Merry’s best friend is Vicky Casey, a talented baker engaged to chef Mark Grosse. They bought a fixer-upper called the Cole House, which has a troubled history. People in town think they are crazy for taking on the property. The text includes details about the characters, such as Merry’s parents. Her mother, Aline Steiner Wilkinson, is an opera diva and also a bit of a diva in general, while her father, Noel Wilkinson, is the town Santa Claus. Merry resembles her father and often leaves her store assistant, Jackie O’Reilly, feeling neglected as she looks for clues instead of managing the store.

Ms. Delaney keeps readers engaged in figuring out who killed Jim Cole, a relative of the previous owner. Jim was found dead from blunt force trauma instead of being able to challenge the will for the house. Suspects include his estranged daughter, an ex-wife, and a current girlfriend, all affected by his death. Merry gets involved because Mark found Jim’s body and has a temper.

The story is well-paced with clever red herrings. The mystery of who killed Jim is compelling, but readers also enjoy character subplots. With Easter approaching in Christmas town, a new body surfaces, putting Merry’s friends at risk. The series continues to intrigue, with engaging plot twists and character development that promises more excitement ahead.

Springtime in Rudolph, New York, means pastel decorations, Easter egg hunts, and, of course—murder. In "A Slay Ride Together With You", Merry Wilkinson is ready to swap out Christmas tinsel for spring flowers when her best friend, Vicky Casey, and Vicky’s fiancé, Chef Mark Grosse, move into the historic (and possibly haunted) Cole House. But before they can even settle in, a dead body is unearthed in their brand-new garden, and Mark becomes the prime suspect. Talk about a housewarming gone wrong. With the town buzzing and the police circling, Merry has to juggle sleuthing, small-town gossip, and a possibly haunted crime scene before a killer hops away scot-free.

Vicki Delany brings her signature mix of cozy charm and murder mystery, making this seventh installment a real treat. The mystery is twisty, layered with small-town rivalries, old grudges, and some very suspicious newcomers. Was the murder tied to the house’s eerie past? Did Mark have an enemy hiding in plain sight? Or is there a completely different motive lurking beneath the surface? The suspects are plentiful, and Merry has to dig deep (pun absolutely intended) to uncover who had the most to gain from planting a body in Vicky and Mark’s backyard. Meanwhile, the town of Rudolph is as delightful as ever, proving that even when the holidays technically change, the drama—and murder—never really take a break.

A strong 4.5 out of 5 stars! While this book can work as a standalone, longtime fans of the "Year-Round Christmas Mystery" series will love the deeper dive into returning characters, especially Merry’s relationships with her close-knit group of friends and her journalist instincts leading her straight into the line of danger. If you love your cozy mysteries with lovable side characters, seasonal festivities, and just enough eerie ghost story vibes to make things extra fun, "A Slay Ride Together With You" absolutely delivers. And hey, if you weren’t into the idea of a haunted house before, you might reconsider—because in Rudolph, even the ghosts have secrets to keep.

Vicki and Mark are finally planning their wedding and have purchased a new (to them) home! While Merry is visiting, they find a dead body. With Mark as the main suspect – can Merry figure out what really happened??
I have loved every book in this series and the series regular cast was fantastic as usual. Fan of this series will love to visit with them and series newbies will be in for a treat as well.

Vicky Delany never disappoints and this book is no exception! I love this series and I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment! This was a super cute, fun, and quick read that I couldn't put down!

#ASlayRideTogetherWithYou
#NetGalley

A Slay Ride Together With You is the 7th book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Although I am reading this during the Christmas leadup, it is actually set just before Easter. In Rudolph, New York, Christmas shop owner Merry Wilkinson’s BFF, Vicky Casey and her fiancé, Chef Mark Grosse are moving into the historic Cole House just before their wedding. Cole House is possibly haunted, and surrounded by lots of drama. The previous owner died with no direct descendants, so according to her will, the house was to be sold and the proceeds added to the estate that is going to charity. Vicky and Mark have moved in while the house is being renovated. What they weren't expecting was that an estranged relative would show up to contest the will. While out in the garden one night, Vicky and Merry find Mark standing over the body of the man who was fighting them over the house, bludgeoned by a rock. As Detective Diane Simmonds focuses on Mark as the prime suspect, Vicky asks for Merry’s help to clear her fiancé’s name in time for the wedding. As they investigate, they find more than one suspect, including an ex-wife. With both Vicky and Merry busy with their businesses, planning a wedding and investigating, the time is ticking to exonerate Mark.

