Meg's brother Rob and his beloved, Delaney, don't want the splashy wedding their mothers would just love, so they throw a big party before Christmas with plans to elope afterward. But the partiers get snowed in, the mothers discover the couple's intentions to sneak away, and a dead body turns up. With a 40,000-copy first printing.

Wombats in the basement, northern mockingbirds flying freely through the house while dive-bombing residents, and a sprained ankle are creating issues for Meg Langslow, but these difficulties pale in comparison to the problems caused by wildlife artist Roderick Castlemayne. The obnoxious Castlemayne, who is illustrating a book for Meg's grandfather, has set up his studio in her library and is a demanding, inconsiderate guest. His downtrodden, spineless assistant, Harris, is also living at Meg's house, which is quickly filling up with relatives for the upcoming Christmas festivities. Meg must also divert a steady stream of journalists, bill collectors, and ex-wives who demand to see Castlemayne, so there is no shortage of suspects when the artist is found murdered in the library. Meg investigates, with help from her extended family and friends, leading to a potentially disastrous confrontation with the killer. The large cast of familiar characters, the charming and close-knit community in Caerphilly, Virginia, and the amusing details about animals and their behavior will please fans of the long-running cozy series.

Agatha Award--winner Andrews's fast-moving, high-spirited 30th Meg Langslow mystery (after Murder Most Fowl) finds witty Meg preparing to host her large extended family at her home in Caerphilly, Va., for the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately, she's hampered by a sprained ankle, two wombats in the basement, and flocks of birds in the library. The birds were released from their cages by an unwanted houseguest, wildlife artist and "misogynistic jerk" Roderick Castlemayne, who's in Caerphilly to illustrate the new book by Meg's grandfather, an eminent naturalist and the owner of the zoo from which the furry and feathered guests have been brought to serve as models for the artist's illustrations. When someone plunges a Swiss army knife into Castlemayne's throat, the only people who are sorry to see him go seem to be the legions to whom he owes money. Ex-wives, bill collectors, and process servers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to suspects. This Christmas romp, complete with a litter of adorable puppies, will certainly please fans and newcomers alike. Andrews consistently entertains. Agent: Ellen Geiger, Frances Goldin Literary. (Oct.)