The Good, the Bad, and the Emus: A Meg Langslow Mystery

Meg Langslow #17

by Donna Andrews

Life will never be the same for Meg Langslow after family secrets are revealed, introducing a whole new layer of intrigue in Donna Andrews's beloved series.Meg's long-lost paternal grandfather, Dr. Blake, has hired Stanley Denton to find her grandmother Cordelia. Dr. Blake was reunited with his family when he saw Meg's picture—she's a dead ringer for Cordelia—and now Stanley has found a trail to his long-lost love in a small town less than an hour's drive away. He convinces Meg to come with him to meet her, but unfortunately, the woman they meet is Cordelia's cousin—Cordelia died several years ago, and the cousin suspects she was murdered by her long-time neighbor.Stanley and Meg agree to help track down the killer and get justice for Cordelia. Grandfather even has perfect cover--he will come to stage a rescue of the feral emus and ostriches (escaped from an abandoned farm) that infest this town. He dashes off to organize the rescue—which will, of course, involve most of Meg's family and friends in Caerphilly. But then, the evil neighbor is murdered, and not only Cordelia's cousin but also the entire contingent of emu-rescuers, who have had conflict with the neighbor, are suspects. Only Meg and the cousin—who seems to share a lot of telling traits with Meg—can find the real killer and clear the air in The Good, the Bad, and the Emus , the newest beverage-spittingly funny installment in this uproarious series from the one-and-only Donna Andrews.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Fiction, Audiobook, Cozy, Adult

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 8, 2014

About the author

Donna 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...

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 17th book in the 'Meg Langslow' series, the amateur sleuth looks into a mystery that involves her family. The book can be read as a standalone but familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****

Meg Langslow - wife, mother of young twins, blacksmith, and amateur sleuth - gets pulled into a murder inquiry when she sets out to learn about the grandmother she never knew.



Many years ago Granny Cordelia, an unwed mom, gave up Meg's dad for adoption. Now Meg's grandfather, Dr. Montgomery Blake (the long ago unwed father), has hired detective Stanley Denton to find Cordelia.



While assisting Stanley with the search Meg meets Cordelia's agoraphobic sister Annabel, who says Cordelia was killed in a generator explosion.



The authorities say this was an accident but Annabel believes that Cordelia was murdered by an ornery neighbor who lives across the fence. Annabel convinces Meg and Stanley to investigate the crime - promising to tell Meg all about Cordelia if she finds the killer.

It also happens that Annabel and Cordelia were actively involved in trying to rescue a flock of emus released from a failed emu farm.



Meg gets her grandfather, Dr. Blake - an avid wildlife enthusiast - interested in the project and he soon arrives with a small army of volunteers and helpers. The emu rescuers and Meg's family all camp out on Annabel's property. The do-gooders plan to round up the emus and deliver them to a sanctuary while Meg plans to look into Cordelia's death. All this creates a kind of humorous madhouse atmosphere.



Soon enough a mysterious flagon of scotch and box of chocolates - both laced with deadly poison - make an appearance, apparently targeting Dr. Blake and Annabel. The need to guard and protect these two elderly people adds to the mayhem.



As the story unfolds the reader is treated to vivid descriptions of the Virginia countryside, the emu hunt, delicious meals in the mess tent, and spy activity on both sides of the fence. Much of the hectic goings on in the book are extraneous to the central mystery - which is eventually solved in a believable enough fashion. A fun light mystery to spend a few hours with.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....

[Mark Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The action moves to a town about an hour away as Meg and her family head there to help her grandfather track down feral emus. Meg is also hoping to learn more about the mysterious death of her recently discovered grandmother.

The antics of the emus and those chasing them overwhelmed the mystery at times, but fans of the series will certainly still enjoy the latest. I especially enjoyed getting to meet a new group of great characters. Overall, I had fun, and that's really all that matters.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Shelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

OMG this woman was annoying. She repeated herself constantly. SO many times she referenced her height and the book that told her when to breath. She seemed very self involved and everyone just seemed to do her bidding. I felt like she was describing every single tiny moment as it was happening. Way too much detail and explanation of why she was doing each and every thing.

