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Meg Langslow #5
We'll Always Have Parrots
Meg Langslow knew the fan convention for her actor-boyfriend's hit television series was going to be the ultimate in weird. But she came along because she figured Michael could use an occasional dose of sanity-and because it was an inspired place to sell her hand-crafted weapons. And so far, she was dealing pretty well with the costumed fans camped outside, the batch of escaped parrots and monkeys frolicking throughout the hotel...and the minefield of egos lurking behind the show's success.
But soon after Meg goes head-to-head with egomaniacal series star Tamerlaine Wynncliffe-Jones, the "Queen B" turns up brutally murdered. Now, with Michael in the running as prime suspect, Meg will go up against an all-star cast of not-even-innocent parties, hidden identities, and buried motives. And she'll cross swords with a deviously obsessed murderer determined to write her out of this picture for good.
But soon after Meg goes head-to-head with egomaniacal series star Tamerlaine Wynncliffe-Jones, the "Queen B" turns up brutally murdered. Now, with Michael in the running as prime suspect, Meg will go up against an all-star cast of not-even-innocent parties, hidden identities, and buried motives. And she'll cross swords with a deviously obsessed murderer determined to write her out of this picture for good.
354 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 12, 2003
200 people are currently reading
1471 people want to read
About the author
Donna Andrews
103 books2,095 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 358 reviews
June 26, 2019
We’ll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews is a 2006 St. Martin’s Press publication.
This series is so much fun!
Michael has a hit television show- one so popular it has its own fan convention.
Naturally, Meg and Michael must attend and participate in various panels. Meg has taken this opportunity to set up a shop, selling her custom, hand crafted weapons, patterned after the ones featured in the show. However, things get off to a strange start when their hotel is suddenly plagued by parrots and monkeys, while rabid fans gather at the doors.
But it’s the show’s diva star that is causing the biggest stir. Even Meg has a run it with the ‘Queen B’. But, when the star is found murdered, the number of suspects, all with viable motives, is overwhelming.
With the best of intentions, Meg decides to do a little amateur sleuthing on her own.
I’ve never attended a science fiction/fantasy convention, but it sounds like fun. I was able to live vicariously though, as this story captures the atmosphere of the event and the fan loyalty. However, I showed up to solve a murder and this one was a bit thorny.
Although Meg is a riot, as usual, this is a complex mystery, full of hidden resentments, and secret identities. The motive could involve parties who knew the victim for thirty years or so, which means Meg must do a little digging into the past. I got completely caught up in the all the drama and never guessed who the culprit was.
This series is light, and easy to read, but the story never lacks depth. The characters are quirky and fun and have begun to feel like old friends.
Overall, this is another outstanding installment in this delightful cozy mystery series!
This series is so much fun!
Michael has a hit television show- one so popular it has its own fan convention.
Naturally, Meg and Michael must attend and participate in various panels. Meg has taken this opportunity to set up a shop, selling her custom, hand crafted weapons, patterned after the ones featured in the show. However, things get off to a strange start when their hotel is suddenly plagued by parrots and monkeys, while rabid fans gather at the doors.
But it’s the show’s diva star that is causing the biggest stir. Even Meg has a run it with the ‘Queen B’. But, when the star is found murdered, the number of suspects, all with viable motives, is overwhelming.
With the best of intentions, Meg decides to do a little amateur sleuthing on her own.
I’ve never attended a science fiction/fantasy convention, but it sounds like fun. I was able to live vicariously though, as this story captures the atmosphere of the event and the fan loyalty. However, I showed up to solve a murder and this one was a bit thorny.
Although Meg is a riot, as usual, this is a complex mystery, full of hidden resentments, and secret identities. The motive could involve parties who knew the victim for thirty years or so, which means Meg must do a little digging into the past. I got completely caught up in the all the drama and never guessed who the culprit was.
This series is light, and easy to read, but the story never lacks depth. The characters are quirky and fun and have begun to feel like old friends.
Overall, this is another outstanding installment in this delightful cozy mystery series!
October 2, 2025
Meg Langslow is back in another crazy installment of one of my favorite cozy mystery series. In this book, she and boyfriend Michael are attending a con where he has a minor role in a TV show, and lots of fans. Unfortunately, the animals the show got for the con have escaped and taken over the hotel, including lots of parrots and even a tiger! Some interesting behind the scenes stuff about writing on a TV show, cons, and of course the usual mayhem that follows Meg.
February 7, 2023
Ah, this is more like it! Meg has found her stride in book number five. She and Michael attend a fan convention devoted to the tv show that he has a role in. The bitchy main character is murdered and her body is discovered by, who else, Meg. Being the ultra-capable, over-responsible and busy-brained woman that she is, Meg begins sorting through the evidence and interviewing the witnesses, all the while claiming that she is doing no such thing.
Some bright spark organizing the conference thought the jungle themed decorations would be improved by the presence of monkeys and parrots. Both are highly intelligent animals, highly motivated to escape, which they do immediately. Monkey business ensues. And the parrots of the title make themselves known.
The author must have fun researching all the various subjects that feature in these books. In this case, politics of television casts, the ownership of large cats, the drawing of comic books, and the care & feeding of a convention and its denizens. Obscure bits of knowledge must lodge in her brain, only to be produced when needed. Hey presto!
Great fun and Andrews discovered her title shtick with this volume. Not only Meg, but Donna Andrews has found her stride here.
Some bright spark organizing the conference thought the jungle themed decorations would be improved by the presence of monkeys and parrots. Both are highly intelligent animals, highly motivated to escape, which they do immediately. Monkey business ensues. And the parrots of the title make themselves known.
The author must have fun researching all the various subjects that feature in these books. In this case, politics of television casts, the ownership of large cats, the drawing of comic books, and the care & feeding of a convention and its denizens. Obscure bits of knowledge must lodge in her brain, only to be produced when needed. Hey presto!
Great fun and Andrews discovered her title shtick with this volume. Not only Meg, but Donna Andrews has found her stride here.
January 30, 2019
I really enjoyed this mystery story set at a fan convention in Loudon, VA. I love going to conventions, and this book really caught the spirit of convention goers, volunteers and the actors that show up. The book also had a bunch of jungle animals - parrots that got loose and were mimicking elevator dings, tinkling toilets and ringing cellphones - and monkeys that got loose and were following people around swinging from the chandeliers. Really fun story and great mystery. I didn't figure out the killer until the amateur sleuth did.
August 21, 2016
Hilarious! I absolutely adored this one and although there are other cozy mysteries in my TBR pile, I'm probably going to keep working my way though this series first. I can't imagine why I didn't go back to the beginning and read them all long before this.
March 26, 2009
This was just a fun brain candy book and why I liked it in particular was because it was set at a fantasy convention and, having attended SF&F conventions for the past 15 years, I could so totally relate to the setting. Costumed fans, boring panels, a dealers room, issues with the hotel, masquerades, auctions...yup, been there, done that!
Premise of the book revolves around Meg Langslow and her actor-boyfriend Michael, who is required by contract to attend a certain number of publicity events for the hit fantasy serial show Portafina. Nearly the whole cast and crew are here for this Convention and they are none to happy about it.
