This is the fourth book in "A Year-Round Christmas Mystery" series, but the first I have read. This is a book that can definitely be read as a standalone and be thoroughly enjoyed. Although this story appears to be a Christmas story, it takes place at Thanksgiving. This series is set in Rudolph, New York, in the town that bills itself Christmas Town USA. The protagonist, Merry Wilkinson is the owner of Mrs. Claus' Treasures, but as a sideline, it appears she helps the local police solve murders. Her father, Noel, used to be the mayor of the town and is the local Santa Claus in the Christmas parade and at Christmas time. This story finds that position being challenged, by a new resident in town. He thinks it is time for Noel to retire, especially when someone is murdered in his house, thus giving the town a bad name.

I really enjoyed this story. The mystery of who murdered Merry's mother's college friend was well-plotted and interesting. It was a bit of a closed room murder, as all the suspects were staying at the house and eating a potluck dinner at the time of Karla's death. There were so many secrets involved in the visit of the five college friends, that just trying to figure out what was really going on in the lives of these women kept me guessing. The six women were college roommates for one year 40+ years earlier. No one remembered what that year was really like, until they were all under one roof for a weekend. The women were extremely annoying and unlikable. They were very well written and even though they were only there for one weekend, the author did a good job developing their various personalities. Throw in the other plotlines of the new town member trying to usurp Noel's position as Santa Claus, a thief in town, and the upcoming parade and this book keeps you on your toes. Merry's landlady, the town gossip, had me laughing out loud a few times and her boyfriend Alan had me smiling at his honest and open feelings. Throw in a couple of Saint Bernard's and there is something for everyone in this book. I definitely recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers and I know I will be going back to read the first three in this series. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

Silent Night, Deadly Night
(A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #4)
by Vicki Delany

Residents of Rudolph keep the spirit of Christmas alive year-round—but their joy is threatened when a group of grinches visits the town, in the charming fourth installment of the Year-Round Christmas series.

It's the week before Thanksgiving, and Merry Wilkinson, owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, is preparing for a weekend reunion of her mother's college friends. But when the group of women comes into Merry's shop, Merry is met with frosty attitudes and cold hearts.

The women argue amongst themselves constantly, and the bickering only intensifies after one of the friends is poisoned. With her father's role as Santa in danger due to his proximity to the crime, Merry will need to use all of her investigative gifts to wrap this mystery up and save Santa and her favorite holiday.

Kindle Edition, 304 pages
Published August 27th 2019 by Berkley



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4 stars



This is the fourth book in the A Year-Round Christmas Mystery series by Vicki Delany.

This is one of those books that grows on you over time. There seemed to be way too many characters at the beginning between those at Merry's shop, different shop owners and the plethora of guests her parents were hosting at their house. The lead up to the death of the friend of Merry's mother seemed a too long and I was losing interest so quickly I feared that I would put it down if something didn't happen soon.

Once the whole situation with her father's job as Santa being threatened by a guy who could only be described as the Grinch, the book turned a corner. I knew from that point on I would be able to make it to the end.

I found the guests being trapped at her mother's house a bit too convenient for my taste. Not too many people I know would have a house so big it could be converted into an instant bed and breakfast.

This wasn't my favorite cozy mystery. It was okay. Decent. The mystery was solved at the end through leaps of logic the main character didn't share with us, the reader. I came away unsatisfied that I didn't get my own ah-ha moment when I figured it all out. At the end I was more relieved it was over. Having so many people in one place and in so many scenes was almost overwhelming to me. I was glad when they all vacated and went home.

I wish the detective lady would have been more open. I felt like she was more enigma that anything. I never felt like I had gotten to know her by the end. It would be nice to expand her part a bit. Get more of a glimpse into her life.

I might just be feeling like this since I hadn't read a book in this series previously. I felt so behind without enough of the relevant backstory.

If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this out and choose for yourself.

I received this as an ARC in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and author for allowing me to read this title.

Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful and Christmas is a time of Comfort and Joy, but not when a passel of Grinches arrive in Rudolph and upset the Thanksgiving and Christmas Spirit.

Noel Wilkinson has headed to Florida to get some fishing in before the busiest time of the year in Rudolph (when he plays Santa Claus), his daughter Merry is gearing up for shopping craziness at Mrs Claus's treasures (meanwhile they have Thanksgiving as well as Christmas items out) and Aline, Noel's wife, has a group of college friends coming to stay for their first ever meet up since they all left college! So far so great, only the women seem to be into the "sport" of backbiting and bitchiness and there is also the possibility that one of them is a shop lifter! Even that could be (just about) coped with until one of the women winds up having an anaphylactic attack at the house, and all the others knew about her peanut allergy so is one of the others a killer or has someone come from outside?

