The newest mystery in Donna Andrews's gut-bustingly funny, award-winning, New York Times bestselling series is anything but elementary. Meg Langslow is helping Mayor Randall Shiffley organize the Virginia Un-Fair, Caerphilly's entry in the race to replace the old state fair (which has gone bankrupt). Before a line can even form outside the ticket booth, however, a pair of Bantam Russian Orloff chickens are stolen from their coop in the chicken tent. Soon, a rash of vandalism crops up at the fair, showing no heritage farm animal, prize vegetable, or artisanal craft to be safe.

While patrolling the fairgrounds, determined to catch the perp, Meg runs into her friend Molly, who has been building a successful business making goat cheeses. Molly is terrified that she may lose her farm because her idle husband Brett has left her for Genette Sedgewick, a rich hobby winemaker, and is demanding his half of the land. Meg enlists Mother's help to find Molly a divorce lawyer, but later that night, Brett is found murdered and Molly is swiftly accused as his killer.

Meg is convinced that her friend wouldn't so much as harm a fly, but can she find the real killer before it's too late? Will she track down the vandal who has been terrorizing—however creatively—the fair's participants? And will Michael be able to convince her to add members of his new favorite heritage breed to their growing menagerie? Meg's most hilarious caper yet, the curious incident of the hen in the nighttime will have readers rolling on the floor with laughter.

The county is running its second annual county fair and once again Meg is knee deep in the organization. When the first day of the fair sees a series of pranks or thefts Meg, as second in command, is hip deep in organizing volunteers to prevent more incidents as well as investigating to determine who is responsible. And then a friend’s soon to be ex-husband is murdered.

This was a quick, enjoyable read with several laugh-out-loud moments. The investigation is interspersed with the humorous events we have come to associate with Meg’s family.  I particularly enjoyed envisioning Rob and the llama’s appearance in costume and Michael’s foray with the llamas into the obedience trials. The murderer was who I suspected but the fun was getting there with Meg.  Highly recommended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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