Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! I know the holidays are quickly approaching when the latest humorous cozy mystery featuring Meg Landslow comes out. There is nothing better to get you in a holiday mood!

Meg’s friend and patron, Ragnar, has opened up his massive estate to a reality competition. The topic is blacksmithing, bladesmithing for the purists. When one of the contestants is attacked and hospitalized, Meg is forced to compete as a last-minute replacement. Can she both find the attacker and not embarrass herself during the show? With the help of her husband, twin sons, and a plethora of relatives, she should have no trouble.

I love this series! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! contains an interesting backstage look at reality shows. However, as usual, Meg’s crazy life and her funny point of view is the best part. 5 stars!

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

Six swordmakers swording, five backstabbing bladesmiths, four crows a-circling, three judges judging, two misogynistic morons, and one dead body.

Donna Andrews is one of my favorite authors of all time. Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow! is the 34th book in the Meg Langslow Mystery series, and it is fantastic! The author consistently keeps her books interesting, timely, and fun.

Meg steps in when her friend and mentor Faulk is attacked and left with a broken arm the night before he’s scheduled to start filming a reality show. He and his husband are heavily invested in the reality show, Blades of Glory, and failing to produce the show could leave them flat broke. So armed with her favorite blacksmithing tools, her husband and twin sons, Meg and family move to Ragnarshjem, where the show is filming, for the holidays. As the only female on the show, Meg is met with some hostility in the predominantly male field, and someone aims to win at all costs, no matter the consequences.

A few days before I started reading this story, I was donating platelets, which means I’m a captive audience for 90 minutes. One of the other donors was watching Forged in Fire on the TV, and I would occasionally watch as well. So when I started Let it Crow! and read that Meg Langslow would be competing in a wanna-be reality sword-making show, it brought the story alive even more than it usually does.

There’s never a dull moment in a Meg Langslow mystery. I love the humor Donna Andrews writes with, as well as the strong family and friendship ties. The plots are always so interesting, and the author imparts bird lore without sounding like she’s lecturing about the species. This book is more focused around Meg’s profession, and it was fascinating to read about the process of forging swords and knives out of steel. And with it being Christmastime, and set at a castle brings a special atmosphere to the whole story. As always, I’m looking forward to the next in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for letting me read an advanced copy. I’m happy to leave my honest opinion in this review. #LetItCrowLetItCrowLetItCrow

It’s Christmas again in Caerphilly, but Meg Langslow isn’t at home surrounded by family as usual. Instead, she’s working as a gofer at her friend Ragnar’s farm. Her blacksmithing teacher and mentor Faulk has agreed to be in a blade-making competition, and Meg has agreed to hang around and help things go smoothly, even though she has no interest in competing herself. There are six bladesmiths who will be competing until there in only one left standing. The filming is taking place in a tent at Ragnar’s, so that’s where Meg is spending her time.

But when Faulk is attacked and left with a broken arm and a possible concussion, Meg is asked to step in and compete for him. Meg is reluctant, but when she finds out that Faulk and his partner Tad had also invested money in the production, she feels like she has to help them out. The host is another of Faulk’s former students, Alec, who never found as much success at the forge as Meg had. He had helped put the production together, tapping friends to compete and finding the producers. Alec was also the one who got Faulk and Tad to invest in Blades of Glory.

Now that Meg has decided to compete, her husband Michael and twin boys move out to the farm also (it’s a really big farm). And since one of the competitors was attacked, the police chief sends one of his deputies to take over Meg’s place as gofer and to keep an eye on the other competitors. But even with an undercover deputy, Meg still uncovers sabotage on the set during the first day’s competition. They were tasked with making knives 6-8 inches long, and someone was turning the dials on the forges, either making them too hot or not hot enough to make a strong knife.

Meg takes some inspiration from the crows that have been hanging around the tent and adds a decorative note to the handle of her dagger. And after a long and exhausting first day, she falls into bed and sleeps hard, resting up for more days of competing and for the upcoming holidays, which will offer a break from the blade-making. The snow is holding off so far, but the decorating and baking are going full-tilt in the castle, with Meg’s mother overseeing the abundant Christmas decorations and her cousin Rose Noire helping Ragnar’s cook in the kitchen.

