Review by Booklist Review
A small town in Vermont seems like an unlikely setting for multiple grisly murders, suspicious activities by a mysterious religious cult, and infiltration by a gang of violent Russian thugs, but where former Army MP Mercy Carr and her trusty canine sidekick Elvis go, bizarre events seem to follow. In her latest adventure (after The Night Woods, 2024), Mercy and her game warden husband, Troy, are getting ready to celebrate their baby Felicity's first Christmas and the town's annual Solstice Soirée, highlighting both pagan and Christmas traditions. However, Elvis discovers the body of Mercy's Uncle Lazlo, set alight and tied to a Yule log in the woods, and while Troy is tracking a poacher through the forest, he stumbles on a long-dead body. But when The Singing Plumber, a local with a fabulous voice, keels over while performing at the Solstice Soirée, Mercy fears a serial killer is on the loose. As always in Mercy's adventures, there's danger, violence, and suspense interspersed with welcome doses of gentle humor and warm-hearted family life. Recommend to fans of Jen Blood and Sara Driscoll.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In Munier's captivating seventh case for former Army corporal Mercy Carr and her retired bomb-sniffing Belgian shepherd, Elvis (after The Night Woods), Mercy tackles a string of murders that hit uncomfortably close to home. At the outset, the sleepy town of Northshire, Vt., is gearing up for its annual Winter Solstice Soiree. On the night of the party, the event's Santa Claus--Lazlo "Uncle Laz" Ford, who also reluctantly serves as Northshire's mayor--fails to show up. Concerned, Mercy and Elvis go sniffing around town, only to discover a gruesome scene in the woods: Uncle Laz's dead body, hollowed out and stuffed with a flaming yule log. That turns out to be merely the first in a string of gruesome murders that plague picturesque Northshire before the holidays, which a determined Mercy discovers might have something to do with mild-mannered Uncle Laz's secret past. Munier begins by hitting familiar small-town mystery beats, then ups the stakes with unexpected twists and hints of international intrigue. The results will keep even longtime fans of the author on their toes. (Dec.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Munier's seventh Mercy Carr mystery (following The Night Woods) has former army MP Mercy laser-focused on making her daughter Felicity's first Christmas the best one ever. This means visiting Santa Claus, negotiating among family members about who gets to decorate the house, and finding the perfect gift for her husband, Troy. What Mercy is not expecting is the discovery of the dead body of the town mayor, who was playing Santa at the time he was killed. It turns out that other prominent citizens are being targeted by someone whom newspapers are calling the Yuletide Killer. Meanwhile, Troy and the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department are stretched thin trying to track down poachers. Could their cases be connected, and can Mercy solve the crimes in time for Christmas? This entry in Munier's series lands firmly on the cozy side of the mystery spectrum, lacking much of the grit present in earlier books. Dogs Elvis and Susie Bear remain a delight, and the usual secondary characters make appearances, but the spotlight is on Mercy in her new role as a mother. VERDICT A solid choice for those who like holiday mysteries.--Laurel Bliss
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A holly, jolly Christmas celebration is spoiled by murder. Mercy Carr and her husband, Troy Warner, are thrilled to be celebrating baby Felicity's first Christmas. Mercy, Felicity, and their Belgian Shepherd, Elvis, have finally made it to the head of the line to see Santa--not the usual Santa, but his replacement, Lazlo Ford, a respected CPA Mercy knows as Uncle Laz--when he gets a phone call and hurries off. Mercy hands Felicity to a friend and, taking Elvis, goes after Laz, only to find him dead in the woods with a burning yule log on his body. Though Mercy is busy with her baby and her wildlife studies, her background as a military police officer has helped her solve several murders, and her family draws her into this one. Meanwhile, Troy and his dog, Susie Bear, are pursuing an illegal trapper whose misdeeds are worse than imagined. The escaping poacher's accidental fall unearths a hidden skull with a bullet hole. Lazlo's death brings to the fore a local woman claiming to be his pregnant fiancée and a stunning Russian woman claiming to be his daughter. In fact, many clues point to Russia, especially the tale of the Snow Maiden, bringing Mercy's Uncle Hugo, who is associated with a spy agency, into the investigation. Obviously, there was a lot more to Laz than people knew, including the impressive balance in his Swiss bank account. The next to go is the Singing Plumber, who dies while singing at one of the festivities. What do a Russian assassin, a druid group, a poacher, and a faux religious group have to do with the murders? Christmas minutiae and a truly complex mystery bring thrills and joy to a hometown celebration. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
