Five Golden Wings: A Meg Langslow Mystery

Meg Langslow #38

by Donna Andrews, Bernadette Dunne (Narrator)

Listeners will flock to NYT bestselling author Donna Andrews' latest installment in the award-winning Meg Langslow series.

Two of Meg’s cousins, members of Mother’s vast Hollingsworth clan, are getting married, and both have chosen Caerphilly for their Christmas destination wedding . . on the same day, in the same venues. But while they’re cousins they’re also lifelong enemies. Mother’s efforts to keep the peace are wearing her down, and the battling brides (and their mothers) are making the holiday season miserable for everyone. So Meg steps in to keep the peace. And it was going badly even before she stumbles over the murdered body of the wedding photographer.

Unfortunately, there are plenty of suspects. The photographer has been hitting on many of the guests, bridesmaids . . . possibly even one or both of the brides. He’s also been slinking about and taking candid shots that are unflattering, embarrassing . . . occasionally even incriminating.

Can Meg help the local police nab the killer in time for the weddings to go on as planned? Unless, of course, the killer was one of the brides or grooms, in which case she needs to identify the killer in time to reveal their identity when she hears those fateful words, “If any of you can show just cause why they may not lawfully be married, speak now; or else forever hold your peace.”

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

Audible Audio

First published October 14, 2025

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

[Mystery, She Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

Mood/Seasonal Reading: Christmas

A bit disappointed in this one. Based on the description I thought it would be my favourite of the bunch. Sadly, I found the visiting cousins far too much.

I also don’t know if it was just my copy, but my audiobook was skipping and missing entire portions of the story. The reveal was cut short which made for a less than satisfying experience.

Absolutely going to continue my marathon of this series but sad this one didn’t hit the mark the way I thought it would.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, Christmas-themed story, and interesting to boot ... as usual!!

This time, two of Meg's cousins are getting married... at her place!
And, although the two of them have been enemies for many years, they’re marrying on the same day...and almost at the same time!! 😮😮

So, Meg needs to step in to help her Mom (and her Aunts) to try to get everything ready so that BOTH weddings can go on... SMOOTHLY... (and the brides don’t kill each other…)

But, we all know that in the real world, things rarely ever go smoothly... or as planned…

So, when Meg finds the wedding photographer, for both weddings, dead.... well, she must figure out who killed him and why... AND, before the weddings begin!

Very cute. Very sweet. Very small-town-themed. And perfect for a little Christmas-y themed, pick-me-up book!!!

4 1/2 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫 stars for me, happily rounded up to 5!!
And yes, I have loved all of Donna Andrews books!!

#FiveGoldenWings by @DonnaAndrews and narrated sweetly by @BernadetteDunne.

*** THIS ONE HAS NOT YET BEEN RELEASED!! PLEASE 👀 LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON 10/14/25!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
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Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Mike Finn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For five years now, my wife and  I have  listened to a Meg Langslow Christmas mystery each year as part of reading our way into the Christmas spirit.  Some years it works better than others. Last year's offering, Rockin’ Around The Chickadee’. was a little disappointing.  'Five Golden Wings‘ hit the spot. It was a relaxing Christmas read that kept me engaged with the mystery, amused by the antics of the characters, and provided a little bit of Christmas cheer.

The bridezilla humour worked. It was funny and plausible without demonising either of the brides involved (although it did bring into question the judgment of their soon-to-be husbands). 

The murder victim was so unpleasant that I was looking forward to them turning up as a corpse even before anyone had done them any harm. I'd even already imagined correctly where their body would be found. 

This time, although Meg was present for all the goings-on, she wasn’t actively trying to solve the murder. True, she still stumbled upon things that put her at risk and, of course, she found the body, but, for once, she managed to live by her mantra of ‘Not my circus. Not my monkeys‘ most of the time. I liked her as an observer and commentator better than as a protagonist. It allowed more room for the other characters. It also let the  Chief of Police get on with doing his job without Meg trying to find a way around him.  