I could picture myself describing every step as I got out of bed as her type of writing. It would go something like this: The alarm woke me up, it is one of those that starts out quiet and then gradually gets louder. It also starts out with a dim light and the light gets brighter with the music. I got this because it helps me not wake up so abruptly and is supposed to help you feel more rested from your night's sleep. The room was cold, but I forced myself into a sitting position as I stretch. I touched the floor with my feet. The floor was cold, not yet warmed up from the furnace kicking on. I forced myself up and got dressed. I always have trouble picking out what to wear, but I usually go with the first thing I find clean. Since I have five children and laundry is always behind. I took steps to my bathroom which is through the family room, dining room, living room, entry, and up the stairs to the right. I pride myself on the fact that I can get ready in about 15 minutes and still look presentable.

See that...I just wrote a WHOLE paragraph on me getting out of bed and going to the bathroom. If this is good writing, then I should become an author. Maybe I missed my calling.

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. It's hard for an author to incorporate marriage and kids into a main character's life after already beginning the series, and where Ms. Andrews succeeded in the marriage part, I can't help but feel like the last few books have seen Meg paying less and less attention to her kids. I feel like she's never around them. However, the rest of the book was excellent, so I only deducted one star for that. Recommend!

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seventeenth in the too-funny Meg Langslow Mystery series. This one finds the family getting bigger and takes place outside of Caerphilly at Riverton.

My Take
Andrews continues with the fun, and I'm having a hankering for an emu egg for breakfast. Hmmm… Meg's manipulations of everyone to keep the peace, send them down the path she prefers, or to get what she wants are hilarious. Thank god she manipulates for good. I do love how well Meg knows her kids and how much time and attention she gives them.

Then there's Meg's so-practical side. She's an organizer, she understands people and their foibles, and she's okay with them. My favorite example is when she sees her grandfather having a late-night "coffee" and suggests a good alternative that won't bring unwanted advice, lol.

You can't help loving the wide range of characters in this story. Not all the core characters appear in this one, but you'll still love those who do. Dad doesn't have as big a role as he usually does; he adores diving into mysteries and always sets up a portable MASH unit wherever he goes, and he doesn't slack off in this one. We just don't see that much of him. Lordy, Andrews cracked me up with descriptions of Natalie's wardrobe! I especially loved Natalie's decking out her tent and pith helmet to match her preferences!

Yeah, it's lots of fun, and it is a sad one. The chance of finding a lost relative, the anger that it couldn't have been the other one to die, and then the resolution, the realization, that the living still have so much to give. I kind of wish that Andrews had pulled at our heartstrings more with Dad's reactions, but then I suppose that would cut into the humorous side of it. Meg and Annabel learn quite a bit about each other in this: Meg's investigative experience and Annabel's judicial knowledge. Both have an interest in mysteries. Seems to run in the family. Common sense seems to run in the family too, lol.

"A hunch is a deduction your subconscious has made from evidence you don't yet know you have … all you need to do is bring the evidence up into your conscious mind."

It's a good example of why you should give people a chance to talk And the value of an open mind! It would have relieved some of the frustration!

You can't help laughing (and being impressed!) by the turnout of Blake's Brigade. A mention at dinner and too early the next morning finds dozens of people milling around in Annabel Lee's back field. Sometimes I think it's worth reading just for Blake's "pronouncements" alone. He's too funny in his ego. It's even funnier when you have intelligent characters who enjoy laughing behind a raised hand and yet accept his egocentricities.

For a minute, I thought Meg wasn't going to tell Annabel about that candy! The poisoning certainly makes things more tense — and funnier. Those letter wars sound rather vicious. I wish Andrews had provided some examples…

Oh, yes! That imagery Meg comes up with of Annabel as a dragon with her hoard and her castle…too funny!

