First, let me apologize for my lateness in posting this one. I'll do better next week, I promise!
On to the book!
Summary:
Meg and Michael are kept running with their two boisterous twin boys, only a few months old now. And of course, because Meg doesn't have nearly enough to do with a set of screaming twins, her father, grandfather, and brother decide to make her house the base of operations for a clandestine clearing of the town animal shelter. Dozens of cats, dogs, and even a bad-mouthed macaw have invaded her living room after the shelter announced euthanizations due to a lack of town funds. The animal rights group, led by the men in Meg's family, couldn't let such a thing stand, and take advantage of Meg's inability to say no YET again. Oh, and someone from the group gets murdered on his way to the pick-up site. Oops. And to top it all off, there's scandal brewing in Town Hall and Meg, the nosy woman she is, has to get to the bottom of it.
Thoughts:
Standard practice in the Meg Langslow book series. Meg's family find something to involve themselves in, they use her space to lead the revolution (not their own, because that would be far too considerate), and then someone gets killed in relation to whatever project this happens to be. The more I read the Langslow books, the more I think that she's a huge pushover. Sure, she gets things done, and they're usually good for a laugh. But Meg's always having people invade her space to do something that she doesn't much care about. I don't like that her family doesn't seem to have any respect for her or her new family, and does whatever it is that they want. But as I said, these are usually good for a laugh and a cringe and a "thank GOD my family isn't like that."
Book 11 of 50
Pages: 320
Genre: mystery
Grade: B
Would I Recommend?: Sure, why not.
Showing posts with label Andrews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrews. Show all posts
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Stork Raving Mad (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow is 8 1/2 months pregnant with twins. Her house is full of her husband's college drama students because the college is having issues with their on-campus furnace. Everyone is misplace from campus, and the whole town is housing the college kids wherever they can be put. One of Michael's students is nearing the end of his dissertation about a Spanish playwright, and is about to perform a show about his work and him. That is, until the dean of the English department tries to shut the play and the doctoral work down. The drama students and professors, all of whom officially fall under the English department, though they are fighting for their own department, all take umbrage at this and work to undermine the dean's decision. And then she's killed, and all the people that are swarming through Meg's house become murder suspects. Oh, and the babies could come any second.
Thoughts:
Honestly, the last time I read a Meg book ("Swan for the Money," posted in September) I was disappointed with the writing and didn't find it as engaging as it used to be. In fact, I said that if there wasn't something good in the next book, I wouldn't continue the series. This one turned it around, at least a little. Meg wasn't getting into the mystery as much, but just happened to be right-place-right-time for every bit of evidence. What's more, there were multiple murder attempts at the same time, which made it all the more interesting. And Meg's family, while usually all over everything and getting in the way more often than not, were actually useful throughout. Okay, Ms. Andrews, I'm game. We'll try this again. Let's see how you do once the babies are born.
Book 50 of 50 (Finished Sept 25th) With thirteen more weeks left in the year, let's try for 70 books to end the year!
Pages:289
Genre:Mystery
Grade:B
Would I Recommend?:Sure, though at this point, like most series, it's always good to read from the start. This series, though, seems to be one you can pick up in the middle.
Meg Langslow is 8 1/2 months pregnant with twins. Her house is full of her husband's college drama students because the college is having issues with their on-campus furnace. Everyone is misplace from campus, and the whole town is housing the college kids wherever they can be put. One of Michael's students is nearing the end of his dissertation about a Spanish playwright, and is about to perform a show about his work and him. That is, until the dean of the English department tries to shut the play and the doctoral work down. The drama students and professors, all of whom officially fall under the English department, though they are fighting for their own department, all take umbrage at this and work to undermine the dean's decision. And then she's killed, and all the people that are swarming through Meg's house become murder suspects. Oh, and the babies could come any second.
Thoughts:
Honestly, the last time I read a Meg book ("Swan for the Money," posted in September) I was disappointed with the writing and didn't find it as engaging as it used to be. In fact, I said that if there wasn't something good in the next book, I wouldn't continue the series. This one turned it around, at least a little. Meg wasn't getting into the mystery as much, but just happened to be right-place-right-time for every bit of evidence. What's more, there were multiple murder attempts at the same time, which made it all the more interesting. And Meg's family, while usually all over everything and getting in the way more often than not, were actually useful throughout. Okay, Ms. Andrews, I'm game. We'll try this again. Let's see how you do once the babies are born.
