Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas

by Vicki Delany

I am disappointed when I read an apparently Christmas themed book that has little to do with Christmas. Sometimes the only Christmasy aspect is a beautiful cover. Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is NOT in that category! From start to finish the book depends on a Christmas theme because its setting is Rudolph, New York, a town that aspires to be known as “America’s Christmas Town.” In a show of unity, the business owners specialize in shops with cute names and sponsor town-wide Christmas events.

The protagonist, Merry, owns Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, located on Jingle Bell Lane. The community theater group decides to produce a musical version of A Christmas Carol. It is an amateur group with the exception of Merry’s mother, a retired opera singer. There are a number of ego-driven conflicts among the performers, but Merry, not a part of the cast, is drawn into the undercurrents of discord when a cast member is killed in her shop. Is the death somehow related to the play? Merry just can’t let it go!

Merry’s mother is a diva, but Merry is down-to-earth. Her kind father plays Santa Claus at various events and looks the part. Her boyfriend Alan is a talented woodworker creating furniture and children’s toys. He also is “Santa’s head toymaker at public events.” Merry has a lumbering Saint Bernard, and Alan has a Jack Russell; both dogs have important roles in this cozy mystery.

It’s probably hard to write a mystery with strong Christmas vibes, but Vicki Delany is very successful in doing just that. With good characters, a mystery that offers a true puzzle and numerous motivations, and a little danger thrown in, this cozy had me turning pages and ended for me with a gentle “aww!” reaction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: General Fiction, Mystery

Notes: #6 in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series, but could definitely be enjoyed as a standalone. I had not read any others in the series, but now I would like to.

Publication: September 19, 2023—Crooked Lane Books

Memorable Lines:

“A Christmas Carol, however, is not to be trifled with. It, more than most works, is firmly locked in time and place. That is what people expect. That is its appeal. The tradition of the Christmas season and the emotions it arouses.”

“Jackie O’Reilly, of all people, has asked to stay for a private lesson once the chorus practice has finished. Making silk purses out of sows’ ears comes to mind.”

Ranger leapt up and down, yipping in an excess of excitement. He’s a Jack Russell and excess excitement is his entire nature. He sniffed my boots, ran in circles around my legs, and then headed toward Mattie for more greetings. Mattie woofed in warning; Ranger decided discretion was the better part of valor and he hurried to sniff at the wheels of my car.

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is book 6 in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. I read the first couple of books in the series before I read this one, but not books 3,4,and 5. I think this one can be read as a stand-alone.

If you're in the mood for a fast-paced and festive cozy mystery, this is a good one to pick up. It will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

"Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas" is a very entertaining holiday book. From upstate N.Y a little town with so much happening was a very enjoyable read. Merry is not sticking her nose into the killer but in the end she does and solves the mystery in the nik of time.

*Year-Round Christmas Mystery Book 6
*Easy read
*Good plot, weak motive
*Revolves around A Christmas Carol play
*Surprise reveal- I totally thought the suspect was another character

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I’m so glad Vicki Delany decided to continue this series. The whole crew is back in this Christmas themed cozy. This year, Rudolph is in the midst of preparing for Christmas visitors. To do so, the local theater company is putting on a performance of A Christmas Carol. Of course whenever Merry is involved, murder is sure to follow….

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is the sixth book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. This was the first one I've read and I think it worked fine as a standalone. I loved the cozy setting of Rudolph, New York and wish it were a real place I could visit (minus the murder.) I liked the murder mystery and the interactions between characters. I recommend this one for anyone who wants to read a holiday-themed book but isn't in the mood for romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas: A Year-Round Christmas Mystery
By Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books
2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

The town of Rudolph, New York has made itself famous to tourists around the world by celebrating Christmas throughout the year, but in December it truly goes all out. Most of the businesses are all Christmas related, with locals also participate in the holiday celebratory events. That’s how Mrs. Claus’s Treasures owner Merry Wilkinson finds herself at the Rudolph Community Theater Players annual picnic helping her friend cater the food. Merry’s father Noel regularly appears as the town’s Santa Claus, but her opera star mother is coming out of retirement to take on dual roles in the production of A Christmas Carol. For a community theater performance the players are alarmingly competitive, pushing their director and the wardrobe mistress to their limits. Acting in the role of Mrs. Cratchit, Paula Monahan not only demands a bigger spotlight, she allows her very unlike-Tiny-Tim son to bully and physically attack other children. So when Merry steps out of her gift and décor store to check on her massive pooch Matterhorn and returns only to discover Paula’s body, motives range from those unsatisfied with her performance or as retribution for the acts by her son.

