This is a wonderful cozy mystery series! I love the characters because they have strong, quirky personalities.
Meg is a great main character because she is everywhere talking to people in the community and they naturally open up to her and give her crucial information needed to solve the case. This book has a complex plot that focuses on the exoneration of innocent people in prison and helping them with life after prison. It reminded me of the book Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Bernadette Dunne. I liked that she used a different voice for each character so the listener could distinguish who was speaking while listening to the book. This is a perfect book for a weekend read!
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Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan for my copy of Rockin' Around the Chickadee by Donna Andrews Narrated by Bernadette Dunne in exchange for an honest review. It published October 15, 2024.
First off, Bernadette Dunne is back doing an excellent job, I will never be able to separate Meg Langslow from her voice.
Meg is back for another holiday installment in this fun, lighthearted series. All the cast of characters are back, this time for a conference. I really enjoyed the conference theme of this story. This book is a bundle of fun as they always are!
My only gripe is that it drove me crazy how they made a full-term pregnant woman without complications ride around in a wheelchair like she's royalty from the 1950's, I found that to be really obnoxious. I understand how it helped with the plot, but it made me crazy that she was treated like an invalid when she was totally capable.

Rockin' Around the Chickadee is a Meg Langslow cozy mystery from Donna Andrews.

"Meg's grandmother has organized a True Crime conference - Presumed Innocent. Some attendees are there hoping to find a way to get someone exonerated - others are just True Crime fans. When a body is found on Meg's property - and it's someone who thought everyone convicted was guilty - everyone attending becomes a suspect."

This is another Andrews book full of regular people that just happen to find a body...again. A lot of murders happen in this town. There are a lot of red herrings here - lots of suspects - and you're never sure who is guilty until Andrews reveals it. There's an unlikely hero and some holiday cheer at the end.

Great audio performance from Bernadette Dunne. She is the voice of Meg Langslow.

Nice story from Andrews.

This was a cute cozy mystery that was a bit slow at times, but did a good job mixing in the holidays, family, and the holidays. If you want a quick audio book to get you in the mood for the holidays mixed with a little mystery this would be a good choice.
Posting tomorrow on Instagram.

I will never not enjoy a book in this series! It gives you all of the cozy small town Christmas vibes in this book and I loved it!

The thing I love about this series so much is that even though 36 books and you get the same cast of characters, all of them have continued to grow. None of them have felt like they're standing still and not changing. The mystery itself was a little bit predictable which is fine because this is a cozy mystery and I wasn't trying to solve it. I was just listening to the audiobook.

I highly recommend any audiobook in this series. The narrator Bernadette Dunne is absolutely phenomenal and makes the reading experience just so immersive and comforting.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Bernadette Dunn. Her voice is perfect for this series and she does a wonderful job with it.

This is probably my third Meg Langslow mystery, and I think I enjoy each one more as I become more familiar with the returning characters. Cozy mysteries are fun and flow pretty well. The mystery in this book surrounds a guy that no one appears to like. That leaves a whole lot of suspects for Meg and the sheriff to wade through. As usual, Meg ends up getting herself caught up in a bad situation by the time she figures out who the murder is.

This was interesting and just plain fun to listen to.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio copy. All thoughts are my own.

I read and frequently review all of Donna Andrews' new Meg Langslow books. In fact, I like them so much that I often read the book and then listen to the audiobook, too. Rockin’ Around the Chickadee brings the series up to 36 books. I have read all of them. I can’t think of a single one that isn’t well written with a solid mystery. I love Meg, her family and friends and how they work together for the greater good. I love the town, Caerphilly, with its quirky characters and over the top celebrations. Rockin’ Around the Chickadee is a quality addition to the series. I feel that to say more would be to repeat myself from other reviews. It must take a lot of creativity to keep a series going for so long. I thoroughly enjoyed this new Christmas story, but somehow, while reading it, I was thinking that in Andrews’ richly developed world, there is still room to expand. Andrews has given us so many wonderful secondary characters. As readers, one of the things we enjoy about series like this is seeing those characters each time we visit that world. But somehow I feel like I’m not getting enough of my favorites. What if some of the Meg mysteries could feature a secondary character in a greater role? Could Meg and Rose Noir team up to solve a mystery in the Wiccan community? Maybe Meg and Horace could work together on a case? And what about Meg’s husband, Michael? He’s an awesome character that has faded into a background support person. I’d love to see Meg and Michael on a romantic getaway where there just happens to be a murder. I don’t mean to say I know more about what a book series needs than the very talented author and her skilled editor. So, let’s just call this my Christmas wishlist for the series and leave it at that. If you are a Meg Langslow fan, be sure to pick up Rockin’ Around the Chickadees for your Christmas reading. If you haven’t met Meg yet, you can start with any of the books, but the first book in the series is Murder with Peacocks.

