Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews - 4 stars

[annapi]

One of the better books of this series - I always enjoy Meg's adventures, but I'm thrilled that with this one Meg is once more displaying her skills at blacksmithing, which I have missed in the previous several books. It's almost Christmas, and Meg's blacksmithing mentor and teacher, Faulk, is a contestant in a reality TV contest called Blades of Glory being filmed locally. Though Meg had been asked to compete, she had steadfastly refused, but when Faulk is attacked and hospitalized, she reluctantly agrees to take his place. Of course a murder occurs, and Meg has her hands full helping with the investigation while participating in the show.

I loved the blacksmithing details, and the setting in Ragnar's castle, and the wonderful descriptions of the Christmas decorations in a Gothic theme. My only beef was that the solution to the murder was rather sprang onto the reader without much fanfare - I think it could have been a bit more suspenseful and exciting. But an excellent addition to the series, deserving a solid 4 stars.