Our cast of characters is The "QB", as she is referred to - owns the rights to the comic book, the show and everyone's contract. Not well liked and she refuses to come out of her room for her autograph signings and discussion panels. Michael’s friend and evil nemesis on the show, Walker, just received notice the QB was going to fire him. Nate, the show's writer, can't stand QB because she mangles his scripts. Tabitha is the QB's personal assistant and the only assistant to last more than a week. Iceboat Dully is not who he seems. Chris is the shows weapons master and womanizer. Everyone adores Maggie and Salome the tiger is looking for a new home.
And if the cast weren't enough to contend with, someone let loose the parrots and monkeys and they are now running amok in the hotel.
Yes, the plot has issues, especially with the escaped monkeys, parrots and a tiger on display. Yes, Meg spends the book running about between her booth in the dealers room and trying to solve the mystery. But it was just a fun read anyway.
Premise of the book revolves around Meg Langslow and her actor-boyfriend Michael, who is required by contract to attend a certain number of publicity events for the hit fantasy serial show Portafina. Nearly the whole cast and crew are here for this Convention and they are none to happy about it.
Our cast of characters is The "QB", as she is referred to - owns the rights to the comic book, the show and everyone's contract. Not well liked and she refuses to come out of her room for her autograph signings and discussion panels. Michael’s friend and evil nemesis on the show, Walker, just received notice the QB was going to fire him. Nate, the show's writer, can't stand QB because she mangles his scripts. Tabitha is the QB's personal assistant and the only assistant to last more than a week. Iceboat Dully is not who he seems. Chris is the shows weapons master and womanizer. Everyone adores Maggie and Salome the tiger is looking for a new home.
And if the cast weren't enough to contend with, someone let loose the parrots and monkeys and they are now running amok in the hotel.
Yes, the plot has issues, especially with the escaped monkeys, parrots and a tiger on display. Yes, Meg spends the book running about between her booth in the dealers room and trying to solve the mystery. But it was just a fun read anyway.
December 27, 2024
Donna Andrews is a hilarious author and her books keep me laughing. I've never heard of funnier plots and situations. Very entertaining and enjoyable. I recommend this series for anyone who enjoys
mysteries and a very fun read.
mysteries and a very fun read.
August 17, 2016
Look, the crime itself is pretty average, but this book is a lot of fun. We get less of Andrews' main cast of characters than usual - we're limited to Meg, Michael, Meg's parents, and the occasional appearance from Eric, rather than the full family catastrophe that often shows up in the other books. Instead, we get a plethora of one-off (but generally fun) characters.
Basically, this is set at a con. So there's a ton of cosplayers wandering around, there's panels and autograph signings and screenings, there's actors being kind of weirded out over how into the show the fans are, and there's the actors sitting in the green room reading out terrible fan fiction and having to explain to the police what slash is. So for anyone who's in a fandom in any kind of significant way, it's a lot of fun. Especially when you add in the fact that someone decided it would be a good idea to bring a ton of monkeys and parrots to the con and just let them roam free.
Like I said, the mystery part isn't the greatest. The murder victim is super bitchy and hated by practically everyone ever, creating a multitude of suspects, but if you pay attention for more than about twenty pages, you should be able to join the dots and work it out without too much effort. Still, the characters are so much fun - as is the idea of a TV show/comic series in which all the characters' names came from a medical dictionary! - that I'm willing to overlook it.
Basically, this is set at a con. So there's a ton of cosplayers wandering around, there's panels and autograph signings and screenings, there's actors being kind of weirded out over how into the show the fans are, and there's the actors sitting in the green room reading out terrible fan fiction and having to explain to the police what slash is. So for anyone who's in a fandom in any kind of significant way, it's a lot of fun. Especially when you add in the fact that someone decided it would be a good idea to bring a ton of monkeys and parrots to the con and just let them roam free.
Like I said, the mystery part isn't the greatest. The murder victim is super bitchy and hated by practically everyone ever, creating a multitude of suspects, but if you pay attention for more than about twenty pages, you should be able to join the dots and work it out without too much effort. Still, the characters are so much fun - as is the idea of a TV show/comic series in which all the characters' names came from a medical dictionary! - that I'm willing to overlook it.
February 11, 2024
We'll Always Have Parrots by Donna Andrews is the 5th book in the Meg Langslow Mystery series. Meg Langslow is accompanying her boyfriend Michael to a fan convention for his television show Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle, when the star anf producer is murdered. A crazy mystery complicated by parrots, monleys and a tiger also roaming free and causing chaos. Meg's crazy family is also attending and I especially enjoyed Meg's dads attempts at interviewing the parrots. Lots of fun and lots of drama. A very entertaining cozy mystery.
December 22, 2023
I read this series out of order, so I knew that Michael had played a wizard in a television series that had a fan base.
Meg and Michael are at a convention for the show and of course, there's a murder and of course, Meg must figure out who the murderer is before the wrong person goes to jail. And of course, she does.
So while it was an enjoyable book and a good mystery, I missed Meg's family and the other characters from the town of Caerphilly. It wasn't as funny without them.
Meg and Michael are at a convention for the show and of course, there's a murder and of course, Meg must figure out who the murderer is before the wrong person goes to jail. And of course, she does.
So while it was an enjoyable book and a good mystery, I missed Meg's family and the other characters from the town of Caerphilly. It wasn't as funny without them.
April 27, 2025
Meg's boyfriend, Michael, is appearing at a convention for Porphiria, Queen of the Jungle, the TV series he's been doing in LA. Meg could do without the crazy fans standing on their hotel balcony all night; she could do without the parrots - yes real live parrots- let loose in the hotel; she could do without her mom's weird costume and interest in decorating and most certainly Meg could do without the drama queen behavior of the show's star everyone refers to as the "QB" as in Queen Bee or b+ witch - w). Meg does hope to make some money seller swords with fellow blacksmith Alaric Steele. They haven't met before and he's never done this convention but Meg has faith she can sell a few swords and make the trip worthwhile. When the convention's volunteers fail to get the star to appear for her events, it's up to Meg to help out with her tough love approach but when she breaks into the QB's room via her own hotel room's balcony, she's horrified to discover the QB dead on the floor and a parrot repeating what could have been her last words! While the police are investigating, Meg worries they'll center on her as the prime suspect or even Michael Even her mom could be a suspect! Meg feels it's up to her to give the police more information so they don't focus on her family.
Set at a low-budget, one-show specific version of Comic Con - with plenty of live animals for zany action - this book has way too much going on. I didn't get the concept of the show or remember who all of the actors and people associated with the show were. I didn't even really care. When the lead actress is constantly referred to as "the Queen B.", right off the bat I knew I didn't care whodunit or why. I did have a hunch based on something the character said and based on who was where when. I turned out to be correct but the story kept me skimming until late at night. The animal antics clog up the otherwise traditional cozy plot. There wasn't a whole lot of point to having them there and I didn't find them particularly funny.
Meg is kind of a B herself. She's a little cold and a lot tough. She goes Mama Bear on behalf of her nephew, Eric, when he's snubbed by the lead actress. That's the most passion she shows. Michael continues to be awful and selfish, at first anyway. I was wondering why he made such a big fuss about not spending time with Meg and having her move closer when he spends half his year in LA anyway. Towards the middle of the book he makes it clear he prefers his academic job to the uncertainty of acting on a campy TV show. Yet I dislike him because he wants to do both even though the college's board is not thrilled with Michael's acting gig. He wants tenure but I doubt he'll get it. Meg's parents are in this one but they're not a huge part of the story. I was disappointed Duck didn't come with Eric. Eric brought Spike instead who gets his moment to shine. I guess the behavioral therapy didn't work and Michael's mom is allergic (or is that "allergic"?) to her baby so he's living with the Langslows now? Eric is a sweet kid and still young and innocent. Soon he'll realize his family is bonkers and their unusual pets are too!
