I have read this series from the beginning, and love it. This book was of particular interest to me because it revealed name and gender of Rob and Delaney's baby!
Always a pleasure to visit Cairphilly and Meg's family and friends, especially her barely teenage sons: too bad there always seems to be a murder to interrupt the planned activities.
Meg has run away from home (not too far, only next door at Rob and Delaney's farm) because of the frenzied prep for the Mutt March, a community effort to get the animals adopted from their no-kill local shelter that somehow manages to get all the animals from the surrounding areas, due to vet Clarence Rutledge's soft heart.
While she is there, a skeleton is found by Aaron Shifley who is digging a duck pond for Rob. Meg and friends try to find people who left the area during the projected time frame of the death, hampered by the deceptions and out-right lies of their families.
Meanwhile, the former owner of Rob's farm, 90 year-old Iris Rafferty, who has the mother-in-law's suite, is acting oddly and then disappears. Another old lady, Ethelinda Pruitt, the only Pruitt left after the departure of the corrupt Pruitt mayor and associates to prison or flight (see Some Like it Hawk for details.) is not telling what she knows about departed family.
Nephew, Kevin, is always ready with his tech, especially cameras to watch for the person or persons who have threatened to use some of the dogs up for adoption as bait animals for dog fighting. Grandfather is always ready to use his DNA lab at the zoo to help an investigation.
With two investigations, the Mutt March, and the usual run of crimes in the community, the police are stretched thin. Meg enlists the memories of older people such as Judge Jane, librarian, Ms. Ellie and Deacon Washington.
As always Meg and the police chief figure out the culprit(s) and there is more than one happy ending as a result of the investigation

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of FOR DUCK’S SAKE (Book 37 of the Meg Langslow mystery series) by Donna Andrews in exchange for an honest review. Meg Langslow has been too busy with everything; in fact, she’s been so busy she’s had to delegate and let her mother and her mother’s friends take charge of Caerphilly’s first Mutt March animal adoption event even though all of the preparations and staging are taking place at Meg’s house! Busy, busy, Meg stops by her brother Rob’s new home to check in on the progress with his duck pond. She’s just in time for the bulldozer crew to uncover the decades-old remains of an obvious homicide victim. What’s one homicide investigation on top of all of the other stuff? Meg helps Chief Burke by researching disappearances and criminal activity around the appropriate time. When Iris Rafferty, who lives in Rob’s mother-in-law suite, disappears shortly after the body is discovered, Meg needs to locate Iris (hopefully intact and well) and determine if she is connected to the murder victim. Just for garnish, the organizers of the animal adoption event have received information of a credible threat; it appears that organizers of a local dogfighting ring have plans to adopt or steal bait dogs from the Mutt March! How do you get something done? Give it to someone who’s already busy…

I like the book and enjoy the series. I recommend the book to fans of the series and the series to fans of often humorous cozy murder mysteries all with event and animal themes.

Meg actually gets to step back from her usual boss routines in this installment. The discovery of a skeleton in the spot where Rob and Delany had planned for their duck pond ignites an intriguing mystery. The usual cast of characters appear throughout the story.

So lovely to come back to Meg and friends to solve the latest mystery. I am still not quite sure I believe Iris' reaction was in character. But then, if she'd done the sensible thing, the book might have been a lot shorter. For Duck's Sake is definitely another favourite for a summer re-read.

We are back with Meg Lanslow in Yorktown, Virginia. Her family is helping set up the first Mutt March. A parade to help get local rescues adopted. They have over 300 dogs and assorted animals participating in the parade. Rob & Delaney want a duck pond so they can have duck eggs. They hired someone to dig up a pond in their backyard. When a skeleton arm is found, the police and the archaeology department at the local university are called to excavate the area. Meg helps investigate and try to figure out who the skeleton belongs too.

I love this series and it always feels like returning home to my favorite characters. I loved the mystery and figuring out the cold case. I'm excited to read more of this series. The writing is fantastic. One day I hope to read the whole series.

