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Murder on 34th Street: A Novel
“Mariah Fredericks has delivered a pitch-perfect Christmas treat.”―Deanna Raybourn
From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy's parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.
New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.
It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.
Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice―not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.
Steeped in glittering glamor and nostalgic wonder, this is a remarkable, unpredictable mystery set in the evocative world of one of New York’s most memorable institutions.
From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy's parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.
New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.
It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.
Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice―not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.
Steeped in glittering glamor and nostalgic wonder, this is a remarkable, unpredictable mystery set in the evocative world of one of New York’s most memorable institutions.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published October 6, 2026
About the author
Mariah Fredericks
32 books746 followersMariah Fredericks was born, raised, and still lives in New York City. She graduated from Vassar College with a degree in history. She is the author of the Jane Prescott mystery series as well as The Lindbergh Nanny, which Nelson DeMille called, "a masterful blending of fact and fiction that is as compelling as it is entertaining." The Wharton Plot, was named one of the best mysteries of 2024 by Library Journal. "An Edith Wharton scholar could read Ms. Frederick’s novel with profit and amusement."—Wall Street Journal. Her next novel, The Girl in the Green Dress, featuring Zelda Fitzgerald and New Yorker writer Morris Markey, is out September 2, 2025
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks
Murder on 34th Street is my fourth book by Mariah Fredericks and I've enjoyed them all. Macy's was a big part of my family's life and a big part of the life of my husband's family, thanks to the parade and also the stores we all visited. It's 1932, New York, and Grace Verlander is the one who keeps all the workings of Macy's running, meshing, and not combusting, and this is on a normal, not "run up to Christmas" day. Now it's three days before the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and the story starts at a run, with the author setting the stage so well. Grace is being bombarded constantly, from every which way, with problems, questions, demands, everything, and she's practically the only one who can fix things even if doing so means finding the right person to literally fix things when it comes to each problem. I wasn't sure I could keep track of all the people who come Grace's way, at first, but soon found myself feeling very much at home in the midst of all Grace's hectic life and the people she encounters.
Santa Claus, in the form of Harry, is a big part of the story and someone is threatening Santa Claus's life. Macy's can't lose Santa Claus and it certainly can't handle all the lost business if the employees and public know that Santa Claus has been threatened so Grace has the store detective assigned to protecting Santa. If I thought the first day of meeting Grace was extremely busy, being with Grace before, during, and after the parade was even busier and I could almost hear the commotion, it is portrayed to us so well. It does help that I've seen the parade on TV for several decades, I've been there via the media, and I've actually ridden my horses in parades, I know the commotion. This day the parade ends with a dead body.
Grace, who is so focused on work and doing right by the people she works with, is horrified that someone has died. I especially like that she thaws to her coworker Raymond, who she's been crushing on a while and who has kept her at a distance for various reasons. Once she lets him in on things she has been holding back from just about everyone, Grace has a sharp witted friend/maybe more man who won't let her hide behind excuses and inability to really ask for help when she needs it. Raymond even makes her face that she can't fix everyone, can't do everything, and doesn't have to do it all alone.
Good thing Grace does have a friend, hopefully more than one friend, because the parade death is just the start of more to come. All the while, Grace is trying to help those who live in her run down building, not the least, her mother, who has to help herself before anyone else can help her. This world seems real, it's not a rosy life, people are struggling in all kinds of ways, and it seems so authentic and accessible to a reader who knows what it is to have Macy's in her life in so many ways. I wouldn't mind a sequel to this story, I would like to see Grace and company again. Getting to read this one with Jayme was fun since we both have had ties to Macy's over the years.
Publication October 6, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, SMP Early Readers, and NetGalley for this ARC
Murder on 34th Street is my fourth book by Mariah Fredericks and I've enjoyed them all. Macy's was a big part of my family's life and a big part of the life of my husband's family, thanks to the parade and also the stores we all visited. It's 1932, New York, and Grace Verlander is the one who keeps all the workings of Macy's running, meshing, and not combusting, and this is on a normal, not "run up to Christmas" day. Now it's three days before the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and the story starts at a run, with the author setting the stage so well. Grace is being bombarded constantly, from every which way, with problems, questions, demands, everything, and she's practically the only one who can fix things even if doing so means finding the right person to literally fix things when it comes to each problem. I wasn't sure I could keep track of all the people who come Grace's way, at first, but soon found myself feeling very much at home in the midst of all Grace's hectic life and the people she encounters.
Santa Claus, in the form of Harry, is a big part of the story and someone is threatening Santa Claus's life. Macy's can't lose Santa Claus and it certainly can't handle all the lost business if the employees and public know that Santa Claus has been threatened so Grace has the store detective assigned to protecting Santa. If I thought the first day of meeting Grace was extremely busy, being with Grace before, during, and after the parade was even busier and I could almost hear the commotion, it is portrayed to us so well. It does help that I've seen the parade on TV for several decades, I've been there via the media, and I've actually ridden my horses in parades, I know the commotion. This day the parade ends with a dead body.
Grace, who is so focused on work and doing right by the people she works with, is horrified that someone has died. I especially like that she thaws to her coworker Raymond, who she's been crushing on a while and who has kept her at a distance for various reasons. Once she lets him in on things she has been holding back from just about everyone, Grace has a sharp witted friend/maybe more man who won't let her hide behind excuses and inability to really ask for help when she needs it. Raymond even makes her face that she can't fix everyone, can't do everything, and doesn't have to do it all alone.
Good thing Grace does have a friend, hopefully more than one friend, because the parade death is just the start of more to come. All the while, Grace is trying to help those who live in her run down building, not the least, her mother, who has to help herself before anyone else can help her. This world seems real, it's not a rosy life, people are struggling in all kinds of ways, and it seems so authentic and accessible to a reader who knows what it is to have Macy's in her life in so many ways. I wouldn't mind a sequel to this story, I would like to see Grace and company again. Getting to read this one with Jayme was fun since we both have had ties to Macy's over the years.
Publication October 6, 2026
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, SMP Early Readers, and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Christmas in July week continues with this COZY fictional murder mystery which takes place during the iconic 9th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
New York, 1932:
Miss Grace Verlander may just be the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, but she is THE person who keeps everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling department store.
So, when Macy’s “Santa Claus” tells her that someone has sent him a death threat, just days before the event, Grace must scramble for a solution. After speaking with the store detective about the parade’s security, she is hopeful that the problem has been solved, but by the parade’s end, there is a DEAD body.
Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice—not just for the dead man, but to protect the reputation of the store, owned by the three Strauss brothers who took over when they lost their parents on the Titanic. She loves every inch of the two million square foot store and the 8500 people who work there.
And, she takes pride in her job.
So, she will set out to solve the Crime by speaking to Staff, and putting together the pieces of the puzzle, without missing a beat. She even finds time to flirt a bit with Raymond Di Nunzio, the handsome employee she has her eye on.
This story oozes in NOSTALGIA, from the very first page.
