Winner of the St. Martin's Malice Domestic Award in 1997 for her first work Murder With Peacocks, Donna Andrews brings back her zany charac...
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Nov 24, 2009
Drebbles
rated it: 
Meg Lanslow's relationship with her boyfriend Michael is going strong, but they are having a hard time finding some private time together. Meg thinks she knows the perfect place for a romantic getaway - her Aunt Phoebe's cottage in Monhegan, Maine. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned, the boat trip is rough because a hurricane is headed their way and once they reach the island, Meg and Michael realize it's been invaded by avid bird watchers. Even worse, once they get to the cottage they fi
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Aug 19, 2009
Valerie
rated it: 
1-1/2 stars. Because I reserve the 1 star rating for books that I very actively dislike.
OK. I read this book because I found the author on a mystery book website called http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/index.... This author's first book in this series (Murder with Peacocks) won about 4 awards including a Lefty award for funniest mystery. Since the library didn't have the first book, I decided to try the second one in the series.
This is not a well-written book. For my More...
OK. I read this book because I found the author on a mystery book website called http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/index.... This author's first book in this series (Murder with Peacocks) won about 4 awards including a Lefty award for funniest mystery. Since the library didn't have the first book, I decided to try the second one in the series.
This is not a well-written book. For my More...
Dec 08, 2008
Babette
rated it: 
I picked up this book while visiting my mother for Thanksgiving. I was not exited about the first book (literary awards not withstanding) but needed something to read on the plane back to New York. I suppose I feel the same about this book as I did the prior one - the author tries too hard to be funny? clever? sarcastic? I think this is because there needs to be a lot of filler since the plot is rather simplistic.
The attraction of Michael (who is described as perfect is every way) wou More...
The attraction of Michael (who is described as perfect is every way) wou More...
Jan 24, 2009
Tori
rated it:
My least favorite of the Meg Langslow books. I'm not sure why. Perhaps because I don't care for the setting or the way Meg keeps breaking into places.
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Jan 14, 2009
bookczuk
rated it:
I was taking this to the OBCZ yesterday but then realized I needed a little light reading myself and this seemed just the ticket. Nothing to brainy or too brainless. Besides, I have a fondness for Maine and for puffins-- not to mention eccentric families.
Anyhow, I started it over a lovely decaf cappuccino at Muddy Waters and finished it later in the afternoon, snuggled on my couch, sipping a cup of roobius tea. Just the ticket!
Had to chuckle at the notion of someone going More...
Anyhow, I started it over a lovely decaf cappuccino at Muddy Waters and finished it later in the afternoon, snuggled on my couch, sipping a cup of roobius tea. Just the ticket!
Had to chuckle at the notion of someone going More...
Dec 28, 2007
Lisa
rated it: 
2nd book in this mystery series. Funny and entertaining. My favorite part of this book is on page 59 (of the hardcover edition) where Meg Langslow, the main character in the series, voices her insistence on reading books in a series in proper order. My sentiments exactly!
Dec 01, 2008
Susan
rated it:
Amusing, though not as mysterious as the story could be, Meg remains hard to take seriously as she flits about hither and yon, mingling with colorful characters at a family enclave off the Maine coast.
Better set closer to home on one hand, Meg Lanslow was slightly more believable in the first of this series, Murder with Peacocks. But she comes off as slightly less of a patsy in this novel.
As a follow up to the first in the series it's not a necessary read at all and will More...
Better set closer to home on one hand, Meg Lanslow was slightly more believable in the first of this series, Murder with Peacocks. But she comes off as slightly less of a patsy in this novel.
As a follow up to the first in the series it's not a necessary read at all and will More...
Jul 26, 2011
This was good enough to keep me interested, but a litle complicated--there were a few twists that didn't make sense (won't list to avoid spoilers). I would read others if they were free, but won't go searching--the chapters of later books at the end of this one made them sound even more scattered/complicated.
Furthermore--just a note--I'm getting kind of tired of mysteries where the protagonist female is regular looking and insecure about it and about whether her drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend/lov More...
Furthermore--just a note--I'm getting kind of tired of mysteries where the protagonist female is regular looking and insecure about it and about whether her drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend/lov More...
Jan 22, 2009
Margaret
rated it:
Unfortunately I read these Meg Langslow books out of order, but in doing so I think Donna Andrews does a better job when Meg is involved in an event more then in just a different setting. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery when they're involved in the events depicted in the first, third and fifth books (wedding, re-enactment, and convention, respectively). In this book, they're stuck on an island in Maine because of a hurricane. I still enjoy her family and the secondary characters, but ju
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Jul 17, 2011
Kristen
rated it:
If you love great mysteries with a side of humor, you'll enjoy the Meg Langslow series. Last year I've read #1 and #3. Now I'm going to the second one of the series. When Meg and her boyfriend head to the Monhegan Island for a romantic getaway, it was anything but romantic. First, there's the hurricane, second her family showed up. Not only that, there's the birders who's scouting for puffins and an angry artist named Victor Resnick, who didn't like trespassers. When they've reported his shootin
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May 26, 2011
Lisa
rated it:
I liked this book, but not as much as the first one. It seems the author attempted to put more focus on the mystery aspect of the plot, and turning Meg into a pumped up amateur detective wasn't the best move. While her family was wrangled back into the story, they were in the background a lot more, and I think that detracted from my enjoyment of the book.
I'll read more of this series, but I'm not sure what to expect next time.
I'll read more of this series, but I'm not sure what to expect next time.
