Reviews

Fun. Quick. Expected, but lots of silly animals and Christmas happenings. Great descriptions that let me create colorful pictures in my head of this busy book.

amanda214's review

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

screamingphoenix405's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

verityw's review against another edition

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5.0

I'm still loving Meg Langslow - and this is one of my favourite ones to date - maybe it's because I'm reading it in the run up to Christmas, but it's that time of year and I really enjoyed the Christmas tale from Caerphilly county. I thought I had the murderer pegged quite early on - tho I had no idea of the motive - but I still enjoyed reading the resolution.

I've ordered the next one already!

cmbohn's review

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4.0

I enjoyed this Christmas outing with Meg and her family. Meg has been roped into taking charge of Caerphilly county's annual holiday parade, and someone has just killed Santa. Since the Santa in question was an extremely unpleasant character, there's no shortage of suspects (although I admit I spotted the killer right away - even before the murder!). But in these books, the fun is in the journey. And Meg is back to her usual self. After a somewhat flat book last time, this one is just good fun.

staceylynn42's review against another edition

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4.0

It's another "Meg needs to learn to say No" book. Oh, she had her reasons for taking on the task of organizing the holiday parade, but IMO they are not worth it. Not for what she took on.
The annual holiday parade is getting ready out at Meg's place (I really need a map of Caerphilly because sometimes she lives miles out of town and other times there are things like this business of a parade beginning at her place. If they are MILES out of town, no one is prepping a parade there. No band will march that long, no twirlers, no clowns, no choir - no one, will march miles just to then BEGIN the parade) The parade has a 12 Days of Xmas theme, and includes choirs, floats, elephants, camels, sheep and even more animals, plus all of Meg's family & friends are involved. Then there is Santa, who is a real PITA and is found dead not long before the parade starts. Meg investigates the murder, helps Michael get ready for his one-man Charles Dickens show, and does her best to keep Caerphilly's population from looking either "too quaint" or "too crazy" to visiting reporter.
There are a few twists & red-herrings plus the trademark humor in this one.

ssejig's review

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3.0

Chosen to lead the local holiday parade (at least, it's the "holiday" now that she's in charge), Meg Langslow is wondering why she accepted. Well, she didn't exactly know that she was going to be in charge of everything. So that's why her house is teeming with most of the town of Caerphilly. Or so it seems. And many animals including donkeys, camels, elephants and more. Everything is chaotic and only made more so by the late appearance of Ralph Doleson who is playing Santa Claus. He is someone whom no one in town actually likes but yet somehow has a coveted role in the parade. He also has the temerity to kick Spike. True, the eight-and-a-half pound dog has a tendency to bite but that doesn't mean that he should be treated that way. It's just too bad that Meg's nephew is the one to find him murdered while in costume.
Regular readers will know who the murderer is pretty quickly but this is still worth reading.

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