Review: Hen of the Baskervilles

Hen of the Baskervilles by Donna Andrews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A dastardly murder and the kidnapping of a prize chicken threaten to ruin Caerphilly’s state fair—fortunately, Meg Langslow is on the case of The Hen of the Baskervilles




The newest mystery in Donna Andrews's gut-bustingly funny, award-winning, New York Times bestselling series is anything but elementary. Meg Langslow is helping Mayor Randall Shiffley organize the Virginia Un-Fair, Caerphilly’s entry in the race to replace the old state fair (which has gone bankrupt). Before a line can even form outside the ticket booth, however, a pair of Bantam Russian Orloff chickens are stolen from their coop in the chicken tent. Soon, a rash of vandalism crops up at the fair, showing no heritage farm animal, prize vegetable, or artisanal craft to be safe.

While patrolling the fairgrounds, determined to catch the perp, Meg runs into her friend Molly, who has been building a successful business making goat cheeses. Molly is terrified that she may lose her farm because her idle husband Brett has left her for Genette Sedgewick, a rich hobby winemaker, and is demanding his half of the land. Meg enlists Mother's help to find Molly a divorce lawyer, but later that night, Brett is found murdered and Molly is swiftly accused as his killer.

Meg is convinced that her friend wouldn’t so much as harm a fly, but can she find the real killer before it’s too late? Will she track down the vandal who has been terrorizing—however creatively—the fair’s participants? And will Michael be able to convince her to add members of his new favorite heritage breed to their growing menagerie? Meg’s most hilarious caper yet, the curious incident of the hen in the nighttime will have readers rolling on the floor with laughter.


My first Meg mystery, I know it won't be the last! I enjoyed the whodunit and the author made it tons of fun in between. You actually learn a bit about chickens, llamas and more! I did enjoy quite the cast of characters. That being said, I had to give it four stars because I felt a bit at times as if it dragged on.

I felt pulled all over the place and distracted when Meg's personal thoughts came into play. Towards the end I started to get clues as to who our murderer MIGHT be, but it was fun none the less.

I know I will be checking out the other Meg mysteries, too much fun to not!

I received this book as a part of Goodreads First Read program in exchange for an honest review.

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