Helpful Score: 6
I loved this book! I read the 4th book in the series, Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon back in February via a BookCrossing bookring and I found this one even better than that.
Meg Lanslow, a 30-year-old blacksmith, heads back to her home town of Yorkstown, VA for the summer to be the maid of honor in 3 weddings, her mother's, her brother's, and her best friend Eileen's, all within 2 weeks of each other. After a few days, the mayhem begins with the first dead body found on the beach behind her mother's house. Of course, this wouldn't be a Meg Lanslow mystery if the conditions and circumstances surrounding the murder weren't zany and strange.
As Meg and her Dad go sleuthing to uncover the culprit, they unwittingly become the murderer's next victims, presumably because they're getting too close to the truth. Aided by Meg's new friend Michael, the dressmaker's son, hilarity ensues and a few more bodies are found, fortunately of characters that you've come to dislike anyway.
Even when you think you've got it all figured out, some new twists are introduced that cause you to rethink your suspicions. This book kept me enthralled from the first page to the last, and I'm looking forward to Murder With Puffins, the next book in the series.
Meg Lanslow, a 30-year-old blacksmith, heads back to her home town of Yorkstown, VA for the summer to be the maid of honor in 3 weddings, her mother's, her brother's, and her best friend Eileen's, all within 2 weeks of each other. After a few days, the mayhem begins with the first dead body found on the beach behind her mother's house. Of course, this wouldn't be a Meg Lanslow mystery if the conditions and circumstances surrounding the murder weren't zany and strange.
As Meg and her Dad go sleuthing to uncover the culprit, they unwittingly become the murderer's next victims, presumably because they're getting too close to the truth. Aided by Meg's new friend Michael, the dressmaker's son, hilarity ensues and a few more bodies are found, fortunately of characters that you've come to dislike anyway.
Even when you think you've got it all figured out, some new twists are introduced that cause you to rethink your suspicions. This book kept me enthralled from the first page to the last, and I'm looking forward to Murder With Puffins, the next book in the series.
Helpful Score: 5
I really loved this book and plan on reading the rest in the series. I stayed up all night to finish it. The writing is really good and the characters are likeable.
This was a really fun and great 'read'. I see now, as I close the book, for I have just finished reading it, why it has won all the awards that it has. I will absolutely be wishing to follow Meg Langslow, the main character, in other books following in this series. This was the first book, I understand, of the series.
Helpful Score: 3
Read this book! The characters are great, the writing flows, and you will want to keep reading all of the series once you are done the first book. Donna Andrews has a great sense of humor, you won't be dissapointed!
Helpful Score: 3
This book (along with several others in the series) has been languishing on my over-full TBR pile for quite a long time, and now that I've finally read it, I'm sorry I took so long!
Meg Langslow has been pressed into service as Maid of Honor in three different weddings, and she's up to her eyeballs in wedding preparations for all three. When an out-of-town guest shows up dead, it's up to Meg to make sure the murder doesn't stand in the way of wedded bliss ...
I enjoyed Meg as a character. She is smart, strong and sassy. And she's surrounded by mad-cap neighbors and relatives. Although the summer as a whole was pretty much a comical farce, no one situation was so eye-rollingly unbelievable as to make me want to throw the book across the room (which happens oh-so-often when some authors try to write "comedy").
The writing style was quick and snappy ... with very visual descriptions, comfortable dialog, and enough "movement" to keep you from losing interest. I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Meg ....
Meg Langslow has been pressed into service as Maid of Honor in three different weddings, and she's up to her eyeballs in wedding preparations for all three. When an out-of-town guest shows up dead, it's up to Meg to make sure the murder doesn't stand in the way of wedded bliss ...
I enjoyed Meg as a character. She is smart, strong and sassy. And she's surrounded by mad-cap neighbors and relatives. Although the summer as a whole was pretty much a comical farce, no one situation was so eye-rollingly unbelievable as to make me want to throw the book across the room (which happens oh-so-often when some authors try to write "comedy").
The writing style was quick and snappy ... with very visual descriptions, comfortable dialog, and enough "movement" to keep you from losing interest. I'm looking forward to my next adventure with Meg ....