Book 50 of 50 (Finished Sept 25th) With thirteen more weeks left in the year, let's try for 70 books to end the year!
Pages:289
Genre:Mystery
Grade:B
Would I Recommend?:Sure, though at this point, like most series, it's always good to read from the start. This series, though, seems to be one you can pick up in the middle.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Swan for the Money (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow has a crazy family that always gets her stuck into crazy situations. This is yet another of them. Her parents decide to get into raising and cultivating roses, and Meg's overbearing, doesn't-hear-the-word-no mother nags Meg into running the annual rose show, on the estate of a crazy woman who insists that her entire home, and every animal on her property be in black and white only. Of course someone ends up dead. Shocker. Especially when not only Meg finds the body, but then figures out who's the killer. Again.
Thoughts:
Boy, Ms. Andrews, Meg is really good at solving mysteries. Why isn't she a cop yet? Oh right, because she's a blacksmith. To be honest, I'm starting to tire of this series. Unless there's something really spectacular that comes out of the next book or so, I'm done. The writing is still pretty good, but it's getting much more predictable. And to be honest, I tried a couple times before I was able to actually get into this one. Not a good sign. I guess it's good for the series, but I guess after eleven books, she gets a little tired of creating a new way for Meg to get involved in the whole mess.
Book 38 of 50
Pages: 320
Genre: mystery
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Meh. If you've made it this far into the series, you might as well finish it, right?
Meg Langslow has a crazy family that always gets her stuck into crazy situations. This is yet another of them. Her parents decide to get into raising and cultivating roses, and Meg's overbearing, doesn't-hear-the-word-no mother nags Meg into running the annual rose show, on the estate of a crazy woman who insists that her entire home, and every animal on her property be in black and white only. Of course someone ends up dead. Shocker. Especially when not only Meg finds the body, but then figures out who's the killer. Again.
Thoughts:
Boy, Ms. Andrews, Meg is really good at solving mysteries. Why isn't she a cop yet? Oh right, because she's a blacksmith. To be honest, I'm starting to tire of this series. Unless there's something really spectacular that comes out of the next book or so, I'm done. The writing is still pretty good, but it's getting much more predictable. And to be honest, I tried a couple times before I was able to actually get into this one. Not a good sign. I guess it's good for the series, but I guess after eleven books, she gets a little tired of creating a new way for Meg to get involved in the whole mess.
Book 38 of 50
Pages: 320
Genre: mystery
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Meh. If you've made it this far into the series, you might as well finish it, right?
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Six Geese A-Slaying (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Yet another Donna Andrews mystery featuring Meg Langslow. This one is set at the most magical time of the year, the Christmas season. It's two days from Christmas, and Meg is in charge of Caerphilly's Holiday Parade. The trouble is, Santa gets offed within thirty minutes of his arrival. Whoops. Of course, Meg's got to hunt down the killer and save Christmas.
Thoughts:
The goose motif throughout was quite amusing. Andrews always throws the fowl named in the title into the storyline of the particular book, and this time was no different. And of course, along with the geese, there comes ridiculousness and hilarity that accompany Meg's family anywhere and everywhere. I enjoyed this one as always. The reasons behind the murder were not as obvious as they've been previously, and I was glad to see that drama stemming from Meg being unmarried is now gone, as she and Michael have happily gotten that out of the way. Unfortunately for Meg, now she's got to contend with the "when are the kids coming?" questions that old married always seem to need to ask the nearest newlyweds. Poor girl, I know how you feel, far more than I'd like. As usual for Ms. Andrews, this is yet another splendid turn for Meg and company.
Book 15 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There aren't nearly as many callbacks to previous books as there are in other series, so this one would be an okay choice to pick up in the middle. Great for Christmas reading (or maybe even a little Christmas in July?)
