Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed on 9/8/2019 + 705 more book reviews

Dollycas's Thoughts

We're back in Rudolph, New York just before Thanksgiving and just in time for Aline's college friends arrive for a little college reunion. When the group arrives at Mrs. Claus's Treasures Merry is struck by how different her mother's friends are. They all attended a performance college but is clear their lives have gone in different directions. They really don't act like friends either as they throw barbs at each other left and right. Merry is happy her father is out of town because the house is going to be full of stress and bickering.

During a group dinner which included Merry one of the alumni dies from a cause to be determined, but Merry is pretty sure she knows what happened. She is just unclear of which college chum did the deed. And with the murder happening at the home of the town's resident Santa, a Rudolph newcomer sets himself up to take over the job. Merry is not about to let that happen. She is going to check her suspect list twice and but the naughty murderer in their place.

I was thrilled to see this series return, it has been one of my favorites. Rudolph is full of Christmas spirit year-round and I have loved each visit.

Merry Wilkerson owns Mrs. Claus's Treasures, her mother Aline is a retired opera diva and her Father Noel is the former mayor and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. Jackie works for Merry, her best friend Vicki helps out when she can and also makes a great Watson to Merry's Sherlock when there is murder afoot. Merry also has wonderful St, Bernard named Mattie. I love the way the Wilkerson family sticks together and sticks up for each other.

This time Ms. Daleny introduces not only Aline's friends, Constance, Genevieve, Barbara, Karla, and Ruth, but a new couple in town Wayne and Norma Fitzroy who want to get very active around town.

Ms. Delany excels at character development. These characters are rich, those we love, those who rub the wrong way, and even those we come to absolutely hate by the end of the story.

She wraps those characters in a great mystery plot with fun subplot offshoots that keep a reader engaged until the final page. While the manner of death is evident immediately it is not easy to pin the crime on any suspect. Aline's guests wear out their welcome quickly and to save her mother's sanity Merry knows she needs to help solve the case as soon as possible. Clues are dropped liberally. I love Ruth, one of the âsuspectsâ is an avid mystery reader and wanted to solve the case herself, just like me trying to beat the big reveal in the cozies I read.

Fun and Entertaining! This is a great addition to this series. You truly can't go wrong with any title by Vicki Delany. This book stands well on its own but the entire series is fabulous. Treat yourself to the whole bunch!

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