Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Year-Round Christmas, Bk 6) on + 705 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
We are back in Rudolph, New York just in time for the Christmas holidays. Could there be a better place than America's Christmas Town to celebrate in December? Merry Wilkinson's Mrs. Claus's Treasures is fully stocked for our shopping pleasure and Victoria's Bake Shoppe always has something yummy to eat. The Rudolph Community Theater is almost ready for its performances of a musical version of A Christmas Carol. Merry's mother, Aline is in the play and also helping the vocalists get ready for their big debut. Jackie O'Reilly, Merry's shop assistant is in the chorus but is hoping for a bigger role. Merry's dad is involved too, helping build and maintain the sets. Sadly, the rehearsals are not going well with tensions on the rise when some cast changes are proposed.
Then a member of the cast is murdered in Merry's shop. The entire cast finds themselves on the list of suspects including Aline and Jackie. Christmas may not be merry and bright this year unless the killer is caught quickly and Merry is determined to do just that.
____
First, I have to say that I am so happy that Crooked Lane saw the promise of this series and has brought it back for us to enjoy. The Wilkerson family is so much fun and their stories were definitely not complete. The author has also written the story so new readers will be able to jump in with this book too.
Merry owns Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a home decor and gift store. Her father Noel is the former mayor of Rudolph and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. Mom, Aline is a retired opera diva who now gives vocal lessons. Merry's boyfriend Alan Anderson, creates wonderful things with wood whether it be toys or furniture. His trains are a hot item at Merry's Shop. He also plays elf/toymaker to Noel's Santa at events all over town. All of Ms. Delany's characters are well developed and feel so genuine. When I start reading it is truly like visiting old friends. I really enjoy Noel as he interacts with others. Merry has said she knows her dad isn't really Santa Claus but some things that happen really make her wonder. Me too!
We meet several new characters in the members of the community theater. Some have been with the group for years and others are brand new. One of the new members brings money to the group and has new ideas which aren't always needed. The interactions of the group were very interesting although at times pretty tense. The author did a wonderful job of making each of these characters unique. Like Paula Monahan and her son Eddie. Paula was cast to play Mrs. Cratchit and Eddie as an unusual Tiny Tim. Sadly, Paula was the killer's victim.
The mystery of Paula's murder has a lot of moving pieces with a plethora of suspects. With the murder taking place in Mrs. Claus's Treasures, Merry is involved no matter what Detective Diane Simmonds has to say about it. Merry is a smart amateur sleuth but sometimes her BFF leads her a little bit astray. They are sure fun to follow. I do like that when they do find something relevant or something that may be relevant to the case, Merry shares that with the good detective. That does not mean Merry doesn't find herself in a pickle when all the clues fall into place. Ms. Delany does fill the story with several twists and turns which set up an exciting showdown that ended in an absolutely perfect way.
Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas is a delightful story filled with engaging characters, a Christmas miracle moment or two, and a merry little mystery. Ms. Delany has infused her story with plenty of humor to balance out the drama. There was a remembrance that had me laughing out loud. Oh, the things Merry gets herself into. I am so excited this series has been allowed to continue. It will be so nice to visit America's Christmas Town again next year. A great tradition.
We are back in Rudolph, New York just in time for the Christmas holidays. Could there be a better place than America's Christmas Town to celebrate in December? Merry Wilkinson's Mrs. Claus's Treasures is fully stocked for our shopping pleasure and Victoria's Bake Shoppe always has something yummy to eat. The Rudolph Community Theater is almost ready for its performances of a musical version of A Christmas Carol. Merry's mother, Aline is in the play and also helping the vocalists get ready for their big debut. Jackie O'Reilly, Merry's shop assistant is in the chorus but is hoping for a bigger role. Merry's dad is involved too, helping build and maintain the sets. Sadly, the rehearsals are not going well with tensions on the rise when some cast changes are proposed.
Then a member of the cast is murdered in Merry's shop. The entire cast finds themselves on the list of suspects including Aline and Jackie. Christmas may not be merry and bright this year unless the killer is caught quickly and Merry is determined to do just that.
____
First, I have to say that I am so happy that Crooked Lane saw the promise of this series and has brought it back for us to enjoy. The Wilkerson family is so much fun and their stories were definitely not complete. The author has also written the story so new readers will be able to jump in with this book too.
Merry owns Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a home decor and gift store. Her father Noel is the former mayor of Rudolph and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. Mom, Aline is a retired opera diva who now gives vocal lessons. Merry's boyfriend Alan Anderson, creates wonderful things with wood whether it be toys or furniture. His trains are a hot item at Merry's Shop. He also plays elf/toymaker to Noel's Santa at events all over town. All of Ms. Delany's characters are well developed and feel so genuine. When I start reading it is truly like visiting old friends. I really enjoy Noel as he interacts with others. Merry has said she knows her dad isn't really Santa Claus but some things that happen really make her wonder. Me too!
We meet several new characters in the members of the community theater. Some have been with the group for years and others are brand new. One of the new members brings money to the group and has new ideas which aren't always needed. The interactions of the group were very interesting although at times pretty tense. The author did a wonderful job of making each of these characters unique. Like Paula Monahan and her son Eddie. Paula was cast to play Mrs. Cratchit and Eddie as an unusual Tiny Tim. Sadly, Paula was the killer's victim.
The mystery of Paula's murder has a lot of moving pieces with a plethora of suspects. With the murder taking place in Mrs. Claus's Treasures, Merry is involved no matter what Detective Diane Simmonds has to say about it. Merry is a smart amateur sleuth but sometimes her BFF leads her a little bit astray. They are sure fun to follow. I do like that when they do find something relevant or something that may be relevant to the case, Merry shares that with the good detective. That does not mean Merry doesn't find herself in a pickle when all the clues fall into place. Ms. Delany does fill the story with several twists and turns which set up an exciting showdown that ended in an absolutely perfect way.
Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas is a delightful story filled with engaging characters, a Christmas miracle moment or two, and a merry little mystery. Ms. Delany has infused her story with plenty of humor to balance out the drama. There was a remembrance that had me laughing out loud. Oh, the things Merry gets herself into. I am so excited this series has been allowed to continue. It will be so nice to visit America's Christmas Town again next year. A great tradition.