The show must go on though, and now Merry’s shop assistant Jackie O’Reilly steps into Paula’s role as the unglamorous Mrs. Cratchit. That doesn’t mean that Jackie won’t try to shuzz up her costume or her place in the production, which also places her right in a different kind of spotlight, that of lead suspect for murder. Jackie’s thrill at the news of Paula’s death isn’t exactly subtle, but Merry also doesn’t wonder if the victim hadn’t accidentally been mistaken for an even more abrasive woman. Catherine Renshaw may be financing the production, but despite having no theater experience she isn’t shy with her casting suggestions as she attempts to overrule a frustrated director. As accustomed as Merry is to her famous actress mother and her over-the-top behavior, but Merry is unprepared for the egos and narcissism involved in what should be a supportive community production.

The prolific author Vicki Delany can always be relied upon for well-plotted mysteries filled with clever dialogue and entertaining characters. The town of Rudolph comes alive and never seems more engaging than it is here, and the inclusion of the community theater players only adds to the fun. Merry’s diva mother and her self-involved behavior is balanced out by Noel’s genial warm-heartedness, ensuring that their family is always entertaining and never boring. While Christmas of course has a starring role in this Christmas-themed mystery, what truly takes center stage is the satiric depiction of the theater world and those who populate it. Merry has a surprisingly amenable reunion with her sister, whose perfect family and perfect job have always had Merry feeling like a disappointment. It’s been three years since the last appearance by Merry and her Christmas-obsessed town, and while it was worth the wait, readers hopefully won’t have to wait long for another delightful and hilarious entry in this holiday mystery series.

Merry is busy with the holiday season in full swing at Mrs. Claus's Treasure. Everyone is involved in the holiday festivities, including Merry’s mother and her shop assistant, but when a member of the cast of A Christmas Carol is found murdered in Merry’s shop, She adds catching a killer to her to-do list. Merry is determined to prove that her mother isn’t a killer. One way or another, she won’t let Christmas turn into a nightmare.

As usual, there are plenty of suspects and motives, with enough twists to keep readers happily reading. The story is fast-paced and easy to follow. The killer will be a bit surprising to some readers, but that makes this book even more fun. The characters feel like old friends, and with the Christmas holiday just around the corner, it will also give readers a few hours of relaxation and enjoyment during a time of the year when everyone seems to be crazy busy and stressed. I enjoyed the read and look forward to any future books

I'm a big fan of holiday mysteries, and when the whole series is about Christmas, even more to rave about. In Vicki Delany's Year-Round Christmas Mysteries, a small town in upstate New York offers all the jolly characters, warm sentiments, and memorable moments... then you have the dastardly murderers who want to get rid of someone who's in their way. In this latest installment, a Christmas play causes the cast to fight for expanded roles, find a way to reclaim their fame, and settle old grudges. But Merry must stay close to protect her opera-singer mother who finally agrees to participate this year, only to be accused of killing someone. Loved the holiday spirit. So many hilarious moments. And I like a retelling of the Scrooge stories we've all come to love. Sad that I've finished my last holiday Christmas book, but maybe I'll find a few more before the holiday hits. Great way to escape the daily routine and live a bit of fantasy in a fun Christmas village.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I was able to find the audio version through my local library.
I really enjoyed this book a lot! It is absolutely perfect for this time of the year (Christmas 🎄) chalked full of everything Christmas with a little cozy mystery to solve. The characters are all likeable and I didn't know this was part of a series. So I am now reading it from the beginning. Highly recommend!

I love this Christmas cozy mystery series. I mean what's not to love about a year round Christmas town. Merry is one of my favorite cozy mystery sleuth's. And I love Mattie the St. Bernard her dog. I think this one was my favorite of the series so far.

Book Review: Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany

Rating: 3.5 stars

First off, let's talk about the cover of this book. It's absolutely adorable and captures the festive spirit perfectly, which is a crucial aspect for a holiday cozy mystery like this one. Now, onto my review.

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is the sixth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town. The story revolves around Merry Wilkinson, the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a gift and décor shop in town. As the local amateur dramatic society prepares for a special production of A Christmas Carol, tensions rise among the cast and crew, threatening the show.