Yet another Donna Andrews mystery featuring Meg Langslow. This one is set at the most magical time of the year, the Christmas season. It's two days from Christmas, and Meg is in charge of Caerphilly's Holiday Parade. The trouble is, Santa gets offed within thirty minutes of his arrival. Whoops. Of course, Meg's got to hunt down the killer and save Christmas.
Thoughts:
The goose motif throughout was quite amusing. Andrews always throws the fowl named in the title into the storyline of the particular book, and this time was no different. And of course, along with the geese, there comes ridiculousness and hilarity that accompany Meg's family anywhere and everywhere. I enjoyed this one as always. The reasons behind the murder were not as obvious as they've been previously, and I was glad to see that drama stemming from Meg being unmarried is now gone, as she and Michael have happily gotten that out of the way. Unfortunately for Meg, now she's got to contend with the "when are the kids coming?" questions that old married always seem to need to ask the nearest newlyweds. Poor girl, I know how you feel, far more than I'd like. As usual for Ms. Andrews, this is yet another splendid turn for Meg and company.
Book 15 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There aren't nearly as many callbacks to previous books as there are in other series, so this one would be an okay choice to pick up in the middle. Great for Christmas reading (or maybe even a little Christmas in July?)
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Cockatiels at Seven (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Once again in Meg Langslow's world, there's chaos and upheaval. This time around, a friend drops off her little boy, Timmy, for "just a little while." The little while turns into a day, then two, then three... And Meg hasn't even spoken to this friend for a good two years, since before the toddler was even born. It turns into a missing persons case that winds up with a dead body and embezzlement from the local college. It's always good news when Meg's around, after all. To top it off, Meg and Michael, now happily married (for a few weeks), are starting to think about having kids, thanks to Timmy. Are they ready for all that?
Thoughts:
Not one of my favorite Andrews stories, I'm not going to lie. I think I've gotten to the point that I'm reading the rest of the series to see it through to the end. The family's antics just weren't there this time, and there wasn't nearly as much fun. Plus, add a toddler into the danger mix, and it'll always shake out badly. I'm not going to end this series for myself, because I do still enjoy Meg's crazy-ass family, but it's not necessarily on my top priority list anymore.
Book 2 of 50
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh, it's a good series, and probably there will be references to this book in future, so maybe don't skip it, but don't start from this one, as it's not a very good showing of the crazy that could happen when the Langslow family is involved.
Once again in Meg Langslow's world, there's chaos and upheaval. This time around, a friend drops off her little boy, Timmy, for "just a little while." The little while turns into a day, then two, then three... And Meg hasn't even spoken to this friend for a good two years, since before the toddler was even born. It turns into a missing persons case that winds up with a dead body and embezzlement from the local college. It's always good news when Meg's around, after all. To top it off, Meg and Michael, now happily married (for a few weeks), are starting to think about having kids, thanks to Timmy. Are they ready for all that?
Thoughts:
Not one of my favorite Andrews stories, I'm not going to lie. I think I've gotten to the point that I'm reading the rest of the series to see it through to the end. The family's antics just weren't there this time, and there wasn't nearly as much fun. Plus, add a toddler into the danger mix, and it'll always shake out badly. I'm not going to end this series for myself, because I do still enjoy Meg's crazy-ass family, but it's not necessarily on my top priority list anymore.
Book 2 of 50
Pages: 304
Genre: Mystery, romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh, it's a good series, and probably there will be references to this book in future, so maybe don't skip it, but don't start from this one, as it's not a very good showing of the crazy that could happen when the Langslow family is involved.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
The Penguin Who Knew Too Much (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Taking a break from Skye Denison, we're heading back to another series I've reviewed extensively. As a reminder, Andrews's books about Meg Langslow always feature a crazy family with off-the-wall murder investigations. Previously, there've been murders at a wedding, a TV convention, inside a computer game company, and during an Extreme Croquet tournament. This murder was no different. Meg and her fiance Michael were just trying to move themselves into their long-renovated, now-liveable house, but Meg's father, helper to all he meets, decided to foster a colony of penguins. In Meg's basement. Without her knowledge. Oh, and he found a body. The body turns out to be the owner of the town's zoo, and Meg's yard, along with her parents' yard and the yards of some of the neighboring farms, becomes home to not only penguins, but llamas, monkeys, lemurs, wolves, and a few dozen other species. Meg is less than thrilled, especially considering she is planning a big family party for Memorial Day, as well as her secret elopement with Michael. But all that is just par for the course when it comes to a Meg Langslow book.
