Scan barcode
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany takes us back to Rudolph, New York. It is Merry Wilkinson’s busy season at Mrs. Claus’s Treasures. It does not help that her assistant manager, Jackie O’Reilly is busy with rehearsals with the Rudolph Community Theater Players of a musical version of A Christmas Carol. Merry is a friendly and relatable protagonist. I love her charming shop (I could do some serious damage in there). I do feel, though, that Merry needs to work on her managerial skills. Her employees are breaking the rules and Merry is not holding them accountable (I do not like seeing them walk all over her). I would not want to work with Jackie (I feel bad for the employee that must work with her). Jackie is self-absorbed. If it does not relate to her, Jackie is not interested (she is obtuse). Rudolph is brimming with holiday charm. It is a town that I would love to visit (do some shopping, take a sleigh ride, enjoy hot cocoa by the fire while reading a book). I would, though, avoid Rudolph Community Theater Players. They fight more than toddlers over a new toy. It was just a matter of time before one of them was murdered. There are several suspects in the crime (not one cast member liked the woman). The investigation was skimpy. The mystery can be solved long before the solution is revealed. The motive was weak (and it could have been applied to several people). The crime is neatly wrapped up at the end with a bow. The people involved in A Christmas Carol cared little that someone had been murdered (that bothered me). The Rudolph Community Theater Players take the saying “the show must go on” seriously. I did find the story to be a slow starter. The murder takes place about a quarter of a way into the book. The pacing was slowed down by detailed descriptions of people’s attire as well as locations. While I enjoyed the descriptions of Merry’s shop and the town, I did not feel that every place needed a detailed narrative. There are repetitive details as well (Jackie being the understudy to Mrs. Cratchit, Merry’s mother being an opera singer and a diva, the curmudgeon who owns a shop near Merry). Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas is the sixth A Year-Round Christmas Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. My favorite character was Merry’s St. Bernard. He provided some sweet and funny moments. There is a scene near the end of the story that I loved. It shows that a little kindness towards another person goes a long way. Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas is a festive tale with quarrelling players, a terrible Tiny Tim, singing snafus, an encounter with a killer, a crotchety storekeeper, a winter wonderland, and a Happy Holiday!
bargainsleuth's review
4.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Despite the fact that this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel. Apparently, the series ended, but due to popular support, a new novel was written, and what a charming book it is.
Merry lives in the town of Rudolph, New York, the Christmas capital of the area. The people in the village take pride in all things Christmas. This year they are putting on the musical version of A Christmas Carol. Merry’s mom, a former opera singer on the big stage, is involved in the play, as is Merry’s employee, Jessica. Without getting into too many details, there is much drama surrounding this year’s play as a new producer is involved, and many of the longtime actors are not happy with the decisions made.
I will say there is a large cast of characters in this book, so many at the beginning that I was afraid I couldn’t keep them all straight! However, as the book progressed, the personalities got fleshed out and I was able to discern who was who and what their connection to Merry was. With such a large cast, it makes it harder to figure out who is good and who is bad, which becomes all the more important when a member of the acting troupe is found dead in Merry’s store.
The mystery was deftly handled, and I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I may have to go back and read some of Merry’s other adventures!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Despite the fact that this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone novel. Apparently, the series ended, but due to popular support, a new novel was written, and what a charming book it is.
Merry lives in the town of Rudolph, New York, the Christmas capital of the area. The people in the village take pride in all things Christmas. This year they are putting on the musical version of A Christmas Carol. Merry’s mom, a former opera singer on the big stage, is involved in the play, as is Merry’s employee, Jessica. Without getting into too many details, there is much drama surrounding this year’s play as a new producer is involved, and many of the longtime actors are not happy with the decisions made.
I will say there is a large cast of characters in this book, so many at the beginning that I was afraid I couldn’t keep them all straight! However, as the book progressed, the personalities got fleshed out and I was able to discern who was who and what their connection to Merry was. With such a large cast, it makes it harder to figure out who is good and who is bad, which becomes all the more important when a member of the acting troupe is found dead in Merry’s store.
The mystery was deftly handled, and I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I may have to go back and read some of Merry’s other adventures!
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
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.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
smorrison4's review
4.0
A fun, Christmasy, cozy mystery to get you in to the holiday spirit. I was not able to guess the killer until, right before the reveal. Vicki Delany did a good job keeping me guessing.
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and hopefully getting to all of the previous books in this series that are already sitting on my bookshelves!
I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series and hopefully getting to all of the previous books in this series that are already sitting on my bookshelves!
deanapotter's review against another edition
3.0
Rudolph, New York is the most Christmasy town there ever was. A town that is truly centered around everything Christmas. Merry Wilkinson is the owner of Mrs. Claus’s treasures, a cute little gift and decor shop in America’s Christmas town. It’s the beginning of December, and the town is gearing up for their annual amateur trauma society play. This year it’s a Christmas Carol, but what should be a cheerful time becomes tense as rivalries begin amongst the cast and crew of the production. Tensions come to the forefront when one of the cast members is found dead While shopping. Just so happens she dies in Merry’s shop. Everyone in the cast and crew is a suspect, and even Merry. She is determined to get to the bottom of this before all the Christmas cheer is sucked out of this town.