I actually spent my elementary school years living in NY City, and remember bundling up in my Winter Coat, to walk around the famous building, viewing each of the magical twenty six window holiday displays. Both my grandmother Stephanie and her sister (my great Aunt) Annie proudly worked for Macy’s. We would follow up this tradition drinking a DELICIOUS “egg cream” which is also mentioned in the book.
I really enjoyed this ENGAGING and ENTERTAINING MYSTERY. It doesn’t have crazy twists, but instead relies on a SMART, MODERN woman for the times using her intuition and people skills to solve the crime.
And, it transported me back to my childhood. In fact, I went out and purchased the ingredients for an Egg Cream, which actually doesn’t contain eggs or cream.
Recipe:
Fill a tall glass with COLD whole milk, add chocolate syrup and stir until mixed, then SLOWLY pour in COLD SELTZER water to create a foamy head. Enjoy while it is still frothy and fizzy. TRUST ME, they taste better than they sound.
Try one along with this mystery NOW!
A buddy read with Marilyn! Be sure to watch for her review!
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
New York, 1932:
Miss Grace Verlander may just be the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, but she is THE person who keeps everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling department store.
So, when Macy’s “Santa Claus” tells her that someone has sent him a death threat, just days before the event, Grace must scramble for a solution. After speaking with the store detective about the parade’s security, she is hopeful that the problem has been solved, but by the parade’s end, there is a DEAD body.
Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice—not just for the dead man, but to protect the reputation of the store, owned by the three Strauss brothers who took over when they lost their parents on the Titanic. She loves every inch of the two million square foot store and the 8500 people who work there.
And, she takes pride in her job.
So, she will set out to solve the Crime by speaking to Staff, and putting together the pieces of the puzzle, without missing a beat. She even finds time to flirt a bit with Raymond Di Nunzio, the handsome employee she has her eye on.
This story oozes in NOSTALGIA, from the very first page.
I actually spent my elementary school years living in NY City, and remember bundling up in my Winter Coat, to walk around the famous building, viewing each of the magical twenty six window holiday displays. Both my grandmother Stephanie and her sister (my great Aunt) Annie proudly worked for Macy’s. We would follow up this tradition drinking a DELICIOUS “egg cream” which is also mentioned in the book.
I really enjoyed this ENGAGING and ENTERTAINING MYSTERY. It doesn’t have crazy twists, but instead relies on a SMART, MODERN woman for the times using her intuition and people skills to solve the crime.
And, it transported me back to my childhood. In fact, I went out and purchased the ingredients for an Egg Cream, which actually doesn’t contain eggs or cream.
Recipe:
Fill a tall glass with COLD whole milk, add chocolate syrup and stir until mixed, then SLOWLY pour in COLD SELTZER water to create a foamy head. Enjoy while it is still frothy and fizzy. TRUST ME, they taste better than they sound.
Try one along with this mystery NOW!
A buddy read with Marilyn! Be sure to watch for her review!
Thank You to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, for an ARC of Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks.
🌟4.5🌟
I was automatically drawn to this one as soon as I read the title. I LOVE remakes of classics when they're done correctly, and if you're wondering what exactly "done correctly" means, this book is a fantastic example.
Everything is exceptionally well balanced, making for the PERFECT seasonal cozy mystery. I'm one of those people who rages when they see Halloween decorations in July, yet this book had me wanting to bust out my Christmas tree. It brings all the nostalgia of the beloved classic that so many of us love, and once it grabs your attention, it doesn't let go. Definitely a fun read worth checking out.
Until next time
Hades
🩵
🌟4.5🌟
I was automatically drawn to this one as soon as I read the title. I LOVE remakes of classics when they're done correctly, and if you're wondering what exactly "done correctly" means, this book is a fantastic example.
Everything is exceptionally well balanced, making for the PERFECT seasonal cozy mystery. I'm one of those people who rages when they see Halloween decorations in July, yet this book had me wanting to bust out my Christmas tree. It brings all the nostalgia of the beloved classic that so many of us love, and once it grabs your attention, it doesn't let go. Definitely a fun read worth checking out.
Until next time
Hades
🩵
October 8, 2026
Grace Verlander is woman on a mission.🧑🎄
Without her problem-solving expertise, Macy's would collapse. Her ability to put our fires is especially needed the day before the big Thanksgiving Parade. Santa has shown her a threatening note and the show must go on. How can they keep him safe through the parade and the many days of Christmas shopping? 🎄
Here's what I liked about this one:
📔That gorgeous cover and the enticing title caught my attention. Even though my October ARCs were piling up like Autumn leaves, I wanted to read this one. Grace is very much like Maureen O'Hara's character in the beloved movie "Miracle on 34th Street."
🎈The behind-the-scenes view of the iconic Macy's parade was a delight. Having watched the event on television for many years I can appreciate the amount of coordination and care needed to pull off such an event. Having a death threat to deal with on top of all the other logistics is quite a challenge.
🕵Even with Santa escaping danger, there are unexplained deaths connected to Macy's. Grace uses her rapport with other employees and access to personnel files to investigate. As the assistant to the head of Personnel, her sense of duty would expect no less.a of her life.
🎁 There is a happy ending for Grace in more than one of her life. As a single woman in 1932, there are many things on her plate. It is satisfying to see that 1933 should be a better year for her.
Fans of this title should also try The Lindbergh Nanny. I was quite impressed with that one as well.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Without her problem-solving expertise, Macy's would collapse. Her ability to put our fires is especially needed the day before the big Thanksgiving Parade. Santa has shown her a threatening note and the show must go on. How can they keep him safe through the parade and the many days of Christmas shopping? 🎄
Here's what I liked about this one:
📔That gorgeous cover and the enticing title caught my attention. Even though my October ARCs were piling up like Autumn leaves, I wanted to read this one. Grace is very much like Maureen O'Hara's character in the beloved movie "Miracle on 34th Street."
🎈The behind-the-scenes view of the iconic Macy's parade was a delight. Having watched the event on television for many years I can appreciate the amount of coordination and care needed to pull off such an event. Having a death threat to deal with on top of all the other logistics is quite a challenge.
🕵Even with Santa escaping danger, there are unexplained deaths connected to Macy's. Grace uses her rapport with other employees and access to personnel files to investigate. As the assistant to the head of Personnel, her sense of duty would expect no less.a of her life.
🎁 There is a happy ending for Grace in more than one of her life. As a single woman in 1932, there are many things on her plate. It is satisfying to see that 1933 should be a better year for her.
Fans of this title should also try The Lindbergh Nanny. I was quite impressed with that one as well.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mariah Fredericks' "Murder on 34th Street" is a beautifully written and engaging historical fiction mystery novel. I enjoyed being fully immersed in the year 1932 and the world of Macy's at Herald Square, visiting its sales floors, meeting its customers and staff, and attending the Thanksgiving Day Parade. The delightful Grace Verlander utilizes her admirable problem-solving skills to solve a compelling murder mystery. The names of the horses pulling Santa's sled, the touch of romance, wit, humor, and the unique nativity scene made the novel especially memorable. References to Alberto Giacometti's sculpture inspired me to look further into his life and work. I am grateful to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advanced reader copy of this wonderful novel. This is my honest opinion.
October 9, 2026
Rating: 4.5* of five
The Publisher Says: From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy's parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.
