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Meg Langslow #21
Gone Gull
Andrews soars into summer with a crafty new Meg Langslow mystery.Gone Gull brings readers yet another knee-slapping adventure filled with New York Times bestselling author Donna Andrews’ cast of wacky characters.Meg is spending the summer at the Biscuit Mountain Craft Center, helping her grandmother Cordelia run the studios. But someone is committing acts of vandalism, threatening to ruin the newly-opened center’s reputation. Is it the work of a rival center? Have the developers who want to build a resort atop Biscuit Mountain found a new tactic to pressure Cordelia into selling? Or is the real target Meg’s grandfather, who points out that any number of environmentally irresponsible people and organizations could have it in for him?While Meg is trying to track down the vandal, her grandfather is more interested in locating a rare gull. Their missions collide when a body is found in one of the classrooms. Can Meg identify the vandal and the murderer in time to save the center’s name—while helping her grandfather track down and rescue his beloved gulls?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
About the author
Donna Andrews
118 books1,947 followersDonna Andrews was born in Yorktown, Virginia, the setting of Murder with Peacocks and Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos, and now lives and works in Reston, Virginia. When not writing fiction, Andrews is a self-confessed nerd, rarely found away from her computer, unless she's messing in the garden
http://us.macmillan.com/author/donnaa...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/donnaa...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
August 29, 2017
Meg and various family members are spending the summer at the craft retreat her grandmother, Cordelia, is starting on some old family property. While her grandfather is hot on the trail of some rare gulls that might be in the area, Meg is teaching the blacksmithing classes and trying to figure out who is out to sabotage the center. But as the second week is starting, Meg finds the body of a fellow instructor. Has the sabotage progressed to murder? Or is there another motive?
Those who love this series will find much to enjoy here. We once again get plenty of smiles and laughs, often at the way Meg’s grandparents interact with each other. The characters are wonderful, although we do miss a few of the regulars since this book takes Meg out of town. The mystery and Meg’s roll in it was a little weak, but the characters more than make up for this. I also truly appreciated the family relationships that have been built in this series here. That community is wonderful.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Those who love this series will find much to enjoy here. We once again get plenty of smiles and laughs, often at the way Meg’s grandparents interact with each other. The characters are wonderful, although we do miss a few of the regulars since this book takes Meg out of town. The mystery and Meg’s roll in it was a little weak, but the characters more than make up for this. I also truly appreciated the family relationships that have been built in this series here. That community is wonderful.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
August 31, 2018
Meg Langslow is spending the summer at the Biscuit Mountain Craft centre, run by her grandmother Cordelia. Vandalism strikes several of the studios of the artists. Could it be a rival centre that is trying to ruin the reputation? Or is it developers trying to pressure Cordelia into selling? Meg is determined to try and find out. Meanwhile her grandfather, an old curmudgeon, is more interested in finding out the location of the rare Ord Gull. Soon vandalism is the least of their problems when a body is found in one of the rooms. Could the vandal and the murderer be the same person? Or is Meg looking for two different people with a grudge against the Craft Centre? Several likely candidates come under suspicion.
This was my first introduction to Meg Langslow, even though she has appeared in twenty other books. I liked Meg and her relationship with her family, which included her husband and two young boys, her father and her estranged grandparents. Not sure I’d call it ‘knee slapping’ as the blurb suggests but it is certainly an amusing cosy mystery.
The setting was great and it was an enjoyable read filled with interesting characters. I’d be keen to read another by this author. I thought Baptiste’s comments about the lack of cell phone (mobile phone in Australia) coverage whole on excursions up the mountain was spot on. ’On our way back I can tell the moment the bus comes within range of the signal. Suddenly conversation ceases, and everyone bows their head over their devices, as if in prayer to the gods of the Internet.’ The influence of technology in a nutshell!
This was my first introduction to Meg Langslow, even though she has appeared in twenty other books. I liked Meg and her relationship with her family, which included her husband and two young boys, her father and her estranged grandparents. Not sure I’d call it ‘knee slapping’ as the blurb suggests but it is certainly an amusing cosy mystery.
