthing; Minerva is his truly lovely wife. Debbie Ann is the local police and emergency dispatcher. Eli Slattery, the animal control guy, get a break when Grandfather shows up at the scene. Horace Hollingsworth, Meg’s cousin, is the lone crime scene specialist. Aida Butler is one Burke’s deputies and a member of New Life Baptist; Ronnie is her son. Vern Shiffley is another deputy.
Caerphilly Volunteer Firefighters
Chief Featherstone is the new fire chief and still trying to get used to how much the people in a small town know.
New Life Baptist church
Ambrose Wilson is the reverend. Nelson Dandridge is the church’s caretaker. The Burkes are members of the congregation, and Minerva heads up the Ladies’ Auxiliary, similar to St. Clotilda’s Guild. Jerome Lightfoot, a.k.a., Bigfoot, is the pain in the butt choir director with no clue how to handle people and a pushy attitude.
Trinity Episcopal Church
Robyn Smith is the new reverend / rector / pastor at the church, replacing Dr. Rufus Womble. She’s married to Matt who may well be bringing Great-Aunt Brynhild (eek) back with him. St. Clotilda’s Guild is filled with volunteer ladies who take up the slack for most things. Riddick Hedges is the office manager, bookkeeper, and general factotum---the only paid staff member who never seems to get anything done unless it’s to hinder others. The Langslows and family belong to this congregation. Barliman Vess is a member of the vestry and everyone’s bête noir, picking away at anything he sees as an excessive expense.
Mrs. Thornefield donated her entire estate to Trinity Episcopal. A lovely thought, only it’s taking up so much room in the church’s undercroft.
Temple Beth-El
Rabbi Grossman sends over a brilliant calendar with thorough information.
St. Byblig
Father Donnelly is concerned about whether the church will need to be reconsecrated. Thankfully, the Bowl-o-Rama steps up to help out.
Methodist Church
Mrs. Dahlgren, the church secretary, has a rep for being difficult. Doesn’t sound like she thinks much, either. Reverends Trask and Larsen are quite cheerful about the addition and the children’s help.
The Cover
The cover is an orangey red with a lighter focus on a green sleigh loaded with a Christmas tree and presents popping out all over the skies, haphazardly pulled by two white Pekin ducks in belled harness and green-and-white striped scarves, LOL.
The title focuses on one of the pranks, one that seems to spread itself through this Christmas story, and Duck the Halls.
My Take
A sweetly easy mystery with a focus on merry and not-so-merry pranksters and the goodwill and cooperation of truly Christian people as they help each other out. I do love this example of true Christianity with people of different denominations helping each other out so beautifully. Exactly how it should be.
Lucky for Meg, both Michael and Rob have joined the Caerphilly Volunteer Firefighters, which means she learns quickly where the mysterious excitement is. Our girl simply cannot resist being in on all the action.
I love the description of the Christmas decorations Mother has put up---definitely my style, LOL. But it’s the sound of the old ballroom-turned-library that really has me melting in my wing chair.
It’s a different sort of Nativity scene in several ways with a surfeit of skunks, a brace of ducks, a herd of rabbits, a table for one (I love the twins’ hopeful looking around at all concerts and performances after that first time, LOL), appearing in churches while the most official reason requiring critters in this holiday season is the menagerie Mrs. D requires for the living Nativity play on Christmas Eve. Then there’s the Nativity play with its assortment of animals, including dinosaurs. Hey, God created them two-by-two, LOL.
Definitely a lesson in how to handle skunks!
I do have to laugh as we read of all the different ways Meg is scheming to get out of her mother’s plans for organizing repairs and scheduling. I think we should vote Mother in for president of the U.S.A. She’d tidy the country up right quick.
How unreasonable can someone get? Remove the communion rail? When it’s just as easy for a couple rows to stand in front of it?? Fortunately there are more in town who simply step up to help---I do love the description of the port-a-potties!
That sneaky Christmas Eve dinner implodes. There's just too much nosiness rampant. Definitely worth a rueful laugh.
This particular story was an excellent example of how not to do an info dump and still convey the relevant information as well as help us catch up with who’s doing what. Very nice. Good point on the boy-who-cried-wolf...a very useful character device.