The other Grinch in the works? a newcomer who wants to take over the role of Santa - purely for his own political aims, and the problem is only a couple of people are seeing through his facade, Merry being one of them, so she needs to expose him at the same time as finding the killer or no-one will be thankful this Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a laughing stock.

Merry Wilkinson is looking forward to Thanksgiving, but her mother, Aline, is looking forward to the weekend before. Aline has invited her college friends to come to Rudolph, New York, for a reunion. However, when the women arrive, they quickly devolve into bickering and sniping. Desperate to find a way to keep the peace, Aline invites Merry to several of their events. At one of them, one of the women die under suspicious circumstances. Merry can’t help but begin to gather information, but when a newcomer tries to use the crime to get Merry’s father removed as the official town Santa, she steps up her game. Can she figure out what happened before the women leave town?

As a lover of all things Christmas, I was thrilled to be able to visit Merry and the town of Rudolph again. While set at Thanksgiving, the book perfectly captures that late fall feel and the Thanksgiving spirit while also working in Christmas. We get to know the suspects and the victim a bit before she dies. While the victim and murder method might not be too surprising, there are some secrets and twists buried in the book that kept me reading, and the sub-plot involving Merry’s dad also drew me in. I was a bit worried when we met all the suspects at once, but we get enough context early on to keep them straight until they develop as more characters. It was great to see the series regulars again as well. Whether you read this book now or save it for Thanksgiving or Christmas, you’re sure to enjoy it.

Silent Night, Deadly Night is the fourth A Year-Round Christmas Mystery. Merry Wilkinson has her hands full when one of her mother’s old college friends dies while in town for a reunion and a newcomer to town is determined to take the Santa Clause position away from her father, Noel. It is a week before Thanksgiving, which is Merry’s favorite holiday, and the shop is hopping with customers. It is always a delight to visit the charming Christmas town of Rudolph, New York. While Silent Night, Deadly Night is the fourth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. I thought the book was well-written with good pacing. The book is fraught with tension from the minute Aline’s college friends walk into Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. The five women are constantly sniping at each other and getting in little digs. It is only the first day of their visit and Aline, Merry’s mother, regrets organizing the gathering. When one of the women dies, the remaining ladies are suspects and are not allowed to leave town (there goes Thanksgiving). Merry wants to figure out which woman committed the crime so they can all leave town (they are staying at the Wilkinson home). There are clues sprinkled throughout the book to help readers solve the case before the satisfying reveal. I found Ruth to be an interesting character with her love of mystery novels and her fascination with the case (all mystery lovers can relate). There is a subplot with a newcomer to town trying to take the Santa Claus position away from Merry’s father, Noel. I like how Noel handled himself and how the situation was resolved. I enjoyed learning more about the Wilkinson family and the romance factor was light (thank you). I thoroughly enjoy the descriptions of Rudolph and Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. Silent Night, Deadly Night was a satisfying cozy mystery and I look forward to reading the next A Year-Round Christmas Mystery. Silent Night, Deadly Night has catty college chums, deadly delicacies, a sly Santa stealer, dangerous secrets, old-fashioned ornaments and one elf investigator.

Silent Night, Deadly Night is the fourth book in the Year-Round Christmas series but can be read as a standalone. This book gives you Christmassy vibes!

Merry's all-year-round gift shop is called Mrs Claus' Treasures and is located on Jingle Bell Lane. Her mum is a famous opera singer while her dad is well known for his role as Santa Claus in the town of Rudolph. Vicki, Merry's best friend, runs a patisserie while Alan, Merry's boyfriend, is a wood crafter. No cozy story is complete without a furry friend so meet Merry's pet Mattie - a Saint Bernard.

The characters are incredible - including the bickering ladies. 40 years since they have known each other and yet, they cannot stand each other!! My, my! The mystery behind the murder is well-maintained until the end of the story. The denouement is dramatic with a tinge of action.

Silent Night, Deadly Night is a perfect Thanksgiving and Christmas read. With a town named Rudolph, Santa Claus, some delicious baked goodies, Christmas gifts and an exciting murder mystery, this book is a perfect Christmas Cozy read.

Series: A Year-Round Christmas Mystery - Book 4
Author: Vicki Delany
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Business/Holiday
Publisher: Berkley
Page Count:304
Publishing Date: August 27, 2019

The latest in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery cozy series from Vicki Delany “Silent Night, Deadly Night” will keep you riveted to the very end and put a smile on your face. Published by Berkley, this new addition to the Year-Round Christmas holiday book will delight readers and give them the urge to appalled.

