Lord of the Wings

Newcomers to Andrews’s wacky little burg of Caerphilly, Va., may feel a bit overwhelmed by this comedy/mystery’s large cast (most of whom have appeared in 18 previous series entries). Fortunately, reader Dunne provides assistance in distinguishing, say, the mayor’s wife, who speaks with a chirpy hard r, from his special assistant, Lydia, whose faux perkiness can’t hide her inefficiency. Mayor Shiffley sounds a bit scattered himself, as opposed to Dr. Smoot, the town’s former coroner, whose orations are brimming with confidence. Smoot has a penchant for dressing like Dracula, which costs him his job, but Caerphilly’s 10-day Halloween celebration has elevated his prominence and enhanced the allure of his home’s conversion to a year-round haunted house, at least until a thief breaks in, which leads to a couple of murders. The series’ protagonist, Meg Langslow, an ornamental blacksmith moonlighting as the head of the Halloween-festival security, is solidly down to earth, strong in mind and body, and has an appealing sense of humor, all of which Dunne manages to convey. A Minotaur hardcover. (Aug.)