Everyone else in this story is a newcomer and affiliated with the show Michael is working on. Tamarlaine Wincliffe-Jones, the show's star, is an aging actress clinging to youth and fame any way she can. Her hunger for fame and fortune has led her to behave like a royal PAIN (PITA), ignore her fans and fight with co-stars. She's rude to everyone and is the type who sees other women as rivals and can't get along with them. To make matters worse, QB seems to have a drinking problem. That's no way to stay young and adored! What is she thinking? She went postal on young Eric who only wanted her to sign his program. I think the QB's day would be done after this if someone didn't hasten her demise. The only one who seemed to LIKE the QB is her latest assistant, Typhani, who puts up with a lot of abuse! She's the longest lasting assistant at three weeks!
Francis, Michael's manager, is uptight, nerdy and constantly popping TUMS. He can't stand up to the show's star/producer or for Michael. Michael needs a manager who will work FOR him and not against him. Francis is the nervous type or so he seems. Would he murder someone, even in the heat of the moment? I doubt it. Ichabod Dilley was the creator of the comic books that inspired the show. Back in the 70s he was part of the counter culture movement and his 12 comic books have become cult classics. He apparently also did underground stuff that's not quite legal. He disappeared from the scene after selling the rights to the comics for what today's society feels was an obscenely low number. Dilley hasn't been seen since - until now. Well, he hasn't been SEEN but he's been tapped for the event and they're hoping he'll show up. Ichabod Dilley has come to the convention but not the right Ichabod Dilley. This one has never heard of the artist with the same name, Porphiria and has no idea why he was invited to the convention. A little sleuthing on his part reveals secrets from the past and those secrets may be worth killing over. Meg is certain of it but doesn't think the police are aware or investigating what happened in 1972. Could this Ichabod Dilley have killed the QB? Or is the original Dilley still alive incognito and waited all this time to kill the woman who screwed him out of fame and fortune? Why now?
Nate, the show's writer, is nerdy but passionate about his creativity. It seems as if the QB isn't allowing him to write the scripts he wants to write. She demands full creative control so she's the star and looks good. Nate sounds like a good storyteller in the realm of campy sci-fi but QB won't let him go free. She owns him. Did he lash out and kill her? QB owns everyone! She won't allow Michael and his friend Walker out of their contracts. Michael would LOVE to be free to return to academia but can't while he has a contract. We know Michael didn't kill QB. Walker sounds like a sad sack, loser and desperate enough for an acting gig that he would stay with Porfiria forever if he could. He seems a little jealous of Michael's good looks, talent and fame. Maggie West is the QB's rival. A better actress who has had bit parts in movies people have actually seen, for some reason she returned to the show and still appears at cons even though she's been fired. Is she at the end of her career too and fought with QB over the role and being fired? Did the QB think she'd have the last laugh and outlast her rival?
Chris Blair, the show's blademaster and stage choreographer is the one who roped Meg into selling her weapons at the convention. He's kind of a man child who enjoys playing sword fighting but isn't all that steady. His girlfriend, Andrea, is MIA from the convention which I think says a lot about Chris and their relationship. Chris also convinces Meg to appear in the sword fighting demos since Andrea is not there. Meg is attracted to Chris but not tempted to cheat on Michael. Blademaster Chris drinks too much and his contract may not be renewed. As much as I dislike Michael, I think Michael is more mature than Chris and a better boyfriend. Alaric Steele is the older, brooding blacksmith sharing Meg's booth. No one knows him previously and he doesn't know them but he's willing to try to sell his wares. He doesn't even try to get to know the fans or the culture. He's a little arrogant and I get the impression he thinks they're all weirdos and idiots and his work should sell itself. Meg's been at this longer, selling at Ren Faires and it's her passion. She's a much better salesperson and more aware of the market.
Then there's the animals. Salome, a white tiger is locked in a cage and yet no one seems to be outraged, not even her keeper! Brad loves Salome and wants to keep her happy and healthy. His heart is about to be broken because the sanctuary where she normally lives can't afford to keep her and Brad can't afford to buy Salome. That leaves her up for grabs for anyone with more money than brains to buy and one of those people gives Brad a strong motive for murder. However, I think he would just sic Salome on her and make it look like an accident or something. I don't think he'd climb into her hotel room, argue with her and bash her over the head. The parrots and monkeys don't seem to have anything to do with the story except add to the screwball effect. That was all a little too much for me.
This was not my favorite of the series so far.
Set at a low-budget, one-show specific version of Comic Con - with plenty of live animals for zany action - this book has way too much going on. I didn't get the concept of the show or remember who all of the actors and people associated with the show were. I didn't even really care. When the lead actress is constantly referred to as "the Queen B.", right off the bat I knew I didn't care whodunit or why. I did have a hunch based on something the character said and based on who was where when. I turned out to be correct but the story kept me skimming until late at night. The animal antics clog up the otherwise traditional cozy plot. There wasn't a whole lot of point to having them there and I didn't find them particularly funny.
Meg is kind of a B herself. She's a little cold and a lot tough. She goes Mama Bear on behalf of her nephew, Eric, when he's snubbed by the lead actress. That's the most passion she shows. Michael continues to be awful and selfish, at first anyway. I was wondering why he made such a big fuss about not spending time with Meg and having her move closer when he spends half his year in LA anyway. Towards the middle of the book he makes it clear he prefers his academic job to the uncertainty of acting on a campy TV show. Yet I dislike him because he wants to do both even though the college's board is not thrilled with Michael's acting gig. He wants tenure but I doubt he'll get it. Meg's parents are in this one but they're not a huge part of the story. I was disappointed Duck didn't come with Eric. Eric brought Spike instead who gets his moment to shine. I guess the behavioral therapy didn't work and Michael's mom is allergic (or is that "allergic"?) to her baby so he's living with the Langslows now? Eric is a sweet kid and still young and innocent. Soon he'll realize his family is bonkers and their unusual pets are too!
Everyone else in this story is a newcomer and affiliated with the show Michael is working on. Tamarlaine Wincliffe-Jones, the show's star, is an aging actress clinging to youth and fame any way she can. Her hunger for fame and fortune has led her to behave like a royal PAIN (PITA), ignore her fans and fight with co-stars. She's rude to everyone and is the type who sees other women as rivals and can't get along with them. To make matters worse, QB seems to have a drinking problem. That's no way to stay young and adored! What is she thinking? She went postal on young Eric who only wanted her to sign his program. I think the QB's day would be done after this if someone didn't hasten her demise. The only one who seemed to LIKE the QB is her latest assistant, Typhani, who puts up with a lot of abuse! She's the longest lasting assistant at three weeks!
