Murder Most Fowl

Murder Most Fowl is book 29 of the Meg Langslow Mysteries.

We find Meg busy having guests at her house who is part of her husband's movie crew. To make matters worse there is Damien, a filmmaker who becomes a nuance. He goes and embarrasses many of the people thereby showcasing footage he has been taking around the area.

The next day a body is found and it's Damien. However, solving his murder is not going to be easy.
Unfortunately, whoever murdered Goodwin also destroyed all the electronic devices on which his video was stored. So Caerphilly’s chief of police—and Meg—must rediscover the same secrets the filmmaker did if they want to catch a killer.

Great cozy mystery and one I would gladly recommend!

This is the latest installment in the Meg Langslow series. I will admit Meg makes me tired. Her life is so busy and crowded with family and friends and this story is no exception. In this story it's summer and Meg has a Shakespeare production cast and crew camping out at her house for the summer. If that were the only people that would be enough but the college's history department has to get into the party too. Damien Goodwin wants to make a documentary of the summer production but it's not the film that everyone is expecting and it might have gotten him killed. There's murder, vandalizm, stolen cows, a few chickens and even some evil spells in this story. It's good to see our friends the Chief, Vern, Horace and Debbie Ann. The twins are growing up and Rose Noire is still growing herbs and flowers. Come enjoy another visit with our friends.

The only bad thing about a new Donna Andrews book is that after finishing one wants another one right away. As usual, the antics of Meg Langslow's clan are so fun to read.

This is such an enjoyable series! I don't know how this author manages to keep this series so fresh and entertaining. Clever mystery involving reenactments, filmmakers and family members and as always Meg and her husband manage to get to the bottom of things before too many bodies pile up. Every time I read a book in this series I can't wait for the next! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

Michael is directing "the Scottish play" for a D.C. playhouse. Meg and Michael have decided to have the rehearsals in Caerphilly so they don't have to move the family. Dealing with a lot of college politics, most of the actors living on their farm, and an odd group of people pretending to live in 11th century Scotland in the nearby woods is stressing everyone out.
When a loony "documentarian" is found dead after showing a raw cut of his documentary, Meg has to help the police discover who the murderer is.
I'm always concerned that a new book will signal the decline of a series. This book shows Andrews is as good as ever. Like most cozy mysteries it's a bit formulaic, but it maintains the expected humor and brings in new characters while keeping the usual "suspects" fresh. I love that the boys are growing up, and I don't mind that the older characters (including canines) have not aged. They are part of the charm of reading this series.
The mystery was excellent, I had no clue who the killer was until of course the person tried to kill Meg! I don't usually re-read books and hardly ever back to back. But once I finished this one, I went back to the beginning and started it again!

verbal-humor, situational-humor, family, family-dynamics, friendship, actors, university, reenactors, the-Scottish-play, theft, murder, investigation, Virginia, vandalism*****

The mysteries are always first rate and this one is no exception! This is a long-running series but a new reader can hop in at any time without missing a beat (WARNING: this series is addictive!).
This time the madness centers around a production of Macbeth with cast staying at blacksmith Meg and Professor Michael's residence, rehearsing nearby, and being beleaguered by vandalism, other faculty/the videographer/the goof heading up a re-enactment group, and the usual extended family. Oh, and a murder. Let the madness begin!
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 a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

I am a long-time fan of the Meg Langslow Mysteries, and this one was just as busy, crowded with visitors and relatives and animals. Funny and complex, featuring odd yet sincere locals, and this time, medieval actors. Then there are the semi-medieval reenactors led by a fantasist. Typical, cleverly crafted entertaining mysterious fun. With some blacksmithing (which I love!).

The "M" play, in acting, refers to Shakespeare's Macbeth. But don't say it aloud in a theatre--or around certain fanatics. The last thing you want is bad luck. Or more bad luck. Combined with university politics, jealousy, and, uh, witchcraft.

Meg has a very large extended family, and in Caerphilly, they finally have the space for everyone. If you include tents. Michael, her actor/professor husband is staging Macbeth, and rehearsals are going fairly well (their twin boys have speaking parts), and many of the actors are staying in their large renovated house. And since the relatives have cooking and chores covered, and Meg's mother has things organized, all Meg has to do is put out proverbial fires!

