Book Review: ‘Toucan Keep a Secret’ Is The Next Fun Meg Langslow Mystery

Toucans: are members of the Neotropical near passerine bird family Ramphastidae. The Ramphastidae are most closely related to the American barbets. They do not repeat do not talk. They are not Parrots. They look similar to them and as friendly as them. The Toucan in this story plays a big part in this fun new mystery from author Donna Andrews. This is actually her 23rd installment of this series. My first time reading one and it won’t be my last. A fun group of characters led by Meg Langslow and her family and friends in a small town of quirky characters makes for an enjoyable read.

Trinity Episcopal Church is run by Reverend Robyn Smith but she’s now on bed rest and due to have a baby in a couple of months. So Meg is helping to cover the church. She’s there ready to lock up and checking on a Toucan that Robyn was looking after. Meg hears a strange noise and sees lights in columbarium (the underground crypt where cremated remains are buried) and goes to investigate. She calls 911 and the police are on the way. She finds the dead body of one of the parishoners and a bunch of the niches damaged. A ruby is also found at the scene but there not sure if it’s real or not.

The police arrived and start investigating as does Meg. She’s known for helping out on cases (even though she’s told to be careful and report anything she may find). As Meg investigates and talks to people including her mother (who is a bit of a character) she finds out things about the town and the people who have lived there and still do. It seems to come down to a robbery many years ago of a valuable jewelry collection that was never found.

It sets up a reenactment of the crime and puts Meg in the way of the killer and reveals what happened to those jewels all those years ago. And we learn why the Toucan plays a part in this story. Remember Toucans don’t talk!

You can pick up Toucan Keep A Secret in stores on Tuesday, August 7 from Minotaur Books.