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.

This isn’t your ordinary story about the birds and the bees. This book is filled with hummingbirds and honeybees, NIMBYs, and a (much) lesser Southern Living magazine, plus a murder. Meg Langslow is one of my all-time favorite cozy protagonists because she has an amazing sense of humor plus ability to be rational and level-headed which probably stems from the fact that she carries a notebook that “tells her when to breathe.” Did I mention that she has the most unusual job of all the cozy main characters that I have read about, she is a blacksmith. Meg is unlike anyone I have ever known, yet she is completely relatable. The mystery draws you in and the characters keep you turning pages. Even though I have read this series for years, I would not be lost if this was my first. The back stories are nicely woven in to each and every book and this one is no different. This book was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon, and an evening, and an afternoon.

Another excellent addition to the always fun Meg Langslow series!

I am always happy when I get a new Meg book to read and this one was no different - I knew I was going to get a good book that is well-written [and doesn't beat you over the head with the same information over and over again - HALLELUJAH!!], with a good mystery and lots of humor and the realization [again] that I am really glad I don't have Meg's crazy life! LOL

While I knew who the killer was before we even got a dead body [in fairness, I think you are supposed to - it is getting to the why and how and wading through all the excellent red herrings that is the best and bulk of the story], this was still an excellent story. While I missed Michael and the Twins and even [GASP] Meg's Mom, I loved that we got more interaction between Meg and her Dad and with her grandmother Cordelia [who I absolutely ADORE and she makes me miss my grandmothers so very much], plus, Michael and Co. come into play in the end and their participation shows that the twins have very much inherited their mother's love of snooping. ;-)
Also, I 100% LOVE SPIKE in this one. IYKYK. ;-)

This was such a pleasant way to spend a few days reading and I am already looking forward to the next one!!!

I also received an audiobook ARC for this book and I am so grateful. WHILE this narrator is not one of my favorites [and I will never, ever love how she does Meg's dads voice], since I now have to listen to audiobooks almost exclusively, she has really grown on me and I really enjoyed this outing. I don't even think I rolled my eyes [which happens quite a bit when I have a narrator I am not a fan of]. I am glad that I am adjusting to her [it is always a great thing when this happens] and and really looking forward to listening to her narrate the next one.

I was asked to read/review this book by the publisher, and I thank them [St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books], Donna Andrews, Bernadette Dunne - Narrator, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing the ARC and audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Meg is an assistant trouble shooter for the Mayor in her small rural town . Her dad is a bee keeper. There have been a variety of new people who have moved in. And they don’t like the rual smells and business of the locals. They are forever complaining and Meg is tasked to placate them. Among other things she is asked to find a possibly missing local and help a native man locate an ancient grave yard on his vast acreage. During the search a dead body is found. Unfortunately I found the story boring, though well written. I have come to expect more from this author. I’m thankful for ARC from Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review.

A cozy mystery with amazing world building. This is the 33rd in this series and even though I haven’t read any others in the series I was able to jump right in. I loved that I read this right now during summer as it invoked so much cozy nature.

Bees, gardens, and murder abound in this quaint little story by Donna Andrews. I loved all of the characters and the I will definitely be going back and reading some other books from this series.

The rural aspect of this story pulled me in immediately and the dogs, Murder, and lovable characters kept me going page after page.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Meg returns in this novel about the hummingbirds and the bees. Meg’s dad is adding a hive on the Langslow property and he’s without the help of Edgar the local bee expert. Edgar is missing probably out on an owl hunt. Edgar is having his own issues with his hives adjacent to a McMansion community of wealthy chronic complainers. I love Meg’s crazy family and their town. It’s such a treat to read a new one. #NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MegLangslow

Meg's 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.
This is an amazing murder mystery. It's full of slapstick comedy and heart stopping danger. First a dead body is found then the wrong person is arrested.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

This was the first of the Meg Langslow mysteries that I have read. I'm a little slow to the game. It was really good. I loved the small town atmosphere of it and really enjoyed the various characters.