Merry is a great character with tons of personality. She loves Christmas and holidays in general and she will go to just about any length to make sure everyone enjoys the festivities and are happy. But when her mother’s college friends show up just before Thanksgiving and start making everyone miserable, especially her mother, Merry jumps in to help. The regular characters are present in this cozy book including Merry’s family, Alan, and other friends. Each character adds a dynamic to the plot that moves the story forward and expands the reader's enjoyment.

The town of Rudolph would be a beautiful place to live. Having the feel of constant goodwill, happiness, and people who are giving and compassionate that we associate with holidays would make life an enjoyable adventure year-round. The town is quaint with holiday decorations in every store window, and for sale 24/7. It would be a fantastic place to work and visit!

The victim and suspects in “Silent Night, Deadly Night” come from a varied background, with multiple issues stemming from their early years in college and how life has treated them since. This cozy lets readers feel what it would be like to get together with school friends that they haven’t seen since graduation and realize that perhaps they were never friends. And the amount of anger and resentment that comes with knowing people are never who we think they are when we are younger.

This is a cozy book worth reading, twice! It is a gripping page-turner. As always Ms. Delany weaves a story with believable suspects, subtle red herrings, and a thought-provoking reveal that will leave readers astounded. The story is well written, with smooth transitions and a spellbinding plot. I am thrilled to recommend this cozy to readers.

ARC Provided by NetGalley

Another winning cozy by Delaney.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an e-galley in exchange for an honest review.

SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT, the fourth book in the Year-Round Christmas Mysteries by Vicki Delany, is a delightful addition to a fun holiday read. While the town of Rudolph, New York celebrates Christmas year-round, this newest book is set at Thanksgiving time. I enjoyed how the author melded the two holiday celebrations together in the shop of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, owned by protagonist Merry Wilkinson. Ms. Delany has a strong descriptive voice and has developed terrific characters. I greatly enjoyed the descriptions and names of the town’s shops and locations, all capturing the holiday spirit the town wants to convey to the many tourists who visit. I also appreciated the close relationship Merry has with her parents: her father, Noel, who is the town’s resident Santa, and her mother, Aline, a retired opera diva. They are supportive and caring of each other, which brings a sweet, emotional element to the story. On the other hand, when Aline’s college friends come for a reunion visit, continuous strife seems to haunt the group which disrupts the Wilkinson’s household. I’ll have to admit, all of the women were nasty, maybe too nasty. It wasn’t a surprise when one of them is murdered while eating a potluck dinner with the group.

The investigator insists the women stay in town until they can be cleared…stuck at Aline’s house. This prompts Merry to get involved to find the killer and get the remaining horrid women out of her mother’s home and life. There’s also a subplot woven into the murder mystery of why Noel Wilkinson might be ousted from his role as the town’s Santa. I had to admire Noel’s calmness and the way he exhibited the true meaning of Christmas in the face of strife. As the story progresses, the author sprinkles clues for a sharp reader to catch, then provides a twist to pull it all together for a satisfying conclusion. In my opinion, it’s never too early to get in the holiday spirit and SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT is a delightful way to indulge.

The small upstate New York town of Rudolph (known locally as Christmas Town) is gearing up for their Thanksgiving festivities that marks the start of the busy season for many of the small shops and vendors. Merry Wilkinson, who runs a small specialty store called Mrs. Claus's treasures also has a reunion to look forward to involving her mother's old college friends. Unfortunately it looks like the weekend of bonding and reminiscing is anything but relaxing, especially when one of the gang ends up poisoned. Of course Merry feels compelled to investigate to support her mother but also because her father's position as Saint Nick in the festivities is threatened as he is close to those involved in the murder.
As a ardent fan of Christmas, I love this series set in a small town with Christmas at the center of their heart. Years ago the town decided to market themselves as a tourist destination by celebrating Christmas year round. It was fun to catch up with the residents of Rudolph and also to follow along with Merry's life once again. The mystery was evenly paced, with plenty of details pertaining to the characters and the town for those new to the series. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

I enjoy this series. Christmas all year round, Regular characters are nice and supportive of each other. The who did it and the why kept me guessing. The real mystery is why no one offed most of these women between college and now however!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love these mysteries about the town that celebrates Christmas all year round. A great read when you need a touch of holiday spirit any time of year

What a fun read! Fans of cozy mysteries and small towns will love this one, which is set in a small, upstate New York town that promotes itself as a year-round Christmas town.

The plot revolves around a reunion of former college friends who've been invited by a resident of this town to a long weekend to catch up and get reacquainted. Sadly, these six friends, who have not seen each other in person in ages, are not getting along as the host anticipated. Pick up a copy of this book to find out why, and what happens because of this.

(This author is new to me but I'll definitely be seeking out other books by her).