Cute cozy mystery. Very realistic and the cast of characters were awesome! It was a good mystery with some great holiday themes. I am definately interested in reading some of the previous books in the series, as well as continuing it.

Rockin’ Around the Chickadee by Donna Andrews is the 36th book in the Meg Langslow series, but don’t worry, you can dive in without reading the others. It’s almost Christmas, and Meg is juggling a lot: helping her grandma with a true crime/Innocence Project Conference at the fancy Caerphilly Inn, stressing over her sister-in-law’s tough pregnancy, and, of course, solving a murder mystery right by her barn.

My husband’s a public defender, so I loved all the details about the exonerated characters and the work of the conference. It’s a heavier topic, but it’s handled really well—respectful but still keeping that cozy, light vibe the series is known for. And as always, the food descriptions were mouth-watering! Ekaterina, the Inn manager, is one of my favorite characters.

One tiny complaint: it didn’t feel as “holiday-y” as usual. The lights and decorations were there, but I missed more holiday-specific activities.
This time, I tried the audiobook version. Bernadette Dunne, the narrator, did an amazing job with the voices and really brought the characters to life. But I discovered that I’m still not great with audiobooks—I kept zoning out and had to rewind a lot, which made it harder to stay engaged. That was entirely my fault, and not because of the story or the narrator.

Overall, another fantastic entry in this fun series. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

It is amazing to me, that after 36 books [with more on the way], this series as never felt old, tired, or repetitive. The story's are well-thought out, the mysteries are good[dead bodies or not], and because one is now 36 books in, one gets <i>seriously</i> INVESTED in these characters. I often tell people that Meg and Co. are people I would love being friends with [in SPITE of the chaos that is their lives and their household. Also, even with the plethora of dead bodies ;-) ], and I am always genuinely glad when it is time to "go visit" with them [as I know that I will not be disappointed and I will have an enjoyable read].

It's Christmastime [it feels weird to write that in October LOL] and for once, it is not chaos personified at Meg and Michaels. Delaney is pregnant and on bed-rest and everyone [mostly Rose Noir, but even Meg's mother is pitching in] is doing all they can to both keep her quiet AND keep her entertained. Rob is house-hunting [it will be weird to not have him and Delaney at the house since they have been there for so long; they are almost always in a book, even peripherally], Meg is helping Cordelia [her grandmother] with a crime/forensic conference at the Caerphilly Inn [because NOTHING says Merry Christmas like a good crime.forensic conference amirite?], that includes people from The Innocence Project [that was a cool inclusion] as well as some nay-sayers that are, shall we say, super obnoxious. All is well [even with said nay-sayers] and the conference is going smoothly [and who doesn't want to go and stay at the Caerphilly Inn and have all that they offer available to you? I know I do], Delaney is being entertained and Meg is breathing a sigh of relief. Until...a scream awakens the whole house, a dead body is found, and the hunt is on for a [very clever] killer.

The mystery was very good as there were many possible suspects and everyone, even the twins [I have loved how these books move along at "real time" and that the twins are almost teens now, instead of still toddlers like they would be in so many other cozies] along with their friend Adam, are involved and I was surprised at the reveal [which was really well done] and that is always a plus IMO.

I've said this before, but I will say it again, Donna Andrews could be giving lessons on how to write a fun, well-paced mystery, with good/great reveals that aren't rushed, well-developed characters and often stories that tug at ones heart ALONG with the mystery [as was the case with this one]; she has it down and while this is just my opinion, there are few that do it better and that is why, after 36 books I continue to read [and will read as many as she writes] her books and why I recommend them to everyone. She is, quite simply, amazing.

When I first started listening to the audiobooks for this series [after read reading them for so long], I was not a huge fan of Ms. Dunne's narration [I had my own voices for the characters in my head and it was really tough to make the switch]. I kept with it though as I was not about to give up these books [I NEEDED to read them LOL] and now, finally, I have settled in and I look forward to Ms. Dunne reading me the newest story of Meg and Co. and bringing these stories I love to life. Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley, Donna Andrews, Bernadette Dunne - Narrator, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

In this latest instalment of the Meg Langslow mystery series, readers are treated to a festive blend of family, fun, and intrigue, bringing together an eclectic mix of characters. However, the atmosphere quickly turns deadly when someone is found murdered in Meg's yard, prompting a race to uncover the truth before more lives are at stake.