The main character Meg lives with her husband and children, and her mother, father, grandmother and grandfather are all close by. There is also a character named Rose Noire, but I never figured out whether she was family or not.

Meg and some others go for a walk in the woods to look for an ancient graveyard, and instead find a recent dead body. He is one of the area's NIMBY's (Not in my backyard) and had caused trouble for many people in town. Meg sets out to help the local police chief solve the case.

The information about bees and hummingbirds was interesting. When I first started the book I wasn't sure I would enjoy that part, but soon I was so invested in the story that I was along for the ride.

It was a great cozy and I would recommend it for those who love cozy mysteries, but also those interested in gardening, birds and beekeeping.

Currently available, published 08/01/23

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for accepting my request to read and review Birder, She Wrote: A Meg Langslow Mystery.

Three solid stars; however, there is an audience with solid five stars. Here I go, this is tricky but not complicated. This is the 33rd book in the series and my first. While this obviously can be read as a standalone, I felt as if I was missing the punchlines and couldn't fully appreciate relationships that have been building for years. As I read and the regular characters chatted I felt as if I was invading their personal space. This was a unique and awkward experience I'm attributing to the length of the series. In addition, the subject matter was okay, but didn't excite me. Bees, and birds are prevalent throughout the mystery. Some gardening needs are addressed as well. I have a friend who will love this as much as I love a book store mystery.

Of note, I liked Meg. She is smart and not helpless. Kudos to Andrews for writing a clean mystery. There wasn't a hint of profanity.

I look forward to seeking other works by the author. In addition, I would highly recommend this as a transitional book from teen to adult.

Meg has some time to herself so she is relaxing in a hammock and enjoying a drink. Her relaxation time is soon interrupted by her father who has come to install some bees in the hive in her back yard. Soon the mayor calls her wanting her to play referee among a group of newcomers to the area who seem to complain about everything. Jer friend Cordelia has also asked her in looking for an old cemetery that hasn't been properly marked so no one is quite sure of its location. During their search they find a mans body and it looks as if he was murdered. Meg who is always willing to help the police starts her own investigation in hopes of finding a killer sooner rather than later. Will she be able to name a murderer before someone else ends up dead?

Meg Langslow and her crazy family and friends are back for their thirty-third humorous cozy mystery with Birder, She Wrote. This time Meg’s friends take center stage when a gentrified area of town becomes riled up about a farmer’s beehives and take matters into their own hands by poisoning all the bees. Eventually, murder, blackmail and a whole lot of beekeeping facts follow.

I always enjoy this series and I have read them all. This one disappoints a bit with less humor than most. I missed the hectic family events that usually populate this series. However, the suspect’s identity is concealed rather cleverly with some well-placed red herrings making solving the crime more of a challenge than is usual in a cozy mystery.

Overall, Birder, She Wrote is a clever cozy mystery for both long-time fans and those new to the series. 4 stars!

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

This author does a nice job of incorporating a bird theme in her book titles. But the title for this one is not up to the series standards. Yes, I get it that the title refers to “Murder, she wrote”. But I wish Ms. Andrews could have been brave and expanded that to include a bee reference. Shocking, I know.
Donna Andrews is a good, solid author and one can look forward to being subtly educated about the theme while being entertained and engaged with the story and characters. I also like her humor. Thanks to #NetGalley and #BirderSheWrote for advanced digital copy.

BIRDER, SHE WROTE marks the thirty-third installment in the captivating Meg Langslow mystery series, penned by the talented Donna Andrews. As a newcomer to Andrews' works, I must say this cozy mystery hit all the right notes. While it took a little time to fully immerse myself in the story, the intriguing plot gradually drew me in, making it an engaging read.

