How the Finch Stole Christmas!: A Meg Langslow Christmas Mystery
Registered by 
GoryDetails
of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 10/8/2018
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
GoryDetails of Nashua, New Hampshire USA on 10/8/2018 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
I got this paperback at Barnes and Noble. I first discovered Andrews' "Meg Langslow" books via the hilarious We'll Always Have Parrots, which is actually the fifth in the series. I've been following the series since then, and have been enjoying the books very much. [Most of them can stand alone, but as the events of each book seem to feed into the next one it adds some fun (and prevents some spoilers) if you read them in order.]
This is the 22nd (!) book in the series, and is another enjoyable visit with the increasingly-extended clan, whose friends and allies now seem to encompass most of the town and surrounding counties...
The premise here: Meg's husband Michael is trying to stage the annual production of "A Christmas Story," for which they've acquired the services of a noted - but troubled - actor, whose glory days are behind him and whose booze-habit is notorious. Meg's applied her skills to keeping at a minimum any opportunities for him to hide or acquire alcohol, but it's a running challenge. And as they're counting on his fandom to boost ticket sales, they don't want to can him if it isn't necessary.
Meanwhile, other concerns appear (of course): the discovery of a barn full of illegally-trafficked animals (including the finch of the title), an approaching snowstorm, the disappearance of the play's star (a mixed blessing) - and, surprise!, a murder. Oh, and a mysterious holiday called "Weaseltide" that is apparently of great interest to some of the visitors to the town celebrations...
The whole story's a rollicking mix of unlikely situations, but I enjoy the tone, and the way in which Meg rallies her many relatives, friends, community allies, and more, to cope with each new incident. At this point the entire network seems to come together almost automatically - they could be a band of superheroes in a different franchise! The bickering and bonding can be quite funny, the animals are well-looked-after as soon as they're rescued, and there's an entertaining plot-twist in among the chaos. I laughed aloud quite often while reading this one!
[There's a short TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]
This is the 22nd (!) book in the series, and is another enjoyable visit with the increasingly-extended clan, whose friends and allies now seem to encompass most of the town and surrounding counties...
The premise here: Meg's husband Michael is trying to stage the annual production of "A Christmas Story," for which they've acquired the services of a noted - but troubled - actor, whose glory days are behind him and whose booze-habit is notorious. Meg's applied her skills to keeping at a minimum any opportunities for him to hide or acquire alcohol, but it's a running challenge. And as they're counting on his fandom to boost ticket sales, they don't want to can him if it isn't necessary.
Meanwhile, other concerns appear (of course): the discovery of a barn full of illegally-trafficked animals (including the finch of the title), an approaching snowstorm, the disappearance of the play's star (a mixed blessing) - and, surprise!, a murder. Oh, and a mysterious holiday called "Weaseltide" that is apparently of great interest to some of the visitors to the town celebrations...
The whole story's a rollicking mix of unlikely situations, but I enjoy the tone, and the way in which Meg rallies her many relatives, friends, community allies, and more, to cope with each new incident. At this point the entire network seems to come together almost automatically - they could be a band of superheroes in a different franchise! The bickering and bonding can be quite funny, the animals are well-looked-after as soon as they're rescued, and there's an entertaining plot-twist in among the chaos. I laughed aloud quite often while reading this one!
[There's a short TV Tropes page on the series, with some entertaining tidbits.]
Journal Entry 2 by GoryDetails at Drake Field in Pittsfield, New Hampshire USA on Friday, December 7, 2018
GoryDetails at Drake Field in Pittsfield, New Hampshire USA on Friday, December 7, 2018
Released 5 yrs ago (12/7/2018 UTC) at Drake Field in Pittsfield, New Hampshire USA
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
I left this book, bagged against the elements, on a post near the parking area off of Barnstead Rd on this bright, chilly day; hope someone enjoys it![See other recent releases in NH here.]
*** Released for the 2018 D for December release challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2018 What's In A Name release challenge. ***
*** Released for the 2018 December Holiday release challenge. ***
