Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy of this book to review.

This was a fun mystery novel, and I enjoyed it a lot. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I am never happier than when I start a new Donna Andrews book in the Meg Langslow Mystery Series. I was thrilled to read an advanced copy of For Duck’s Sake recently, and, of course, I loved it! This is book 37, and the series and characters are still as fresh and exciting as the first one published in 1999.

To escape the craziness in her own backyard - where the Mutt March parade with hundreds of dogs is being staged - Meg Langslow is hanging out in her brother’s backyard at his new house. She is supervising the groundbreaking for the duck pond being added, when the bulldozer unearths a skeleton. Stranger still, the skull has a bullet hole, with the bullet still rattling around inside it. Rob and his wife had purchased the house next to Meg and Michael’s from their neighbor Iris, who has lived there for 60 years. Iris will continue living at Rob’s house in the attached Mother-in-law Suite, so her input is vital to trying to figure out who the mysterious skeleton is.

Meg volunteers to help Chief Burke try to figure out who went missing so many years ago by doing research at the library and talking to the older residents of Caerphilly whose memories are long and may be able to help identify the skeleton. She’s also juggling the multitudes of dogs, possible dognappers, various prowlers between the two properties, and a disappearing Iris.

This is a fantastic addition to the series. Reading these books is like visiting old friends and family in my own hometown. In all honesty, I love these books - I listen to the audiobooks every night, over and over again. I admit I have some favorites in the series, and For Duck’s Sake is definitely going on that list.

It always amazes me how much research the author does for each book. I’ve learned many obscure things from reading this series.

I can’t wait for the next in the series! Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for letting me read the advanced copy. I happily leave my honest review.

I received a free copy of, For Duck's Sake, by Donna Andrews, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book 37 in the Meg Langslow series. A skeleton has been uncovered in Meg's brothers yard, now Meg has a new mystery to solve. This was a good read, I enjoy Meg Langslows cozy mystery's.

There is a lot going on in this book. Which is normal for this series. Meg is hiding out at her brother Rob's house to avoid the chaos at hers. Somehow she never seems to know how to say no. There is a giant undertaking of a Mutt March that seems to have hundreds of dogs. Rob wants a duck pond so of course a dead body is dug up while digging it. This time it is a decades old body so Meg takes an interest in figuring out who it is. I got a bit distracted by the talk of the ducks and had to look them up. Both types of ducks were so interesting.

This is another fabulous entry in the long-running (37 books and counting!) Meg Langslow series by Ms. Andrews. Each is superbly written and features a fabulous cast of characters who populate Meg's town of Caerphilly, VA. As always, each can be read as a stand alone but you're strongly encouraged to start with the first book and enjoy your way through this series!).
This time, Meg's brother, Rob, and his wife are adding a duckpond to their new home's backyard. Things go awry when the digger discovers a body where the pond will be. When the body has relatively modern clothing, particularly the tennis shoes, questions mount about the body's identity. Meg's also dealing with the first annual Mutt March which is seeking forever homes for various animals (mostly dogs). The level of logistics for this event are astonishing and enlivened by Meg's extended family.
I can't wait for the next in this series!

I always look forward to a new book about Meg Langslow and her friends and family. This was a particularly fun read. As the gang prepares for a Mutt Walk to help shelter dogs find a home, Meg is supervising the digging of a duck pond on her brother and sister in laws new property. Of course a body is found. This 30 year old murder intersects with lots of different people and Meg gets involved in trying to find out who the person was and why her 90 year old neighbor has gone missing. I did like the fact that there was no present day murder in this book.

For Duck’s Sake by Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow #37) 5 stars

Meg Langslow is relaxing and watching the excavator dig a duck pond at Rob & Delaney’s new home. Unfortunately, the machine operator finds a human skeleton in the ground. Who is the skeleton and why was that individual buried on a farm? In between mysterious appearing ducks, dogs of every breed, dastardly Pruitts and a identity mystery Meg has her hands full. Can she find out who John/Jane Doe is and the motive for murder? Please read to find out.

