It wouldn’t be Christmas in Caerphilly without a little holiday cheer, a lot of Langslow family chaos, and—eek—another murder. This time, Meg’s holiday to-do list includes helping her sister-in-law, Delaney, through bed rest, wrangling family festivities, and figuring out who left a dead body in her backyard (because, of course, they did). The suspect list is long, the town is buzzing, and Meg once again finds herself knee-deep in a mystery that threatens to derail the season’s goodwill.

I love this series—Meg is always cool under pressure, her family is delightfully unhinged, and the small-town charm is as strong as ever. That said, the mystery this time around felt a little too familiar (looking at you, "Owl Be Home for Christmas"), and it didn’t pack quite the same punch as some of the earlier books. But honestly? Even a slightly weaker Meg Langslow mystery is still a good time. There’s plenty of festive antics, witty banter, and enough holiday spirit to make you want to bake a batch of cookies and solve a crime.

I’m giving "Rockin’ Around the Chickadee" 4 out of 5 stars! While the mystery wasn’t my favorite, it’s always a joy to spend Christmas with Meg and her over-the-top family. If you love quirky small-town holiday whodunits, this one is worth the read.

It's Christmas time and it's pretty quiet around Meg's house which is not the norm. Her sister-in-law Delaney is on bed rest until the baby comes. They are trying to keep things low key. Cordelia and Festus are hosting a conference for the Innocent Project. They have one attendee trying to cause a lot of ruckus and drama. When the attendee is found dead in Meg's backyard. Meg must help the police find the killer.

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. The writing always hooks me right away. Even though I haven't read the whole series the author does a good job of explaining who everyone is. One day I hope to read the beginning books. I love the family shenanigans and their quirkiness.

Meg Langslow is the go-to person when an event needs planning, a place to stay overnight or for weeks is needed, to find a hot meal, or if a person needs to meet up with any one of her many friends or relatives.

The living room has been converted to a waiting room of sorts—waiting for her sister-in-law, Delaney, to have a baby. She’s been put on bedrest and if she was alone, it would drive her crazy. At Meg’s there’s always someone around, including Rose Noir who is hovering to make sure all goes well. No one has been able to agree if a baby born on or near Christmas Day is good luck or bad. Delaney’s main form of entertainment is watching the chickadees. They don’t mind when she has an involuntary nap.

Meg’s grandmother, Cordelia, is hosting a conference where the topic is exonerating those who were wrongfully imprisoned. Attendees range from those who have friends or relatives who they believe should be released from jail to those who can tell them what steps to take to make that happen—plus amateurs who love tales of true crime.

Then there’s The Gadfly, aka Godfrey Norton, also a fake name. He’s there to stir up trouble. It doesn’t take long for trouble to find him and he’s banned from the conference. He doesn’t take it well. Sadly, it’s Rose Noir, normally a very Zen-minded woman, who finds Norton’s body on Meg’s property. He’d been shot and exposed to below freezing temperatures for most of the night.

The number of people who didn’t necessarily want him dead, but who didn’t go so far as to wish him well, are in the double digits. The problem is, everyone claims to have been at the hotel for the entire night—and security cameras can’t prove differently.

This is book 36 in the popular series, thankfully with no end in sight. Meg is so organized it should be annoying but she’s so generous, no one can resent the number of tasks she can get done. It helps that she knows everyone in town and they’re willing to pitch in when needed. Her relationship with her husband Michael and her twins, who are almost teens, is one to envy.

Humor is a necessity in a situation like Meg’s and there’s plenty to be found. This is a series I look forward to reading for years to come, which includes: For Duck’s Sake, book 37 in the series, publishing in August 2025. It’s available for pre-order now.

It is so amazing to me that even after 36 books in this series that the writing is as solid as ever. Always love a good romp with Meg. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this one early!

Christmas is hopping at the Lanslow house. Delaney, Meg's sister-in-law is about to deliver her first child any day, Meg's grandmother is hosting a "Presumed Innocent" conference to solve the issue of those unjustly imprisoned and a not so "hopping" body has been found in Meg's yard!

