Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews is a 2018 publication.

This is the 23rd book in this series, which I started reading through a few years back. Because I have reviewed so many of these books, I’m sure my reviews have started to sound pretty repetitive by now.

So, I’ll just keep it short and sweet. Andrews seems to have this gig down to a science- the series now clicks along in a solid, dependable way with each installment bringing smiles, comfort, and a thoughtful- well-plotted whodunit. This book was no exception- and even had a good cold case and a very nice touching conclusion.

As always, I’m tempted to grab the next book in line and dive into it immediately- but I’ll discipline myself so that I’ll always have at least one waiting for me when I feel the need to visit Caerphilly again!

I have somehow lost this book. It is not on my Kindle or in my Amazon account. Since it is archived on NetGalley, I cannot download it or get it to read.

I love Meg and her family. I have read most of the books in thus series and this newest installment does not dissappoint. The mystery was good, the characters well thought out and the writing style is perfect. I loved it!

This is a series that I've read from book one and they just keep getting better and better!

Meg and her family are interesting and just a bit quirky. It was nice watching the family on the ship as everyone is a captive audience and available to help.

The mystery was well-written and very interesting and I couldn't wait to discover the 'murderer'.

Although I thought that I had it figured out, it kept me reading until the very end. I can't wait to see what Meg and family are up to next.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, in return for an honest review. This is my first Meg Langslow mystery, although it’s 25th in the series. Easily read as a stand-alone but may leave you wanting to start the whole thing! If you’ve never been on a cruise, this will ensure you don’t go budget version. Meg and her family join their grandfather as the guest avian lecturer on a Bermuda cruise. The cruise has quite the cast of characters, which allows for great options when deciding on villains and heroes. Among the cruise visitors, there are a group of mystery writers and one who is an utterly obnoxious author. When the first death occurs, is it suicide or murder? Where’s the crew when all this is happening? Then, the ship stops and doesn’t start again. Are they in the Bermuda Triangle, doomed to never reappear or be rescued? Not if Meg and her family have anything to say about it! This was a well-written and fun book. Given the large group of characters, this is where Ms. Andrews’ experience shows. Everyone is clearly detailed and recognizable. The mystery is spot on and you’ll enjoy this cruise to nowhere.

I have enjoyed the Meg Langslow series form the beginning. Quirky fun family and mysteries. Love them all and this was a great addition.

I'm a sucker for a good cruise story and that's what we get when we visit Meg Langslow and family in the latest installment in her avian themed cozy. Her Grandpa was chosen to give a lecture on birds on a Bermuda cruise and other related subjects and could bring some of his family members along. Grandpa's assistant Trevor will be along as well keeping track of things and on schedule, but he goes MIA shortly I to the story. There's a group of writers on this voyage and they have made their personalities known and who they have an issue with, which is another author who goes missing and believed to have jumped off the boat. Is it true, is it really a suicide, or something worse? And the captain, who's acting so nonchalant, is he covering something up? This is a quick paced cozy, and as with all my cozies, I asked a couple of favorite libraries to add this to their.collection. The cover art is beautiful also. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin Minotaur's for letting me read in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness, is there such a thing as a BAD Meg Langslow book? I think not. This one finds our heroine marooned on a mess of a cruise ship on which Grandfather is set to host a series of lectures about animals, with the entire extended family along for the ride. At this point, it would be disappointing if our favorites weren't accounted for, so rest assured that Horace, Rose Noire, Michael, and a host of other Hollingsworths are also aboard (minus two points for no Shiffleys, but I guess it would've been weird to have them on a cruise ship doing odd jobs, right?). Even Rob makes an appearance!

Andrews proves adept, once again, at creating a mystery which offends no one but is still extremely enjoyable. Relatively bloodless, free from bad words and the dreaded S-E-X; it still manages to be wonderful, as every book in this series is. WHY HASN'T THIS SERIES BEEN MADE INTO A HALLMARK CHANNEL DRAMEDY?!

It's hard to believe that this is book 25 in the Meg Langslow series. It could be read as a stand alone but I've read so many it could be confusing for a new reader. Meg and her entire family are going on a cruise courtesy of her grandfather who will be giving lectures on animals at the various island stops. The cruise ship seems to be poorly run and when an obnoxious passenger goes missing the crew thinks she committed suicide by jumping overboard and continue the cruise. Now Meg, grandfather and the rest of the family investigate before the suspects depart ship. Always a good mystery to solve and the family provides many laughable moments. As always there is a bird theme. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TERNS OF ENDEARMENT by Donna Andrews
The Twenty-Fifth Meg Langslow Mystery

Finally giving into requests Meg's grandfather has joined the cruise ship lecture circuit. With the offer of heavily discounted fares for family and friends, the whole clan has joined him for an environmental cruise to Bermuda. While Michael and the twins spend time playing miniature golf, her mother takes tea, and Rose Noir attempts to protect the ship and its passengers from the Bermuda Triangle, Meg befriends a group of writers. Events take a terrible turn as the ship stops during the first night and loses all power. The fancy shoes and clothing of the Diva hated by the authors are found along with a suicide note. And Grandfather's assistant has gone missing. Much to the amazement of Meg and her dad, the Captain has no intention of investigating. With nary a crew member in sight, temperatures rising, food going bad, and no way to flush the toilets, Meg's mother takes charge and all members of the clan begin, not only to investigate, but organize all of the passengers to fix the ship. Did the Diva truly commit suicide? Did Trevor merely miss the boat? Will they ever make it to Bermuda? Or are the passengers and crew in as much danger as the Bermuda skink?