The book boasts a diverse array of characters, some of whom seem to be recurring figures from previous entries in the series. Despite this, I found the novel to be easily accessible as a standalone, as the author skillfully provides ample background information, allowing readers to grasp the characters' roles in the community.

This book is too cute, I am starting to love cozy mystery books more and more, this book is not a standalone, so I was lost in many ways, of course its part of a series. The main character has already had their character built up in other books that it was hard for me to catch up to what was going on. But some parts were so funny though, and I know I will enjoy her books, I will recommend starting from book 1, I love the plot in this book though.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I received an ARC of this book. Good story with interesting characters. Very enjoyable. The latest in a fun cozy series.

Donna Andrews's Meg Langslow Mystery Series is one of my favorites with its cast of quirky characters amongst Meg's large extended family and the local townspeople in the fictitious Carephilly, VA. Each of her mysteries tie in with different species of birds. In the case of Birder, She Wrote, it is the backyard hummingbirds, like the ones I always envy my Virginia relatives for enjoying. Meg has a dilemma that one of her's is a "bully bird" unwilling to share the sugar water feeder with the other hummers.

Andrews infuses her cozies with humor and heart (she typically has two releases each year, one around beach read season and the other for the holidays). Unfortunately though this might be the perfect book for you to enjoy sipping an Arnold Palmer while relaxing in a hammock, Meg's plans are dashed when her family and friends need her help. While she assists her grandmother Cordelia and a local deacon in finding a lost Pre Civil War Era African-American Cemetery, they discover a more recent body dumped there. The book also weaves in the very contemporary issue of NIMBY (not in my backyard) issues when people move from more urban to rural areas and must learn to balance their expectations of country life with the realities (living near farms can be literally stinky).

Birder, She Wrote is the 33rd in the series with the 34th, Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! scheduled to be out on Oct 10.

I loved the Meg Lannslow series from the first book I read, and I love it more with each new one or each reread. Birder, She Wrote, the 33rd book in the Meg Langslow series, brings all the warmth and hilarity that we have come to expect of the series as well the twists that we can't predict. A delightful and fun addition to the series, Birder, She Wrote is another winner for author, Donna Andrews.
My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review an ARC of Birder, She Wrote.
#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #BirderSheWrote #DonnaAndrews #MegLangslow

Meg Langslow only has a few minutes of hammock time before meeting up with her grandmother Cordelia and setting out to find an old African-American graveyard lost to time. They have an old annotated map and some cadaver dogs-in-training to assist them. But before that can happen, Meg is buzzed into service.

First, the mayor calls and asks for help with the NIMBYs, who are complaining again. In the area of Caerphily called Westlake, the McMansions and new residents have been keeping Meg hopping with their complaints. They call the Westlakers NIMBYs, for “Not in My Backyard,” which is what they are often complaining about. They don’t like the smells from the nearby farms. They don’t like it when people leave their trash cans all day. And they really don’t like that Edgar has several hives of bees right across a small stream from their backyards. The NIMBYs have been complaining to the mayor again, so he has delegated to Meg the task of talking to them and calming them down. Again.

Then Meg watches as her dad fills up their backyard beehive. He’s disappointed because he’d wanted Edgar to be there with him, to make sure everything went okay, as Edgar was a more experienced beekeeper. But no one had been able to get ahold of him for a couple of days. Edgar was also a wildlife photographer, so it wasn’t unusual for him to go of the grid for days at a time, but when Meg realizes that Edgar was missing and hadn’t asked anyone to check in on his bees, she grows concerned. She would add a quick trip to his place to her list of things to do. But first, her grandmother Cordelia shows up to look for the cemetery.

However, Cordelia doesn’t show up alone. Cordelia had always planned on taking Deacon Washington, who had been trying to chase down the location of the cemetery for years. And when their friend Horace joined in with a couple of the Pomeranian puppies he’d been training as scent dogs came along, they were thrilled. But Cordelia has another guest, Britni, who is interviewing Cordelia for Sweet Tea and Sassafras magazine. Meg knows that Cordelia would be an amazing woman to feature in a magazine. But Britani doesn’t seem to care about Cordelia’s achievements, and she is very unhappy about getting dragged through the woods to look for an old cemetery.

