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Murder with Peacocks (Meg Lanslow, Bk 1)
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Murder with Peacocks (Meg Lanslow, Bk 1)
Author: Donna Andrews

Book Information
Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780312970635 - ISBN-10: 0312970633
Publication Date: 2000
Pages: 311


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover

Book Description:
Three Weddings...And a Murder

So far Meg Langslow's summer is not going swimmingly. Down in her small Virginia hometown, she's maid of honor at the nuptuals 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 neighbors.

And, in 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 arragements and bridal registries to catching a killer--before the next catered event is her own funeral...

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Similar books to this author and title:
Murder with Puffins (Meg Langslow, Bk 2)Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos (Meg Langslow, Bk 3)Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon (Meg Langslow, Bk 4)We'll Always Have Parrots (Meg Langslow, Bk 5)You've Got Murder


Genres:

Top Member Book Reviews

Cherie (CheriePie) wrote on 9/6/2005...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Keri E. (Kairbear) wrote on 3/24/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Elizabeth R. (esjro) - Stockton, NJ wrote on 11/29/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Mary S. wrote on 2/7/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

1st book in this series by the author - amusing mystery

Heddy S. (heddy) wrote on 9/5/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Beth H. (beth213) wrote on 8/20/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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!

Ago S. (compac) wrote on 7/31/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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.

Dorcas M. (dormet) wrote on 5/1/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Fun, quick, light read. The characters really make this series! This is the first.

Lulie F. wrote on 4/16/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

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!

Melissa P. (melissaenglish72) wrote on 4/15/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

1st in a cozy mystery series. A lot of humor.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Stephanie S. (punkinema) wrote on 11/11/2009...


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.

Barbara S. (barbsis) - Netcong, NJ wrote on 7/31/2009...


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.

Patricia H. (beachcomber) wrote on 5/14/2009...


A little too cozy and too silly. I skimmed the last half and couldn't even finish this book. Blah!

Gayle K. wrote on 2/2/2009...


This book is great! It is so funny. I cannot wait to read book 2.

Christina T. (crysteena73) wrote on 10/22/2008...


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.

Becky T. (beanie5) wrote on 9/7/2008...


This was an enjoyable cozy mystery with a funny cast of characters. Can easily recommend this one for a quick, fun read.

Beth G. (BethG) - Hillsville, VA wrote on 2/11/2006...


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."

RM R. (Rudiye) wrote on 1/9/2006...


The first Meg Langslow mystery...very amusing.

Garad D. (skid721) wrote on 8/14/2005...


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.

Mary H. (Ladyhawke) - VA wrote on 8/4/2005...


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.


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People/Characters
Meg Langslow (Primary Character)
Michael Waterston (Primary Character)
Dr. Langslow (Major Character)
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