I am curious about that vicious storm that came through and took down power lines for at least half the state and took down cell towers, and there's never a mention of muddy ground. I want a storm like that. Seems a waste too of Jim Williams' problems. Just a mention that could have been taken into the dramatic arena, but isn't. And I think that bank should be investigated. Andrews never does provide the reason why Cordelia and Robert didn't have children. It's hinted that it was Cordelia's fault, but never what it was. Why didn't the cousins have a switch installed in the house? It doesn't make sense.

At last! We find out why Annabel is such a recluse and even talks of resorting to a veil!

Lots of rustling in bushes, wrangling through the forest, wending through camera crews, and dodging murderous intent. It's a sweet ending, exactly right, and yet it felt a bit flat. Ah well…

Saved by the emus!

The Story
Inattention puts paid to Meg’s initial plans for her summer vacation and works out beautifully for Stanley Denton. He needs to borrow Meg’s face for a few days for an investigation he’s doing for Dr. Blake.

It’s a trip that will have far-reaching consequences to the entire Langslow family, sad ones as Stanley found the target of his search six months too late. She’s dead. There is however a cousin who may part with memorabilia or at least let the family see it IF they solve Cordelia’s murder.

Rescuing the emus who were flushed out of the former Biscuit Mountain Ostrich and Emu Ranch years ago makes a good cover story.

The Characters
Meg Langslow normally works at a forge creating works of art in iron, but having twin rowdies has slowed that form of expression down. Her husband, Michael Waterston, is now a tenured professor of drama at Caerphilly College. The boys, Josh and Jamie, are four years old now and a hoot all over the place all the time with questions blasting out everywhere. Bodes well for their futures! Dr. James Langslow always claims he was found as a baby in the mystery section of the library, where the librarian adopted him. Rob is Meg's brother (he mostly just gets a mention), and he's brought his Irish Wolfhound, Tinkerbell, who's friends with Spike, the Waterstons' vicious purse dog. Rose Noire is Meg's cousin, who's heavily involved in the metaphysical. Mother also has a brief cameo. Natalie is Meg's seventeen-year-old niece, sister Pam's youngest, who bravely took on the role of summer babysitter.

Camp Emu
Dr. Montgomery Blake is the famous zoologist who keeps showing up on Animal Planet and National Geographic. He's also Dr. Langslow's no-longer-long lost daddy. SPOOR is the Society to Preserve Our Owls and Raptors, a local bird conservation and appreciation group that turns out to help Blake's endeavors. Caroline Willner is an old friend and runs the Willner Wildlife Sanctuary. She's Blake's second-in-command and has shown up in her new toy, a brightly painted gypsy caravan drawn by a placid Percheron.

Blake's Brigade is a blend of the paid and volunteers and has everything: RVs, camera crews, a mess tent with private caterers, a shower tent, port-a-potties, eccentric air support, wranglers from both ends of the movable sector, and more. The blonde Valkyrie, Sherry S. Smith, is the photo-release Nazi! Jim Williams is a new recruit. Seth Early is one of the Waterstons' neighbors, a sheep farmer, who has joined this expedition with his border collie, Lad. Thank god!! Meg reckons he's here to be close to Rose Noire… The unfortunate Fred who likes a bit of Scotch with his coffee is going to miss most of this. Evan is a lazy slug but good for sitting around and guarding gates. Dr. Clarence Rutledge is Dr. Blake's regular vet — the holistic biker one — and the leader of the Knights of the Iron Horse who will go up against the Knights of the Silver Spear led by Lady Joni of Langevoort. Millicent is knitting the ugliest sweaters, scarves, and leggings for the emus.

