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A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #8
O, Deadly Night
Tis the season for mischief and murder in the 8th Year-Round Christmas mystery from national bestselling author Vicki Delany.
It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it’s time for the December Santa Claus parade. This year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa’s elves' workshop and invites her landlady, Mabel D’Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D’Angelo doesn’t show up, Merry begins to worry.
Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D’Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the center for all things gossip, Mrs. D’Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days pass, Mrs. D’Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa’s workshop, has little time for matters that really don’t concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D’Angelo disappears, and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.
With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas doesn’t end up wrapped in blood red.
It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, which means it’s time for the December Santa Claus parade. This year, shop owner Merry Wilkinson has decided to decorate her float as Santa’s elves' workshop and invites her landlady, Mabel D’Angelo, to help supervise the excited children playing the elves. But when Mrs. D’Angelo doesn’t show up, Merry begins to worry.
Worry quickly turns into frustration when Mrs. D’Angelo reveals she was delayed by new neighbors moving in. As the center for all things gossip, Mrs. D’Angelo is determined to introduce the new arrivals to the neighborhood. As the days pass, Mrs. D’Angelo notices strange things about the newcomers, but Merry, busier than an elf in Santa’s workshop, has little time for matters that really don’t concern her. But things turn from jolly to downright concerning when Mrs. D’Angelo disappears, and Merry is forced to admit that something might be terribly wrong.
With family and friends counting on her during this stressful holiday season, it is up to Merry to make sure this Christmas doesn’t end up wrapped in blood red.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2025
77 people are currently reading
1264 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Delany
58 books1,925 followers“It’s a crime not to read Delany,” so says the London Free Press.
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most varied and prolific crime writers.
She is the author of four cozy mystery series: The Tea by the Sea series from Kensington Books, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane and the Year Round Christmas series from Penguin. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she writes the Lighthouse Library Series.
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com , www.facebook.com/evagatesauthor, and twitter: @vickidelany
Vicki is part of Mystery Lovers Kitchen (http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com) and Killer Characters (http://www.killercharacters.com)
Visit Vicki at www.vickidelany.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
December 18, 2025
Love to start Christmas murder mysteries early! Tho I probably should've waited until Halloween was over, but i was published this week and I wanted to get a review in time... to share for other fellow fans of the Year-Round Christmas Mysteries that this was a great installment. Merry and the gang are great fun and I loved getting to now the neighbors this time.
June 26, 2025
I decided to deal with the ridiculously hot weather this week by reading the next book in Vicki Delany's Year Round Christmas series. Fortunately, O Deadly Night takes place in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas, and there is plenty of snow! Merry is very busy at the shop with the holidays around the corner, so she is not paying too much attention to her landlady, Mrs D'Angelo, and her concern about the new neighbors across the street. After a busy weekend in Rudolph, it is brought to Merry's attention that her landlady, who doesn't miss a trick, hasn't been seen in two days, so now she is concerned. Did the nosy lady walk around the house across the street and maybe fall in the snow? When Merry goes to check it out, she hears calls for help from inside the house and finds Mrs. D'Angelo tied up in the pantry, and not only that but a dead body! What did Mrs D'Angelo stumble across? Who does the house belong to, and who are the new tenants? Can Merry keep her attention on Christmas sales, or will her attention be diverted? Will we get answers so everyone can enjoy a wonderful Christmas holiday? Come along for a nice, cool holiday mystery. Thanks to #Netgally, #CrookedLaneBooks, and the author for the opportunity to cool down with this holiday read. #ODeadlyNight #YearRoundChristmasMysteries #VickiDelany #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
November 13, 2025
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Rudolph, New York, is the place to be for Christmas as the town goes all out to welcome tourists to America’s Christmas Town. The shoppes are already seeing a surge of customers, and all are looking forward to the December Santa Claus parade. Noel Wilkerson is all decked out in his Santa garb, and Alan Anderson is on hand as his favorite elf, while Merry Wilkinson’s float is filled with children playing the roles of elves. The old person missing is Mrs. D’Angelo, Merry’s landlady, who was supposed to help with the children.
After the parade, Merry learns Mrs. D’Angelo was waylaid by new neighbors moving in. The Gossip Queen of Rudolph was set on being the first one to welcome the new people to the neighborhood, but before she could, she noticed some weird happenings at their home. She tries to get Merry to help her make a grand introduction, but Merry is swamped with work as the holidays get closer.
Then Mabel D’Angelo goes MIA, and Merry realizes maybe those new neighbors are something to worry about. Can she find The Gossip Queen and do everything else she needs to get done for everyone else before Christmas? Well, she sure is going to try. Hopefully, she isn’t the next Rudolph resident to disappear.
It is wonderful to visit Rudolph, New York, to catch up with the Wilkersons and their friends at the height of the Christmas season. They always have a lot going on, but there is always time to solve a mystery or two.
All the characters are well-crafted and developed. I enjoyed that Mabel D’Angelo played a major role in this story, taking what she usually does to a new level and landing herself in a heap of trouble. Mattie’s doggie love for Detective Diane Simmonds always makes me smile. I was also happy to see he made a new friend.
This time, we had to delve into a bit of town history to get the investigation rolling. A few people surprisingly end up on Merry’s suspect list when a past relationship is revealed. But Merry did make some mistakes as she tried to follow the clues; she knows better. That being said, I pegged the guilty party with ease early in the story, but the take-down was very entertaining. I loved that Vicky made an epic entrance.
There is a subplot about the town of Muddle Harbor’s failing economy. Noel seems to have some ideas to help the nearby town. I am intrigued to see where Ms. Delaney takes this.
I love the holiday atmosphere in Rudolph that rings throughout the story. The town is filled with people with big, generous hearts who breathe love in America’s Christmas Town year-round, and for other holidays too. Santa is never far away.
O, Deadly Night is a delightfully merry addition to the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series with a little murder and mischief to shake up the holidays. Sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Bake up some Molasses Spice Cookies (recipe in the book), make a hot beverage, and sit back and escape to Rudolph.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Rudolph, New York, is the place to be for Christmas as the town goes all out to welcome tourists to America’s Christmas Town. The shoppes are already seeing a surge of customers, and all are looking forward to the December Santa Claus parade. Noel Wilkerson is all decked out in his Santa garb, and Alan Anderson is on hand as his favorite elf, while Merry Wilkinson’s float is filled with children playing the roles of elves. The old person missing is Mrs. D’Angelo, Merry’s landlady, who was supposed to help with the children.
After the parade, Merry learns Mrs. D’Angelo was waylaid by new neighbors moving in. The Gossip Queen of Rudolph was set on being the first one to welcome the new people to the neighborhood, but before she could, she noticed some weird happenings at their home. She tries to get Merry to help her make a grand introduction, but Merry is swamped with work as the holidays get closer.
Then Mabel D’Angelo goes MIA, and Merry realizes maybe those new neighbors are something to worry about. Can she find The Gossip Queen and do everything else she needs to get done for everyone else before Christmas? Well, she sure is going to try. Hopefully, she isn’t the next Rudolph resident to disappear.
It is wonderful to visit Rudolph, New York, to catch up with the Wilkersons and their friends at the height of the Christmas season. They always have a lot going on, but there is always time to solve a mystery or two.