The plot takes an exciting turn when a member of the group is found dead shortly after visiting Merry's shop. This incident raises suspicions of cutthroat competition within the society. With everyone involved in the production becoming potential suspects, including Merry's mother Aline and her shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role, the fate of Christmas and Merry herself hang in the balance.

Delany skillfully crafts a well-written and paced mystery that can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel. The festive atmosphere is beautifully captured, making it an ideal read for the holiday season. The plot is engaging and keeps readers guessing until the very end.

However, one aspect of the book that didn't resonate with me was the characterization. While the story itself was enjoyable, I found some of the characters to be less likable. Both Jackie and Merry came across as rude and harsh, which made it difficult to fully connect with them. Nevertheless, not every character can be loved by every reader, and this didn't detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany is a well-crafted and suitably festive cozy mystery. It successfully stands on its own within the series and offers an engaging plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. If you're looking for a holiday-themed mystery that will get you into the Christmas spirit, this book is worth picking up.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

I'm so happy to read a new instalment in this series and it was up to my expectation: festive, entertaining and well plotted.
I was glad to catch up with the characters and the solid mystery kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my copy of Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany in exchange for an honest review. It published September 19, 2023.
This was another great book by Vicki Delany! I totally enjoyed this one from start to finish, I especially loved the fact that it revolved around a production of A Christmas Carol, my favorite book!

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is the 6th book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series and only the 2nd one I have read. I had no problem with the story and had fun with it, but I think I would have enjoyed it even more, if I had read all the previous books. This story has the town of Rudolph New York in the midst of their Christmas celebrations. The next big event is the performances of The Christmas Carol, the Musical. Wow, so much turmoil. As everyone argues about who should play what parts, who will sing what songs and what costumes need to be changed, it is worrisome that the show might not go on. When one of the characters ends up dead in Merry's shop, Mrs. Claus' Treasures, she feels that she needs to help with the investigation, after all, she died in her store. With a few suspects, several red herrings and even more issues with the play, will this crime be solved before someone else ends up dead, or the play is a flop?

Wow, there were so many characters that I disliked and that got on my nerves in this one. Thank heavens for Merry, her dad and the sheriff for being the great, likable characters in this one, as well as Mattie (Matterhorn), Merry's dog. Merry is a great character. She gets people to talk to her, she is friendly, wonderful to her family and is smart and intuitive. I like the way she puzzles things out. She even held her cool when confronted by nasty old Margie, the store owner who is a thorn in her side. The mystery was well-plotted with enough suspects to keep me guessing. The final showdown was a wild one and I was happy to see the culprit arrested. Finding the killer and the motivation for it, was a great story and I do recommend it. I definitely plan to go back and read the books I missed in this series.

The town of Rudolph may be known as a year-round Christmas town, but the feelings of love at Christmas seem to be missing this year! As the community theater group prepares for a rendition of "A Christmas Carol," tensions run high and rivalries arise as the actors try to outdo each other and vie for roles in the play. When one of the actors is found dead in Merry's gift shop, she becomes embroiled in the rivalries and in the investigation into the mysterious death.

Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries set at the holidays will find this latest addition to the Christmas mystery genre to their liking. This is a cozy mystery without strong language, intimacy, or graphic violence.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The characters are well-developed and likable.
The plot is suspenseful and keeps you guessing.
The setting is charming and festive.
The book is well-written and easy to read.

If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, then I highly recommend Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas. It is a fun and entertaining read that will get you into the holiday spirit.

The Year-Round-Christmas series has been one of my favourite cozy series for years! I was extremely disappointed when I heard that it had come to an end, so you can only imagine my delight when I heard the publisher had a change of heart and gave the go ahead for another installment! It was the perfect kick-off to my holiday reading season.

I was so happy to be back in Rudolph, New York in Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas, especially since this one takes place at Christmas time. Merry's mom, Aline, has agreed to star in the local community production of A Christmas Carol which of course, does not seem to be going very smoothly even before a murder takes place. I loved reading about the small-town drama that comes with events like this. Everyone takes these things so seriously and of course, in this case, leads to some funny shenanigans. And as always, Vicky Delany crafted a great mystery that had you side eyeing everyone.

As I said, I was so happy to be back in Rudolph and I hope there will be more trips to come.

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoy this series and love visiting the Christmas town any time of the year. I like the characters and the mystery kept me guessing.

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

If you love theater and cozy mysteries- this book is a cute Holiday read! Following the town of Rudolf through this series has been fun.