Rating: 
Summary: But I loved her first book!
Review: I waited eagerly for Donna Andrews second novel. After all,anyone who wrote Murder with Peacocks would surely come up with anequally interesting second venture. Not so. While the writing style of Murder with Puffins is good, the plot falls somewhat flat. Perhaps I overdosed on the family, and don't find their antics so cute any more. Or perhaps I want our heroine to show a little backbone and get a life of her own, instead of running about doing everyone's biding. A fair novel, but for the next one, I'll wait for the paperback.
Rating:
Summary: not as good as Murder With Peacocks
Review: I was disappointed in this book. I expected character development & relationship development, & got little of either. The book is not as funny as Murder With Peacocks, & without that humor, & without the character development, it just falls flat. I think it would have been more interesting if it had been written from Michael's point of view instead of Meg's. Then we might have a clue as to why he does whatever she says with no arguing. It's not a bad read -- the mystery is a little more complex in this book than the first book -- this one is just not as all-around entertaining as the first one.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing Sequel
Review: I was truly disappointed in this second book in the Meg Langslow series. I really enjoyed the first one and, while I enjoyed this one as well, there were two things that disappointed me; one, the motive for the murder just did not wash with me. I cannot see anyone murdering someone for the reason given. And two, the manner in which the murderer is actually caught is almost ludicrous. I cannot imagine the policemen missing such an obvious thing. Then, after the murderer is captured, the police continue searching for him (you will understand what I mean when you read the book). So, while this book is enjoyable and recommendable, I have to say that I will hesitate on buying the next one in the series.
Rating: 
Summary: One Puffin Too Many
Review: In general, I am not a fan of the 'cozy' mystery story. No offense intended, but my taste runs to dark fiction, horror, and other equally bleak genre. However, every once in a while, an uncontrollable fit comes over me, and only the lighter side of the mystery world will do. The 'cozy' is my way of escaping my normal fare without turning my back on murder and mayhem. No doubt a form of having my cake and eating it too. In pursuit of these sudden urges, I recently discovered Donna Andrew's stories about Meg Langslow and her romantic partner Michael Waterston, and have been keeping 'Murder with Puffins' on hand for just such an emergency.Meg and Michael are also trying to escape, in their case they are trying to get away from their charming but eccentric families and friends. Meg takes advantage of a standing offer and heads off with Michael to Monhegan, a semi-civilized island off the coast of Maine. What they did not count on was finding that the entire Langslow clan has independently arrived at the same idea. Upon arriving on the island, Meg discovers that she has fled the frying pan for the fire. True to form, in the middle of a chaos concocted of a mass of birdwatchers, an equal number of Langslows, and a hurricane, the most unpopular person on the island dies in mysterious (and inconvenient) circumstances. Since one of the possible suspects is Meg's father, our two intrepid vacationers thrust themselves hip deep in an investigation that leads them to every quirk and secret Monhegan contains. Nor does it help that the weather has made communication with the outside world impossible. One of Andrew's admirable traits it that all her characters seem to have some level of native intelligence. They may be weird, suspicious or inexplicable, but they generally can indulge in repartee and make the occasional quip. Even the lesser lights are not completely dim. Thus, her stories are comedies of manners, not simple burlesques. Her plots move along lightly, and she manages to avoid the sins of over-writing. All of which creates a very pleasant entertainment, and explains why the author has enjoyed immediate acceptance and received several notable awards. Whether you are addicted to this genre, or are, like me, an occasional visitor, you will find this series excellent reading. While 'Murder with Puffins' will not suffer from being read out of order (it is the second in the series), I still think it best to start at the beginning with 'Murder with Peacocks.' Take my advice and read them all.
Rating:
Summary: One Puffin Too Many
Review: In general, I am not a fan of the 'cozy' mystery story. No offense intended, but my taste runs to dark fiction, horror, and other equally bleak genre. However, every once in a while, an uncontrollable fit comes over me, and only the lighter side of the mystery world will do. The 'cozy' is my way of escaping my normal fare without turning my back on murder and mayhem. No doubt a form of having my cake and eating it too. In pursuit of these sudden urges, I recently discovered Donna Andrew's stories about Meg Langslow and her romantic partner Michael Waterston, and have been keeping 'Murder with Puffins' on hand for just such an emergency. Meg and Michael are also trying to escape, in their case they are trying to get away from their charming but eccentric families and friends. Meg takes advantage of a standing offer and heads off with Michael to Monhegan, a semi-civilized island off the coast of Maine. What they did not count on was finding that the entire Langslow clan has independently arrived at the same idea. Upon arriving on the island, Meg discovers that she has fled the frying pan for the fire. True to form, in the middle of a chaos concocted of a mass of birdwatchers, an equal number of Langslows, and a hurricane, the most unpopular person on the island dies in mysterious (and inconvenient) circumstances. Since one of the possible suspects is Meg's father, our two intrepid vacationers thrust themselves hip deep in an investigation that leads them to every quirk and secret Monhegan contains. Nor does it help that the weather has made communication with the outside world impossible. One of Andrew's admirable traits it that all her characters seem to have some level of native intelligence. They may be weird, suspicious or inexplicable, but they generally can indulge in repartee and make the occasional quip. Even the lesser lights are not completely dim. Thus, her stories are comedies of manners, not simple burlesques. Her plots move along lightly, and she manages to avoid the sins of over-writing. All of which creates a very pleasant entertainment, and explains why the author has enjoyed immediate acceptance and received several notable awards. Whether you are addicted to this genre, or are, like me, an occasional visitor, you will find this series excellent reading. While 'Murder with Puffins' will not suffer from being read out of order (it is the second in the series), I still think it best to start at the beginning with 'Murder with Peacocks.' Take my advice and read them all.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the First
Review: In Murder With Puffins, Donna Andrews brings her ironmonger heroine, Meg, and impossibly handsome hero, Michael, out for their second outing, this time to a remote East Coast island populated with surly natives, raucous seagulls, nasty weather, extension cords, fanatical birders, and ... absent puffins. Andrews' second mystery bears some resemblance to her first--Meg and Michael still can't get any time alone, Meg is still put upon by all and sundry, and she again does her sleuthing in fits, starts, and stumbles. As in the first book, the mystery is fairly easy to solve, but it's a fun trip to get there. Some readers prefer the first book, which had more slapstick, manic humor and a faster pace, but I prefer Puffins. Murder with Puffins moves at a slower pace, its humor more gentle but also a lot more realistic, and the characters also become more fleshed-out, less stereotypical. The exploration of Meg's parent's relationship, in particular, makes this book a deeper, more realistic read. I look forward to the next book in the series, as this may be one of those rare, treasured mystery series that actually allows the characters to grow, change, and become more complex and interesting.
