by Tracy Condie, Sarah E. Burr, & Sandra Murphy

This week we have reviews and giveaways of 3 more fun mysteries as we play catchup for the end of 2024-A Slay Ride Together With You: Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series by Vicki Delaney, All’s Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally, The Night Woods by Paula Munier, and Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber. Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of all 4 books and links to purchase them from Amazon at the end of each review.

A Slay Ride Together With You: Year-Round Christmas Mystery Series by Vicki Delaney
Review by Tracy Condie

This is book 7 in the Year-Round Christmas Mystery series. Merry Wilkinson finds herself sleuthing a mystery with Halloween vibes during the Easter season in the Christmas themed town of Rudolph New York. Not to worry, you do not have to be familiar with the series to be able to enjoy the story.

Merry’s BFF is Vicky Casey, a gifted baker engaged to be married to an equally gifted chef named Mark Grosse. Together, they purchased the fixer-upper known as the Cole House. The word around town is that Vicky and Mark must have lost their minds because the place has a sad and possibly cursed history. Not to worry: the backstory for the Cole house is included. In fact, there is plenty of backstory regarding all the characters to keep you in the loop. There are also some great interactions between characters.

Merry’s mom, Aline Steiner Wilkinson, is a real diva as in opera diva, and a little bit of a regular diva. Noel Wilkinson, her dad, is the official town Santa Claus, complete with real beard and jolly disposition. Merry takes after her dad a bit more than her mom, which is probably why everyone thinks Merry’s store assistant, Jackie, is indulged to the point that she gets delusions of grandeur. In Jackie’s defense, Merry is often running off to ask questions and hunt for clues instead of managing Mrs. Claus’s Treasurers. If it weren’t for Merry, the readers would not be able to armchair sleuth.

Ms. Delaney does a great job keeping readers intrigued and turning pages as they try to reason out who killed obnoxious Jim Cole, cousin to the former owner of the Cole house. Suspects include Jim’s own daughter whom he’d abandoned when he left her mother. He has an additional ex-wife and a current girlfriend, both of whom are “distraught” that such a financially well-off and loving man has been murdered. The only reason Merry is involved is because Mark, who has a bit of a temper, is found standing over the corpse.

The story moved at a good pace with well-thought-out red herrings. I figured out the “who” but not the “why.” I also enjoyed the little something extra that Aline and Jackie add to the story. Although it’s Easter season in the book, it was still a great cozy for a year-round Christmas town.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Tracy Condie is a paralegal by day and cozy armchair sleuth by night. When she is not working or reading, she enjoys preparing the recipes found in culinary cozies or researching recipes of meal items described therein and sharing reviews of both books and food on Instagram and on KRL. She lives in Corona, California with her husband and dog Zoolie, and looks forward to visiting with their grown sons when their time permits.

All’s Fair in Love and Treachery by Celeste Connally
Review by Sarah E. Burr

This was my first time reading Celeste Connally’s work, but it certainly won’t be my last. All’s Fair in Love and Treachery is a captivating continuation of the Lady Petra Inquires series. With this being my first introduction to Lady Petra, I was immediately taken with her. Her kindness, sincerity, and sense of justice are apparent right from Chapter One. Set in the vibrant backdrop of post-Waterloo London, this novel blends the elegance of the Regency era with the thrilling suspense of a classic whodunit.

Lady Petra Forsyth is a delightfully complex character. Ahead of her time when it comes to women’s rights and freedoms, she is somewhat of a rulebreaker when it comes to 1800s London society. Her betrothed’s death three years prior to the novel’s start permeates her existence, and it’s very moving to see her carry her grief from Emerson’s tragic passing and grow from it. The story begins with Petra receiving news that Emerson’s death was actually a murder plot and that her current paramour (someone she very much cares for) is the mastermind behind Emerson’s demise.

Determined to uncover the truth behind her fiancé’s murder and a mysterious new plot threatening the monarchy, Petra sets out to find answers. Connally’s writing is both witty and insightful, bringing to life a strong, independent heroine who navigates treacherous social circles with grace and tenacity. But those social circles aren’t all ringed with thorns. With friends like Lady Caroline and Lottie, there are wonderful moments of joy and levity.

All’s Fair in Love and Treachery will keep readers on the edge of their seats while the historical details add a rich layer of authenticity. If you love mysteries with a feminist twist and a dash of historical intrigue, this book is a must-read. Dive into the world of Lady Petra and be prepared to be thoroughly entertained!

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Sarah E. Burr is the award-winning author of the Glenmyre Whim Mysteries, Trending Topic Mysteries, the Book Blogger Mysteries, and the Court of Mystery series. She is the producer and co-host of It’s Bookish Time TV, a web channel featuring live-streamed author interviews. When she’s not spinning up stories, Sarah reads everything from mystery to manga, plays video games, and enjoys walks with her dog, Eevee. Stay connected with Sarah and receive free short stories via her newsletter: https://bit.ly/saraheburrbookssignup.

