THE TWELVE JAYS OF CHRISTMAS is the thirtieth book in the “Meg Langslow” cozy mystery series by Donna Andrews. I always look forward to the next book in this series because they are always amusing as well as an entertaining mystery. THE TWELVE JAYS OF CHRISTMAS does not disappoint. As expected, Meg Langslow has a few plates spinning in the air at the opening of this book. The major source of annoyance in this story is wildlife artist, and all-around jerk, Roderick Castlemayne who has taken up residence in Meg’s library. That somebody eventually murders Castlemayne is almost inevitable given his nastiness to everyone he encounters. Unfortunately for Meg and her family, he gets murdered at her house during the holidays, with relatives all over the place, along with errant jays doing random divebombs to unsuspecting visitors. Oh, and there’s briefly wombats in the basement. What fun!

Because Castlemayne is so universally despised, the suspect pool is enormous. Having so many suspects is great for mystery readers like me, because it presents a greater challenge to try and figure out who the murderer is. A big part of the feeling of unease that seeps into this tale, comes from all the different types of odd and occasionally dangerous, people who try and sneak into Meg’s home trying to get to Castlemayne. As many friends and family members floating around, somebody always manages to find a way in who shouldn’t be in. Even though this book is a cozy mystery in the best possible ways, there are moments Meg - and the reader - wonder if she’s ever totally alone, and whether the stray sounds throughout the night are innocuous or something more sinister. Fabulous stuff. As usual with a “Meg Langslow” mystery, Donna Andrews balances the danger and mystery with the delightfully absurd. With this book, the disappearing and reappearing jays with tons of attitude, the wombats, and Meg’s brother and his fiancé playing hide-and-seek with their parents provide a few chuckles for readers. Meg’s brother Rob is back in town with his fiancé. They desperately want to bypass their moms and just have a simple marriage ceremony with maybe a somewhat grander celebration in the future. The moms find this unacceptable and begin plotting. The lengths they go toward avoiding being discovered by the other side is farcical at times but fun. Although even that aspect of the story goes to a dark place at one point.

THE TWELVE JAYS OF CHRISTMAS has fabulous flights of fancy mixed in with an engrossing and chilling mystery – along with a few psychos and some holiday cheer. Although this story is set around Christmas, the holiday doesn’t overwhelm or obscure the rest of the story. The focus is mostly on the murder mystery.