This 7th book in the series was different from the previous ones that were set in or near the Christmas season. With a haunted house, Easter celebrations, a fundraising luncheon, an upcoming wedding and a murder, there is a lot happening. Even Santa, aka, Merry's father shows up just when he is needed. I enjoyed the mystery and the investigation, but I missed the Christmas cheer and activities. I also found parts of this story were a bit slower moving. Overall, this was an interesting mystery with lots of suspects and twists, it just didn't quite measure up to the previous books in this series.

Rounding up from 3.5⭐
Running her gift shop in a Christmas all year town, normally keeps Merry busy. Now add in her best friend who's just bought the local haunted house as a fixer upper before her wedding. Strange noises are bad enough, but then there's a body. First one read in this series and I felt a little disconnected to the characters. Perhaps, if I had read some earlier books in the series, I would have enjoyed it more. The actual villain in the book didn't.ake sense to me either. On the positive side, many of the secondary characters were interesting.

Rudolph, New York shop owner Merry Wilkinson’s best friend Vicky Casey is newly engaged to Chef Mark Grosse and is moving into the historic Cole House, a home surrounded by drama, and intrigue, that is in desperate need of renovation. Then, Vicky and Merry come across a dead body in the garden and Mark is the one standing over the corpse. As Detective Diane Simmonds focuses on Mark as the prime suspect, Vicky asks for Merry’s help to clear her fiancé’s name in time for the wedding. Can Merry save the newlywed's wedding date and Mark from a jail cell?
This was a fun cozy mystery to read during the holidays. The only thing about it is the story takes place during Easter time. I love reading about the residents of Rudolph NY. There are so many quirky characters and fun happenings in a place where Christmas is year-round. The mystery was very well written and plotted, and I was surprised, as I usually am, with the big reveal in the end. I will definitely read another story from this wonderful series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.

This is book 7 in the Year-Round Christmas series. A haunted house is the center of this fun series. Rudolph, New York shop owner Merry Wilkinson’s best friend Vicky Casey is newly engaged to Chef Mark Grosse and is moving into the historic Cole House–a home surrounded by drama, intrigue, and a possible haunting, that is in desperate need of renovation. The wedding is just three weeks away, but all is not bliss for the newly engaged couple as estranged relatives of the late owner fight over her will. Then, late one night, Vicky and Merry come across a dead body in the garden of Cole House–and Mark is the one standing over the corpse. As Detective Diane Simmonds focuses on Mark as the prime suspect, Vicky asks for Merry’s help to clear her fiance’s name in time for the wedding. As they dig deeper into the connection between the house, Cole relatives, and town residents, past and present, it becomes clear that plenty of people wanted the victim dead. With a bakery to run, the busy Easter weekend fast approaching, a house to renovate, and a fiancé to clear of a murder accusation, Vicky’s wedding may end up on the chopping block. It’s up to Merry to put aside the chocolate bunnies and stuffed rabbits and help her best friend save her wedding–and her life.

Dollycas's Thoughts

While Rudolph, New York goes all out for Christmas they need tourists to visit year-round. Right now, they are decking their halls for Easter. Merry Wilkinson, owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, and the other shopkeepers are adding some eggs, chicks, and bunnies to their wares and windows.

Merry is also looking forward to her best friend, Vicky Casey's wedding. It is just three weeks away and she and her groom Chef Mark Grosse have made a major purchase, the historic Cole House. It has been empty for a long time and needs serious renovation but it is also plagued with a history of drama and it may be haunted. On top of that alienated relatives of the previous owner are fighting her will and want the house.

Vicky and Merry are having a girl's night at the house and a noise leads them outside. There they find a dead body in the garden and Mark is standing over the body with blood on his hands. Mark is now Detective Diane Simmonds' prime suspect and Merry knows she and Vicky need to prove his innocence. Can they do that before the wedding? or will Mark be locked away on their big day?