The Lanslow Christmas is always fun to read about and this was no different. With quirky and fun family and friends, something is always going on. Meg is determined to solve the mystery and keep Delaney calm. It's a great cozy mystery series I love!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this series so much that I reread all 36 books in anticipation of this one (which is why I put off reading it the day I received it). Cordelia, Meg’s grandmother, is hosting a conference with Project Innocence, bringing a focus on exoneration. Andrews does a wonderful job of presenting both sides of this issue. A troll from the true crime sites comes to conference, is banned, and later found murdered at Meg’s house. The chief, also part of the conference, has his hands full with all the suspects. In addition to finding a murderer, Meg’s family is also taking care of Delaney, who is due any day with unnamed Baby Langslow now. Chickadee Langslow? One of the suggestions she makes for a name that is quickly shot down by the family. Can’t wait for the next installment!

Meet Meg Langslow, lady blacksmith, mother of twin preteens, wife to a drama professor (as in acting not the other sort of drama), assistant to the mayor of Caerphilly, and sometime sleuth. It is Christmas time in Caerphilly and Meg’s grandmother, Cordelia, has organized the Presumed Innocent conference for exonerates and family members of those in jail who may not belong there. This time of the year might seem like an odd time to host an event but it is the season of hope, joy, and love; and isn’t that what exonerates and the wrongly prosecuted are looking for? They certainly aren’t looking for Godfrey Norton, podcaster on a mission to make sure no one ever gets out of jail/prison regardless of innocence. The Gadfly, as Jamie and Josh, Meg’s tween twin sons refer to the contrarian podcaster, most likely registered under an alias so that he stir up trouble and harass the attendees. Thank goodness that Meg is good at heading off problems; she has past experience dealing with sticky situations including murder. So when the Gadfly turns up dead, behind the barn at Meg’s house, she does what she does best, help the Chief to figure out who did it, how they did it, and why they did it.

Meg is unlike most amateur sleuths in that she actually stays in her own lane but still manages to get the answers that are needed and she usually manages to do it without putting herself in danger. She is also the most organized amateur sleuth thanks to her notebook that “reminders her when to breath.” Oh and there is the amazing family network that I would LOVE to be adopted into because the Hollingsworths are that amazing and/or entertaining.

As far as this mystery goes, the suspects are interesting, the victim is over the top obnoxious, the sheriff is meticulous, the twins are helpful, Delaney is about to burst, Kevin is a little smitten, and Meg has everything under control. This is a great series because not only does it entertain and often educate, but it is so good on a book by book basis that you can read them as a stand-alone but you really should take some time to check out the earlier 36 novels.

The Christmas holiday isn't going quite the way Meg thought it would this year. Her sister-in-law is pregnant and instead of having a house filled with family just the women are around to make sure Delaney stays healthy. Even the parties are being held elsewhere.which is definitely a change. Things.change when a body is found in Meg's yard, it turns out to be an attendee at a nearby conference her grandmother organized. Follow along as Meg investigates and at.the same.time tries to make sure Delaney is taken care of. Will she find the killer and keep Delaney from delivering early or will things go down hill in the end?

This 36th in the series focuses on a Presumed Innocent conference run by Meg's grandmother Cordelia - and the usual murder.

As always, Meg does her thing, balancing holiday preparations (and support of her very pregnant sister-in-law Delane,y) with an investigation that propels her into danger.

This time, she's saved by a dog and a promotional pen!

A little more of a serious topic is broached in this installment and I can't say I'm a fan. I generally prefer these because they're a great escape, I do t necessarily want t read about injustice when reading a cozy

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

Is there anything better for a lazy, chilly weekend than a new Donna Andrews Christmas-themed cozy? Nope. When Andrews is on her game, the familiarity and gentle humor of these characters is a great escape and a superb palate cleanser for any heavy books you might have had foisted on you by well-meaning book-clubbers.