This is the 2025 summer entry in the Meg Langslow mysteries. I wish I had a tenth of Ms. Andrew’s wit and punning ability. However, before I begin “barking” up the wrong tree, this book answers my burning question from Rockin Around the Chickadee; did Rob and Delaney have a girl or boy. Not only is there a mystery skeleton, but Meg is also helping to organize the “Mutt March” which features a lot of dogs in need of forever homes. I have to say that the description of the security measures and procedures involved with this event makes me wish that the good ladies of Caerphilly ran the government too. This was a wonderful reading experience and time just “flew” while I was reading this. I look forward to Bernadette Dunne’s narration of this book when it come out. This just whets my appetite for the next book “Five Golden Wings” coming out in Fall 2025.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Meg Langslow is once again doing what she does best: being the calm center of a storm made entirely of bones, bulldozers, and barking. In “For Duck’s Sake,” book thirty-freaking-seven in Donna Andrews’ delightfully unhinged cozy series, Meg flees her own house — which has been swallowed alive by Caerphilly’s inaugural Mutt March — and tries to find some peace next door at her brother’s. But of course, peace is a myth. The duck pond dig site promptly coughs up a decades-old corpse. And Meg? She picks up a shovel and gets to work. Not literally, but spiritually.

This isn’t a fresh murder, which honestly feels like emotional progress for Caerphilly. What we do get is a cold case that snowballs into buried lies, secret real estate weirdness, and a suspiciously mobile elderly woman who vanishes the second a skeleton shows up. Oh, and did I mention the bunker? Because yes. There’s a bunker. And possibly drugs. And definitely every old missing persons case in town now being dredged up for reexamination like some kind of bureaucratic séance. Chief Burke is trying to hold it together, but let’s be real — Meg’s the one pulling files, grilling locals, and trying not to scream into her coffee.

Meanwhile, her actual house is a four-legged fever dream. The Mutt March has taken over her property and her peace of mind. Hundreds of dogs from across the region. A vet with the self-control of a rescue puppy. Prowlers possibly targeting dogs for fighting rings. It’s a logistical nightmare and a moral panic wrapped in fur. The Mutt March feels like if “The Great British Bake Off” were about under-socialized rescue animals instead of cakes — charming, chaotic, and about to change the world for the better.

This isn’t the funniest entry in the series — the chaos is slower, the jokes a little softer. But it still works. The cozy’s cozy. The characters are charming. The town feels like the kind of place where a cold case, a city budget being due, and a dog costume contest could all happen on the same day. This one feels like a deep breath between disasters. And Meg, patron saint of never getting a day off, somehow survives it all without adopting another dog. That’s not self-control. That’s Olympic-tier mental discipline.

Is it the best in the series? No. But it’s solid. The mystery keeps things moving. The town lore expands. And Meg is still out here juggling a cold case, hundreds of dogs, a rogue bunker, and the emotional weight of knowing she will never have a normal week. I love her for it.

Whodunity Award: For Not Adopting a Puppy While Digging Up a Skeleton and Finding a Bunker in a Town That Runs on Dog Fur and Gossip

Huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC — and for letting me tag along on yet another Caerphilly mystery, complete with dogs, ducks, mysterious bunkers, and the growing suspicion that Meg’s notebook might be the only thing keeping this town from imploding.

This is a fun to read book. Dog stories are funny. Characters are interesting and well written. I like how they are so familiar with each other.

I love the Meg Langslow books. This one was no exception. Ms. Andrews mysteries are smart and appealing. Yes, they are cozies, don't think otherwise. But I've yet to find myself bored while reading one. I would absolutely recommend them, though for the fullest enjoyment, it's best to read a few of the earlier entries in the series first. Meg's family and friends are... unusual, shall we say? But you'll get pulled into the story, the town, the county and as they say, you're off! My thanks to Ms. Andrews, the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a free copy of this book. I'll also check it out when it becomes available at my library and purchase an e-copy because I try to support my favorite authors.

Not the best book in the series, but still enjoyed it overall. Having the mystery be a cold case was a nice idea, but it didn’t quite come together. I also thought it odd that most of the action took place at Rob and Delany’s house, but they were MIA for almost all of it.

Wow! Hard to believe this is the 37th Meg Langlow's mystery. I've read them all and just like any other series, some are better than others. This time, Meg and Michael's home is being used as a staging area for Caerphilly's first Mutt March. Her brother, Rob and his wife, Delaney have bought the property next to Meg and Michael's and are putting in a duck pond. While trying to escape all the chaos at her house, she decides to go over to Rob's and see how the pond is coming along and visit with Iris who used to own the land. During the visit, the bulldozer digs up some bones and that's when the fun begins. Finding out who the bones belong to and why they buried there is the mystery.