_____

Merry Wilkerson is a terrific protagonist and a master juggler taking care of everything thrown at her in this story. Her father Noel performs his Santa duties whenever needed. Her mother gives voice lessons. They are a perfect match. Merry is dating Alan Anderson, woodworker extraordinaire. Her best friend Vicki owns Victoria's Bake Shop. Her fiance Mark is head chef at the fancy Yuletide Inn. Merry's dog, Mattie is a big lovable drooling Saint Bernard who goes with her almost everywhere. All the core characters in this story feel like old friends including Mattie.

The victim, Jim Cole has made many enemies over the years and hadn't visited the property he wanted in very long time. Merry and Vicki soon had a nice list of suspects. With Vicky's wedding day quickly approaching she and Merry worked hard to follow every clue much to the angst of Merry's assistant Jackie who was left handling the shop. Ms. Delany has written a well-plotted story. I thought I had my focus on the right person but her talented writing sent me in another direction only to realize she tricked me. She really is an expert at creating twists and turns to keep her characters and her readers on their toes.

The Cole House was a character in itself. It is a rundown creepy place. Boarded up for years, red brick with multiple chimneys, the old Victorian featured dusty chandeliers, cracked tile, mouse-chewed carpeting, heavy dust-filled curtains, moldy furniture draped in sheets, cobwebs, and an overgrown yard and that was just at first glance. Over the years it became a kid's hangout and a right of passage to spend the night there for the students from Rudolph High.  It did have a working kitchen but I wouldn't have made it beyond the porch and I definitely wouldn't have moved in. I would have sided with the people who thought Mark and Vicky had lost their minds.

Ms. Delany also uses her descriptive writing talents when describing the food served in this story too. Her words may have you drooling as much at Mattie. She does include recipes at the end of the book. The Holiday Shortbread recipe was scanned and printed out immediately.

A Slay Ride Together With You is an entertaining read that takes us on a merry chase to catch a killer. It was unusual to visit Rudolph in the spring but I enjoyed catching up with the Wilkerson's, their friends, and the town's residents. Until next year, Ms. Delany. I am excited for this series to continue.

This is book number 7 in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Merry Wilkinson finds herself sleuthing a mystery with Halloween vibes during the Easter season in the Christmas themed town of Rudolph New York. Not to worry, you do not have to be familiar with the series to be able to enjoy the story.

Merry’s BFF is Vicky Casey, a very gifted baker who is engaged to be married to an equally gifted chef named Mark Grosse, and together they purchased the fixer-upper known as the Cole House. Apparently the word around town is that Vicky and Mark must have lost their minds because the place has a sad and possibly cursed history. Not to worry the backstory for the Cole house is included in fact there is plenty of backstory regarding all of the characters to keep you in the loop. In addition to backstory there are some great interactions between characters. There are some truly interesting characters such as Merry’s parents. Her mom, Aline Steiner Wilkinson, is a real diva as in opera diva and a little bit of a regular diva. Noel Wilkinson, her dad, is the official town Santa Clause, complete with real beard and the jolly disposition. Merry takes after her dad a bit more than her mom, which is probably why everyone in town thinks that Merry’s store assistant, Jackie O’Reilly is indulged to the point that she gets delusions of grandeur. In Jackie’s defense, Merry is often running off to ask questions and hunt for clues instead of managing Mrs. Claus’s Treasurers. If it wasn’t for Merry, we the readers would not get to armchair sleuth.

Ms. Delaney does a great job of keeping the reader intrigued and turning pages while trying to reason out who could have killed the sue‑happy and obnoxious Jim Cole, cousin to the former owner of the Cole house. Instead of being able to challenge the will for ownership of the really run down house, he got blunt force trauma. Suspects include Jim’s own daughter whom he had nothing to do with since she was little and he left her mother. There is also an additional ex-wife and a current girlfriend, both of whom are “distraught” that such a financially well off and loving man has been murdered. The only reason Merry is involved is because Mark has a little bit of a temper and was the unfortunate person who found the body.

The story moved at a good pace and the red herrings were well thought. I was able to figure out the “who” but not the “why.” I also enjoyed the little something extra that both Aline and Jackie add to the story. It might not be Christmas time but this was a great cozy for a year round Christmas town. Be sure to check out the recipes at the end of the story. I am adding the Coconut Sugar Cookies to my holiday baking list. The cookies are both easy to make and tasty to eat.