For Duck's Sake is the 37th book in the Meg Langslow Mysteries. It takes place in the town of Caerphilly, Virginia. Meg Langslow lives there with her husband, Michael Waterman and her twin sons, Josh and Jamie. She works for Mayor Randell Shiffley as an executive assistant in charge of special projects and does blacksmithing commissions. Her nephew, Kevin lives with them. Meg's brother, Rob and his wife, Delany, have bought the Rafferty Farm from Iris Rafferty, a 90 year old woman. They have given her a life-time use of the mother-in-law suite in their farmhouse. Delany has decided she wants her own ducks for eggs. They have hired Aaron Shiffley's Construction to dig a pond for the ducks. Meg is there to oversee the project for her brother as they both work. While digging the pond area he stops digging and tells Meg there a problem. There were bones and an arm. Meg calls Chief Burke of the Caerphilly Police Department. He tells her that he will send over Horace and Dr. McAuser-Crime from the college. Everyone arrives and after viewing the body she tells them that the skelton is modern remains definitely 30-40 years old. Meg calls her father, the medical examiner. Her grandfather who owns the zoo also arrives. He is there to do a DNA analysis. Vern Shiffley is a senior deputy who also arrives.

Meg has a large family that live near by. Meg lives behind her brother's house. There is a small path that takes her to her home through the woods. Her parents live next door to Meg. She has brought her dog, Spike, over to her brother's house as her place is being used for the first Mutt March. Clarence Rutledge, the local vet, is running the Mutt March - an animal adoption and fundraiser for the local shelter. When Meg gets home there is so much going on with volunteers working getting the dogs settled, etc. Aida Butler, Meg's friend and deputy is there overseeing everything. Miss Ellie Draper is the town head librarian who is incharge of gettting all the dogs registered on the computer. Clarence is upset because her nephew, Kevin, who is cyber-savvy, has picked up chatter on line. He is interested in a group who have dog fighting matches and the Mutt March had been mentioned. They planned to come back with some dogs. The dogs would be used as bait dogs. They are hoping that they can identify the woman who is coming.

In working on the skelton they find fancy sneakers. Vern is concerned about the shoes. Billy Taylor was a basketball player who left town. He was good friends with him and not heard from him in yearsl Could this be Billy? Both her father and Dr. McAuslen are at the work site. Her father calls out that they have found the skull. The man had been shot between his eyes. Horace took a long tweezer and fulled the bullet out through the eyes. The skelton is definitely a man. Her grandfather did his DNA test on his database. The skelton is Eustace Pruitt or someone close to him. He got the information from a finger bone. The Pruitt family use to run the town before they were run off. There is only one Pruitt left in town, Ethelinda Pruitt, Eustace's aunt. She is living at the Caerphilly Assisted Living. She disliked her family as much as the town did.

Iris Rafferty is watching everything from the porch of the farmhouse. Her daughter, Eileen, who is a lawyer is there for a visit. Eileen tells Meg she is worried about her mother. Her sister, Mary Catherine dated Gus Pruitt He had arrived at their house drunk and yelling. Her father got his shotgun and threatened him. He also had a rifle. She also told Meg that her mother left the house during dinner and has not come back. Everyone looked for her but she was never found. A BOLO was issued.

This is where the story takes off. There is so much going on that it is hard to put everything on paper. There are twists and turns that it will keep the reader interested until the great ending.

I love the characters in this book with the townspeople and Meg's large family. I plan to read this series from the beginning with the first book, Murder with Peacocks.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Meg and family have gone to the dogs - literally. Veterinarian Clarence has talked them into helping with a massive dog adoption project. Of course this is the perfect time to find a 30 year old skeleton next door. Lots of fun!

As always, Donna Andrews has made a home run. In this case it may be a mutt run and duck pond? Whatever. Read it.

4+ stars

This is the 37th book in Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow series. I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, including this one.

This series is the perfect example of a cozy mystery. Despite the plot centering around a murder, the story itself is light-hearted with a fun cast of characters. One of the things I love about Meg is her easy-going attitude when faced with the crazy antics of her family and community members, not to mention murder.

In this book, Meg has offered her home to be the base for a local dog event which means she’s surrounded by over 300 canines and dozens of volunteers. She takes a break at her brother’s house next door to watch the excavation for a new duck pond when a skeleton is unearthed. The bones have been buried for several years and the cold case investigation made for an interesting story.