Dec 17, 2010
Tobinsfavorite
rated it:
OK, this is a 4-star-for-comfort novel. If I didn't like the characters so much, it wouldn't get more than 3, and if I weren't a fan of the comedic-mystery genre, it wouldn't rate more than 2, but it's a nice little 4-star example of its type. Besides, it has some truly excellent chapter titles: "I Fought the Puffin and the Puffin Won", "Abandon Puffins Ye Who Enter Here", "Zen and the Art of Puffin Maintenance", for examples.
Feb 21, 2010
Carrie
rated it:
This was a cute book. A standard "locked room" mystery, where in this case the locked room is an island off New England where Meg, her boyfriend, and her whole wacky family are stranded by storms.
I liked this book a lot better than the first in the series. The first was marred by Meg's friends and family constantly giving her "maid of honor" work to do. This book was a lot more of a standard, light, mystery.
I liked this book a lot better than the first in the series. The first was marred by Meg's friends and family constantly giving her "maid of honor" work to do. This book was a lot more of a standard, light, mystery.
Nov 25, 2009
Jennifer
rated it:
I really like the main characters (meg and Michael), and I even like Meg's father, but I can't help but wish everyone else would go jump off a cliff. And if the author is going to go to all the trouble to set Meg up with a boyfriend, then there really should be a little more romance.
The mystery aspect of this book was much weaker than the first book. Boring, even.
The mystery aspect of this book was much weaker than the first book. Boring, even.
Oct 14, 2009
RuthG
rated it:
This is the second book in this series and takes place on an island off the coast of Maine. The hurricane whirling offshore is as mucha a character as any of the human characters and plays as big a role. The puffin theme is a little overwhelming but I did learn some facts about puffins. I really enjoyed it but it is not as hilarious as Murder With Peacocks.
May 29, 2011
Sherri
rated it: 
I read this book a few years ago and recently came across it and decided to start the series (this is book two). I love the detective, a 30-something woman who tackles the mysteries that land in her lap with flair and good humor. Some parts are laught out loud funny. This series will be my guilty pleasure this summer.
Nov 01, 2010
Christine
rated it:
Much more enjoyable than the first entry. I think this series has such a large cast of secondary characters that the first book was really devoted to introducing them and making the readers familiar with their quirks, so the story/mystery really took a back seat. This was more front & center, and therefore, much better.
Dec 16, 2008
Nicole
rated it:
Kates escape turns out to be an idea whose time has come and she finds a major portion of her family has arrived before her despite their variously declared destinations. Once more she is seeking to unravel the actions of many people but in a locked room mystery.
Aug 18, 2009
Susan
rated it:
Meg and her boyfriend Michael, seeking privacy, go to a Langslow family cabin in Maine, only to encounter a flock of eager birdwatchers and a bad hurricane. Meg's parents turn up, too, and so does a dead body--of someone her parents have the most motive to kill.
Jan 09, 2009
Bunny
rated it:
The only reason I read these 3 books by Dana Andrews is that I was too busy with the holidays to begin anything else. The books are supposed to be amusing but they failed to make me smile, much less laugh. Author tries too hard to be eccentric.
Jul 17, 2011
Jody
rated it:
Meg Langslow mystery. Love this series!
I have loved every book in this series. Donna never fails to amuse me. I couldn't pick a favorite, but this one is definitely up at the top of my list.
I enjoy all the characters so much and laugh all the way through each book.
Each book has a few of the same characteristics; but yet different enough to keep them all interesting. Can't wait to read more of this fun series!
I have loved every book in this series. Donna never fails to amuse me. I couldn't pick a favorite, but this one is definitely up at the top of my list.
I enjoy all the characters so much and laugh all the way through each book.
Each book has a few of the same characteristics; but yet different enough to keep them all interesting. Can't wait to read more of this fun series!
Mar 15, 2009
Carl
rated it:
hurricane, an island full of weird and eccentric birdwatchers, a local population of curmudgenly folks and a guy who irks everybody. Who do you suppose gets murdered? DO we care? Fun and funny in spots but not a hot read. Good of type
Mar 09, 2011
Mina
rated it:
While I really want to love this series and the characers..this was just boring. I'm giving the author one more chance with book #3 and then I'm done. I really hope it comes around because I love the titles of the books.
Jan 27, 2011
Brenda
rated it:
Yea! A great new (to me) mystery series for me to read. This was the second book that I thought was first for some reason. Went back and read the first as well, and now I have all the rest on hold at the library.
Jan 17, 2012
Christa
rated it:
This is the second in the Meg Langslow series and a good cozy mystery. The odd ball family members are probably my favorite part of these books. The setting interesting and so were the bird facts.
Jan 13, 2012
Irene
rated it:
Thought I'd give this series one more try, since the library copy was a double feature. Main character, her boyfriend, and her "crazy" family are trapped together on an island and there is a murder. Why does this plot seem so familiar? Still, it's a little better than the first novel, but not rocket science. Quick read, skip the characters' ruminations about the murder. Very simplistic plot and character development. I've got one more of her books I just picked up at a thrift shop
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Aug 25, 2009
Cheryl
rated it:
A famous artist who is known for his landscapes and lousy personality is murdered. Once again Meg is on the scene and sleuths out the culprit. Not a nail bitter, but the humor makes it interesting. s
Jul 19, 2009
Margo
rated it:
Vey silly book. The characters were so strange I found myself laughing out loud as they stumbled around Monhegan Island looking for a murderer. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.
Mar 15, 2009
Mary
rated it:
This title comes early in the series featuring blacksmith and amateur sleuth Meg Langslow--her family plays front and center stage in this murderous homage to bird watchers everywhere...
Dec 08, 2009
Beth
rated it:
Not a bad mystery, in all. A little formulaic, and the characters seemed to be acting difficult or conflict-y just to provide conflict. Overall, the "it was OK" rating is about right.
