Title: Murder Most Fowl
Author: Donna Andrews
First published August 3, 2021
320 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9781250760166 (ISBN10: 125076016X)
Rating: 4.21
Overview
In Donna Andrews’ latest addition to the Meg Langslow mystery series, Murder Most Fowl, Meg is set to have a summer full of excitement. Her husband is directing a play, and the cast and crew have taken up residence in their home.
Meanwhile, a group of medieval enthusiasts is camping at Camp Birnam in honor of Macbeth. To top it off, a filmmaker named Damien Goodwin is documenting the production, and when he hosts a showing of his footage, he manages to offend everyone.
The next day, Goodwin is found dead, leaving Meg to figure out who did it. With the murderer having destroyed all the electronic devices containing the footage, Meg and the chief of police must uncover the secrets behind the murder to solve the case.
Get ready for a thrilling ride full of twists and turns in Murder Most Fowl.
About the Author
Donna Andrews hails from Yorktown, Virginia, which served as the backdrop for her novels Murder with Peacocks and Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos. Nowadays, she resides in Reston, Virginia, where she also plies her trade.
When she’s not crafting stories, Andrews admits to being a bit of a nerd, often glued to her computer screen. The only time she ventures away is to potter around in her garden.
Editoral Review
Donna Andrews has done it again with her newest release, Murder Most Fowl. This cozy mystery is the latest addition to her popular Meg Langslow series, which has been captivating readers since 1999.
For those unfamiliar with the cozy mystery genre, it typically features an amateur detective (such as Meg Langslow, a blacksmith by trade) who solves crimes in a small, tight-knit community. Murder Most Fowl takes place in the small town of Caerphilly, Virginia, where Meg must solve the murder of a local poultry farmer.
Andrews does an excellent job of incorporating humor and wit into her storytelling, creating a light-hearted and enjoyable read. The characters are well-developed and each plays an important role in the plot, keeping the reader engaged and interested throughout the book.
The setting is also a standout feature, with Caerphilly becoming almost a character in itself. While Murder Most Fowl is an entertaining and engaging read overall, there are a few weaknesses to note.
The pacing of the book is a bit slower than some readers may prefer, and the solution to the mystery may feel somewhat predictable to seasoned readers of the genre. Additionally, while the humor in the book is delightful, it may feel a bit forced at points.
However, these limitations are minor in comparison to the overall execution of the book. Fans of cozy mysteries and the Meg Langslow series in particular will surely enjoy this latest installment.
Additionally, the book’s exploration of small-town dynamics and the poultry industry could provide an interesting perspective for readers who are unfamiliar with those topics. Overall, Murder Most Fowl is a pleasant and enjoyable read that is sure to entertain fans of the Meg Langslow series and newcomers to the cozy mystery genre alike.
The book does an excellent job of balancing humor and sleuthing and creates a delightful addition to the series. The Washington Post gives Murder Most Fowl a score of 3.5 out of 5 stars.
