I love Donna Andrews. Her books are uniformly funny and heart-warming, and they are all good. In a long series you expect a dud from time to time, but Andrews doesn't write duds. I enjoyed this book greatly, and recommend it heartily.

The Meg Langslow series is always fun, but this cozy Christmas murder mystery is especially wonderful as Donna Andrews has obviously let her imagination run wild in creating money-is-no-object pre-Christmas celebrations. It's a week before Christmas and Meg is helping out on the set of a reality TV production, a weaponsmithing competition that she declined to be part of despite her prowess as a blacksmith, which is filming at her friend Ragnar's estate. However, when one of the cast is injured and Meg learns that her friends have invested in the production and will lose money they can't afford to lose, she agrees to step in to take the injured competitor's place. When another cast member is found murdered, the ever-competent, capable and organized Meg multitasks as only she can to help with the investigation while continuing in the competition. The quirky characters and quick-paced plot are highly entertaining, and the mystery has enough twists to keep you on your toes!

It’s Christmas season and at Ragnar’s castle, a reality show featuring a bladesmithing competition is being filmed. The producers had tried to convince Meg Langslow to take part but she prefers to work behind the scenes but when Faulk, her mentor and odds on winner, is attacked, she agrees to step into his spot. However, not long after shooting starts, she discovers a dead body. Soon, she is helping the sheriff uncover the killer with the not inconsiderable help of some very smart crows.

Okay, I am a huge fan of Christmas cozies and Let It Crow? Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews fits my Christmas cozy wish list fairly well. There are plenty of twists and turns, characters both to like and dislike and there was a nice touch of humour. I did feel the pacing was a bit slow at times and the big reveal seemed to come somewhat out of the blue. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable read with plenty of Christmassy parts to keep me satisfied.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review

What a fun visit with Meg and her family! I really enjoyed this book - it’s always like catching up with old friends when reading about Meg’s newest adventure. I thought this was one of the best books yet! Even though it’s part of a long running series, this book totally works as a standalone and could be enjoyed by someone new to the series.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had expected the long running Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews to eventually have its blacksmith protagonist take part in some sort of reality competition now that there have been several successful ones. I wasn't expecting, however, the storyline to be set during the holidays. In Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Meg is asked to fill in for her mentor who was attacked just before filming. She hesitantly takes the role and also can't help but take the opportunity to do some amateur sleuthing to find out who was the culprit in the attack. Then an even more serious crime is committed.

This may not at all sound like appropriate Christmas fare, but the series is cozy and filled with quirky characters. The competition is being held at the castle like manor of a local famous retired musician whose music may have been dark, but whose heart is large and loves the holiday, so in between filming there are gingerbread house building and sleigh rides. The grinchyness of the show's producers is in contrast to Meg's family and friends festiveness and provides some humorous moments throughout.

I would recommend enjoying all the stories in order, but if you don't have the time and are looking for a fun holiday read, this was a fun standout of the series for me. I will be featuring this review on our library blog at the beginning of December.

Kudos to author Donna Andrews for this book in the on-going series: the imagination of the author continues to delight this reader. It’s Christmastime (yet the dark colors that define the decorations fit well for Halloween) and what could be better than a reality show featuring bladesmiths. That word is worthy of a read without the thrill of Meg forced into competition which returns Meg to her true roots. Interesting characters and plots; the role of crows and family dynamics will keep you diving into this book. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for an ARC of this book; this is my honest opinion.

I don’t know how Donna Andrews continues to come up with so many unique murder events, mystery settings, and quirky characters, but she never disappoints. While this Christmas is more mystery and less cozy (aka funny) than some of the books in the series, I enjoyed the fact that Meg was able to get back to her roots as a blacksmith. Even though she didn’t really want to participate in the reality show focused on forging weaponry, she surprises herself with her competitive spirit. I’m looking forward to the next book to find out who the winner is! It was fun to spend time at Ragnar’s castle and grounds again. I was a little concerned that Meg did not seem to have her “notebook that tells her when to breathe” with her, but Michael and the boys, along with the show’s production team kept her on track.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this Christmas mystery.

Meg has found herself involved in a blacksmith reality show. At least, it’s at Ragnarsholm, a black castle where everything including the animals are black. It’s home to a retired heavy metal rocker who’s creating the home of his dreams. And it’s Christmas! So, it’s the time to get the show on the road so the season can be enjoyed. When Meg’s blacksmith teacher is injured, she becomes more involved than she planned. But Ragnarsholm is a great place to stay especially when the whole family is welcome. It’s just the murderer who’s loose that’s the problem. Join Meg and her town in a different kind of Christmas celebration.

