Dru’s Short Musing:
When a skeleton is found in Rob’s new house, Meg is on the case.

Mischief and mayhem abound in this well-written and fast-paced whodunit that was loads of fun. A cold case, a missing person, and the search for answers propel this sharply defined mystery where everything is on the page to keep us engaged in all possibilities from the eccentric and quirky cast of characters to the various situations that keep the drama moving forward. I had a great time following the path the author had staged for us until a few red herrings had me looking elsewhere, all to enhance my reading pleasure. Of course, as usual in a Donna Andrews production, some humorous moments had me laughing out loud, much to the annoyance of the person sitting next to me on the bus. Like a well-established brand, this series gets better and fresher with each new book written. This was a delightfully entertaining read, and I look forward to the next book with Meg and her Caerphilly family and friends.

Series Name: A Meg Langslow Mystery | Book 37
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Release: August 5, 2025
Format: Print, Digital, Audio
Purchase Link

Book Synopsis:
Meg is in the backyard of the house her brother Rob, Delaney, and their new baby have moved into, supervising some workmen who are using a bulldozer to start digging out a duck pond. She wants to get away from her own house, which has become the staging site for Caerphilly’s first Mutt March, which will be held the next day. Meg thinks it will be more peaceful at Rob’s house–and it is until the bulldozers uncover a skeleton whose skull has a hole and a bullet rattling around inside.

Meanwhile, Chief Burke begins searching the police records to see if he can identify any missing persons who would fit the bill. He doesn’t turn down Meg’s offer to help with his identification efforts, and she begins looking in the library and talking to old-timers. She’s all the more eager to help because Iris Rafferty, who sold the house to Rob and Delaney and still lives in the mother-in-law suite, disappears the morning after the finding of the body… does her disappearance have anything to do with finding the body? Was it voluntary? Or was she kidnapped–possibly by the prowlers who are spotted lurking around the half-finished duck pond at night? Or do the prowlers have sinister designs on one or more of the dogs who will be marching in the parade?

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.