Riverton
Cordelia Mason was Dr. Blake's old college girlfriend whom he lost track of. Robert Mason is her late husband. Annabel Lee is the cousin who wants that murder solved. Uncle Moss and Aunt Morgana were Cordelia's parents. Weaver bought their house. Dr. Dwight Ffollett, a dentist, is a good friend of Mrs. Mason and Miss Lee. Thor Larsen owes a great debt to the cousins and works at Larsen's Auto Repair. He ends up helping quite a bit in this, and Dr. Blake takes quite the shine to the poor lad. Ann Murphy is the local librarian with a secret crush on Dr. Blake.

The nosy Theo Weaver is the nasty mean neighbor next door. You'll love that story of the mulberry tree, lol. Chief Heedles inherited the office from her daddy, who thought the world of Weaver. Virgil Eaton owned the Biscuit Mountain Ostrich and Emu Ranch until it passed to his son, Hosmer. Smedlock Mining is one of the bad mining companies who prefer to spend the money on fast cars than on environmental controls. The emus were lured to Pudding Mountain.

The emus
Liz is the boss emu. John Stuart Mill is being fought over. Frances Hodgson Burnett, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Zora Neale Hurston, Hans Christian Anderson, Claire Boothe Luce, Lucy Maud Montgomery, John Quincy Adams, John Wilkes Booth, Howard Phillps Lovecraft, Agnes de Mille, and Edwin Way Teale are excellent escape artists. Edward Everett Horton is the smallest and can't wait to go into captivity. It's safer!

Stanley Denton is a private investigator who moved to Caerphilly in, I think, Some Like It Hawk , 14.

The ER
Crystal is a friend of Meg's who's put her and the family in her "frequent flyer" group. Dr. Gridwell is the ER duty doctor, and Dad's opinion on him is still out. Bringing up Dad's name is a surefire way to get hurried through…!

The Toad Wars is how Blake's Brigade refers to one of their campaigns against a mining company to preserve a new species of toad. They weren't poisonous, so they were named Anaxyrus willneri.

The Cover
The cover is too funny with its yellow background and flying carpet of green grass with three dressy emus pacing out. The first emu is wearing what could be Millicent's pink scarf topped off with pink sunglasses and a hat (could be a pith helmet!) bedecked with a pink flower. The next emu in line is less fancy with a big pink bow over its eyes. But it’s that last emu that sums it up as he races by with some yellow crime scene tape, lol.

The title is a fun take-off on the Clint Eastwood movie, only justice will be found as Meg winnows through The Good, the Bad, and the Emus.

[Karin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The blurb gives more of the basics of this story that I would have, but suffice to say that Meg, who is a dead ringer for her grandmother, is taken to see her grandmother's cousin in order to help get the PI her grandfather has hired to find this now late grandmother in the door for a chat with said cousin. On they drive back, the PI and Meg spot emus running wild (or, perhaps, feral) and, one thing leading to another, pretty soon there is a large contingent of people camping on Meg's elderly first cousin twice removed's property in order to round up and move these feral bird to a sanctuary.

If that's not enough, various twist and turns bring up other issues in the area that muddy the murder investigation that Meg and the PI have taken on. This book contains more than just murder and mayhem, but a growing friendship between Meg and her grandmother's cousin.

[Debbie Floyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is summer and Meg is trying to cut her bushes and keep her yard nice while watching her four-year-old twin sons and niece, Natalie, who has come to help watch the boys. After she gets cut on her tools when her niece screams, she is in the ER having sutures and Stanley Denton, a friend and PI, comes and asks that she take a trip to a nearby town and help him get in with a woman who is related to the woman that was Meg's grandmother, that has died. When she comes to town she gains admittance to the house and she and Stanley agree that they will try to figure a way to help find out what happened to her grandmother on the cold December night that she was murdered. On the way back to Caerphilly, Denton sees a very large bird that looks either like an emu or an ostrich. When they get back to her parent's place, the information inspires her grandfather, Dr. Blake, to get the group together and go rescue the birds and take them to Carolyn's sanctuary. While they are there, a man is poisoned by scotch he put in his coffee, that had been a gift to her grandfather and someone left candies at her cousin's home. The sheriff is trying to find out who murdered Cordelia, who attempted to poison Dr. Blake and who tried to poison Meg's cousin. At the same time, they go out and try to find the birds. It is a very fun story and there was a moment in the book where she talks about her friend keeping paperwork handy for the "frequent fliers'" to the emergency room. I remember those times and not nearly as fondly as I could. Although we can now laugh about some of the things that landed us there.