A terrific addition to the long running series that will- wait for it-be just as enjoyable as a standalone because the most difficult thing about it is keeping the competitors in the blade making reality show competition straight. Meg, who is an ace blacksmith, had no intention of being part of the show, which is being filmed at her pal Ragnar's property but she's dragooned into it when Faulk, her mentor and partner is attacked. Now she's in the thick of it, looking for the villain with the help of her family, friends, and her local police force. Someone's sabotaging the contestants and then there's another murder! You'll learn a bit about black smithing in this one but my favorite parts, to be honest, are those involving Ragnar, his home, his horses, and so on. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is funny, clever, and a very good read.

After her mentor, Faulk, becomes injured and unable to compete, blacksmith Meg Langslow agrees to be part of Blades of Glory, a reality show that has its competitors making knives and reproductions of historical swords. She has plenty of other things she'd rather be doing, but friends have invested in the new show and to help them out, she'll do what she can to save the production from disaster. I picked this one up based on the description and title and quickly realized that it wasn't the first book about these characters. Turns out it's the thirty-fourth and I've got a LOT of catching up to do because I want to know all about Meg and her friends and family. I loved the characters and the setting, an over the top Gothic castle all decked out for Christmas, and the plot kept me guessing. How did I not manage to stumble across this series sooner?!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC and the MacMillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Was an enjoyable cozy mystery and reality show set around Christmas. This is the 34th book in the Meg Langslow series, it may be read as a stand-alone.

When Meg is asked to fill in on the set of Blades of Glory we meet an entire cast of characters. When one of the contestants is murdered, Meg teams up with the local sheriff and we are off and running.

The book was well paced and the tidbits of weapon making were fascinating. As usual, I did not guess the killer. I can see why this is such a long running and beloved series.

I paired the audiobook with the eARC and found the narrator to be just okay. Maybe because this was my first Meg Langslow mystery, but I found the voice didn’t match to what I pictured Meg looking like inside my head. No fault of the narrator, just my own personal issue.

This has long been a favorite series of mine and this might just be one of my favorite books in quite some time. As well, while I usually hesitate to recommend jumping in to this series because of the large cast of characters, because almost all the characters in this book are new to Meg herself if you have been wanting to try this series but don't want to go back to the beginning this would be good choice.

I really loved that this one focused more on Meg's blacksmithing than the last few books. As Meg's life has gotten more chaotic with family and animals and other projects the blacksmithing has fallen to the side so it was nice to "see" her in action.

The mystery was a good one and I'm not sure I've ever come across a more despicable victim. Motives abound and there are so many possible suspects that it really kept me guessing. Add in the reality show element and it made for a really fun cozy mystery read!

Always a fun time with Meg and the cast of characters, this time with crows. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure.

When I started this, I thought, "Wow, book 34 in the!" Andrews has sustained this delightful series for a very long time. Is it the quirky characters and the shenanigans they get into? The relationships between the characters? The clever bird-themed titles? Is it Meg, one of the most likable, level-headed, and smart amateur sleuths around? Yes to all of that, but also, these are just really well plotted whodunnits and fun to read. And this is one of my faves of the series!

Meg, a blacksmith by trade, becomes a fill-in for her mentor on a reality TV show blacksmithing competition after he is injured. The world of blacksmithing is cutthroat, and many do not like that there is a woman in their midst, and she and another blacksmith are sabotaged. On top of that, Meg's skills as a sleuth are put to the test when one of the contestants is killed.

I loved this setting! Christmastime in a castle owned by a wealthy former heavy metal band drummer. There was unconventional holiday decor, hidden passages, a gorgeous library, lots of festivities, and the TV bladesmithing competition. It was all very atmospheric! And I enjoyed seeing Meg in her element doing lots of blacksmithing. The writing is engaging and humorous; it draws you in and makes you feel like you are visiting old friends. Yet, this one could work as a stand-alone because the setting focuses the story a bit more on the TV show and the mystery than on Meg's circle of friends and family. Fast-paced and entertaining, this had several red herrings, some good twists, and a large suspect pool, all of which kept me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Highly recommended to fans of the series and anyone looking for a fun holiday cozy mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC!

Meg is planning to have a quiet Christmas season this year. She Will help out her friend Ragnar at his castle with the reality tv series being held there showcasing blacksmiths and their talents. She is not going to be anywhere but backstage, and then her friend Faulks, who is a participant, is attacked. Meg steps in for him and realizes that not everything is on the up and up. Can she save the show before anyone else is injured, or worse? Fun read anytime of the year!