The setting was great and it was an enjoyable read filled with interesting characters. I’d be keen to read another by this author. I thought Baptiste’s comments about the lack of cell phone (mobile phone in Australia) coverage whole on excursions up the mountain was spot on. ’On our way back I can tell the moment the bus comes within range of the signal. Suddenly conversation ceases, and everyone bows their head over their devices, as if in prayer to the gods of the Internet.’ The influence of technology in a nutshell!
July 27, 2018
I still like Meg's common sense approach to life, murder mysteries and all, but in this case I solved the case too early for my liking.
December 4, 2017
Author Donna Andrews has been pumping out one of these books every year since 1999. They all have punny names. My favorite title is We'll Always Have Parrots. I liked the characters and enjoyed the mystery but...
The setting is the Biscuit Mountain Craft Center, where a variety of one week long classes take place. Housing and meals are included. There are over two hundred students on the campus, either staying in one of the rooms or camping on the grounds. So, there were two murders within a span of two days. What I could not get past was the fact that nobody left. No teachers. No students. No staff. Think about it. Imagine you were somewhere and a murder was committed. There’s a murderer running loose. He or she is someone who is staying at the craft center. You would probably, I’m thinking almost definitely, pack up as fast as you could and get out of there. But no one left. Then, there was a second murder. Again, no one left. This includes our plucky heroine, Meg Langslow, her husband, and their two young sons. Wow, there’ve been two murders. We should all out iur heads together on this before someone else gets killed. Everyone gets back to creating herbal remedies, painting watercolors, and throwing pots. Meg does not even consider leaving until two thirds into the book when she reads a note saying, “Cute kids. I’d hate for something to happen to them.” Spoilerish comment. I’m not sure why the murderer wrote this note. The place is teeming with all sorts of law enforcement. Of course, in spite of all these professionals, Meg solves the murder.
Aside from this, I did like Meg and her family, and I did enjoy the mystery. There are 21 books in this series, so perhaps I should go back and “begin at the beginning.”
The setting is the Biscuit Mountain Craft Center, where a variety of one week long classes take place. Housing and meals are included. There are over two hundred students on the campus, either staying in one of the rooms or camping on the grounds. So, there were two murders within a span of two days. What I could not get past was the fact that nobody left. No teachers. No students. No staff. Think about it. Imagine you were somewhere and a murder was committed. There’s a murderer running loose. He or she is someone who is staying at the craft center. You would probably, I’m thinking almost definitely, pack up as fast as you could and get out of there. But no one left. Then, there was a second murder. Again, no one left. This includes our plucky heroine, Meg Langslow, her husband, and their two young sons. Wow, there’ve been two murders. We should all out iur heads together on this before someone else gets killed. Everyone gets back to creating herbal remedies, painting watercolors, and throwing pots. Meg does not even consider leaving until two thirds into the book when she reads a note saying, “Cute kids. I’d hate for something to happen to them.” Spoilerish comment. I’m not sure why the murderer wrote this note. The place is teeming with all sorts of law enforcement. Of course, in spite of all these professionals, Meg solves the murder.
Aside from this, I did like Meg and her family, and I did enjoy the mystery. There are 21 books in this series, so perhaps I should go back and “begin at the beginning.”
December 19, 2017
A typical Meg Langslow book with Meg, her quirky family and friends. You will have an enjoyable experience will you spend time with them. Meg is helping her Grandmother, Cordelia with her new enterprise, the Biscuit Craft Center. All hands on deck to make sure the center is successful. The first week there is vandalism occurring. Meg is exploring reasons why someone might want the Cordelia to lose the center. Her Grandfather, Dr. Blake see a picture of a strange Gull. He says it is an Ord Gull that is supposed to be extinct. Of course, her Grandfather feels nothing is more important than finding the location of the Gull. The MURDERS are second in his opinion. The antics that Meg must handle will keep you amused. Will Dr. Blake find the Gulls? Does Meg find the perpetrator of the vandalism a d the killer before she loses her life? My Thanks to the Meridian Library for my copy of the book.
August 8, 2017
Oh how I love this series; every time I read one, it is like going home and having old and dear friends waiting there for me. I have not yet been disappointed by these stories and I seriously think that this is the only series [and maybe Kylie Logan's League of Literary Ladies] I can say that about. Every single one is hilarious and fun and always has a good mystery.