The story kept my wife and me entertained for a few evenings last week, providing more than a few smiles along the way and allowing us time to speculate on who the murder was (although neither of us got that right). 

The final chapter, where Donna Andrews wrapped everything up and put a bow on it, ran a little long, but that didn’t spoil the book. 

I've grown used to Bernadette Dunne's narration now. The voices she's given to the ensemble cast make them instantly recognisable, and she gets the tone of Meg's often tongue-in-cheek reflections just right. Click on the YouTube link below to hear a sample.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMY5T...

[June Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite series. If you like your cozy mysteries with humor and well-developed characters, this one should be on your list. Meg Langslow is smart, super organized, maybe because of her little book that tells her what she's supposed to be doing at any given time, and never seems to lose her cool even when surrounded by a quirky group of family and friends that keep her busy. It's been fun to watch her develop and see her interact with not just husband Michael and their two sons, but the likes of her nephew Kevin, the computer hacker, er, geek, er, wiz, who seems to spend more time hidden away in his computer heavy area in the family home than out and about but is now working with the police. The same police who, when things get a bit crazy in the town of Caerphilly, seem to always depend on Meg to take care of things they can't find the time to deal with. In the process, she's turned into a superb solver of crimes, particularly murder.

It's when she's faced with more mundane tasks, such as keeping her warring cousins who are getting married on the same day in the same place from open warfare. Actually, she's only partially successful at keeping the open warfare in check before the cousins strangle each other. What no one expected was to find the wedding photographer dead. I'm not going to share more of the plot other than to say Meg is front and center and that one wonders why the Caerphilly police haven't set up a working office space at the house, too. By now surely Kevin has a camera on everything although we do learn how sheer luck comes into play against the best of modern technology. Lots of suspects, even the almost-grooms, and you'll get a bit of an education on eagles, ie the "golden wings" of the title. Just keep Rob from singing, okay.

Bottom line, this is a fun lead up to Christmas with a reminder of how hectic it can be, even without dueling weddings. You'll also perhaps learn a few things about what not to do if you're having a blog worthy wedding. Thanks #MacmillanAudio for allowing me this early listen. As always, narrator Bernadette Dunne does an excellent job bringing not just Meg but the entire community of Caerphilly to life in this offering. I'm already antsy for the next installment.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Golden Wings is another outstanding addition to one of my favorite series! I thoroughly enjoyed it! The usual Christmas festivities are complicated by two cousins who have decided Caerfilly is the perfect place for their weddings. Unfortunately, they do not get along, so Meg and the family are coordinating two separate weddings on the same day, for two bickering brides! They have both hired the same photographer, who is arrogant and demanding, and regularly berates his assistant. Meg and the family do all they can to make the weddings go smoothly, but when Meg finds the photographer dead, the investigation into the circumstances takes priority. Donna Andrews has expertly interwoven a complex mystery into the wedding drama, with unexpected twists in both! As always, it is good to read the next adventure of Meg and her family, and the wonderful town of Caerphilly. The plot and character development, in both this book and the series is excellent, and Donna Andrews love of people, animals, and the environment shine through every book. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Completely predictable. However, that's one of the reasons I enjoy reading this series. I can just pick them up and know what to expect. Which is a comfort when I can't always sit down and read for long stretches. I do wish Michael was more of a part of the story. Oddly he hasn't been in some time.

[Mackenzie Mills]

97… 97 pages was how long it took for us to get to the actual mystery part of the book… cozy mystery for sure which isn’t my fave genre so this book wasn’t for me unfortunately.

[Dana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but...

I always enjoy the Meg Lanslow books but a lot of the characters that made them fun just pop in for a brief appearance. Michael is a glorified babysitter, her father and numerous others have just faded away. It needs either a fresh touch or to gracefully retire. The mystery was okay. There was some chuckles but they seemed forced.