Meg and her eccentric clan hit the high seas in this the twenty-fifth entry to the Meg Langslow Mystery series. I've never been on a cruise, and reading this book has ensured that I never will! What a nightmare. I thought seasickness might be bad, but toilets that don't flush? Incomprehensible! As horrible as the conditions thrown at our characters, the book is actually great fun (as long as I'm reading it in my stationary air conditioned home with functioning plumbing). I love how every member of the Langslow clan, including Grandfather's tech people, have such special areas of expertise and how they all join together to help everyone.

The story is compelling and the mystery intricately plotted. I was never sure exactly what was going on and how things were connected, if they even were connected. Lots of surprises kept me reading late into the night. And I loved the ending tern of events.

TERNS OF ENDEARMENT is a fun addition to this long running series. Always humorous with characters you must love I enjoyed the cruise despite, and in part because of, the mishaps and can't wait to see what this amazing group of characters does next!

Once again Meg's family is together, this time on a cruise that her grandfather is speaking on. The first night out a murder is committed while the ship is stuck without any electricity. Is everyone on the cruise for the right reasons?

Meg and her family are on a cruise to support her grandfather, a renowned nature expert, as he gives nightly talks to the passengers. But suddenly they find themselves stranded near the Bermuda Triangle on a broken-down cruise ship, told a passenger is overboard, and quickly realizing the killer must be somewhere on board.

Meg and her family are really fun characters, with a lot of spirit and unique personalities. Andrews has included some great humor moments among the family members and the other passengers.

I also love the killer is among us trope, and I love that Andrews set her cozy mystery on a stranded cruise ship. The ending was surprising as well.

There always seemed to magically be a character who could fulfill whatever role (no matter how out there) that was needed at the moment. This seemed pretty contrived.

This was a fun, funny book with a clever mystery. Andrews' provided a fun escapist read perfect for summer.

This is the "25th" in this beloved series . Well done to the author and congratulations ! This is a delightful read and honestly the best laughter I have had in ages. This is such a fun entertaining cozy . Thank you for the ARC to the publisher and to Net Galley. My opinion is my own.

Meg and her Grandpa are off on a ocean cruise that Grandpa booked as a environmental educational cruise on all things birds. Meg is thrilled to join him and looking forward to time off from her shop. Meg's Father , the rest of her family and her friends have decided to come along. The cruise is proving to be fun and exciting for their group until they are stranded right in the middle of the Bermuda triangle ! Soon Meg, her Father,, Grandfather and friends are tasked with keeping the panicked passengers occupied and entertained. There is so much well written humor and fun in this book I found myself laughing out loud.

When a murder occurs Meg is on the case with the help of the ship's police. She is as determined as always and soon many suspects abound and clues come forth that lead her to a unexpected ending. I love this story as I do the entire series. This is a delightful cozy series and if you love all things birds each book is educational and interesting as well. I highly recommend this cozy mystery. I look forward to the next in series.

Terns of Endearment: A Meg Langslow Mystery
By Donna Andrews
Minotaur Books
August 2019

Review by Cynthia Chow

Considering the number of extended family members around her, it would be difficult at first to realize that Meg Langslow is not actually still in her hometown of Caerphilly, Virginia. That’s because now that Meg’s famous grandfather, television naturalist Dr. J. Montgomery Blake, has decided to start giving lectures on environmental and educational cruise line ships, he also ensures that he will be accompanied by his many family members and much-abused entourage. As a result, Meg, her husband, parents, twin sons, and an assortment of cousins are all on board the Pastime Wanderer for a week-long cruise to the Bermuda Islands. The family’s experience with murder investigations, not to mention Meg’s blacksmith sword-making skills and her husband’s former acting skills, have them the center of attention for a women’s writers group on board for a retreat. Not a member but definitely known to them is the imperious romance writer Desiree St. Christophe, whom the authors blame for their friend’s suicide.

When all evidence – namely, the Louboutin shoes left at a railing and a rather dramatic suicide note – indicates that Desiree has plunged to her death in an apparent suicide, it quickly becomes apparent that the not-quite-sober captain is more intent on pretending that all is well than in conducting an actual investigation. As Meg rallies her family members, who include not just her medical examiner father but a crime scene investigator cousin, they discover a possible murder is but one of many disasters facing the passengers of this budget, non-frills cruise. As they broach the Bermuda Islands – not, despite cousin Rose Noire’s declarations, the actual Bermuda Triangle – they are stranded without a navigation system, power, internet, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, running water, and toilets. As the crew does their best to hide and avoid the rightfully concerned passengers, Meg’s mother demands that she Do Something, which is not technically a mutiny and more akin to a revolt.

