HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is the sixth book in the Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by Vicki Delany. I’m so happy to see the reappearance of this series and it was a delight to be transported back to Rudolph, NY and reunited with its residents. With memorable characters, Christmas cheer galore, a musical production of A Christmas Carol, and a grinch who’s resorted to murder, the author pens a delightful yuletide tale to captivate the reader. The protagonist, Merry Wilkinson, owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures is the embodiment of the Christmas spirit. I just adore how close she is to her father, Noel, who is the town’s Santa. There are moments of sweet Christmas miracles happening in the story and Merry is known to say that she knows her dad isn’t Santa Claus, but sometimes she has to wonder. Her mother, a retired opera diva, can be a bit of, well, a diva, but it’s easy to see the love she has for her family. There are also moments of humor that had me laughing out loud, such as one that involves dogs, a squirrel, and a Christmas float.

It was all too easy to get caught up in the Christmas cheer and pageantry, and forget that a murderer lurks in the shadows. Yet, Ms. Delany is a master at weaving a tightly plotted mystery into an inviting setting that I’d love to visit. When the arrogant Mrs. Cratchit, of the play, is murdered in Merry’s shop no less, she can’t help get involved. I like that Merry doesn’t take unnecessary risks yet manages to suss out clues and convey them to the detective. There were lots of suspects—practically the entire troupe of actors had contentious interactions with each other, including Mrs. Cratchit—and plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. With a heartwarming conclusion, you’ll be counting down the days until the Christmas season is once again here.

Musings from Vicki Delany on her Mother’s Stained Glass Cookies:

My mother always simply called these cookies “Christmas cookies”. She made them every year and we loved them. They’re perfect for the holidays because they do look like little works of stained glass with the coloured cherries.

My mom is still going strong, but I’ve taken up the job of head Christmas baker, and I named these Stained Glass Cookies, to distinguish them from the other cookies I traditionally make for the holidays. They’re super easy to make and don’t require much in the way of rolling out and cutting.

Which makes them the perfect cookie for the harried home cook. I don’t know if the recipe would be right for Victoria’s’ Bake Shoppe, owned by Merry Wilkinson’s best friend in  the Year-Round Christmas series. Bakery goods need to be more attractive, more refined. Fancier than I do them. But, if I know Vicky Casey, she will find a way to fit these little delights in with her famous gingerbread, mince tarts, shortbread and all the other delights she makes for Christmas. Year-Round.

 

 

Amazon Synopsis

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.

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Vicki Delany for providing a print copy of HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS. Contest ends September 24, 2023 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to Canadian and U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.