[Jenna (readinginjennaland) · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this installment of the series, we're back in Caerphilly, Virginia, with Meg Lanslow as Christmas approaches. The town is buzzing with not one, but two weddings, both involving Meg's "bridezilla" cousins. They're wreaking havoc and causing drama everywhere, but Meg tries to stay out of it until they start being cruel to her mother and Rose Noir, who are just trying to help.
Meg decides she can't stand by and watch. As if the brides weren't enough, the wedding photographer is also a nightmare—an arrogant person who acts like he's a gift from God. He's particularly mean to his assistant, which concerns Meg. When she agrees to meet him at the church after hours to help with wedding angles, she stumbles upon his dead body and calls the police.
I'll admit, I had a hunch about the killer right away. However, I love all the antics the family and townsfolk get into. Reading this series feels like returning to a favorite TV show or visiting family. I hope to read the entire series one day, but for now, I'm just happy to enjoy the new books and follow the story of Meg and her family. This series is a must-read!

[Alina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by Donna Andrews, and while I can see why many readers enjoy her style, this one didn’t fully grab me. The story felt longer than it needed to be, and the mystery itself wasn’t very mysterious or engaging. I found myself waiting for that “aha” moment that never quite came.

That said, Andrews’ humor and writing voice have charm, and I can understand why her fans keep coming back. I might give another of her books a try, but "Five Golden Wings" just didn’t sparkle for me the way I’d hoped.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a free advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Squirrel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great fun, but sloppy editing? In Ch 2, discussing the brides-to-be, the narrator refers to Emily's husband and Lexy's groom. Neither are married yet, so where did Emily acquire a husband? The reader expects commentary on that - is she divorced? Did they marry elsewhere first? But none is offered, suggesting its an error.
Ch 22 the narrative introduces "my friend Aida with the Chief" except the character has already appeared two separate times, including a sequence in Ch 16. SLOPPY writing/editing! That 'my friend' should have appeared with the first introduction of the character, although its pretty clear from the context that they are friendly, and since the 'friendship' part is not significant in this tale, it was just an irritant at that late point.
Ch 3 - 'half-grown Great Pyrenees dogs he'd adopted to work his sheep' - generally one has to purchase working-quality farm dogs. Caerphilly really is a magical place, if neighbor Seth could just adopt them! Its highly unlikely, and why was this detail used? Which distracts unproductively from the story. If it doesn't fit and it doesn't offer a clue, its a glaring mistake.

Usually the activity in Caerphilly is fun and enchanting, but this one is tense and annoying. Great writing, it is like being there. But who wants to race around like a beast of burden after two extreme bridezillas? Why has no one sat them down calmly and read them the Riot Act with a knowing smile and some real consequences? Why is the MC chauffeuring around an obnoxious photographer? Why aren't the Bridezillas doing that if he can't use his own vehicle?
What genius would think it was wise to keep full-grown EAGLES in a hotel lobby? Even a basic dog owner learns fast how stupid 'the public' is about proper treatment of animals. A crisis was guaranteed, not simply 'possible', even without the double bridezilla guests!

Although the whole amphibian-beetle section is quite fun.

A few times, the MC slips out of character so strongly that it sounds like the author venting an aside. In Ch 5 Meg calls the bridezillas 'anorexic bimbos', and when the photographer's assistant tells her the photographer is a predator, and they let him continue to stay there? Not a hint of concern for the potential victims, even though Maddie urges warning them. The MC calls her cousins 'anorexic' repeatedly. Perhaps the author does not know that anorexia is a serious, too often fatal illness, because the MC has all along been more sensitive to others' vulnerabilities. But not THIS time, no, eating disorders are fair game for mocking and epithets? And the setup for Maddie to move to Caerphilly is so heavy-handed, the reader hopes a bit that isn't what happens.