For this one, Meg and her [ginormous] family are spending the summer at Biscuit Mountain helping out her [newly found] grandmother and her new craft center. All is going well [well, mostly well; they are dealing with some unexpected vandalism that has shook them, but they are still plunging forward] until a dead body appears [I guessed it was one of two people; I was right. Both times. ;-) ], and then a second dead body appears and it all goes downhill from there.
Very well told, hilarious as always and filled with just enough suspense to keep you guessing [I had no clue until just before it was discovered who the baddie was and I WAS surprised at who the vandal was, but not why] and of course the love of family that permeates these books. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them.
For this one, Meg and her [ginormous] family are spending the summer at Biscuit Mountain helping out her [newly found] grandmother and her new craft center. All is going well [well, mostly well; they are dealing with some unexpected vandalism that has shook them, but they are still plunging forward] until a dead body appears [I guessed it was one of two people; I was right. Both times. ;-) ], and then a second dead body appears and it all goes downhill from there.
Very well told, hilarious as always and filled with just enough suspense to keep you guessing [I had no clue until just before it was discovered who the baddie was and I WAS surprised at who the vandal was, but not why] and of course the love of family that permeates these books. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them.
August 8, 2017
I listened to this as an audiobook borrowed from the library. Why did I pick it? Probably because I was mildly amused by the title. This is a light hearted, quick, easy listen, but for my tastes the plot is just too overly complicated and fussy. It's like the novel equivalent of chintz. I prefer a plot which makes the reader think hard about the mystery. With this book, it's not about thinking, it's about just listening to all the twists and turns and red herrings that are fired at you and waiting to find out which one of them is the winner of 'this is how it turns out in the end'.
June 12, 2018
I love this series but missed the humor in this one. There also seemed to be more repetition of words and facts than usual. Looking forward to the next one, though!
August 21, 2024
Twenty-first in the Meg Langslow funny, cozy, amateur sleuth mystery series and revolving around a blacksmith and her very extended family. Usually set in Caerphilly (York Town), Virginia, Andrews has gone into the Blue Ridge Mountains for this one.
My Take
I do enjoy the Meg Langslow mysteries. She has such a supportive family with a wide range of useful skills, especially Mother’s, lol. They’re split between total characters to salt-of-the-earth and will make you laugh. It does make sense, since Meg Langslow is a character-driven series with a lot of warmth.
Using first-person protagonist point-of-view enables us to “view” the scene from the organized and practical Meg’s perspective. An absolute sweetheart, she worries about everyone, but without being too protective.
This is not one of Andrews’ best stories, but it does showcase the respect in which Meg and Cordelia are held. I gotta love a woman who brings such class (and respect) to her guests. It makes me want to sign up for a summer of classes.
Andrews strews the red herrings all over the place. Thank god Marty didn’t have access to any for that compost…*shudder*… As for that little extra lagniappe about the feud between town and county and Mary Margaret’s new role as the birder’s babysitter…? Too funny. And sounds like real life.
The primary events in Gone Gull are Cordelia’s new venture with everyone chipping in to make it a success, and Grandfather’s obsession with those once-thought extinct gulls. Just to make it interesting, the story cast of characters is quite eclectic (they are artists, after all) and range from wonderful to horrible.
The Story
Grandmother Cordelia has started up a crafts center with some excellent teachers…once Meg gave the go-ahead. But someone (or someones!) are sabotaging the opening with acts of vandalism…and murder.
There are no end of suspects from developers and rivals to fellow artists intent on revenge to Grandfather’s enemies.
The mystery is whether they can solve it all before the paying guests flee and the center dies an early death.
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith married to Michael Waterston, a drama professor at Caerphilly College. They have twin sons, eight year olds, Josh and Jamie. Spike is the Small Evil One, a canine ball of fur with teeth and a bad temper. Dad is a doctor with a fascination for murder, mystery, and forensics. Mother is too classy for words and could out-general any military man. Rob is Meg’s brother with a very successful gaming company, Mutant Wizards, but he’s not a computer whiz.
Rose Noire is the metaphysical, herb-loving, yoga-savvy cousin. Eric MacReady is a babysitting nephew who is also interning with Michael. Kevin, Eric’s older brother, is a computer whiz. Grandfather, a.k.a., “Great-great”, is a famous zoologist and environmentalist. Cousin Horace is in forensics. Jason, Cousin Lydia’s son, is a Navy SEAL, and Lance is a career Marine who has opened a gym/mixed martial arts studio. Festus Hollingsworth is an attorney cousin.