All the characters are well-crafted and developed. I enjoyed that Mabel D’Angelo played a major role in this story, taking what she usually does to a new level and landing herself in a heap of trouble. Mattie’s doggie love for Detective Diane Simmonds always makes me smile. I was also happy to see he made a new friend.
This time, we had to delve into a bit of town history to get the investigation rolling. A few people surprisingly end up on Merry’s suspect list when a past relationship is revealed. But Merry did make some mistakes as she tried to follow the clues; she knows better. That being said, I pegged the guilty party with ease early in the story, but the take-down was very entertaining. I loved that Vicky made an epic entrance.
There is a subplot about the town of Muddle Harbor’s failing economy. Noel seems to have some ideas to help the nearby town. I am intrigued to see where Ms. Delaney takes this.
I love the holiday atmosphere in Rudolph that rings throughout the story. The town is filled with people with big, generous hearts who breathe love in America’s Christmas Town year-round, and for other holidays too. Santa is never far away.
O, Deadly Night is a delightfully merry addition to the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series with a little murder and mischief to shake up the holidays. Sure to get you in the Christmas spirit. Bake up some Molasses Spice Cookies (recipe in the book), make a hot beverage, and sit back and escape to Rudolph.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
July 8, 2025
"O, Deadly Night (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery #8)" by Vicki Delany has Rudolph, New York at another Christmas season. Merry is, yet again, not the Christmas Parade float winner. That's okay as she plenty of other Christmas season things to look forward to. However, her landlady was supposed to help her out on her float but didn't show because there were new neighbors moving in across the street from their house. Being a key link in the local gossip chain, Mrs. D'Angelo just had to stick around and snoop.
Things get a little "Rear Window" when Mrs. D'Angelo can't seem to let it go that something isn't right about the new neighbors. Luckily for Mrs. D'Angelo, she has caring friends that notice within a day or so that she's been oddly quiet/absent. One thing leads to another, plus it's a cozy mystery and she's a main character, Mrs. D'Angelo is found relatively unscathed. Kicker is, so is a dead body.
Now, Merry really didn't have to get involved in this one. Most of what happens is because she just can't stop herself and neither can most of her friends. In the course of her gossiping and usually curiosity she gets herself a bit of a stalker. I had them pinned as a suspect but I guess Merry just thought they were odd. Everything wraps up happily.
Things get a little "Rear Window" when Mrs. D'Angelo can't seem to let it go that something isn't right about the new neighbors. Luckily for Mrs. D'Angelo, she has caring friends that notice within a day or so that she's been oddly quiet/absent. One thing leads to another, plus it's a cozy mystery and she's a main character, Mrs. D'Angelo is found relatively unscathed. Kicker is, so is a dead body.
Now, Merry really didn't have to get involved in this one. Most of what happens is because she just can't stop herself and neither can most of her friends. In the course of her gossiping and usually curiosity she gets herself a bit of a stalker. I had them pinned as a suspect but I guess Merry just thought they were odd. Everything wraps up happily.
January 11, 2026
It's December in Rudolph, where Christmas is celebrated year round. Merry, who owns Mrs. Claus Emporium is waiting for her neighbor and landlord Mrs. D'Angelo, to help with the children on her float for the Santa Claus parade. She is a no show and Merry is not pleased, especially when she finds out that it was because she was spying on their new neighbor. Over the next few days, Mrs. D'Anglos continues to watch and report unusual comings and goings at the house. When she disappears a few days later, Merry is worried that maybe she snooped on the wrong people and goes looking for her. What she finds leads the police on another investigation.
I enjoy this series and this was another good addition to the series. Merry is a great MC, being smart and knowing everyone in town. We see her in her role as boss, friend, neighbor and amateur sleuth. It was nice getting to know more of the towns' residents in this outing, although her clerk's issues with her boyfriend were really annoying and I could have done without them. The mystery surrounds counterfeit money, a murdered woman and a house that seems to change hands many times. There is also a minor storyline about older men being cat fished online, but all this meshes together well. Merry and her bestie, Vicky do their own sleuthing, even thought the police are on the case, and Vicky is a stand out this time. There is the final show down that puts them in danger, but you will have to read this one to find out what happens. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dina Pearlman, and I enjoyed her performance. She is the voice of Merry for me.
I enjoy this series and this was another good addition to the series. Merry is a great MC, being smart and knowing everyone in town. We see her in her role as boss, friend, neighbor and amateur sleuth. It was nice getting to know more of the towns' residents in this outing, although her clerk's issues with her boyfriend were really annoying and I could have done without them. The mystery surrounds counterfeit money, a murdered woman and a house that seems to change hands many times. There is also a minor storyline about older men being cat fished online, but all this meshes together well. Merry and her bestie, Vicky do their own sleuthing, even thought the police are on the case, and Vicky is a stand out this time. There is the final show down that puts them in danger, but you will have to read this one to find out what happens. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dina Pearlman, and I enjoyed her performance. She is the voice of Merry for me.
October 1, 2025
I received an advance copy of the book in return for an honest review.
Although a firm fan of Delaney’s Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates), this was the first of her Year-Round Christmas Mysteries I’d read. Fortunately, that didn’t matter since the characters were clearly inteoduced and I quickly caught up on their situation.
The appropriately named Merry lives in the fictional Rudolph, New York, a town that is devoted to all things Christmas. Mysterious new neighbors set tongues wagging, and danger approaches as quickly as Christmas shopping deadlines. The quirkiness of Merry’s friends and relations, shown to the hilt thanks to a subplot involving a feud between two towns, enhances the race to find a murderer.
I was afraid the Christmas theme might make it too sappy for my taste, but the characters are so lively and the pace so fresh that it even rejuvenated my youthful love of the holiday.
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting cozy mystery to read in the run-up to the holidays, this is it.
Although a firm fan of Delaney’s Lighthouse Library series (as Eva Gates), this was the first of her Year-Round Christmas Mysteries I’d read. Fortunately, that didn’t matter since the characters were clearly inteoduced and I quickly caught up on their situation.
The appropriately named Merry lives in the fictional Rudolph, New York, a town that is devoted to all things Christmas. Mysterious new neighbors set tongues wagging, and danger approaches as quickly as Christmas shopping deadlines. The quirkiness of Merry’s friends and relations, shown to the hilt thanks to a subplot involving a feud between two towns, enhances the race to find a murderer.
I was afraid the Christmas theme might make it too sappy for my taste, but the characters are so lively and the pace so fresh that it even rejuvenated my youthful love of the holiday.
If you’re looking for a fun and exciting cozy mystery to read in the run-up to the holidays, this is it.
December 24, 2025
3-1/2 stars. Another entertaining entry in this series. The mystery in this one was pretty interesting and I enjoyed nosy neighbor/landlord Mrs. D'Angelo playing a larger role in this installment. Despite how much I like these books, I just can't round up to 4 stars because I always find it laughable how much the police confide in Merry about these cases. We all know that would never really happen. Nevertheless, I enjoy this cast of characters and the town and look forward to the next one.
October 19, 2025
Another great cosy slime!
Absolutely love this series and it always makes me feel very festive whenever I read them. Love the characters and Rudolph is a wonderful backdrop. Hope there will be many, many more to come! Brilliant!