Ch 17, when the MC enters the library, why in the world doesn't she whip out her phone and photograph the scene? There's been vandalism and a murder, and she's experienced at dealing with both. Then she 'picks up' the scene. where even a non-mystery reader would know to leave things as they are until the police have said otherwise. Again, out of character. Cripes, the predator photog could have tried his hand at one of them, they all troop out to take revenge on his van...not a far stretch of the imagination there. In fact, Meg even SAYS that, and that she needs to leave the room intact for the police. Sloppy editing or bad writing?

Why hasn't the MC suggested a cooperative colocation of the zoo and conservation rescue? The heads get alone, they cooperate, why 'compete' for space and support? Clearly that's where this tale is headed, but these people are supposed to be smart and kind, why isn't it 'obvious' already?

Ch 35 the constant reappearance of the outside 'fiancee' couple Terri and Frank. MC would not interrupt her busy late deliveries, when she wants to go home and relax, unless they are central to the murder, right? Looking for the innkeeper, seeing two people across the room she is NOT looking for, stopping, chatting, spilling way too much info about the details of the investigation...clumsy.

And the clerk INTERRUPTING a private conversation to deliver a package? Unprofessional as anything. And why would she give evidence to a patron, and not the police? What sort of morons are these?

And MC announces her planned movements in front of the (by now obvious) killers. And these characters have been involved in several murder investigations, but don't have a clue? Yikes! 38 books, and still inept.

Sure, when a couple just appears at an Inn just before a booked-solid PAIR of weddings, the reader has to wonder how they had a room available. And the couple stays on and on, and watches and comments on all the activities - is there any NORMAL person to whom that wouldn't be suspicious as heck? There's an intimate family event, no TWO, happening, normal couples would NOT want to hang around STRANGERS celebrating. But the MC doesn't seem to notice?

Wanted to like and enjoy this, and bits of it are fun. But the (author's) venom and boredom buried in the telling ruin it. The 'motive' is incredibly lame. They were 'caught on film' 'stealing wedding gifts'? There's not a lot of money in that! And they'd just claim the photos were faked. A nuisance, but seriously, worth murder? Not buying that any day.

The number of bridesmaids keeps changing - six, seven ...what's up with that? And why introduce so many characters if the author can't even be bothered giving them names and personalities? Why in the world would a blacksmith even have a house big enough to hold ... 15 people? And the whole book, the MC and husband speak about 3 times, he's treated as a prop also.

At this point in a lauded career, any author should know what works and what doesn't, what is offensive and what broadcasts the culprit. This book, imo, does not live up even to this author's standards.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every visit to Caerphilly is guaranteed to be fun time spent with characters that feel like family and this book delivers on that front. The mystery in this one, however, was very thin and didn’t even occur until almost halfway through the book. Still, the family is still entertaining and the demands on Meg’s time never end, leading to interesting scenarios that she has to find her way through. An entertaining addition to the series.

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an honest review.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've really become very fond of this series featuring many unique and colorful characters.
Meg's two cousins are getting married, and the over the top competition is making her crazy.
Her cousins are impossible and they are making everyone frustrated with their never ending pettiness.
When the wedding photographer winds up dead, secrets are revealed and the festivities soon come to an end.
I loved this book and I'm excited to see what happens next.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and chaotic as always 🤣
I was confused by the extra big cast of characters sometimes, but probably bc it was an audio book read.
4.5⭐️

[ElinorsBookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is Five Golden Wings, book 38 in the Meg Langslow series. I continue to enjoy this series by Donna Andrews!

What would a Langslow family Christmas be without some crazy relatives! This holiday season, two of Meg’s cousins decide to get married on the same day. But instead of a nice festive, double wedding, the two brides are doing their best to outdo each other. But then Meg comes across the body of the wedding photographer in the church’s cemetery and things go from bad to worse.

I love Meg! She’s the definition of calm and collected, no matter what stressful or ridiculous scenario she finds herself in. I think that is one of the things I find so enjoyable about this series – the author does a great job of creating plotlines that include just enough of the ridiculous to fit the cozy mystery genre without crossing into “absolutely absurd” territory.