Francis, Michael's manager, is uptight, nerdy and constantly popping TUMS. He can't stand up to the show's star/producer or for Michael. Michael needs a manager who will work FOR him and not against him. Francis is the nervous type or so he seems. Would he murder someone, even in the heat of the moment? I doubt it. Ichabod Dilley was the creator of the comic books that inspired the show. Back in the 70s he was part of the counter culture movement and his 12 comic books have become cult classics. He apparently also did underground stuff that's not quite legal. He disappeared from the scene after selling the rights to the comics for what today's society feels was an obscenely low number. Dilley hasn't been seen since - until now. Well, he hasn't been SEEN but he's been tapped for the event and they're hoping he'll show up. Ichabod Dilley has come to the convention but not the right Ichabod Dilley. This one has never heard of the artist with the same name, Porphiria and has no idea why he was invited to the convention. A little sleuthing on his part reveals secrets from the past and those secrets may be worth killing over. Meg is certain of it but doesn't think the police are aware or investigating what happened in 1972. Could this Ichabod Dilley have killed the QB? Or is the original Dilley still alive incognito and waited all this time to kill the woman who screwed him out of fame and fortune? Why now?
Nate, the show's writer, is nerdy but passionate about his creativity. It seems as if the QB isn't allowing him to write the scripts he wants to write. She demands full creative control so she's the star and looks good. Nate sounds like a good storyteller in the realm of campy sci-fi but QB won't let him go free. She owns him. Did he lash out and kill her? QB owns everyone! She won't allow Michael and his friend Walker out of their contracts. Michael would LOVE to be free to return to academia but can't while he has a contract. We know Michael didn't kill QB. Walker sounds like a sad sack, loser and desperate enough for an acting gig that he would stay with Porfiria forever if he could. He seems a little jealous of Michael's good looks, talent and fame. Maggie West is the QB's rival. A better actress who has had bit parts in movies people have actually seen, for some reason she returned to the show and still appears at cons even though she's been fired. Is she at the end of her career too and fought with QB over the role and being fired? Did the QB think she'd have the last laugh and outlast her rival?
Chris Blair, the show's blademaster and stage choreographer is the one who roped Meg into selling her weapons at the convention. He's kind of a man child who enjoys playing sword fighting but isn't all that steady. His girlfriend, Andrea, is MIA from the convention which I think says a lot about Chris and their relationship. Chris also convinces Meg to appear in the sword fighting demos since Andrea is not there. Meg is attracted to Chris but not tempted to cheat on Michael. Blademaster Chris drinks too much and his contract may not be renewed. As much as I dislike Michael, I think Michael is more mature than Chris and a better boyfriend. Alaric Steele is the older, brooding blacksmith sharing Meg's booth. No one knows him previously and he doesn't know them but he's willing to try to sell his wares. He doesn't even try to get to know the fans or the culture. He's a little arrogant and I get the impression he thinks they're all weirdos and idiots and his work should sell itself. Meg's been at this longer, selling at Ren Faires and it's her passion. She's a much better salesperson and more aware of the market.
Then there's the animals. Salome, a white tiger is locked in a cage and yet no one seems to be outraged, not even her keeper! Brad loves Salome and wants to keep her happy and healthy. His heart is about to be broken because the sanctuary where she normally lives can't afford to keep her and Brad can't afford to buy Salome. That leaves her up for grabs for anyone with more money than brains to buy and one of those people gives Brad a strong motive for murder. However, I think he would just sic Salome on her and make it look like an accident or something. I don't think he'd climb into her hotel room, argue with her and bash her over the head. The parrots and monkeys don't seem to have anything to do with the story except add to the screwball effect. That was all a little too much for me.
This was not my favorite of the series so far.
August 26, 2016
I didn't really care about the murder part, Just because the whole of the story was a fun read. I think I liked this book better then the previous ones because her family was practically non-existent. They annoy me the most. :-)
Meg is with her boyfriend at a convention for his television show. There's tons of discussion panels, autograph signings, auctions, cosplayers galore, .... and a plethora of escaped monkeys and parrots. Don't forget Salome, the tiger! The mystery was more about who is/was Ichabod Dilley, the creator of the comic books the show was made after, then who killed the QB. Which is fine with me, no one liked her anyway. :-)
Meg is with her boyfriend at a convention for his television show. There's tons of discussion panels, autograph signings, auctions, cosplayers galore, .... and a plethora of escaped monkeys and parrots. Don't forget Salome, the tiger! The mystery was more about who is/was Ichabod Dilley, the creator of the comic books the show was made after, then who killed the QB. Which is fine with me, no one liked her anyway. :-)
May 7, 2018
Another enjoyable installment in what's become one of my favourite quirky, feel-good series.
November 13, 2020
This is my favorite in the series so far.
January 15, 2023
Fifth in the Meg Langslow cozy mystery series and revolving around a blacksmith who's an amateur sleuth in Caerphilly, Virginia. The focus is on a convention for the TV show in which Michael acts.
My Take
This tale of contracts, egos, and complexes is a riot from beginning to end . . . I may have to re-read We’ll Always Have Parrots this afternoon . . .
Michael and Meg are an interesting couple. Meg is practical and very organized while Michael is susceptible to the superstitions and health notions of actors. I will say that he is amazingly supportive of Meg's sleuthing. And that's from Meg's perspective, as Andrews uses a first person protagonist point-of-view.
It's a Jungles of Amblyopia convention — Michael had agreed to attend χ number of these. The decor at the hotel certainly sounds like a jungle. It's also got Monty Python popping in and out — those African Grey parrots . . .
Meg continues to grow as a blacksmith — Faulk has been mentoring her in weapons, and she loves her sword! And she's selling some of her wares at the convention. Dad does crack me up with his fascination for interesting diseases or injuries.
Nice bit of back history that explains how Michael got taken onto the show. I also like getting Meg's professional assessment of swords and their making. A fascinating bit of back history is what we learn about the, ahem, original Ichabod Dilley. Whoa . . . It's amazing reading what a great artist Ichabod was. And sad to see how low he fell when he had such a future ahead of him. As for the truth of that sale of rights. Jesus. That Ichabod was a naive idiot.
More back history arises in how Dilley first saw his "Porfiria" and how he saw her later. Oh. Boy.
Oh, lord, that hotel! . . . even the bellhops get lost! Adding to the fun are all the wild animals inhabiting its halls, lol. Jerry got in trouble for speaking in front of the parrots. As for the animal round-up, it's a disaster with sympathetic culprits.
Meg's entire family is a crack-up; they'll put on costumes at the drop of a hat.
Omigod! Crack me up!! Meg lets slip how Ichabod chose names for the story. That arch-enemy's name is so appropriate *snicker*. Then there's the possible Queen Eczema the First, lol.
Conflicts, conflicts, conflicts. The health department is threatening to close the hotel. The QB is an absolute bitch! Everyone is terrified of approaching her. For anything. The college is getting testy about how much time Michael takes off to perform, and it could affect his getting tenure. The QB is worse than testy about Michael being as available as she wants. Walker wants Michael's life.
Andrews has some fun trotting out the "usual suspects" of a mystery, even if one of those memes actually is a critical clue.
Well, that's different. I can definitely see the fun of writing slash fan fic.
It's a character-driven plot with plenty of action from both humans and animals while the pace varies. Talk about a blessing in the end result with that nice epitaph: She knew how to make the most of what she could do.
Just so you know, she owns you!
