Source: Publisher
Description: It’s the beginning of December in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town, and business is brisk at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, a gift and décor shop owned by Merry Wilkinson. The local amateur dramatic society is intensely preparing a special musical production of A Christmas Carol. But it’s not a happy set, as rivalries between cast and crew threaten the production.
Tensions come to a head when a member of the group is found dead shortly after a shopping excursion to Mrs. Claus's Treasures. Was someone looking to cut out the competition? Everyone in the cast and crew is a potential suspect, including Aline, Merry’s mother, and Merry's shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role.
It could be curtains for Christmas—and for Merry—unless the killer can be ferreted out of the wings.
Genre: Mystery - Cozy
Why I Picked This Book: I've really enjoyed the other books in this series.
My Impression: I was so excited to see this latest entry in the Year Round Christmas series and this did not disappoint. I loved catching up with Merry and her community in Rudolph, New York right as rehearsals for A Christmas Carol are in full swing. Merry's mother, Aline has bowed to peer pressure and has taken a position as music director and actor in the local production so Merry has a front row seat to the arguments and hostility caused by the new patron and artistic director, Catherine Renshaw. When a body of one of the actors is discovered total chaos breaks lose with finger pointing and lots of bickering.
I really enjoyed seeing Aline taking a more active role in this story. She has normally been a side character a little bit above the rest of the town as befitting her role as Metropolitan Opera Diva. Seeing her pulled into a more central role was lots of fun. As always I enjoyed seeing Merry get pulled into the investigation as she tried to find out just who would want the unfortunate actress dead and to also try and protect her long time assistant Jackie.
This is a fun mystery with a beautiful and festive setting and a delightful collection of characters. Delany keeps the story moving at a fast pace with just enough day to day life to make Rudolph feel like a real town - and a town that would be really fun to visit. My only problem is that the dog on the cover, while cute, in no way resembles the enormous St. Bernard Mattie who steals the scene whenever he is on the page.
Would I Read More of this Series/Author? Of course! I have enjoyed every book I've read by this author under both the Vicki Delany and Eva Gates names.
Would I Recommend this Book? If you like cozy mysteries and are looking for a fun holiday read this is a great choice! A bonus is that I think this series would be easy to dive in with whatever book looks the best - and the cozy pun titles are amazing.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
Would I Recommend this Book? If you like cozy mysteries and are looking for a fun holiday read this is a great choice! A bonus is that I think this series would be easy to dive in with whatever book looks the best - and the cozy pun titles are amazing.
* I received this book in exchange for an honest review. As always my opinions and impressions are completely my own. *
That's a really cute cover and title! Glad the mystery was equally enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI think I've read another series by this author and I've read Eva Gates. I am just not as much a cozy fan.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Yes they should have a big St Bernard on the cover because he would be so cute. Must look this series up.
ReplyDelete