The books were read out of order, but that is the beauty of these stories, they are great in order or out of order.

[☯Emily Ginder · Rating 4 out of 5]

By complete coincidence, I started reading two books at the same time and both featured recluses. Isn't that weird? I began this book and To Kill a Mockingbird at the same time.

In this case, the recluse was an elderly woman who was related to Meg's paternal grandmother, who was recently killed. Of course, Meg and her family need to find out more. Luckily for them, the deceased grandmother was involved in saving feral emus, so Meg's grandfather was able to figure out a way to capture the emus and have Meg investigate the murder at the same time. Sound far-fetched? That is only the beginning.

As usual, the plot borders on the absurd, but the down-to-earth Meg manages to make the story plausible. I was glad that Meg's mother only appeared briefly, since she is one member of the family I can barely tolerate. Even though Meg is a mother to two small children, they never interfere with her investigations. That does not seem realistic to me at all. In fact, there were a few incidents that were so unsettling and improbable that I got distracted from the story. Those items include a partial plate laying around for 30 years and a totally unrealistic fight scene. For these reasons, I only gave the book 4 stars.

I recently met Donna Andrews at Malice Domestic and she signed my book. However, that exciting event did not affect my review in any way!

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meg Langslow's life is never quiet, especially when she finds out that her long-lost Grandfather has decided to find her long lost Grandmother...amidst a herd of Emus.

Something is amiss in Riverton, VA and it is a herd of loose emus. What shocks Meg, is that she arrives en mass with Grandfather Blake's entourage to learn her Grandmother has been murdered and no one excepting her newly found cousin, Annabelle Lee is trying to find the culprit.

While Grandfather is filming his rescue of the poor birds, Meg gets to know Annabelle better and with the aid of the Private Investigator, Stanley, sets out to solve the mystery. Not to mention various attempted poisonings that are occurring at the camp and home of Cordelia and Annabelle.

This is an amusing and quickly read tale of family, mining, and animal rescue. The family of Langslow's never fail to entertain.

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually a Meg Langslow adventure has me laughing, and this installment was no exception. Feral emus. Horses. Motorcycles.
A hot air balloon. Jousting. Dogs. Throw in Meg's extended family and some new friends, and I kept giggling.

But this one book was different, because it also, very unexpectedly, moved me to tears.

Meg's grandfather, renowned wildlife activist Dr. Montgomery Blake, has decided to find Meg's long lost grandmother, and has hired private investigator Stanley Denton to search for her.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series; it never fails to crack me up, teach me something and keeps me guessing up to the end. This edition of the Meg Langslow saga was no different. Even though I had some of the mystery figured out 6 chapters sooner than the characters, it didn't really take away from the book for me. Highly enjoyable and the end was just lovely. A perfect read and just what I needed.

[gardienne_du_feu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Megs Familie hat einen Privatdetektiv engagiert, der helfen soll, ihre leibliche Großmutter wiederzufinden. Und tatsächlich treibt der Ermittler gar nicht weit weg Spuren von Cordelia Lee auf, die seinerzeit ihr uneheliches Kind zu Adoptiveltern gegeben hat. Der einzige Haken: Cordelia ist wenige Monate zuvor bei einem Brand gestorben. Das ist zumindest die offizielle Version. Ihre Cousine und Mitbewohnerin Annabel ist felsenfest überzeugt, dass der unsympathische Nachbar, mit dem die beiden öfter Stress hatten, Cordelia auf dem Gewissen hat und das Feuer gelegt wurde, um einen Mord zu vertuschen.