The Night Woods by Paula Munier
Review by Sandra Murphy

Mercy Carr is used to working with her K-9 dog, Elvis, a Belgian Malinois, not being confined to limited duty. Still, being eight months pregnant with multiple people telling her to ‘take it easy’ means she has to slow down or they’re apt to put her under their version of house arrest.

Staying fit is a priority so hikes into the woods to visit a ‘found friend,’ Homer, at his cabin for a game of Scrabble is a welcome diversion. Until Elvis found a dead body inside. Thankfully, it’s not Homer but also it’s no one Mercy knows. There’s no sign of Homer or his dog, Argos.

Cell phone access is spotty at best so Mercy has to hike to higher ground to get a signal. An added worry are the wild pigs who shred the ground and anything resembling food—and they’re not picky about the definition of food. It would be a disaster for both Mercy and Elvis to encounter one or more of them.

On their uphill climb, they find Homer, clearly injured and in no shape to help himself. Mercy can’t leave him where he is, not with wild pigs in the area. She manages to make a rough gurney of sorts and pulls him up the hill with her where they can call for help.

Mercy’s usually in charge of an investigation, not sitting on the sidelines. She persuades all concerned—and that’s quite a number of people who’ve taken over her life since she discovered her pregnancy—that it’s good for her and the baby to be involved in the case. Without putting themselves in danger, of course.

Her relatives and husband are too obvious to be the ones who cramp her investigative style but a younger cousin, Tandie, who is described as ‘a handful’ is sent to stay with Mercy and Troy, at least until the baby comes. Tandie has firm instructions to not let Mercy out of her sight, a responsibility she takes seriously, especially as flood waters are an added danger.

This book has layers of story, full of Mercy and Troy’s happiness about the baby, the friends and relatives who have distinct opinions about names, gender, and acceptable behavior for pregnant women, Homer’s past and future, as well as secrets from Mercy’s past life as an MP. In the end, it all comes together for a satisfying read—and it’s good for a reread or two as well. The Night Woods is book six in the series. I hope there will be many more.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

Murder on the Page by Daryl Wood Gerber
Review by Sandra Murphy

Allie Catt has her own bakery/catering company. She supplies cookies, cupcakes, and more to local coffee shops, B&Bs, and the local bookstore owned by Marigold. Themed events are Allie’s specialty but that angers Vanna who has her own company. As Marigold’s niece, Vanna wants exclusive rights to supply the bookstore’s treats. She tends to a fancier menu which isn’t what Marigold wants for her customers. Vanna’s temperament is always combative, not only with Allie but towards her own family as well—Tegan, a half-sister, Noeline, her mother (sister to Marigold), included.

Noeline is dating again after the death of her second husband. Rick secures bonds for hospitals, volunteers to read to children who are patients, and seems to be an attentive, caring guy. Still, only Noeline, and sometimes Vanna, like him.

Marigold’s a much-loved woman, willing to help customers not only to find the right book but is there for them when their personal lives run into a snag. It’s more than a shock when Marigold is found dead in the bookstore and not from natural causes. Who would want to hurt such a kind woman?

Tegan inherits part of the bookstore, as well as shares in her aunt’s house and valuables. She’s a natural suspect but Allie knows she’s innocent—Tegan is her best friend. How can the two of them prove it? They’ll find a way, even if it puts them in physical danger or endangers Allie’s friendship with the lead detective on the case.

This is the first in a new series and promises to be a good one. The references to Pride and Prejudice, Marigold’s favorite book, are throughout the story, giving promise that future books will follow that theme. Allie is a loyal friend, Tegan more impulsive of the two. The possible friendship leading to romance with the detective is full of possibilities. Be aware—all the talk of food will make you hungry!

Allie kindly includes recipes (baked goods also have recipes for gluten-free versions): chocolate butterscotch cookies, trifle, triple chocolate trifle with homemade caramel sauce, Maids of Honor (tarts with raspberry jam), pound cake, poached salmon, shortbread cookies, and white soup made with veal chops and chicken (and unsweetened almond milk) – warning: it simmers for two hours and refrigerates overnight before the additional ingredients are added to finish.

Gerber is the author of several series, most recently the five books in the Fairy Garden mysteries, whimsical and fun reads.

You can click here to purchase this book from Amazon.

To enter to win a copy of all 4 books, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “end of 2024” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 4, 2025. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. Also listen to our new mystery podcast where mystery short stories and first chapters are read by actors! They are also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, and Spotify.

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s the editor for the upcoming Yeet Me in St Louis, an anthology with stories from twelve St. Louis writers. Her own short stories have appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mystery Magazine, and anthologies such as The Perp Wore Pumpkin and I (Almost) Died in Your Arms. ‘Lucy’s Tree’, published in The Eyes of Texas, won a Derringer Award from the Short Mystery Fiction Society. She lives in St. Louis with Ozzie the Westie Impersonator and his sidekick in crime, Louie the Cat.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.