This is the fifth book in our A to Z Mystery Tour through a local library, and was pulled from the second shelf of the second bay in the Mystery section. I will be choosing one book (hopefully the first book) from a mystery series on each shelf , in alphabetical order by author, and reviewing it here. I have added the series title list for each book to the website under Series in Order in the menu; you can also view the entire series by clicking on the series name below.
Donna Andrews, 1999
Meg Langslow Mysteries, #1; Agatha Award Winner for Best First Novel
Meg Langslow has returned to her hometown in Virginia to act as maid of honor in an unlikely string of three weddings: her best friend, her brother, and her mother are all tying the knot. Murders happen, and Meg’s father, a retired physician, enthusiastically works to solve the crime. Meg does her best to help; in fact, she has no choice as she is recruited by her father to do so. Most of the book consists of Meg being pulled in four different directions as Dr. Langslow and each of the three brides fight for her attention and her time.
Murder With Peacocks is one of the best cozy mysteries I’ve read in a while; the recurring characters are funny and complex, and I didn’t even come close to guessing the killer. Meg’s speaking style is on the nerdy side, but it seems to work within the context of the story. The only thing I can’t figure out is why a series featuring a blacksmith has 32 books with birds in the titles. Some of the titles are pretty funny though – like We’ll Always Have Parrots. Tell me that’s not funny.
The series is current; books 31 and 32 are due out this year. Donna Andrews publishes two books per year in general: one regular cozy and one holiday themed mystery, usually released in October of the same year.
I may start to work my way through this series as I continue the A to Z Mystery Tour; it will be interesting to watch as updates in technology are reflected in the stories, and I look forward to more diversity in upcoming titles.
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