The Story
Meg Langslow knew the fan convention for her actor-boyfriend's hit television series was going to be the ultimate in weird. But she came along because she figured Michael could use an occasional dose of sanity — and because it was an inspired place to sell her hand-crafted weapons. And so far, she was dealing pretty well with the costumed fans camped outside, the batch of escaped parrots and monkeys frolicking throughout the hotel . . . and the minefield of egos lurking behind the show's success.
But soon after Meg goes head-to-head with egomaniacal series star Tamerlaine Wynncliffe-Jones, the "Queen B" turns up brutally murdered. Now, with Michael in the running as prime suspect, Meg will go up against an all-star cast of not-even-innocent parties, hidden identities, and buried motives. And she'll cross swords with a deviously obsessed murderer determined to write her out of this picture for good.
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith, renowned for her ability to get things done and organizing anything. Dr. Michael Waterston is her gorgeous actor/professor husband, who teaches at Caerphilly College. Spike is their, ahem, "foster dog". Michael's mom supposedly owns the dog, but she's testing out an allergy theory.
The Family
Fifteen-year-old Kevin, Meg's nephew, runs Michael's official fan site. Eric is another nephew and Kevin's brother. Mother and Dad, Margaret and Dr James Langslow, show up in costume. Great-aunt Zelda is what Dad refers to as the family time machine.
The Jungles of Amblyopia
Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle is/was the cheesy TV series in which Michael had had a part (and that helped pay for their "new" house!) Mephisto is Michael's character. Francis is Michael's disastrous agent.
Tamerlaine Wyncliffe-Jones, a.k.a. Queen Bee, QB, an aging, B-movie actress who plays Porfiria, owns the production company. Typhani is the QB's personal assistant who has managed to survive for six whole weeks! Ichabod Dilley is the original author of the comic series. Walker Morris is an old friend of Michael's and a fellow soap opera star. He plays the arch-enemy, the Duke of Urushiol. Maggie West is one of the actors, and she also runs an animal sanctuary, Jungle West. Alopecia is the QB's maid on the show. Sebacea is the "comely mermaid queen".
Nate, a recreational complainer, is the show's chief scriptwriter — and he deigns to recognize Meg! Karen is a costumer, the thirteenth one. Todd chairs the program committee. Sandra, the diminutive Amazon, takes on all that.
Alaric Steele is another swordsmith at the convention. Chris Blair, the show's blademaster and Walker's stunt double, owns Blazing Sabers. Andrea is one of his employees as well as his girlfriend. Harry is another employee. And who is Concubine Aimee?
Cordelia sells used and rare books at the Dreamscape Booksellers counter. She's, um, wearing antlers. Amy Goldman. Undiscovered Treasures is another booth, specializing in "parrot-sols". Salome is a full grown tiger who gets rented out by the Willner Sanctuary, which is owned by Mrs Willner. Brad is Salome's keeper.
The hotel is . . .
. . . losing employees fast. Jen and her newlywed husband are discombobulated.
Loudoun County PD
Detective Foley is with Homicide. Fortunately, Loudoun County Animal Control shows up.
The Pasadena Pair were student radicals in 1970 who didn't burn a local draft board.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a bright blue. Starting at the top is a pale, pale yellow info blurb with the author's name immediately below it in white. The author's name is at the bottom, also in white with the series info below that in the pale, pale yellow. In between is an orange parrot in full flight — I'm guessing it's a metaphor for the African Greys. To the right of the parrot's wing is a bright fuchsia serrated badge with a sales price in white — go get it! Below the wing and the badge is a testimonial in yellow with a fluff of feather floating.
I suspect the title is a memory for Meg and Michael, in that We’ll Always Have Parrots.
My Take
This tale of contracts, egos, and complexes is a riot from beginning to end . . . I may have to re-read We’ll Always Have Parrots this afternoon . . .
Michael and Meg are an interesting couple. Meg is practical and very organized while Michael is susceptible to the superstitions and health notions of actors. I will say that he is amazingly supportive of Meg's sleuthing. And that's from Meg's perspective, as Andrews uses a first person protagonist point-of-view.
It's a Jungles of Amblyopia convention — Michael had agreed to attend χ number of these. The decor at the hotel certainly sounds like a jungle. It's also got Monty Python popping in and out — those African Grey parrots . . .
Meg continues to grow as a blacksmith — Faulk has been mentoring her in weapons, and she loves her sword! And she's selling some of her wares at the convention. Dad does crack me up with his fascination for interesting diseases or injuries.
Nice bit of back history that explains how Michael got taken onto the show. I also like getting Meg's professional assessment of swords and their making. A fascinating bit of back history is what we learn about the, ahem, original Ichabod Dilley. Whoa . . . It's amazing reading what a great artist Ichabod was. And sad to see how low he fell when he had such a future ahead of him. As for the truth of that sale of rights. Jesus. That Ichabod was a naive idiot.
More back history arises in how Dilley first saw his "Porfiria" and how he saw her later. Oh. Boy.
Oh, lord, that hotel! . . . even the bellhops get lost! Adding to the fun are all the wild animals inhabiting its halls, lol. Jerry got in trouble for speaking in front of the parrots. As for the animal round-up, it's a disaster with sympathetic culprits.
Meg's entire family is a crack-up; they'll put on costumes at the drop of a hat.
Omigod! Crack me up!! Meg lets slip how Ichabod chose names for the story. That arch-enemy's name is so appropriate *snicker*. Then there's the possible Queen Eczema the First, lol.
Conflicts, conflicts, conflicts. The health department is threatening to close the hotel. The QB is an absolute bitch! Everyone is terrified of approaching her. For anything. The college is getting testy about how much time Michael takes off to perform, and it could affect his getting tenure. The QB is worse than testy about Michael being as available as she wants. Walker wants Michael's life.
Andrews has some fun trotting out the "usual suspects" of a mystery, even if one of those memes actually is a critical clue.
Well, that's different. I can definitely see the fun of writing slash fan fic.
It's a character-driven plot with plenty of action from both humans and animals while the pace varies. Talk about a blessing in the end result with that nice epitaph: She knew how to make the most of what she could do.
Just so you know, she owns you!
The Story
Meg Langslow knew the fan convention for her actor-boyfriend's hit television series was going to be the ultimate in weird. But she came along because she figured Michael could use an occasional dose of sanity — and because it was an inspired place to sell her hand-crafted weapons. And so far, she was dealing pretty well with the costumed fans camped outside, the batch of escaped parrots and monkeys frolicking throughout the hotel . . . and the minefield of egos lurking behind the show's success.
But soon after Meg goes head-to-head with egomaniacal series star Tamerlaine Wynncliffe-Jones, the "Queen B" turns up brutally murdered. Now, with Michael in the running as prime suspect, Meg will go up against an all-star cast of not-even-innocent parties, hidden identities, and buried motives. And she'll cross swords with a deviously obsessed murderer determined to write her out of this picture for good.
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith, renowned for her ability to get things done and organizing anything. Dr. Michael Waterston is her gorgeous actor/professor husband, who teaches at Caerphilly College. Spike is their, ahem, "foster dog". Michael's mom supposedly owns the dog, but she's testing out an allergy theory.
The Family
Fifteen-year-old Kevin, Meg's nephew, runs Michael's official fan site. Eric is another nephew and Kevin's brother. Mother and Dad, Margaret and Dr James Langslow, show up in costume. Great-aunt Zelda is what Dad refers to as the family time machine.