Instead of being run ragged, preparing for Christmas, Meg gets to indulge in her first love, blacksmithing. Her mentor, Faulk, asks her to fill in for him in a bladesmithing reality show/contest when he is injured. Meg had declined before, not wishing to be the token female blacksmith but cannot refuse his request. The Hollywood producers are awful, the director is a pain, and the contestants a mixed bag, especially as one is a saboteur. It is a treat to see Meg at her forge again, with the support of family and all her Caerphilly friends!

A main reason I love these books is that Meg Langslow is just so darn pragmatic. Is she an amateur detective? Yes, she is. Does she share all of her information with the police chief? Does she actively hide evidence or mess up crime scenes? No she does not. She's smart, she solves crimes, and she does so without being an bumbling idiot.

Even better, she's competent at any number of things (though she has her failings) and her blacksmithing, which sometimes takes a back seat, is out in full force during this book. There is a reality competition being filmed at Ragnar's estate and Meg is there as a general dogsbody. She has been asked to be in the show but prefers not to. However, when someone attacks her friend and mentor Faulk, Meg reluctantly joins so that he won't lose the investment money he and his husband put into the filming the show which was thought up by another one of Faulk's students.

I got ARCs of both the ebook and audiobook. The ebook was not as good though I had some personal stuff going on which made it harder to concentrate. The audiobook, and Bernadette Dunn, were amazing as always.

Four stars
Follows Birder, She Write
This book comes out October 10, 2023
Opinions are my own

Thank you for the EArc NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books. Another terrific Meg Langslow book in the series by Donna Andrews. As usual I was pulled in to the story immediately and couldn’t wait to see “who done it”. I adore the integration of the surrounding nature and the setting of a castle during Christmas couldn’t have been any more picturesque. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Five stars all the way.

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! audio and e-book by Connie Berry. This is the thirty-fourth book of her Meg Langslow series and the second I have listened to and read. I enjoyed this one much more than the first, primarily because I was familiar with it and the characters. The story revolved around a reality T.V. show being filmed at Ragnar’s castle. The show was presenting competing blacksmiths creating weapons. Meg has been asked to step in at the last minute after someone had attacked her friend and teacher, Faulk, and they needed an immediate stand-in. She didn’t really want to do it but she really owed Faulk, especially after she discovered that he and his partner, Tad, had invested heavily. Weapons were not her product of choice, but she was a good blacksmith and could handle it. The first day of filming she discovered someone had fiddled with the temperature on her forge and she she had her nephew (who lived in her basement) install some cameras to identify the suspect, which she did in short order. It made for some dramatic moments on the show when Meg revealed the recorded footage on her iPad. Brody had already been eliminated, but he didn’t take it or the revelation well.

Meg is a good character: a wife and mother, and a woman who dabbles in many jobs: working for the city part-time and blacksmithing being only two of them. She took her life where her interests led her. She lived in a small town, Carfilly, Virginia, where she knew all of the inhabitants, many of them being her relatives. Her Southern roots and her mother’s influence have made her into a gracious and warm woman who keeps herself involved and active. She’s a terrific character. The murder was complicated and involved people on the set and off. It was Christmas and it all threatened to ruin the holiday, which Meg could not allow. Spending part of the holiday at the castle with her family with their lovely suite, the great food, and the plethora of activities for her pre-teen boys, made the holiday even more special than usual. Meg was nosey, though, and couldn’t resist “helping” the local police, despite the fact they didn’t really need it. It was a satisfying read with plenty of twists and turns and interesting characters.

The reader for this book is Bernadette Dunne and I have believe it is she that has turned me off to this series. She does all the other characters well, but Meg’s voice is grating and makes her sound 80-years-old. I think there could be a better reader for this lovely series, although she has been there from the beginning.

I was invited to listen by MacMillan Audio and read by St Martins Press, both through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #McMillanAudio #StMartinsPress #DonnaAndrews #BernadetteDunne #LetItCrowLetItCrowLetItCrow

Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow by Donna Andrews
Book 34 in the Meg Langslow series
I have read most of this series, missing only a few in the earlier years. I love almost all of the Christmas books of which this is the tenth. This one was a knockout. Meg gets back to blacksmithing, we get to know more about Ragnar and it all takes place in a castle. It had just the right amount of Michael and the boys although not much of the rest of Meg’s huge family. Plus Meg has a wild ride on a big black Friesian horse including jumping a fence and there was an improbably excessive gingerbread house creating party. Seriously, Chartres cathedral, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Waterfall, Monticello and so much more that I have forgotten.
My favorite thing was learning the saying, “You can’t fix stupid.