LOL, I need to buy this one if only for Meg’s finely developed plan to counter her mother-in-law’s nasty comments. Too, too funny...and even more fun is watching mama-in-law’s reactions when she can’t get a rise out of Meg. It’s such a positive way to approach this divisive, mean holiday problem. Oh, lord, if you have family who never crafts you the right gift, this could well be another reason to buy! You’ll crack up reading about Cousin Sylvia’s Christmas gift giving propensities! And it’s a great segue into the denouement of the story!
The Story
Someone is pranking the churches in Caerphilly until it turns to murder. Until that point, however, rooms, concert halls, and spaces for the myriad of activities---including a much-beloved choir performance---that a church enjoys during the holiday season must be accommodated while repairs are made, and it’s up to Meg to coordinate it all. Much better than having to help with clean-up!
There’s also the new clash of mothers over who’s doing the most fabulous Christmas dinner---and not a traditional one.
Ah yes, it’ll be a Dickens of a Christmas...
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith and her husband, Michael Waterston, is a drama professor at the local college. Their twin sons, Josh and Jamie, are now four years old and have chosen to have their own bedrooms. A brave move on their parts. Rob is her klutzy but very computer-literate game developer little brother who lives with them in their renovated old (and big) Victorian farmhouse along with Rose Noire, a cousin into organics and nature. Tinkerbell is Rob’s Irish wolfhound while Spike is the vicious little furball.
Dad is Dr. Langslow, one-half of where Meg got her desire to be involved. He can’t resist keeping an ear out for the action on the police band radio. Mother, a very classy lady, is more circumspect but doesn’t hesitate to take over and impose her decorative taste on everything and everyone.
Dr. Montgomery Blake is Dad’s father, the distinguished zoologist who has a show on Animal Planet; he runs a private zoo in Caerphilly. Victor is the zoo’s night-shift head keeper. Caroline Willner is an old friend of Grandfather’s and a frequent partner in mischief who runs a wildlife sanctuary. Cleopatra is an emerald tree boa.
Dahlia Waterston is Michael’s mother with the mean comments. She normally takes a cruise at Christmas. This time around she’s thinking of an Asian dinner.
The Shiffley family
It’s a big family with their fingers in a lot of different pies. Randall is the town’s mayor and runs a construction company that handles a lot of things including snow removal, vandal repair, and hay bale placement. Caleb is one of the young ones. Quincy Shiffley is a bachelor recovering from heart surgery; his farm has been a source of multiple complaints. Judge Jane Shiffley prefers to hold court in her family barn.
Sammy Wendell is one of Rose Noire’s beaus. Charlie Gardner is the registrar at the college with the tips on where to look to confirm someone’s bona fides; he’s also the friend loaning Michael the basement apartment.
Caerphilly PD
Chief Henry Burke is a good guy and has come to accept Meg’s sleuthing; Minerva is his truly lovely wife. Debbie Ann is the local police and emergency dispatcher. Eli Slattery, the animal control guy, get a break when Grandfather shows up at the scene. Horace Hollingsworth, Meg’s cousin, is the lone crime scene specialist. Aida Butler is one Burke’s deputies and a member of New Life Baptist; Ronnie is her son. Vern Shiffley is another deputy.
Caerphilly Volunteer Firefighters
Chief Featherstone is the new fire chief and still trying to get used to how much the people in a small town know.
New Life Baptist church
Ambrose Wilson is the reverend. Nelson Dandridge is the church’s caretaker. The Burkes are members of the congregation, and Minerva heads up the Ladies’ Auxiliary, similar to St. Clotilda’s Guild. Jerome Lightfoot, a.k.a., Bigfoot, is the pain in the butt choir director with no clue how to handle people and a pushy attitude.
Trinity Episcopal Church
Robyn Smith is the new reverend / rector / pastor at the church, replacing Dr. Rufus Womble. She’s married to Matt who may well be bringing Great-Aunt Brynhild (eek) back with him. St. Clotilda’s Guild is filled with volunteer ladies who take up the slack for most things. Riddick Hedges is the office manager, bookkeeper, and general factotum---the only paid staff member who never seems to get anything done unless it’s to hinder others. The Langslows and family belong to this congregation. Barliman Vess is a member of the vestry and everyone’s bête noir, picking away at anything he sees as an excessive expense.
Mrs. Thornefield donated her entire estate to Trinity Episcopal. A lovely thought, only it’s taking up so much room in the church’s undercroft.
Temple Beth-El
Rabbi Grossman sends over a brilliant calendar with thorough information.
