





Meg Langslow
40 books
The Meg Langslow series by Donna Andrews has 40 books. Start with Murder with Peacocks (1999), then read the rest in the order below.
Meg Langslow reading order

Murder with Peacocks
Donna Andrews
In this charming debut novel, a maid of honor finds herself juggling the delightful chaos of wedding planning with a far more sinister task: solving a murder. As the festivities approach, a series of suspicious accidents and a shocking death cast a dark shadow over the idyllic Virginia town. The protagonist must navigate eccentric family members, demanding brides, and a growing list of potential suspects to uncover the truth before the wedding bells toll for the killer. This delightful mystery blends humor, quirky characters, and a puzzling whodunit, making for an engaging and lighthearted read.

Murder with Puffins
Donna Andrews
Amateur sleuth Meg Langslow seeks a peaceful escape with her boyfriend on the remote Monhegan Island, but their romantic getaway is shattered by a suspicious death. What appears to be a tragic accident is soon revealed to be a meticulously planned murder, uncovering a dangerous undercurrent of illicit dealings and hidden motives. As Meg delves into the island's secrets, she finds herself entangled in a web of deceit where everyone is a suspect and the tranquil facade hides a deadly truth.

Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow returns to her hometown, ready to showcase her wrought-iron creations amidst local festivities. However, her artistic endeavors take a backseat when she finds herself entangled in a peculiar situation involving a dozen hidden pink lawn flamingos, a transgression that carries the risk of a hefty fine or even suspicion of murder. As Meg navigates this quirky predicament, she must uncover the truth behind the flamingos and clear her name before the situation escalates.

Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow, a blacksmith artist with a knack for solving mysteries, finds herself entangled in yet another perplexing case amidst her famously large and boisterous family. As she navigates the chaos of family gatherings and her own artistic endeavors, Meg's sharp intellect and unique perspective draw her into the heart of a puzzling crime. With her characteristic blend of wit and resourcefulness, she must unravel the truth before the situation escalates, all while relying on her family's eccentricities and her own keen observations. This installment in the beloved series promises a delightful mix of humor, intricate plotting, and the charmingly chaotic world of the Langslow clan.

We'll Always Have Parrots
Donna Andrews
When a beloved TV star turns up dead at a bustling pop-culture convention, amateur sleuth Meg Langslow finds herself in the middle of the chaos. Meg is working the con as the personal assistant to her boyfriend Michael, who plays a wizard on the cult TV show "Porfiria, Queen of the Jungle," and when the show's temperamental star Porfiria is found murdered, there is no shortage of suspects among the fans, cast, and crew — or among the parrots and other exotic creatures roaming the hotel.

Owls Well That Ends Well
Donna Andrews
When a beloved local yard sale turns deadly, Meg Langslow finds herself pulled into a murder investigation that threatens to upend her community—and her own peace of mind. As suspicion lands on a professor friend, Meg must use her sharp instincts and knack for uncovering hidden connections to track down the real killer before the truth is buried under more than just bargain clutter. Blending cozy mystery charm with a lively cast and a fast-moving plot, this installment explores trust, reputation, and the secrets people keep behind everyday routines. With Donna Andrews’s witty, character-driven style, the story delivers suspense without losing its warmth—proving that in the end, justice is worth the chase.

No Nest for the Wicket
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow arrives at a charming farm expecting a relaxing day of Extreme Croquet with neighbors—only to discover that the friendly tournament has taken a sinister turn. When Meg finds the body of a fresh female corpse, marked by a mallet-sized dent, the game becomes a deadly mystery that pulls her into a web of local rivalries, hidden motives, and escalating danger. As she investigates, Meg must navigate a community where everyone has a reason to keep quiet and where the rules of the sport—and the town—may be more dangerous than they seem. Blending cozy small-town charm with brisk, puzzle-like sleuthing, this installment showcases Donna Andrews’s signature wit and momentum as Meg races to uncover who struck first and why.

The Penguin Who Knew Too Much
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow is finally settling into her new home with her fiancé, Michael—until her father’s cheerful announcement turns into a full-blown mystery. When penguins appear in her basement alongside something far more alarming, Meg is pulled into a case that’s equal parts baffling and hilarious, forcing her to investigate while juggling family chaos and small-town scrutiny. With her trademark wit and persistence, Meg follows clues through a web of secrets, suspects, and unexpected connections. Blending cozy mystery thrills with themes of community, curiosity, and the trouble that comes with knowing “just a little too much,” this is Donna Andrews at her most entertaining—where laughter and danger walk hand in hand.