Thoughts:
I enjoy the insanity of Andrews's Meg series. Meg is fun, and she actually knows how to put her foot down when it comes to some of the ridiculous things that her parents come up with. Some, not all, but that's better than other heroines we've come to know and tolerate, isn't it? The book is light-hearted and silly, complete with animal shenanigans and family idiocies. Meg is a great detective heroine who, while still snooping around in the police's investigation, doesn't usually wind up doing the whole job for the cops. She just supplements the evidentiary coffers a bit. A nice, welcome break from Skye's nosy busybody.
Book 1 of 50 for 2012! First book finished in the new year!
Pages: 328
Genre: mystery, comedy, slight romance
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Of course! This series seems more one-shot-ish than the Swanson series, so I feel okay in recommending picking any one of them up by themselves, though knowing Meg and her family from the beginning makes them all the more amusing.
Taking a break from Skye Denison, we're heading back to another series I've reviewed extensively. As a reminder, Andrews's books about Meg Langslow always feature a crazy family with off-the-wall murder investigations. Previously, there've been murders at a wedding, a TV convention, inside a computer game company, and during an Extreme Croquet tournament. This murder was no different. Meg and her fiance Michael were just trying to move themselves into their long-renovated, now-liveable house, but Meg's father, helper to all he meets, decided to foster a colony of penguins. In Meg's basement. Without her knowledge. Oh, and he found a body. The body turns out to be the owner of the town's zoo, and Meg's yard, along with her parents' yard and the yards of some of the neighboring farms, becomes home to not only penguins, but llamas, monkeys, lemurs, wolves, and a few dozen other species. Meg is less than thrilled, especially considering she is planning a big family party for Memorial Day, as well as her secret elopement with Michael. But all that is just par for the course when it comes to a Meg Langslow book.
Thoughts:
I enjoy the insanity of Andrews's Meg series. Meg is fun, and she actually knows how to put her foot down when it comes to some of the ridiculous things that her parents come up with. Some, not all, but that's better than other heroines we've come to know and tolerate, isn't it? The book is light-hearted and silly, complete with animal shenanigans and family idiocies. Meg is a great detective heroine who, while still snooping around in the police's investigation, doesn't usually wind up doing the whole job for the cops. She just supplements the evidentiary coffers a bit. A nice, welcome break from Skye's nosy busybody.
Book 1 of 50 for 2012! First book finished in the new year!
Pages: 328
Genre: mystery, comedy, slight romance
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Of course! This series seems more one-shot-ish than the Swanson series, so I feel okay in recommending picking any one of them up by themselves, though knowing Meg and her family from the beginning makes them all the more amusing.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
No Nest for the Wicket (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Once again, Meg Langslow has craziness surrounding her. Mrs. Fenniman, a woman whose relationship to Meg is, I think, some sort of aunt, decides to start an Extreme Cricket tournament in Caerphilly. Of course the tourney has to be on Meg's huge property, as well as her neighbor's farm, because everyone enjoys invading Meg's and Michael's space. Oh, and somebody gets murdered. Shocker.
Thoughts:
If you've read this blog at all, you know how I love Andrews's writing. The scenarios get more and more ridiculous, but with the way Andrews set up her first novel, no one thinks twice about how off-the-wall the newest novel's plot is. I can't wait to see what's coming next. The only thing that bugs me is Meg's fear of marrying Michael, but I guess Andrews was trying to draw out that piece of plot as long as possible.