But when the group also finds a man’s dead body, shot in the head, Meg is worried it may be the missing Edgar. Instead it turns out to be one of the cantankerous NIMBYs. As the police start to investigate the murder, Meg does a little investigating herself. First, she looks into Sweet Tea and Sassafras to find out more about this article Britni is working on, and Meg is not impressed. The magazine seems to focus on decorating tips and fashion that were more appropriate to the Antebellum era than modern day, so Meg can’t quite figure out how Cordelia will fit in.

And then there’s the mystery of the missing Edgar. When Meg goes by his house to check on him, there is no answer at the doors. And when she looks at the beehives in his backyard, there is no activity there either. She looks closer and sees—well, smells—that something is very wrong. The chemical smell of wasp killer is strong, so Meg thinks that someone has killed all of Edgar’s bees. Could that be why he’s missing?

As Meg juggles trying to find a missing beekeeper, a grandmother with a grumpy interviewer, being a witness to finding a dead body, trying to keep up with her two twin boys and her father and a bunch of Pomeranian puppies as well as their own evil dog Spike, moderating complaints from NIMBYs, and dealing with a bully hummingbird who won’t share their feeders, she clearly has a lot on her plate. But with her positive attitude, host of family members with assorted skills, and her trademark notebook-that-tells-her-when-to-breathe, she just might accomplish everything on her list. And she might find a killer to boot.

Birder, She Wrote is book 33 in the Meg Langslow mystery series from master storyteller Donna Andrews. The fact that this series has gone on this long should be, in itself, a testament to how lovable this series is. While Meg is the face of the series, it is really about her entire family and lots of local friends who make this series a must-read. There is always something going on in Caerphilly, and Meg and her family are always clued in to what that is.

I have been a longtime fan of Donna Andrews and of Meg and her clan. They have a way of building a community around themselves and pulling in those who deserve it, offering a place to stay or a warm meal or a fresh start, depending on what you need. While there are clearly a lot of murders that happen around Meg, the murder mystery is less important to me in these books than everything else going on. It’s not your typical cozy mystery, but there is always crime and an investigation to follow along with. But there is also compassion, generosity, birds, animals, technology, food, fellowship, and lots of humor. Birder, She Wrote can be read as a stand-alone, a onetime trip to Caerphilly to hand out with Meg and find a killer. But if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to spend more time there. Reading just one of this is rarely enough.

Egalleys for Birder, She Wrote were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Donna Andrews makes me laugh. I have read most if not all of her Meg Langslow "bird" books, and not only have they made me laugh, but there hasn't been a dud among them. Most writers of series of this length have at least one bad book (ie, Janet Evanovich's #9), but not Donna Andrews. Every book of the thirty or so I have read has been a pleasure, and that includes "Birder, She Wrote."

I am not going to give spoilers, I don't like them and that is what the blurb is for. I will say that this is a fine mystery and I didn't figure it out before Meg.

I love these books, can you tell? and I am in awe of the author's ability to find more and more bird puns. I am presently reading the ARC of the next book, a story set at Christmas called,"Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow!" It is another book which will be getting an excellent review from me.

If you are new to Donna Andrews "Birder" can easily be read as a standalone. If you want to laugh and have a nice mystery, I urge you to read this. And then you will have the great pleasure of going back and enjoying the earlier stories. Donna Andrews is great!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Another fantastic entry in the Meg Langslow series. The mystery is interesting and still has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Of course the characters are, as always fun. Ms. Andrews strikes the perfect balance between quirky and likeable so no one comes off as annoying our unrealistic. To be honest, I'd enjoy these books without the murders because the Langslows and their kin are just so much fun.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.