New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.
It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.
Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice―not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.
Steeped in glittering glamor and nostalgic wonder, this is a remarkable, unpredictable mystery set in the evocative world of one of New York’s most memorable institutions.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: I'm being only a little disingenuous with my tag "Chrismtas romance" applied to this one. There is a romantic subplot. It exists. It isn't the focus of much action. I want all my fellow Christmas/Yule holiday fans to find this story so I'm baiting my hook.
Grace is one of those women who crop up in fiction so often, the one who knows exactly where the bodies are buried, the one who needs Stuff to be Right because that's how it all works best for people...even the ones who don't do Right. They don't know it yet, but they'll live in a better woeld because Grace and her sisters in crime fiction will make sure Right triumphs. (Of course, they'll be in jail and, if they come out, will forever have a criminal record...)
Why on Earth would a woman in 1932 New York, who works for Macy's in a sort of "minister without portfolio" way, get involved in a murder investigation? She is the only person, three days before the Thanksgiving Parade (which I called "Macy's Day parade" as a kid) who knows to call this giy not that one to fix whatever's gone wrong. That's why a threatening note against this year's Santa results in her involving Frank, head of Security for Macy's, in bringing this weird turn of events to NYPD's attention. How would it make the city look for Santa Claus to be murdered here?
Guess we'll find out, say the cops. Cranks will say anything for attention. Been true since forever, y'all, since people been peoplein'.
So when a shot is fired and someone dies, Grace takes her Rolodex (figurative) and starts flippin'. The police have a lot less institutional knowledge after all...and Author Mariah shows us that by peppering the text with really interesting to me Macy's trivia specific to the flagship store on Herald Square...plus she sees the inner workings of this small town that is the store itself every day, made obvious by the startlingly large cast of characters she interacts with. Seriously, Author Mariah...couldn't a few of them have been cut? I got very confused a couple times, expecting some one-shots to pop back up but someone else showed up instead.
That said, Grace and Frank made an effective team. The resolution to the fatal parade shooting was satisfying, and I failed to assign guilt properly, so there's your half-star gone to reader's petulance. (In truth it got added for that, to what otherwise was a four-star, too-busy story.)
What makes this fourth story by Author Mariah that I've read with pleasure so effective is her eye for the details to use from her prodigious store of facts and factoids and trivia. In days of yore I'd picture her in a huge, book-lined room that's organized by some arcane principle that's entirely her own. Now I picture a browser with umpteen tabs open in two screens worth of windows. Same stuff, different era.
I'm hopeful that y'all will trot right out to the local bookery and procure yourself this enjoyable holiday-set restoration of ma'at. It merits your time and treasure in the season coming especially, pr any time you need a Christmas-holiday story variolated into your bloodstream.
The Publisher Says: From the author of The Girl in the Green Dress comes a delightful and captivating novel about a fictional murder mystery at the iconic Macy's parade leading up to the holidays in historic New York City.
New York, 1932. Grace Verlander is the secret beating heart of Macy’s. She’s the “assistant to the assistant to the someone who’s in charge”, the go-to person for keeping everything running smoothly behind-the-scenes at the famous, bustling store.
It’s not every day you get a letter from Santa Claus, but three days before the Macy’s annual Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace arrives at work to find a note from the store Santa Claus in her someone has sent him a death threat. Shocked, Grace promises to look into it and speaks to the store detective about the parade’s security, confident that they’ve found a solution that will keep everyone safe. But on the day of the parade, despite all their precautions, a dead body is found on one of the floats.
Using her wits and deep knowledge of the ways of the place, Grace is determined to find the killer and seek justice―not just for the dead man, but to save the reputation of this iconic store from ruin.
Steeped in glittering glamor and nostalgic wonder, this is a remarkable, unpredictable mystery set in the evocative world of one of New York’s most memorable institutions.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: I'm being only a little disingenuous with my tag "Chrismtas romance" applied to this one. There is a romantic subplot. It exists. It isn't the focus of much action. I want all my fellow Christmas/Yule holiday fans to find this story so I'm baiting my hook.
Grace is one of those women who crop up in fiction so often, the one who knows exactly where the bodies are buried, the one who needs Stuff to be Right because that's how it all works best for people...even the ones who don't do Right. They don't know it yet, but they'll live in a better woeld because Grace and her sisters in crime fiction will make sure Right triumphs. (Of course, they'll be in jail and, if they come out, will forever have a criminal record...)
Why on Earth would a woman in 1932 New York, who works for Macy's in a sort of "minister without portfolio" way, get involved in a murder investigation? She is the only person, three days before the Thanksgiving Parade (which I called "Macy's Day parade" as a kid) who knows to call this giy not that one to fix whatever's gone wrong. That's why a threatening note against this year's Santa results in her involving Frank, head of Security for Macy's, in bringing this weird turn of events to NYPD's attention. How would it make the city look for Santa Claus to be murdered here?
Guess we'll find out, say the cops. Cranks will say anything for attention. Been true since forever, y'all, since people been peoplein'.
So when a shot is fired and someone dies, Grace takes her Rolodex (figurative) and starts flippin'. The police have a lot less institutional knowledge after all...and Author Mariah shows us that by peppering the text with really interesting to me Macy's trivia specific to the flagship store on Herald Square...plus she sees the inner workings of this small town that is the store itself every day, made obvious by the startlingly large cast of characters she interacts with. Seriously, Author Mariah...couldn't a few of them have been cut? I got very confused a couple times, expecting some one-shots to pop back up but someone else showed up instead.
That said, Grace and Frank made an effective team. The resolution to the fatal parade shooting was satisfying, and I failed to assign guilt properly, so there's your half-star gone to reader's petulance. (In truth it got added for that, to what otherwise was a four-star, too-busy story.)
What makes this fourth story by Author Mariah that I've read with pleasure so effective is her eye for the details to use from her prodigious store of facts and factoids and trivia. In days of yore I'd picture her in a huge, book-lined room that's organized by some arcane principle that's entirely her own. Now I picture a browser with umpteen tabs open in two screens worth of windows. Same stuff, different era.
I'm hopeful that y'all will trot right out to the local bookery and procure yourself this enjoyable holiday-set restoration of ma'at. It merits your time and treasure in the season coming especially, pr any time you need a Christmas-holiday story variolated into your bloodstream.
October 20, 2026
A cozy mystery with all the holiday feels. Just look at that cover ✨
Welcome to the 9th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! Grace Verlander is the person in charge behind the scenes at Macy’s. When she receives a note that Santa has had a death threat directed at him, she flies into gear to secure a safe environment for the parade. Despite all precautions a body was found.
Grace takes it upon herself to find the culprit. She was frantic at times with all her responsibilities, but she is delightful nonetheless. Her flirting was even cute, but didn’t get in the way of finding a killer.
This is a very good holiday mystery. With the nostalgia of Christmas and the iconic Macy’s, it’s a set for a holiday who dunnit. No suspenseful twists and turns here. The beauty rests in Macy’s, the Thanksgiving Day parade, and the spirit of the holidays.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an early copy to review.
