Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed Dying in a Winter Wonderland (Year-Round Christmas, Bk 5) on + 638 more book reviews
Dollycas's ThoughtsÂ
We arrive in Rudolph, New York, just in time for Christmas Eve and Merry is looking forward to a little relaxation after the holidays. Then, Luanne Ireland comes into the shop bubbling with excitement. She had asked Merry to do the decorations for her wedding and now instead of a summer wedding, she wants to get married on Valentine's Day. "What could be more romantic?" Luanne even wants Merry to tell her family, groom, and future in-laws it was her idea.
Life with Luanne is never easy but Merry didn't think Luanne's groom would be murdered at the Yuletide Inn, their future wedding venue the day after Christmas. She also didn't expect her brother to be a prime suspect in his death. That makes the murder personal for Merry and she finds herself right in the middle of another investigation. She hopes to help wrap up the case and prove her brother's innocence before the residents of Rudolph ring in the New Year but the killer may have other plans.
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I love the Wilkerson family. Merry Wilkerson owns Mrs. Claus's Treasures, her mother Aline is a retired opera diva and her father Noel is the former mayor and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. She has sisters Eve and Carol and a brother Chris. Chris plays a major role in this story. Her best friend, Vicky, owns Victoria's Bakeshop. She helps Merry do some sleuthing whenever she can. I love the way Merry's relationship with Alan has grown. They are truly perfect for each other. Most of the core characters in this series are engaging and genuine. There are a few that are a little prickly and spirited but not in a good way.
The crazy quirky of this cozy mystery comes from the characters introduced in this story. Luanne is something else. She can test a person's patience and has total disregard for others. Thankfully Merry and her brother Chris are kind and patient people. Luanne's family, her groom before his death, his ex, and his family are also in their own worlds doing what is best for themselves at all times. I will say that they do deliver some wonderful comedic moments throughout the story.
The mystery was complicated and full of surprises. Merry's investigation even takes her, Vicky, and the loveable Mattie, Merry's St. Bernard, to the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor as they try to dig up some dirt while trying to tie some clues together. Merry works so hard, asking questions and keeping her ears open for any detail that will point her in the right direction. Ms. Delany gives her readers presents with plenty of twists and turns and I did my darndest to keep up with each one of them and failed. I had my A-Ha-Moment right along with Merry. There were several possible suspects and the actual killer didn't even make my list. That made the final chapters very exciting as a dangerous showdown played out.
I love the theme of this series and the setting of Rudolph. All the Christmas themed places and events are so delightful.
Dying in a Winter Wonderland is a fun, entertaining, and merry read. It is a Perfect Escape and perfect to read at any time of year, even now when we are creeping toward 100 degrees here in Wisconsin. Vicki Delany is a fabulous storyteller and I have fun escaping into anything she writes. I am very excited that the next book in this series, Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas will be released on September 19.
We arrive in Rudolph, New York, just in time for Christmas Eve and Merry is looking forward to a little relaxation after the holidays. Then, Luanne Ireland comes into the shop bubbling with excitement. She had asked Merry to do the decorations for her wedding and now instead of a summer wedding, she wants to get married on Valentine's Day. "What could be more romantic?" Luanne even wants Merry to tell her family, groom, and future in-laws it was her idea.
Life with Luanne is never easy but Merry didn't think Luanne's groom would be murdered at the Yuletide Inn, their future wedding venue the day after Christmas. She also didn't expect her brother to be a prime suspect in his death. That makes the murder personal for Merry and she finds herself right in the middle of another investigation. She hopes to help wrap up the case and prove her brother's innocence before the residents of Rudolph ring in the New Year but the killer may have other plans.
____
I love the Wilkerson family. Merry Wilkerson owns Mrs. Claus's Treasures, her mother Aline is a retired opera diva and her father Noel is the former mayor and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. She has sisters Eve and Carol and a brother Chris. Chris plays a major role in this story. Her best friend, Vicky, owns Victoria's Bakeshop. She helps Merry do some sleuthing whenever she can. I love the way Merry's relationship with Alan has grown. They are truly perfect for each other. Most of the core characters in this series are engaging and genuine. There are a few that are a little prickly and spirited but not in a good way.
The crazy quirky of this cozy mystery comes from the characters introduced in this story. Luanne is something else. She can test a person's patience and has total disregard for others. Thankfully Merry and her brother Chris are kind and patient people. Luanne's family, her groom before his death, his ex, and his family are also in their own worlds doing what is best for themselves at all times. I will say that they do deliver some wonderful comedic moments throughout the story.
The mystery was complicated and full of surprises. Merry's investigation even takes her, Vicky, and the loveable Mattie, Merry's St. Bernard, to the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor as they try to dig up some dirt while trying to tie some clues together. Merry works so hard, asking questions and keeping her ears open for any detail that will point her in the right direction. Ms. Delany gives her readers presents with plenty of twists and turns and I did my darndest to keep up with each one of them and failed. I had my A-Ha-Moment right along with Merry. There were several possible suspects and the actual killer didn't even make my list. That made the final chapters very exciting as a dangerous showdown played out.
I love the theme of this series and the setting of Rudolph. All the Christmas themed places and events are so delightful.
Dying in a Winter Wonderland is a fun, entertaining, and merry read. It is a Perfect Escape and perfect to read at any time of year, even now when we are creeping toward 100 degrees here in Wisconsin. Vicki Delany is a fabulous storyteller and I have fun escaping into anything she writes. I am very excited that the next book in this series, Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas will be released on September 19.
Pamela C. (pj-s-bookcorner) reviewed Dying in a Winter Wonderland (Year-Round Christmas, Bk 5) on + 858 more book reviews
Family & friends return to the town of Rudolph, NY for the Christmas holidays. Merry is busy running her Mrs. Claus shop & "voluntold" to be a wedding planner for her baby brother's former high school sweetheart. When the groom winds up dead and her brother bending over him, things heat up for Merry and the town. Cute cozy.