Cockatiels at Seven
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow is pulled into chaos when an old friend arrives with a two-year-old son—and Meg reluctantly agrees to babysit. As night falls, the demands of caring for a toddler collide with her responsibilities for her county’s holiday parade, setting the stage for a mystery that won’t stay contained. When a murder surfaces and a covert animal welfare effort comes into focus, Meg must use her sharp instincts and stubborn determination to connect the clues before the festivities—and her patience—fall apart. Blending cozy small-town suspense with humor and heart, this installment showcases Donna Andrews’s signature style: brisk plotting, vivid characters, and a warm focus on community, compassion, and the unexpected ways ordinary people rise to extraordinary challenges.

Six Geese A-Slaying
Donna Andrews
When a beloved local curmudgeon is found murdered, Meg Langslow—Yorktown’s talented decorative blacksmith and sharp-eyed amateur sleuth—can’t resist pulling on the thread of a case that quickly tangles itself in town politics and holiday cheer. With Chief Burke juggling his own role in the community’s festivities, Meg must navigate a cast of quirky suspects, hidden grudges, and small-town secrets that refuse to stay buried. Blending cozy mystery momentum with Donna Andrews’s signature wit, the story explores how reputation, tradition, and community bonds can both protect and endanger the people we think we know. As Meg races to uncover the truth, she proves once again that the most dangerous clues are often the ones everyone overlooks.

Swan for the Money
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow’s quiet life takes an unexpected turn when her eccentric parents decide to turn their talents—his green-thumb expertise and her flair for showmanship—into a serious rose-growing obsession. As the first annual rose show draws wealthy competitors and high-stakes prizes, Meg finds herself pulled into a world of rivalries, glittering social circles, and carefully cultivated appearances. When the glamorous host is targeted in a shocking attempt on her life, Meg must follow the scent of clues through the thorns of suspicion and the secrets hidden behind perfect blooms. Blending cozy mystery charm with Donna Andrews’s sharp wit and lively character work, this story explores obsession, community, and the lengths people will go to protect status—before the next petal falls.

Stork Raving Mad
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow is eight and a half months pregnant with twins when her husband, Michael, brings home an unexpected houseguest—one of his doctoral students—setting the stage for a disruption that quickly turns dangerous. As the household adjusts to the new arrival, Meg finds herself drawn into the mystery surrounding a professor’s death, using her sharp instincts and unshakeable determination to piece together what really happened. Blending cozy suspense with the humor and heart of domestic life, this installment explores themes of community, resilience, and the surprising ways curiosity can become courage. With Donna Andrews’s brisk, witty storytelling and a knack for turning everyday details into clues, Meg’s latest investigation proves that even in the most precarious circumstances, the truth can’t stay buried for long.

The Real Macaw
Donna Andrews
When budget cuts put Yorktown’s zoo in jeopardy, Meg Langslow—juggling family life and a growing sense of responsibility—steps in to help shelter the displaced animals. But her quiet plans unravel fast after an unexpected disturbance draws her into a web of suspicious behavior tied to a museum complaint and the arrival of a very loud, very opinionated “new” resident. As Meg investigates, she must rely on her sharp instincts and community connections to separate rumor from motive before the situation escalates beyond saving. Blending cozy mystery charm with humor and heart, this debut showcases Donna Andrews’s knack for vivid characters, brisk pacing, and mysteries where everyday life and danger collide.

Some Like It Hawk
Donna Andrews
When a string of predatory lending schemes threatens to strip Meg’s close-knit town of its homes and livelihoods, she’s determined to fight back—especially after a murder turns her amateur sleuthing into something far more urgent. As a private investigator hovers and unsettling questions mount, Meg must navigate suspicious neighbors, hidden debts, and a killer who seems to be operating with impossible access. Blending small-town charm with sharp wit, this mystery follows Meg—blacksmith, wife, and mother of young twins—as she pieces together clues while trying to keep her community from foreclosure. With themes of justice, resilience, and the power of ordinary people to outsmart corruption, Donna Andrews delivers a fast, engaging whodunit that keeps the stakes personal and the twists coming.

The Hen of the Baskervilles
Donna Andrews
The annual Caerphilly state fair is thrown into chaos when a prize-winning chicken is kidnapped and a murder occurs, threatening to derail the entire event. Fortunately, Meg Langslow, known for her knack for solving peculiar crimes, is on hand to untangle the mystery. With the fair's reputation at stake, Meg must race against time to find the fowl culprit and bring a killer to justice before the festivities are ruined.