Absolutely love this series and it always makes me feel very festive whenever I read them. Love the characters and Rudolph is a wonderful backdrop. Hope there will be many, many more to come! Brilliant!
September 15, 2025
Can you imagine a town being named after Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Yes, and it is in New York. And it is Christmastime and everyone is in a holiday mood. Merry has a store with so many choices of Christmas gifts for all. She is renting an apartment on the upper level of Mrs. D"Angelo's home. Yes, there is a dog in the story, Merry has a large dog. Mrs. D'Angelo is a very friendly lady, but is a noisy neighbor.
Across the street there is a house and someone new has moved in. Wanting to know who has moved into the house, she makes a neighborly visit. But not everyone wants to answer their door to a stranger. With a curious personality she just keeps trying. Another neighbor just left her neighborly gift on the doorstep. But Mrs. D'Angelo must see who these people are. Then one day it seems that Merry has not seen her landlord in a long time. So being so concerned she went across to see if her landlady had gotten curious. While at the door Merry hears a cry for help. So with the help of a friend she just had to get inside.
Lo and behold she found Mrs. D'Angelo tied up and locked in a pantry. But no one else was around. So now the mystery starts, who are these people who are renting the house and why are they holding Mrs. D'Angelo captive. This is Christmastime after all and why?
Thank you Vicki, Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the opportunity in reading before publishing. Not only a mystery, but a way to get into the Christmas Spirit a might early.
Across the street there is a house and someone new has moved in. Wanting to know who has moved into the house, she makes a neighborly visit. But not everyone wants to answer their door to a stranger. With a curious personality she just keeps trying. Another neighbor just left her neighborly gift on the doorstep. But Mrs. D'Angelo must see who these people are. Then one day it seems that Merry has not seen her landlord in a long time. So being so concerned she went across to see if her landlady had gotten curious. While at the door Merry hears a cry for help. So with the help of a friend she just had to get inside.
Lo and behold she found Mrs. D'Angelo tied up and locked in a pantry. But no one else was around. So now the mystery starts, who are these people who are renting the house and why are they holding Mrs. D'Angelo captive. This is Christmastime after all and why?
Thank you Vicki, Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for the opportunity in reading before publishing. Not only a mystery, but a way to get into the Christmas Spirit a might early.
December 22, 2025
In the past, I read this series mostly for its seasonal content. The plot and the characters taking a back seat. That changed with this newest release. We still have the fun supporting characters and the charm of the town of Rudolph. This time the plot grabbed me from the get go and the focus was more on Merry and sleuthing. I enjoyed getting to know Merry’s landlady and sleuthing partner. Gradually, the killer becomes obvious though not to Merry. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eArc in exchange for a review.
December 14, 2025
It’s Christmastime in Rudolph, New York, shop owner Merry Wilkinson is worried when her neighbor, Mabel D'Angelo, who's a town gossip, goes missing. Do the new neighbors have anything to do with the missing woman?
This is an interesting mystery. Although, I was intrigued with the setting and the activities in the town more than the plot. I love reading about the characters and I feel like I'm visiting with old friends. These stories always put me in a Christmas mood. I will definitely read another mystery from this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
This is an interesting mystery. Although, I was intrigued with the setting and the activities in the town more than the plot. I love reading about the characters and I feel like I'm visiting with old friends. These stories always put me in a Christmas mood. I will definitely read another mystery from this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my unbiased opinion.
October 27, 2025
This one kicks off my Christmas mystery/snowstorm themed reading for the season! I like this series with the Christmas themed town and villagers. In this installment, when Merry’s landlady becomes suspicious of her new neighbors, Merry first dismisses her worries. Soon, however, her landlady disappears and Merry is convinced that it’s all connected to the mysterious new neighbors. It’s up to Merry and her friends to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late.
December 11, 2025
I always enjoy reuniting with our characters during the holidays.
January 29, 2026
Good mystery! I do enjoy this series, but Jackie and esp. Vicky get on my nerves a little. I am not really feeling the chemistry between Alan and Merry either. I like that Mrs. D'Angelo was featured in this story. She is one of my favorite characters.
October 3, 2025
Loved the cover but the book I found it difficult to keep interested.
Mable is Merry's landlady and fails to turn up for the Christmas parade that she was supposed to help in as she was watching her new neighbours move in as she's a very nosy neighbour and she's suspicious of them.
The next day she disappears and is found in the neibours basement and a body is found murdered upstairs.
Just didn't like any of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review
Mable is Merry's landlady and fails to turn up for the Christmas parade that she was supposed to help in as she was watching her new neighbours move in as she's a very nosy neighbour and she's suspicious of them.
The next day she disappears and is found in the neibours basement and a body is found murdered upstairs.
Just didn't like any of the characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review
August 22, 2025
I am thrilled once again to have gotten my hands on the latest Vicki Delany novel — O Deadly Night, the eighth installment in her Year Round Christmas series. This installment was especially memorable because of some extra drama inserted into the narrative.
As usual for Rudolph, NY, Christmas is right around the corner and the annual Christmas parade is underway, but neighborhood busybody Mabel D’Angelo is missing from the festivities. Enter my immediate concern that Mrs. D’Angelo was the murder victim, but thank goodness she only missed the parade because she was spying on the new neighbors across the street. That tracks, but over the coming days Mabel grows more and more concerned about the new neighbors flying under her radar. Then again she is prone to hysterics over small things, she could be overreacting as is her wont. Then Mrs. D’Angelo disappears… maybe she wasn’t being so hysterical after all!
I’ll stop my summary there because that’s when things really take a turn for the dramatic. All of Delany’s usual suspects were there — beautiful Christmas scenery, general laa scene in Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, and a murder Merry to solve along with her favorite local cops. The novel had a great subplot with neighboring town, Muddle Harbor. They have no tourism and the town is on the brink of economic collapse, so they ask Merry’s father for advice and before you know it Muddle Harbor has a cutthroat mayoral campaign on its hands. I have always enjoyed the depressing rustbelt nature of Muddle Harbor and I’m hoping the next book continues with this plot line.
I will wrap things up (ha) by saying this was honestly my favorite book in the series thus far. Everything was fleshed out nicely, the secondary plot was intriguing, and I even guessed whodunnit before the end. The only thing I felt could have been fleshed out more was the plot line with the NYC investigator, however in no way did that detract from the plot and enjoyment of the novel.
Check it out, it releases October 14, 2024.
July 29, 2025
In the next book in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series, O DEADLY NIGHT by Vicki Delany, Merry Wilkinson (shop owner of Mrs. Claus’ Treasures) enters her float in the Santa Claus parade. The book is set in Rudolph, New York, at Christmastime. Mable D’Angelo, Merry’s landlady, fails to show up to play the elves’ foreman and help supervise the kids who play the elves. George, Mabel’s friend, phones Mabel and learns that she stays at home and misses the parade because new neighbors moved in across the street from her, and she has to be her nosy self. I want to know more about the newcomers and see what happens.
I am reading this book in July. Christmas in July—what fun! Vicki Delany creates a lovely Christmassy setting in her Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. All of the recurring characters return, some with Christmas-related names like Merry and Noel. The general ambiance of the book is as interesting as the mystery that ensues. I look forward to reading other books in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of O DEADLY NIGHT.