There is a murder though. That's a problem. Don't think "Who deserves to die?" There lies madness. Think, "Who's most likely to die?" Then discover with us, why there were so many seemingly nice people who would have raised their hands with suggestions for the first question.

Since Meg is the ultimate "inside man" living among most of the suspects, she adds it to her to-do list. There are other mysteries; missing animals, found animals, and "Why do we have these?" animals.

Meg teams up with her cousin Rose Noir, the gauzy-dress-wearing lavender scented organic herb grower, who is surprisingly knowledgeable about witchcraft. But who else would know what goes in a cauldron?

There is much to-ing and fro-ing, and the killer must be found or the play can't go on. And we all know, "The play must go on."

This volume is one of my favorites, but I always crave a little more of Meg's family craziness. Maybe next time!

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group, in return for an honest review. As the latest book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. You can always tell when an author does her craft well and Donna Andrews’ series about Meg Langslow and her wild family proves that rule. This time, Meg, her husband, Michael, and their twin sons are hosting a huge cast as Michael directs Macbeth. Meanwhile, the local college feud between the drama, English and History departments continues with a band of not-so-accurate reenactors taking up residence in the woods between Meg’s property and her parents’ farm. As if that’s not enough drama, someone is doing vandalism both inside and outside Meg’s house. And then there’s the small matter of murder. Whew!
Meg is amazing and her life is exhausting so I’m glad that I’m reading it and not living it! So many great characters with each clearly written for the reader. Plus, I love the title puns and covers. Another great addition to this series and I look forward to the next.

The cast of a Shakespeare play Michael is directing, Scottish history reenactors, a documentary film maker, and various relatives are staying in Megs house and camping on the family land this summer. History students and professors are frequent visitors, as are some of the English professors they’re feuding with. Meanwhile farm animals vanish and appear, the house is being vandalized, someone is building fires in the drought stricken woods,
black magic may be at play, a leading lady is ill, and finally, there’s a murder to top it all off. Meg and the police try to make sense of it all in a well written story with a lot of humor. The end was a surprise, and I thoroughly enjoyed this addition to a wonderful series. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this,
I highly recommend this series.

Murder Most Fowl is a great cozy mystery about a murder that happens at a home that is hosting a production of Macbeth. The main character Meg Langslow is trying to figure out who killed an unlikeable character and then all these other crimes start happening. It really keeps the book interesting. You have a murder, vandalism, drugs, and someone cursing someone. It makes for a fun read.

Been reading this series and Meg Langslow is like a family member. She is a very likable character. A well plotted mystery that keeps you intrigued until the end. As always I throughly enjoyed this book in the series. Kudos Donna Andrews! Thanks #netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another outstanding Meg Lanslow edition is added to the collection! Full of wonderfully quirky characters, and many are actually relatives. Having been born into an extremely prolific family, with an abundance of desirable professions, Meg or her mother always know the right person to call for help, and this includes community members as well. The local college where husband Michael teaches Drama has more than their share of oddities amongst the staff. All of this combined collection of humanity makes for wonderful background for murder. Murder on Langslow family property. Murder during the rehearsals for "The Scottish Play" or properly titled Macbeth.

I love the unpredictability of the series (bizarre circumstances, methods, topics) as well as the predictability (meals for multitudes will always be ready, Meg will work at her forge, and the rapidly growing twins will contribute to the conclusion.) But make no mistake! This does not result in the same tired story being retold multiple times! Every book is fresh, exciting. humorous, and completely different from preceding books. It is a series that makes the reader believe they are part of the comradery.

Always enjoyable, the series can be reread with just as much delight the second or third time through! I recommend it highly for all!

I would like to thank St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and give my honest review of this book.