Book 28 of 50
Pages: 259
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend? Heck yeah, though as with most series books, I do suggest starting from the beginning. Sure, you could pick up in the middle, but the whole joy of the Langslow brood is watching the crazy get crazier.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Owls Well that Ends Well (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow is at it again. As usual, she finds a dead body, this time in an old trunk someone is trying to sell at the huge yard sale at her house. In previous books, Meg and her boyfriend, Michael, bought themselves a house full of crap, and in this book, they're getting rid of the crap they don't want in a giant yard sale. Meg's family all brought their own crap over to sell too, so the yard sale takes up most of Meg's back yard, and draws the entire town out to see what they have to offer. The biggest ass of the bunch, an antiques buyer and seller, gets on everyone's last nerves, and winds up dead. Of course, Meg gets in on the investigation and once again winds up in trouble.
Thoughts:
It's another testament to the crazies with this book. You know the old saying, "write what you know?" Well, if that's what Ms. Andrews goes by, it's clear that she has all kinds of ridiculous relatives and friends in her life. After each installment of the Meg Langslow series, you don't think there could be more ludicrous circumstances, but then you crack the next cover and though you can't fathom it, but it's happened again. And yet, with Meg's nutty family, you actually believe it.
Book 24 of 30
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure. The series is fun. I've passed the books along already, and everyone that's had them thinks they're fun.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
We'll Always Have Parrots (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow's boyfriend is a part time actor, and has a growing part on a semi-popular TV show that's a little Harry Potter, a little Star Trek, and a whole lot campy. Thanks to Michael's part in the show, Meg gets to delve into the convention world, seeing just how crazy people can get. The con organizers had animals brought to the hotel the con's being held in, in order to make it look more like Amblyopia, the setting of the TV show. But on the first day, the parrots and monkeys get loose, and hijinks ensue. Not to mention the dead body...
Thoughts:
Andrews does it again, bringing a yet another aspect of modern life into hilarious view. She has a way of bringing even the most outlandish situations into Meg's life, and pushing it straight past "feasible" into "outrageous" whilst still making all kinds of sense. How often do you find a single person that's found murder victims at a wedding, in a software company, during a reenactment of the Battle at Yorktown, on a weekend getaway, and now at a TV show convention. And in her next novel, Meg finds the body at a yard sale in her backyard. And there are perfectly good explanations for each and every one of these situations, and for the murders that take place. Few authors can do that without giving the reader a large pill to swallow in the form of the newest situation.
These books are fun, silly things, and completely addictive. (Case in point, I've already finished the next in the series, too!) To read one book of the Meg series is to sign yourself up for the long haul. They're great beach reading type books, too, though it'll take a lot for you to put it down, even just to roll over and even the tan!
Book 23 of 30
Pages: 331
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure, it's fun!
Meg Langslow's boyfriend is a part time actor, and has a growing part on a semi-popular TV show that's a little Harry Potter, a little Star Trek, and a whole lot campy. Thanks to Michael's part in the show, Meg gets to delve into the convention world, seeing just how crazy people can get. The con organizers had animals brought to the hotel the con's being held in, in order to make it look more like Amblyopia, the setting of the TV show. But on the first day, the parrots and monkeys get loose, and hijinks ensue. Not to mention the dead body...
Thoughts:
Andrews does it again, bringing a yet another aspect of modern life into hilarious view. She has a way of bringing even the most outlandish situations into Meg's life, and pushing it straight past "feasible" into "outrageous" whilst still making all kinds of sense. How often do you find a single person that's found murder victims at a wedding, in a software company, during a reenactment of the Battle at Yorktown, on a weekend getaway, and now at a TV show convention. And in her next novel, Meg finds the body at a yard sale in her backyard. And there are perfectly good explanations for each and every one of these situations, and for the murders that take place. Few authors can do that without giving the reader a large pill to swallow in the form of the newest situation.
These books are fun, silly things, and completely addictive. (Case in point, I've already finished the next in the series, too!) To read one book of the Meg series is to sign yourself up for the long haul. They're great beach reading type books, too, though it'll take a lot for you to put it down, even just to roll over and even the tan!
Book 23 of 30
Pages: 331
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure, it's fun!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Another Meg Langslow mystery. This one centers around Meg helping out at her brother, Rob's gaming company while they're going a transition. The jokester jerk of the office gets offed on the motorized mail cart he loved abusing. Shocker, shocker, Meg's the one that finds his body. Shocker, shocker, the first person they suspect is closely related to Meg. (This time it's her brother, which is a rehash of the first book, I think.) Shocker, shocker, Meg solves the mystery.