I am reading this book in July. Christmas in July—what fun! Vicki Delany creates a lovely Christmassy setting in her Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. All of the recurring characters return, some with Christmas-related names like Merry and Noel. The general ambiance of the book is as interesting as the mystery that ensues. I look forward to reading other books in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of O DEADLY NIGHT.
July 28, 2025
Year-Round Christmas Mystery book # 8
A cozy mystery
The story in a few words:
Mrs. D’Angelo is the center of all gossip and is determined to introduce herself to the new arrivals across from her house but soon she noticed strange things about them …. Then, strangely Mabel D’ Angelo disappears. Merry Wilkinson a long-time friend is worried and admits something might be terribly wrong……
My thoughts:
In a steady pace the story moseys along and we see Merry sleuthing doing what she does best searching for clues and finally figuring out what happened, where Marbel was, why this occurred and who was behind this kidnapping. Mabel was not alone where she was found….a body was lying at the bottom of the basement….murder, suspense and mystery… the why, the who, the what….
Cute little mystery well said and well done but easy to figure who might be the killer ..
I received this ARC from Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I
A cozy mystery
The story in a few words:
Mrs. D’Angelo is the center of all gossip and is determined to introduce herself to the new arrivals across from her house but soon she noticed strange things about them …. Then, strangely Mabel D’ Angelo disappears. Merry Wilkinson a long-time friend is worried and admits something might be terribly wrong……
My thoughts:
In a steady pace the story moseys along and we see Merry sleuthing doing what she does best searching for clues and finally figuring out what happened, where Marbel was, why this occurred and who was behind this kidnapping. Mabel was not alone where she was found….a body was lying at the bottom of the basement….murder, suspense and mystery… the why, the who, the what….
Cute little mystery well said and well done but easy to figure who might be the killer ..
I received this ARC from Crooked Lane Books via Netgalley for my thoughts: this is the way I
Read
April 10, 2025#ODeadlyNight #NetGalley is the eighth book in this fun holiday cozy mystery series.
Merry loves celebrating Christmas, especially since she lives in Rudolph, NY.
Merry is preparing for the Santa Claus parade and asks her friend and landlord, Mabel, to help supervise the children on her float.
Mabel is excited to be part of the parade, but she's even more excited about the new neighbors moving in.
Unfortunately for Mabel the neighbors aren't very interested in being welcomed, and when she doesn't show up at the parade like planned, Merry becomes very concerned.
Things progress at a fast pacewhen Merry begins to investigate, determined not to let this spoil the holiday festivities.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I loved catching up with these fabulous characters and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
Merry loves celebrating Christmas, especially since she lives in Rudolph, NY.
Merry is preparing for the Santa Claus parade and asks her friend and landlord, Mabel, to help supervise the children on her float.
Mabel is excited to be part of the parade, but she's even more excited about the new neighbors moving in.
Unfortunately for Mabel the neighbors aren't very interested in being welcomed, and when she doesn't show up at the parade like planned, Merry becomes very concerned.
Things progress at a fast pacewhen Merry begins to investigate, determined not to let this spoil the holiday festivities.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I loved catching up with these fabulous characters and am looking forward to reading more in this series.
May 19, 2025
I think there were some interesting seeds sown for Merry and Alan issues, which would be very interesting to pursue! I also thought that there was some interesting work done as to the consequences of being nosy in this one--not especially on brand for this series but I really welcomed it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 4, 2025
This series is my peppermint-scented comfort read. Is it life-changing literature? No. Is it the narrative equivalent of curling up in front of a fireplace with a dog, a sugar cookie, and a murder? Absolutely. I’ve read every single one, and book eight, O, Deadly Night, just proved once again that Rudolph, New York, has more dead bodies than snowmen, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
We open on Merry Wilkinson, our favorite retail warrior and low-key chaos magnet, trying to wrangle a Christmas parade float and keep Mrs. Claus’s Treasures from turning into a customer service bloodbath. She’s elbow-deep in glitter and fragile egos when her landlady-slash-local surveillance drone, Mrs. D’Angelo, doesn’t show up to help with the elf float like she promised. Suspicious? Mildly. Out of character? Absolutely not. Because Mrs. D’Angelo has been busy doing what she does best: watching new neighbors like they’re about to commit treason with a garden rake.
Naturally, Mrs. D’Angelo gossip radar starts pinging like a NORAD alert. No one’s answering the door. Furniture is suspiciously minimal. She hears noises. She suspects things. But because it’s December and Merry has twelve thousand other things to do besides investigating suburban Twilight Zone vibes, she ignores her.
And then Mrs. D’Angelo disappears.
Cut to Merry and her bestie Vicky breaking into a stranger’s house like it’s Ocean’s 2: Christmas Edition and finding Mabel tied up in the pantry like the world’s most committed fruitcake. And upstairs? A dead body, because of course there is. Because Rudolph can’t get through a single holiday season without someone turning up very much un-alive and Merry being like, “Fine, I guess I’ll solve it... again.”
The mystery this time has a delightfully shady flavor. Old grudges. Scams. Sketchy Craigslist rentals. Possibly one of the most suspicious Jack Russell Terriers ever written. And yes, I clocked the killer early, but that didn’t make the journey any less satisfying. It’s not about being surprised. It’s about watching small-town busybodies accidentally stumble into a hostage situation and still make it home in time for pie.
The supporting cast continues to deliver. Vicky remains the ride-or-die friend we all need, even when she has to literally remind Merry not to do anything “too stupid to live.” Alan continues to exist off-page somewhere, presumably whittling wooden toys and being aggressively fine. Jackie is still one passive-aggressive stocking stuffer away from getting fired. And Mattie, the absolute best doggo, remains the emotional support St. Bernard I would 100 percent die for.
There’s a subplot with Muddle Harbor’s failing economy and some mayoral hijinks that I didn’t know I needed, but now I want a spinoff where someone gets murdered with a taxidermied reindeer in a half-decorated strip mall.
Is the Christmas cheer slightly unhinged? Yes. Did I crave gingerbread and murder by page five? Also yes. This series feels like coming home to chaos you actually enjoy. Four glowing Rudolph noses.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning Nosy Neighbor Energy Into a Full-Blown Hostage Rescue Operation
Massive thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again enabling my addiction to holiday-themed homicide.
We open on Merry Wilkinson, our favorite retail warrior and low-key chaos magnet, trying to wrangle a Christmas parade float and keep Mrs. Claus’s Treasures from turning into a customer service bloodbath. She’s elbow-deep in glitter and fragile egos when her landlady-slash-local surveillance drone, Mrs. D’Angelo, doesn’t show up to help with the elf float like she promised. Suspicious? Mildly. Out of character? Absolutely not. Because Mrs. D’Angelo has been busy doing what she does best: watching new neighbors like they’re about to commit treason with a garden rake.
Naturally, Mrs. D’Angelo gossip radar starts pinging like a NORAD alert. No one’s answering the door. Furniture is suspiciously minimal. She hears noises. She suspects things. But because it’s December and Merry has twelve thousand other things to do besides investigating suburban Twilight Zone vibes, she ignores her.
And then Mrs. D’Angelo disappears.
Cut to Merry and her bestie Vicky breaking into a stranger’s house like it’s Ocean’s 2: Christmas Edition and finding Mabel tied up in the pantry like the world’s most committed fruitcake. And upstairs? A dead body, because of course there is. Because Rudolph can’t get through a single holiday season without someone turning up very much un-alive and Merry being like, “Fine, I guess I’ll solve it... again.”