Helpful Score: 3
Format of book is a daily journal of the main character. This made the story a little slow in the beginning, but once a murder took place I had to keep reading to find out what happened. The end was also satisfying and clever. In other words, it was not apparent to me, and I read a lot of mysteries.
Helpful Score: 2
Fun, quick, light read. The characters really make this series! This is the first.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is an Agatha Award Winner for Best First Novel. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing. I'm looking forward to reading her next novel.
Helpful Score: 2
Absolutely hilarious book. The first of the Meg Langslow mysteries. Meg is a bridemaid at two weddings of which lots of antics and a body or two appear. Lots of laughs, a good fun read!
Helpful Score: 2
Donna Andrews' debut novel which won the St. Martin's Maloice Domestic Award! Clever and witty, this cozy mystery entwines us
in several weddings and murders filled with southern hospitality!
Meg Langslow's summer is filled with problems which she helps others solve while she deals with some crazy relatives and friends!
in several weddings and murders filled with southern hospitality!
Meg Langslow's summer is filled with problems which she helps others solve while she deals with some crazy relatives and friends!
Helpful Score: 1
A Meg Langslow Mystery! Three Weddings...and a Murder--Meg is very busy. ...'plenty of laughs...hilarity and comic panache' and a good mystery too!!
Helpful Score: 1
This is a fun cozy mystery. Meg Lanslow is balancing being the maid of honor for three weddings over the summer. But when murder and close calls keep happening, she becomes a detective between dress fittings, floral appointments and other wedding duties. You will love her quirky family.
Great first book to the series. This is a fun, light read.
Great first book to the series. This is a fun, light read.
Shirley J. (NoShushing) -
Helpful Score: 1
To be honest, I read Donna Andrews more for the humor than for the mystery, although her books have all the ingredients for a good cozy. They also have hilarious characters and outrageous situations. This is the first book in the series. As the maid of honor at three weddings, Meg is trying to cope with the brides, as well as her family. One bride wants live peacocks on the lawn at her wedding. Another wants to include a Native American tribal purification ceremony. One bride has waited till the last minute to pick out her dress. This is the book in which she meets Michael, who is falsely rumored to be gay.
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this book! A LOT going on, more than any one could rationally handle, but Meg does. :-D
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first in the series, where Meg meets Michael, plus peacocks and of course a murder to solve. I'm planning to read the entire series, based on this - loved it. Great characters, solid plot, human comedy.
Helpful Score: 1
A delightful cozy that will take your mind off your troubles and let you focus on the life of a quirky family and their relatives. I finished the book in 2 sittings and had to order the others to continue the story...each a mystery with believable plot, sub plots and characters. Good descriptions of the people...so much so that you can actually see them.
Elizabeth R. (esjro) -
Helpful Score: 1
Meg Lanslow is a blacksmith whose summer is dominated by weddings: her mother is remarrying, her brother is wedding for the first time, and her best friend is also getting ready to tie the knot. When a soon-to-be inlaw turns up dead, Meg's father (who reads too many mystery novels) decides to investigate. As the countdown to the weddings proceeds, the number of untimely demises increases.
Murder with Peacocks is a cozy for closet cozy fans - those like myself who may publicly scoff at the body count surrounding Jessica Fletcher yet secretly enjoy the eccentric characters and happy endings. It is also a book for people - again, like myself - who have a dry sense of humor and appreciate sarcasm.
Murder with Peacocks is a cozy for closet cozy fans - those like myself who may publicly scoff at the body count surrounding Jessica Fletcher yet secretly enjoy the eccentric characters and happy endings. It is also a book for people - again, like myself - who have a dry sense of humor and appreciate sarcasm.
Elizabeth O. (ElizabethO) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A humorous, lighthearted mystery about Meg, who is busy with three weddings during one summer. Right in the middle of wedding plans occurs a murder, and she's hot on the trail (or is she?) to solve it. I did like this book, it was okay. It was a good read when you feel like a mystery but don't want to get too bogged down by anything too serious.
Jennifer V. (jenvince) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 136 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This was such a fun book to read! Really, really good. There was so much humor. I laughed out loud several times. I just love Meg! But, my oh my, what a nutty family and town. LOL! I will absolutely read the others in this series. Donna Andrews has been put on my list of favorite cozy authors.
