Thursday, August 26, 2021

Book Review: Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow #29)

Stars: 5 out of 5
Pros: Fun, characters, good mystery
Cons: Set up takes a bit, but the pay off is worth it.
The Bottom Line:
A busy summer
Actors and reenactors
Delightful for fans



Which of the Things Meg is Juggling Led to Murder?

In last summer’s entry in the Meg Langslow series, we found out that Meg’s husband, Michael, was going to be directing a production of Macbeth the following summer.  I immediately got excited, hoping that this would provide the set up for this summer’s Murder Most Fowl.  In true Donna Andrews fashion, it provided just one of the things that Meg is facing in this delightful entry in the series.

While the production of Macbeth that Michael is directing is set to be performed in the Washington, DC area, rehearsals are taking place in Meg and Michael’s hometown of Caerphilly, Virginia.  Since the cast is mostly poor actors, they are camping out at Meg and Michael’s house for the duration.  The history department at the college where Michael works has gotten into the act as well, setting up a camp nearby filled with people living as the Scottish did in the sixth century.  Or that is the theory.  With some of the run ins that Meg has had with them, she things they are just up to getting into trouble.

Capturing all of this is Damien Goodwin, a filmmaker who is documenting the rehearsals as well as the happenings at both camps.  When he announces he wants to show his film to date one evening, everyone is excited – until they watch it.  When Meg finds Damien’s body the next day, she is left trying to figure out what Damien captured lead to his murder.  Will she figure it out?

As if often the case for this series, there are quite a few threads in this book.  That means the book takes a little time to get going as everything is set in motion, but once that happens, the book’s pace never lags.  I enjoyed following Meg around as she picked up pieces and clues that eventually lead to the killer.

I also appreciate her good relationship with the police.  She does seem to go a bit more out of her way to investigate than in some books, but she is also reporting back what she has learned immediately.

Fans will know that there is a large potential cast of recurring characters.  We get a balance, with some being out of town and others getting the spotlight here.  As always, those who are involved in this book are entertaining.  The suspects are just as strong and fun as the series regulars.

Make no mistake about it, this book is fun.  I smiled quite a bit as I was reading, and the book did make me laugh out loud a few times as well.  Since we are more familiar with the characters and their antics, I don’t laugh as much as I did at earlier books, but visiting them is always fun.

Fans of this long running series are in for a treat with Murder Most Fowl.  If that isn’t you yet, pick up one of these delightfully fun mysteries today.  You’ll be hooked before you know it.

You’re sure to enjoy the rest of the Meg Langslow Mysteries.

3 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed this book! I came late to this series but I've enjoyed each book more then the last. I really need to go back and read the earlier books.

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  2. I need to add Murder Most Fowl to my TBR list. Great review! :-)

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