The mystery this time has a delightfully shady flavor. Old grudges. Scams. Sketchy Craigslist rentals. Possibly one of the most suspicious Jack Russell Terriers ever written. And yes, I clocked the killer early, but that didn’t make the journey any less satisfying. It’s not about being surprised. It’s about watching small-town busybodies accidentally stumble into a hostage situation and still make it home in time for pie.
The supporting cast continues to deliver. Vicky remains the ride-or-die friend we all need, even when she has to literally remind Merry not to do anything “too stupid to live.” Alan continues to exist off-page somewhere, presumably whittling wooden toys and being aggressively fine. Jackie is still one passive-aggressive stocking stuffer away from getting fired. And Mattie, the absolute best doggo, remains the emotional support St. Bernard I would 100 percent die for.
There’s a subplot with Muddle Harbor’s failing economy and some mayoral hijinks that I didn’t know I needed, but now I want a spinoff where someone gets murdered with a taxidermied reindeer in a half-decorated strip mall.
Is the Christmas cheer slightly unhinged? Yes. Did I crave gingerbread and murder by page five? Also yes. This series feels like coming home to chaos you actually enjoy. Four glowing Rudolph noses.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Turning Nosy Neighbor Energy Into a Full-Blown Hostage Rescue Operation
Massive thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC, and for once again enabling my addiction to holiday-themed homicide.
December 20, 2025
Some supposed “Christmas” cozy mysteries are only loosely connected to the season. That is not the case with O, Deadly Night. The story begins with a Christmas parade in the fictional town of Rudolph, New York, which boasts that it is “America’s Christmas Town.” As a tourist town, the citizens celebrate hard and heavy during November and December bringing in enthusiastic visitors from multiple states. They celebrate again in the summer and find ways to promote the little town on other holidays.
The protagonist is Merry. Her father, Noel, plays the role of Santa in parades and walking about town greeting tourists because he looks like he was born into the role. Merry’s boyfriend Alan is a skilled woodworker who keeps her supplied with items to sell in her shop Mrs. Claus’s Treasures which also features jewelry, gifts, and linens. His nutcrackers, angels, train sets, and components of Santa’s village sold out this year. In fact, Alan is so busy that his part in this book is minor. A more important character is Mattie, a Saint Bernard. He appears frequently and his interactions with Detective Diane Simmonds make me smile. He absolutely adores her, and she always notices him and treats him with respect. He obeys the detective much better than he does Merry. Detective Simmonds always calls him by his full name Matterhorn. There are many other characters you will get to know if you read this book—other shopkeepers, friends, family, and citizens of the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor.
As you can tell, I like the characters and setting in this book, but I would be remiss if I did not talk about the mystery. Merry lives in an apartment in a renovated Victorian house. Her landlady on the first floor is a likable, nosy woman who is “gossip central” for the town. She has noticed that someone moved into the house across the street and a large part of the book revolves around the comings and goings (and lack of them) at that house. The mystery involves a murder and kidnapping. Merry becomes involved when she realizes her landlady is missing. In typical Merry fashion she follows up leads on her own rather than contact the police. As often happens in cozy mysteries, there are positive and negative results from her informal investigations. All of this occurs during the busiest season of the year in the town and especially in her shop. Other locals might be suspects and Merry tries to determine if any could actually be murderers.
I really enjoyed this mystery and was irritated by interruptions that made me put the book aside. I began to suspect who might be involved, but my guesses were only partially correct. In the end, there was even more action and the solution to the crimes was a surprise.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The protagonist is Merry. Her father, Noel, plays the role of Santa in parades and walking about town greeting tourists because he looks like he was born into the role. Merry’s boyfriend Alan is a skilled woodworker who keeps her supplied with items to sell in her shop Mrs. Claus’s Treasures which also features jewelry, gifts, and linens. His nutcrackers, angels, train sets, and components of Santa’s village sold out this year. In fact, Alan is so busy that his part in this book is minor. A more important character is Mattie, a Saint Bernard. He appears frequently and his interactions with Detective Diane Simmonds make me smile. He absolutely adores her, and she always notices him and treats him with respect. He obeys the detective much better than he does Merry. Detective Simmonds always calls him by his full name Matterhorn. There are many other characters you will get to know if you read this book—other shopkeepers, friends, family, and citizens of the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor.
As you can tell, I like the characters and setting in this book, but I would be remiss if I did not talk about the mystery. Merry lives in an apartment in a renovated Victorian house. Her landlady on the first floor is a likable, nosy woman who is “gossip central” for the town. She has noticed that someone moved into the house across the street and a large part of the book revolves around the comings and goings (and lack of them) at that house. The mystery involves a murder and kidnapping. Merry becomes involved when she realizes her landlady is missing. In typical Merry fashion she follows up leads on her own rather than contact the police. As often happens in cozy mysteries, there are positive and negative results from her informal investigations. All of this occurs during the busiest season of the year in the town and especially in her shop. Other locals might be suspects and Merry tries to determine if any could actually be murderers.
I really enjoyed this mystery and was irritated by interruptions that made me put the book aside. I began to suspect who might be involved, but my guesses were only partially correct. In the end, there was even more action and the solution to the crimes was a surprise.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
January 25, 2026
3🌟
SUMMARY
merry wilkinson is in her busiest season with christmas fast approaching and her shop full of customers. she has an indescribable knack for stumbling upon crime scenes, effectively putting herself in the middle of a police investigation. the latest crime was close to home, with unusual activity at the house next door and a killer on the loose.
alan anderson has been working long hours filling custom orders in his wood shop, isolated from all the police activity. he slowly comes to realize that his girlfriend isn’t going to leave the investigating to the police. he’ll have to pay closer attention to emergency vehicle sirens, considering she wouldn’t be too far behind.
🐶 second chance
🐶 cozy mystery
🐶 small town
🐶 holiday
SPOILERS
her neighbor, mabel d’angelo, has been highly invested in looking at the new neighbor that moved in on the block. mabel’s known as the town gossip, and i wouldn’t be surprised if she was waiting inside by the window with a pair of binoculars. mabel had a plate of cookies ready to greet the new neighbors but they kept to themselves, sparking her curiosity even more.
george mann, a farmer in town that has been dating mabel, started to get worried about her when she didnt return her call. mabel always has her phone on her, always talking to someone about the local gossip. they do a wellness check only to find her house empty.
merry gets worried and goes over to the new neighbors place, thinking that mabel might have slipped or fallen if she decided to trespass to get the inside scoop. she heard a muffled scream and called the cops, her best friend and saint bernard accompanying her. they break in, finding mabel tied up in the pantry. merry clears the house, only to find a crime scene in the basement.
the victim is raquel torrone, a woman that hasn’t lived in rudolph in a decade. the cause of death was a stab wound. she was involved in a counterfeit operation. the suspect list was as long as her criminal record.
the killer was graham johnassen, her cousin from muddle harbor. he knew of an inheritance hidden on the property. he offered to split it with her but she wouldn’t hear him out. he wasn’t on the police’s radar but merry was instantly on alert. she started to suspect that he was watching her or the house next door, deeply uncomfortable by his continued advances. he kept asking her out and she was persistent in reminding him that she had a boyfriend.
we didn’t see much of alan and he was mostly checked-out through the entire investigation. there were barely any interaction between them, him mostly in his shop. I thought he was planning to propose but he didn’t even manage to make it to the christmas eve party, having gotten hit by an incident with a stunk.
