Avoiding her own home as it is the staging site for Caerphilly's first Mutt March parade, Meg Langslow is supervising the digging of a duck pond in her brother’s backyard. The pond is put on hold when the bulldozer uncovers skeletal remains and a hidden bomb shelter. Meg volunteers to help identify the dead person. She questions some of Caerphilly's oldest residents and digging through the newspaper archives to put together a list of young men who disappeared from the area and were never heard from again. Meg is also helping with the search to find Iris Rafferty—the former owner of Meg’s brother’s home. Iris went missing the day after the bones were discovered in her former backyard, and Meg thinks Iris might know something about the body or the bomb shelter that she is reluctant to share with the local authorities.

FOR DUCK’S SAKE was a solid addition to the Meg Langslow series, but it did not rate among my favorites. The main mysteries of the novel are determining the identity of the dead person and locating the elderly woman who has gone missing. Figuring out the killer’s identity was more of an afterthought. I was excited when Forensic Genetic Genealogy was mentioned as a way to determine the identity of the victim, but it wound up not actually being used. While a fun idea, the Mutt March also took up a lot of space in the novel. It added a secondary storyline and another (possible) crime when Meg hears a rumor that people who have an illegal dog fighting ring are scoping out the parade for bait dogs. The three storylines (murder victim, missing elderly lady, and the Mutt March) competed for the spotlight and made it hard to focus.

This newest mystery in the Meg Langslow series started off with a bang! A skeleton in a duck pond, a 1,000 dogs overruning Meg's home, and a potential dog-fighting ring all within the first few chapters. But then Iris Rafferty also goes missing right when the body is almost identified. Meg is in a whirlwind as she tries to balance it all and solve the long-past crime before the murderer strikes again to keep her quiet.

This cozy mystery, while interesting, fell a little flat for me because it felt like there was too much going on. We as readers are bounced from one house to the next while Meg tries to balance the dogs and the crime, but it ends up just feeling like too much is happening and we don't really get to go deep into either thing. I did really enjoy the discovery of the hidden bunker and the history of Caerphilly, but the book just wasn't my favorite compared to some of the other ones. I'll keep reading, of course, though, because I do love Meg and her family!

This is book 37 in the Meg Langslow series and it still holds my interest. I've read most of the books in the series and Donna Andrews still adds something new and fresh in every book. When her neighbor starts to build a duck pond they dig up a skeleton. That's mystery enough but with the town sponsoring a massive dog adoption event it draws a ring of dog fighters. Meg and the family are busy with rescuing kidnapped dogs and finding out who was buried in Rob and Delaney's back yard.

I love returning to Meg and her quirky lovable family. With solid mysteries the reader will always be delighted to read a Donna Andrews mystery. This one continues the excellence! Meg's brother Rob has moved near and is digging a duck pond. The mystery starts when a skull gets uncovered. Meg is trying her best to juggle all her irons she has in the fire once again. This series is a must for cozy readers. Thanks #Netgalley and #StMartinsPress for the eARC in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are mine.

Meg and Michael are hosting the dogs (a lot of dogs) for the Mutt March, an event for dog adoption. Their home is chaos, so Meg heads next door to her brother Rob’s home for some quiet. Rob is having a duck pond dug (he wants to raise ducks for their eggs), but a skeleton is unearthed in the process. Who is buried in their backyard? Meg volunteers to dig out information about possible missing persons from the right time and to talk to people who were around back then. In the process, we are introduced to two independent, ornery old women, who are great characters. A secondary plot revolves around a warning that dognappers are planning to steal some of the dogs to use in dogfights.
As always, this is an enjoyable mystery with terrific characters. This continues to be one of my favorite series.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

When Meg moved into her house she her brother Rob and Delaney and new baby are watching the workman digging out a duck pond. She wants to get away from the house which has become the staging site for the first Mutt March. Meg thinks it will be peaceful at Rob’s house until they a skeleton in the hole and a bullet rattling around inside. Until a woman disappears the morning after finding the body the questions arise was it voluntary or was she kidnapped. While they look for the woman the town is getting shelter dog’s ready to be paraded in town to find them new homes. This was a very fun story with great characters and always enjoy the animals she uses in her stories.