The Jungles of Amblyopia
Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle is/was the cheesy TV series in which Michael had had a part (and that helped pay for their "new" house!) Mephisto is Michael's character. Francis is Michael's disastrous agent.
Tamerlaine Wyncliffe-Jones, a.k.a. Queen Bee, QB, an aging, B-movie actress who plays Porfiria, owns the production company. Typhani is the QB's personal assistant who has managed to survive for six whole weeks! Ichabod Dilley is the original author of the comic series. Walker Morris is an old friend of Michael's and a fellow soap opera star. He plays the arch-enemy, the Duke of Urushiol. Maggie West is one of the actors, and she also runs an animal sanctuary, Jungle West. Alopecia is the QB's maid on the show. Sebacea is the "comely mermaid queen".
Nate, a recreational complainer, is the show's chief scriptwriter — and he deigns to recognize Meg! Karen is a costumer, the thirteenth one. Todd chairs the program committee. Sandra, the diminutive Amazon, takes on all that.
Alaric Steele is another swordsmith at the convention. Chris Blair, the show's blademaster and Walker's stunt double, owns Blazing Sabers. Andrea is one of his employees as well as his girlfriend. Harry is another employee. And who is Concubine Aimee?
Cordelia sells used and rare books at the Dreamscape Booksellers counter. She's, um, wearing antlers. Amy Goldman. Undiscovered Treasures is another booth, specializing in "parrot-sols". Salome is a full grown tiger who gets rented out by the Willner Sanctuary, which is owned by Mrs Willner. Brad is Salome's keeper.
The hotel is . . .
. . . losing employees fast. Jen and her newlywed husband are discombobulated.
Loudoun County PD
Detective Foley is with Homicide. Fortunately, Loudoun County Animal Control shows up.
The Pasadena Pair were student radicals in 1970 who didn't burn a local draft board.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a bright blue. Starting at the top is a pale, pale yellow info blurb with the author's name immediately below it in white. The author's name is at the bottom, also in white with the series info below that in the pale, pale yellow. In between is an orange parrot in full flight — I'm guessing it's a metaphor for the African Greys. To the right of the parrot's wing is a bright fuchsia serrated badge with a sales price in white — go get it! Below the wing and the badge is a testimonial in yellow with a fluff of feather floating.
I suspect the title is a memory for Meg and Michael, in that We’ll Always Have Parrots.
November 20, 2023
I don't know if this book was shorter than the others or if I just got caught up in it, but it just flew by. No pun intended. The premise was ridiculous, however. Dozens of parrots and monkeys let loose in a hotel during a fan con(vention) would have resulted in the health department shutting down the entire hotel and all the guests demanding full refunds.
But, suspend your disbelief and enjoy the trip as Meg tries to figure out who murdered the star of a popular fantasy tv show her boyfriend plays a villain on.
It turns out I should have solved it. Andrews dropped a really big clue right in my face when she introduced this character, and I missed it. There was something about this person that made me roll my eyes and say, "You've got to be kidding." But I didn't take the hint.
Maybe you will.
But, suspend your disbelief and enjoy the trip as Meg tries to figure out who murdered the star of a popular fantasy tv show her boyfriend plays a villain on.
It turns out I should have solved it. Andrews dropped a really big clue right in my face when she introduced this character, and I missed it. There was something about this person that made me roll my eyes and say, "You've got to be kidding." But I didn't take the hint.
Maybe you will.
December 21, 2020
A fun little mystery. I am in a fandom and attend conventions so the setting and attitudes and details are correct and had me laughing just as much as the crazy situations our MC found herself in trying to solve this mystery.
Meg is attending a convention for a tv show her boyfriend is on. After trading threats with the main star and producer of the show she later finds the woman's body. With a convention full of suspects and animals on the loose Meg works to figure out who the murderer is as well as solving what really happened to the original creator of the characters from the cast who knew the creator long ago.
Meg is attending a convention for a tv show her boyfriend is on. After trading threats with the main star and producer of the show she later finds the woman's body. With a convention full of suspects and animals on the loose Meg works to figure out who the murderer is as well as solving what really happened to the original creator of the characters from the cast who knew the creator long ago.
May 14, 2021
Such fun!
Another fun adventure with Meg and Michael. The story was good, the mystery kept me guessing and the situations were hysterical. I don’t know how the author came up with this stuff. Looking forward to reading the next book.
Another fun adventure with Meg and Michael. The story was good, the mystery kept me guessing and the situations were hysterical. I don’t know how the author came up with this stuff. Looking forward to reading the next book.
January 22, 2020
Meg Langslow, blacksmith, has accompanied her fiancé Michael, drama professor, to a convention run by Friends of Amblyopia, fans of the cult TV show "Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle." Michael plays the part of Mephisto, a Machiavellian sorcerer, on the show. His presence at the convention is required by his contract and by Tamerlaine Wynncliffe-Jones, the aging woman who plays Queen Porfiria and owns the production company.
Trouble is brewing right from the start when room service delivers parrots, freed by monkeys from the jungle-like lobby display, along with breakfast trays. The health department insists they remove the live animals yet somehow each time they are captured, they are set free again.
Meg is attending the convention to be with Michael; however, she also has a booth where her swords are for sale which she shares with Alaric Steele. She’s honored when the show’s blade master, in charge of teaching the cast fencing and stage fighting, asks for her help in a demonstration. Wandering the convention as though lost is Ichabod Dilley. Ichabod Dilley was the artist of the original comic strip that inspired the TV show, but this Ichabod Dilley is not an artist but a motivational speaker. Meg takes him under her wing to escort him to his panel at the convention.
It takes much coaxing to get Porfiria, or the "QB" (Queen Bee) to open her hotel room door, where it is obvious she’s been drinking. She is due on stage and to sign autographs afterwards. No one really likes Porfiria, and she keeps employees and cast members for only short lengths of time.
Later on, as the charity auction is winding down, there’s no Porfiria there to judge the look-alike contest. Meg trudges up to her room where the door has been opened a crack by security, but only as far as the chain will allow. Meg goes into her room next door and climbs over the balcony to enter the QB’s room. What she finds inside is a grey parrot shrieking "Leave me alone" each time someone knocks on the door and a dead body next to the bed. Queen Porfiria has been bludgeoned with a wine bottle.
Writer Donna Andrews has hit her witty stride in this fifth installment of the Meg Langslow series. Andrews has a way of finding the hilarity in a situation and then exploiting it to make it even more entertaining. As always, Meg’s dad fancies himself a solver of mysteries and has his travel medical bag along just in case. Salome, the tiger, another of the jungle animals on display, has been saved from a life of misery. The fans are getting the ever-present police to autograph their programs along with the stars. All sorts of commotion ensues with almost no one feeling any remorse that Porfiria is dead, unless you count all the people who may now have to find new jobs with the continuity of the series in question.
WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARROTS could have go over the top in someone else’s hands, but Donna Andrews has a good grip on the wild situations. This audiobook features narrator Bernadette Dunne who does a great job bringing us the hilarity but keeping a “straight face” in doing so. She was able to punctuate her reading without the reader knowing it which made it clear when dialogue was being spoken and also kept the narration flowing.
Ultimately Meg must defend her life against a killer, which nets her far more than she ever imagined. I can’t wait to find out how it all comes together in the next tale.
