Andrews perfect for any season

   Last summer, I recommended Donna Andrews as a refreshing read to beat the heat. Now, it’s winter and I’m back to say her Meg Langslow mystery series is just as enjoyable while bundled up in your favorite blankie on a chilly night.
   In “Cockatiels at Seven,” Meg gets a new partner in her adventures in the person of 2-year-old Timmy. At least, that’s how old she thinks he is. His mother dropped him off for her to watch with little explanation, but an alarming amount of gear, including pajamas. What’s worse is Meg hasn’t seen Timmy’s mom for a while and isn’t up on her life.
   When her fears come true and Timmy’s mom fails to reappear, Meg is forced to investigate. Is Timmy’s mother running away from a crime or the perpetrator of one?
   Meg also sees her maternal instincts put to the test, especially when her husband, Michael, immediately bonds with the boy and starts wondering whether they should have one of their own.
   While the book is as fun as any in the series — meaning there’s no shortage of laughs — there also is a greater sense of maturity in Meg. We get to see beyond her wise-acre persona. She grows more as a character and that is a good thing in a long-running series.
   No Meg book would be complete without her amiable and wacky family, and it is worth the price of admission to see what her brother, Rob, is up to with his mysterious disappearing act.
   There are 10 books in this series, so if you want to read more, there are plenty out there. These funny books will help beat the winter doldrums, give you a little exercise chuckling and provide a welcome diversion from some of the bad economic news. And that’s a pretty good return from a book.