I read and listened to this book. I really love Donna Andrews and this series. The cold case aspect and the new characters are great. I loved Iris. I loved the extension of the series lore. I liked that the book acknowledged some of the problems with DNA but I didn’t love Meg taking someone’s DNA without their consent. With the sale of 23&me, i’m pretty nervous about giving away my DNA profile. But I still love Meg and Michael and the whole gang.

Meg's brother and neighbor Rob and his wife Delaney have decided to add a duck pond to their backyard. The project takes a dark turn when the Shiffley-driven excavator exposes human bones. Who do the bones belong to? How did they end up in the backyard of sweet-but-sassy Iris Rafferty? What is she trying to hide when shortly after the discovery of the bones she does a runner and is nowhere to be found?

This series is so great. I usually don't care for series that have a lot of characters but there are so many characters in this series and I love each and every one of them far too much to imagine ever parting with any of them. Not even the small evil one, Spike. Meg is, as always, so freaking busy. This time it's the Mutt March, where hundreds of rescue dogs are being tidied up and costumed up to participate in a parade where they'll hopefully each find their fur-ever home. Of course in Caerphilly nothing can be completely without danger and the Mutt March is infiltrated by bad guys associated with a dog fighting ring. No worries, between Meg and Clarence and Mother and all the many volunteers there are plenty of eyes on the pooches, and whoever they can't keep their eyes on will be under the constant surveillance of the intrepid Kevin.

There's no easy way to summarize this book, or even this series. There's always so much going on and so many people involved. But for a series of murder mysteries, these books are more heartwarming than most romance novels. Everyone plays a part in the happy endings, each person getting to live their own dream as they pursue their passions and use their gifts to heap blessings upon each other and the entire community of Caerphilly which, though full of rascals, is the most open and accepting bunch of people who ever lived in a single geographical location.

I've got a notoriously short attention span and almost never binge-read a series, but this is a series I can sit and read, read, read, one book after another. I would recommend this series not just to people who enjoy cozy mysteries but to anyone who enjoys a sweet story and a happy ending (and what a happy ending this was, I'm not embarrassed to admit that my eyes leaked a bit). For this series possibly more than any other it's very important to read the books in order to really appreciate the growth of the characters and the development of the community.

Thank you to Donna Andrews, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

It's no secret that this is one of my favorite series, and For Duck's Sake does not disappoint.

In this mystery, Meg is helping her brother Rob and his wife as they have a duck pond installed in their backyard. However, the construction company has to stop after they find a skeleton. This has happened before, so it is not a cause for concern. Until it is determined that this was a murder. At the same time, the former owner of the house (and current tenant) Iris Rafferty, disappears. Chief Burke is concerned with the murder, so Meg takes it upon herself to find Iris.

With night-time prowlers, a skeleton, and a missing elderly woman, Meg must use her skills to help solve the case!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book.

I would recommend this book. A skeleton is found in Meg's brother Robs back yard that they just moved to . There is a mystery to find out who was the dead body and why they were murdered.

The newest addition to the Meg Langslow series and there is a new member of the family as well. Rob and his family are buying the house next door to Meg so you know there will be construction and family everywhere. These are the busiest people I have ever seen. As if working on the house wasn't enough they are working on the Mutt March to try and have all the shelter dogs, and other animals adopted. If you are guessing the dogs are all staying at Meg's house you would be correct. While working on the new house they uncover a skeleton. Then the mystery is how old are the bones and who do they belong to. The usual suspects are working to solve the case quickly. A very enjoyable read and it's like visiting some old friends again.

Meg Langslow has offered her farm up for staging the "Mutt March" a parade of homeless animals, but she's not organizing it. That would be her Mother and the local veterinarian Clarence. Meg's helping out bathing dogs and doing dog walking duty but not in charge. So, when her brother Rob and his wife need someone to go over and supervise a contractor digging a duck ponds at their new home she jumps at the chance. When the worker digs up a skeleton, everything changes. Is it a historical burial site or more recent? The Chief of police is called out along with an archeologist, then they discover a sneaker, an Air Jordan from the 1980's and a bullet hole in the skull. Vern Shiffley, one of the deputies, is afraid it's one of his friends from high school that left town back then, but there are other people who it could be.
Meg agrees to do research at the local library for the Chief and she comes up with a list of names of people who disappeared from town back then. When Iris Rafferty the former owner of the farm where the body was discovered goes missing, Meg begins to wonder if Iris or her family had something to do with the murder.
I have discovered I really like cozies with cold cases and of course I've read all of Donna Andrew's books more than once. I enjoy them, and the characters she writes about. Some of her titles are favorites some I'm don't enjoy quite as much. This one is one of her best.

