#vickidelany

Welcome to Cozy Wednesday! It is my pleasure to welcome Vicki Delany to Escape With Dollycas today!

Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas (Year-Round Christmas Mystery) by Vicki Delany

Hi Vicki,  Please tell us a little bit about yourself.           Thanks for asking. I am the author of more than 50 published books.  Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas will be the 52nd. I started my career writing standalone suspense and police procedurals. Now I write cozies. I have four cozy series currently running: The Year-Round Christmas series, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop books, and the Tea by the Sea mysteries, as well as the Lighthouse Library series I write under the pen name of Eva Gates. I live in Prince Edward County Ontario and I am a past chair of the Crime Writers of Canada. What are three things most people don’t know about you? Hard to say. I’m rather an open book. However: I am an extreme introvert, which some people find surprising. Introvert doesn’t mean shy, remember. I wasn’t a cat person until I had to look after my daughters’ (plural) cats (plural) for several months and I decided I like cats a great deal. I don’t have a pet because I travel too much. What books/authors have most inspired you? I particularly loved Mary Stewart and Barbara Michaels when I was younger and wished I could tell stories like them. My first exposure to mysteries was the VI Warshawski books by Sara Paretsky.

What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? None? Okay, not exactly none. I have done location research for books in places I’ve never been or haven’t been recently, such as going to Cape Cod for the Sherlock Holmes and Tea by the Sea mysteries, and the Outer Banks for the Lighthouse Library series. Which is always great fun. In October I’m going to the UK, for location research for both the Tea by the Sea series and the next Sherlock book as I plan to set books from those series in Halifax and London, respectively. I have done research into killing methods, poison in particular. The eleventh Lighthouse Library book (coming 2025) is all about art, so I did some research into 19th-century American impressionism.

The plot of Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas is about an amateur theatrical production of the musical version of A Christmas Carol. I’m very familiar with the book but have never seen that adaption, so I watched several versions of it on YouTube. Other than the travel, I don’t start any research until I’m well into the book and discover what I need to know, that I don’t. Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block? When I originally took creative writing, I was told there’s no such thing. It’s a job. Do it. Plumbers don’t get plumbers’ block. So, no. I don’t.  I have good writing days and bad writing days, but I wouldn’t call that Writer’s Block. What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer? I have two pieces of advice which I give regularly: - Read and read a lot. You can’t be a writer if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve. Plus you need to know what’s popular and what’s being read these days - Persistence is key. Keep on writing and keep on submitting. When you are not writing what do you like to do? I do jigsaw puzzles. I work on one most days. I travel a lot. Usually two or three big trips a year as well as smaller trips to closer places. If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?           As it happens I’ve booked one of my dream destinations for next year. The Galapagos. Ten days on a boat touring the islands, preceded by nine days’ tour of Ecuador. Otherwise, I’m lucky enough to have been to a great many places all over the world, particularly in South and East Africa which I love. The only place I have not been where I’d particularly like to go is Antarctica.

What is next on the horizon for you? Keep writing. I have continuing contracts for all my series, so I’m working on those. Between that, as I mentioned above, I’m off to England in October and Ecuador in January. The next book coming out, after Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas, is The Sign of Four Spirits, the 9th Sherlock Holmes Bookshop book which will be released next January. Vicki, thank you so much for visiting. It is always fun to get to know the author of the books we love a bit better. I would love to stow away in your luggage to The Galapagos. It is one of my dream destinations too. Now keep reading for my thoughts about Have Yourself a Deadly Little Christmas.   

I love this series and was shocked a couple of weeks ago when I realized I had not read Dying in a Winter Wonderland as soon as it was released.  I was driving myself a little crazy trying to figure out how I missed this book. Well, then I realized it was released when I was in the middle of my cancer treatments. I had started reading it but didn't finish it because of a short hospital stay. My chemo brain was in full effect at that time too. When I opened the book on my Kindle it was on Chapter Six. Apparently, I started a new book and didn't remember to finish this one. So I backed it up and started from the beginning. I apologize to Vicki for my delayed review. The next book Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas is being released on September 19.

Dying in a Winter Wonderland (A Year-Round Christmas Mystery) Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting - New York Berkley (September 29, 2020) Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593197062 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593197066 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0838K67C9