Again, it's Christmas in Caerphilly, and Meg Langslow is assisting her grandmother, Cordelia, who is heading up a conference directed at those interested in helping exonerate the wrongfully convicted. The conference s being held at Ekaterina's luxury hotel, and all is going well until "The Gadfly" appears - he's a crank intent on smearing exonerees, even stooping to outright lies on his website to do so. He's also deeply unpleasant and mean to dogs (unforgiveable!). When he turns up dead, it's not exactly a surprise, but the good Christian folk of Caerphilly feel some kind of way about their not-too-sad feelings. To make matters worse, the body is found on Meg & Michael's property, and Rose Noir is the finder, which throws her solstice into disarray.

Andrews tosses in a few new characters, a few of whom seem like we will see them in a future book. This is why I like these books: there are new people all the time, people age and grow, and the only real constant is that Mother will always have everything decorated or gardened to perfection (there's less of that in this story, if that helps. A little Mother goes a long way for me).

Only quibble is that much was made over a rival webmaster to the Gadfly (Scooparino) but nothing seems to come of that?

Solid effort: 3.5 stars rounded up

It’s Christmastime but Meg Langslow and husband Michael aren’t hosting all the relatives at their house this year. Sister-in-law Delaney has been at their house for five months of bed rest due to a high risk pregnancy. Leave it to author Donna Andrews to include a current societal problem into her books. Another societal problem is addressed: false incarceration and social justice-a nod also to the Christmastime theme. Instead of the usual festivities we have Grandmother Cordelia’s conference, Presumed Innocent, which has attracted persons who have friends or family who have been falsely incarcerated and they are there for information to help reverse a verdict or still others for fans of true crime. Meg and the twins are available to assist with the logistics and Meg becomes involved with several of the cases. What could possibly go wrong? Only one of the attendees is found murdered on the grounds of the Meg and Michael farm: a person who has antagonized practically everyone at their house Conference so Meg has plenty of suspects to sift through without arousing Delaney. You’ll find out the chickadee’s role when you start reading this charming story. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing for an advance reader copy; the review is my honest opinion.

Donna Andrews continues to amaze me. This is book #37 of the Meg Langslow series, and somehow, these don't get stale.

Meg is helping her grandmother host a convention for the wrongfully convicted. One attendee, in particular, is full of vitriol towards the exonerees, and it is not really surprise when he turns up dead. But who, among a wide range of possibilities, is the killer?

I have come late to this series, having hopped in about 3 books ago. What do I appreciate about these? That Andrews keeps them current - there is some genuine tension and pathos in the stories of the exonerated people in the story. I also appreciate that she doesn't shy away from big issues - the titles I've read have all had situations dealing with sexism and racism. These are cozies - but they aren't necessarily lightweight, and I appreciate that as a reader.

The latest of the "bird" books by Donna Andrews. I love the Christmas editions to these stories. This year is a little bit different. Normally we see Meg's house overflowing with family members from far and wide but this year is a quieter holiday than everyone is use to. Delaney and Rob's baby is due any time and Delaney has been put on bed rest. That helps keep family at bay. But you know there has to be something going on. Meg's grandmother and other various family members are conducting a conference for unjustly accused people. They are working to help clear the names of some of the people or help some of their family member be released from jail. It is a worthwhile endeavor and everyone in the family jumps in to help. Then one of the attendees turns up dead behind Meg's barn. While everyone kind of agrees he had it coming they work to clear some of the other attendees' names. We also might have a surprise at the end of the story.

Rockin’ Around the Chickadee is the nicely done thirty-sixth book in Donna Andrews’ always delightful Meg Langslow cozy mystery series. In this one Meg is busy as always - helping her grandmother run a conference called Presumed Innocent which focuses on how to exonerate people who have been unjustly convicted, trying to keep her very pregnant sister-in-law Delaney quiet and healthy, and preparing for Christmas. One a murder victim – an attendee at the conference – is found on her property she becomes even busier trying to figure out who the killer is. The conference setting is nicely done and allows for plenty of suspects – the victim was not well liked and more than one person is glad to see him gone. One thing I really like about this series is the way Meg works hand in hand with the police – she doesn’t poke her nose where it doesn’t belong and trusts the police to solve the case, she just help out where needed. The mystery was well done with some nicely planted clues – the identity of the killer was a surprise to me but cleverly done. All in all another enjoyable mystery from Donna Andrews.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

4 stars = Great! Might re-read.

