Product Description

Every year, Yorktown, Virginia, relives its role in the Revolutionary War by celebrating the anniversary of the British surrender in 1781. This year, plans include a re-enactment of the original battle and a colonial craft fair. Meg Langslow has returned to her home town for the festivities--and to sell her wrought-iron works of art. Except, of course, for the pink-painted flamingos she reluctantly made for her mother's best friend--she's hoping to deliver them secretly, so she won't get a reputation as "the blacksmith who makes those cute wrought-iron flamingos."Besides, she has taken on another responsibility--making sure none of her fellow crafters ruin the historical authenticity of the fair with forbidden modern devices--like wrist watches, calculators, or cell phones. She's only doing it to keep peace with the mother of the man she loves. And Michael himself will don the white-and-gold uniform of a French officer for the re-enactment--what actor could resist a role like that?Meg's also trying to keep her father from scaring too many tourists with his impersonation of an 18th century physician. And to prevent a snooping reporter from publishing any stories about local scandals. Not to mention saving her naive brother, Rob, from the clutches of a con man who might steal the computer game he has invented. It's a tough job--at least, until the swindler is found dead, slain in Meg's booth with one of her own wrought-iron creations.Now Meg must add another item to her already lengthy to do list: "Don't forget to solve the murder!"Fortunately, the more trouble Meg faces, the more fun the reader will have--and Meg faces plenty of trouble in this lighthearted and funny novel.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #969637 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 288 pages

From Publishers Weekly
What a lighthearted gem of a juggling act! In Anthony and Agatha award-winner Andrews's third bird adventure (Murder with Peacocks; Murder with Puffins), ornamental blacksmith Meg, who's been commissioned to make a dozen life-size day-glow flamingos (three of which grace the alluring dust jacket), devoted sidekick Michael as well as their close, extended families take part in a lovingly depicted re-creation of the October 1781 siege of Yorktown, complete with cannons, costumes and a crafts fair. Enter the villain, Roger Benson, a businessman who has promised to market a game designed by Meg's brother. Everyone, including Meg, has some quarrel with Benson, who eventually comes to bloody blows with one of the other blacksmiths. Later that night, Meg discovers Benson's body in the storage area of her shop, an ornate dagger, her masterpiece, prominently displayed in his back. The sheriff, his deputy and any number of Meg's friends and relatives are suspects, but her dad is determined to present himself as the killer. Meanwhile, Michael's imperious mother, who's found with Meg's cash box after it goes missing at the time of the murder, strives to prevent anachronisms (eyeglasses, cameras, etc.) from spoiling the battle reenactment. With her trademark witty dialogue and fine sense of the ridiculous, Andrews keeps all her balls in the air with skill and verve. Agents, Ellen Geiger and Anna Abreu at Curtis Brown. Regional author tour.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
It's "period crafts and costumes only" at the Yorktown Colonial crafts fair, which Meg Langslow, ironmonger and series sleuth (Murder with Puffins), attends with boyfriend Michael. Michael's mom rules the event with an iron hand, but trouble arrives with the sleazy software developer who wants to preview a package authored by Meg's brother. Harsh words and fights ensue. The resultant murder comes as no surprise, and there are plenty of suspects. A fearless protagonist, remarkable supporting characters, lively action, and a keen wit put this at the top of the list.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The latest entry in Andrews' bird-themed series finds protagonist Meg Langslow dressed in authentic (and uncomfortable) colonial garb, manning a crafts booth at a celebration of the British surrender at Yorktown. Andrews gently pokes fun at the stalwart Virginians who religiously reenact the American Revolution and scold anyone guilty of wearing or doing anything not "true to period." Meg's hopes that the "anachronism police" will not notice the wrought iron flamingos she has hidden for a client are dashed when a body is found in her booth--and an iron flamingo turns out to be the weapon. The murdered man is a swindler hated by everyone who knew him, so the suspect list is long--and includes some of Meg's friends. Although the characters tend to outshine the mysteries in Andrews' stories, this one has a more interesting plot than most. Plus, the colonial history lesson is genuinely fascinating. A better-than-average entry in a consistently entertaining, if slightly lightweight, series. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Revenge of the wrought iron flamingos
Donna Andrews writes lovely mystery novels. they arent genius.. and they don't take a long time to read and ponder... just good plain reads that take one away from ones every day life. Ive read other reviews of Andrews' work and being juvinile... hardly true. This is a great mystery series... esp since Im awaiting the publication of the next installments in other series.

keep the birds coming Donna!!

Enjoyable comic mystery
Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos takes place at a re-enactment of the battle of Yorktown. The conflict on the field, however, isn't where the real action is. Instead, battles between the craftsmen and the "Anachronism Police", legal wrangles over crafts software, and an unexpected murder make the reenactment look positively tame.

Donna Andrews creates eccentric and engaging characters. Those characters are my favorite element of the Meg Langslow series. Meg's father, enthusiastically recreating 18th century medicine complete with leeches, is a hoot. So are her handsome and irresponsible brother, her elegant and surprising mother, and her boyfriend's formidable mother.

The wrought-iron flamingos of the title remind me of a real-life wrangle in historic Hanover Courthouse over pink plastic lawn flamingos. I found myself wishing there was some way I could have bought those wrought iron ones for myself.

If you enjoy a witty cozy mystery, this one's for you.

Good sense of humour
To me this did not live up to the first book in the series, "Murder with Peacocks". The writer seemed to spend so much time elaborating on the settings - a craft fair at a Revolutionary War battle re-enactment - that she had no energy left to develop her characters. I would happily have traded several pages of information about craft sales and battle enactment strategies for some decently developed characters. As it is, there are a couple of bad people, a whole lot of bland but nice people and a pair of oddballs for light relief. Whatever happened to complex characters who don't obviously wear black hats or white hats?

Having said that, I'll say that the writer has a pleasant light touch and her sense of humour and practicality shine through. The basic plot is good, but the subplots could have been developed a little further. I liked the juxtaposition of the high-tech computer world with the craft fair and historic background. I also liked the concept of the weaselly cop. We meet a variety of unpleasant cops in the cozy who-dun-it genre but I can't recall a truly weaselly one before.

Now if only Meg's handsome heart throb would develop a mind of his own and some backbone to go with it.....