Each book in the series could be read as a standalone. I think the author does a nice job of introducing the scene and characters to new readers without bogging down the story for return readers like me.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Meg helps solve a cold case when a skeleton is uncovered during the excavation of a duck pond, all while dealing with the chaos of a massive town-sponsored pet adoption event. Beloved characters in this long-running series make their appearances (Meg's mom is a perennial favorite in full Steel Magnolia mode), and the details of how to identify a skeleton were well-explained. Add in a side mystery of a dogfighting ring and there's a lot to hold your interest. It's always a pleasure to return to Caerphilly. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the e-book.

Another wonderful visit to Caerphilly! The town is holding an animal adoption event that’s being targeted by dog fighters, and Meg’s brother and sister-in-law are digging for a pool when 30 year old body is found at the dig site. The police are busy patrolling and Meg begins researching missing people. I always enjoy these books; I enjoyed getting to know new citizens (please bring back Miss Ethelinda!), hearing about new types of ducks, and seeing a bit more of Vern. Another success!

Another great installment with Meg and the gang!
One of my favorite cozy mystery series.
I always seem to learn something.

I just enjoy catching up With Meg and her chaotic family. I never tire of reading this series. From when Meg and Michael started dating, adding the twins and seeing Rob mature. It is like catching up with an old friend. This mystery has a mutt parade, mysterious bones and a runaway older lady. Add in all of the animals and mayhem of those Pruitts. One delightful read.

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews is an absolutely delightful new installment to her Meg Langslow mystery series. The book follows Meg as she is preparing for a dog parade called the "Mutt March" where they are hoping people can find pets that they can adopt. While the preparations for the Mutt March ara happening at Meg's there is a duck pond being built at her brother Rob's place. While the excavation is happening they find an old skeleton buried in the place where the pond is to be set. Meg must help the Mutt March and figure out who the skeleton was and who killed him.

The Meg Langslow mysteries hold a super special place in my heart because I've been reading them for so long and enjoy them just so much! This book was no exception. I loved revisiting old characters and the cute little setting. One thing I enjoy from these mysteries is that unlike others the characters move forward in time enough so that it feels like there is character development. I also love that the world keeps growing and we keep getting new characters while still getting information about the old cast. The mystery was also very fun! I thought I had solved it early in the book but was pleased to figure out that I was wrong.

I would recommend these books to anyone. I know the task of reading this far into a series seems daunting but you can honestly pick any of the books in the series and be totally fine. I recommend picking this one up because Donna Andrews just keeps getting better with her writing and I think this one is her best yet.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Donna Andrews for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Another terrific entry in the long-running Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews. In For Duck’s Sake, Meg’s family is excavating a duck pond when the bulldozer uncovers a skeleton. Meg and the town police set about figuring out who the body is and the circumstances of its burial, but everything is complicated by a massive pet adoption event being hosted by Meg’s town, friends, and family. The killer is unmasked and brought to justice, but as so often happens (at least in mystery books), a lot of other secrets are also exposed. It’s always fun to spend time in Meg’s world and catch up with characters who have become friends.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

One of my favorite series! This was another great book in the series. I love the characters and the new cases that find Meg in each book. Awesome job with the latest book in this phenomenal series.

For Duck’s Sake by Donna Andrews is the latest in the wonderful Meg Langslow mystery series. I was so excited to be able to read and review this book and I was not disappointed! Every year when a new book comes out in the series, it is like visiting with old friends. I love reading about Meg and her wonderful, quirky family. Donna Andrews never disappoints when it comes to the mystery either. I love figuring out the mystery with Meg and her crew and I absolutely love visits to Caerphilly! The Mutt March was a wonderful addition to the series and if every town worked together as well as Caerphilly our world would be a much better place. Thank you Donna Andrews for a wonderful book and a chance to escape to the wonderful world of Meg Langslow!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Perhaps not my favorite of the Meg Lanslow series (the ducks really only have a bit part that only seemed to serve the title), but this has everything we've come to expect. The nutty residents of Caerphilly, an extravaganza that somehow comes together, and Meg and family getting pulled into an unexplained death when a skeleton is unearthed during excavation for a duck pond.

Meg and her family and friends are trying to balance a large animal parade, solving an old murder case and drug deal. Really enjoy this series and author, and would highly recommend it. While it would be best to read earlier books first you can read this along. Fun read.