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melbsreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book is to blame for the fact that I've been singing Christmas carols for the past three days and it's only the start of October...
This was...slightly formulaic. Basically everything you expect to happen happens. Spike bites people. Meg uncovers things the police can't seem to. Michael is adorable and supportive. Meg's parents are hilarious. Various cousins are totally over the top. Someone gets murdered. There's a menagerie of animals. Blah blah blah. The usual stuff.
That said, it's still fun. The characters are pretty damned great, the writing is entertaining, and though it didn't exactly keep me guessing, it was an enjoyable distraction from the real world.
This was...slightly formulaic. Basically everything you expect to happen happens. Spike bites people. Meg uncovers things the police can't seem to. Michael is adorable and supportive. Meg's parents are hilarious. Various cousins are totally over the top. Someone gets murdered. There's a menagerie of animals. Blah blah blah. The usual stuff.
That said, it's still fun. The characters are pretty damned great, the writing is entertaining, and though it didn't exactly keep me guessing, it was an enjoyable distraction from the real world.
stacey42's review against another edition
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.
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.
birdmanseven's review
2.0
I have read and enjoyed other books in this series but this one just felt too chaotic and implausible.
It wasn't very fun.
We discuss this series further in an early episode of the All the Books Show.
https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-15-saint-nics-christmas-picks?in=allthebooks/sets/christmas-episodes
It wasn't very fun.
We discuss this series further in an early episode of the All the Books Show.
https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-15-saint-nics-christmas-picks?in=allthebooks/sets/christmas-episodes
vhardman's review
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Actually had several laugh out loud moments as I pictured everyone in the Holiday parade. Meg Langslow is a fun heroine.
giantsdancefarm's review
4.0
Always a great combo of who-done-it and humor, Andrews never disapoints.
devrose's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I don't know why I liked this one so much. Maybe it's the idea of having the police snowed at the Langslows' house. I found that really amusing. It was a light read and I enjoyed it.
I don't know why I liked this one so much. Maybe it's the idea of having the police snowed at the Langslows' house. I found that really amusing. It was a light read and I enjoyed it.
bookcrazylady45's review
4.0
Reading about Meg is like reading science fiction...she is so alien to me personally. Talk about seeing how the other half lives. I love reading about all the strange folk and wonderful animals and hey, the mysteries are good too...I never guess them ahead of time.
Rereading in May 2020, how strange that just before I finished this book I was thinking the exact same thoughts as above which was written at least ten years ago. The truth remains...it is fascinating to read about with a slightly horrified edge. Her life is a nightmare to me, it does not look the least bit inviting. That being said, I really really like Meg..she is phlegmatic, practical, pragmatic, endlessly willing and energetic and patient. In her place, if my home was invaded by hordes of relatives, I would not calmly put down sleeping bags and heat coffee and prepare meals, I would run for the hills..even into a snowstorm. I would be hiding in the loft of the barn with a space heater, a thermos of coffee and a stack of books and lots of blankets until they had all left.
Rereading in May 2020, how strange that just before I finished this book I was thinking the exact same thoughts as above which was written at least ten years ago. The truth remains...it is fascinating to read about with a slightly horrified edge. Her life is a nightmare to me, it does not look the least bit inviting. That being said, I really really like Meg..she is phlegmatic, practical, pragmatic, endlessly willing and energetic and patient. In her place, if my home was invaded by hordes of relatives, I would not calmly put down sleeping bags and heat coffee and prepare meals, I would run for the hills..even into a snowstorm. I would be hiding in the loft of the barn with a space heater, a thermos of coffee and a stack of books and lots of blankets until they had all left.
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Six Geese A Slaying by Donna Andrews is a 2008 Minotaur publication.
“Meg, something’s wrong with Santa.”
Meg has volunteered to organize the Christmas parade-a chore she didn’t realize required so much effort. But whatever helps Michael gain tenure…
The theme for the parade is The Twelve Days of Christmas, and like all good holiday parades, Santa will be there to hear the children’s Christmas requests.
Naturally, things go horribly awry when ‘Santa’ is found murdered!!
As you know, I am slowly reading through this series, in order. With so many installments, I got a little mixed up on which book came next in the series and accidentally skipped this one. I realized my mistake immediately, and corrected the issue, but was a little disappointed when I realized the next book in line had a Christmas theme because after my holiday reading marathon in December, I’m pretty burned out on Christmas stories.
But because it has been a long time since I touched base with Meg, and because I needed to read a book that was sure to make me laugh, I decided to suck it up.
Turns out, I made the right decision! Meg is, as always, hysterically funny. The holiday parade was outrageously madcap, and as always, the characters are quirky and comical. The mystery is also an exceptional whodunit, but of course, the holiday theme adds just a dash of extra magic and charm to this installment in the series.
I really must touch base with Meg more often!
4 stars
“Meg, something’s wrong with Santa.”
Meg has volunteered to organize the Christmas parade-a chore she didn’t realize required so much effort. But whatever helps Michael gain tenure…
The theme for the parade is The Twelve Days of Christmas, and like all good holiday parades, Santa will be there to hear the children’s Christmas requests.
Naturally, things go horribly awry when ‘Santa’ is found murdered!!
As you know, I am slowly reading through this series, in order. With so many installments, I got a little mixed up on which book came next in the series and accidentally skipped this one. I realized my mistake immediately, and corrected the issue, but was a little disappointed when I realized the next book in line had a Christmas theme because after my holiday reading marathon in December, I’m pretty burned out on Christmas stories.
But because it has been a long time since I touched base with Meg, and because I needed to read a book that was sure to make me laugh, I decided to suck it up.
Turns out, I made the right decision! Meg is, as always, hysterically funny. The holiday parade was outrageously madcap, and as always, the characters are quirky and comical. The mystery is also an exceptional whodunit, but of course, the holiday theme adds just a dash of extra magic and charm to this installment in the series.
I really must touch base with Meg more often!
4 stars
csd17's review
3.0
She's written better. All the fun stuff happened in the beginning and the ending was predictable.