Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon

By: Donna Andrews

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 8 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

Poor Meg Langslow. She's blessed in so many ways. Michael, her boyfriend, is a handsome, delightful heartthrob who adores her. She's a successful blacksmith, known for her artistic wrought-iron creations. But somehow Meg's road to contentment is more rutted and filled with potholes than seems fair.

There are Michael's and Meg's doting but demanding mothers, for a start. And then there's the fruitless hunt for a place big enough for the couple to live together. And a succession of crises brought on by the well-meaning but utterly wacky demands of her friends and family. Demands that Meg has a hard time refusing, which is why she's tending the switchboard of Mutant Wizards, where her brother's computer games are created, and handling all the office management problems that no one else bothers with. For companionship, besides a crew of eccentric techies, she has a buzzard with one wing, who she must feed frozen mice thawed in the office microwave, and Michael's mother's nightmare dog. Not to mention the psychotherapists who refuse to give up their lease on half of the office space, and whose conflicting therapies cause continuing dissension. This is not what Meg had in mind when she agreed to help her brother move his staff to new offices.

In fact, the atmosphere is so consistently loony that the office mail cart makes several passes through the reception room, with the office practical joker lying on top of it pretending to be dead, before Meg realizes that he's become the victim of someone who wasn't joking at all. He's been murdered for real.

Donna Andrews's debut book, Murder with Peacocks, won the St. Martin's Malice Domestic best first novel contest and reaped a harvest of other honors as well. This is the fourth book in the Meg Langslow series, which features the intrepid Meg and her cast of oddball relatives. Their capers are a lighthearted joy to read.

©2003 Donna Andrews (P)2003 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"There's a smile on every page." (Publishers Weekly)
"This may be the funniest installment of Andrews' wonderfully wacky series yet." (Romantic Times)

Very amusing!

Maybe it's because I worked at a computer company but a lot of these characters and details of the environment struck home for me, not to mention the D&D memories from when I was a kid. I really enjoyed this book and the reader. She did a super job. This book has permanent spot on my ipod for when I need a little lift. I wish Audible had more of this series.

Fun, light-hearted mystery

With each book, Donna Andrews gets better. Her quirky cast always create far more problems than the murder of some unpleasant character does, making for a nice light-hearted listen.

I was not delighted with the narrator, who made too many of the men sound like surfer types, but she did a great job on Meg's voice and the general narration. Overall, the narration was okay, just not as good as some I have heard.

A VERY FUNNY BOOK

I picked up this book because of the wackey title and felt the need of a laugh or two. I enjoyed it immensely! This was the first book of Ms. Andrews that I had read and I quickly went in search of her others. I have to say that this is still one of my favorite books and I read or listen to a book a day. Have FUN!

Listen again and again...again and...

Another repeater! This is a 'forever' on my iPod. After 33 times, I still chuckle at my favorite parts and feel Meg's pain in dealing with the unique individuals populating her world. We NEED the rest of these books!

Fun murder mystery

This is a light-hearted murder mystery. Seem like an odd thing to say, but it is. Its fun to listen to and the characters are fun to. Want something just fun and entertaining - get this one.

Laughed out LOUD at the print version

I first read this series in print. And seriously, I burst out laughing on a regular basis! Something is missing with this narrator. She does the various voices well, but the comedic timing just isn't there - leaves it a rather flat listen. Definitely recommend the book over the audio.

One of my favorites

I love this author and I love this series. I wish the 1st set of them were an audible book. I have every one of them. When I need some laughter I listen to them.

Love this series

Any additional comments?

I absolutely love this series. The characters and story are laugh out loud funny. I keep these books on my iPod at all times and have listened to both of them a countless number of times. I just wish the rest of the series was available as audiobooks. Bernadette Dunne is great, too.

Not for me

I stopped caring about what happened in the book. I couldn't force myself to finish.

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Because of my stressful job, I really wanted something light and funny. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. The characters and story are funny but the author still has a mystery in the book. I highly recommend this book and hope Audible gets more of this series soon.