I listened to the audiobook as I have done for most of this series. I really appreciate that the same narrator, Bernadette Dunne has narrated the entire series! Her voice is “Meg Langslow” to me. She does a great job and has created the great character voices I’ve come to love.

If you’ve enjoyed other books in this series, I’m sure you will enjoy this one as well. If you happen to be new to Meg Langslow, each mystery stands on its own and the author does a good job explaining how the various characters fit together without slowing down the story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. I love Christmas in Caerphilly. Almost everyone is festive, people respect each other, the town supports local talent, Meg and Michael's is ALWAYS a safe place, and there isn't ALWAYS a murder. ;-)

2. I knew who the killer was very early [ like before the murder even happens. *EEK*], but that never took away from the story; the warring brides [salmon fascinators anyone? IYKYK] alone was enough to keep me entertained [all whilst wanting to slap them both upside the head most of the time], Grandfather teaching the boys and cousins about beetles [y'all, I LEARNED so much in this book!!] was also a plus, much less adding in the murder. This is a fun, jam-packed book. Something for everyone! LOL There are also some serious lessons to be learned as well within these pages that we all can take note of.

3. I may never sing "The 12 Days of Christmas" the same again. ;-)

4. Bernadette Dunne once again does a marvelous job narrating and once again I am so grateful to have received the audiobook ARC so I could listen to her tell this story. She has become, to me, an extension of Meg's family and Caerphilly in general and I can not imagine these audiobooks without her narration.

Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Andrews, Bernadette Dunne - Narrator, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

[Ashdeclet Audiobook Addict · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series remains one of my all-time favourites.

What I appreciate most about this series is that Donna Andrews remains consistent throughout the series the series with her characters. Who they are and remain true to themselves, without compromise, but at the same time they continue to grow. No series is perfect (I have to remind myself of that-but that is a me issue).

I really enjoy this series because it is well written, and even when I think I know what the plot will be, Andrews surprises me, even after 30+ books. And I have read other series where the books have gotten into the double digits, and the quality goes down, the consistency diminishes, and the storylines lack, well, a lot.

Andrews, in my mind/opinion, remains solid and like a great old friend that I can trust and rely on. Sometimes after I read a really fast paced, or gory, or have a depressing day, I listen to a Meg Langslow book and it reminds me that there is consistency and joy. Like that old sweater I can't wait to see every time.

Thanks for this great old friend. This book series is such a good friend of mine. <3

It felt like such an honour and privilege to listen to this before it was published. Thank you so much Netgalley and especially Macmillian Audio for inviting me to listen to this advanced audio copy.

[Edens Book Den · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is the 38th book in the Meg Langslow series, I had no trouble reading it as a total newbie. It works just fine as a standalone, and honestly, now I’m curious about the rest. The setup is wild-two cousins, who can’t stand each other, both decide to have their Christmas weddings in the same small town… on the same day… in the same venue. Naturally, things spiral from there.

There’s plenty of wedding mayhem, family squabbling, and small-town chaos before the murder even happens, and once it does, it somehow manages to stay fun. The mystery is light and cozy, with just enough suspense to keep you guessing without ever feeling heavy.

What really made it shine for me was the narration. Bernadette Dunne was a new-to-me narrator, and she was absolutely perfect for this one. She really got the tone of the book and made the characters feel real and funny.

This was such a great pick between heavier reads. Comical, easy to follow, and kind of like hanging out with a bunch of slightly ridiculous people you can’t help but love. I’ll definitely be picking up more in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Five Golden Wings (Meg Langslow #38)" by Donna Andrews has Meg's and her neighboring family members' homes full of brides, grooms, bridal parties, and other wedding guests. They are there the week or so before two of Meg's cousin's weddings. Not a double wedding or a wedding to each other. They're competing weddings. Same day and same locations but not at the same time and separate receptions. Personally, I find that all ridiculous and if I was their parent I would insist they do it together if they have to have same day or one has to change their date. Or at least share the reception.

