Member Reviews

Loved reading this book and series. Hopefully there is another book in this series. If you haven't read it yet. I highly recommend her and her books. Read in order

Was this review helpful?

I have really come to love these year-round Christmas books. Who wouldn't want to celebrate Christmas all year round? After all, the Christmas spirit is one of the most important parts of the Christmas season. It keeps reminding us that there is hope, kindness, and generosity in the world. And it helps us hold onto our humanity. But what happens when someone takes advantage of that kindness and generosity? You end up with murder and other assorted crimes like in Rudolph.

Poor Merry and Vicky are at it again, only this time the stakes are so much higher. Vicky is on the precipice of getting married and having just bought the infamous Cole House, things have certainly gone pear shaped. The criminal (or criminals) must be stopped to allow peace and happiness to spread once again.

I thought the premise of the book was really interesting. I, like I am sure a lot of you out there, enjoy learning about the history of homes, even if it is heartbreakingly tragic.

Cole House is important to the town as well as now Vicky and Mark, now that it is their home. And unfortunately, there are a lot of bad people in the world that would take advantage of Cole House's story and try to make something that should be happy and joyful and turn it into sorrow and anxiety filled.

I love the way town is set up. I know some people would find the idea of a year-round Christmas cheesy or kitschy, but I find it clever. What else are you going to do with a town named Rudolph?

There are a heap ton of possible suspects in this one and I certainly had a great time trying to piece together all of the clues to figure it out. It ended up being the very first one that I had suspected then dismissed altogether so beware of that while you're reading. The red herrings and clues were really fun and kept me on my toes.

I love Merry and Vicky as friends. No matter what is going on with them, they're there for each other. It doesn't matter time of day or night. I know I could use some friends like that. The loyalty and often times, hard headedness of both characters is exactly what brings these cases together.

Every time I read one of these books, I know I am in for a good relaxing romp through its pages. I always learn something new and have greatly enjoyed the experience. Vicki Delany is just an absolutely fabulous author. I will keep reading these books as long as they keep coming. I highly recommend.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Vicki Delany for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and are completely honest.

Was this review helpful?

I have read all of the books in this series and was happy to see there was a new installment. This book, though, feels a little different. The main issue is Merry’s characterization. She is pushy and overbearing when it comes to
Vicky and her decisions. I do like that other characters did mention her lack of interest in working in her own shop. I also hope Merry grows a backbone and stands up to her employee. The mystery was interesting, and I always enjoy reading about haunted houses/houses with intriguing histories.

Was this review helpful?

Engaged couple Vicky and Mark purchase the Cole House which is rumored to be haunted. A relative of the deceased owner appears, claiming the house as his. When the man is discovered by Mark in the garden of Cole House, Vicky asks best friend Merry to clear her fiancé's name before the wedding.
Likeable characters in a cozy small town.
#ASlayRideTogetherWithYou #CrookedLaneBooks #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I enjoy this series because of the christmas theme. This book takes place in the off season. Merry's best friend Vicky and fiance Mark buy a run down house, reputed to be haunted. Relatives of the previous owner are disputing the sale of the home. When a man is found murdered in the garden and Mark becomes the main suspect, Merry does her best to clear Mark's name. This book seemed to drag in the beginning but it picked up speed midway through, had a good plot, likeable characters, and lots of red herrings.

Was this review helpful?

In this 7th volume of the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series, Merry still runs her Mrs. Claus shop in Rudolph, NY, where her best friend Vicky and fiance Mark just bought an infamous haunted house. When a body is found in their garden and Mark is held as a suspect, Merry puts herself on the case, as usual. This story is set in the summer, so there is not a lot of Christmas stuff happening, which is the major draw for me to read this series. I still found it entertaining and fun, although I did not figure out the killer before the end. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Part of a Christmas cozy mystery series, this novel is the first book I've read from it; however, it can easily be read as a stand-alone. I love this author's Tea By the Sea series, so I had been looking forward to trying some of her other works. The writing flows effortlessly and the main characters are eclectic but relatable. This writer nails the small towns she incorporates into her books (each with their own touristy charm). It's a quick and easy read but with surprising twists.

Net Galley Feedback

Was this review helpful?

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A SLAY RIDE TOGETHER WITH YOU (Book 7 of the Year-Round Christmas mystery series) by Vicki Delany in exchange for an honest review. Merry Wilkinson’s best friend Vicky Casey and Vicky’s new fiancé Mark Grosse finally find a local property they can afford to buy; one catch, it’s the local derelict haunted house. Pooh-poohing the legends of curses and ghosts, the couple sign on the dotted line, move in, and start their repairs. However, home is supposed to be a refuge, but it’s not one if strange noises and whispers keep you up at night. Vicky assumes it’s just her overactive imagination and stress making her think she’s hearing things, but the noises resume one evening while Merry is visiting. This incident ends with a body in the yard and Mark being the primary suspect in the murder. If Merry doesn’t prove Mark innocent; otherwise, it looks like Mark will miss his and Vicky’s wedding!

I liked this book. I have not read the other books in the series, but I had no problem making connections with the characters or keeping relationships straight. I recommend this book to fans of the series and to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring holiday themes, tourist towns, and good friends.

#ASlayRideTogetherWithYou #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Nice off season addition to this Christmas town series. The author got me with who the murder was. Nice job

Was this review helpful?

This cozy mystery manages to hit all the right vibes for this genre. Between baking delights, a haunted house. a murder with plenty of suspects and a few cute dogs to add to the story, this was a charming read. I hadn’t realised this was book 7 in a series of 7 (so far) but the author managed to catch up the details on most of the background which as a new reader was helpful. If i’d been a regular reader though, I may have found this frustrating, so the intended audience matters. I haven’t read many cozy mysteries but this one left me satisfied with the result and wanting to watch for future books by Vicky Delany. Lots of interesting characters to be found in this Christmas town which added to the charm of the novel. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for letting me read a review copy.

Was this review helpful?