St. Byblig
Father Donnelly is concerned about whether the church will need to be reconsecrated. Thankfully, the Bowl-o-Rama steps up to help out.
Methodist Church
Mrs. Dahlgren, the church secretary, has a rep for being difficult. Doesn’t sound like she thinks much, either. Reverends Trask and Larsen are quite cheerful about the addition and the children’s help.
The Cover
The cover is an orangey red with a lighter focus on a green sleigh loaded with a Christmas tree and presents popping out all over the skies, haphazardly pulled by two white Pekin ducks in belled harness and green-and-white striped scarves, LOL.
The title focuses on one of the pranks, one that seems to spread itself through this Christmas story, and Duck the Halls.
January 3, 2020
Michael and Rob have just completed their volunteer fireman training. On their first call-out, Meg follows as she is concerned with their safety. This is only the first event in the assault on the community churches, from pranks to murder. Meg's organizational skills, once again, put her in the forefront of this mystery.
Find Duck the Halls at Westminster Public Library today!
And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!
Find Duck the Halls at Westminster Public Library today!
And if you are in search of new books to read, try our services, What Do I Read Next. Our library staff are standing by to create a personalized recommendation list for you!
October 8, 2013
Duck the Halls is a cleverly written Christmas story filled with humor and suspense. The story begins with a call that there were skunks found in the choir loft of a nearby church. Who wouldn't love a story that begins with a bunch of skunks? The author manages to keep the story light and fun while still including a murder mystery. I must say that this is one of the most fun holiday stories I have ever read.
December 12, 2024
I would give it 3.5 rating.
February 26, 2021
The end surprised me a bit... but I was horribly exhausted after Meg's gigantic to-do list was completed and that kinda killed my enjoyment. The holidays have never been my favorite time of year, for that reason. I know. Entirely my problem.
December 12, 2025
Very amusing and the light hearted story I needed right now. Being a Meg Lanslow mystery it was also full of quite the menagerie from ducks, bunnies, camels and a snake. There were also many interesting and quirky characters and surprising twists and turns.
February 4, 2020
Meg and Michael Langslow are enjoying the Christmas holidays with their over-large family. Michael has become a volunteer fireman for Caerphilly so when a call goes out in the middle of the night, he and Meg’s brother Rob, who still lives with them, must answer. They find that a whole lot of skunks have been delivered to the choir loft at New Life Baptist Church just before the annual Christmas concert and services. Extricating them requires breathing gear, equipment from a moving company, and Meg’s grandfather’s zoo to receive the critters. When they arrive at the zoo, they discover the zoo’s very large boa constrictor is missing. The boa later makes an appearance from the Christmas greenery at Trinity Episcopal Church. Unfortunately, hundreds of ducks had been delivered toTrinity and left overnight causing another mess and uproar.
With all these pranks going on, the churches need help scheduling their services and concerts and rehearsals. In comes Meg with her laptop to find space for the many events, making changes constantly through the next upcoming days. She hears of many complaints about the overly demanding choir director who may not be who he says he is. Plus one of Trinity’s vestry who is constantly pinching pennies has plenty to say about the commotion. When a fire breaks out in Trinity’s basement where the furniture from a member’s estate is being stored, a body is found, and the pranks have gone too far.
No Christmas tradition is left untouched in this delightful 16th entry in the series. All the usual family members are here and many are referred to from past series entries. Meg and Michael’s twins are now four and cheer their father on during his one-man Christmas show. Michael’s mother arrives with plans for an elaborate Christmas dinner. When Meg’s mother also plans a feast of non-traditional choices, Meg and Michael yearn for a old-fashioned meal with just the two of them and the two boys. With a family this large, is it possible?
It was sure fun visiting Caerphilly at Christmas with snow, llamas, and a unique nativity scene downtown. The irreverent Donna Andrews keeps her series going strong with no sign of fading. Bernadette Dunne does her usual terrific job of narrating this unique Christmas carol and even regales us with song. Recommended with laughter.
With all these pranks going on, the churches need help scheduling their services and concerts and rehearsals. In comes Meg with her laptop to find space for the many events, making changes constantly through the next upcoming days. She hears of many complaints about the overly demanding choir director who may not be who he says he is. Plus one of Trinity’s vestry who is constantly pinching pennies has plenty to say about the commotion. When a fire breaks out in Trinity’s basement where the furniture from a member’s estate is being stored, a body is found, and the pranks have gone too far.