Caroline Willner runs the Willner Wildlife Refuge and is dating Grandfather. She’s the owner of the gypsy caravan where the boys are sleeping with the Small Evil One.
The Biscuit Mountain Craft Center is…
…in Riverton in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Cordelia Mason, Meg’s grandmother, is the owner, a.k.a., “The Duchess”. The temperamental Marty is the so-very excellent cook. Cousin Mary Margaret is the acting chatelaine for Cordelia’s Victorian which has been temporarily turned into a B&B to handle the overflow.
The teachers include Amanda Walker, a friend of Meg’s and a weaver. Grandfather and Baptiste Deshommes, Grandfather’s staff nature photographer and friend, are teaching a nature photography class. Michael is teaching a children’s theater class. Gillian Marks is the pottery instructor. Valerian Eads teaches leatherworking. The snooty Edward Prine is teaching acrylics and oils and doesn’t understand the difference between flirting and sexual harassment. Peggy Tanaka is teaching jewelry-making. Dante Marino is the woodworker.
Francesca “Frankie” Zambrano will teach art. Mother, Kevin, Dad, and Horace will teach later in the summer. Phil Santiago taught jewelry in the previous session.
The students include the annoying and flighty Victor, Irma Venable is a sneaky, lying birdwatcher, Misty, Jenni Santo is sneaking out, and the "Slacker" switches from class to class without doing anything.
Law enforcement
Mo Heedles is the chief of the Riverton PD and respects Meg. Officer Lesley Keech is the only one of her officers with some crime scene training. Sergeant Abel Hampton is with the Virginia State Police. Vern Shiffley is a deputy in Caerphilly. Stanley Denton is a private investigator based in Caerphilly. Joe Radditch is a private detective Stanley knows.
Smith Enterprises is owned by a developer, Charles Rahn, who wants to buy Cordelia’s land. Jazz Hands Art Academy is a rival craft center owned by Calvin Whiffletree. E. Willis Jasperson, Esq., is not much respected as a lawyer. The Dock Street Craft Collective was a mistake.
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is a gradated green from grass to deep, bottom to top. The text is a combination of sans-serif and serif with the major text embossed. The author’s name is at the top in a serif white while the title is slightly askew and centered in yellow with the series information in white, tiny white, below that.
The title is about Grandfather and his obsession with the natural world, for he’s Gone Gull.
My Take
I do enjoy the Meg Langslow mysteries. She has such a supportive family with a wide range of useful skills, especially Mother’s, lol. They’re split between total characters to salt-of-the-earth and will make you laugh. It does make sense, since Meg Langslow is a character-driven series with a lot of warmth.
Using first-person protagonist point-of-view enables us to “view” the scene from the organized and practical Meg’s perspective. An absolute sweetheart, she worries about everyone, but without being too protective.
This is not one of Andrews’ best stories, but it does showcase the respect in which Meg and Cordelia are held. I gotta love a woman who brings such class (and respect) to her guests. It makes me want to sign up for a summer of classes.
Andrews strews the red herrings all over the place. Thank god Marty didn’t have access to any for that compost…*shudder*… As for that little extra lagniappe about the feud between town and county and Mary Margaret’s new role as the birder’s babysitter…? Too funny. And sounds like real life.
The primary events in Gone Gull are Cordelia’s new venture with everyone chipping in to make it a success, and Grandfather’s obsession with those once-thought extinct gulls. Just to make it interesting, the story cast of characters is quite eclectic (they are artists, after all) and range from wonderful to horrible.
The Story
Grandmother Cordelia has started up a crafts center with some excellent teachers…once Meg gave the go-ahead. But someone (or someones!) are sabotaging the opening with acts of vandalism…and murder.
There are no end of suspects from developers and rivals to fellow artists intent on revenge to Grandfather’s enemies.
The mystery is whether they can solve it all before the paying guests flee and the center dies an early death.