The charm of this series lies not only in the mystery itself but also in the character dynamics and growth throughout the books. The engaging plot is funny and heartwarming, showcasing the importance of family bonds during the holiday season.

While the primary storyline revolves around the murder investigation, Andrews masterfully weaves in themes of justice and the complexities of wrongful convictions. Readers are encouraged to reflect on the implications of the innocence movement as the characters navigate moral dilemmas alongside their personal challenges. Though some may find the identity of the murderer predictable, the real joy of this book lies in the clever dialogue and a vibrant setting that makes Caerphilly feel like a character in its own right.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the audio arc.

🎧 Book Review 🎧 This was my first dive into a Meg Lanslow novel and I had no problem jumping right into this boisterous and welcoming family. A mix of mystery and merriment blends together for one jovial read. What is supposed to be a quiet holiday turns into a murder investigation but don’t worry, this is certainly not a dark and depressing holiday read. Rockin' Around the Chickadee is a hilariously heartfelt novel that is brought to life perfect by Bernadette Dunne’s narration.

unpleasant-victims, pet-dog, amateur-sleuth, cozy-mystery, Virginia, situational-humor, verbal-humor, local-law-enforcement, families, relationships, relatives, friends, friendship, frustration, murder, murder-investigation, conference*****

September 11, 2024
This is not an unbiased review because I have loved nearly all of the books in this series, and this one does not disappoint. Meg Langslow is a blacksmith, wife of professor/TV actor Michael Waterston, mother of twin boys, assistant to the mayor, and a member of the far flung quirky Hollingsworth family, and a great amateur sleuth. Any book in this series gives enough info on past books that the reader is never lost.
It's Christmas season and Meg's grandmother is hosting a conference highlighting the Presumed Innocent organization at the local posh resort for those who want to learn how to exonerate a friend or family member who has been unjustly convicted and later proven innocent as well as a number of true crime devotees.
The rotten fruit here is a despicable internet troll/podcaster who appears to believe that anyone who is arrested is guilty and must serve the entire sentence imposed. Of course, this is the guy who turns up dead. And in Meg's back yard no less! There are more than enough people who hated the guy enough to do the deed, but that makes for a ton of suspects and a whole lot of due diligence. Plan to get the audio when it comes out!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Without much hope of winning my preferred venue, I also requested and received an audio copy from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley! Oct 1, 2024
Also got my preordered audio on Oct 15, 2024!
#MegLangslowMysteriesBk36

The entire Caerphilly clan feel like family and I love every visit I have with them. This particular mystery, however, was not my favorite. There wasn’t anything wrong with it; in fact, the solution to the murder was creative, but I think I was missing the rest of the characters that are usually around the house. I wasn’t really invested in the mystery as it never drew me in but I still laughed in all the right spots and enjoyed the time I got to spend with Meg and a few of her family and friends.

Meg Langslow is used to a house filled with family and friends at the holidays, but this year, it’s just the immediate family at home. Her sister-in-law Delaney is on bed rest for a high risk pregnancy, and they are trying to keep the drama to a minimum for her and Rob. So instead of interacting with family this year, Delaney is laying in bed watching the chickadees who come to the bird feeder on the farm. She can even turn on a speaker to listen to them. It’s a great distraction for her, which works for Meg, who has her own distraction.

Meg’s grandmother Cordelia has put together a Presumed Innocent Conference, to bring together those who are interested in true crime and want to help those who are jailed but innocent change their fate. And actually, Meg has a lot of family there, as her cousin Festus is an attorney who helps those who are innocent get out of jail, her nephew Kevin is a true crime podcaster and a computer tech who often helps the police with investigations, her doctor father was the local medical examiner and still helps out as needed, her cousin Horace is a well-respected crime scene investigator, and her grandfather has established a DNA lab originally to help with his work at the zoo but increasingly to help with criminal cases. Add in the local sheriff and some exonerees to tell their stories, and the conference has a full slate of speakers.

But true crime fans and friends and family wanting to help someone prove their innocence are not the only ones at the conference. The podcaster known as The Gadfly, Godfrey Norton, is known for stirring the pot by telling lies about potential exonerees and doing what he can to keep them in jail. Cordelia wouldn’t have let him register for the conference at all, had she known his real name. But he got past her and showed up to stir strife during the talks. However, he took things too far, and Cordelia kicked him out of the conference, and the manager of the hotel kicked him out of his room. He reached out to Meg to try to get her to change Cordelia’s mind (as if that were possible), but she wasn’t able to help him.

And then he turned up dead behind Meg’s barn.