Duck the Halls
Donna Andrews
A festive Christmas season takes a decidedly fowl turn when Meg finds herself entangled in a bizarre mystery just days before the holiday. When a call brings volunteer fireman Michael to the local church, they discover a peculiar scene: a cage full of skunks has been strategically placed in the choir loft. As the investigation unfolds, Meg must navigate a series of quirky characters and escalating chaos to uncover the truth behind this unusual holiday prank before it ruins Christmas for everyone.

The Good, the Bad, and the Emus
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow's family tree is about to get a lot more complicated when her long-lost paternal grandfather, Dr. Blake, reappears. He enlists Meg's help to find her grandmother, Cordelia, a task that quickly spirals into a dangerous investigation. As family secrets unravel, Meg must race against time to solve a decades-old mystery and prevent a present-day murder, all while assisting her grandfather with a rather unusual flock of emus.
The Nightingale Before Christmas
Donna Andrews
As Christmas approaches in Caerphilly, Meg Langslow’s mother volunteers for a lavish holiday decorator show house—only for the festive showcase to be disrupted by sabotage and the shocking murder of one of its designers. When suspicion falls on her mother, Meg must untangle a tangled web of rivalries, secrets, and competing creative visions before the killer strikes again. Blending small-town eccentricity, family dynamics, and classic amateur sleuthing, this cozy mystery delivers a witty and spirited holiday investigation.

Lord of the Wings
Donna Andrews
Halloween in Yorktown is usually a time for spooky fun, but this year, a real dead body at the zoo and a suspicious fire at the local Haunted House threaten to ruin the festivities. Meg Langslow finds herself in the middle of a chilling mystery, where the line between staged scares and genuine danger blurs. As the town's creepy celebrations hang in the balance, Meg must unravel the truth before the holiday spirit is extinguished for good.

Die Like an Eagle
Donna Andrews
In this installment of the Meg Lanslow Mystery series, Meg finds herself entangled in a local youth baseball league's drama. As Team Mom and coach's wife, she navigates the complexities of team dynamics and parental rivalries. When a petty dispute escalates, Meg must use her sharp wit to uncover the truth before the situation turns deadly, proving that even the most innocent-seeming settings can hide dark secrets.

Gone Gull
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow, a blacksmith and artist, finds herself in the unusual setting of the Biscuit Mountain Craft Center for the summer, assisting her grandmother. Amidst the creative atmosphere, a mystery unfolds as someone begins committing crimes. Adding to the intrigue, Meg's grandfather, a renowned naturalist, embarks on a quest to find an exceptionally rare gull, weaving a parallel narrative of discovery and conservation into the unfolding events.

How the Finch Stole Christmas!
Donna Andrews
This holiday season, Meg Langslow finds herself entangled in a festive murder mystery when a corpse is discovered in the woods, complicating her husband's ambitious theatrical production of "A Christmas Carol." As the barn menagerie housing neglected animals adds to the unfolding drama, Meg must unravel the secrets behind the crime before the final curtain call. With Scrooge's inner demons and real-life adversaries emerging, she races against time to solve the murder and ensure a truly happy ending to this Yuletide tale.

Toucan Keep a Secret
Donna Andrews
When Meg Langslow helps lock up Caerphilly’s Episcopal church, a disturbance leaves her caring for an unusual toucan—and raises troubling questions about what someone was searching for among the church’s ashes. Her friend Molly’s troubled marriage takes a deadly turn when Molly’s estranged husband is found murdered, making her the prime suspect. As Meg assists with the investigation and contacts the families connected to the disturbed remains, she uncovers long-buried secrets in the town’s history and a possible link between the bird and the crime. Blending sharp wit, eccentric small-town characters, and a cleverly layered mystery, this engaging whodunit finds Meg setting a dangerous trap for a thief who may also be a killer.

Lark! the Herald Angels Sing
Donna Andrews
During a Christmas pageant rehearsal at an Episcopal church in Caerphilly, Virginia, Meg Langslow discovers a real baby mysteriously placed in the manger. As she works to uncover the child’s identity and protect its welfare, the investigation becomes entangled with a shocking murder and a tangle of secrets within the close-knit community. Blending holiday warmth, small-town eccentricity, and clever crime-solving, this lively mystery delivers humor, suspense, and a spirited ensemble of memorable characters.