Rating:
Summary: More Sheer Delight
Review: In Murder with Puffins, Donna Andrews moves Meg Langslow, her new sweetheart Micheal, and the most interesting of the cast of characters from Murder with Peacocks to an island off the coast of Maine - thereby showing us that her comic flair flourishes on Maine's rocky coast as well as the southern sun of her first book. I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, which maintains the charm and zany plotting of her first book while developing her cast of characters. I'm already longing for the next in the series. I can't wait to see where she takes Meg and company next.
Rating:
Summary: Do not miss this exciting new series!
Review: In this sequel to MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, Meg Langslow is back with her hunky/smart boyfriend, Michael, and her nutty family in tow. A vacation for two at a romantic island off the coast of Maine turns out to be anything but: Meg's family is already on the island, and a hurricane combined with a dead body spoil Meg and Michael's getaway. They soon find themselves traipsing across the island looking for clues and attempting to avoid the rampant "birders" who do not realize that their enthusiasm for the winged species is not equally shared by everyone. Clues are deftly placed in this fast-paced, exciting murder mystery. The conclusion builds logically, and the author does a fantastic job weaving the threads of mystery, humor, family ties, and romance. Reading MURDER WITH PUFFINS is a vacation in itself due to the compelling scenery of Monhegan Island. Anyone who has been caught is the rain at the beach knows the moody/cozy atmosphere that results. Andrews has captured that feeling perfectly. Meg is a witty and down-to-earth heroine, and I look forward to reading about her adventures in many future installments.
Rating:
Summary: Do not miss this exciting new series!
Review: In this sequel to MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, Meg Langslow is back with her hunky/smart boyfriend, Michael, and her nutty family in tow. A vacation for two at a romantic island off the coast of Maine turns out to be anything but: Meg's family is already on the island, and a hurricane combined with a dead body spoil Meg and Michael's getaway. They soon find themselves traipsing across the island looking for clues and attempting to avoid the rampant "birders" who do not realize that their enthusiasm for the winged species is not equally shared by everyone. Clues are deftly placed in this fast-paced, exciting murder mystery. The conclusion builds logically, and the author does a fantastic job weaving the threads of mystery, humor, family ties, and romance. Reading MURDER WITH PUFFINS is a vacation in itself due to the compelling scenery of Monhegan Island. Anyone who has been caught is the rain at the beach knows the moody/cozy atmosphere that results. Andrews has captured that feeling perfectly. Meg is a witty and down-to-earth heroine, and I look forward to reading about her adventures in many future installments.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: Meg and Michael have a healthy romantic relationship, but struggle to find some private intimate time together. She lives with her parents and he rents a room in a professor's house. Even when they go dining in a restaurant they have no privacy as everyone seems to recognize Meg as the person who recently solved a big profile murder case. Though fame may last for fifteen minutes, Michael shakes his head in disbelief when other diners constantly bombard Meg for autographs or ask her prurient questions. Seeking some quality time by themselves, Meg and Michael go Aunt Phoebe's cabin on Monehegan Island off of the Maine coast. When they arrive, they find the abode filled with other people including Phoebe, Meg's immediate family, and an old family friend. A nasty storm traps everyone on the island. To get away, the couple takes long walks together. On one of their treks, they come across the murdered corpse of famous artist, local resident Victor Resnick. Circumstantial evidence points towards Meg's father or aunt as being the most likely perpetrators to have killed the villainous Mr. Resnick. The intrepid Meg and her valiant beau plan to prove otherwise. Donna Andrews first novel, MURDER WITH PEACOCKS, won the 1997 St. Martin's Malice Domestic Award. Her second book, MURDER WITH PUFFINS, proves that Ms. Andrews was no rookie flash, but a talented author with the potential of becoming a superstar. Her likable characters are offbeat and endearing and enhance the fast-paced, entertaining story line. Fans of regional amateur sleuth tales will gain much pleasure from this wonderful novel. Harriet Klausner
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