I look forward to every installment of the Donna Andrews' Meg Langslow series. Meg is a wonderful character with a quirky family who make the books really fun to read. In this addition, Meg, whose house apparently can accommodate an army, is taking care of her college professor and play director husband's cast and crew of his newest play during summer rehearsals. It is a Shakespeare interpretation and it has inspired historical reenactors who have set up camp in the woods near Meg's home. The interactions between cast and crew, campers, and Meg's family are fun and make for a great story. There is a poisoning and a murder to be solved and the action is fast paced and entertaining. I recommend this series to anyone looking for a pleasant, entertaining, clean read. It is the best way to spend book reading time.

As usual, Meg and Michael's house is bursting at the seams with visiting relatives and now they've added the cast and crew of Michael's latest performance of the Scottish play. Of course the drama is not all happening on the stage.

The troupe is plagued with issues, an obnoxious documentary filmmaker, a vandal, and of course, a murder. Despite the fact that there are so many characters swirling around (so many suspects), after the previous 28 books I'd have no trouble keeping them apart even if they weren't all so unique and quirky. Some of my favorite characters came through in this story as heroes (no spoilers!)

One thing that's always fun about this series is that there are so many characters and so much going on, there are always tons of suspects and an almost infinite number of ways and reasons why the crimes could have been committed. I don't think I have ever been able to figure out who the killer was in a Meg Langslow mystery.

I just started this series about two years ago and I binge-read it, sometimes I would take a break in between but I know I read them back to back and probably read more than two in a row at times (which is very rare for me!) Meg is one of my favorite mystery characters and this is one of my favorite mystery series. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozies.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC.

Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews (Meg Langslow Mystery #29) 5 stars

At the end of "The Falcon Always Wings Twice", Prof. Michael Waterston was offered the job of directing the Arena Stage production of Hamlet after the original director got into trouble. However, at the start of this book, the play has been switched to "The Scottish Play" and the Waterston family is hip deep in actors/drama students, historical reenactors, and a filmmaker taping all the action. It's another normal day at the Waterston abode with people and animals bursting its walls and property. Meg Langslow is at the center, trying to bring peace and organization to the chaos. Actors are one thing, but Meg also has to ride herd on historical reenactors at "Camp Birnam" on her parents property. The filmmaker, Damien Goodwin, is also annoying a lot of people by being overly intrusive. After showing a preview of some of the footage he has been filming it is almost anti-climatic to see vultures circling his body in the woods. Before you can quote, "Double, Double, Toil and Trouble", Meg must also face vandalism, a sick lead actress and stolen livestock. Can Meg figure out who killed Damien Goodwin and take care of all the other incidents too?

"Fair is foul and (fowl) is fair" (Act I) -- sorry couldn't resist.

Donna Andrews is the master of the humorous mystery and this book is one of her best. I confess to being a convert with "Die Like An Eagle" and going back to read all the prior books to be up to speed. This is not a book to pick up if you are new to the Meg Langslow series. Your really need to read the previous books to get the full impact of this book, each book adds a layer to the background of all the characters. But if you don't have the time to read all 28 books, I recommend reading "Stork Raving Mad" for some context.

Meg and Company use their investigative skills to find the perpetrators of the various crimes. For me, the main draw of this series is not necessarily the mystery or crime. It is how all the characters interact with each other and the various hilarious situations that occur that keeps me coming back for more. Of particular interest is the skillful references to "The Scottish Play" throughout the book. The ending was adorable and I wonder how may pets will be in the Waterston household when "The Twelve Jays of Christmas" comes out in October, 2021.
I can't wait to see Rob and Darcy get married.

(Note: For audiobook lovers, the narrator for this series, Bernadette Dunne is fabulous)

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC.

I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. This was just a wonderful book to read and it was just easy to lose yourself in the story. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Another fantastic installment in the series that was well plotted, great character growth, funny, and just a terrific afternoon read.

This is another book about the adventures of MEg. I always know that I will enjoy a book by this author. In this case there is more than one mystery going on but you have to figure out where all the clues belong. The book is nonstop so you shouldn't be bored. I find Meg to be an appealing character; she seems capable of anything. I do miss from the early books how there was the relationship between her and Michael. It seems a bit like real life where you get in a comfortable rut with your spouse. I would like to see a little bit more of involvement from MIchael in future stories. But you can't go wrong.