This extraordinarily witty and creatively plotted mystery spreads its wings by taking Meg and her family out of Caerphilly without sacrificing the interactions that always make this series so much fun. Meg’s organizational List is instrumental in deploying relatives on various missions, while she and her father do a bit of unauthorized burglarizing. The presence of a writers group adds layers of Meta commentary, providing not just a glimpse into the inner workings of publishing but also on whether the artist can be separated from the art. Author Donna Andrews can always be relied upon for sharp insights and clever humor, highlighted in scenes with the now tech-deprived passengers relying on low-tech yelling over rails and child messengers. It’s impossible not to adore Meg’s practicality and competence in the face of chaos, nor can one not delight in her family’s exploits. As the awestruck author declares in wonderment to Meg, she does indeed have “the most amazing family.”

Lots of characters. A murder and a ship broken down in the Bermuda triangle. It all makes for a good time

This series has really become a must buy for me and this newest mystery did not let me down! Meg's family has always played a role in the books but given the close quarters of the cruise ship they were very much front and center and lots of fun. As well we had a group of writers who really had me sold on the book. I have no interest in writing myself but I love the kind of behind the scenes feel of having a writer in the book. In this book we have a group of authors who write in varying genres which was really fun.



The mystery was solid which I've come to expect from Andrews and I wasn't let down. The mystery does get a bit convoluted now and then with all the characters and their big personalities but while I usually found this frustrating it worked here. I think it'd be impossible for Meg herself not to get distracted a time or two here having to run herd on her boys and her rather eccentric family. Frequently when characters are eccentric they're a bit over the top but this wasn't the case here. I can easily see Cousin Rose or Grandfather fitting into someone's family.



While this is book #25 in this series I really think you can jump in on this book without any problems. It's fun, and crazy with big personalities and intriguing mystery.

Terns of Endearment is the 25th in Donna Andrews' deservedly popular Meg Langslow cozy mystery series. In it Meg and her ever growing entourage of family and friends embark on the worst cruise ever. As always, it's tons of fun to accompany them!

I love a good visit with the Langslow family and while this isn't the best book in the series, it's so much better than your average cozy! While my personal preference is to keep the Langslows surrounded by the town and corky townspeople of Caerphilly, Terns of Endearment finds Meg and her extended family boarding a cruise bound for Bermuda.

While Meg's Steve Irwin-meets-Charles Darwin grandfather will be leading an educational series (as part of the cruise ship's entertainment), she plans on relaxing with her twin sons and husband (who seem to not be developing as characters as much in this entry as past books in the series). Meg falls in with a group of writers who are balancing a "writers retreat" style trip and mourning/celebrating the death of their dear friend. The trip seems a bit off from the start, but soon passengers begin going missing and the ship is stranded in the middle of the ocean.

What sets Meg Langslow apart from other cozy sleuths is her quick wit and humor. Literary references abound, some that may hit, others may fizzle. Terns of Endearment is a fun read, but I admittedly am more excited for this holiday's entry, Owl be Home for Christmas - Donna Andrews knows how to write a Christmas mystery like no other!

Murder on the high seas - NOT exactly what Meg Langslow and her family signed up for when they join her Grandfather on a cruise where he will be lecturing. Never mind that the ship and its crew seem hinky, the rooms are not exactly as promised and the food is iffy, when a passenger goes missing, then all the crew members disappear and the captain cannot be found, I am SURE it has nothing to do with the fact that the ship is stalled right in the middle of the Bermuda Triangle. Nope, that cannot be it at all! ;-)

A great romp on the high seas and it is one that keeps you guessing that is for sure. One star was taken away from my rating as I had a couple of things figured out [because they seemed practical], but it was still an almost 5 star read. I love these books so much and always am looking forward to another adventure with Meg and her family!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

in this 25th book of the series Meg is off on a cruise with her family, her grandfather booked the ship so that he could give lectures on one of his favorite subjects, birds. Things start off well but when they wake up one morning to find themselves broken down, and in the Bermuda Triangle of all places things take a different turn for the worse. One of the passengers seems to have committed suicide leaving only an note and her shoes behind making everyone one wonder what brought her to that point. Not everyone thinks that the woman would have committed suicide, they say that wasn't like her so the Captain agrees to investigate and call the American authorities to let them know what is going on. Meg is intrigued by what all has happened and can't help but do her own investigating. When Meg's grandfathers assistant, Trevor, goes missing things become much more worrisome. Where is Trevor and what could have happened to him? Follow along as Meg does her best to work both mysteries and come up with the answers to all the questions that she has been asking. Will she be able to figure out the truth about what is going on before something more sinister happens or will she be to late. This is a great series for anyone who loves a fun cozy mystery and birds!