But when one of the competitors is found dead in the cow pasture, Meg knows that there is more going on with Blades of Glory than meets the eye. She can find help for some of the issues, like the production assistant—a relative of one of the producers—who is unhappy with her work and is getting harassed by one of the contestants. She can help Ragnar keep the secret passageway in the library working smoothly. She can help the police chief find clues that will lead to a murderer. But she can’t talk her way out of the moment the killer decides she knows too much and pulls a gun on her. Will she be able to find help in time, or will there be another murder?

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! is the latest book in Donna Andrews’ popular Meg Langslow mysteries. This Christmas-themed mystery is number 34 in these cozies that center on Meg and her extended family in the small Virginia town of Caerphilly. As Meg’s group of family and friends grow, her resources for solving crime and helping her community grows stronger and smarter, making these novels smart and current and generous.

I have loved these books for years, ever since Meg found penguins in her basement, and they just keep getting better. This one involves a blade-making competition a little like the popular Forged in Fire series (although this production company is sketchy, to say the least), and I could not be happier about that. In fact, I think I may have begged the universe for it several years ago, wishing I could see a female blacksmith as strong as Meg compete. I thought her intelligence and work ethic would take her far, and no matter what happened, she would always be the winner in my book. So this is more than just another wonderful, witty, warm-hearted mystery novel, this is a true gift for fans like me who also love a good knife competition. I don’t even know what to ask for next, except to say more, please more. And to say thank you!

Egalleys for Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow! were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I love Donna Andrews. Her books are uniformly funny and heart-warming, and they are all good. In a long series you expect a dud from time to time, but Andrews doesn't write duds. I enjoyed this book greatly, and recommend it heartily.

The Meg Langslow series is always fun, but this cozy Christmas murder mystery is especially wonderful as Donna Andrews has obviously let her imagination run wild in creating money-is-no-object pre-Christmas celebrations. It's a week before Christmas and Meg is helping out on the set of a reality TV production, a weaponsmithing competition that she declined to be part of despite her prowess as a blacksmith, which is filming at her friend Ragnar's estate. However, when one of the cast is injured and Meg learns that her friends have invested in the production and will lose money they can't afford to lose, she agrees to step in to take the injured competitor's place. When another cast member is found murdered, the ever-competent, capable and organized Meg multitasks as only she can to help with the investigation while continuing in the competition. The quirky characters and quick-paced plot are highly entertaining, and the mystery has enough twists to keep you on your toes!

It’s Christmas season and at Ragnar’s castle, a reality show featuring a bladesmithing competition is being filmed. The producers had tried to convince Meg Langslow to take part but she prefers to work behind the scenes but when Faulk, her mentor and odds on winner, is attacked, she agrees to step into his spot. However, not long after shooting starts, she discovers a dead body. Soon, she is helping the sheriff uncover the killer with the not inconsiderable help of some very smart crows.

Okay, I am a huge fan of Christmas cozies and Let It Crow? Let It Crow! Let It Crow! by Donna Andrews fits my Christmas cozy wish list fairly well. There are plenty of twists and turns, characters both to like and dislike and there was a nice touch of humour. I did feel the pacing was a bit slow at times and the big reveal seemed to come somewhat out of the blue. Still, overall, it was an enjoyable read with plenty of Christmassy parts to keep me satisfied.

I received an arc of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review

What a fun visit with Meg and her family! I really enjoyed this book - it’s always like catching up with old friends when reading about Meg’s newest adventure. I thought this was one of the best books yet! Even though it’s part of a long running series, this book totally works as a standalone and could be enjoyed by someone new to the series.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I had expected the long running Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews to eventually have its blacksmith protagonist take part in some sort of reality competition now that there have been several successful ones. I wasn't expecting, however, the storyline to be set during the holidays. In Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Meg is asked to fill in for her mentor who was attacked just before filming. She hesitantly takes the role and also can't help but take the opportunity to do some amateur sleuthing to find out who was the culprit in the attack. Then an even more serious crime is committed.