Well, they at least are sharing a photographer. At least until he's found in the church grave yard of the church. There are a few people he's annoyed (not nearly as much as the two brides though). Meg and her slew of family members who help investigate the town's crime get to trying to solve the murder before the weddings. They don't want a murderer at the wedding. Plus, they may have to replace a vendor if they're in jail.

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A series that somehow continues to get better all the time. I think Meg's family is simply the best. The holiday books are always extra fun, and this was a mystery that offered a satisfying set of red herrings and conclusion - plus, it was all about pet adoption :)

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did figure out who did it just before the reveal, but still a fun Christmas in Caerphilly tale.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 4 out of 5]

✅Christmas time in “Five Golden Wings” has us following two of Meg’s cousins getting married on the same day. But….no one can stand the brides. They are competitive with each other and very demanding.
Then a murder occurs….
The story moves pretty quickly which I appreciate and there were a lot of twists & turns.
Cute murder mystery with many funny parts. And….and a very surprising ending!
All in all, an intriguing Christmas mystery with just the right amount of holiday mayhem.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Meg's 38th book and it was great. Two cousins of Meg chose to have their weddings on Saturday before Christmas. BUT the Brides were Bridezillas. The photographer was awful also. There has to be a dead body and Meg found it in Church Graveyard. Be sure to read this book, you'll have and all the good food makes me hungry.

[Teddi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to give this one 3.5 stars. it was a bit better than some of the recent entries but it could have easily been adapted to any time of the year. Although Christmas decorations were mentioned (and had a small part in the mystery) and snow was talked about a lot, it wasn't really all that Christmassy.
The actual murder didn't happen until 1/3 of the way in and it was wrapped up pretty quickly with really no help from Meg at all. Many of the usual character were only mentioned in passing and didn't play any part in the story.

[Kyrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to escape to Caerphilly at Christmas time. Two rival cousins staging major Bridezilla wars. Caroline is trying to impress a sponsor with her eagles, but someone has fed them junk food and they're ill. Someone is vandalizing the local cemeteries. There's a shady photographer, his downtrodden assistant, and everyone else just wants the weddings to be over so they can enjoy what remains of the holiday. It's light, funny, and everything you expect from one of her Christmas mysteries.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I would have felt better about this book if it had not been set at Christmas. I have read almost all of the Meg Langslow books in this series and usually laugh at the hijinks that many of the characters get into.

This book has 2 bridezilla rivals that are trying to outdo each other with competing weddings and hen nights. They are absolutely awful to each other. It completely takes away the feeling you are hoping for from a Christmas story. I never got that light holiday feel that I often get from Christmas-themed books in the series. I think the author forced this book into Christmas because of their history of writing many books around the holiday when it didn't have to be. There are too many horrible characters that are just being awful to each other. I think if the book had just been about the weddings, and not tried to be about Christmas, I would have been okay with it. Many of Andrew's other books that combine cozy murder mystery with this winter holiday have pulled off this balance successfully. It just did not happen for me here.

The narrator is the same as in previous books in the series, and it's amazing how much a voice can bring back all the memories of who the various characters are and the setting of the town. I love that they have kept the same narrator.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this advanced audiobook for a book in a series I normally love.

[Julie Koehler · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this ARC. This book was okay. I didn’t like a lot of the characters, the brides to be, and their moms were not very likable. It was hard for me to get into the narrator too. I would read another book by the author but probably not do the audiobook again.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, Meg Langslow deserves a vacation, a medal, and possibly a restraining order against holiday chaos. But instead? She gets two weddings, one corpse, and a front-row seat to the most aggressively petty family feud since Cain and Abel decided brunch was too tense.

Welcome back to Caerphilly, where it’s always Christmas, there’s always one more cousin you forgot existed, and the only thing more abundant than holiday decorations is the number of people Meg has to babysit. This year’s festive offering? Two of Meg’s cousins, from the Hollingsworth side, so you already know it’s cursed, have decided to get married. On the same day. In the same church. And rather than join forces like emotionally functional adults, they’ve gone full Highlander: there can be only one. One wedding, one aesthetic, one truly exhausting level of bridal hostility.