0🌶️
SUMMARY
merry wilkinson is in her busiest season with christmas fast approaching and her shop full of customers. she has an indescribable knack for stumbling upon crime scenes, effectively putting herself in the middle of a police investigation. the latest crime was close to home, with unusual activity at the house next door and a killer on the loose.
alan anderson has been working long hours filling custom orders in his wood shop, isolated from all the police activity. he slowly comes to realize that his girlfriend isn’t going to leave the investigating to the police. he’ll have to pay closer attention to emergency vehicle sirens, considering she wouldn’t be too far behind.
🐶 second chance
🐶 cozy mystery
🐶 small town
🐶 holiday
SPOILERS
her neighbor, mabel d’angelo, has been highly invested in looking at the new neighbor that moved in on the block. mabel’s known as the town gossip, and i wouldn’t be surprised if she was waiting inside by the window with a pair of binoculars. mabel had a plate of cookies ready to greet the new neighbors but they kept to themselves, sparking her curiosity even more.
george mann, a farmer in town that has been dating mabel, started to get worried about her when she didnt return her call. mabel always has her phone on her, always talking to someone about the local gossip. they do a wellness check only to find her house empty.
merry gets worried and goes over to the new neighbors place, thinking that mabel might have slipped or fallen if she decided to trespass to get the inside scoop. she heard a muffled scream and called the cops, her best friend and saint bernard accompanying her. they break in, finding mabel tied up in the pantry. merry clears the house, only to find a crime scene in the basement.
the victim is raquel torrone, a woman that hasn’t lived in rudolph in a decade. the cause of death was a stab wound. she was involved in a counterfeit operation. the suspect list was as long as her criminal record.
the killer was graham johnassen, her cousin from muddle harbor. he knew of an inheritance hidden on the property. he offered to split it with her but she wouldn’t hear him out. he wasn’t on the police’s radar but merry was instantly on alert. she started to suspect that he was watching her or the house next door, deeply uncomfortable by his continued advances. he kept asking her out and she was persistent in reminding him that she had a boyfriend.
we didn’t see much of alan and he was mostly checked-out through the entire investigation. there were barely any interaction between them, him mostly in his shop. I thought he was planning to propose but he didn’t even manage to make it to the christmas eve party, having gotten hit by an incident with a stunk.
0🌶️
July 28, 2025
This one might be a caution about becoming too much of a snoopy neighbor but, well, since it's Merry's curiosity and caring that leads to the solution, I don't think we're supposed to take that literally. Grin. In any case, this is another favorite series with characters you'll like, even if they do annoy you at times. Kyle, I'm looking at you. Mabel D'Angelo, Merry's landlady, is determined to greet her new neighbors properly, all in being neighborly, of course, not snooping. And, if you believe that, I'm sure the realtor in town has some swamp land they'd like to unload on you.
Merry is annoyed when Mrs. D'Angelo's, who was supposed to be helping with the shop's float in the annual Christmas parade, is a no show. Crazy busy as Merry is, however, she doesn't think much beyond wondering who's moved in across the street. Then a couple days later a mutual friend mentions Mrs. D'Angelo is missing and isn't answering her phone. That's very unlike her. Merry and BFF Vicky decide to check up on her.
That's where the story really takes off. Merry's good deed winds up with her not only rescuing Mrs. D'Angelo from a frightening situation but finding a dead body. One that turns out to have ties to the quaint town of Rudolph, NY, where Christmas is celebrated all year. Merry's sister Eve, an actress home for the holiday, recalls the victim being a mean girl in high school. I won't detail the plot much further but will note it involves online scams, illegal activities, greed, a family's drama, unrequited love, well, infatuation, and, oh, yeah, a dog gets skunked. And that's just hitting the high(low?)lights. Mrs. D'Angelo plays a pivotal role here and the regulars seem to largely be on hand, including Merry's father who might as well be Santa Claus as well as just portraying him. Her mother is an opera singer. How's that for an odd couple? Vicky is, as always, there when Merry most needs an assist, even reminding Merry not to be TSTL (too stupid to live) at one critical point.
Bottom line, this was a fun read. The characters are easy to relate to and like and, well, who wouldn't like to at least try spending some time in a town where it's Christmas every day. There's even a horse-drawn sleigh! Watching the way Merry's St. Bernard Maddy adores the police detective is a hoot, too. The side-stories show Santa, er, Merry's dad, isn't just caring when dressed as Santa, either, and even Merry sometimes wonders about his Santa connections. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks and #NetGalley for this early chance to celebrate Christmas virtually in Rudolph. We do have a North Pole here in in Alaska, so I feel a kinship with those townspeople.
Merry is annoyed when Mrs. D'Angelo's, who was supposed to be helping with the shop's float in the annual Christmas parade, is a no show. Crazy busy as Merry is, however, she doesn't think much beyond wondering who's moved in across the street. Then a couple days later a mutual friend mentions Mrs. D'Angelo is missing and isn't answering her phone. That's very unlike her. Merry and BFF Vicky decide to check up on her.
That's where the story really takes off. Merry's good deed winds up with her not only rescuing Mrs. D'Angelo from a frightening situation but finding a dead body. One that turns out to have ties to the quaint town of Rudolph, NY, where Christmas is celebrated all year. Merry's sister Eve, an actress home for the holiday, recalls the victim being a mean girl in high school. I won't detail the plot much further but will note it involves online scams, illegal activities, greed, a family's drama, unrequited love, well, infatuation, and, oh, yeah, a dog gets skunked. And that's just hitting the high(low?)lights. Mrs. D'Angelo plays a pivotal role here and the regulars seem to largely be on hand, including Merry's father who might as well be Santa Claus as well as just portraying him. Her mother is an opera singer. How's that for an odd couple? Vicky is, as always, there when Merry most needs an assist, even reminding Merry not to be TSTL (too stupid to live) at one critical point.
Bottom line, this was a fun read. The characters are easy to relate to and like and, well, who wouldn't like to at least try spending some time in a town where it's Christmas every day. There's even a horse-drawn sleigh! Watching the way Merry's St. Bernard Maddy adores the police detective is a hoot, too. The side-stories show Santa, er, Merry's dad, isn't just caring when dressed as Santa, either, and even Merry sometimes wonders about his Santa connections. Thanks #CrookedLaneBooks and #NetGalley for this early chance to celebrate Christmas virtually in Rudolph. We do have a North Pole here in in Alaska, so I feel a kinship with those townspeople.
June 1, 2025
Merry Wilkinson lives in Rudolph, New York and owns a gift store that sells Santa-themed items all year round. The town is as Christmasy as it gets, especially this time of year. When Merry is preparing her annual Christmas float, she expects her landlady, Mrs. Mabel D'Angelo, to show up as one of the elves, but she doesn't. When she learns the reason why -- Mrs. D'Angelo, a gossip center, is trying to introduce herself to the new neighbors, but isn't having any luck. As the days go on, Mabel sees that there is something going on across the street, but can't put her finger on it. Merry, used to Mabel and her fancies, blows most of it off. But when Mabel disappears and no one can find her, Merry begins to worry.
