Murder on 34th Street: A Novel

by Mariah Fredericks

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 in the holiday section of the store.

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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Christmas, Holiday, Historical, Historical Mystery, New York

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Mariah 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

Reviews

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

Expected publication October 6, 2026

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, SMP Early Readers, and NetGalley for this ARC

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 on October 6, 2026! 😉

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!

[Novera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press|Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐✨ (3.5/5)

There’s something incredibly magical about a mystery set during Christmastime, and Murder on 34th Street certainly captures that cozy holiday atmosphere. Set against the dazzling backdrop of 1930s New York City, with department store windows, snowy streets, and the excitement of the holiday season, the setting was easily my favorite part of this book. It felt cinematic and nostalgic, making it the perfect mystery to curl up with during the colder months.

The story follows a murder investigation that unfolds amidst the festive chaos, blending historical fiction with a classic whodunit. I really appreciated how vividly Mariah Fredericks brought old New York to life. The historical details never felt overwhelming and instead made the world feel rich and immersive.

While the mystery itself kept me interested, I found the pacing a little uneven. The beginning does a great job drawing you in, but the middle slowed down more than I expected, making it feel like the investigation occasionally lost its momentum. Some of the clues also felt a bit too obvious in hindsight, which made the final reveal less surprising than I had hoped.

I also wished I had formed a stronger emotional connection with some of the supporting characters. They each served a purpose in the story, but a little more depth would have made the stakes feel even higher.

That said, this is still a charming historical mystery with plenty of holiday spirit. If you love cozy mysteries, vintage New York settings, Christmas vibes, and slower-paced detective stories, I think you’ll have a great time with this one. It may not have completely wowed me, but it was an enjoyable seasonal read that left me feeling immersed in its festive atmosphere.

🎄❄️ Overall: A cozy historical Christmas mystery filled with nostalgic charm, beautiful atmosphere, and a solid mystery—even if the pacing slows and the twists aren’t quite as shocking as I’d hoped.

[Angie Miale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, if you can make me nostalgic about the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in MAY, you’re doing something right.🎈🦃✨

I feel really lucky to have been one of the first readers of Murder on 34th St. by Mariah Fredericks, coming October 6, 2026, because this book absolutely nails that warm, vintage New York holiday atmosphere. Set during the 1933 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the story follows Grace, assistant to Macy’s head of HR… although “assistant” hardly covers it because this woman is basically running half the building behind the scenes. 😂 I really connected with her and kept thinking about how many women in the 1930s were doing enormous amounts of invisible labor while rarely getting the recognition they deserved.

If you love old Manhattan settings, department store nostalgia, cozy mysteries, and behind-the-scenes holiday magic, there’s a lot to enjoy here. 🎄🗽 There are former NYPD officers, a Santa Claus performer, Macy’s employees with secrets, and plenty of suspects floating around the parade preparations. The descriptions of Macy’s itself were honestly one of my favorite parts — the employee entrances, the operations, the parade prep — it all felt incredibly immersive, like the author really did her homework and interviewed people connected to the store’s history.

I will say this leans more historical fiction than pulse-pounding mystery for me. I also think the book occasionally romanticizes the era a bit more than I personally would have liked, especially considering how difficult life was for many people in the 1930s. And because I wasn’t deeply emotionally invested in the murder victim, the mystery itself didn’t fully hook me emotionally. But as a cozy, nostalgic holiday read? It absolutely worked for me. 🎈

⭐️ 3.5/5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

[Jessica O · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember writing letters to Santa? Hoping you'd been good enough that year to wake up Christmas morning and find your heart's desire under the tree? Well — what if you knew the most famous Santa of them all, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Santa? And what if someone was writing letters to that Santa… not asking for a single thing, but threatening his life?

That's the setup of Murder on 34th Street, and I was intrigued from the first chapter. New York, 1932, Macy's, and our narrator Grace is the behind-the-scenes glue holding the whole store together. So of course, when Santa gets a death threat three days before the parade, she's the one who ends up quietly playing detective. Watching her stumble into and embrace the role is half the fun.