For Duck’s Sake by Donna Andrews
Book 37 in the Meg Langslow Series
I can’t believe I have been reading and listening to this series for so long and I have enjoyed every one. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and I can’t wait for the audiobook so I can also listen to it.
Not much of Michael and the boys in this book but we learn much more about Iris and her family when they lived in the house that Iris sold to Rob and Delaney. Along with the horrible Pruitt family. I thought we’d seen the last of them long ago. The Mutt March storyline was also very entertaining. I hope this series continues for a very long time.

I've been absolutely loving this series since Murder with Peacocks. I keep worrying that the books are going to become less good with time, but this new one is one of my favorites in the series.
The books are usually centered around an event, whether it's a wedding or an art retreat or a local croquet tournament. This one is focused on a parade the city is going to put on, the Mutt March, to try to get some pets adopted.
Of course there is a dead body, but this time it's old bones that need to be identified. There are several small mysteries mixed in, as usual, and Meg is her usual amazing self. I hope this series lasts forever-- it still makes me laugh.

Meg’s back! And not surprisingly, she’s involved in a event. This book’s event is the first annual Mutt March, basically a parade and related activities to get some deserving pets adopted and to get some tourists to visit Caerphilly. But surprisingly, Meg’s NOT running it (as she typically is). After taking care of the arriving mutts for two weeks, her mother realized Meg was already burned out, and graciously took over (with appropriate help, of course, including librarian Ms. Ellie, assorted family members, friends, and neighbors ).

The story opens with Meg taking a break from the bathing and grooming of mutts to visit next door, where her brother Rob, his wife Delaney, and their six-month old daughter Brynn live. They’re at work, so she’s visiting with Iris Rafferty (the 90-something former owner who still lives in the in-law suite) as one of the Shiffleys is digging a duck pond (duck eggs have more B12, iron, etc, etc and Delaney wants to have a ample supply for when Brynn starts eating solid food). It’s a pleasant way to spend an afternoon - until the bulldozer uncovers a skeleton. At first they think it’s an historic burial until they notice what appears to be a pair of red Air Jordans from the 1980s. And they think it might be an accident until they notice the bullet hole in the skull. Vern Shiffley, one of the deputies suspects he knows who the person is: Billy, an high school pal who disappeared about the time when Air Jordans were popular. Meg volunteers to help the chief track down who the missing person might be, in part to be helpful, but also to avoid further bathing of the 300+ mutts occupying her farm. Things get even more complicated when Iris disappears. Given that she lived there during the time when the body would have been buried, does she know something more than she’s letting on?

So first a disclaimer: I adore all the Meg Langslow books! I think I’ve read them all at least twice, a number of them more than that. I enjoy the quirky characters and how everyone is always willing to jump in and help - like all the volunteers helping with the Mutt March and how everyone jumped in to provide food for the volunteers (the Methodist church one pot luck meal; the Baptist church another). This book was one of my favorites. I liked how this was a cold case from the 1980s and the steps Meg took to figure out who it might be - looking through records in the library and talking to some older folks who were around then rather than talking to suspects.

I don’t mention it frequently in my reviews, but Ms. Andrews does a terrific job of giving the reader important details without it being an info dump. In this story, for example, Meg and Iris are chatting with Iris’s daughter, Eileen. Eileen’s primary purpose seems to be to ask questions for Meg and Iris to give the reader details about the Mutt March. Later, it’s Meg asking the question so the reader learns something cool. There’s always enough information describing a character without going overboard with details, making it accessible for people new to the series. Although, if you’re looking for a new series to read, I recommend you pick up Murder with Peacocks, the first in this series.

Highly recommended. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.com that I voluntarily reviewed.

"For Duck's Sake (Meg Langslow #37)" by Donna Andrews has everyone Meg knows getting read for a Mutt March parade and celebration go help get local area shelter pets (mostly dogs) adopted. It sounds like a fun idea but a lot of work. Meg and family are very generous to host the dogs and workers on Megs land. However, Meg does a lot of back and forth to her brother's house just down the path in their the woods ever since a skeleton is found buried in his backyard. This is why you don't go digging duck ponds.