Terns of Endearment
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow embarks on a unique cruise vacation, joining her grandfather, Dr. J. Montgomery Blake, as he lectures on birds and environmental topics. This journey promises a blend of fascinating insights into the natural world and the author's signature humor. However, as with any Meg Langslow adventure, a puzzling mystery is sure to surface amidst the scenic lectures and ocean breezes, testing Meg's sharp wit and keen observation skills.

Owl Be Home for Christmas
Donna Andrews
The holiday season takes a chilling turn when a snowbound ornithology conference becomes the scene of a shocking murder. With a blizzard trapping everyone indoors and a killer among them, amateur sleuth Meg Langslow must unravel a complex web of secrets and motives. Amidst the festive chaos and a growing list of suspects, Meg races against time to identify the culprit before Christmas is ruined by more than just bad weather.

The Falcon Always Wings Twice
Donna Andrews
When Meg Langslow’s grandmother Cordelia turns her craft center into a bustling Renaissance Faire, the family jumps in to help—until a performer’s death turns the festivities into a dangerous mystery. As suspicion quickly lands on Meg’s grandfather, Meg must untangle a web of stagecraft, secrets, and mistaken identities to uncover what really happened. With her trademark wit and keen eye for human nature, Meg follows clues through the fair’s colorful characters, from costumers and craftsmen to rivals with motives of their own. Blending cozy charm with a sharp, puzzle-driven plot, this installment explores themes of family loyalty, the stories people tell, and how appearances can mislead—especially when the truth is hiding in plain sight.

The Gift of the Magpie
Donna Andrews
When a magpie begins leaving bits of tinsel and jewelry for Meg Langslow and her family, the strange gifts seem like nothing more than an amusing seasonal nuisance—until one reveals a clue to the murder of Harvey. As Meg coordinates Caerphilly’s Helping Hands for the Holidays project, she must balance community service, family chaos, and a killer determined to keep the truth hidden. Set against a lively holiday backdrop, this witty cozy mystery blends small-town camaraderie, eccentric characters, and clever investigation in a warm and entertaining whodunit.

Murder Most Fowl
Donna Andrews
When Meg Langslow’s husband directs a production of *Macbeth* at the local fair, the festivities are disrupted by a string of bizarre acts of vandalism—including the theft of prized heritage chickens. Matters turn deadly when Molly’s estranged husband is found murdered, leaving Meg’s friend as the prime suspect and forcing Meg to investigate both crimes. As tensions rise among farmers, artisans, performers, and eccentric fairgoers, Meg must uncover the truth before the killer strikes again. Blending sharp wit, small-town intrigue, and a delightfully eccentric cast of characters, this comic mystery delivers another lively and entertaining caper.

The Twelve Jays of Christmas
Donna Andrews
Meg and Michael’s annual holiday celebration is in full swing, but the season’s cheer quickly collides with chaos when a houseful of out-of-town relatives brings more complications than comfort. As festivities unfold, Meg finds herself drawn into a puzzling mystery that turns everyday traditions into clues—and every guest into a potential suspect. With her sharp wit and knack for noticing what others overlook, Meg must navigate family tensions, holiday distractions, and escalating danger to uncover the truth before Christmas is ruined. Blending cozy mystery charm with festive warmth, this installment showcases Donna Andrews’s signature style of clever sleuthing, lively characters, and page-turning suspense.

Round up the Usual Peacocks
Donna Andrews
As Christmas approaches in Caerphilly, Virginia, blacksmith and amateur sleuth Meg Langslow is juggling wedding preparations, family obligations, and an unusual request from her nephew’s true-crime podcast team. When the podcasters become entangled with the survivors and suspects of several long-unsolved local cases, Meg sets out to investigate—only to uncover connections reaching back decades, including the mysterious disappearance of a promising musician. With its eccentric characters, festive chaos, quick-witted humor, and intricately layered mysteries, this lively cozy crime novel explores family loyalty, buried secrets, and the enduring pull of unanswered questions.

Dashing Through the Snowbirds
Donna Andrews
Just days before Christmas, Meg Langslow’s home is once again overflowing with unexpected guests—this time, a group of visiting Canadians. When an inconsiderate boss is found murdered, a long list of disgruntled employees provides no shortage of suspects, and Meg is drawn into a holiday investigation filled with eccentric characters and family chaos. As she works to uncover the truth, she must navigate competing motives, questionable alibis, and the complications of a Christmas spent in exile. Witty, fast-paced, and brimming with offbeat humor, this seasonal mystery delivers another entertaining caper from the world of Meg Langslow.