What really made this story special for me was the world Fredericks builds inside Macy's. She introduces a whole cast of employees across the early chapters, and they feel like real, complicated people — which means the mystery becomes this interesting little study in human nature. There's a thread running through it about the tension between doing your job and being a good friend, and it gives the whole thing more heart than your average whodunit. If you've ever stood in Herald Square or wandered that store yourself, the setting hits a little extra.

It's murder, mystery, and a touch of romance, all wrapped up in Christmas. I'll admit I saw the twist coming… but only at the very last minute. And despite all the murder and mayhem, the ending left me heart-warmed and smiling. A cozy, clever holiday read I'd happily recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[DeeG Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a charming holiday cozy mystery!
Set in New York in 1932, the story follows Grace Verlander, the woman who keeps everything running behind the scenes at Macy's. Just days before the famous Thanksgiving Day Parade, Grace receives a note from the store's Santa Claus saying he's been sent a death threat. Despite taking precautions, a body is discovered, and Grace sets out to uncover the killer before the store's reputation is destroyed.
The setting was easily my favorite part of the book. I could almost picture myself walking through Macy's in 1932. The descriptions brought the store and the holiday displays to life without ever slowing the story down. The nostalgia of the era, combined with seeing how hard women worked behind the scenes with so little recognition, added another layer to the story that I really appreciated.
I'm always happy to pick up a cozy mystery set during the Christmas season, and this one didn't disappoint. The mystery kept me engaged, while the touch of romance added just the right amount of sweetness without taking over the plot.
Overall, this was a wonderful blend of cozy mystery and historical fiction with plenty of holiday charm. If you're looking for a festive mystery to curl up with during the Christmas season, this is definitely one to add to your list.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the book.

[TJ Wynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's something undeniably charming about a murder mystery set behind the scenes of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Murder on 34th Street completely transported me to 1930s New York. The historical setting was easily my favorite part of the book. I loved getting a glimpse into the inner workings of Macy's and everything that went into preparing for the parade. The atmosphere was so vivid that I could picture every scene.

Grace was a great main character. She was intelligent, resourceful, and easy to root for as she balanced the endless demands of her job while trying to solve a murder. I also appreciated that the mystery relied more on good detective work and character interactions than over-the-top twists.

While I really enjoyed the story, the middle dragged a little for me, and I started to piece together the culprit before the reveal. I was hoping for a bit more of a surprise at the end, which is why this lands at 4 stars instead of 5.

Overall, this was an engaging blend of historical fiction and cozy mystery with a wonderfully immersive setting. Whether you pick it up in the middle of summer like I did or save it for the holiday season, it's an entertaining mystery that's well worth reading.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Mariah Frederick’s previous novel, “The Girl in the Green Dress,” which vividly captured the essence of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age era, I was looking forward to reading her latest, “Murder on 34th Street.” In her newest novel, the author once again captures the spirit of its time, in this case Depression era New York City, specifically Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The main character is Grace Verlander, the Assistant to the Head of Personnel, who sets out to discover who threatened “Santa Claus” and who subsequently murdered a Macy’s employee in the middle of the Thanksgiving Day parade. While doing so, she encounters an interesting cast of characters. From the wise cracking protagonist, scintillating dialog and the descriptions of the hardships of the era, the author brings to life her characters and the times in which they lived.

I highly recommend this book to those who like historical fiction mysteries with a touch of humor and an engaging protagonist. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me an ARC of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've never watched the Macy's parade, but this gave me an idea of what it once was and why it has lasted so long. This is the first book I've read by Mariah Fredericks outside of her Jane Prescott series. It was definitely lighter and cozier than I anticipated. It was fun to see the behind-the-scenes of Macy's department store and the creation of window displays, the coordination of all the various departments, and the number of staff needed. Grace has to keep everything running despite an assortment of problems, including a murder, a possible romance, suspected friends, and challenges at home. Many characters are not what they seem, and Grace has to balance her job with HR and decide whether she wants friendships (or more) with them. I definitely want to go read Fredericks' other books now as I love a bit of history with my cozy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

[Haley LaBatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

New York at December during the Great Depression is buzzing with life, Christmas cheer and… threats against Santa?? A mysterious person is threatening to off Santa in this Christmas themed mystery. Will Grace Verlander be able to solve the mystery in time to save Santa?