When she does find Mabel, it's across the street -- and Merry also finds a dead body. It turns out that the dead person had a connection to the town and several of its residents, including Merry's younger sister, Eve. But does Eve know anything about the murder? As Merry starts to dig deeper, she finds that the dead woman had more than a connection with the town, and her past wasn't pretty. In fact, it was ugly enough that someone wanted her dead...
I love this series, and most of the characters in it (yes, there are some that get on my nerves, just as in real life they would do so); and I especially love Merry's father. He seems unflappable, and remains calm in most, if not all, situations. Unfortunately, at least in this book, her boyfriend Alan appears just as an afterthought, he's in it so little. I hope to see more of him in the next book.
But back to Merry's sleuthing: she's right at home doing what she does best, and we get to see her at work while she's searching for clues. She's even misled at one time, but eventually figures it out, which is important. This is the busiest time of year, and trying to run her business and find a murderer (not that the police detective isn't capable herself) is a lot to handle. Yet she does so, and does it well.
I knew the murderer before Merry did, but then again, I read a lot of mysteries, so that's something. Even so, watching her put the clues together and figure it out herself is worth it, especially watching how her best friend helped her! All in all, this was a great cozy to read, and I enjoyed it immensely. I look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended,
I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
November 29, 2025
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany is a marvelous mystery with a bit of suspense.
Will Merry and Vicky figure out what happened to Mrs. D'Angelo and the new neighbor?
Merry Wilkinson
Our sleuth, Merry, is also the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures. She is also active in the community, as are her parents and friends. This holiday season, we find Merry busy as usual with her shop and town festivities. Alan, Merry's boyfriend, and Merry seem to have found a nice rhythm and are happy together. Their dogs mingle, and their friends get along well. Merry's family is still there in town, keeping her busier than she would be. However, she seems to be content and enjoying daily life.
I like Merry and her family. They make every event fun and a bit dramatic. Matterhorn and the detective have a neat relationship.
Merry's landlady goes missing after a new neighbor moves in across the street. After a short time, Merry becomes worried and starts looking for her landlady, Mrs. D'Angelo. Of course, Vicky and Merry find her and another victim in the new neighbor's house. Here is where Merry gets involved in the investigation.
Five Stars
My rating for O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany is five stars. I enjoy being in Rudolph, New York, with Merry and everyone. The whole premise of the town and how it stays in business is fascinating. If you are looking for a fabulous holiday mystery, this one aims to please.
Recipes included: Amaretto Fruit Cake, Molasses Spice Cookies, along with Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany is a marvelous mystery with a bit of suspense.
Will Merry and Vicky figure out what happened to Mrs. D'Angelo and the new neighbor?
Merry Wilkinson
Our sleuth, Merry, is also the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures. She is also active in the community, as are her parents and friends. This holiday season, we find Merry busy as usual with her shop and town festivities. Alan, Merry's boyfriend, and Merry seem to have found a nice rhythm and are happy together. Their dogs mingle, and their friends get along well. Merry's family is still there in town, keeping her busier than she would be. However, she seems to be content and enjoying daily life.
I like Merry and her family. They make every event fun and a bit dramatic. Matterhorn and the detective have a neat relationship.
Merry's landlady goes missing after a new neighbor moves in across the street. After a short time, Merry becomes worried and starts looking for her landlady, Mrs. D'Angelo. Of course, Vicky and Merry find her and another victim in the new neighbor's house. Here is where Merry gets involved in the investigation.
Five Stars
My rating for O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany is five stars. I enjoy being in Rudolph, New York, with Merry and everyone. The whole premise of the town and how it stays in business is fascinating. If you are looking for a fabulous holiday mystery, this one aims to please.
Recipes included: Amaretto Fruit Cake, Molasses Spice Cookies, along with Sausage and Sweet Potato Soup.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of O, Deadly Night by Vicki Delany.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
October 17, 2025
These books are always such a fun retreat into the holidays no matter when you read it. This one, taking place at Christmas, is one of my favorites.
Merry, proprietor of Mrs. Claus' Treasures in the small town of Rudolph, NY is gearing up for another Christmas shopping season. Her very nosy landlady, think Mrs. Kravitz with CIA connections, notices a single man moving into the giant house across the street. This is highly suspicious right off the bat, and the more the new neighbor keeps to themself, the more determined she is to visit, show her hospitality with some Christmas cookies and get the scoop. Merry, being busy at her store, doesn't care but politely listens to her neighbor's suspicions. Until she cannot be found. After multiple days of no contact and not answering her phone, Merry cares enough to do some snooping with her BFF in tow and finds that the woman has been taken captive in the house. Oh, and there is a dead body in the basement.
I REALLY appreciated the little blurb Merry says in narrative about this case involving no one she cares about closely, so she doesn't need to get involved. I always wondered why some random perfect stranger can be offed in one of these cozies and often the protagonist takes it as a personal affront to them, despite the fact that the victim is completely unknown to them, even as a casual acquaintance. Merry mostly finds out tidbits from the landlady's gossip chain as well as the local grapevine. Given small town gossip and word traveling, it is not unrealistic that Merry would gather information from simply owning a business. Once you know she has the edges together, the investigation comes naturally.
This book is Christmas through and through and I enjoyed every page of it. I am glad I do not live somewhere with copious amounts of snow like Rudolph but it sure sounds like a fun, festive place to visit. I very much enjoy Ms. Delany's cozies and I am very excited for the next book in the series.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
Merry, proprietor of Mrs. Claus' Treasures in the small town of Rudolph, NY is gearing up for another Christmas shopping season. Her very nosy landlady, think Mrs. Kravitz with CIA connections, notices a single man moving into the giant house across the street. This is highly suspicious right off the bat, and the more the new neighbor keeps to themself, the more determined she is to visit, show her hospitality with some Christmas cookies and get the scoop. Merry, being busy at her store, doesn't care but politely listens to her neighbor's suspicions. Until she cannot be found. After multiple days of no contact and not answering her phone, Merry cares enough to do some snooping with her BFF in tow and finds that the woman has been taken captive in the house. Oh, and there is a dead body in the basement.
I REALLY appreciated the little blurb Merry says in narrative about this case involving no one she cares about closely, so she doesn't need to get involved. I always wondered why some random perfect stranger can be offed in one of these cozies and often the protagonist takes it as a personal affront to them, despite the fact that the victim is completely unknown to them, even as a casual acquaintance. Merry mostly finds out tidbits from the landlady's gossip chain as well as the local grapevine. Given small town gossip and word traveling, it is not unrealistic that Merry would gather information from simply owning a business. Once you know she has the edges together, the investigation comes naturally.
This book is Christmas through and through and I enjoyed every page of it. I am glad I do not live somewhere with copious amounts of snow like Rudolph but it sure sounds like a fun, festive place to visit. I very much enjoy Ms. Delany's cozies and I am very excited for the next book in the series.
My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for this ARC.