Welcome to the 9th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade! Grace Verlander is the person in charge behind the scenes at Macy’s. When she receives a note that Santa has had a death threat directed at him, she flies into gear to secure a safe environment for the parade. Despite all precautions a body was found.
Grace takes it upon herself to find the culprit. She was frantic at times with all her responsibilities, but she is delightful nonetheless. Her flirting was even cute, but didn’t get in the way of finding a killer.
This is a very good holiday mystery. With the nostalgia of Christmas and the iconic Macy’s, it’s a set for a holiday who dunnit. No suspenseful twists and turns here. The beauty rests in Macy’s, the Thanksgiving Day parade, and the spirit of the holidays.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an early copy to review.
October 14, 2026
Macy's staff is gearing up for its 1932 Annual Thanksgiving parade, and someone seems to want Santa Claus dead. It is up to the protagonist, Grace Verlander, the go-to person and heartbeat of the store, to get to the bottom of the mystery. Especially when people start showing up dead.
This was alright. Something about the writing slowed down my enjoyment of the story. The description of every single person Grace met didn't seem that important. Grace was difficult to connect with, and I am still uncertain if I understood her character well. She seemed like a girl boss, yet flippant about a male colleague, but also hurt by his continuous rejections, and she literally accused three or four different people of committing the crimes. Yet, they always seemed to forgive her.
Then there was the setting. It is New York City in 1932, and while there are casual references to the market crash and the storm of war hanging over Germany, Grace didn't seem to be too worried about it all. Perhaps that is more realistic.
Beautiful cover, but the storyline fell short for me.
One of the challenges of my book club this fall was to read a book with a number in the title. This ARC fits that goal.
Publication Date 06/10/26
Goodreads Review 13/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
This was alright. Something about the writing slowed down my enjoyment of the story. The description of every single person Grace met didn't seem that important. Grace was difficult to connect with, and I am still uncertain if I understood her character well. She seemed like a girl boss, yet flippant about a male colleague, but also hurt by his continuous rejections, and she literally accused three or four different people of committing the crimes. Yet, they always seemed to forgive her.
Then there was the setting. It is New York City in 1932, and while there are casual references to the market crash and the storm of war hanging over Germany, Grace didn't seem to be too worried about it all. Perhaps that is more realistic.
Beautiful cover, but the storyline fell short for me.
One of the challenges of my book club this fall was to read a book with a number in the title. This ARC fits that goal.
Publication Date 06/10/26
Goodreads Review 13/10/26
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
October 6, 2026
A nostalgic fictional cozy mystery with an added touch of humor and romance had everything that I was looking for when I read this book. I have also read and enjoyed two of Ms. Frederick's previous books, The Lindbergh Nanny and The Girl in the Green Dress. Murder on 34th Street was a definite winner for me!
I immediately fell in love with the setting inside Macy's in New York in 1932 just prior to the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade, and with the main character, Grace Verlander. Grace is the sweet, charming, hard working assistant to the head of Macy's personnel department. Everyone at the store turns to Grace to solve their issues and problems. Which she does. But can she solve a murder? As if there isn't enough to do before the BIG parade, she must also contend with a murder threat to the store's Santa. One murder after another has Grace's head in a spin, as does her handsome coworker, Raymond. You'll be cheering for Grace all the way to the surprise ending.
With the perfect plot, characters, and execution, this story is a recipe for success going into the holiday season. I don't know how you can put Christmas and murder in the same story and end up with something so delightful, but that is what this book is. I've been recommending it to all of my friends. Make sure you get your hands on a copy.
Many thanks to my GR friends JaymeC, MarilynW, and Tracey for bringing this book to my attention. Be sure to check out their wonderful reviews. And, my sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review.
I immediately fell in love with the setting inside Macy's in New York in 1932 just prior to the iconic Thanksgiving Day Parade, and with the main character, Grace Verlander. Grace is the sweet, charming, hard working assistant to the head of Macy's personnel department. Everyone at the store turns to Grace to solve their issues and problems. Which she does. But can she solve a murder? As if there isn't enough to do before the BIG parade, she must also contend with a murder threat to the store's Santa. One murder after another has Grace's head in a spin, as does her handsome coworker, Raymond. You'll be cheering for Grace all the way to the surprise ending.
With the perfect plot, characters, and execution, this story is a recipe for success going into the holiday season. I don't know how you can put Christmas and murder in the same story and end up with something so delightful, but that is what this book is. I've been recommending it to all of my friends. Make sure you get your hands on a copy.
Many thanks to my GR friends JaymeC, MarilynW, and Tracey for bringing this book to my attention. Be sure to check out their wonderful reviews. And, my sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this delightful book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
'Tis the Season to be Cozy
A review of the NetGalley eBook ARC of the St. Martins Press / Minotaur Books release to be published in hardcover/eBook/audiobook on October 6, 2026.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy historical fiction mystery set in the world of Macy's Department Store in New York City in 1932 during the years of the Great Depression and Prohibition. It centres around a death threat to the Macy's employee who is to play Santa Claus in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the later Santa Land exhibit in the Macy's store.
Grace Verlander, the head Personnel Assistant in Macy's is alerted to the threat and takes steps to protect the employee, but an unexpected murder still occurs. Then other people are threatened and the number of suspects widens. Meanwhile a corruption enquiry is underway about the city authorities and the police department and there is a suspicious death involved there as well. How does it all tie together? Grace is determined to solve it all.
A photograph of Macy's Department Store at Herald Square, NYC c. 1931. Image sourced from Economics Courageous where you can also read a bit about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades.
I thought the setting and the atmosphere building around the world of the gigantic department store was extremely well done and it gave you the feeling of the hustle and bustle of 1930s New York City. It certainly gave the sense of a well researched background into the history of the store and the parade. Grace Verlander comes across as the determined young woman with a quick wit and sharp instincts. A "will they or won't they" budding romance with a Macy's window display designer added some good natured banter and romantic suspense to the mix.
I don't know if any series is planned for this character. Author Mariah Fredericks has written series characters previously (see below), so it is not out of the question. I would certainly read another Grace Verlander book if so.
My thanks to the author, publisher St. Martins Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this advance reading copy of Murder on 34th Street in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
Trivia and Links
Mariah Fredericks is the author of a dozen or so books in the mystery and historical fiction genres. Her most popular novel to date (per current Goodreads reviews and ratings) is The Lindbergh Nanny (2022). The historical mystery fiction Jane Prescott series is also highly rated.
Read more about the history of Macy's and the Macy's Department Store in New York City at Wikipedia articles for Macy's and Macy's Herald Square.
A review of the NetGalley eBook ARC of the St. Martins Press / Minotaur Books release to be published in hardcover/eBook/audiobook on October 6, 2026.
I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy historical fiction mystery set in the world of Macy's Department Store in New York City in 1932 during the years of the Great Depression and Prohibition. It centres around a death threat to the Macy's employee who is to play Santa Claus in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the later Santa Land exhibit in the Macy's store.
Grace Verlander, the head Personnel Assistant in Macy's is alerted to the threat and takes steps to protect the employee, but an unexpected murder still occurs. Then other people are threatened and the number of suspects widens. Meanwhile a corruption enquiry is underway about the city authorities and the police department and there is a suspicious death involved there as well. How does it all tie together? Grace is determined to solve it all.
