Rockin' Around the Chickadee by Donna Andrews

 

It's Christmas in Caerphilly and that means it's time for some merriment and murder. For once the Langslow home isn't packed to the rafters with visiting relatives. Meg's sister-in-law Delaney is staying there on forced bedrest during her pregnancy. 

Meg is still plenty busy helping out her grandmother Cordelia who is putting on a Presumed Innocent conference at the Caerphilly Inn. The conference is full of true crime aficionados as well as some exonerees and the friends and family of people seeking to have their convictions overturned. This includes Ezekiel, who was freed with the help of Meg's cousin Festus, a pair of women seeking to help free a high school friend, an aunt and her niece seeking the same for a relative, and Amber Smith who is out on bail after her conviction was overturned. Also in attendance is Godfrey Norton, a thoroughly disagreeable man who manages to rub nearly everyone the wrong way with his persistent belief that nearly no one is ever wrongfully convicted. It's no surprise when Godfrey turns up dead, but it is somewhat distressing when he is murdered behind Meg's barn. A convention full of suspects is going to make this murder particularly difficult to solve. Meg's combination of nosiness and astuteness is likely going to put her in harm's way before the murderer is brought to justice.

Caerphilly during Christmas is my happy place and it's always a delight to spend it with Meg, her family, friends, and all the denizens of the town. The mystery is only half the fun. The other half is spending time with the slightly eccentric and extremely talented people in Meg's circle. She can always count on them to help her out with the myriad of tasks she is either assigned or takes upon herself. She also manages to meet a few new people who have special talents she can draw on. Whether or not you spot the killer before the end, you're going to have a good time with all the goings on in Caerphilly.

You can jump into these books at any point and enjoy them. The more books you read though, the deeper your appreciation of these wonderful characters who turn into family. Donna Andrews has written another Christmas present for her legion of fans!

I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher.

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