I LOVE this series! Meg and Michael are hosting the cast and crew for rehearsals for a production of MacBeth. They also have a group of psuedo- reenactors in "Birnam Wood" (aka Meg's parents woods) foisted on them by the history department at the college where Michael teaches. Someone is making illegal fires in the drought stricken woods. There are several incidences of vandalism. Who put strange geese in the chicken coop? All this and a murder too. Meg with the help of family and friends solves these one by one and identifies the murderer just in time.

Meg Langslow is having a busy summer. Her husband is directing a production of Macbeth and, because of politics at the local college, the actors and crew are staying with them at their home either in their guest bedrooms or in tents on their grounds. There have been a series of vandalisms ranging from red paint on a copy of a script to underwear strung up in their library to obscene graffiti painted on a hallway's walls.

Besides that, Meg is dealing with reenactors who are camping next door in her parents' woods and who are stealing local livestock and requiring daily visits from the fire marshal and the health department. Throw in a documentary filmmaker who is constantly underfoot and Meg is almost at her wit's end.

Add in a lead actress's gastrointestinal issues which could be stress or could be poison and potential evil witchcraft being done in the bone-dry woods and Meg barely has time to craft a spooky dagger for the production at her forge.

When, after previewing his film and angering just about everyone he used as a subject, the filmmaker is found dead, Meg and the police chief have more than enough suspects to his murder.

This is the 29th episode in this series but worked perfectly well as an entry point for this new reader of the series. Yes, I wanted to know more about Meg's very large family who have a variety of walk-on parts in this story, but I learned enough to be intrigued rather than confused. I liked Meg who is an organized and phlegmatic character who isn't going to let all the chaos around her disturb her equanimity. This was a great introduction to a series I'm adding to my wishlist.

It is always a pleasure to dip into Meg, Michael, and the (now twelve-year-old!) twins’ wacky world. Murder Most Fowl is the twenty-ninth book in the series. It’s full of the usual fun relative-filled hijinks—along with murder, attempted murder, theft, vandalism, racism, The Scottish Play, actors, and reenactors. Oh, and goslings, sheep, cows, and lots and lots of puppies.

Murder Most Fowl is the best! I was totally surprised by the killer reveal, which is always fun. The appearing and disappearing animals were enjoyable too. After reading the entire series as they were published, the characters seem as familiar as my family. Though funnier, much funnier.

If you are looking for a hilarious and joyful story with believable characters, look no further. Murder Most Fowl ticks all those boxes. 5 stars and a favorite!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Meg Langslow does more before breakfast than six people do in a week. She’s got twin sons, a father who’s a doctor and loves to investigate crimes, a mother who is organized enough to run a country, a grandfather who runs a zoo, and relatives galore who visit often. Her husband, Michael, is directing Macbeth, and there are medieval re-enactors camped out in the woods. There’s also a movie maker annoying everyone.

The lead actress is ill but wants to perform. Any spare sleeping surface is occupied by one of the actors or crew. Practical jokes, vandalism, and property theft (sheep and a cow) just add another layer to the chaos.

That’s nothing compared to Meg’s sons reporting they may have found a body. Well, actually a hand sticking out of the dirt, but still…

The filmmaker tells everyone he’s making them into stars, but when he shows disjointed scenes, the actors are shown in the most embarrassing situations, including the lead actress who reacts badly, smashing his computer and aiming for him, too.

It’s not a shock to find his trailer door standing open the next morning, the place trashed, his body not far away. Could it have been one of the cast or crew, the medieval re-enactors, the prankster, or one of the three witches who meet around the cauldron to cast spells?

Of course, the show must go on and that can only happen if the killer is found. Meg and the chief of police are in agreement about that.

This is book twenty-nine of the series. Meg has more patience than you can imagine, a mind for detail, and the ability to remain calm no matter what. Rose Noire is the keeper of animals and in charge of the herb gardens. Professors from the college give lectures on mostly dull subjects. In order to have the seats filled, Meg has ringers who listen as attentively as possible and who are really there for the refreshments served after. Even with a murder, following Meg’s life is one laugh after another, provided you remain at a safe distance—like on this side of the page.