Megs Großvater, seines Zeichens berühmter Naturforscher und damaliger Partner von Cordelia, weiß von alledem nichts, als er eine groß angelegte Aktion startet, um ganz in der Nähe von Cordelias Anwesen eine Herde Emus einzufangen, die früher mal zu einer Vogelfarm gehörten und jetzt halbwild durch die Gegend streifen. Das ist für Meg die perfekte Tarnung, um ein bisschen herumzuschnüffeln und Licht ins Dunkel zu bringen, sowohl im Hinblick auf ihre Familiengeschichte als auch auf den (vermeintlichen?) Mordfall.

Die Emu-Aktion sorgt für die üblichen Schmunzelmomente (alleine schon die Namensgebung für die Vögel!), während sich die Ermittlungen spannend gestalten und mich bis zum Schluss immer wieder überraschen konnten, vor allem, als klar wird, dass irgendwer offenbar mit allen Mitteln verhindern möchte, dass die Wahrheit ans Licht kommt. Mir hat auch dieser Band wieder Spaß gemacht und ich freue mich auf Nr. 18.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg and Michael's boys are now four years old. Meg's niece Natalie (who is going through a goth phase) has come for the summer to watch the boys. Meg gets roped into helping the PI Stanley with a case. Turns out Meg's grandfather has hired him to find Meg's grandmother. Stanley discovered that Cordelia Lee (her grandmother) had just been killed 6 months ago and needed Meg's help (her actual face) to help get cooperation from the townspeople and Cordelia's reclusive cousin Annabel.

They also learn that emus had been sent into the wild when their refuge went under, so Dr Blake (Meg's grandfather) immediately puts an expedition together to round them up and take them to Caroline's wildlife refuge. Cordelia had been helping keep the emus alive by bringing food to them in a park. Meg gets permission from Annabel to have the expedition set-up shop in the field by Annabel's house.

Annabel believe Cordelia was murdered by her neighbor, Theo Weaver. She doesn't believe the police chief (Mo Heedles) is doing enough to solve the case. Meg is bribed into helping solve the murder by Annabel, who will tell her about Cordelia if she solves her murder.

Meg starts to look into things. She meets a high school kid named Thor who dotes (doted) on the two old-lady-cousins. Dr Ffollett is the dentist who also has been a supporter of Annabel and Cordelia. Crazy organized Sherry who is trying to wrangle and manage Dr Blake's exhibition, Jim Williams a volunteer on the expedition (who used to work for a mining company). Theo is the number one suspect, until he turns up dead and Meg comes across the scene before it is burned.

It's the usual shell game (which kept me guessing) until the end when it is revealed that Sherry is behind it all. She's mad that Dr Blake ruined her family's mining company two years ago because he was protecting toads that prevented them from mining. She was mad at Cordelia because Cordelia was trying to buy the old Emu ranch and was prepared to fight and make a stink if the bank sold it to a mining company.

Big twist at the end was that Annabel was really Cordelia. Cordelia knew that she was the target, not Annabel, so she pretended to be Annabel to keep herself safe, hoping that the Chief would have solved it by now. (I admit, I did figure this out quite early in the story). But it was quite touching at the end when the family reunited.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nominee for the 2014 Agatha for Best Contemporary Novel, this book was another fun romp in the Meg Lanslow series. While I haven't yet read all of the books in this series, the ones I've read so far have been intriguing mysteries mixed with humor and immensely likable characters. Meg ends up leaving Caerphilly for this one and heads to the small town of Riverton. Her long-lost grandfather, Dr. Blake, has decided to head to Riverton to tackle a problem involving feral emus. However, the feral emu rescue is a cover for his true mission...to track down the killer and find justice for Dr. Blake's former love (and long-lost grandmother of Meg), Cordelia, who was murdered a year prior. Meg enlists the help of long-lost relative Annabel (Cordelia's cousin) to solve Cordelia's case and a second murder that occurs after she arrives in Riverton. She also works with local police Chief Mo Heedles and the intrepid local librarian, Anne Murphy, to ensure the killer doesn't strike a third time. I enjoyed the inclusion of the local pottery angle, as well as the mining company issue, which both fit in with the locale quite well and enhanced the story. This was another satisfying read and confirmed that this will be one of my go-to series for when I'm craving a funny mystery.