This may not at all sound like appropriate Christmas fare, but the series is cozy and filled with quirky characters. The competition is being held at the castle like manor of a local famous retired musician whose music may have been dark, but whose heart is large and loves the holiday, so in between filming there are gingerbread house building and sleigh rides. The grinchyness of the show's producers is in contrast to Meg's family and friends festiveness and provides some humorous moments throughout.

I would recommend enjoying all the stories in order, but if you don't have the time and are looking for a fun holiday read, this was a fun standout of the series for me. I will be featuring this review on our library blog at the beginning of December.

Kudos to author Donna Andrews for this book in the on-going series: the imagination of the author continues to delight this reader. It’s Christmastime (yet the dark colors that define the decorations fit well for Halloween) and what could be better than a reality show featuring bladesmiths. That word is worthy of a read without the thrill of Meg forced into competition which returns Meg to her true roots. Interesting characters and plots; the role of crows and family dynamics will keep you diving into this book. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for an ARC of this book; this is my honest opinion.

I don’t know how Donna Andrews continues to come up with so many unique murder events, mystery settings, and quirky characters, but she never disappoints. While this Christmas is more mystery and less cozy (aka funny) than some of the books in the series, I enjoyed the fact that Meg was able to get back to her roots as a blacksmith. Even though she didn’t really want to participate in the reality show focused on forging weaponry, she surprises herself with her competitive spirit. I’m looking forward to the next book to find out who the winner is! It was fun to spend time at Ragnar’s castle and grounds again. I was a little concerned that Meg did not seem to have her “notebook that tells her when to breathe” with her, but Michael and the boys, along with the show’s production team kept her on track.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, Netgalley, and the author for early access to this Christmas mystery.

Meg has found herself involved in a blacksmith reality show. At least, it’s at Ragnarsholm, a black castle where everything including the animals are black. It’s home to a retired heavy metal rocker who’s creating the home of his dreams. And it’s Christmas! So, it’s the time to get the show on the road so the season can be enjoyed. When Meg’s blacksmith teacher is injured, she becomes more involved than she planned. But Ragnarsholm is a great place to stay especially when the whole family is welcome. It’s just the murderer who’s loose that’s the problem. Join Meg and her town in a different kind of Christmas celebration.

A terrific addition to the long running series that will- wait for it-be just as enjoyable as a standalone because the most difficult thing about it is keeping the competitors in the blade making reality show competition straight. Meg, who is an ace blacksmith, had no intention of being part of the show, which is being filmed at her pal Ragnar's property but she's dragooned into it when Faulk, her mentor and partner is attacked. Now she's in the thick of it, looking for the villain with the help of her family, friends, and her local police force. Someone's sabotaging the contestants and then there's another murder! You'll learn a bit about black smithing in this one but my favorite parts, to be honest, are those involving Ragnar, his home, his horses, and so on. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is funny, clever, and a very good read.

After her mentor, Faulk, becomes injured and unable to compete, blacksmith Meg Langslow agrees to be part of Blades of Glory, a reality show that has its competitors making knives and reproductions of historical swords. She has plenty of other things she'd rather be doing, but friends have invested in the new show and to help them out, she'll do what she can to save the production from disaster. I picked this one up based on the description and title and quickly realized that it wasn't the first book about these characters. Turns out it's the thirty-fourth and I've got a LOT of catching up to do because I want to know all about Meg and her friends and family. I loved the characters and the setting, an over the top Gothic castle all decked out for Christmas, and the plot kept me guessing. How did I not manage to stumble across this series sooner?!

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my complimentary eARC and the MacMillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Let it Crow! Was an enjoyable cozy mystery and reality show set around Christmas. This is the 34th book in the Meg Langslow series, it may be read as a stand-alone.

When Meg is asked to fill in on the set of Blades of Glory we meet an entire cast of characters. When one of the contestants is murdered, Meg teams up with the local sheriff and we are off and running.

The book was well paced and the tidbits of weapon making were fascinating. As usual, I did not guess the killer. I can see why this is such a long running and beloved series.

I paired the audiobook with the eARC and found the narrator to be just okay. Maybe because this was my first Meg Langslow mystery, but I found the voice didn’t match to what I pictured Meg looking like inside my head. No fault of the narrator, just my own personal issue.

