Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas

Book Review: Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany

Rating: 3.5 stars

First off, let's talk about the cover of this book. It's absolutely adorable and captures the festive spirit perfectly, which is a crucial aspect for a holiday cozy mystery like this one. Now, onto my review.

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is the sixth installment in a charming cozy mystery series set in Rudolph, New York, America's Christmas Town. The story revolves around Merry Wilkinson, the owner of Mrs. Claus's Treasures, a gift and décor shop in town. As the local amateur dramatic society prepares for a special production of A Christmas Carol, tensions rise among the cast and crew, threatening the show.

The plot takes an exciting turn when a member of the group is found dead shortly after visiting Merry's shop. This incident raises suspicions of cutthroat competition within the society. With everyone involved in the production becoming potential suspects, including Merry's mother Aline and her shop assistant Jackie O'Reilly, who was desperate for a starring role, the fate of Christmas and Merry herself hang in the balance.

Delany skillfully crafts a well-written and paced mystery that can easily be enjoyed as a standalone novel. The festive atmosphere is beautifully captured, making it an ideal read for the holiday season. The plot is engaging and keeps readers guessing until the very end.

However, one aspect of the book that didn't resonate with me was the characterization. While the story itself was enjoyable, I found some of the characters to be less likable. Both Jackie and Merry came across as rude and harsh, which made it difficult to fully connect with them. Nevertheless, not every character can be loved by every reader, and this didn't detract significantly from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In conclusion, Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas by Vicki Delany is a well-crafted and suitably festive cozy mystery. It successfully stands on its own within the series and offers an engaging plot with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing. If you're looking for a holiday-themed mystery that will get you into the Christmas spirit, this book is worth picking up.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️