The Characters
Meg Langslow is a blacksmith married to Michael Waterston, a drama professor at Caerphilly College. They have twin sons, eight year olds, Josh and Jamie. Spike is the Small Evil One, a canine ball of fur with teeth and a bad temper. Dad is a doctor with a fascination for murder, mystery, and forensics. Mother is too classy for words and could out-general any military man. Rob is Meg’s brother with a very successful gaming company, Mutant Wizards, but he’s not a computer whiz.
Rose Noire is the metaphysical, herb-loving, yoga-savvy cousin. Eric MacReady is a babysitting nephew who is also interning with Michael. Kevin, Eric’s older brother, is a computer whiz. Grandfather, a.k.a., “Great-great”, is a famous zoologist and environmentalist. Cousin Horace is in forensics. Jason, Cousin Lydia’s son, is a Navy SEAL, and Lance is a career Marine who has opened a gym/mixed martial arts studio. Festus Hollingsworth is an attorney cousin.
Caroline Willner runs the Willner Wildlife Refuge and is dating Grandfather. She’s the owner of the gypsy caravan where the boys are sleeping with the Small Evil One.
The Biscuit Mountain Craft Center is…
…in Riverton in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which is part of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. Cordelia Mason, Meg’s grandmother, is the owner, a.k.a., “The Duchess”. The temperamental Marty is the so-very excellent cook. Cousin Mary Margaret is the acting chatelaine for Cordelia’s Victorian which has been temporarily turned into a B&B to handle the overflow.
The teachers include Amanda Walker, a friend of Meg’s and a weaver. Grandfather and Baptiste Deshommes, Grandfather’s staff nature photographer and friend, are teaching a nature photography class. Michael is teaching a children’s theater class. Gillian Marks is the pottery instructor. Valerian Eads teaches leatherworking. The snooty Edward Prine is teaching acrylics and oils and doesn’t understand the difference between flirting and sexual harassment. Peggy Tanaka is teaching jewelry-making. Dante Marino is the woodworker.
Francesca “Frankie” Zambrano will teach art. Mother, Kevin, Dad, and Horace will teach later in the summer. Phil Santiago taught jewelry in the previous session.
The students include the annoying and flighty Victor, Irma Venable is a sneaky, lying birdwatcher, Misty, Jenni Santo is sneaking out, and the "Slacker" switches from class to class without doing anything.
Law enforcement
Mo Heedles is the chief of the Riverton PD and respects Meg. Officer Lesley Keech is the only one of her officers with some crime scene training. Sergeant Abel Hampton is with the Virginia State Police. Vern Shiffley is a deputy in Caerphilly. Stanley Denton is a private investigator based in Caerphilly. Joe Radditch is a private detective Stanley knows.
Smith Enterprises is owned by a developer, Charles Rahn, who wants to buy Cordelia’s land. Jazz Hands Art Academy is a rival craft center owned by Calvin Whiffletree. E. Willis Jasperson, Esq., is not much respected as a lawyer. The Dock Street Craft Collective was a mistake.
The Cover and Title
The background of the cover is a gradated green from grass to deep, bottom to top. The text is a combination of sans-serif and serif with the major text embossed. The author’s name is at the top in a serif white while the title is slightly askew and centered in yellow with the series information in white, tiny white, below that.
The title is about Grandfather and his obsession with the natural world, for he’s Gone Gull.
February 8, 2023
Gone Gull is the newest book in the Meg Langslow series. This time, Meg and her family have headed up to Biscuit Mountain to help her grandmother, Cordelia, with her summer program. Meg is teaching a blacksmith class, and the prior week had been wrought with pranks. As they head into the second week, Meg and Cordelia try to make sure the prankster has left. However, now the pranks have been upgraded to murder! When a fellow artist is found stabbed to death in his studio, we see Chief Heedles again visiting a crime scene. Meg is determined to do what she can to stop the vandal and the murderer! As usual, her curmudgeonly grand father gets involved when the murder victim also holds the secret to finding a rare breed of gulls previously thought extinct. After another murder victim pops up, there is a direct threat to her family as well. Meg steps up her game with the help of her beloved family members.
What I love about these mysteries (other than Meg herself) is Meg's family! My only complaint is that as her twins get older, we see less interaction between Meg and Michael. But as usual, Ms. Andrews has written a very entertaining mystery!
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What I love about these mysteries (other than Meg herself) is Meg's family! My only complaint is that as her twins get older, we see less interaction between Meg and Michael. But as usual, Ms. Andrews has written a very entertaining mystery!
