Rating:  Summary: Amusing, but . . . Review: although Ms. Andrews has a flare for comedy, she obviously has never been a participant in a reenactment, otherwise she'd know that some of the things she describes would never happen. If you don't mind the errors and inconsistencies it's not a bad book.
Rating:  Summary: Bird is the Word Review: Donna Andrews has topped her freshman and sophmore outings with "Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos." These are mysteries you can share with your friend who complains she doesn't like mysteries--she'll sit curled up on the sofa, giggling like a madwoman, and never notice that there's a murder and a solution sliding down as smooth as...well, as egg-drop soup, to extend the bird metaphor. In too many comedies featuring female protagonists, the humour comes from her helplessness in the face of the increasingly outrageous demands made upon her by family and friends. This annoys me. Meg Langslow is also beset on all sides by straight-faced, well-meaning lunatics, but she never does a doormat imitation. I predict the only thing that might hold back this increasingly engaging series will be Ms. Andrews' difficulties in coming up with titles. Somebody send her a "Peterson's Guide." Quick!
Rating:  Summary: Bird is the Word Review: Donna Andrews has topped her freshman and sophmore outings with "Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos." These are mysteries you can share with your friend who complains she doesn't like mysteries--she'll sit curled up on the sofa, giggling like a madwoman, and never notice that there's a murder and a solution sliding down as smooth as...well, as egg-drop soup, to extend the bird metaphor. In too many comedies featuring female protagonists, the humour comes from her helplessness in the face of the increasingly outrageous demands made upon her by family and friends. This annoys me. Meg Langslow is also beset on all sides by straight-faced, well-meaning lunatics, but she never does a doormat imitation. I predict the only thing that might hold back this increasingly engaging series will be Ms. Andrews' difficulties in coming up with titles. Somebody send her a "Peterson's Guide." Quick!
Rating:  Summary: Revenge of the wrought iron flamingos Review: Donna Andrews writes lovely mystery novels. they arent genius.. and they don't take a long time to read and ponder... just good plain reads that take one away from ones every day life. Ive read other reviews of Andrews' work and being juvinile... hardly true. This is a great mystery series... esp since Im awaiting the publication of the next installments in other series. keep the birds coming Donna!!
Rating:  Summary: This book ain't rusty... Review: I really enjoyed REVENGE of the WROUGHT-IRON FLAMINGOS, enough that I have recommended, not only this book, but the series to others. I literally found myself guffawing outloud during the scene where the murderer is caught. The series is a good read for those who like mystery, a little romance and a lot of laughs.
Rating:  Summary: A zany, funny and totally delightful mystery Review: It's the annual Yorktown Day celebration. Her formidable future mother in law drafts Meg Langslow into making sure that the crafts people, reenactors and everyone else connected to the event are staying in period. No articles that weren't available when the British surrendered to George Washington are allowed. It is Meg's sad and much lamented job to enforce that rule or risk stirring the wrath of a woman she wants to please. Trying to be everything for everybody has given Meg a headache and a need for some time alone. At the welcoming night party, she sneaks out to go to her booth, which she finds vandalized. By the time she gets over that setback, she gets an even bigger one. A man with a knife in his back is found dead behind her booth. Meg made the knife and like many other people argued in public with the victim. To insure that the sheriff doesn't arrest the wrong person, Meg decide to do a little sleuthing on her own. Meg Langslow has to be one of the most quirky and endearing amateur sleuths to grace the pages of a mystery novel in a long time. Her relatives and friends, who make up most of the secondary characters, are lovable eccentrics that juice up the story line. Donna Andrews has written an excellent who done it that should win her an award. Harriet Klausner
Rating:  Summary: Amusing, but . . . Review: Meg and Michael have been dragooned(excuse the pun) into participating in a craft fair and reenactment of the battle of Yorktown. Michael's mother is running the event with her usual iron fist. Anachronisms are forbidden and fined. Meg is forced to wear itchy linsey woolsey while she sells her ironworks. Michael, as a member of a French regiment, gets to wear a magnificent uniform. Various of Meg's eccentric relatives are there to add spice to the event. Her father is a particularly gory colonial doctor. Her weasly cousin Wesley is looking for a tabloid story to boost his career, and Cousin Horace is out of his gorilla suit and into the uniform of a Virginia regiment. Meg does her best to hide Mrs. Fennimore's recent commission, a dozen glow in the dark pink wrought iron flamingos, to replace the plastic flock outlawed by the