[Andrea Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my Meg Langslow story so far! Not only is there a murder mystery, there are other mysteries that make up the layers of this humorous, warm, and wonderful tale that has at it's center the story of Meg's father's family. If you have been reading this series you will know what I mean,if not you will want to go back and read the first 16 books. I can tell you that it will be well worth your time. It's no surprise that Donna Andrews was honored with a library award in her home state of Virginia for this particular book. The Good, the Bad, and the Emus is a book worthy of all the accolades it gets. I always look forward to more stories about Meg, Michael, their twin boys, and all the other colorful members of their respective families, friends and other characters that inhabit their world both human and otherwise.

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this is right up there with the first books of the series. Very enjoyable, the supporting characters are still all present, and crazy, but the focus is back on Meg. She's back in charge. In some books, the craziness takes over, and Meg is trying to stay up with everyone, but in this book, she's back in control. Way to go, Ms Andrews. Can't wait till the next one is here for Christmas.!!

Update: 2021. Still love this series.

[Jaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, cozy mystery. I enjoyed the antics of the characters, and Andrews did a great job of wrapping everything up. The resolution could have gone seriously astray, but was held together with lots of humor. This was definitely a story that did not take itself too seriously. I really needed this brain break.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

The emus storyline made me give this book 5 stars, because it was quite interesting and unique. However, it fits Meg Langslow's family perfectly! Throw in murder and family lineage and an excellent story evolves. Definitely one of my favorite series!

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. This book had a good chance to become preachy. But it missed. Thankfully. Just interesting plot.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved every book that I have ever read by this woman, and this book is no exception. This book goes into my top favorites of this series, and of all time for sure!

[Chrissy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the Meg Lanslow mystery series. Feral emus in rural Virginia? How could that not be a great start for a murder mystery?

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four amused stars for this humorous mystery in the on-going Langslow family chronicles.
The emus and dogs really added to the story! :)

[Kaitlyn Dunnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read in this series. I'd read it before, so I already knew the solution to part of the mystery, but I didn't remember the rest. The advantage of getting older, I guess. Anyway, this is highly recommended for, if nothing else, an introduction to Meg's eccentric family.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this. The author was recommended by a member in one of my groups and I'm so grateful. I'm not one who feels the need to read a series in order and I picked this one up because the title was so humorous. I am definitely going to read many many more of these. Recommended as a great cozy mystery.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I needed a break from my heavy History of Women book and this is just the light read I appreciate. I felt like there was a tad more repetitive phrases used in this one, so I knocked off a star. However, these novels are my comfort read now and it was still very enjoyable.

[Alissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the books in this series feel a little hastily written, but this one was just right.

The big reveal was clear by mid book and there were only a few logical suspects, but this was a nice Meg story.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way Donna Andrews writes about rural communities, multi-generational families and households. And I just cannot get enough of the way she writes domestic chaos and non-human characters.

This one may be my favorite yet. It involves wrangling feral emus.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complicated plot, especially the family history.

And the twin seem to have grown (were 4 yrs old last book), old enough to play the card game Uno, but they still talk like 2 yr olds & their mom, the protagonist, refers to them as toddlers.

[Beth Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely forgot about the murder in this book, and just enjoyed the amusing antics of Meg's family and Blake's Brigade.