No Christmas tradition is left untouched in this delightful 16th entry in the series. All the usual family members are here and many are referred to from past series entries. Meg and Michael’s twins are now four and cheer their father on during his one-man Christmas show. Michael’s mother arrives with plans for an elaborate Christmas dinner. When Meg’s mother also plans a feast of non-traditional choices, Meg and Michael yearn for a old-fashioned meal with just the two of them and the two boys. With a family this large, is it possible?
It was sure fun visiting Caerphilly at Christmas with snow, llamas, and a unique nativity scene downtown. The irreverent Donna Andrews keeps her series going strong with no sign of fading. Bernadette Dunne does her usual terrific job of narrating this unique Christmas carol and even regales us with song. Recommended with laughter.
March 28, 2018
Duck the Halls Michael and Rob have joined the Caerphilly VFD and a week before Christmas, they get called out to a problem at the Baptist church, where the Chief of Police and his family attend church. What is found there are a dozen irate skunks who have sprayed the caretaker and the whole church. After that, Meg is asked to help organize all the churches and their activities for Christmas so that there is enough space to accommodate all the special activities of all the different churches. As this is going on, Meg finds out who started the pranks but she knows that they didn't murder the cantankerous Vestry member who complained about every expenditure.
I really do enjoy these stories and it is good that they can be read out of order or in order. I do recommend as a fun read. Another mind candy book.
I really do enjoy these stories and it is good that they can be read out of order or in order. I do recommend as a fun read. Another mind candy book.
July 21, 2016
Definitely one of her better books and it suited me to be reading a Christmas story this time of year.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery (and it was probable), I enjoyed the details of family and small town life, too.
I do wonder about Caerphilly - it seems to have a higher per capita murder rate than any place in the country!
Also, Meg has a gem in Michael - does she EVER take care of thier sons for longer than half an hour?
It was funny, I laughed out loud at the live nativity, and good and made me smile.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery (and it was probable), I enjoyed the details of family and small town life, too.
I do wonder about Caerphilly - it seems to have a higher per capita murder rate than any place in the country!
Also, Meg has a gem in Michael - does she EVER take care of thier sons for longer than half an hour?
It was funny, I laughed out loud at the live nativity, and good and made me smile.
June 13, 2014
I NEVER say this about the boatload of mystery series that I read - this series keeps getting better and better with each progressive book! I was worried that after the twins were born , Meg would disappear into mommydom, but it's refreshing to see that while she is a mom, she doesn't lose the part of her that made us faithful readers continue to follow her exploits. That is not to say she ignores the twins: husband Michael is a wonderful,hands-on father, and it's nice to see a wonderful marriage/partnership in parenthood like this one.This series continues to be a delight!
November 5, 2013
This series is always a fun romp through the family crazy tree...and the Langslows don't let you down in this one. Another fun story, with an interesting twist. Yes, there are some "familiar" pieces to the story here, but let's face it, this is why we read a series. If you're a fan, you won't be disappointed. If you're new to the series, it will make you go back to the beginning to meet all the fun and crazy people in Meg's life.
November 28, 2014
Someone is pulling nasty pranks at local churches just before the busy Christmas services. First pranks is a cage full of skunks left in the choir loft. Then a whole group of ducks being locked in the sanctuary of another church. Meg is called upon to help organize where the different churchs could hold their practices and services and finally of course there is a body involved.
January 19, 2019
This is probably my favorite Donna Andrews books in the Meg series (so far). What could possibly be be more trying than Skunks in the New Life Baptist Choir loft, boa constrictor at the Christmas Choir Concert, ducks in the Catholic church, a body in the Episcopalian church. Christmas is Caerphilly is quite the holiday!
March 23, 2014
this is one of my very favorite series. It started with The Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos and has continued through many of the bird families. Meg and her various cast of characters never fail to amuse and solve the murders.
September 25, 2014
This is such a fun series! I really like the huge cast of characters and the dynamics of a big family that is very involved in each others lives. This one had just the right amount of absurdity thrown in.
August 31, 2016
Appropriate for: age 13+
You will like this book if you like: Mysteries, funny mysteries
Another great installment in the series full of Christmas cheer and lots of animals. No swear words (yay!)
You will like this book if you like: Mysteries, funny mysteries
Another great installment in the series full of Christmas cheer and lots of animals. No swear words (yay!)
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