I received a digital ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2017
I suspect that I would have enjoyed this more if I had read the previous 20, but alas, that isn't going to happen. This book had too much: murders (2), vandalism (a lot), threats of harm (many), kidnapping (only 1), theft, strange relationships, and MORE. Still had trouble wading through it. I was really really tired of the bickering between the non-greatgrandparents, the descriptions of the sleeping arrangements, the stuff about garbage and gulls, and the thousands of law enforcement persons. And Meg -- the story could have played out without her. Sorry -- we all have different tastes in mysteries.
July 13, 2018
This was just ok too many characters introduced too early
August 1, 2017
Murder has never been funnier than it is in the hands of Donna Andrews and her creation Meg Langslow. Andrews is as reliable as they come when you are looking for a fun cozy mystery to settle down with. Gone Gull is another winner!
Gone Gull sees Meg Langslow out of Caerphilly and up on Biscuit Mountain helping grandmother Cordelia get her craft center studios running. Acts of vandalism are upsetting the students and the teachers. As Meg begins to compile a list of suspects, the case becomes more serious when a body is discovered. Are the crimes related or coincidental? The list of suspects and targets is dizzying. A rival center? A greedy developer? Personal rivalries and vendettas? In the midst of all this, Meg’s grandfather is hot on the trail of a breed of gull long thought extinct. But is her grandfather a target, or a suspect? And can Meg unravel it all in time to save Cordelia’s studio from bankruptcy and keep her family safe?
The seemingly endless clan of Langslow relatives are both a tremendous resource and an incredible distraction. It is spending time with these looney and resourceful people that makes these books fly by and keep a smile on your face the whole time. Half of Meg’s time is spent trying to solve the crime and the other half corralling her wayward family, particularly her irascible, curmudgeonly grandfather.
Andrews keeps the pages turning with suspects, new motives and theories, red herrings and dead ends before ultimately arriving at the solution. She juggles a large and familiar cast while introducing a fair share of new and interesting characters, both enjoyable and despicable. Chapters end on mini cliff-hangers that defy you to put the book down.
Gone Gull will satisfy long-time fans and win legions of new ones. There is satisfaction in following Meg’s adventures from the beginning, but there is enough exposition in each book that new readers can jump in at any point. Either way you choose to experience it, you are in for a treat. Highly recommended!
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book
Gone Gull sees Meg Langslow out of Caerphilly and up on Biscuit Mountain helping grandmother Cordelia get her craft center studios running. Acts of vandalism are upsetting the students and the teachers. As Meg begins to compile a list of suspects, the case becomes more serious when a body is discovered. Are the crimes related or coincidental? The list of suspects and targets is dizzying. A rival center? A greedy developer? Personal rivalries and vendettas? In the midst of all this, Meg’s grandfather is hot on the trail of a breed of gull long thought extinct. But is her grandfather a target, or a suspect? And can Meg unravel it all in time to save Cordelia’s studio from bankruptcy and keep her family safe?
The seemingly endless clan of Langslow relatives are both a tremendous resource and an incredible distraction. It is spending time with these looney and resourceful people that makes these books fly by and keep a smile on your face the whole time. Half of Meg’s time is spent trying to solve the crime and the other half corralling her wayward family, particularly her irascible, curmudgeonly grandfather.
Andrews keeps the pages turning with suspects, new motives and theories, red herrings and dead ends before ultimately arriving at the solution. She juggles a large and familiar cast while introducing a fair share of new and interesting characters, both enjoyable and despicable. Chapters end on mini cliff-hangers that defy you to put the book down.
Gone Gull will satisfy long-time fans and win legions of new ones. There is satisfaction in following Meg’s adventures from the beginning, but there is enough exposition in each book that new readers can jump in at any point. Either way you choose to experience it, you are in for a treat. Highly recommended!
I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of this book
December 15, 2017
You would think that this series would have begun to show signs of becoming stale and tired by now but that hasn't happened. Donna Andrews has the magic touch and always seems to come up with fresh ideas and new things to laugh about but the early books still stick with me, especially particular characters beyond Meg.