Merry couldn’t sit by and let her bff marriage end up into a no-show, and to make matters worse her life span be shortened. She needed to be circumspect with her investigation to avoid any confrontation with the police. Time is running out on her, she needs to up the ante and force the killer out into the open before there is no wedding or Vicky. This one had an unexpected ending, it was intriguing, engaging, captivating, and exciting.

This is a very fun seventh installment of the Year Round Christmas Mysteries. Even though it takes place in the spring, it still has a distinctly Christmassy vibe to it. This book has lots of delicious baked goods, a big old haunted house, and lots of quirky townspeople. Even though it's in the middle of the series, it could also be read as a standalone.

A Slay Ride Together with You

by Vicki Delany

If you enjoy cozy mysteries in small towns, but want a Christmas flair, then A Slay Ride Together with You is the perfect combination.

The protagonist, Merry Wilkinson, owns a gift shop, Mrs. Claus’s treasures while her best friend from childhood, Vicky, owns Victoria’s Bake Shoppe. The story is told from Merry’s point of view, but Vicky plays a huge role as she is a wonderful pastry chef, is planning her wedding to Mark, the chef at The Yuletide Inn, and is writing a cookbook. Mark and Vicky are also restoring an old home that has garnered a reputation for being haunted.

Characters you will enjoy include three dogs with prominent roles. Vicky’s dog Sandbanks is an “ancient golden Labrador” who frequently sleeps through excitement. Merry’s dog is Matterhorn (Mattie), a faithful Saint Bernard. Alan, Merry’s boyfriend, adds to the canine mix with Ranger, his “overly active Jack Russell.”

Vicky is not sleeping well in her new home because of weird sounds all through the night. These noises come to a climax when Merry is visiting and someone knocks on the front door and then the back, disappearing before the doors can be opened. This is a cozy mystery, so expect a murder and lots of suspects including Vicky’s fiancé Mark. I have always found references to extended family members of an ever widening circle to be confusing. That turmoil happens to Merry also as she investigates the various people that might want the victim dead. There are inheritance and relationship issues that emerge too.

I enjoyed A Slay Ride Together with You and will jump at the chance to read more in this series. Delany has written several more cozy mystery series. One I particularly enjoy is the Tea by the Sea Mystery Series.

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

Rating: 4/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: I started Delany’s Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series with #6. A Slay Ride Together with You is #7 in the series and I had no problem jumping into either book. I believe the setting of Rudolph, New York, with the nickname of “America’s Christmas Town,” is standard from one novel to the next and the characters recur, but Delany does a great job of giving background on the characters so the reader’s introduction to the series is almost seamless.

Publication: September 24, 2024—Crooked Lane Books

Memorable Lines:

Mattie sat next to me, hoping for some lunchtime tidbit to drop. It never does, but he never gives up hope. A lesson for us all, perhaps.

Jim was a reverse Santa Claus. He made enemies and spread ill will everywhere he went.

Vicky and I had changed out of our wet clothes and were wrapped in sweaters and thick blankets against the cold that seemed to have penetrated into our very bones.

A Slay Ride Together With You is the latest book in the Year-Round Mystery series set in Rudolph, New York. Merry Wilkinson, who owns a Christmas shop in town, is drawn into a mystery. Her best friend Vicky and Vicky's fiancé Mark buy an old, supposedly haunted, house in town. When Mark discovers a body on the grounds, he is a suspect in a murder investigation. Merry sleuths to help clear his name.

I wanted to read this book because I love cozy mysteries and this is one of my favorite cozy series!

This was an engrossing read. It was made even nicer by the addition of Merry's Saint Bernard and his pals, a Jack Russell and an elderly Lab. I really like Merry, Vicky, and the extended Rudolph community. Little details about the Christmas shop are fun too!

Merry is a good amateur sleuth. I solved the case just about the same time she did. There were several viable suspects and the mystery moved along at a good pace.

I recommend A Slay Ride Together With You - and this enjoyable series - for other cozy mystery fans!