Debbie S. (vraciousrdr) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 47 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Ok I'm such a dork, I got past the first three paragraphs when I realized I had already read this book. But since I love the Meg Langslow series and this is where she meets Michael, I had to revisit the clan. Book 1 in the series.
Melissa P. (melissaenglish72) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
1st in a cozy mystery series. A lot of humor.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a really fun read! It is the first in this series and I intend to read the rest of them.
Helpful Score: 1
First in the series and very well done. Meg is a great character. Down to earth, a bit quirky, smart and funny. Her wacky family is a riot and reminds me of some of my relatives. a great start to the series.
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
There are some LOL moments in this, the first in a new series, featuring Meg Langslow, a lady blacksmith and her whacky family....
Barbara B. (catbookmom) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 52 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Loved this! The book arrived in yesterday's mail and I finished it at oh-dark hundred this morning. I'm putting in my request for book #2 today.
I rate the humor in this right up there with Piers Anthony's Xanth novels, sometimes subtle, sometimes nearly laughing-out-loud funny. Ms Andrews has a terrific ability to build characters.
I rate the humor in this right up there with Piers Anthony's Xanth novels, sometimes subtle, sometimes nearly laughing-out-loud funny. Ms Andrews has a terrific ability to build characters.
This is the first book in the Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews. This is a good mystery and quite a funny story to go with it. Very entertaining.
Helpful Score: 1
First in the series and a wonderful introduction to the great characters that Donna Andrews creates. Her books are very humorous and this story is great!
Helpful Score: 1
Ridiculous story drawn out for way too long.
Helpful Score: 1
First in a new series starring Meg and her crazy family. Similar to Janet Evanovich, this author makes the book a fun read and almost believable in its zany antics. Even the description of lawn mower incident (don't want to give anything away) was hysterical... check it out!
First in the series. Filled with laugh out loud humor, crazy family antics, likeable characters and a decent plot. I can tell I'm going to love this series!
Stephanie S. (punkinema) -
Meg gets saddled with helping (really doing it all!) her mother, her brother and best friend get married in her hometown in Virginia. She simply doesn't know how to say (that started getting irritating, by the way) no. At the beginning of summer, a very loathsome guest ends up dead on the beach. Meg's dad is sure it's murder but can't convince the sheriff. Then accidents and incidents keep happening including another dead body. The only bright light for Meg is the handsome, Michael, who is tending the bridal store for his mother. Alas, it is rumored he is gay. At least he is a good friend. The cover said this book was hilarious but it wasn't my kind of humor. There were parts that I smiled at but no laughing out loud stuff like a Joan Hess book. There were lots of twists because there was so many who had good reason to kill guest. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
This was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a funny cast of characters. Can easily recommend this one for a quick, fun read.
Fast paced, fun reading
This book is great! It is so funny. I cannot wait to read book 2.
I love cozy mysteries and found this series by accident. I just finished reading Murder with Peacocks and really enjoyed it!! I found myself laughing out loud quite a few times. Crazy family, cute story and oh yeah ... a few murders. Have ordered the next 4 ... I'm hooked!
The first of her Meg Langslow series, this was a fun read, humorous and with a substantial mystery. It does move at a bit of a plodding pace at times, but the characters are interesting and fun. I will have to read more to see if it is as good as her Turing Hopper series.
Cute book and good for first in a series. She writes an entertaining family murder mystery with lots of chuckles. She gets better in subsequent books...
Barbara S. (barbsis) -
This is supposed to be a murder mystery but it's more like a good old down home reunion. Meg Langslow, repeat brides-maid and wedding planner, has 3 weddings to plan and attend one summer. Someone gets murdered at a wedding reception (of the first wedding) and in the background Meg's dad starts investigating the murder. The book revolves around Meg's duties as brides maid and wedding planner NOT the murder.
It's an enjoyable story and I really like Michael. He tries so hard to interest Meg with no luck since everyone thinks he's gay. It's a comedy of errors and very funny at times but as a mystery it falls a little short. I have no interest in wedding planning and found most of the details boring and uninteresting.