Thoughts:
The main plot of Meg getting involved in the murders never changes. She's got crappy luck, always discovering all those dead bodies. But these books are fun. You can't help but enjoy the crazy that comes with a Meg Langslow book. Her family's crazy. Her boyfriend's useless. Her friends're suspicious. It's just the way it is in Caerphilly, VA, and their surrounding areas. It's another fun turn with Meg, for sure, and I haven't gotten sick of her yet. I'll keep going through this series.
Book 18 of 30
Pages: 320
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup! I love this series!
Another Meg Langslow mystery. This one centers around Meg helping out at her brother, Rob's gaming company while they're going a transition. The jokester jerk of the office gets offed on the motorized mail cart he loved abusing. Shocker, shocker, Meg's the one that finds his body. Shocker, shocker, the first person they suspect is closely related to Meg. (This time it's her brother, which is a rehash of the first book, I think.) Shocker, shocker, Meg solves the mystery.
Thoughts:
The main plot of Meg getting involved in the murders never changes. She's got crappy luck, always discovering all those dead bodies. But these books are fun. You can't help but enjoy the crazy that comes with a Meg Langslow book. Her family's crazy. Her boyfriend's useless. Her friends're suspicious. It's just the way it is in Caerphilly, VA, and their surrounding areas. It's another fun turn with Meg, for sure, and I haven't gotten sick of her yet. I'll keep going through this series.
Book 18 of 30
Pages: 320
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup! I love this series!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith in the Virginia area who has a very cute actor boyfriend, Michael. In this third book in her series, Meg's stuck at a craft fair to commemorate the Battle of Yorktown where her boyfriend's overbearing mother is running the show and demanding a lot from the crafters. They're forced to wear period costumes the entire week, and Meg gets to play go-between for the crafters to Michael's mom. In the midst of the craft fair, there's a murder to solve.
Thoughts:
It's more zany adventures with Meg and her family. Her parents are bonkers, Michael's mother is a tyrant, Spike the dog is a loveable terror (only because the reader has never met the little bugger in person), and the huge extended family is far too far-reaching. But it was fun, and a neat little break between chapters of Catch-22, which I'm still working on. I was honestly surprised, though, that the murder didn't get discovered until the last page of chapter 14, on page 112! I was honestly wondering when the death was going to happen, and then I was surprised when it finally did. I definitely called the victim from the moment we met him, but I wasn't sure on the murderer until the very end. Well played, Ms Andrews. Well played. Though the relationship business was pretty rushed when we finally got to it. That I would have been happier to have spread across more of the book. You can't have it all, can you?
Book 17 of 30
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Perfect for summer reading!
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith in the Virginia area who has a very cute actor boyfriend, Michael. In this third book in her series, Meg's stuck at a craft fair to commemorate the Battle of Yorktown where her boyfriend's overbearing mother is running the show and demanding a lot from the crafters. They're forced to wear period costumes the entire week, and Meg gets to play go-between for the crafters to Michael's mom. In the midst of the craft fair, there's a murder to solve.
Thoughts:
It's more zany adventures with Meg and her family. Her parents are bonkers, Michael's mother is a tyrant, Spike the dog is a loveable terror (only because the reader has never met the little bugger in person), and the huge extended family is far too far-reaching. But it was fun, and a neat little break between chapters of Catch-22, which I'm still working on. I was honestly surprised, though, that the murder didn't get discovered until the last page of chapter 14, on page 112! I was honestly wondering when the death was going to happen, and then I was surprised when it finally did. I definitely called the victim from the moment we met him, but I wasn't sure on the murderer until the very end. Well played, Ms Andrews. Well played. Though the relationship business was pretty rushed when we finally got to it. That I would have been happier to have spread across more of the book. You can't have it all, can you?
Book 17 of 30
Pages: 293
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Perfect for summer reading!