A photograph of Macy's Department Store at Herald Square, NYC c. 1931. Image sourced from Economics Courageous where you can also read a bit about the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parades.
I thought the setting and the atmosphere building around the world of the gigantic department store was extremely well done and it gave you the feeling of the hustle and bustle of 1930s New York City. It certainly gave the sense of a well researched background into the history of the store and the parade. Grace Verlander comes across as the determined young woman with a quick wit and sharp instincts. A "will they or won't they" budding romance with a Macy's window display designer added some good natured banter and romantic suspense to the mix.
I don't know if any series is planned for this character. Author Mariah Fredericks has written series characters previously (see below), so it is not out of the question. I would certainly read another Grace Verlander book if so.
My thanks to the author, publisher St. Martins Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this advance reading copy of Murder on 34th Street in exchange for which I provide this honest review.
Trivia and Links
Mariah Fredericks is the author of a dozen or so books in the mystery and historical fiction genres. Her most popular novel to date (per current Goodreads reviews and ratings) is The Lindbergh Nanny (2022). The historical mystery fiction Jane Prescott series is also highly rated.
Read more about the history of Macy's and the Macy's Department Store in New York City at Wikipedia articles for Macy's and Macy's Herald Square.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder at the Thanksgiving Macy’s day Parade!
Festive, nostalgic, mysterious, and SO much fun! A perfect holiday whodunit for anyone who loves the Macy’s Parade or any parade.
I absolutely loved the Macy’s New York setting, especially because I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year so putting a murder mystery right in the middle of one of my favorite holiday traditions was basically made for me!
You have a death threat to Santa, a body on a parade float, and a woman determined to uncover the killer before Macy’s reputation is ruined. I was hooked trying to piece together the clues and figure out who was behind it all!
The narrator brought the story to life, very immersive, enjoyable, and I loved every single moment!
Thank you Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the Audiobook.
Festive, nostalgic, mysterious, and SO much fun! A perfect holiday whodunit for anyone who loves the Macy’s Parade or any parade.
I absolutely loved the Macy’s New York setting, especially because I watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade every year so putting a murder mystery right in the middle of one of my favorite holiday traditions was basically made for me!
You have a death threat to Santa, a body on a parade float, and a woman determined to uncover the killer before Macy’s reputation is ruined. I was hooked trying to piece together the clues and figure out who was behind it all!
The narrator brought the story to life, very immersive, enjoyable, and I loved every single moment!
Thank you Netgalley, and Dreamscape Media for the Audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, so I figured I’d start my celebrations early this year, with a festive thriller!
Premise - it’s 1932 in NYC and Grace Verlander is Macy’s secret. Whatever needs doing, she gets done. When the store Santa Claus receives a death threat, followed by a death body on one of the floats come parade day, Grace saddles herself with the task of finding the killer and securing justice for both the victim and the store.
I went back and forth on whether or not to request this one. I'm so glad I ended up going for it! I tend to be really picky about historical fiction and it's a miss for me more often than a hit because either (a) the writing style is too flowery for me, or (b) the voice is modern and I like it, but the character is modern, too -- as in 2020s enlightened, picked up and dropped into a bygone era (but without time travel to explain their anachronistic opinions). This definitely had a bit of (b) going on, but it wasn't too over the top and the ✨atmosphere✨ was so immersive I didn't mind.
The story's greatest strength, for me, is how it really feels steeped in lovely, cozy, warm holiday spirit, and how it paints a rich picture (romanticized, as I like it) of a past NYC. It's like a Woody Allen movie without the creepiness. A delight!
The romance was the weakest thread for me, but I'm not much of a romance reader. I think the problem is we get a richly painted, plucky protagonist, but Raymond is a very standard issue Book Boyfriend with no interesting traits or quirks beyond being BIPOC. I wasn't rooting for them or against them, I just wanted their flirtation to take up as little page space as possible.
Fortunately for me, the mystery stayed front and center! Overall, I really enjoyed the listen and would check out another NYC holiday story by this author.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Einstein. She did a delightful job with the read. The audiobook wrapped me up in a cozy, festive hug, and gave me the feeling Hallmark movies used to give me before I burnt out on them.😅 I'm hoping this means I should give Hallmark a second chance. Maybe I've circled around!
Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Premise - it’s 1932 in NYC and Grace Verlander is Macy’s secret. Whatever needs doing, she gets done. When the store Santa Claus receives a death threat, followed by a death body on one of the floats come parade day, Grace saddles herself with the task of finding the killer and securing justice for both the victim and the store.
I went back and forth on whether or not to request this one. I'm so glad I ended up going for it! I tend to be really picky about historical fiction and it's a miss for me more often than a hit because either (a) the writing style is too flowery for me, or (b) the voice is modern and I like it, but the character is modern, too -- as in 2020s enlightened, picked up and dropped into a bygone era (but without time travel to explain their anachronistic opinions). This definitely had a bit of (b) going on, but it wasn't too over the top and the ✨atmosphere✨ was so immersive I didn't mind.
The story's greatest strength, for me, is how it really feels steeped in lovely, cozy, warm holiday spirit, and how it paints a rich picture (romanticized, as I like it) of a past NYC. It's like a Woody Allen movie without the creepiness. A delight!
The romance was the weakest thread for me, but I'm not much of a romance reader. I think the problem is we get a richly painted, plucky protagonist, but Raymond is a very standard issue Book Boyfriend with no interesting traits or quirks beyond being BIPOC. I wasn't rooting for them or against them, I just wanted their flirtation to take up as little page space as possible.
Fortunately for me, the mystery stayed front and center! Overall, I really enjoyed the listen and would check out another NYC holiday story by this author.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Stephanie Einstein. She did a delightful job with the read. The audiobook wrapped me up in a cozy, festive hug, and gave me the feeling Hallmark movies used to give me before I burnt out on them.😅 I'm hoping this means I should give Hallmark a second chance. Maybe I've circled around!
Thanks, NetGalley and Dreamscape Media, for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks
Historical holiday mystery.
Grace Verlander is in charge of people at Macy’s in 1932. She’s also in charge of the parade this year. When she is told about a threat to Santa Claus, she knows her job could be on the line if anything happens. So she works to figure out who is threatening Santa so she can fix it.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and audiobook. The narration is performed by Stephanie Einstein who does a marvelous job with many different voices in this book, male and female, and ethnicities all slanted from the 1930’s historical New York. The pacing is upbeat and the mystery is easy to follow. The audiobook held my attention easier than print.
Interesting historical facts revealed on the Macy’s parade, the department store and how the original employees were selected for the iconic holiday parade. Of course, this is a fictionalized murder scenario, but the historical perfume women, the different quality of toilet paper depending on the floor, the actual parade route and the employee cafeteria all make this a captivating book.
The mystery and amateur sleuthing by the woman in Human Resources in charge of employees and getting assigned the parade as part of her duties, including dressing up as an elf is just part of the job. You do what is thrown in your plate and make it work. The fact that she knows the employees and cares about them is part of what makes this story great.
