Toucan Keep a Secret

By: Donna Andrews

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Meg Langslow is at Trinity Episcopal locking up after an event and checking on the toucan that Rev. Robyn Smith is fostering in her office. After hearing a hammering in the crypt, Meg finds an elderly parishioner lying dead on the floor. Several niches have been chiseled open, several urns knocked out, and amid the spilled ashes is a gold ring with a huge red stone.

The curmudgeonly victim had become disgruntled with the church and ranted all over town about taking back his wife's ashes. Did someone who had it in for him follow him? Or was the motive grave robbery? Or did he see someone breaking in and investigate? Why was the ruby left behind?

While Chief Burke investigates the murder, Robyn recruits Meg to contact the families of the people whose ashes were disturbed. During this task, Meg discovers clues that indicate that a thief broke into the church to steal the toucan the night of the murder, so Meg decides to set a trap for the would-be toucan thief...who might also be the killer.

©2018 Donna Andrews (P)2018 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Narrator Bernadette Dunne demonstrates her wide range of voice skills in performing the role of Meg, the main character in the Meg Langslow series.... The energy and joy Dunne brings to this audiobook make it a special listen." (AudioFile)

Really good book

l fell in love with Meg and her family and friends. I can't get enough of them.

Like Shakespeare said!

cozy-mystery, murder-investigation, family, situational-humor, verbal-humor, law-enforcement, women-sleuths, amateur-sleuth

Wacky! Meg gets hijacked into more responsibilities when their overachieving parish priest is placed on bedrest and Meg is to coordinate the nonclergy duties. Of course her parents and other relatives are *helping* as well, but it all goes sideways when Meg interrupts an odd burglary that includes a murder. The publisher's blurb gives more hints and there is no need for spoilers, but it's the anticipation of the author's signature humor and wacky characters that brought me back to a town and family nuttier than mine. The mystery is well done and full of suspects and red herrings, but the suspense is what keeps me reading late in the night. If you haven't met the Lanslows before you're in for a treat, and if you haven't read them for a while (like me) you'll still fit right in, so read and enjoy!
I requested and received a free review copy from MacMillan Minotaur via NetGalley. August 2018
Bought my own narrated by Bernadette Dunne February 2020

Another great book

Another great book by Donna Andrews! Lots of action. Lots of new & interesting characters, along with many of the regulars. A couple of bodies.

The Stories Just Keep Getting Better

I love these stories. I bought the first book at Creatures n Crooks. Donna Andrews was there doing a book signing. In the beginning I bought her books and now buy the audible versions. Just listening to them makes me happy. I have also given several books as Christmas presents. I check the date of her next release and put in on my calendar.

Charming and close to realistic interpretation of many Episcopal parishes. Well done.

 I particularly liked the sympathetic view of the Episcopal priest, for whom there is no single substitute when he or she requires a break in routine 

ham fisted

The story is based around the politics the author wanted to push and to take a few swipes at critics of hers and the genre as a whole. An undesirable is quickly killed off in the first chapter and then you have to listen to how enlightened and virtuous the main cast is. With this as the base it makes for a rather shallow entry into the series.

Not like they used to be

Her earlier books were not so involved with so many people. I had to keep repeating the book to try and keep up with who was who.
There was more mystery in her earlier books, not Meg getting hit over the head 3-4 times.
Sorry I’m just disappointed as you have been my favorite author for years.