October 15, 2025
The setting of ‘O, Deadly Night’ is Rudolph, New York. Using the name of Rudolph as their inspiration the locals turned the town into a year round centre of Christmas celebration. The main character is Merry Wilkinson and she owns Mrs. Claus's Treasure shop - and being a Christmas theme town all the shops and eateries are Christmassy and I loved their descriptions (there are recipe at the back of the book too) Merry’s family are all into Christmas - her father Noel is the local Santa Claus and is often mistakes for the real one. I have visited with Merry before and ‘O, Deadly Night’ is filled with familiar characters, holiday cheer, and, importantly, mystery!
The book opens in December with the annual Christmas parade, the highlight of the town’s year. Merry has a float in the parade and has arranged for her landlady Mrs D’Angelo to help with the little elves. Mrs D’Angelo is the local busybody who knows everything going on in Rudolph. Merry is slightly annoyed when the woman is a no show, her excuse being that a new neighbour has moved in and he’s a bit strange. With Christmas Day fast approaching Merry is too busy to pay Mrs D'Angelo fussing about her new neighbour much attention, but after a few days she realises she hasn’t seen her landlady around so goes looking for her. She finds her tied up in the pantry of the new neighbour’s house - with a dead body beside her! And just like that Merry is once again knee deep in a mystery along with her quirky friends and relations.
I really enjoyed the setting, the story and the characters and as with the rest of the series it was an entertaining read. If you like cozy mysteries set at Christmas then this one is for you.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing an advanced copy of this book at my request for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
The book opens in December with the annual Christmas parade, the highlight of the town’s year. Merry has a float in the parade and has arranged for her landlady Mrs D’Angelo to help with the little elves. Mrs D’Angelo is the local busybody who knows everything going on in Rudolph. Merry is slightly annoyed when the woman is a no show, her excuse being that a new neighbour has moved in and he’s a bit strange. With Christmas Day fast approaching Merry is too busy to pay Mrs D'Angelo fussing about her new neighbour much attention, but after a few days she realises she hasn’t seen her landlady around so goes looking for her. She finds her tied up in the pantry of the new neighbour’s house - with a dead body beside her! And just like that Merry is once again knee deep in a mystery along with her quirky friends and relations.
I really enjoyed the setting, the story and the characters and as with the rest of the series it was an entertaining read. If you like cozy mysteries set at Christmas then this one is for you.
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books for providing an advanced copy of this book at my request for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
April 8, 2025
Rudolph, NY is the perfect getaway, Christmas or not! Merry, Vicky, Jackie and Mrs. Mable D'Angelo provide an action packed adventure in this entry to the Year Round Christmas Mystery series. As Detective Simmonds says, she really should put Mrs. D'Angelo on the police department payroll. As Christmas nears with all of the activities in Rudolph coming fast and furious, a new neighbor moves into the house across the street from Merry and her landlady, the queen of village gossip, Mrs. D. As the self-proclaimed welcome committee, Mable is on the lookout for the new neighbors so she can officially welcome them to the neighborhood with cookies. When Mable's friend George cannot get hold of her after two days, he frantically begs Merry for help looking for her. Eventually Merry and Vicky find her along with a dead body. Too busy with Christmas to worry about investigating, Merry finds herself being lured into action by Mabel's nosy mishaps.
While I did figure out who the killer was about half-way into the book, I still found myself a bit enchanted with the story and simply had to keep reading until I was finished. Who needs sleep? Then I went back to reread parts of the story, the ones that made me laugh out loud! Jackie and Kyle certainly provided a bit of lively action. Life in a small village at it's best!
Several mouth-watering recipes are the bonus at story's end. The Christmas Cake recipe reminds me of one my mom used to make, while those cookies are definitely calling my name! I am already wishing it was December and time to decorate for Christmas and I am totally ready for my next trip to Rudolph, NY where it's Christmas all year round!
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
While I did figure out who the killer was about half-way into the book, I still found myself a bit enchanted with the story and simply had to keep reading until I was finished. Who needs sleep? Then I went back to reread parts of the story, the ones that made me laugh out loud! Jackie and Kyle certainly provided a bit of lively action. Life in a small village at it's best!
Several mouth-watering recipes are the bonus at story's end. The Christmas Cake recipe reminds me of one my mom used to make, while those cookies are definitely calling my name! I am already wishing it was December and time to decorate for Christmas and I am totally ready for my next trip to Rudolph, NY where it's Christmas all year round!
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 2, 2025
Mistletoe with a side of murder and mince tarts
O, Deadly Night is the 8th entry in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Vicky Delany infuses the story with the spirit, sounds and scents of Christmas while delivering a suspenseful whodunit.
Rudolph, NT, is bustling with tourists enjoying the Christmas season in America’s favourite Christmas town. A new neighbour has moved in across the street from Merry Wilkinson’s home. Merry’s landlady, the town gossip Mabel D’Angelo, is snooping around to meet the new neighbour. It is Merry’s busiest time of the year, and she doesn’t have time for Mrs. D’Angelo’s conspiracy theories. Until that is, Mrs. D’Angelo disappears. She is missing for a couple of days, when Mabel’s worried friend George, asks for help. During Merry and George’s search for Mabel, they stumble upon a body. Detective Simmonds takes over the investigation, and Merry tries to stay out of it. If only clues wouldn’t keep falling in her lap. Danger lurks in the snowy streets of Rudolph.
I love revisiting the cozy but deadly town of Rudolph. It is like checking in on old friends. Merry’s family and friends are quirky and lovely. Her parents, Noel Wilkinson, the former mayor and town Santa Claus and Aline Steiner, a retired opera diva who always brings drama to the story. Her best friend, Vicky, owns Victoria’s Bake Shoppe and Merry’s boyfriend, Alan Anderson, is a local toymaker. Aside from the many murders, Rudolph sounds like it would be a fun town to live in.
If you love your mistletoe with a side of murder and mince tarts, you will love this book. Cuddle up with a warm drink and a cookie and immerse yourself in a little deadly Christmas!
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC.
O, Deadly Night is the 8th entry in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Vicky Delany infuses the story with the spirit, sounds and scents of Christmas while delivering a suspenseful whodunit.
Rudolph, NT, is bustling with tourists enjoying the Christmas season in America’s favourite Christmas town. A new neighbour has moved in across the street from Merry Wilkinson’s home. Merry’s landlady, the town gossip Mabel D’Angelo, is snooping around to meet the new neighbour. It is Merry’s busiest time of the year, and she doesn’t have time for Mrs. D’Angelo’s conspiracy theories. Until that is, Mrs. D’Angelo disappears. She is missing for a couple of days, when Mabel’s worried friend George, asks for help. During Merry and George’s search for Mabel, they stumble upon a body. Detective Simmonds takes over the investigation, and Merry tries to stay out of it. If only clues wouldn’t keep falling in her lap. Danger lurks in the snowy streets of Rudolph.
I love revisiting the cozy but deadly town of Rudolph. It is like checking in on old friends. Merry’s family and friends are quirky and lovely. Her parents, Noel Wilkinson, the former mayor and town Santa Claus and Aline Steiner, a retired opera diva who always brings drama to the story. Her best friend, Vicky, owns Victoria’s Bake Shoppe and Merry’s boyfriend, Alan Anderson, is a local toymaker. Aside from the many murders, Rudolph sounds like it would be a fun town to live in.
If you love your mistletoe with a side of murder and mince tarts, you will love this book. Cuddle up with a warm drink and a cookie and immerse yourself in a little deadly Christmas!
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for access to a digital ARC.
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