#33
First her father recruits her to help him install a new batch of bees in the hive in her backyard. Then Mayor Shiffley recruits her to placate the NIMBYs (Not in my backyard), as she calls them -- a group of newcomers to Caerphilly who have built McMansions next door to working farms and then do their best to make life miserable for the farmers. And finally Meg’s grandmother, shows up, trailed by a nosy reporter who is writing a feature on her for a genteel Southern ladies’ magazine.
Unfortunately what they discover is not an ancient cemetery but a fresh corpse. Can Meg protect her grandmother--and Caerphilly--from the reporter who seems to see the worst in everything . . . and help crack the case before the killer finds another victim?
Cordelia drafts Meg to accompany her and Deacon Washington of the New Life Baptist Church--and the reporter, alas--in their search for a long-lost African-American cemetery.
Meg is relaxing in the hammock, taste-testing Michael’s latest batch of Arnold Palmers and watching the hummingbirds at their feeders when her hopes for a relaxing early summer morning are dashed.

Neverending source of delight. ( )

A book in this series was just what I needed to get in the mood for my staycation. I love the entire series, so often laugh out loud funny. I love that Andrews includes some interesting hobby or avocation, in this case beekeeping, into the story. She usually names a book on the subject, and I often enjoy reading it. I love that in most cases, a despicable person is killed by another despicable person - two birds with one stone, as it were. It reminds me of what I have been told is a German proverb - We should all rejoice when two unpleasant people marry each other - it prevents them from ruining the lives of two likable people.

My only problem with it is that Andrews has Meg engaging in atypical behavior, which I assume is intended to make the killer less obvious, but to my mind made them more obvious. Maybe I've read too many. The Caerphilly folk remain engaging, and I think that we have a new character added to the group.

I feel deeply for the Caerphillians - a development of McMansions has been built near by, and is inhabited by demanding people who are shocked to find that rural areas have farms, which have animals on them, and think that the police exist to enforce their Home Owners Association rules. My parents retired to a rural area that is attracting a lot of retirees, who grate on the locals' nerves. My parents were better received because my mother has family there, and made a point of introducing herself as So-and-So's niece. They also hired local people to do all their building, and let the Volunteer Fire Department use their duck blind. There is one neighborhood there, not so lavish as Andrews' Westlake, who moved in next to a dairy farm and were shocked by the cows. They harassed the owner, even taking him to court, and losing, until he got rid of his cows and decided to sell the land to a developer. Then they were upset because they wanted to live in the country. No, they wanted the farmer to maintain a park for them.

A wonderful book, with a new one coming out. ( )

For fans of Meg Langslow mysteries, this addition to the series will provide the same entertainment and mysterious happenings as the previous ones. Fans will feel like part of the family as the novel features characters from previous novels, such as Grandfather (zoologist and wildlife expert), Dad (physician and wildlife lover), Meg (blacksmith sleuth), and her husband and sons. Readers new to the series will be able to jump right in and get cozy, as the author has honed her craft well and does a fine job of introducing the characters and setting quickly.

In this novel, Meg and friends become involved with snobby neighbors, bee keepers, and a magazine reporter, as they assist local law enforcement in solving crimes of blackmail and murder! To me the quirky characters are the best parts of the novels, although readers can learn a lot about wildlife and nature as they read these novels. The characters have matured along with the series and this adds to the realism of these cozy novels.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

Meg has a relaxing day planned…until it is spoiled and spoiled again! She is asked by her dad to help with setting up his new bee hives. She thinks this is going to be the extent of her helpfulness. But, low and behold a dead body turns up and this sends everyone into everyone else’s business.

Well, I am in the minority on this book. This story, as with most cozy mysteries, is very predictable. I anticipated every scene. And the part about the bees…just went on and on.

Ok, now that my rant is over about what I didn’t like. Let’s talk about what I liked. I did enjoy the characters, especially Meg and her father. These two have some really cute conversations which had me smiling!

I also enjoyed the tale surrounding the reporter. There are quite a few story lines moving along in this novel. But the reporter is the best part of the whole book…she really is a piece of work!

Need a quick book for a road trip…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. ( )

Nothing beats a visit to Caerphilly to check in with Meg Langslow and friends. In Birder She Wrote, Meg is just trying to find a little time to relax in the new hammock she bought and maybe enjoy watching the hummingbirds and reading a book. For once, the house isn't crammed to the gills with visiting relatives or out-of-towners who need a place to stay. Still, relaxation never really seems to be in the cards for Meg.
While Meg's dad recruits her to help install new bees into a hive in her backyard, the Mayor calls her to smooth feathers with the NIMBYs who find living next door to working farms not in accordance with their idyllic vision of how country life should be. Meg's grandmother, Cordelia, also arrives to enlist her in searching for a long-lost African-American cemetery. Cordelia has in tow a reporter from Sweet Tea and Sassafras magazine, who is profiling Meg's grandmother. The reporter seems not to be enjoying anything about the task and Meg takes an instant and uncharacteristic dislike to her.

While searching for the graveyard, the group also discovers a dead body. One of the most vocal NIMBYs and also one of the least liked. Now it's up to Meg to help figure out who could have done this, and more importantly, why. Just one more thing to add to her to-do list!

This is another impressive entry in a great cozy series. Donna Andrew's endless inventiveness expands your knowledge of Caerphilly and its surroundings as well as the people who live and visit there. New details, new people, and new mysteries are always on tap. Add in some adorable Pomeranians, some hummingbirds, and a bunch of bees and you've got another great story!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher. ( )