Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas and that is one of my favorite times of year. Of course, it always feels that way in Rudolph, New York, which is the setting for Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany. This is the first part in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series which promises to be a lot of fun.

From the back of the book:

In Rudolph, New York, it’s Christmastime all year long. But this December, while the snow-lined streets seem merry and bright, a murder is about to ruin everyone’s holiday cheer…

As the owner of Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, Merry Wilkinson knows how to decorate homes for the holidays. That’s why she thinks her float in the semi-annual Santa Claus parade is a shoe-in for best in show. But when the tractor pulling Merry’s float is sabotaged, she has to face facts: there’s a Scrooge in Christmas Town.

Merry isn’t ready to point fingers, especially with a journalist in town writing a puff piece about Rudolph’s Christmas spirit. But when she stumbles upon the reporter’s body on a late night dog walk—and police suspect he was poisoned by a gingerbread cookie crafted by her best friend, Vicky—Merry will have to put down the jingle bells and figure out who’s really been grinching about town, before Vicky ends up on Santa’s naughty list… 

My thoughts:

This was a really fabulous launch for this series. The setting is fun! Who would like a town where it is always Christmas? In the town are some really wonderful characters, including the aptly named Merry and fellow shop owners. I loved to see the start of what looks like a love triangle with two dashing and charming men and the set up for a bit of a rivalry as well between Merry and a another shop owner. I think my favorite though was Merry's father, he was just too charming and has a real knack for knowing what will sell.

I found the mystery to be paced well and there were enough viable suspects to make mulling it over as I read interesting. I didn't figure it out but I had a blast guessing along with Merry. I am really looking forward to getting to watch these characters grow together and to see what the ext mystery will be that comes to this quaint little town.  

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