Birder, She Wrote
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow’s peaceful morning takes a startling turn when a fresh corpse is discovered in the woods near her home. As neighborhood disputes, eccentric family members, and her father’s beekeeping add to the chaos, Meg becomes entangled in a mystery with plenty of suspects and hidden tensions. Her efforts also bring her into a search for a long-lost Black cemetery, uncovering layers of local history alongside the crime. Blending sharp humor, community drama, and a cleverly constructed puzzle, this cozy mystery showcases Donna Andrews’s signature knack for memorable characters and wonderfully unruly situations.

Let It Crow! Let It Crow! Let It Crow!
Donna Andrews
When Meg Langslow agrees to fill in for an injured blacksmith friend, she finds herself competing in a fiercely contested weaponsmithing championship where old rivalries and professional grudges run deep. As the holiday-season event draws an eclectic cast of craftsmen, reality-show personalities, and hard-edged competitors, tensions escalate and danger lurks behind the festive spectacle. Blending sharp wit, eccentric characters, and an intricate murder mystery, the novel explores ambition, loyalty, and the chaos that follows when competition turns deadly.

Between a Flock and a Hard Place
Donna Andrews
Caerphilly is transformed into a television set when the Smetkamp family wins a home-remodeling competition and the crew of *Marvelous Mansions* arrives to renovate their property. But the glitzy production soon collides with small-town complications, hidden tensions, and a troubling mystery that demands Meg Langslow’s attention. As cameras roll and suspicion spreads, Meg must navigate eccentric personalities, family secrets, and the unpredictable pressures of reality television. With its trademark blend of witty humor, quirky characters, and clever amateur sleuthing, this cozy mystery explores the chaos behind the camera and the secrets people will do almost anything to keep hidden.

Rockin' Around the Chickadee
Donna Andrews
Just before Christmas in rural Virginia, Meg Langslow joins her grandmother in hosting a True Crime conference—only to find the subject matter becoming uncomfortably real when murder strikes. As investigators, experts, and eccentric attendees descend into suspicion and confusion, Meg must keep the event—and her increasingly anxious family—under control while pursuing the killer. With a lively cast of characters, sharp comic timing, and a maze of twists and turns, this mystery blends holiday chaos with classic small-town sleuthing.

For Duck's Sake
Donna Andrews
In early June, Meg Langslow escapes a houseful of canine chaos by volunteering to oversee the construction of a duck pond for her brother and sister-in-law. But her quiet Virginia hometown offers little respite: Meg is also maid of honor for three loved ones, each of whom has left the wedding planning in her hands. When the pond project and wedding preparations become entangled with a troubling mystery, Meg must juggle family obligations, small-town complications, and her own sleuthing instincts. Filled with eccentric characters, warm humor, and clever twists, this cozy mystery celebrates the mayhem of family, friendship, and community.

Five Golden Wings
Donna Andrews
Meg Langslow and her mother are caught between two competing family weddings, both scheduled for the same Saturday and each demanding their full attention. As Meg struggles to appease two determined bridezillas and keep the celebrations on track, a murder plunges the already chaotic preparations into even greater turmoil. With eccentric relatives, escalating wedding-day tensions, and a cleverly tangled mystery, this cozy installment blends sharp humor, family mayhem, and classic whodunit suspense.

Probable Caws
Donna Andrews
When Meg Langslow sets aside her blacksmithing to help shelter nearly fifty rescued horses at Ragnar Ragnarsen’s would-be castle, she expects logistical chaos—not murder. The horses’ former home is caught in a bitter inheritance and development dispute, and tensions rise when an apparent enforcer is found dead near the temporary refuge. As Meg helps protect the animals and assists the investigation, suspicion falls on the people most devoted to saving them, forcing her to navigate divided loyalties, family conflict, and dangerous secrets. A witty, richly atmospheric mystery, this latest installment blends intricate plotting with the series’ trademark humor, eccentric community, and heartfelt compassion for both people and animals.

Jay to the World
Donna Andrews
In this festive avian-themed mystery, a bright young animal lover named Brynn forms a bond with a wounded jay—just as a dangerous crime brings Meg Langslow’s own family into the center of the investigation. When someone attempts to murder Meg’s mother, Meg must sort through a nest of suspects and uncover the truth before another life is endangered. Blending clever puzzle-solving with small-town warmth, family dynamics, and holiday cheer, this latest cozy mystery offers a lively, lighthearted take on a very personal case.