I usually love a cozy festive mystery as a palate cleanser between more intense books. However this one was just okay. I didn't love it, I didn't hate it. The beginning was slow to start and seemed really repetitive. About 75 percent into the book I became invested and kept reading to see what would happen. Prior to that, I was forcing myself to pick it up and read. This review was also posted on Goodreads

Another fun Christmas story but one of my top favorite cozy mystery authors. Helped set my mood for the holidays this week. I purposely saved it until 30 days from Christmas, and even tho this setting was June / July, it still made it a jolly season. What a mystery with the house history and strange folks visiting town.

A Slay Ride Together With You is the 7th in the Year-round Christmas Mystery series. Don't you just love the puny titles for cozy mystery books.

This cozy mystery has all the elements a good cozy mystery should have:

🎄 It is set in the cute little town of Rudolph, New York, known as the year-round Christmas town,
🎄 We have our female amateur sleuther, Merry, who is also the small business owner of a decor and things shop called Mrs. Claus's Treasures,
🎄 We have our furry companion, Merry's dog Matterhorn, and
🎄 A great cast of supporting characters, including Merry's boyfriend Alan, the local toy maker, and Vicky, Merry's best friend and local bakery owner.

And finally, you have the mystery. Merry's friend, Vicky, and her fiance buy a house. But someone is not happy about their purchase and ends up dead on their property. Vicky's fiance ends up as the prime suspect.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. The actual culprit came as a huge surprise, especially the why.

While this book is part of a series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley. I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Merry's best friend Vicky is getting married in a few weeks. Vicky and her fiance Mark have bought the old Cole House. The house is the local spooky, haunted house. The kind where teenagers dare others to enter. Well there is strange stuff happening. Mark and Vicky hear strange noises and the sounds of footsteps overhead. Then distant relatives of the previous owner start to show up and demand that the house is really theirs's. One night, the girls hear a noise outside and when they step out, they find Mark standing over the body of one of those troublemaker family members. Mark is now the prime suspect. Can Merry figure out in time for Mark and Vicky to be married.

Such a fun adventure. Kind of a mystery in a mystery. Who is the actual murderer, but why now are all these people demanding an old run down house? The writing style is easy-to-read and the characters are fun and quirky. I enjoyed the story--it kept me turning the pages.

In A Slay Ride Together with You by Vicki Delany, readers are once again whisked away to Rudolph, New York, where the spirit of Christmas persists all year round. This time, Merry Wilkinson's best friend, Vicky, is on the cusp of marriage to chef Mark Grosse and has just purchased the historic, potentially haunted, Cole House. As Vicky prepares for her wedding, a shocking discovery—a dead body in the garden—turns their festive plans upside down, with Mark quickly becoming the prime suspect in the murder investigation. With time running out before the wedding, Merry must unravel the secrets surrounding Cole House and its storied history to clear Mark’s name.

Delany’s cosy mystery combines humour, heart and a cracking cast of quirky characters. The interplay between the charming Christmassy town backdrop and the tension of the murder investigation creates an engaging narrative filled with red herrings and unexpected twists. As Merry and her lovable St. Bernard, Matterhorn, navigate the intrigue of Cole House and its troubled past, readers are treated to a blend of suspense and warmth. A Slay Ride Together with You is a great addition to the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series and is sure to leave fans eager for more.

Merry’s best friend Vicky is now engaged to Mark. She is excited to hear they plan to get married and buy a house in short order. Her excitement is tempered when she learned the house is a neglected building with a reputation for being haunted. Vicky and Mark seem determined to restore the old mansion to its former glory but begin to have serious doubts when mysterious noises are heard in the dead of night. It turns out the noises are the least of their worries.

A relative of the deceased woman who owned the house thinks he should have inherited. Even though there is no legal leg to stand on, the man who is litigious to an extreme, threatens to sue Vicky and Mark. Then, when the man is murdered, on their property, Mark is the one who discovers him. He is the first candidate in the long list of suspects and gossip being what it is in a small town, he and Vicky have to deal with threats and innuendo. The deceased was a vile man and the people on the fringes of his life are a colourful and questionable lot. Which one of them did the deed? Or was there someone else’s evil hand holding the murder weapon.

While I did twig early as to the killer, there was a suspenseful and exciting denouement to unmask the villain and solve the murder. As a whole, it was an easy and entertaining read. Four purrs and two paws up.