Audiobook Review: Toucan Keep a Secret by Donna Andrews

Toucan Keep a Secret
Author: Donna Andrews
Narrator: Bernadette Dunne
Series: Meg Langslow Mysteries (Book 23)
Publication: Dreamscape Media (August 7, 2018)
Length: 9 hours and 11 minutes

Description: Meg Langslow is at Trinity Episcopal locking up after an event and checking on the toucan that Rev. Robyn Smith is fostering in her office. After hearing a hammering in the crypt, Meg finds an elderly parishioner lying dead on the floor. Several niches have been chiseled open, several urns knocked out, and amid the spilled ashes is a gold ring with a huge red stone.

The curmudgeonly victim had become disgruntled with the church and ranted all over town about taking back his wife's ashes. Did someone who had it in for him follow him? Or was the motive grave robbery? Or did he see someone breaking in and investigate? Why was the ruby left behind?

While Chief Burke investigates the murder, Robyn recruits Meg to contact the families of the people whose ashes were disturbed. During this task, Meg discovers clues that indicate that a thief broke into the church to steal the toucan the night of the murder, so Meg decides to set a trap for the would-be toucan thief...who might also be the killer. 

My Thoughts: While the Reverend Robyn Smith is on maternity leave and on bedrest, Meg Langslow is one of the ones who are keeping their parish running. Meg is closing and locking things up one evening when she sees a light in the crypt. Investigating shows her a number of the niches used for cremated remains have been broken into and a curmudgeonly parishioner is lying dead on the floor. A gold ring with a large ruby is also on the floor among the cremains. 

As Meg acts as Robyn's delegate to visit the family members of the people in the disturbed niches, she finds that many of them had some connection to a jewel robbery many years earlier. Between interviewing family to find out their wishes for their loved ones remains, Meg is deep into solving the mystery of the old jewel robbery. 

Adding to the intrigue (and bringing in the usual bird subplot) is the toucan who has been living in Robyn's office while its owner is deployed. The killer seems to be afraid that the toucan saw something and might be able to repeat it. Apparently, the killer is among the many who don't know that toucans can't talk. 

This was another fun episode in a long-running series. I enjoy the characters. I like Meg's practical common sense which contrasts nicely with her father's flights of fancy and sudden enthusiasms. I also like watching Meg and Michael's twins grow up through these stories. They are still preteens in this one. 

I bought this one at an Audible sale December 5, 2025. You can buy your copy here.