Meg and Michael's house is serving as the marshaling point for the annual Caerphilly Christmas parade. The theme is "The Twelve Days of Christmas," and it features twelve drummers from the school marching band, eleven bagpipers, ten leaping lords costumed in medieval finery from the college drama department, etc. There are also assorted Christmas-themed floats, a live nativity scene on a flatbed truck, the Three Wise Men on Caerphilly zoo camels, and Santa Claus in a bright red horse-drawn sleigh (eight reindeer were beyond the zoo's scope). Meg has been volunteered to organize the parade, which is to proceed from her house to the local campus, where Santa will take up residence to hear the Christmas wishes of the town's children. Of course, getting all the camels, pipers, leapers, and drummers in order is proving every bit as difficult as Meg feared it would be. Then her nephew Eric, wide-eyed and ashen-faced, whispers, "Meg, something's wrong with Santa." The local curmudgeon, whose beard and belly made him a natural for the role, has been murdered. Now Meg and Chief Burke, who is playing one of the wise men, are faced with the two-fold mission of solving the murder and saving Christmas Readers can look forward to another zany Meg Langslow mystery---this one filled with outrageous Christmas spirit...and mayhem.
Meg's chronic case of "yes" promises a long series of murder-filled (but well organized!) social events that go above and beyond normal expectations. This holiday-themed murder mystery is no exception, as she runs around organizing a large parade, trying to find who murdered Santa, and playing hostess to anyone who finds themselves stranded in the snow. I was worried that the holiday theme would make the novel a little too ridiculous, but Andrews balances things quite nicely, and presents another entertaining trip to Caerphilly Virginia.
Andrews writing
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I like reading Meg Langslow mysteries - they are easy to read and I love the quacky family stuff.
Six Geese a Slaying
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Since I enjoy all of Donna Andrews Meg Langslow books, I expected to like this one and I was not dissappointed. I love the humor, her disfunctional family and of course Michael. I just wish there was more of Meg and Michael together
Slaying with a Stake of Holly
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
Meg has been talked into being this year's "Mistress of the Revels" for the college town of Caerphilly, Virginia. Really, that's just a fancy way of saying she is responsible for coordinating the annual Christmas, er Holiday, parade. Between the competing drummers and pipers for the Twelve Days of Christmas, the very pregnant virgin Mary, and the live elephants for the Diwali portion of the parade, she has her hands full. And that's even without dealing with Ralph Doleson. Since he fits the costume, Meg is stuck with him as Santa even though he'd be better suited to play Scrooge. But his grumbling is short lived since someone drives a stake of holly through his heart. Now Meg has to find a killer before someone who didn't commit murder spends Christmas in jail. This book is a wonderful Christmas romp with Meg and her family and friends. I was laughing so much during the first half at the antics of some of the characters. All our favorites are here and in fine form. And I enjoyed the lines thrown in from Dicken's Christmas Carol. The second half does get more serious as Meg really tries to find the killer. I did figure out who done it early on, but I needed Meg to tell me why done it. And I was having so much fun along the way I didn't exactly care. This is a Christmas treat for fans of the series. It will get you in the mood for Christmas. Hopefully, yours will be a little more peaceful, however.
Twelve Days of Hilarity
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 16 years ago
I loved this book. I have really enjoyed every book in this series, I think they are the funniest cozy series by far and are still very well-written despite some pretty crazy things happening. As other reviews point out, the highlight of this series is Meg's wonderful family. Every single member of her enormous clan is unique and interesting. They are all accounted for in this book and add the fact that they are all playing various roles in the 12 Days of Christmas Parade, I think this is my favorite Meg book yet. I was thrilled when I saw a holiday Meg book was coming out, especially so soon after the last book, and I was not at all disappointed. Highly recommended.
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