Appealing, and intriguing, with some interesting historical details on a parade that everyone knows.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
Historical holiday mystery.
Grace Verlander is in charge of people at Macy’s in 1932. She’s also in charge of the parade this year. When she is told about a threat to Santa Claus, she knows her job could be on the line if anything happens. So she works to figure out who is threatening Santa so she can fix it.
🎧 I was able to alternate between an ebook and audiobook. The narration is performed by Stephanie Einstein who does a marvelous job with many different voices in this book, male and female, and ethnicities all slanted from the 1930’s historical New York. The pacing is upbeat and the mystery is easy to follow. The audiobook held my attention easier than print.
Interesting historical facts revealed on the Macy’s parade, the department store and how the original employees were selected for the iconic holiday parade. Of course, this is a fictionalized murder scenario, but the historical perfume women, the different quality of toilet paper depending on the floor, the actual parade route and the employee cafeteria all make this a captivating book.
The mystery and amateur sleuthing by the woman in Human Resources in charge of employees and getting assigned the parade as part of her duties, including dressing up as an elf is just part of the job. You do what is thrown in your plate and make it work. The fact that she knows the employees and cares about them is part of what makes this story great.
Appealing, and intriguing, with some interesting historical details on a parade that everyone knows.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.
October 7, 2026
This is a fun historical Christmas mystery set in NYC in 1932 just before Macy's annual Thanksgiving parade. The main character is Grace Verlander, the spunky assistant to the head of personnel at Macy's, and somehow her job seems to entail fixing problems throughout the store. At the beginning of the story she gets a note from Harry Gardner, the employee who will be playing the store's Santa for the season, claiming he is in danger. It seems he has received a letter in his lunch pail which reads: 'SANTA WON'T LIVE TO SEE CHRISTMAS'
Grace alerts the head of security and some changes are made to Santa's parade float so he can be guarded, while extra cops walk the parade route the next day to keep an eye out--but still someone is killed. The killer must be a Macy's employee, it seems to Grace, so can she figure out the who and why?
This is a cozy mystery with a bit of romance added in and a delight for the holiday season. Fun to learn more about the work that goes into not only the annual parade but also the holiday window displays.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this Christmas novel via NetGalley.
Grace alerts the head of security and some changes are made to Santa's parade float so he can be guarded, while extra cops walk the parade route the next day to keep an eye out--but still someone is killed. The killer must be a Macy's employee, it seems to Grace, so can she figure out the who and why?
This is a cozy mystery with a bit of romance added in and a delight for the holiday season. Fun to learn more about the work that goes into not only the annual parade but also the holiday window displays.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this Christmas novel via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed Murder on 34th Street. It was set at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City in 1932. There was mystery, humor, history, and charm.
What didn't work for me was the romance. I just didn't buy the connection between the characters.
That said, I had a great time reading it and I will be looking for more by this author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
What didn't work for me was the romance. I just didn't buy the connection between the characters.
That said, I had a great time reading it and I will be looking for more by this author.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Santa gets a death threat three days before the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and the woman handling it is basically the assistant to the assistant to the person who technically runs things. Perfect. No notes.
Grace Verlander works behind the scenes at Macy’s in 1932, which apparently means doing everyone’s job while having none of their authority. So when the store Santa tells her someone wants him dead, Grace does what every hyper-competent woman in an underpaid position does and quietly adds “prevent seasonal homicide” to the list. Then parade day arrives and somebody ends up dead on a float anyway. Macy’s really said festive, but make it evidence.
Grace is exactly the person you want snooping around because she knows how the store actually works, not how the people with offices think it works. She knows the staff, the entrances, the grudges, the little alliances, who is supposed to be where, and who suddenly has a very interesting reason not to answer a simple question. The official investigation can have procedure. Grace has institutional gossip and pattern recognition.
And Macy’s itself is half the fun because this place is BUSY. Parade prep, departments, artists, former cops, Santa, executives, employees with secrets, everybody moving at once while management is also trying very hard not to let “murder during the holiday season” become part of the brand. I spent half the book solving the crime and the other half mentally asking who has beef with whom in housewares.
Grace also has that deeply satisfying personality type where being underestimated only gives her more room to notice things. Nobody clocks her as dangerous because she’s “just” the assistant. Meanwhile she’s collecting details, quietly connecting people, and wandering into situations that would make a sensible person say, maybe this is now police business. Grace hears that and thinks, yes, but first one more question.
There’s some romance with Raymond, but thankfully it behaves itself. No one is pausing a murder investigation so a man can announce that Grace is unlike other women. Their chemistry just sits there in the background being quietly inconvenient while Grace has more urgent problems, like the dead body and the increasingly suspicious collection of coworkers around it.
The emotional part that got me was how much of Grace’s power comes from paying attention to people everyone else overlooks. She sees the invisible workers because she is one of them. She knows who keeps the place running because she is also keeping the place running. That landed and then politely got out of the way before I started having feelings in front of a Christmas window display.
By the end, I was less desperate for a giant twist than I was for Grace to get through one holiday event without another person dying in retail-adjacent circumstances. Murder on 34th Street landed at 3.5 stars for me. Cozy, smart, pleasantly nosy, and just festive enough without beating me over the head with a candy cane.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Making “Someone Is Trying to Kill Santa” Feel Like One More Administrative Problem Grace Somehow Has to Handle Before Lunch
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC, and for letting me spend Thanksgiving at 1930s Macy’s, where the balloons are huge, the secrets are bigger, and Grace deserves either a promotion or six uninterrupted business days off.
Grace Verlander works behind the scenes at Macy’s in 1932, which apparently means doing everyone’s job while having none of their authority. So when the store Santa tells her someone wants him dead, Grace does what every hyper-competent woman in an underpaid position does and quietly adds “prevent seasonal homicide” to the list. Then parade day arrives and somebody ends up dead on a float anyway. Macy’s really said festive, but make it evidence.
Grace is exactly the person you want snooping around because she knows how the store actually works, not how the people with offices think it works. She knows the staff, the entrances, the grudges, the little alliances, who is supposed to be where, and who suddenly has a very interesting reason not to answer a simple question. The official investigation can have procedure. Grace has institutional gossip and pattern recognition.
And Macy’s itself is half the fun because this place is BUSY. Parade prep, departments, artists, former cops, Santa, executives, employees with secrets, everybody moving at once while management is also trying very hard not to let “murder during the holiday season” become part of the brand. I spent half the book solving the crime and the other half mentally asking who has beef with whom in housewares.
Grace also has that deeply satisfying personality type where being underestimated only gives her more room to notice things. Nobody clocks her as dangerous because she’s “just” the assistant. Meanwhile she’s collecting details, quietly connecting people, and wandering into situations that would make a sensible person say, maybe this is now police business. Grace hears that and thinks, yes, but first one more question.
There’s some romance with Raymond, but thankfully it behaves itself. No one is pausing a murder investigation so a man can announce that Grace is unlike other women. Their chemistry just sits there in the background being quietly inconvenient while Grace has more urgent problems, like the dead body and the increasingly suspicious collection of coworkers around it.
