Jan N. (jani8) reviewed Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (Year-Round Christmas, Bk 1) on + 84 more book reviews
I was predisposed to like this book because I love Christmas. I used to think about it and how I would decorate the house all year. Then, we traveled in a fifth wheel trailer for a year and a half and had to get rid of some of my stuff. That was difficult, but it cured me of my obsession. The town this is set in is all about Christmas. It has all kinds of Christmas stores in the downtown area. The protagonist is a woman named Merry. Her father is named Noel (he was born on Christmas Day. She owns a store named Mrs. Claus's Treasures which sells a lot of local artisan's work. She also finds the body of a freelance writer/photographer that was doing a story of the America's Christmas town. From there the problems escalate, everything from a grill exploding to the burning of a workshop and more. The character of Merry, her parents, her best friend and 2 possible boyfriends are all well-defined. I'm ready to read the next one!
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Vicki Delany has written a series that should please all Christmas-loving cozy mystery readers. Rudolph in upstate New York is the town that celebrates Christmas all year round, and Merry Wilkinson is the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures-- a shop that I would love to find myself in. (I think I'd have to bring along help to take all my purchases out to my car.) One of the things that Delany makes clear in this book is the fact that it's a cutthroat world for little towns in scenic areas; they are forced to fight for every available tourist dollar in order to survive. I also appreciated seeing that Merry often had a difficult time solving the crime because she didn't always have someone to man the cash register at her shop... the real world creeping in, don't you know.
There's a strong cast assembled for Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. Besides Merry, there's her opera diva of a mother, and her father is the former mayor and local Santa. When Merry's not stocking shelves, ringing sales, or solving the crime, she's got a St. Bernard puppy named Matterhorn that needs her attention. Any eligible men in Rudolph? Funny you should ask. There happen to be two-- Russ and Alan-- who are slavering after Merry, lucky woman.
How do I feel about this first Year-Round Christmas mystery? I have mixed emotions about it. This is a solid mystery-- good plot, good setting, and an interesting cast of characters-- but it just didn't grab me. It may very well be the perfect read-- and the perfect series-- for you (and I hope it is), but when it comes to Vicki Delany's writing, I much prefer her Constable Molly Smith mysteries; they are wonderful.
There's a strong cast assembled for Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. Besides Merry, there's her opera diva of a mother, and her father is the former mayor and local Santa. When Merry's not stocking shelves, ringing sales, or solving the crime, she's got a St. Bernard puppy named Matterhorn that needs her attention. Any eligible men in Rudolph? Funny you should ask. There happen to be two-- Russ and Alan-- who are slavering after Merry, lucky woman.
How do I feel about this first Year-Round Christmas mystery? I have mixed emotions about it. This is a solid mystery-- good plot, good setting, and an interesting cast of characters-- but it just didn't grab me. It may very well be the perfect read-- and the perfect series-- for you (and I hope it is), but when it comes to Vicki Delany's writing, I much prefer her Constable Molly Smith mysteries; they are wonderful.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen (Year-Round Christmas, Bk 1) on + 885 more book reviews
This is the first book in the 'Year Round Christmas Mystery' series and is a good start. I read cozies a LOT and I must say that this one was not quite as predictable as some and the heroine a bit more realistic. Good read - especially during the holiday season, but would be good at any time of year!
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen is the first in the A Year Round Christmas mystery series. Main character Merry Wilkinson has returned to her hometown of Rudolph, New York on the shores of Lake Ontario. Running her novelty shop Mrs. Claus's Treasures is keeping her busy this Christmas season but she is determined to do her part in putting Rudolph on the map as America's Christmas Town.
Rudolph celebrates Christmas in July and again in December and relies heavily on the tourists who flock to the town. When Nigel Pearce a journalist from the European travel magazine World Journey arrives to write an article about the town's Christmas spirit the residents of Rudolph are overjoyed. On the night of the semi-annual Christmas parade Merry is out walking her adorable 10 week old Saint Bernard puppy, Matterhorn (Mattie) when she discovers Nigel's dead body in the park.
Police investigation reveals that Nigel was poisoned by a cookie baked especially for him by Merry's best friend Vicki Casey the owner of Victoria's Bake Shoppe. Knowing full well that her friend is not a murderer, Merry sets out to clear Vicki's name and save the reputation of Rudolph.
There are plenty of suspects including the mayor of rival town Muddle Harbor, Merry's assistant Jackie's jealous boyfriend Kyle, and wannabe mayoral candidate Sue Anne Morrow. With the help of her father Noel, who looks and plays the part year round of Santa Claus, Russ Durham, Editor in Chief of the Rudolph Gazette and Alan Anderson toymaker Merry discovers that not everyone in Rudolph is in the Christmas spirit.
A fun cast of characters and a fast paced storyline. This debut is sure to put a smile on the face of every diehard Scrooge. Being a devoted dog parent, Mattie stole my heart from the first chapter and I can't wait for more to see how the adorable pup grows up. The only thing about the book that made me cringe was the development of the dreadful love triangle.
Rudolph celebrates Christmas in July and again in December and relies heavily on the tourists who flock to the town. When Nigel Pearce a journalist from the European travel magazine World Journey arrives to write an article about the town's Christmas spirit the residents of Rudolph are overjoyed. On the night of the semi-annual Christmas parade Merry is out walking her adorable 10 week old Saint Bernard puppy, Matterhorn (Mattie) when she discovers Nigel's dead body in the park.
Police investigation reveals that Nigel was poisoned by a cookie baked especially for him by Merry's best friend Vicki Casey the owner of Victoria's Bake Shoppe. Knowing full well that her friend is not a murderer, Merry sets out to clear Vicki's name and save the reputation of Rudolph.
There are plenty of suspects including the mayor of rival town Muddle Harbor, Merry's assistant Jackie's jealous boyfriend Kyle, and wannabe mayoral candidate Sue Anne Morrow. With the help of her father Noel, who looks and plays the part year round of Santa Claus, Russ Durham, Editor in Chief of the Rudolph Gazette and Alan Anderson toymaker Merry discovers that not everyone in Rudolph is in the Christmas spirit.
A fun cast of characters and a fast paced storyline. This debut is sure to put a smile on the face of every diehard Scrooge. Being a devoted dog parent, Mattie stole my heart from the first chapter and I can't wait for more to see how the adorable pup grows up. The only thing about the book that made me cringe was the development of the dreadful love triangle.
Kimberly N. (kimberlyrav) -
What a great start to a series. Ive read this during the Christmas holiday and it was great. I loved all of the characters, the scenes, the mystery, the writing. I am looking forward to book 2. This is a great book to read as a stand alone just for Christmas!