This has long been a favorite series of mine and this might just be one of my favorite books in quite some time. As well, while I usually hesitate to recommend jumping in to this series because of the large cast of characters, because almost all the characters in this book are new to Meg herself if you have been wanting to try this series but don't want to go back to the beginning this would be good choice.

I really loved that this one focused more on Meg's blacksmithing than the last few books. As Meg's life has gotten more chaotic with family and animals and other projects the blacksmithing has fallen to the side so it was nice to "see" her in action.

The mystery was a good one and I'm not sure I've ever come across a more despicable victim. Motives abound and there are so many possible suspects that it really kept me guessing. Add in the reality show element and it made for a really fun cozy mystery read!

Always a fun time with Meg and the cast of characters, this time with crows. I'm already looking forward to the next adventure.

When I started this, I thought, "Wow, book 34 in the!" Andrews has sustained this delightful series for a very long time. Is it the quirky characters and the shenanigans they get into? The relationships between the characters? The clever bird-themed titles? Is it Meg, one of the most likable, level-headed, and smart amateur sleuths around? Yes to all of that, but also, these are just really well plotted whodunnits and fun to read. And this is one of my faves of the series!

Meg, a blacksmith by trade, becomes a fill-in for her mentor on a reality TV show blacksmithing competition after he is injured. The world of blacksmithing is cutthroat, and many do not like that there is a woman in their midst, and she and another blacksmith are sabotaged. On top of that, Meg's skills as a sleuth are put to the test when one of the contestants is killed.

I loved this setting! Christmastime in a castle owned by a wealthy former heavy metal band drummer. There was unconventional holiday decor, hidden passages, a gorgeous library, lots of festivities, and the TV bladesmithing competition. It was all very atmospheric! And I enjoyed seeing Meg in her element doing lots of blacksmithing. The writing is engaging and humorous; it draws you in and makes you feel like you are visiting old friends. Yet, this one could work as a stand-alone because the setting focuses the story a bit more on the TV show and the mystery than on Meg's circle of friends and family. Fast-paced and entertaining, this had several red herrings, some good twists, and a large suspect pool, all of which kept me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Highly recommended to fans of the series and anyone looking for a fun holiday cozy mystery!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC!

Meg is planning to have a quiet Christmas season this year. She Will help out her friend Ragnar at his castle with the reality tv series being held there showcasing blacksmiths and their talents. She is not going to be anywhere but backstage, and then her friend Faulks, who is a participant, is attacked. Meg steps in for him and realizes that not everything is on the up and up. Can she save the show before anyone else is injured, or worse? Fun read anytime of the year!

Instead of being run ragged, preparing for Christmas, Meg gets to indulge in her first love, blacksmithing. Her mentor, Faulk, asks her to fill in for him in a bladesmithing reality show/contest when he is injured. Meg had declined before, not wishing to be the token female blacksmith but cannot refuse his request. The Hollywood producers are awful, the director is a pain, and the contestants a mixed bag, especially as one is a saboteur. It is a treat to see Meg at her forge again, with the support of family and all her Caerphilly friends!

A main reason I love these books is that Meg Langslow is just so darn pragmatic. Is she an amateur detective? Yes, she is. Does she share all of her information with the police chief? Does she actively hide evidence or mess up crime scenes? No she does not. She's smart, she solves crimes, and she does so without being an bumbling idiot.

Even better, she's competent at any number of things (though she has her failings) and her blacksmithing, which sometimes takes a back seat, is out in full force during this book. There is a reality competition being filmed at Ragnar's estate and Meg is there as a general dogsbody. She has been asked to be in the show but prefers not to. However, when someone attacks her friend and mentor Faulk, Meg reluctantly joins so that he won't lose the investment money he and his husband put into the filming the show which was thought up by another one of Faulk's students.

I got ARCs of both the ebook and audiobook. The ebook was not as good though I had some personal stuff going on which made it harder to concentrate. The audiobook, and Bernadette Dunn, were amazing as always.

Four stars
Follows Birder, She Write
This book comes out October 10, 2023
Opinions are my own