So now we’ve got rival receptions, dueling wedding parties housed across Meg’s, her mother’s, and her brother’s homes, and roughly 400 metric tons of passive-aggressive tulle. These brides are feral. Their moms are worse. I would not have blamed Meg if she’d just fled into the woods with a bottle of wine and let natural selection sort it out.

But no. Our girl shows up. She does the thing. She chauffeurs the sleazy wedding photographer around town, and wouldn’t you know it, the man ends up shot dead in a church graveyard. Right next to the Barbie doll angels. Because it’s not a Meg Langslow Christmas until something gets murdered next to an extremely cursed craft project.

Look, Austin the photographer was awful. Objectively. He was hitting on the bridesmaids, creeping on guests, and taking “candid” shots that were somehow all blackmail material. So when Meg finds his body, it’s less shock and more “yeah, that tracks.” Honestly, the bigger surprise is that one of the brides didn’t get to him first with a stiletto and righteous fury.

There are suspects aplenty: jilted clients, fed-up assistants, sketchy grooms with suspicious absences, and the usual smattering of Langslow-adjacent chaos goblins. Meanwhile, Meg is playing town therapist, babysitting emotional grenades disguised as bridesmaids, and trying to keep her mom from spontaneously combusting from stress. The woman has a notebook system and it’s still barely holding the line.

The murder plot is definitely background noise here, but that’s part of the fun. The real joy is the spiral, watching Meg try to hold it together while everyone around her just... doesn’t. We’re talking Barbie carnage in a church, coven meetings in the greenhouse, bridesmaid smackdowns, and possibly a deeply symbolic eagle. I can’t even explain the hats. You just have to experience them.

Is the killer reveal satisfying? Yeah. Did I clock it early? Also yeah. Did I care? Absolutely not. Because this book isn't trying to outsmart you, it’s trying to entertain you while everything goes up in holiday-colored flames. And it succeeds. This isn’t just a murder mystery. It’s a cozy, chaotic, borderline feral holiday comedy that happens to feature a corpse.

Meg continues to be the most relatable woman in cozy crime fiction. Not because she solves murders, but because she does it while coordinating catering, untangling family vendettas, and duct-taping a Christmas pageant together with nothing but rage and caffeine.

Not my favorite in the series, but still a highlight of the holiday season. If you like your cozies with sharp edges, unhinged relatives, and one very tired blacksmith just trying to survive December, this is your book. Four stars.

Merry Mayhem Prize: For Weaponized Weddings and One Extremely Doomed Photoshoot

Huge thanks to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the early access to both the audiobook and ARC of Five Golden Wings, you absolute enablers of festive chaos. Nothing says “holiday spirit” like dueling bridezillas, murder in a church graveyard, and Meg Langslow barely holding it together with caffeine and sheer will. Bernadette Dunne once again nails the audiobook narration like she’s personally lived through thirty-eight books' worth of seasonal crime scenes, and I am so wildly here for it. This book was cozy, chaotic, and exactly the kind of Christmas miracle I didn’t know I needed.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Langslow and her family is back, and just in time for the holidays. The greenery is hung, the music is playing, and the extended family is heading for Caerphilly. But this year will be different. Family friend Carolyn shows up with three eagles and hopes for a big donation from a visiting philanthropist. And there are two cousins who are both getting married. On the same day. At the same church.

The brides, second cousins on Meg’s mother’s side, do not get along. One set of the bridesmaids are staying at Meg’s house and the other set is at Meg’s brother and sister-in-law’s house. But both brides have similar tastes, so they both have bachelorette parties the same night. They both hired the same seamstresses to add the finishing touches to the bridesmaid dresses, They both hired the same photographer. And that becomes a problem when the photographer is murdered.