The emotional part that got me was how much of Grace’s power comes from paying attention to people everyone else overlooks. She sees the invisible workers because she is one of them. She knows who keeps the place running because she is also keeping the place running. That landed and then politely got out of the way before I started having feelings in front of a Christmas window display.
By the end, I was less desperate for a giant twist than I was for Grace to get through one holiday event without another person dying in retail-adjacent circumstances. Murder on 34th Street landed at 3.5 stars for me. Cozy, smart, pleasantly nosy, and just festive enough without beating me over the head with a candy cane.
Merry Mayhem Prize: For Making “Someone Is Trying to Kill Santa” Feel Like One More Administrative Problem Grace Somehow Has to Handle Before Lunch
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC, and for letting me spend Thanksgiving at 1930s Macy’s, where the balloons are huge, the secrets are bigger, and Grace deserves either a promotion or six uninterrupted business days off.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved this inventive histmystery set during the 1930s Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. MC Grace Verlander is one smart cookie, a determined Macy's employee whose amateur sleuthing into a murder during the event is a wonder. Series, please!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 rounded up for this enticing story about a murder investigation that happens in 1932 at the Thanksgiving Day Macy’s Parade. What a fun atmosphere and time in history.
Set in New York in the early 1930’s at Macy’s, we follow Grace, who is in the trenches of all that is Macy’s. This story kicks off with a death threat towards Santa.
This has a cozy mystery holiday atmosphere to it. Grace is connected to so many characters, so has insight and questions that she explores to help in solving this mystery. She also might even find a little romance along the way! I recommend following along closely to keep track of who is who. There is a bit more tell than show at times, but it’s a fun Who-Dun-It for this holiday season!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Set in New York in the early 1930’s at Macy’s, we follow Grace, who is in the trenches of all that is Macy’s. This story kicks off with a death threat towards Santa.
This has a cozy mystery holiday atmosphere to it. Grace is connected to so many characters, so has insight and questions that she explores to help in solving this mystery. She also might even find a little romance along the way! I recommend following along closely to keep track of who is who. There is a bit more tell than show at times, but it’s a fun Who-Dun-It for this holiday season!
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is a true charmer, set in atmospheric 1930s New York. The winning heroine, Grace Verlander, has sass and smarts and quick humor, with a kind, if cautious, heart tucked underneath. She works as head of personnel at Macy's, where she is responsible for everything from corralling the elves for Santa's workshop to convincing management to put good toilet paper in the employee bathrooms. On the evening of the ninth annual Thanksgiving Day parade, the employee who plays Santa is threatened, and Grace must keep him safe, with stakes rising when the head of security is murdered on Santa's float. Toss in a sweet romance, and this is an engaging, thoroughly satisfying read. Fredericks's trademark attunement to the ebb and flow of characters' emotions and interactions is in full evidence here, with a full cast of well-rounded secondary characters. Highly recommend.
October 9, 2026
Enjoyed it! I appreciated the 1930s atmosphere & NYC setting. The characters were interesting & sympathetic. The touch of romance was just enough. Great holiday read!
September 23, 2026
Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks
Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A cozy murder mystery that takes place in 1932, New York! Macy’s s smoothly thanks to Grace Verlander. But one day Grace receives a letter from Macy’s Santa that he needs to speak with her. When she meets with him, he tells her he’s received a death threat via a note. With Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade a few days away, Grace must figure out what to do. After speaking with the store’s security about keeping Santa safe, they feel confident all will be well.
The question is....who would want Jolly ‘ol St. Nick dead?
Come the day of the parade, any safety measures taken were useless because a dead body is found! Now Grace must work to uncover the murderer and she is not sure whom she can trust.
I loved the pacing of the story and how the author brought the feel and nostalgia of the holidays alive in this novel! Don’t miss this cozy holiday mystery when it comes out October 6, 2026!
Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
A cozy murder mystery that takes place in 1932, New York! Macy’s s smoothly thanks to Grace Verlander. But one day Grace receives a letter from Macy’s Santa that he needs to speak with her. When she meets with him, he tells her he’s received a death threat via a note. With Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade a few days away, Grace must figure out what to do. After speaking with the store’s security about keeping Santa safe, they feel confident all will be well.
The question is....who would want Jolly ‘ol St. Nick dead?
Come the day of the parade, any safety measures taken were useless because a dead body is found! Now Grace must work to uncover the murderer and she is not sure whom she can trust.
I loved the pacing of the story and how the author brought the feel and nostalgia of the holidays alive in this novel! Don’t miss this cozy holiday mystery when it comes out October 6, 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Grace Verlander is in charge of everything to do with Macy’s Department Store in New York City including the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Security and safety of the spectators and the people in the parade is top priority.
A few days before the parade Santa Claus receives a notice that he won’t make it to Christmas.
Who would want to kill Santa Claus?
Grace definitely has the someone in mind, but it turns out she was wrong.
Another lead takes her to someone she wouldn’t suspect.
MURDER ON 34TH STREET was a light read with insight into what goes on inside Macy’s all the time and for the parade’s preparation.
I enjoyed the characters and being taken behind the scenes.
I loved how they had a cafeteria with a grumbling cook who dished out food in quantities according to her like or dislike of you.
You will love Grace - she is determined to find out who the murderer was. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Security and safety of the spectators and the people in the parade is top priority.
A few days before the parade Santa Claus receives a notice that he won’t make it to Christmas.
Who would want to kill Santa Claus?
Grace definitely has the someone in mind, but it turns out she was wrong.
Another lead takes her to someone she wouldn’t suspect.
MURDER ON 34TH STREET was a light read with insight into what goes on inside Macy’s all the time and for the parade’s preparation.
I enjoyed the characters and being taken behind the scenes.
I loved how they had a cafeteria with a grumbling cook who dished out food in quantities according to her like or dislike of you.
You will love Grace - she is determined to find out who the murderer was. 4/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Reading “Murder on 34th Street” was like traveling back in time. The author did a wonderful job of creating early 1930’s New York City during the holiday season. The protagonist of the story is Grace Verlander, an administrator at Macy’s who works at a frenetic pace to keep the store running smoothly. Grace is the go-to person when there is a problem, and she works fastidiously when the store’s Santa receives a threatening letter. With the help of the handsome window display designer, Raymond, she is determined to solve the mysteries surrounding the crimes that take place.
I loved the romance featured in the book. It was clean and slow burning. I also loved reminiscing about the holidays and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. My family looked forward to it every Thanksgiving. I wasn’t fond of the actual mystery. The revelation of the killer was a surprise, but the story and motives behind the crimes were convoluted. It was like a spider web with each strand branching out to another and each connection becoming more tenuous. And so many characters (four) changing their names made it difficult to keep up with the story. The mystery, while engaging, strained credulity.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Both and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the romance featured in the book. It was clean and slow burning. I also loved reminiscing about the holidays and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. My family looked forward to it every Thanksgiving. I wasn’t fond of the actual mystery. The revelation of the killer was a surprise, but the story and motives behind the crimes were convoluted. It was like a spider web with each strand branching out to another and each connection becoming more tenuous. And so many characters (four) changing their names made it difficult to keep up with the story. The mystery, while engaging, strained credulity.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Both and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
_Murder on 34th St._ by Mariah Fredrick was an entertaining holiday mystery that had me hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed the combination of a murder investigation with the Christmas setting—it gave the story a fun seasonal atmosphere while still keeping the darker elements of the mystery intact.