This time, we have to get along without some of the old regulars (although two of my favorites, Spike the Small Evil One and Meg's dad, are here) because Meg has gone out of town but her grandparents do a lot to make up for the missing. Meg's blacksmithing has taken something of a back seat over the course of the series but it's central to the story in Gone Gull as she's agreed to teach classes for a few weeks at her grandmother's new craft studio. Unfortunately, someone seems to have it in for the center, perpetrating small acts of sabotage, and no one is sure who's doing it. Then Meg discovers a body and the real sleuthing begins.
I have to say the mystery to be solved isn't as much in the forefront as the wild and quirky activities of the characters but it's still a good one with some twists and turns to keep the reader occupied while chuckling at what's going on. Oh, and the gull referred to in the title? That bird and Meg's grandfather are the source of more than a few laugh out loud moments and, for me, was the icing on the cake. Having said that, I'll be glad if we have Meg back in her usual surroundings next time.
This time, we have to get along without some of the old regulars (although two of my favorites, Spike the Small Evil One and Meg's dad, are here) because Meg has gone out of town but her grandparents do a lot to make up for the missing. Meg's blacksmithing has taken something of a back seat over the course of the series but it's central to the story in Gone Gull as she's agreed to teach classes for a few weeks at her grandmother's new craft studio. Unfortunately, someone seems to have it in for the center, perpetrating small acts of sabotage, and no one is sure who's doing it. Then Meg discovers a body and the real sleuthing begins.
I have to say the mystery to be solved isn't as much in the forefront as the wild and quirky activities of the characters but it's still a good one with some twists and turns to keep the reader occupied while chuckling at what's going on. Oh, and the gull referred to in the title? That bird and Meg's grandfather are the source of more than a few laugh out loud moments and, for me, was the icing on the cake. Having said that, I'll be glad if we have Meg back in her usual surroundings next time.
September 13, 2020
Meg's grandmother Cordelia has opened a craft center & Meg and her family & friends are spending the summer there helping out by teaching classes. But someone is playing dirty tricks & damaging students art work. Then the pranks escalate to murder. Who is behind it? A rival craft center? A mining company that wants the land? Vincent the Klutz? The Slacker? There is no shortage of suspects.
It was a good mystery overall. The family interactions were great, with Cordelia goading Monty & Monty being his curmudgeonly self. He has the subplot - the search for a type of gull that was last seen in the 1920's but was apparently spotted by the murder victim just days ago. We don't see as much of Dad & Micheal, though they are there and have their part to play, this is mostly Meg, Cordelia & Blake's book.
I find it extremely odd, not to say downright jarring, that parents were not descending on the place to remove their kids from the children's theater class after the first murder, let alone the second. I'm a slacker parent but I'd've been there as soon as the news broke to get my kids. And no adult left either. One dead body? Ok, maybe, depending on how certain the police were he brought his peril with him. But I'd be gone right after the second turned up, I don't care how many police you have patrolling.
It was a good mystery overall. The family interactions were great, with Cordelia goading Monty & Monty being his curmudgeonly self. He has the subplot - the search for a type of gull that was last seen in the 1920's but was apparently spotted by the murder victim just days ago. We don't see as much of Dad & Micheal, though they are there and have their part to play, this is mostly Meg, Cordelia & Blake's book.
I find it extremely odd, not to say downright jarring, that parents were not descending on the place to remove their kids from the children's theater class after the first murder, let alone the second. I'm a slacker parent but I'd've been there as soon as the news broke to get my kids. And no adult left either. One dead body? Ok, maybe, depending on how certain the police were he brought his peril with him. But I'd be gone right after the second turned up, I don't care how many police you have patrolling.
June 26, 2017
So happy to see another book in the Meg Langslow series. This book has Meg back at the anvil teaching a blacksmithing class at her grandmother's art center. There is a lot of malicious vandalism and they are looking into both a real estate developer who want their land or a rival art center that is harassing them about copying their classes. When a murder happens, Meg and her grandfather help out the police but grandfather seems more interested in finding a rare species of seagull. Funny with a great mystery. Don't need to read the previous books but it does help with some of the humor.