The focus is mostly on this cold case of old bones. However, the elderly relative that used to own her brother's house has also gone missing. This is one feisty old lady. Meg spends most of her days investigating the family that used to run the town. Trying more to figure out who it is that was dug up. I honestly didn't have any one specific person in mind mostly because it didn't totally feel like the culprits were investigated as much as who the victim was. It made sense though in the end.

For Duck's Sake by Donna Andrews continues the lighthearted saga of Meg Langslow and her extended family. When a skeleton is found in the excavation of a duck pond the family is taxed with finding its identity. Meanwhile, the whole town is preparing for the Mutt March, a massive pet adoption gala. As usual, this is an entertaining and funny book and I hope many more are coming!

Mischief and mayhem abound in this well-written and fast-paced whodunit that was loads of fun. A cold case, a missing person, and the search for answers propel this sharply defined mystery where everything is on the page to keep us engaged in all possibilities from the eccentric and quirky cast of characters to the various situations that keep the drama moving forward. I had a great time following the path the author had staged for us until a few red herrings had me looking elsewhere, all to enhance my reading pleasure. Of course, as usual in a Donna Andrews production, some humorous moments had me laughing out loud, much to the annoyance of the person sitting next to me on the bus. Like a well-established brand, this series gets better and fresher with each new book written. This was a delightfully entertaining read, and I look forward to the next book with Meg and her Caerphilly family and friends.

First, an admission. This is one of those books I'll grab to read based entirely on the author's name. Well, that and the always cute covers. I don't read the blurb. Don't check the number of pages. Don't even check publication date, all things that can bite any reviewer. So far, however, Donna Andrews hasn't disappointed me. Mystery, mayhem, fun and quirky characters, lots of animals, frequently running amuck, and a well written, humorous read. This one was unique from most in that the murder main character Meg winds up focused on didn't just happen. In fact, it's decades old. As usual, Meg manages to stay cool and calm, even when she tumbles into danger.

Long time readers will enjoy catching up with the family and pets, especially the evil one, Spike, who manages to get into all sorts of mischief despite efforts to keep him away from the flurry of activity on the home front. Seems a couple hundred homeless dogs and assorted other critters are being groomed and sheltered at Meg's in preparation of a Mutt March meant to find them homes. The organization behind the effort will blow your mind and, no, Meg's good, but she's not in charge. Did I mention rumors of dog nappers by dog fighting rings? In any cace, ducks are involved, too, as you've probably deduced from the title, but you'll find yourself more of a duck expert after reading this than you might imagine. You'll even learn a bit about not just scanner chips and DNA and its uses in identifying bodies, even skeletons, but the general procedures and care taken by archaeologists investigating a bone find where poor Rob and Delaney wanted their duck pond to be located. You'll also know more about the Tasseled Wobbegong than you ever imagined you'd want to know or, if you're like me, you'd never heard of before. Oh, and the bomb shelters that were erected largely in the 60s. What is Vern's secret? And, oh, yes, where did Iris disappear to and why?

Of course, there's more, much more, but you can rest assured it'll be a fun, entertaining visit. You'd think cousin Kevin would run out of surveillance cameras. He's sure a busy young man. In any case, seriously, if you're in the need of a fun, feel good read that will have you chuckling most of the time, give this one a read. This series is a DO NOT MISS on my list. Thanks #StMartinsPress - #Minotaur for providing me this early look and lots of chuckles. I'm already looking forward to my next visit with Meg, Michael, Chief Burke, and the rest, ducks, llamas, and who knows what else.

For Duck’s Sake is the 37th book in Donna Andrews’ Meg Langslow Mysteries. Taking a brief break from helping with the Mutt March, Meg finds herself supervising the excavation of a duck pond on her brother and sister-in-law’s property. But the project takes a grim turn when a skeleton is unearthed with a bullet lodged in its skull. The mystery deepens when the property’s former owner vanishes the very next morning. Meanwhile, suspicions of a dogfighting ring and the threat of dognapping add urgency to Meg’s efforts to protect the beloved mutts.

I’ve been following this series for nearly two decades and always look forward to each new release. For Duck’s Sake lives up to the charm, humor, and suspense that fans have come to love. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am already looking forward to the upcoming Christmas mystery.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.