It's an enjoyable story and I really like Michael. He tries so hard to interest Meg with no luck since everyone thinks he's gay. It's a comedy of errors and very funny at times but as a mystery it falls a little short. I have no interest in wedding planning and found most of the details boring and uninteresting.
Ok read.
Patricia H. (beachcomber) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 320 more book reviews
A little too cozy and too silly. I skimmed the last half and couldn't even finish this book. Blah!
Linda R. (wolfie123) - , reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 421 more book reviews
One funny start of a promising series......Meet Meg Langslow and her family...was able to figure out "whodunit", but who cares...it was a delightful, easy, fun read....Give it a try !!
This book is excellent. Funny and ridiculous and there is a murder or two to solve. I enjoyed it very much!
So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginiahometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones-each of whom has dumped planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointingly rumored to be gay, keeps Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors. And,in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests' closets. But it seems this lady has offended one too many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents-some fatal. Soon, level-headed Megs to-do llist extends from flower arrangements had bridal registries to catching a killer-before the next catered event is her own funeral...
Keeps on happening and keeps you guessing! Just when you think you have who did it.............something happens and you begin to wonder! Great cozy mystery!
I will read the rest of the Series!
I will read the rest of the Series!
Fun and quirky. A good read.
As cozy's go, I truly enjoy this author. There are some red herrings, but not so many that you can't remember who's who.
In this first book, Meg Langslow has promised to be in three weddings within 2 weeks of each other. Her best Friend's, her Mother's, and her brother's. Each of the brides in all three weddings expect Meg to do all the work, and they keep adding to the details needing to be done.
The murder of a not-so-likable guest adds to Meg's things to do, which is to find the murderer before she and her dad become victims themselves.
I think that if you have ever been a part of a wedding, you can relate to some of this in a funny way.
Also in this book, Meg meets the man of her dreams, although she knows nothing can come of it since she was informed he was gay from the minute she returned to her old stomping grounds.
In this first book, Meg Langslow has promised to be in three weddings within 2 weeks of each other. Her best Friend's, her Mother's, and her brother's. Each of the brides in all three weddings expect Meg to do all the work, and they keep adding to the details needing to be done.
The murder of a not-so-likable guest adds to Meg's things to do, which is to find the murderer before she and her dad become victims themselves.
I think that if you have ever been a part of a wedding, you can relate to some of this in a funny way.
Also in this book, Meg meets the man of her dreams, although she knows nothing can come of it since she was informed he was gay from the minute she returned to her old stomping grounds.
The first Meg Langslow mystery...very amusing.
A rather far fetched, if endearingly crazy, read. It's too scattered for me, too many unbelievable antics, too difficult to keep the zany relatives and friends straight in my mind. I don't understand why it received the accolades it did, unless the competition was rather thin that year. I had to skim over some sections, they were so frustrating. Why didn't this woman, who had agreed to be the maid of honor for THREE weddings in one summer, just stand up for herself? She was a total doormat! Having said that, there were some very cute plots and a somewhat satisfying ending.
Christina T. (crysteena73) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
The first book in the Meg Langslow series and I good one at that. Meg finds herself in Wedding hell during one summer. She is part of not one, not two but three weddings over the course of 3 months. This alone would be completely daunting to anyone but she not only has to participate she finds herself taking care of many of the arrangements too.
Through in a couple murders, a crazy family, and a possible love interest that may or may not be gay you have yourself an interesting and fun cozy.
Through in a couple murders, a crazy family, and a possible love interest that may or may not be gay you have yourself an interesting and fun cozy.
Good mystery, funny characters
1st book in this series by the author - amusing mystery
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
This author is very, very funny. The characters are wild and a riot. Looking forward to the next in the series. Andrews has a distinct way with words and her main characters are ones to fall in love with. She has the comedy situation well in hand.
Jaime C. (socialreader) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 99 more book reviews
Loved this book! Great mystery.
MaryLou C. (Bookworm42) reviewed Murder with Peacocks (Meg Langslow, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
A very zany, funny cozy mystery, the kind I just love!! Plannin to get more from this author, that for sure.
this is the 3rd in her series.. a very nice cozy read
fun read!