I really appreciated the mystery that clouded this book. Although I was able to guess immediately who was behind the plot, I still enjoyed watching it unfold throughout the book!

Some criticism: I personally didn’t care for the switching of first name and last names. It could be hard to follow at times. However, I do not read a lot of historical fiction novels, so I’m not sure if this is a normal “thing” consistent with the genre. I also felt the chemistry between Grace and Raymond was a bit forced and unnatural.

Overall, I really enjoyed the mystery in this book and recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction!

[K McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, love this author’s writing. She creates a world of evocative descriptions and characters so witty they become aspirational. Hardworking Grace works in personnel at Macy’s, and murder intrudes on her already busy holiday season. She gets drawn in in a very believable and not at all contrived way, and her strong characters really drive the emotion of the story. The mystery is very well done, with all the pieces woven in seamlessly. There is romance on top of the mayhem, again in a way that suggests feelings rather than describing them. The author has an amazing knack for drawing you in to her historical settings, giving them a real lived-in feeling. Please treat yourself and read it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Murder on 34th Street” by MariahFredericks is a cozy murder mystery set in vintage 1933 at Macy’s during the Thanksgiving Day parade. The story follows the assistant to the head of HR who is really the go to person behind the business. She is trying to find the person who sent a death threat to the person who will be playing Santa Claus in the annual parade. Despite her effort along with store security, a dead body is found on parade day. There is a lot of nostalgia, holiday magic, with plenty of suspects among the employees which keeps the book moving at a quick pace. The author did a great job of bringing the history of the store and the immersive holiday feeling of Macys to life. This is a fun holiday mystery for fans of this genre.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Audra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mariah Fredericks' Murder on 34th Street is a masterpiece of historical fiction. Through vivid imagery, historical details, and a deep knowledge of her setting, Ms. Fredericks immediately drops the reader right in the middle of New York City in the 1930s. In her main character, Grace Verlander, she has created a strong, independent, sassy, career-driven woman facing many of the struggles of modern readers, while still living realistically in the 1930s with all the challenges of the time period, including the Great Depression and certain expectations and limitations placed on women of the time. Throw in the holiday setting at the famous New York Macy's department store, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and a few murders, of course, and Murder on 34th Street is the perfect holiday mystery!

[Nancy Bilyeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Macy's Day parade hadn't even begun its march on the big day when I fell in love with Grace Verlander, the protagonist of this charming, fast-paced, engrossing mystery. She's a personnel assistant working incredibly long hours with a winning combination of street smarts, humor, and compassion. When a threat arises against "Santa," she swings into action and does everything she can to protect the employee who will be the star of the parade. But things don't go as planned. I love the tone and the holiday "vibes" of this novel, which are grounded in the reality of NYC during the Depression. The dialogue deserves special applause. I could "hear" the characters talking, like one of those delicious Katharine Hepburn/Cary Grant comedies. Give yourself this treat!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book from the cover to the setting to the characters! I was instantly transported back in time and in the middle of this beautiful mystery historical fiction story! I loved the FMC Grace with her smart wit and charm and Raymond is a delight offset her. This book makes me want to dig out my Christmas tree and put on some hot chocolate! It's the perfect cozy Christmasy mystery that I will want to read every year to get me in the Christmas "spirit." I haven't read any books on the early days of the Macy's parade so that was refreshing and I was loving every page. Highly recommend this book and I will be checking out the author's other books! Thank you toNetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for the eARC!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started out slowly and I wasn't sure I was going to like it. As the story progressed the characters were fleshed out and became much more interesting. The story takes place at Macy's during the Christmas season. Santa receives a note saying he will not live to see Christmas. Miss Verlander, the Assistant Personnel director takes it on herself to make sure Santa is safe.
The author gives us more information about each of the characters as they are investigated as possible suspects.
I really enjoyed the book which i received from Net Galley as an ARC in return for an honest review. I would love to learn more about each of the characters that were originally considered suspects in this story.