town. A shady businessman is found dead in her booth, and a good friend is accused. Meg and Michael must solve the crime themselves or Faulk will be charged with murder. I found myself enjoying this book more and more as the story progressed. Meg and Michael's families are always the most entertaining parts of these books and this one was no exception. The background story of the reenactment was pretty interesting also, and blended well with the mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Rating:  Summary: Meg's flamingo's are anachronistic and more Review: Meg and Michael have been dragooned(excuse the pun) into participating in a craft fair and reenactment of the battle of Yorktown. Michael's mother is running the event with her usual iron fist. Anachronisms are forbidden and fined. Meg is forced to wear itchy linsey woolsey while she sells her ironworks. Michael, as a member of a French regiment, gets to wear a magnificent uniform. Various of Meg's eccentric relatives are there to add spice to the event. Her father is a particularly gory colonial doctor. Her weasly cousin Wesley is looking for a tabloid story to boost his career, and Cousin Horace is out of his gorilla suit and into the uniform of a Virginia regiment. Meg does her best to hide Mrs. Fennimore's recent commission, a dozen glow in the dark pink wrought iron flamingos, to replace the plastic flock outlawed by the town. A shady businessman is found dead in her booth, and a good friend is accused. Meg and Michael must solve the crime themselves or Faulk will be charged with murder. I found myself enjoying this book more and more as the story progressed. Meg and Michael's families are always the most entertaining parts of these books and this one was no exception. The background story of the reenactment was pretty interesting also, and blended well with the mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Rating:  Summary: The Original Battle of Yorktown Had to be Easier Review: Meg is participating in a period craft fair as part of the annual celebration and reenactment for the Battle of Yorktown. Trying to get on Mrs. Waterston's good side, she's agreed to help make sure her follow craftspeople stay completely in period. But being the go between just might be more then Meg can handle. Especially since her boyfriend's mother is cracking down on anything and everything. Meanwhile, Michael wants more from their relationship, and Meg is shying away from any form of commitment. And her brother Rob is meeting with someone interested in buying his computer game. But Roger Benson has a shady reputation at best, and when this computer guy turns up murdered in Meg's booth, the list of suspects is long. Not that she needs any more to do this weekend, but now Meg must solve this crime before the police arrest one of her friends. As with the others is the series, this book has quite a bit going on beside the mystery. And, as the title would suggest, this is a fun, light cozy. If this is what you want, you'll love the book. Even if the mystery doesn't progress quickly, there is so much going on to keep you engaged you really don't care. And the humor, from Meg's father, who insists his air tight alibi is full of holes, to gorilla costume wearing Cousin Horace, is top notch. Yet, the mystery still provides some great twists and turns. And the characters are very well defined. I love this series when I'm in the mood for something fun and light. Donna Andrews does such a great job of keeping everything balanced that it makes for an entertaining read.
Rating:  Summary: The Original Battle of Yorktown Had to be Easier Review: Meg is participating in a period craft fair as part of the annual celebration and reenactment for the Battle of Yorktown. Trying to get on Mrs. Waterston's good side, she's agreed to help make sure her follow craftspeople stay completely in period. But being the go between just might be more then Meg can handle. Especially since her boyfriend's mother is cracking down on anything and everything. Meanwhile, Michael wants more from their relationship, and Meg is shying away from any form of commitment. And her brother Rob is meeting with someone interested in buying his computer game. But Roger Benson has a shady reputation at best, and when this computer guy turns up murdered in Meg's booth, the list of suspects is long. Not that she needs any more to do this weekend, but now Meg must solve this crime before the police arrest one of her friends. As with the others is the series, this book has quite a bit going on beside the mystery. And, as the title would suggest, this is a fun, light cozy. If this is what you want, you'll love the book. Even if the mystery doesn't progress quickly, there is so much going on to keep you engaged you really don't care. And the humor, from Meg's father, who insists his air tight alibi is full of holes, to gorilla costume wearing Cousin Horace, is top notch. Yet, the mystery still provides some great twists and turns. And the characters are very well defined. I love this series when I'm in the mood for something fun and light. Donna Andrews does such a great job of keeping everything balanced that it makes for an entertaining read.
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