Monday, June 14, 2010
Murder by Puffins (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow is at it again. She and her new boyfriend, Michael, go to her aunt's house on a small island in Maine or somewhere, thinking that they will have a nice, quiet getaway. Instead, they get seasick on the boat thanks to a hurricane off the coast that just won't go away, and when they finally hit land and go to the aunt's house, they find not only Aunt Phoebe herself, but Meg's parents and brother as well. Meg and Michael try to get some relaxation (and avoid doing a million chores) by going out for a walk, but instead they find a local artist dead.
Thoughts:
Good story. Well written once again. It's a fun series, and I definitely plan on keeping up with it. Though around every turn, you do start wishing Meg could just get a break, and get some time without her crazy relatives... Though they are one of the best things about the book, so it's kind of a toss up.
Pages: 302
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-/B+
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely.
24 down, 26 to go!
Meg Langslow is at it again. She and her new boyfriend, Michael, go to her aunt's house on a small island in Maine or somewhere, thinking that they will have a nice, quiet getaway. Instead, they get seasick on the boat thanks to a hurricane off the coast that just won't go away, and when they finally hit land and go to the aunt's house, they find not only Aunt Phoebe herself, but Meg's parents and brother as well. Meg and Michael try to get some relaxation (and avoid doing a million chores) by going out for a walk, but instead they find a local artist dead.
Thoughts:
Good story. Well written once again. It's a fun series, and I definitely plan on keeping up with it. Though around every turn, you do start wishing Meg could just get a break, and get some time without her crazy relatives... Though they are one of the best things about the book, so it's kind of a toss up.
Pages: 302
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-/B+
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely.
24 down, 26 to go!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Murder by Peacocks (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith who has been asked to be the maid of honor in not one, not two, but three weddings. All within about six weeks of each other. And each one of the brides are bonkers. Her best friend, Eileen, wants to attire everyone in velvet, medieval style ensembles. Her future sister-in-law, Samantha, is crazy and, among other things, wants peacocks wandering in the yard for no real discernible reason. Her mother is planning on marrying a bore of a man and ignoring how much Meg's dad still loves her. Oh, and in the midst of this crazy summer of wedding planning, someone gets killed, and Meg's dad tries to deduce whodunnit, causing the killer to go after him too.
Thoughts:
Hilarious. I will be going after every book in the series. The next one is Murder by Puffins, which is the one that I saw first. Andrews' writing is great, and the voice of the book is like an old friend telling the story of her crazy summer of weddings. It's written day by day, too, with each chapter being a different day. And often times, if I'm reading a particularly slow passage, I will pause and check the number of pages, to see how much I have left, or if I'm almost to the end, I'll check. I didn't even think about it during this book, because I was so engrossed in the book. It's just that good. And anyone who's going through or who has gone through planning a wedding will appreciate this immensely. Stacy, I'm looking at you.
Pages: 311
Genre: Mystery, chicklit, humor
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend This?: YES.
10 down, 40 to go!
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith who has been asked to be the maid of honor in not one, not two, but three weddings. All within about six weeks of each other. And each one of the brides are bonkers. Her best friend, Eileen, wants to attire everyone in velvet, medieval style ensembles. Her future sister-in-law, Samantha, is crazy and, among other things, wants peacocks wandering in the yard for no real discernible reason. Her mother is planning on marrying a bore of a man and ignoring how much Meg's dad still loves her. Oh, and in the midst of this crazy summer of wedding planning, someone gets killed, and Meg's dad tries to deduce whodunnit, causing the killer to go after him too.
Thoughts:
Hilarious. I will be going after every book in the series. The next one is Murder by Puffins, which is the one that I saw first. Andrews' writing is great, and the voice of the book is like an old friend telling the story of her crazy summer of weddings. It's written day by day, too, with each chapter being a different day. And often times, if I'm reading a particularly slow passage, I will pause and check the number of pages, to see how much I have left, or if I'm almost to the end, I'll check. I didn't even think about it during this book, because I was so engrossed in the book. It's just that good. And anyone who's going through or who has gone through planning a wedding will appreciate this immensely. Stacy, I'm looking at you.
Pages: 311
Genre: Mystery, chicklit, humor
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend This?: YES.
10 down, 40 to go!
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