September 10, 2017
In this story Meg and her family are on Biscuit Mountain helping her
grandmother with her new craft center. Vandalism is being committed and
Meg is working to find the person behind these acts while her grandfather
Is trying to locate a rare gull. This tale is filled with suspense, humor, and
murder. The characters are eccentric and support each other as well as
being fun loving. Enjoy this mystery.
grandmother with her new craft center. Vandalism is being committed and
Meg is working to find the person behind these acts while her grandfather
Is trying to locate a rare gull. This tale is filled with suspense, humor, and
murder. The characters are eccentric and support each other as well as
being fun loving. Enjoy this mystery.
October 12, 2018
Cordelia has built a craft center on Biscuit Mountain where her family’s pottery business used to operate.
Meg is doing a stint teaching blacksmithing.
Michael is also teaching: theater to the kids.
Grandfather is teaching nature photography with Baptiste (a new character).
A security system is needed due to vandalism and Rob is called in.
Lots of people .. and I was surprised at who-done-it!
Meg is doing a stint teaching blacksmithing.
Michael is also teaching: theater to the kids.
Grandfather is teaching nature photography with Baptiste (a new character).
A security system is needed due to vandalism and Rob is called in.
Lots of people .. and I was surprised at who-done-it!
August 12, 2017
I love this series. This one takes place at the new craft center Meg's grandmother has opened. There is vandalism and a couple of murders. Plus, her grandfather is on the search for some rare seagulls. All good fun!
August 30, 2017
The Meg books just get better and better! I got Gone Gull from the library because I couldn't wait for the paperback, and I'm so glad I did. Got my fix, but now I may have to re-read every book again! Read this one!
September 13, 2017
Another slapstick adventure with the Langslow gang. A summer of artsy classes at Biscuit Mountain encounter mayhem and bodies. This one is for the birds. Don't be too gull-ible when you read some of the alibis.
September 18, 2017
21 books in and I still enjoy this series. Cheesy, improbable, and yet so delightfully funny that I usually snort laugh at least a few times while reading it. I just love the never-ending parade of relatives, and if I ever have a crisis I want Meg (and her mother) on my side.
January 30, 2020
Don't even @ me about this 5 star rating. What was there not to love? This was completely ridiculous and also I cannot believe gulls were TRULY central to the plot.
If you need me I'll be out back reading Toucan Keep a Secret.
PopSugar 2020: A book with a pun in the title.
If you need me I'll be out back reading Toucan Keep a Secret.
PopSugar 2020: A book with a pun in the title.
September 12, 2017
I enjoyed this Meg Langslow mystery more than the last couple. All the characters I love were there and the mystery was very well written.
October 8, 2018
Waited a bit for this book and it did not disappoint. Page turner with lots of giggles.
May 1, 2020
Awesome as always!
July 20, 2021
Once again, a fun mystery with birds, crazy relatives, unusual situations, & engaging characters. Meg & the family are spending the summer helping Grandmother Cordelia get her new craft center off to a good start by teaching classes. But Meg finds bodies, Grandfather is looking for rare gulls, the studios are being vandalized, & it's getting grim. But everyone pulls together to find the vandal & the killer, topped by a tense ending.
September 28, 2017
21 books in the series? Wow. This one takes place at a new craft center run by Meg's grandmother Cordelia. Who is vandalizing the center? And who has murdered an instructor and one of the students? And where have the gulls gone? Everyone is in good form, and don't discount the Small Evil One. A real cliffhanger.
January 12, 2020
3+ I’m still enjoying this series, but this one was not really a favorite.
August 4, 2017
I give Andrews top marks for keeping her story lines and locations fresh for 21 books. As is typical, but even more so in Gull, Meg takes center stage. Many of her usual family members have brief cameos with two new members introduced. Given the family's propensity for trouble, I can see these newbies appearing often in future books.
While there was plenty to like, I found it hard to stay engaged. I would really like Meg to have a sidekick helping with her investigations. It could vary from book to book or be one person. I miss that chemistry and byplay. The killer also outs themself and it really still could have been almost anyone based on the little useful info. Meg uncovers. In this one, she eliminates (mostly family) more than uncovers.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
While there was plenty to like, I found it hard to stay engaged. I would really like Meg to have a sidekick helping with her investigations. It could vary from book to book or be one person. I miss that chemistry and byplay. The killer also outs themself and it really still could have been almost anyone based on the little useful info. Meg uncovers. In this one, she eliminates (mostly family) more than uncovers.
I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
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