Trouble is brewing right from the start when room service delivers parrots, freed by monkeys from the jungle-like lobby display, along with breakfast trays. The health department insists they remove the live animals yet somehow each time they are captured, they are set free again.
Meg is attending the convention to be with Michael; however, she also has a booth where her swords are for sale which she shares with Alaric Steele. She’s honored when the show’s blade master, in charge of teaching the cast fencing and stage fighting, asks for her help in a demonstration. Wandering the convention as though lost is Ichabod Dilley. Ichabod Dilley was the artist of the original comic strip that inspired the TV show, but this Ichabod Dilley is not an artist but a motivational speaker. Meg takes him under her wing to escort him to his panel at the convention.
It takes much coaxing to get Porfiria, or the "QB" (Queen Bee) to open her hotel room door, where it is obvious she’s been drinking. She is due on stage and to sign autographs afterwards. No one really likes Porfiria, and she keeps employees and cast members for only short lengths of time.
Later on, as the charity auction is winding down, there’s no Porfiria there to judge the look-alike contest. Meg trudges up to her room where the door has been opened a crack by security, but only as far as the chain will allow. Meg goes into her room next door and climbs over the balcony to enter the QB’s room. What she finds inside is a grey parrot shrieking "Leave me alone" each time someone knocks on the door and a dead body next to the bed. Queen Porfiria has been bludgeoned with a wine bottle.
Writer Donna Andrews has hit her witty stride in this fifth installment of the Meg Langslow series. Andrews has a way of finding the hilarity in a situation and then exploiting it to make it even more entertaining. As always, Meg’s dad fancies himself a solver of mysteries and has his travel medical bag along just in case. Salome, the tiger, another of the jungle animals on display, has been saved from a life of misery. The fans are getting the ever-present police to autograph their programs along with the stars. All sorts of commotion ensues with almost no one feeling any remorse that Porfiria is dead, unless you count all the people who may now have to find new jobs with the continuity of the series in question.
WE’LL ALWAYS HAVE PARROTS could have go over the top in someone else’s hands, but Donna Andrews has a good grip on the wild situations. This audiobook features narrator Bernadette Dunne who does a great job bringing us the hilarity but keeping a “straight face” in doing so. She was able to punctuate her reading without the reader knowing it which made it clear when dialogue was being spoken and also kept the narration flowing.
Ultimately Meg must defend her life against a killer, which nets her far more than she ever imagined. I can’t wait to find out how it all comes together in the next tale.
July 13, 2019
That Which is Fashionable Looks Costumey (is that a word?) I recalled looking in my high school year book recently, and noticing, to my surprise, that from a distance of nearly two decades, the cool people didn't look nearly as cool anymore. The fashionable clothes and trendy hairstyles hadn't worn well. And all of the rest of us, the little people who'd despaired of ever being that cool--we looked rather normal. Time, the great leveler. Pg 213 "We'll Always Have Parrots" by Donna Andrews.
That quote is so appropriate. I went to an all girl private school and we wore uniforms. But shoes (penny loafers) and hair (big puffy styles) were all the rage. Hairspray anyone.
Meg and Michael are attending a convention for followers of the tv show that Michael performs in and has to attend conventions. QB demands that as many cast members attend the events as possible and made it part of the contract. While they are there, parrots and monkeys are brought into the hotel and someone released them and they are running all over the hotel. QB has decided to stay drunk through most of the Convention and difficult. She has to be coaxed out of the room. When she finally deems it time to come out of the room, she terrifies Meg's nephew and when Meg finds out, she goes and demands that QB signs her nephew's program and learn how to behave.
Later, Meg has to break into QB's room and finds her murdered and hears the last words ever said, repeated by an African Gray Parrot. Michael, Walker and a few others are looked as suspects and Meg makes it her goal to find who really killed the QB and keep Michael and Walker from being taken to jail.
Along the way, she meets a whole cast of crazy characters who are like her family in some ways, but her family (mother, father, and nephew) are at the convention, too.
It is a good read, but not as many laugh out loud moments as when she has more of her family.
That quote is so appropriate. I went to an all girl private school and we wore uniforms. But shoes (penny loafers) and hair (big puffy styles) were all the rage. Hairspray anyone.
Meg and Michael are attending a convention for followers of the tv show that Michael performs in and has to attend conventions. QB demands that as many cast members attend the events as possible and made it part of the contract. While they are there, parrots and monkeys are brought into the hotel and someone released them and they are running all over the hotel. QB has decided to stay drunk through most of the Convention and difficult. She has to be coaxed out of the room. When she finally deems it time to come out of the room, she terrifies Meg's nephew and when Meg finds out, she goes and demands that QB signs her nephew's program and learn how to behave.
Later, Meg has to break into QB's room and finds her murdered and hears the last words ever said, repeated by an African Gray Parrot. Michael, Walker and a few others are looked as suspects and Meg makes it her goal to find who really killed the QB and keep Michael and Walker from being taken to jail.
Along the way, she meets a whole cast of crazy characters who are like her family in some ways, but her family (mother, father, and nephew) are at the convention, too.
It is a good read, but not as many laugh out loud moments as when she has more of her family.
December 17, 2017
Another great fun read. This time Meg and Michael find themselves in a hotel in Loudoun County for a convention honoring Michael's tv show "Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle". The hotel has a crazy layout, so it's generally regarded as a maze, and someone decided to have monkeys, parrots, (and a tiger) at the Con to create a jungle ambience. Except the parrots and monkeys got out and were running loose all over the hotel. Meg set up a booth in the dealer's room to sell her metal working (mostly weapons in the case), and shared the cost with a guy named Alaric Steele and his creations.
The main star of the show, the Queen B, was a pain in everyone's you-know-what, and was disliked by almost everyone. Of course, she turns up dead. we are treated to all of Michael's crazy cast-mates, fans, Con-organizers, police, and hotel staff. Oh yeah, and Meg's family. The TV show was based off of 12 comics created in the 70's that the Queen B had bought the rights to. Sadly, the author had died of somewhat suspicious circumstances in his youth.
As the story progresses we learn that Ichabod Dilley was still alive. That the Queen B screwed him over when he sold her the rights (he needed money) and he was very bitter and angry. We learn that Ichabod was Alaric Steele. he is caught (after a sword fight with Meg) and the story ends with Meg possibly getting a part on Michael's show. (Which isn't her thing so I guess I'll read the next book to see what happens)!
The main star of the show, the Queen B, was a pain in everyone's you-know-what, and was disliked by almost everyone. Of course, she turns up dead. we are treated to all of Michael's crazy cast-mates, fans, Con-organizers, police, and hotel staff. Oh yeah, and Meg's family. The TV show was based off of 12 comics created in the 70's that the Queen B had bought the rights to. Sadly, the author had died of somewhat suspicious circumstances in his youth.
As the story progresses we learn that Ichabod Dilley was still alive. That the Queen B screwed him over when he sold her the rights (he needed money) and he was very bitter and angry. We learn that Ichabod was Alaric Steele. he is caught (after a sword fight with Meg) and the story ends with Meg possibly getting a part on Michael's show. (Which isn't her thing so I guess I'll read the next book to see what happens)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2010
For this outing in the Meg Langslow mysteries, we visit a convention dedicated to a cult television show. Meg's boyfriend is one of the stars, and she's along for the ride.
