puntastic, situational-humor, verbal-humor, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, murder-investigation, blizzards

Come for the laughs and puns, stay for a good mystery, and perhaps to learn some things!
It's nearing Hanukkah and Christmas and India holidays, plus Japanese and vegetarian interests when everyone wants to be with their friends and family in their own homes in the US, Australia, Japan, and elsewhere. But instead they are stuck in a five star resort in Caerphilly, Virginia snowed in by an unexpected pair of blizzards while attending a scientific conference, Owl Fest, for ornithologists and others chaired by Grandfather Montgomery Blake, the acclaimed zoologist. It's a good thing that Cousin Horace is there with the Langslow family since he is a Crime Scene Tech and the only law enforcement on scene because the landlines and cell phones are out and there are only two satellite phones. Of course Dr Langslow is there, and that's a good thing because he's also the county's Medical Examiner and the death is not a simple one (and not just because 200 of the guests are suspects).
Let the sleuthing begin!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St Martin's Press / Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you! !

Owl Be Home for Christmas by Donna Andrews is the 26th book in the Meg Langslow series, and another great addition. In this adventure Meg's grandfather is hosting a scientific conference on owls at the Caerphilly Inn, with the whole family pitching in to help. Unfortunately the conference is snowed in, so no one can leave, when a body is found. I love this series, and the wonderful characters. Caerphilly sounds like a great town, with all their quirky people and large families. The plot of the stories are always well written and developed and often make me laugh out loud. This book has more twists and turns, that kept me reading page after page. I strongly recommend this book and the whole series for anyone who likes well written cozy mysteries that are unique and delightful.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. Thank you.

A locked inn mystery! It's just before Christmas and Meg's grandfather has gathered a group of experts on owls at the Caerphilly Inn for a conference. Get ready to learn some wonderful facts about those fascinating birds of prey as well as follow along as Meg solves the murder of Dr. Frogmore, an obnoxious man. Unfortunately, there's a blizzard and the Inn is snowed in but that won't stop Meg. Regular readers of this series know that Meg's entertaining and energetic family always helps (well, sort of helps) when she's confronted with a mystery and that's the case here. Don't worry if you haven't read the earlier books; Andrews will pop you right in to the family. Meg's dad and her cousin Horace are on the case with her- you'll get a few good laughs as they work to find the villain. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fun, well written, and best of all- the birds.

It’s Christmas in Caerphilly (again), and Meg Langslow is helping her grandfather host a scientific conference on owls at a local inn. A blizzard strikes the area – guaranteeing a white Christmas but also trapping all of the conference attendees and other guests at the inn. Despite the unexpected snowfall, everything is going fine at the conference until one of the attendees is poisoned at the banquet. The victim in not well-liked among the other owl enthusiasts, and the list of people who wanted him dead is extensive. With the police unable to get to the inn, Meg does what she can to sort through the motives and figure out the identity of the killer.

OWL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a great addition to the Meg Langslow series. With the suspects all trapped in the inn due to the excessive snowfall, Meg’s job to find the killer is a bit easier than in previous novels. Whoever committed the murder is still on site in the hotel. There are a number of suspects with plausible motives, and the reader is kept guessing up until the end. Like all of the other novels in the Meg Langslow series, OWL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is well-written, fast-paced, and a delightful read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed reading the next book in Donna Andrews next Bird Series. I thought it was light-hearted in some ways and serious in others. It certainly brings up topics about endangered species and the habitat concerns of all animals. I really enjoyed the owl jokes. This book brings together all the usual group of people and a bunch of owl experts being snowed in together right before Christmas at the Inn. Of course being cooped up isn't conducive to good behaviour and one fellow is murdered. Since they're snowed in they must try to determine who the culprit is with police helping over the satellite phone. But finally the snow stops the police get there, they find the bad guy and everyone gets to go home in time for Christmas. I read this is one sitting, it's fast-paced and really keeps you moving through it. #Owl Be Home for Christmas #NetGalley