Not quite my cup of tea, but seems to be a very popular book...
A terrific little cozy!
loved this book...it was a great read.
This is the first in the Meg Langslow series, and is the introduction to Meg, who can't seem to say "no" to anyone, and her nutty family.
Meg has returned to her hometown for a chaos filled extended stay. Shes a bridesmaid for three weddings with three demanding brides and has her hands full with their ridiculous expectations. Its the same old town, with the same uninteresting men, save for Michael, who is rumored to prefer men. Not only is he gorgeous but hes intelligent and friendly and they become fast friends. Meg does her damndest to banish all lusty thoughts when theyre together but the mere sight of him makes it difficult.
When a woman disliked by everyone turns up dead Meg, her oddball dad and Michael start a sleuthing. Cute and fluffy is this book. I couldnt figure out why Meg wouldn't say no to her annoying brides (ok, one was her mother but STILL). All of her tasks seemed to keep her in close proximity to cutie Michael who couldn't seem to get a word out without interruptions. I've read many a book with romance-interruptis but this one took it to unheard of heights.
Tame and cute and light-hearted fun but for me it just wasnt enough. Id liken it to being allowed a mini cupcake when youre craving a whole damn cake. I wanted more action, more romance, more sexual tension (at the very least!), more laughs, more time with offbeat Dad, WAY more sexy Michael and more grisly deaths. Instead I read page after page of snore inducing wedding info. Dress selection, card writing, color choices, tracking down freaking peacocks for a wedding . . . Its all here. It all became a little tedious after the first few chapters and took me ages to finish. Guess this type of book just isnt for me. I hear they get better as the series goes along, and I'm supposed to read the entire series for my book group, but I dont know if I have the patience to bother.
When a woman disliked by everyone turns up dead Meg, her oddball dad and Michael start a sleuthing. Cute and fluffy is this book. I couldnt figure out why Meg wouldn't say no to her annoying brides (ok, one was her mother but STILL). All of her tasks seemed to keep her in close proximity to cutie Michael who couldn't seem to get a word out without interruptions. I've read many a book with romance-interruptis but this one took it to unheard of heights.
Tame and cute and light-hearted fun but for me it just wasnt enough. Id liken it to being allowed a mini cupcake when youre craving a whole damn cake. I wanted more action, more romance, more sexual tension (at the very least!), more laughs, more time with offbeat Dad, WAY more sexy Michael and more grisly deaths. Instead I read page after page of snore inducing wedding info. Dress selection, card writing, color choices, tracking down freaking peacocks for a wedding . . . Its all here. It all became a little tedious after the first few chapters and took me ages to finish. Guess this type of book just isnt for me. I hear they get better as the series goes along, and I'm supposed to read the entire series for my book group, but I dont know if I have the patience to bother.
First in the series - good read
Great first book! Chocked full of a little bit of everything, humor, love, mystery. I can't wait to read her next one!
5 stars!
From the back of the book: So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones-each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointingly rumored to be gay, keeps Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neigbors.
And, in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests' closets. But it seems this lady has offended one too many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents--some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to-do list extends from flower arrangements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral.
And, in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints at skeletons in the guests' closets. But it seems this lady has offended one too many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents--some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to-do list extends from flower arrangements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral.
From the blurb:
"So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones--each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointly rumored to be gay, keep Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors."
"And, in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints a skeletons in the guests closets. But it seems this lady has offended one to many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents--some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to do list extends from flower arrangements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral."
"So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptials of three loved ones--each of whom has dumped the planning in her capable hands. One bride is set on including a Native American herbal purification ceremony, while another wants live peacocks on the lawn. Only help from the town's drop-dead gorgeous hunk, disappointly rumored to be gay, keep Meg afloat in a sea of dotty relatives and outrageous neighbors."
"And, in a whirl of summer parties and picnics, Southern hospitality is strained to the limit by an offensive newcomer who hints a skeletons in the guests closets. But it seems this lady has offended one to many when she's found dead in suspicious circumstances, followed by a string of accidents--some fatal. Soon, level-headed Meg's to do list extends from flower arrangements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral."