The good news is that there were plenty of crime fighters nearby ready to get started to find Norton’s killer, and the conference means that all the suspects are at the Caerphilly Inn. But it will still take all of their collective skill and expertise, as well as Meg’s ability to bring it all together, to solve the case before the baby comes.

Rockin’ Around the Chickadee is book 36 in the popular Meg Langslow series about her big extended family and their ability to catch killers. These books balance the warmth and comfort of friends and family with the darkness of murder, blending humor with crime science and adding in lots of heart and soul.

I am a big fan of Donna Andrews in general and this series in specific. I have read these for many years now, and I love how the series has morphed. At first, it was a pretty typical cozy series, but it has grown through the years into a modern series that includes true crime podcasts, support for The Innocence Project, and ideas for innovating with DNA research. These characters have gone on a journey, as many true crime enthusiasts have, from merely learning about it from documentaries and podcasts to jumping in to do research and help support those who are doing the work of exonerating the innocent. These books are not just cozy stories, they are a reflection of a larger community, and I for one applaud Andrews for working so hard to keep Meg and her family relevant.

I listened to Rockin’ Around the Chickadee on audio, and narrator Bernadette Dunne knocked it out of the park again. I have listened to many of these book on audio, and Dunne is now the voice of Meg in my head. I think she understands Meg’s intelligence and tenacity as well as her dedication to her family, and Dunne brings her to life in these books. I especially love listening to the Christmas mysteries in the car, riding around doing all those holiday errands. If, like me, you have a low tolerance for Christmas music, then you should give it a try.

Egalleys for Rockin’ Around the Chickadee were provided by Minotaur Books and a copy of the audiobook was provided by Macmillan Audio, both through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Another fun mystery for Meg and the gang to solve. This one was really close to home! Like in her backyard. There is so much going on at the moment in Meg’s life, a convention at the Inn, which friends and family are involved in. Her sister in law due any day now and on bed rest staying in her home. The twins on Christmas vacation and since not planning the usual huge Christmas party at her home she with her curiosity peak gets in the middle of another murder to solve.
I did read and switched over to the audiobook, which I truly enjoyed listening to. Does help if you have read a few of her previous books for the background of the characters.

Another sweet addition to Donna Andrews Christmas collection!

In this one, Meg’s sister in law (Delaney) is very pregnant, and due at Christmastime! The one thing the entire family is trying to do is the keep her calm and comfortable leading up to the delivery.
This becomes very difficult once a dead body is found in their backyard!

The usual suspects are in the midst of the story, and I did not see the culprit until til they were revealed in the finale!

Lots of fun! Lots of characters! Small town vibes! Family camaraderie, big time! And…Christmas Cozy Shenanigans and Reading!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which is due to be released TODAY!! 10/15/24!!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

#RockinAroundTheChickadee by # DonnaAndrews and narrated beautifully by #BernadetteDunne.

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This installment of the long-running Meg Langslow series includes interesting tidbits about identical twins (of special interest to me now that I'm the grandparent of a pair), a concert including Christmas and Chanukah music, and a hat-tip to stay-at-home moms. As usual, solving the mystery is a bit of a group project, spread between officials and unsanctioned community members. I'm sure that series devotees wouldn't have it any other way. It's a fine cozy mystery holiday read—fun, easy, and reliable entertainment. Bernadette Dunne continues to provide series narration.

Ever wondered what it would be like to go to a symposium where they teach you about the ins and outs of the law for regular citizens to help those who may have been wronged from the system? Well, you get to do that in this book. There’s a symposium held to help. You understand the law and the ins and outs and different things you can do and understand how evidence works to be able to try and swing things into your favor for your friends. of course, in the middle of this one of the most popular people against this type of thing ends up getting murdered, but who did it? Follow along as we figure out how this annoying person was killed and why he was killed. Such a good mystery read I really enjoyed it. I thought the idea behind this was absolutely amazing if you like a good murder mystery and this is definitely the book for you.

I’ve read a few books in this cozy mystery previously, and listening to this one reminded me to pick up the rest of the series. So good. And the narrator, Bernadette Dunne, has such a warm voice it’s perfect!

Delaney is pregnant and due around Christmas. Meg and Michael have decided to move the holiday festivities elsewhere, so Michael’s sister can relax during her pregnancy.

And all is silent and calm, until an attendee of the nearby Presumed Innocent conference ends up in their backyard. You know all those true crime junkies are all suspects. Meg has her hands full trying to catch the killer and keep Delaney calm.

An easy read that I totally enjoyed and finished in one night. I really like Meg, and I can’t wait to read more about her adventures.

RECOMMEND

Thank you #NetGalley for the complimentary copy of #RockinAroundTheChickadee in exchange for an honest review.