It is Christmas time in Caerphilly but instead of the usual family holiday chaos Meg finds herself involved in a blacksmithing reality TV show, Blades of Glory, that was organized by a blacksmith friend, Alec. The show is filming at the local mansion turning Goth castle owned by family friend and retired heavy metal drummer, Ragnor. One of the contestants, Faulk, is the blacksmith who trained both Meg and Alec. When Faulk is injured and unable to compete, Meg reluctantly takes his place after learning that Faulk and his husband have invested in the show with funds they can’t afford to lose. The first challenge’s filming is marred by one contestant’s cheating and being disqualified. But if that wasn’t drama enough he turns up dead. There are plenty of suspects since the dead man was not popular and the castle is filled not only with the show’s crew but various other daily guests, including a large part of Meg’s family, as well as the permanent artist residents Ragnor attracts.
I love the Meg Langslow mysteries. Well plotted, quick enjoyable reads with characters that have become old friends over the course of thirty-four books. This time I didn’t really see the murderer coming and was as surprised as Meg was.
The Christmas stories often bring out the most amusing circumstances in a family that attracts chaos and this one is no exception. I have started to reread the earlier books in the series just because, well, just because Meg and her friends and family are such fun. Highly recommended.

I really liked this book. I enjoyed the part the crows played, much more involved than the birds in other books in the series. I feel that it ended abruptly, the reveal of the killer, Meg didn’t catch the killer at all. The whole investigation was non-existent practically. I loved the idea of a blacksmithing contest. Can’t wait to see the next book. #LetItCrowLetItCrowLetItCrow #NetGalley

I love this series, especially the Christmas ones. Meg’s family always has interesting and varied celebrations and food for the holidays. The blade making reality show/contest in this book was a different activity than usual. I did not guess the murderer. I’m ready for the next book in this series.

An amusing latest addition to the Meg Langslow series. A fellow competitor on a bladesmithing reality show (bladesmithing = blacksmithing to make weapons) is murdered. Lots of suspects from the show's world for Meg to investigate. I always enjoy returning to the world of Caerphilly and meeting the regular cast of characters from the town and Meg's family. But I thought the ending to this book was a letdown, with a perfunctory reveal and a weak motive. With thanks to NetGalley and MInotaur Books for the ARC.

pet-dogs, pets, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, murder-investigation, murder, TV/film industry, competition, blacksmith, bladesmithing, family-dynamics, family, friendship, friends, small-town, famous-persons, situational-humor, verbal-humor, Virginia, extortion, unputdownable, unpleasant-guests, law-enforcement*****

An even better Meg Langslow mystery! Meg is assisted by very few family members this time, while Michael is solid back-up for Meg and an excellent father to those irrepressible twins. Each book in the series is perfectly capable of being a stand-alone and does not require any reading in order, so
laugh your way through the suspects, zany family members and friends, goofy TV people and their behaviors, facts about the process work of a bladesmith, amazing plot twists, and red herrings as we try to guess the perpetrator before the end of the book!
This cannot be an unbiased review because I reread some of them (the print copies walk away so now I have them in audio) and wait with bated breath for each new one.
I requested and received an EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

There is nothing like a new Donna Andrews book to lift the spirits and Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow does just that. With the addition of a Christmas theme, one learns much about blacksmithing and sword making, and of course crows. Again, the whole family and community are involved in finding a murderer amid the filming of a reality show. Keep the stories coming please!

Meg is at it again, solving a murder mystery. She is part of a reality TV show about blacksmiths, and she is the only woman. Nice that her kids and husband are more involved here, and her family is also around. Great series and author. Would recommend.

Donna Andrews has done it again with her newest book, Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
The vibrant book cover, the story, and the holidays, all wrapped in a beautiful package is sure to please the fans of her other works.
Meg is a replacement participant in the production of a new reality show, Blades of Glory.
Meg doesn't really want to do it, but her friend was brutally attacked and he needs her to replace him, and Meg finds herself enjoying the crafting, but not the back stage drama.
When an obnoxious participant becomes the victim of murder, Meg once again finds herself asking questions and piecing the puzzle together.
This is my favorite so far, and I'm happy to recommend it to others.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.