Meg, the woman who hears (or overhears) everyone’s secrets, had seen how badly the photographer had treated his assistant. But it wasn’t until she learned about some of his other bad habits that she could start a list of potential suspects. Apparently he had a habit of writing contracts that only allowed his clients a handful of the pictures they would want, making them go back and negotiate for more money to get them all. And he had been known to peep on bridesmaids as well.

The murdered photographer had his camera with him, but the data card had been removed, so Meg believes that he had taking incriminating photos. Now, all she has to do is find that card to catch the killer. That is, unless the killer finds her first.

Five Golden Wings is a typical Donna Andrews Christmas mystery. There is a lot of family around, animals, music, friends, food, hospitality, and one notebook-that-tells-Meg-when-to-breathe. This mystery also has avocado toast, fake shepherds, hangovers, beetles that are eaten by frogs but not digested, fascinators, killer whale stories, sleepovers with wombats, and monks who make fruitcake. There are several crimes, aside from the murder, and Meg has to keep calling in her cousin who is a lawyer to make sure the brides and everyone else in the bridal parties are out of jail in time for the ceremonies.

I listened to the audio book of Five Golden Wings, narrated by Bernadette Dunne. I’ve listened to several books in this series narrated by Dunne, and I feel like she beautifully captures the voice of Meg and the hopeful spirit of Caerphilly. While I have to admit that I didn’t think this was her strongest mystery, I still love spending time listening to this book.

I have been a big fan of this series of book for many, many years, so I will admit to being prejudiced. But for me, hanging out with Meg is a sort of vacation. It’s a chance to spend time with a family who is loving, generous, and thoughtful, even to those who are less than kind. These characters are not perfect or overly good, but they believe in basic human decency, and they help out when they can. This book felt really hopeful to me, in a way that I needed. It’s partly the holiday theme, but it’s also just the warmth and hospitality of Meg and her family. When the world is cold, Caerphilly is there to remind us of the importance of family, of the wonder of animals, and of the importance of breathing.

An early copy of the audio book of Five Golden Wings was provided by Macmillan Audio through NetGalley, with many thanks, but the opinions are mine.

[Randee Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg Langslow is used to her mother’s extended family descending on her house for the holidays. This year, just before Christmas, two of Hollingsworth cousins are getting married on the same day. The cousins are lifelong enemies, and they’ve purposely planned their weddings to take place on the same day and at the same venue. They’re also holding dueling receptions at the local hotel. Yes, it makes it easier for the family to attend both weddings. But the cousins are determined to outdo each other and ruin the other’s big day. Meg and her mother are trying to keep the peace between the two wedding parties, but they are pushed to the limit by the bridezillas. Things are made even more stressful when Meg finds the body of the wedding photographer shot to death in the local cemetery. The photographer made plenty of enemies, and the suspect list involves his assistant, both sets of bride and groom, the bridesmaids, and former clients. To escape helping with wedding duties, Meg volunteers to help the local police round up suspects, track down alibis, and figure out who fired the fatal shot.

It seems to always be Christmas in Caerphilly. In FIVE GOLDEN WINGS, the holiday takes more of a backseat to the weddings. I’ve been a fan of Meg for years, and I always enjoy reading about her latest amateur murder investigation. After thirty-eight books, the characters are still enjoyable. I would like to know how old everyone is since none of them seem to have really aged over the last few books despite the passage of several years.

The events that take place in the days leading to the double weddings are both funny and cringeworthy. Both brides are obnoxious and entitled. It’s surprising that neither of them wound up being murdered by Meg, her mother, or any of the other main characters who are stuck catering to the brides. They both do get what they deserve in the end. Luckily, the photographer is equally unlikeable and there are plenty of people who might have wanted to kill him. In the end, the identity of the killer was not much of a surprise—I had that person pegged from their first appearance. And the big reveal was a bit ridiculous with Meg getting saved by some very unlikely heroes. Overall, I enjoyed FIVE GOLDEN WINGS and I’m looking forward to Meg’s next adventure.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.