Of course, wherever Meg goes, someone dies (you would think she'd have fewer friends based on this), and she finds herself in the middle of a mystery, when all she wanted to do was sell a few swords and avoid her boyfriend's rabid fans.
Donna Andrews pokes gentle fun at the convention attendees who go to these shindigs, and who know all the trivia down to the last comma. She also shines a light on animal behaviors and the need for sanctuaries, all while giving readers a giggle. She doesn't so much solve murders as trip over their resolutions, but that's not the point.
What I love about Donna Andrews is that she doesn't just write the same plot over and over and then slap a different title on it (like some other authors I can think of, whose series I've abandoned). Every book, while featuring the same enjoyable main characters, has a different setting and a creative theme; there's always a murder, but you never know if it's going to take place at a wedding, a renaissance faire or in a hotel full of monkeys.
Of course, wherever Meg goes, someone dies (you would think she'd have fewer friends based on this), and she finds herself in the middle of a mystery, when all she wanted to do was sell a few swords and avoid her boyfriend's rabid fans.
Donna Andrews pokes gentle fun at the convention attendees who go to these shindigs, and who know all the trivia down to the last comma. She also shines a light on animal behaviors and the need for sanctuaries, all while giving readers a giggle. She doesn't so much solve murders as trip over their resolutions, but that's not the point.
What I love about Donna Andrews is that she doesn't just write the same plot over and over and then slap a different title on it (like some other authors I can think of, whose series I've abandoned). Every book, while featuring the same enjoyable main characters, has a different setting and a creative theme; there's always a murder, but you never know if it's going to take place at a wedding, a renaissance faire or in a hotel full of monkeys.
September 14, 2020
2.5 stars I have enjoyed some of the earlier installments in this series for their well-timed humor. However, this book just fell flat for me.
The story is set at a hotel in Loudoun County, VA, where Meg's boyfriends TV series is having a fan convention. I've been to some fantasy and sci-fi conventions for various fandoms, and this book does capture the wackiness of those fairly well. However, I sometimes felt like the author was encouraging the reader to laugh at them rather than with them, and that felt uncomfortable.
Even more uncomfortable was some of the ageism and fat-shaming woven into the story. The mystery centers on the murder of an aging, not-much-loved TV star. I honestly had trouble making myself care about the boyfriend and his TV show so it was hard to care about the mystery either.
There are a few good moments in the story, and the villain was not who I originally guessed, but this was definitely not my favorite in the series.
The story is set at a hotel in Loudoun County, VA, where Meg's boyfriends TV series is having a fan convention. I've been to some fantasy and sci-fi conventions for various fandoms, and this book does capture the wackiness of those fairly well. However, I sometimes felt like the author was encouraging the reader to laugh at them rather than with them, and that felt uncomfortable.
Even more uncomfortable was some of the ageism and fat-shaming woven into the story. The mystery centers on the murder of an aging, not-much-loved TV star. I honestly had trouble making myself care about the boyfriend and his TV show so it was hard to care about the mystery either.
There are a few good moments in the story, and the villain was not who I originally guessed, but this was definitely not my favorite in the series.
December 29, 2014
These books are super fun escapist reads that are quite amusing. They are full of madcap characters, acerbic wit, and an engaging main couple in Meg and Michael. This time, Michael's guest shots on a cult sci-fi TV show have turned him into a popular character with the fans. His time away from his real career as a drama professor at a small Virginia college is annoying his faculty as he is drawn into more live appearances and conventions. Meg attends a nearby convention with him where she is persona non grata with the female fans who don't relish the dashing Michael having a girlfriend. When the universally despised star and owner of the franchise winds up dead, Meg has to scramble to find the murderer to get the police suspicion off Michael. The rest is filled with a captive tiger, monkeys, parrots, fans, and lots of crazy characters and situations.
July 13, 2014
This review is from: We'll Always Have Parrots (Meg Langslow Mysteries) (Kindle Edition)
Meg and Michael are at fan convention for the hit Television series Amblyopia. Meg's family that love custom parties are present. Monkeys and parrots have been released in the hole to ambience to the scene. The QB IS causing problems and it fills to Meg and Michael to handle them. After Meg fights with the QB, she is found dead. Meg's fingerprints are on the weapon. Meg must go back in time to find the answer. This book is a fun read as all the Meg Lanslow's books.
Meg and Michael are at fan convention for the hit Television series Amblyopia. Meg's family that love custom parties are present. Monkeys and parrots have been released in the hole to ambience to the scene. The QB IS causing problems and it fills to Meg and Michael to handle them. After Meg fights with the QB, she is found dead. Meg's fingerprints are on the weapon. Meg must go back in time to find the answer. This book is a fun read as all the Meg Lanslow's books.
January 31, 2015
I didn't find this mystery particularly clever or interesting. I found the characters pretty flat and boring if not just standard stereotypes. There were some mildly amusing moments, but nothing impressive enough to really pick up the novel. I felt as though the whole book was the same repetitive stuff over and over, and a whole chunk could've been cut out without any detriment to the plot line. Based on this book I wouldn't read any more in the series, and I wouldn't recommend this or the series to anyone unless they just enjoy mediocre, flat mysteries.
August 1, 2015
My favorite so far in the series. Lots of laughs.
May 11, 2019
Another great read in this series. Characters and plot are great. Had me going until the end. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
March 26, 2024
Meg and Michael are weekending at a convention for the cult TV show in which Michael plays the part of a wizard. Besides dealing with the death of the owner/star/executive producer of the program they have to deal with an influx of parrots and monkeys and one tiger.
No one liked Miss Wyncliffe-Jones who played the lead in the program and the convention is rife with suspects from fellow cast members to other attendees to the cheated author of the comic books the series was based on.
Even though Meg doesn't set out to investigate the crime, she does find herself hearing things that she feels she needs to bring to the attention of the police. And, having been the one to find the body including the scrap of paper clutched in the victim's hand, Meg has a head start on the police. She has even more of a head start because she's familiar with the culture of fan conventions.
Having attended a convention or two in my life, I appreciated the picture Andrews paints of what life is like at a con. I liked the way Meg is a little corner of sanity in a crazy situation. This was a fun episode in the series.
No one liked Miss Wyncliffe-Jones who played the lead in the program and the convention is rife with suspects from fellow cast members to other attendees to the cheated author of the comic books the series was based on.
Even though Meg doesn't set out to investigate the crime, she does find herself hearing things that she feels she needs to bring to the attention of the police. And, having been the one to find the body including the scrap of paper clutched in the victim's hand, Meg has a head start on the police. She has even more of a head start because she's familiar with the culture of fan conventions.
Having attended a convention or two in my life, I appreciated the picture Andrews paints of what life is like at a con. I liked the way Meg is a little corner of sanity in a crazy situation. This was a fun episode in the series.
July 25, 2024
I LOVE this series!! Meg finds herself at a convention for her boyfriends tv series. She's there to support, maybe sell some of her blacksmithing, and now solve a murder!
I love Meg's wit and sarcasm. She seems to always be able to come up with a solution, but not be a know it all. I did not like Steele. From the get go, he feels off to me.
This series grabs me from the beginnin and keeps me entertained until the end!
I love Meg's wit and sarcasm. She seems to always be able to come up with a solution, but not be a know it all. I did not like Steele. From the get go, he feels off to me.
This series grabs me from the beginnin and keeps me entertained until the end!
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