Book Review: Cockatiels at Seven by Donna Andrews

Cockatiels at Seven
Author: Donna Andrews
Series: Meg Langslow (Book 9)
Publication: Minotaur Books; Reprint edition (June 30, 2009)

Description: It's time for more outrageous and feathered fun in the award-winning, laugh-out-loud Meg Langslow series.

When her old friend Karen drops by with two-year-old son Timmy, Meg Langslow reluctantly agrees to babysit "just for a little while." But when nightfall comes, the toddler is still in residence and Karen isn't answering any phone calls. Meg decides she must find out what's happening, so the next morning, with Timmy in tow, she retraces her friend's footsteps---and begins to suspect that Karen's disappearance is tied to at least one serious crime. Has Karen been killed or kidnapped? Is she on the run from the bad guys? Or is she one of the bad guys? The police don't seem to care, so Meg once again plays sleuth---this time with a toddler as her sidekick.

As usual, Meg's extended family adds to the complications in her life. What covert animal welfare project are Dad and the curmudgeonly zoologist Dr. Montgomery Blake working on---and will Meg have to make another late-night trip to bail them out of jail? Why does Meg's brother keep disappearing---is he merely trying to avoid babysitting, or is he involved in something more mysterious? Will taking care of Timmy dampen newly married Meg and Michael's enthusiasm for starting a family of their own? And are any of Meg's relatives reliable enough to be trusted with a two-year-old---especially a two-year-old whose whereabouts might be of interest to some very dangerous people?

Donna Andrews once again proves her skill as one of the funniest, most entertaining mystery authors around.

My Thoughts: When an old friend comes and asks Meg to look after her toddler for a while, Meg agrees. But when her friend Karen doesn't return for Timmy in "a little while," Meg begins looking for her with a toddler in tow. 

Searching for Karen leads to discovery of an embezzling plot at the college where Michael teaches and to possible animal trafficking which greatly interests not only her dad and her new-found grandfather Dr. Montgomery Blake but also the DEA, FBI, and other alphabet agencies. 

With her dad and grandfather storing snakes in her laundry room and birds in one of the third-floor bedrooms, animals have their usual roles in this series. There is Jade the Emerald Tree Boa who is in the middle of a difficult shed. And let's not forget Spike who is his usual irritable self. 

This was another fun episode in a long-running series. 

Favorite Quote:

"Lost something?" I asked.

"Oh, no," Dad said.

"Just one of the snakes," Dr. Blake said.

"But not here," Dad said quickly. "Back at the zoo."

"And you're only looking here because the light is better," I said. "I see. What kind of snake? Is it poisonous?"

I bought this one. You can buy your copy here.