In the town of Rudolph, New York, the Christmas season should make spirits bright, but as the year comes to an end, so does a life, in the fifth installment of this charming cozy mystery series. Christmas has arrived in Rudolph, New York, and Merry Wilkinson is looking forward to a much-needed rest. But before that can happen, Luanne Ireland walks through her door. Luanne had asked Merry to help make decorations for her wedding but has suddenly moved the wedding months earlier and is now demanding that everyone follow her lead, regardless of the cost. But that cost is much higher than anyone anticipated. When Luanne's fiancé is found murdered at their proposed wedding venue, Merry resolves to restore peace and calm to the community of Rudolph. But the closer she gets to the killer, the more personal the case becomes, and Merry begins to worry that a death knell could ring in the New Year. Dollycas's Thoughts  We arrive in Rudolph, New York, just in time for Christmas Eve and Merry is looking forward to a little relaxation after the holidays. Then, Luanne Ireland comes into the shop bubbling with excitement. She had asked Merry to do the decorations for her wedding and now instead of a summer wedding, she wants to get married on Valentine's Day. "What could be more romantic?" Luanne even wants Merry to tell her family, groom, and future in-laws it was her idea. Life with Luanne is never easy but Merry didn't think Luanne's groom would be murdered at the Yuletide Inn, their future wedding venue the day after Christmas. She also didn't expect her brother to be a prime suspect in his death. That makes the murder personal for Merry and she finds herself right in the middle of another investigation. She hopes to help wrap up the case and prove her brother's innocence before the residents of Rudolph ring in the New Year but the killer may have other plans. I love the Wilkerson family. Merry Wilkerson owns Mrs. Claus’s Treasures, her mother Aline is a retired opera diva and her father Noel is the former mayor and performs all Santa Claus duties needed all year long. She has sisters Eve and Carol and a brother Chris. Chris plays a major role in this story. Her best friend, Vicky, owns Victoria's Bakeshop. She helps Merry do some sleuthing whenever she can. I love the way Merry's relationship with Alan has grown. They are truly perfect for each other. Most of the core characters in this series are engaging and genuine. There are a few that are a little prickly and spirited but not in a good way. The crazy quirky of this cozy mystery comes from the characters introduced in this story. Luanne is something else. She can test a person's patience and has total disregard for others. Thankfully Merry and her brother Chris are kind and patient people. Luanne's family, her groom before his death, his ex, and his family are also in their own worlds doing what is best for themselves at all times. I will say that they do deliver some wonderful comedic moments throughout the story. The mystery was complicated and full of surprises. Merry's investigation even takes her, Vicky, and the loveable Mattie, Merry's St. Bernard, to the neighboring town of Muddle Harbor as they try to dig up some dirt while trying to tie some clues together. Merry works so hard, asking questions and keeping her ears open for any detail that will point her in the right direction. Ms. Delany gives her readers presents with plenty of twists and turns and I did my darndest to keep up with each one of them and failed. I had my A-Ha-Moment right along with Merry. There were several possible suspects and the actual killer didn't even make my list. That made the final chapters very exciting as a dangerous showdown played out. I love the theme of this series and the setting of Rudolph. All the Christmas themed places and events are so delightful. Dying in a Winter Wonderland is a fun, entertaining, and merry read. It is a Perfect Escape and perfect to read at any time of year, even now when we are creeping toward 100 degrees here in Wisconsin. Vicki Delany is a fabulous storyteller and I have fun escaping into anything she writes. I am very excited that the next book in this series, Have Yourself A Deadly Little Christmas will be released on September 19.

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent  

About the Author Vicki Delany is a bestselling author of more than twenty novels/novellas in several mystery subgenres. Born in Manitoba and raised in Ontario, she is the former president of the Crime Writers of Canada, a member of Capital Crime Writers, and a member of Sisters in Crime.   Author Links Website – Facebook – Twitter:  @vickidelany and@evagatesauthor – Instagram: vickidelany

Coming September 19, 2023

Also by Vicki Delany

The Game is a Footnote (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery) Cozy Mystery 8th in Series Setting - Massachusetts Crooked Lane Books (January 10, 2023) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639101454 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639101450 Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09XM5M8SC

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are back on the case when a body is discovered in a haunted museum in bestselling author Vicki Delany's eighth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery. Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to ‘eliminate the impossible’. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat. Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum. With the museum being a revolving door for potential killers, they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit. Despite Gemma's determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot. Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it? Dollycas's Thoughts A ghost appears to be haunting the historical reenactment site Scarlet House in West London, Massachusetts in the latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. The museum board asks bookshop owner Gemma Doyle to give her input on the problem. While she doesn't believe in ghosts she reluctantly agrees to spend the night in the home with her friend Jayne and Jayne’s fiancé Andy. Two others camp out in the barn to observe things there. A big storm blew in, they all heard some weird noises, and something upset the barn animals but Gemma had no explanation for any of it. She assumes someone is playing some practical jokes. Then the next day, following a meeting to report on their sleepover Gemma and Jayne find a dead body in the barn. Involved in another murder investigation, Gemma and Jayne delve into the site's history, its board, and volunteers in hopes to uncover who is behind the murder and the mischief at Scarlet House. Add to that Gemma's sister Pippa arrives from England for a surprise visit and Ashleigh, Gemma's unique employee, left in the middle of her shift and is now missing. Oh, and bookshop cat Moriaty has a medical emergency. _____ Ms. Delany has packed a lot of mayhem into this book and I wouldn't ever expect anything different. The characters in this series are strong and well-developed. I did enjoy that it was Jayne's mother, Leslie, that got Jayne and Gemma mixed up with the people at Scarlet House.  I also enjoyed Pippa's surprise visit. Readers are able to see a different side of both Gemma and Jayne. Another character is introduced which brings havoc to the story regarding Ashleigh. I questioned some of the behavior but it worked as a distraction as intended. I was drawn into all the character's interactions easily. The main mystery was pretty straightforward with clues nicely dropped in all the right places. The darn Gemma is a brave soul traveling around the drafty old house by herself while a thunderstorm was booming outside. I wouldn't have done it. She also goes to do some investigating without Jayne by her side and she lands herself in a real fix that she eventually got herself out of. I love this woman. Her keen way of observing things everyone else misses and the way she brings the clues all together are always fun to observe. I want to be just like her in my next life. She pulled this mystery together for a fantastic reveal. While I was on the right track there was a nice little twist that I really enjoyed. She also kept at it to solve the mystery of the missing Ashleigh too. I love the way Ms. Delany tells a story. Her descriptive style paints wonderful pictures of time and place and brings her characters to life. It was so easy to escape into this story. The Game is a Footnote is a marvelous addition to this series. It truly was A Perfect Escape!

Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent  

About the Author Vicki Delany is a bestselling author of more than twenty novels/novellas in several mystery subgenres. Born in Manitoba and raised in Ontario, she is the former president of the Crime Writers of Canada, a member of Capital Crime Writers, and a member of Sisters in Crime. Author Links Website – Facebook – Twitter:  @vickidelany and@evagatesauthor – Instagram: vickidelany

Also by this Author

Find more books by Vicki Delaney here.