[Jess Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, which brought 1930s Macy’s and New York City to life. As Grace manages all the small and large crises across the store, she’s prepping for the annual thanksgiving day parade when a threat is made on Santa and a murder occurs. This forces Grace to uncover what truly happened without alarming the public and ruining the holidays.

The author did a phenomenal job bringing this time period in New York to life between the struggling ordinary shoppers and workers of the 1930s, the extraordinary holiday period at department stores, and beyond. A great mix of historical fiction and mystery.

Thank you to #NetGalley #StMartinsPress and #MinotaurBooks for an ARC

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful delight!!! I wasn't sure what to expect given the "historical" nature of the title and description, but it was all very well done. I definitely will be looking for other books by Mariah Fredericks. I loved the "sauciness" of Lillian and Irene and could totally picture them in my mind. Grace playing detective might be a bit unrealistic, but it was all good fun as it unraveled. I thought the premise behind the murders was appropriate for the time and was realistic. The dynamics between Raymond and Grace was a bit frustrating at times, but it was a nice diversion from just the murder mystery. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed it!!!

[Eileen Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace Verlander is assistant to the head of Personnel at Macy’s where she makes it her business to know and mingle with her fellow employees. On the eve of the Thanksgiving Parade Santa receives a death threat; someone wants him dead. In a matter of days three employees are murdered. Mariah Fredericks’ novel takes place in the midst of Great Depression struggles and fear engendered by the Seabury Commission’s investigation into New York City corruption. This mystery is an enjoyable read from page one, humorous at times, deadly serious at others. It is a perfect gift for Christmas as well as any other occasion.

[Kheyra Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a really good time with this one. The mystery kept me interested from beginning to end, and I enjoyed trying to figure out what was going to happen next. The setting added a lot of charm and atmosphere, making the story even more enjoyable. The pacing was steady, and the characters were easy to follow and fun to spend time with. While I guessed a couple of things along the way, there were still enough surprises to keep me engaged. Overall, this was an entertaining mystery, and I'd definitely read more from this series.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband's sister and his 3 brothers all worked at Macy's in the 1970s. Back then I would have watched the Thanksgiving parade on TV from my family's Bronx apartment. We still watch it every year, though now it's from our Virginia house. So getting a look at the early days of the parade and at Macy's in the 30s was fascinating. And the mystery itself was pretty good.
I'm not sure if Fredericks has more in store (so to speak) for Grace, but she's a nicely developed character and I'd be fine with a sequel.

[Christel Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never been to NYC, so I base most of what I know about stores like Gimbles on Elf.

This novel takes place in 1932 surrounding Macy’s parade. A store Santa gets a threatening note, and Grace is on it. She’s trying to figure everything out when a dead body is found.

I love the nostalgia of this book. I love the atmosphere. The characters needed more for me, but it’s a solid book. I also love the cover, and I would have read this even if I had to buy it.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

[Patricia Rupell · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Neutrophilic Banter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for a Minotaur Books, the author and good reads for this ARC copy!

Absolutely agree with the general sentiment about this book. If you need a break from the dark and the grim without feeling the entire world is at stake (my usual fare of books), then lose yourself in this cozy mystery. Short and sweet book. There's always something sentimental, to immerse yourself in the time gone by and picture the world as it used to be. This was such a fun read!

[Adele Trask · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a 4.5 ⭐️ from me! I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down. I love mysteries and this books setting at Macy’s NY in 1932 was a great choice. I received this book through Goodreads Giveaways and am most appreciative of the opportunity to read it before its publication in October 2026.

[k mandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I did enjoy the sardonic MC and some of the witicisms, it was a bit much after a point. No surprises in this one as I knew the culprit early on. 4 stars by rounding up--it is more of a 3.5 . Sometimes an engaging story, sometimes a slow crawl.

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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
🩵

[Bailie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review of advanced copy provided by Netgalley*

What a refreshing read! I loved this cozy murder mystery set at Macy’s during the holiday season. The characters were very believable from the over worked assistant to the moody artist to the “what do they even do here?” type of boss.

The flow of Ms. Frederick’s’ writing made this an easy read that I looked forward to picking up every evening. The story line was original and the holiday setting wasn’t overbearing, making this an all year round read.