Donna Andrews - Cockatiels at Seven (Meg Langslow Mysteries)

Praise For Donna Andrews
And Her Meg Langslow Mysteries

COCKATIELS AT SEVEN

Suspense, laughter and a whole passel of good clean fun.

Publishers Weekly

More fun than seven cocktailsand a lot safer, too.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

The plot, in true You Cant Take It With You fashion, involves plenty of snakes, as well as the titular cockatiels and assorted exotic birds. The author has a fine sense of pacing and a droll... sense of humor. This is character-driven fiction, and Andrews maintains the action within the confines and sensibilities of her town-and-gown setting.

The State (Columbia, SC)

THE PENGUIN WHO KNEW TOO MUCH

Deliciously daffy.

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Andrews always leavens the mayhem with laughs. So march yourself down to the bookstore or library and check out The Penguin Who Knew Too Much .

Richmond Times-Dispatch

Andrews eighth Meg-centric mystery moves along like the best beach reads.

Entertainment Weekly

MORE...

The level-headed, unflappable Meg takes it all in stride... This eighth cozy in the series makes the most of humorous situations, zany relatives, and lovable characters.

Booklist

NO NEST FOR THE WICKET

Fun, lively, charming.

Publishers Weekly

Andrews strikes just the right balance between comedy and suspense to keep the reader laughing and on the edge of ones seat... Fans of this series will no doubt enjoy this installment, while new readers... will be headed to the bookstore for the earlier books.

Romantic Times BOOKreviews (4 stars)

Any day when I start reading about Meg is cause for delight. Ending the book makes me yearn for more than one per year. Hint.

Deadly Pleasures

As usual, Andrews is a reliable source for those who like their murder with plenty of mayhem.

Kirkus Reviews

Andrewss talent for the lovably loony makes this series a winner; to miss it would be a cardinal sin.

Richmond Times-Dispatch

OWLS WELL THAT ENDS WELL

A loony, utterly delightful affair.

Booklist

Its a hoot... a supporting cast of endearingly eccentric characters, perfectly pitched dialogue and a fine sense of humor make this a treat.

Publishers Weekly

Death by yard sale epitomizes the everyday people humor that Andrews does so well... for readers who prefer their mysteries light... Andrews may be the next best thing to Janet Evanovich.

Rocky Mountain News

Andrews delivers another wonderfully comic story.... This is a fun read, as are all the books in the series. Andrews playfully creates laughable, wacky scenes that are the backdrop for her criminally devious plot. Settle back, dear reader, and enjoy another visit to Megs anything-but-ordinary world.

Romantic Times (starred review)

WELL ALWAYS HAVE PARROTS

Laughter, more laughter, we need laughter, so Donna Andrews is giving us Well Always Have Parrots ... to help us survive February.

Washington Times

Perfectly showcases Donna Andrews gift for deadpan comedy.

Denver Post

Always heavy on the humor, Andrews most recent Meg Langslow outing is her most over-the-top adventure to date.

Booklist

I cant say enough good things about this series, and this entry in it.

Deadly Pleasures

Hilarious... another winner... keeps you turning pages.

Mystery Lovers News

CROUCHING BUZZARD, LEAPING LOON

If you long for more fun mysteries, la Janet Evanovich, youll love Donna Andrewss Meg Langslow series.

Charlotte Observer

Theres a smile on every page and at least one chuckle per chapter.

Publishers Weekly

This may be the funniest installment of Andrews wonderfully wacky series yet. It takes a deft hand to make slapstick or physical comedy appealing, yet Andrews masterfully manages it (the climax will have you in stitches.)

Romantic Times

REVENGE OF THE WROUGHT-IRON FLAMINGOS

At the top of the list... a fearless protagonist, remarkable supporting characters, lively action and a keen wit.

Library Journal

What a light-hearted gem of a juggling act... with her trademark witty dialogue and fine sense of the ridiculous, Andrews keeps all her balls in the air with skill and verve.

Publishers Weekly

MURDER WITH PUFFINS

Muddy trails, old secrets, and plenty of homespun humor.

St. Petersburg Times

The well-realized island atmosphere, the puffi n lore, and the ubiquitous birders only add to the fun.

Denver Post

MURDER WITH PEACOCKS

The first novel is so clever, funny, and original that lots of wannabe authors will throw up their hands in envy and get jobs in a coffee shop.

Contra Costa Times

Loquacious dialogue, persistent humor... a fun, breezy read.

Library Journal

Half Jane Austen, half battery acid... will leave you helpless with heartless laughter... Andrews combines murder and madcap hilarity with a cast of eccentric oddballs in a small Southern town.

Kirkus Reviews

Andrewss debut provides plenty of laughs for readers who like their mysteries on the cozy side.

Publishers Weekly

St. Martins Paperbacks Titles by
DONNA ANDREWS
Cockatiels at Seven
The Penguin Who Knew Too Much
No Nest for the Wicket
Owls Well That Ends Well
Well Always Have Parrots
Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon
Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos
Murder with Puffins
Murder with Peacocks

Cockatiels
at Seven

Donna Andrews

St. Martins Paperbacks

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously.

COCKATIELS AT SEVEN

Copyright 2008 by Donna Andrews.

Excerpt from Swan for the Money copyright 2009 by Donna Andrews.

All rights reserved.

For information address St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 2008013626

ISBN: 0-312-37716-9

EAN: 978-0-312-37716-8

Printed in the United States of America

Minotaur hardcover edition / July 2008

St. Martins Paperbacks edition / July 2009

St. Martins Paperbacks are published by St. Martins Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010.

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Acknowledgments

Authors are apt to compare their books to childrenand like children, books often require a small villages worth of people to bring them into existence. Id like to thank...

All the folks at St. Martins Minotaur, who publish the book to begin with, and then work diligently to get it into readers hands. I owe a debt of gratitude to Andrew Martin, Pete Wolverton, Hector DeJean, Lauren Manzella, Toni Plummer, and especially my editor, Ruth Cavin, who plucked Megs first adventure out of the entries to that years Malice Domestic/St. Martins Press Best First Traditional Mystery contest and said Yes!

My agent, Ellen Geiger, and the staff of the Frances Goldin Literary Agency, who take care of the business side of things so I can focus on the writing; to the staff at Curtis-Brown, especially Dave Barbor, who helps make Meg international.

My name twin, Donna Andrews of Maryland, who graciously offered to help with the proofing.

My writing group, the Rector Lane Irregulars, for many evenings of critique, cheerleading, and friendship: Carla Coupe, Ellen Crosby, Laura Durham, Peggy Hanson, Val Patterson, Noreen Wald, and Sandi Wilson. And the other friends who read drafts, listen to me brainstorm, and generally provide moral support: Kathy Deligianis, Suzanne Frisbee, David Niemi, Dina Willner, and all the Teabuds.