We Wish You a Murderous ChristmasWhew! I’m glad that’s over. The investigation into the murder of Nigel Pierce was solved and the reputation of Rudolph, New York as American’s Christmas Town was saved! (see Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen).

The lead up to Christmas Day isn’t exactly relaxing for me, seeing as to how I own a shop called Mrs. Claus’ Treasures on Jingle Bell Lane, but it is nice to have that nasty business no longer hanging over me or my best friend Vicky Casey, owner of Victoria’s Bake Shoppe, my favourite place for lunch and guilty treats.

Although . . . Rumours are swirling around town about Gord Olsen and his plans. Gord’s father Jack owns the Yuletide Inn, one of the nicest hotels in Rudolph. The gardens adjoining the inn are a major tourist attraction, winter and summer.

Jack had a heart attack, a bad one, and Gord has been summoned from California to help run the inn. I remember Gord Olsen from back in high school. Let’s just say that he doesn’t seem to have changed much, personality wise.

Anyway, as I said rumours are flying. Burley men in construction boots have been seen stomping around the gardens, jotting down notes and measuring things, and other men in suits and ties have sat at tables in the Elves’ Lunch box consulting mysterious binders stuffed full of papers and drawings.

Rumours say they are here from Fine Budget Inns and Mega-Mart.

The Yuletide Inn –quaint, charming, historic — is one of the highlights of Rudolph and people come from far and wide to visit the beautiful gardens.

Some of the townspeople are not happy at the thought that Gord might be planning to sell the place out from under his father. Not the least of whom is my own father, Noel, our town’s official Santa Claus and one of the its biggest boosters.

Dad was heard to threaten Gord if he goes ahead with his plans. I sure hope nothing happens to escalate the situation.

Is there a Grinch in America’s Christmas Town? Can Christmas be saved? Find out in We Wish You A Murderous Christmas.


We Wish You a Murderous Christmas is the second book in the Year-Round Christmas mystery series, published by Penguin Random House, November 2016.

A grinch is spoiling the holiday cheer and causing fear in the latest from the author of Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen. . .

It’s Christmastime three hundred sixty-five days a year in Rudolph, New York, and as Christmas Day approaches, shop owner Merry Wilkinson is enjoying a rare evening off at the Yuletide Inn when she runs into owners Grace and Jack Olsen. With Jack’s health failing, Merry is relieved to hear that his son Gord will be taking over the day-to-day running of the Inn.

But then Gord reveals that his new plans have no room for Christmas at the Inn, and Merry and the other shopkeepers start to fret about the effect a bland franchise hotel could have on their livelihoods.

When Gord is found stabbed to death, there’s an entire town of potential suspects—and it’s up to Merry to find whoever brought homicide home for the holidays. . .

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About the author
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers. She is the author of twenty-three published crime novels, including standalone Gothic thrillers, the Constable Molly Smith series, and the Year Round Christmas Mysteries. Under the pen name of Eva Gates she is the national bestselling author of the Lighthouse Library cozy series.

Vicki lives and writes in Prince Edward County, Ontario. She is the past president of the Crime Writers of Canada.

Connect with Vicki at www.vickidelany.com, on Facebook, and at @vickidelany and @evagatesauthor.

All comments are welcomed.

Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a print copy of We Wish You a Murderous Christmas. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends November 2, 2016 at 11:59 AM EST. Good luck everyone!