I have to say, there wasn't much humor in the book which is something the series has become known for. Meg's grandfather was in his 90's when the twins were babies and now they are pre-teens and he's still alive. Granted he's not that much of a character in the book but it does make you wonder how he can still be in his 90s when the twins are 10 or 11.

The latest book in the Meg Langslow series does not disappoint! Who is the skeleton found in Meg's brothers back yard? Meg's own yard is chaotic and loud, full of dogs needing homes and volunteers getting the dogs ready for a pet parade. It's a good thing Meg's very organized no nonsense mother is in charge. This is a fast paced book with a touch of humor, wonderful characters. lots of red herrings, and a side mystery as well. This book is five stars all the way!

I love this series and this latest installment is a gem! Andrews always brings up a societal problem or two that needs to be addressed - this time, it's dog fighting. I loved that the mystery in this case was a cold case, and the usual large ensemble cast - Meg's family and friends - were all present in their immense variety. These books are always a joy to read and I'm so happy Andrews keeps writing them!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

For Duck's Sake is the 37th book in the Meg Langslow mystery series by Donna Andrews. Meg is supervising the digging of a duck pond on her brother Rob's property and avoiding the chaos of the Mutt March that is being planned at her house. The calm afternoon is disturbed as a worker uncovers a dead body on the property. Meg is enlisted by Chief Burke to help search for local missing persons to help identify the victim. Iris Rafferty, the former owner of Rob and Delaney's home and current resident of the mother-in-law sweet on the property, goes missing during the search. Meg must help determine if she is hiding due to the investigation or if she was taken.

I really enjoy this series and now read all 37 books! The Langslow family is full of fascinating and eclectic characters. One of my favorite parts of these books is the big focus on animals. There is always something wild happening at their home lol. The Mutt March was particularly entertainging. I enjoyed getting to know the neighbor, Iris Rafferty, more in this book. Meg is a great protagonist. She is smart and dedicated to her family and all of their shenanigans. This was another really interesting mystery with some good twists. This series is an auto buy for me and I will happily read 37 more. I know I am always in for a great time with Meg and the crew.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Every year I look forward to a new addition to the Meg Langslow mystery series. It remains my all-time favorite cozy series. While I love the extended cast of characters and the murder mystery that generally centers the plot, over the past four books I have been getting tired of the regularity of murder. I know, this is a cozy mystery, it is supposed to feature a body and investigation. However, there are lots of ways to create suspense and mystery without creating a new death.

That is probably why I loved this story and encourage it for anyone who loves the ML series. In For Duck's Sake the mystery is a true surprise, the body is unexpected, and the resolution is classic cozy series.

While I love this series, one thing that falls short, but does not dampen my enthusiasm for this book is that it has less development on the family/personal front. But, given the overall change in the way the plot unfolded it was not an unwelcome change. Growth takes time and I look forward to revisiting all of the main and supporting characters in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed it.

You can always count on Donna Andrews for a fun but compelling mystery filled with strong delightful people, and For Duck's Sake, the #37th Meg Langslow mystery, is no exception!
It is a good think Meg's mom has agreed to organize the March for Mutts, an adoption that includes over 200 dogs from area shelters. Caerphilly's favorite vet might have pushed the limit on the term area as he kept pulling in more and more dogs, but who can say no to an animal in need. Word has reached Kevin that a group might try to kidnap some of the dogs to use a as bait dogs. On top of the chaos back a home, Robb and Delaney have asked Meg to keep an eye on the excavation for their new duck pond. I suspect you can guess what shows up during the digging. Meg is more than happy to spend her time helping the chief figure out who the bones might belong to rather than spending her days bathing and rebathing and bathing the stinky, matted, and not always happy dogs again to attract potential adopters. Thank goodness there are more than enough volunteers to cover the job without her.
Loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press/Minotaur for allowing me to read and review and ARC of For Duck's Sake. My friends and followers are going to love Donna Andrews's newest Meg Langslow!
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #Minotaur #Donna Andrews #MegLangslow #ForDucksSake

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.