The investigation itself kept me interested, especially as more clues, secrets, and suspicious behavior came to light. I liked trying to figure out which details were important and which were meant to throw me off. The different character dynamics also added another layer to the story, and I enjoyed watching relationships develop and tensions build as the investigation continued.
The New York/34th Street setting was another highlight for me. There’s something especially fun about having a murder mystery unfold against such a recognizable, busy holiday backdrop. The Christmas elements gave the book a cozy feel without taking away from the suspense.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just about solving the murder—it had plenty of character moments, secrets, red herrings, and twists along the way. The pacing kept the story moving, although there were a few moments where I felt the plot slowed down a bit.
Overall, this was a fun and festive mystery with an intriguing investigation, plenty of suspects, and a great holiday backdrop. **4 stars from me!** 🎄🔎
_Murder on 34th St._ by Mariah Fredrick was an entertaining holiday mystery that had me hooked from the beginning. I really enjoyed the combination of a murder investigation with the Christmas setting—it gave the story a fun seasonal atmosphere while still keeping the darker elements of the mystery intact.
The investigation itself kept me interested, especially as more clues, secrets, and suspicious behavior came to light. I liked trying to figure out which details were important and which were meant to throw me off. The different character dynamics also added another layer to the story, and I enjoyed watching relationships develop and tensions build as the investigation continued.
The New York/34th Street setting was another highlight for me. There’s something especially fun about having a murder mystery unfold against such a recognizable, busy holiday backdrop. The Christmas elements gave the book a cozy feel without taking away from the suspense.
I also appreciated that the story wasn’t just about solving the murder—it had plenty of character moments, secrets, red herrings, and twists along the way. The pacing kept the story moving, although there were a few moments where I felt the plot slowed down a bit.
Overall, this was a fun and festive mystery with an intriguing investigation, plenty of suspects, and a great holiday backdrop. **4 stars from me!** 🎄🔎
August 31, 2026
Can a book about murder be magical? There was something sweet and whimsical about seeing Macy's behind-the-scenes during the 1932 holidays, with a varied cast of characters and constant action aside from the main murder plot in this book. I loved it from start to finish!
We follow Grace, an assistant in the personnel department, as she checks on staff and puts out fires all around the massive Macy's at Herald Square in Manhattan. The story starts as the company is preparing to put on the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy's Santa, usually a staff member in children's shoes, has received a death threat. Luckily. Macy's has it's own crime division and the head member of that team rides the float with Santa...and seems to have been shot in his place. If word gets out that Santa is a target, that will make Macy's a scary place for shoppers during the holiday season. Grace decides to investigate.
There secondary characters of Grace's alcoholic mother, the window designer love interest, and Grace's counterpart at the rival Gimbals store add interesting, emotional layers to the story. While it's wonderful that this is a standalone, I would mind if we saw Grace again!
We follow Grace, an assistant in the personnel department, as she checks on staff and puts out fires all around the massive Macy's at Herald Square in Manhattan. The story starts as the company is preparing to put on the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade. The Macy's Santa, usually a staff member in children's shoes, has received a death threat. Luckily. Macy's has it's own crime division and the head member of that team rides the float with Santa...and seems to have been shot in his place. If word gets out that Santa is a target, that will make Macy's a scary place for shoppers during the holiday season. Grace decides to investigate.
There secondary characters of Grace's alcoholic mother, the window designer love interest, and Grace's counterpart at the rival Gimbals store add interesting, emotional layers to the story. While it's wonderful that this is a standalone, I would mind if we saw Grace again!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As an avid watcher of “Miracle on 34th Street”, this book was like candy for me!
Set in 1933 during the Great Depression, this novel was a wonderful love note to Macy’s Department store, the Thanksgiving Parade, and of course Jolly Old Santa Claus himself! The mystery plot was intriguing enough to hold my attention to the very end, and I loved going “behind the scenes” in the store’s Santa Land.( I dare any readers not to laugh at the visual imagery of children reaching the end of the line to see Santa and freezing up like “an anaconda was going to swallow them, and they
were hoping to get it over with quickly”)!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
Set in 1933 during the Great Depression, this novel was a wonderful love note to Macy’s Department store, the Thanksgiving Parade, and of course Jolly Old Santa Claus himself! The mystery plot was intriguing enough to hold my attention to the very end, and I loved going “behind the scenes” in the store’s Santa Land.( I dare any readers not to laugh at the visual imagery of children reaching the end of the line to see Santa and freezing up like “an anaconda was going to swallow them, and they
were hoping to get it over with quickly”)!
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
October 14, 2026
I received an EARC from Netgalley and I am a few days late. This is absolutely a perfect holiday book. Thanksgiving 1932, life is tough all around, so it is important that Macy's Christmas parade go off without a hitch. The scenes in Macy's are fun and made me long for the time when department stores flourished. The scenes with Santa were particularly well rendered. However, when someone is murdered on Santa's sleigh, Grace Verlinder, the all around assistant in charge wants to solve the murder. This historical mystery with a touch of romance made me laugh, cry, and be impressed by Grace. Every character is finely drawn, and I missed any clues and was quite surprised. Also, as a person who always wears a hat, the descriptions of the hats and clothes really interested me. I enjoyed this so much I plan to read more books by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.
October 18, 2026
Mariah Fredericks never disappoints. This is a period mystery set in the Depression, with loads of great insight into the historic Macys of NYC Thanksgiving parade.
The MC is clever and sassy, and the plot intriguing. I look forward to the next entry in what should most definitely be a series!
The MC is clever and sassy, and the plot intriguing. I look forward to the next entry in what should most definitely be a series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Murder on 34th Street by Mariah Fredericks is a delightful holiday mystery where festive sparkle, sharp sleuthing, and danger meet beneath the lights of an iconic department store. Set in the early twentieth century, the novel blends historical atmosphere, humor, suspense, and seasonal warmth, while the bustling retail setting reveals the era’s social dynamics and the limitations placed on women.
Catherine is a clever, determined heroine whose perspective gives the investigation energy and heart. Fredericks’ accessible prose, vivid period details, and well-drawn supporting cast create an engaging mystery for readers who enjoy spirited heroines and seasonal intrigue with a touch of darkness. For a mystery wrapped in history and tied with a festive bow, Murder on 34th Street is a gift worth unwrapping.
Catherine is a clever, determined heroine whose perspective gives the investigation energy and heart. Fredericks’ accessible prose, vivid period details, and well-drawn supporting cast create an engaging mystery for readers who enjoy spirited heroines and seasonal intrigue with a touch of darkness. For a mystery wrapped in history and tied with a festive bow, Murder on 34th Street is a gift worth unwrapping.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found it too local, too much geared for a New York audience. References and names that I had no idea about. Instead of being drawn into the story, I felt like a clueless outsider. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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