Great addition to this series. While the book takes place at Christmas, the holiday isn't much of a factor to the story. The Presumed Innocent conference was fascinating and brought another interesting group of characters to Caerphilly. The victim was the worst, but Meg and her friends and family did their usual investigating in order to unmask the killer and get justice - a theme for the book.

This is another book in the series where Meg's large extended family is largely absent, which I enjoyed in the last book, too. While I get a kick out of them, they can be a lot sometimes, and it's nice to have a few stories without them.

Series fans should check this one out. I think these can mostly be read in any order, but it helps if the reader has read a few of the earlier books to get a handle on the large cast of this long-running series. I'm already looking forward to book 37 out next year.

Rockin Around the Chickadee is the 36th book in the Meg Langslow cozy mystery series! This is a Christmas installment and while the holidays are not the main focus of the story there is enough holiday cheer in here to get you in the spirit. The main focus is a legal conference and of course one of the most attested attendees finds himself kicked out and then murdered. Not super hard to figure out who done it but the story getting there is fun and it's always great to catch up with this family. The boys are growing up, it's fun to see Rob in a new light as he's about to become a father, and Rose Noir and Grandfather are still my favorites (although Spike the dog is at the top of the list too)! I always look forward to the latest in this series.

It's Christmas time with Meg and family. This is a series that I've read from book one and have enjoyed all of them. This one did not disappoint me. Although we didn't have the huge family Christmas at their home, we still got to enjoy the family and friends at the Presumed Innocent conference. This is a book that always make me smile, most of the time because of her family.

The book is well-written and easy to read. There were twists and turns that kept it interesting and kept me reading!

These characters are like friends and it's always good to them, especially at Christmas. Now, I just have to wait for the next one.

Rockin’ Around the Chickadee is Donna Andrews latest holiday mystery and her 36th in her bestselling Meg Langslow Mystery series. In this novel readers who are curious about True Crime, will find an enthralling mystery revolving around a murder at a conference Meg’s Grandmother organized for those interested in learning more about the process to exonerate those unfairly convicted of crimes. This aspect of the story will be entertaining to those who have never read the series before.

Of course there is plenty for long term readers to love including the quirky cast of characters from Meg’s family who help her in her investigation and I was most excited that this novel deals with the pregnancy of Meg’s sister-in-law who is on bed rest through the holiday season. Similar to the last few books this one takes a more social conscious view of the world than some of the earlier entries, but still retains a delightful sense of humor throughout. This would be an enjoyable read now or to be added to your list for books to be read during the holiday season. Those looking to start at the beginning will want to checkout Murder with Peacocks.

Meg's sister-in-law Delaney is pregnant and about to burst. While she's on bedrest, the rest of the family is helping out by feeding her chickadees. This leads to Rose Noir finding a body behind the barn. The bad new is that it's the Gadfly.
Gordon Norton, called the Gadfly by Meg's family, has been a thorn in the side of many people in the true crime community. He keeps trying to prove that people who have been exonerated were actually guilty. In fact, he's been harassing them pretty thoroughly. Which is why no one was happy about the fact that he was coming to the true crime conference that Meg's grandmother, Cordelia, had put together.
There seem like a few more side characters than usual but we do get to see a lot of the regulars. I didn't love the ending and the motives but the overall book is a nice addition to the series.

Three and a half stars
Meg Langslow #36
This book comes out October 15, 2024
Follows Between a Flock and a Hard Place
ARC of ebook kindly provided by MacMillan and Edelweiss
Opinions are my own