In this 22nd book in the 'Meg Langslow' series, Meg - who's a blacksmith, wife, mother, and amateur sleuth - helps save animals from an unscrupulous purveyor and assists in the pursuit of a killer. The book can be read as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a perk.
*****
It's almost Christmas in Caerphilly, Virginia and Meg Langslow is assisting her husband - actor and drama professor Michael Waterston - stage an elaborate production of 'A Christmas Carol.'
Michael hires Malcolm Haver, a television star from three decades ago, to play Scrooge - which turns out to be a mistake. Haver comes to rehearsals late; is always drunk; can't find his mark on the stage; complains about his costume; and so on. However, Haver has an ironclad contract and can't be fired.
In addition, Haver is an entitled and eccentric individual. He criticizes his 'terrible accommodations' at the Caerphilly Inn (which is really very nice); is rude and overbearing; and maneuvers to buy an exotic Gouldian finch, a group of which are being used for another Christmas festivity.
Gouldian finches
Meanwhile, almost everyone in Caerphilly is conspiring to keep Haver sober - by not selling him alcohol; searching his hotel room; monitoring his dressing room; confiscating his whiskey; and so on. Nevertheless, the wily actor keeps getting liquored up. In an attempt to deal with the problem Meg arranges for a sober companion to watch over the old thespian.
Before the sober companion arrives, however, Meg sees Haver sneaking away from the theater and follows the oblivious actor, hoping to discover who's selling him liquor.
Meg detects the identity of the enabler AND learns that the same person is harboring exotic animals and running a puppy mill.
The discovery of the illegal/mistreated animals leads to a dawn raid on the culprit's barn by law enforcement and animal lovers (especially Meg's relatives).
To add to the drama, a murder occurs and Malcolm Haver is suspected of the crime. This throws 'The Christmas Carol' into disarray, since the lead actor may be a no-show. Will the play go on? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Many favorite recurring characters are on hand, including: Meg's mother - the world's best 'fixer'; Meg's father - the medical examiner; Meg's grandfather - the zoo director and a committed animal activist; Meg's twin sons, Josh and Jamie, who have small parts in 'A Christmas Carol'; the Reverend Robyn Smith - who's trying to figure out what 'Weaseltide' is; Ekaterina Vorobyaninova - the owner of the Caerphilly Inn (and an excellent spy vis a vis the residents); and others.
I enjoyed the book, which is an amusing cozy mystery, and a pleasant read for the Christmas season.
Rating: 3 stars
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