ARC Review: The Snow Lies Deep by Paula Munier

The Snow Lies Deep
Author: Paula Munier
Series: Mercy Carr Mysteries (Book 7)
Publication: Minotaur Books (December 2, 2025)

Description: The latest thrilling installment in the bestselling Mercy Carr mystery series

Mercy and Troy are looking forward to baby Felicity’s first holiday season, and they’re determined to make it a Christmas to remember. At Northshire’s annual Solstice Soirée, hosted by Northshire’s finest and funded by Mercy’s billionaire pal Feinberg, Amy’s little girl Helena is sitting on Santa Claus’s lap. She’s telling him she’d like a Bitty Baby doll just like little Felicity when the bearded man leaps up, thrusts the toddler at her mother Amy, and staggers away from the festivities. He disappears into the woods. By the time Elvis and Mercy find him, Santa Claus aka the town mayor, is lying on his back, dead. A yule log made of oak sits on his chest, burning bright, a beacon of light on the darkest day of the year.

This strange murder is the first of a series of similar Solstice-themed killings targeting the town’s most prominent citizens. Beloved family friend Lillian Jenkins, the grande dame of Northshire, could be next. Mercy and Troy and the dogs must team up with Thrasher and Harrington to capture The Yuletide Killer before he strikes again, this time far closer to home.

My Thoughts: Mercy and Troy are getting ready to celebrate their nine-month-old daughter Felicity's first Christmas. But before they do, they have to find out who is killing people starting with the local mayor who's playing Santa for the Solstice Celebration. 

Lazlo Ford is a family friend. He's a financial advisor who is temporarily serving as mayor after the previous mayor's death. He was roped into being Santa when the usual Santa had to visit his sick grandmother. Mercy and Felicity are visiting with him when he thrusts Felicity into Mercy's arm and runs off into the woods. 

When Mercy and her dog Elvis manage to track him down, he has been shot dead and a burning yule log put on his stomach. Mercy doesn't want to get involved in the investigation since she would prefer to spend time with her baby, but everyone in town just assumes she'll investigate. 

While Mercy investigates and discovers that Lazlo had a secret past, Troy and his dog Suzie Bear are busy tracking a poacher who is illegally hunting fur animals. 

But Lazlo's is only the first death and Mercy needs to get to the bottom of the case before she ruins her daughter's first Christmas. 

I enjoyed this seventh book in the Mercy Carr mystery series. The characters are well drawn. The plot was fast paced. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.