This is the second book I have read in Vicki Delaney’s A Year-Round Christmas Series. I read during Christmas in July. It was also a book club pick.

I really love this series. I’m huge on Christmas happening anytime. To quote from the book, “That Christmas magic. July or December—there’s nothing like it.” That happens to be my favorite quote from the book. I must say the author lives up to her quote. She brought Christmas magic to the pages of the book. Considering there was criminal activity including murder going on, that was no easy feat. I love the characters in this series. Merry and Vicky are the type of girlfriends you want to have, (or be). I love Merry’s Dad who I believe may really be Santa Claus. And Mattie...love at first slobber. The mystery was twisty and not obvious to me. I’m not saying more on that. Read it yourself. The town was fun with a great cast of characters; some easy to like, others take a bit of sugar to get down. I love the small town feel of the series.

Get the book and bring some Christmas magic. I read this with Christmas lights on, carols on the playlist and hot chocolate with cookies to snack on. All the dead and the danger were in the book. It was a lovely Christmas in July. ( )

It took me a long time to get into this one. About 2/3 of the way through, I started noticing the humor in the book (in contrast to another mystery I'd been reading)...just casual, dry lines tossed off here and there. ( )

I like to read a Christmas cozy around this time of year, so what's better than going back to Rudolph, New York where it's Christmas all year long? in this latest episode it's near the end of July during a steaming hot summer, but Rudolph is having its annual Christmas in July festivities. Even Santa will be there, but he'll be on a boat, not a sleigh and you'll probably find him on the golf course instead of anywhere near his workshop. Merry is busy getting her shop ready for the July festivities. Mrs. Claus's Treasures has never looked so good, until foul murder is committed on the premises. Unfortunatel, Merry has a connection to the murder victim He was her boyfriend before she left the big city a year ago to move back home and become a shop owner. We meet all sorts of different people in town for the festival, but people from the magazine where Merry worked are the least welcome to her. This is a fun little cozy, and it sort of suits the season even though it's set in July instead of December. Best character in the book - Merry's St. Bernard puppy whose name is Matterhorn (Mattie) for short. Dogs and Christmas and murder - what a deightful combination! ( )

A good cozy mystery set in a town that makes its living by having Christmas all year. Engaging characters, a bit of romance, and good plotting. ( )

Perfect reading to pass the time on a long plane ride. Revisiting Rudolph, New York in the summertime was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see how the town, dependent on year round holiday tourism, spins the Santa story for a Christmas in July event. People from Merry's past life in the city arrive in town to cover the event, murder and suspicion follow. ( )