This is my first forte into the year round Christmas mystery series. The concept of this is really cute and the mystery is engaging and intriguing. . We have some quite colorful characters in this cozy Little Christmas town. They add flair and charisma to the story, which I truly enjoyed. Vicki Delany is an imaginative and creative author. She continuously comes up with new ways to keep us thinking, and turning the pages.
This is my first forte into the year round Christmas mystery series. The concept of this is really cute and the mystery is engaging and intriguing. . We have some quite colorful characters in this cozy Little Christmas town. They add flair and charisma to the story, which I truly enjoyed. Vicki Delany is an imaginative and creative author. She continuously comes up with new ways to keep us thinking, and turning the pages.
booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
5.0
Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is the sixth mystery A Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. When the little town of Rudolph, New York puts on the play A Christmas Carol for the holiday season the town of full of drama, both on and off the stage. When Merry Wilkinson, small shop owner and amateur detective, finds a body in her shop, Mrs. Claud’s Treasures, she is on the case.
I have loved this series from the beginning and this newest Christmas themed Ozzy didn’t disappoint. I love this town and the characters in it, especially Merry. In my opinion, this was a great read and a fun cozy mystery. Rudolph is the type of town o would love to live in, minus the murder, and I am always excited to take a trip back here and follow Merry as she uncovers the killer. If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it. This is a great series and I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this cozy mystery!
I have loved this series from the beginning and this newest Christmas themed Ozzy didn’t disappoint. I love this town and the characters in it, especially Merry. In my opinion, this was a great read and a fun cozy mystery. Rudolph is the type of town o would love to live in, minus the murder, and I am always excited to take a trip back here and follow Merry as she uncovers the killer. If you haven’t read this series yet, I highly recommend it. This is a great series and I look forward to seeing what comes next!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this cozy mystery!
bookhussy's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS by Vicki Delany
The Sixth Year-Round Christmas Mystery
Christmas is coming and Rudolph, NY is gearing up for its busiest season. The Year-Round Christmas town is counting on its production of a musical version of "A Christmas Carol" to make up for last year's debacle. With Merry’s mother, former opera star Aline Wilkinson, providing musical direction as well as performing, shows are quickly being sold out. But all is not Christmassy cheer with the amateur company. The new artistic director is throwing her money around, but making enemies with longstanding members, including the director and wardrobe mistress, and Tiny Tim is being played by a ten year old bully! The less Merry has to do with the amateur production the better, but when Mrs. Cratchit is murdered in her shop, she can’t help but get involved.
Christmas, theatre, and murder - three of my favorite things. I was filled with nostalgia when I discovered Rudolph's theatre group was putting on a production of a musical version of "A Christmas Carol" because decades ago I played Belle in a community theatre production. Having worked in theatre in my younger days I had to smile at the goings on of this group. With varying degrees of talent, inflated egos, and limited budget, community theatre makes the perfect ground for murder!
The fact that the victim may not have been the intended target leads to all manner of possibilities creating a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. I loved how Merry fully intended to leave the murder investigation to the professionals, but, well, things happen. While many of the characters are quite brusque, the relationships between Merry and Alan as well as Merry's parents are loving and wonderful to see.
A Christmas murder with theatrical flair, HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a holiday treat good year-round.
The Sixth Year-Round Christmas Mystery
Christmas is coming and Rudolph, NY is gearing up for its busiest season. The Year-Round Christmas town is counting on its production of a musical version of "A Christmas Carol" to make up for last year's debacle. With Merry’s mother, former opera star Aline Wilkinson, providing musical direction as well as performing, shows are quickly being sold out. But all is not Christmassy cheer with the amateur company. The new artistic director is throwing her money around, but making enemies with longstanding members, including the director and wardrobe mistress, and Tiny Tim is being played by a ten year old bully! The less Merry has to do with the amateur production the better, but when Mrs. Cratchit is murdered in her shop, she can’t help but get involved.
Christmas, theatre, and murder - three of my favorite things. I was filled with nostalgia when I discovered Rudolph's theatre group was putting on a production of a musical version of "A Christmas Carol" because decades ago I played Belle in a community theatre production. Having worked in theatre in my younger days I had to smile at the goings on of this group. With varying degrees of talent, inflated egos, and limited budget, community theatre makes the perfect ground for murder!
The fact that the victim may not have been the intended target leads to all manner of possibilities creating a thoroughly enjoyable mystery. I loved how Merry fully intended to leave the murder investigation to the professionals, but, well, things happen. While many of the characters are quite brusque, the relationships between Merry and Alan as well as Merry's parents are loving and wonderful to see.
A Christmas murder with theatrical flair, HAVE YOURSELF A DEADLY LITTLE CHRISTMAS is a holiday treat good year-round.