In the brand-new Vintage Kitchen Mystery from the author of Leave It to Cleaver, someone out to spice up their life means to crush a helpless victim . . . “Delightfully entertaining, well-written, and an interesting and exciting plot. Literally keeps you guessing right to the end.” —Goodreads on Leave It to CleaverVintage cookware enthusiast Jaymie Leighton is thrilled at the prospect of meeting … is thrilled at the prospect of meeting an elderly descendant of her town’s founding father, not least because she’s known to possess an enviably large collection of antique spice graters. But the curmudgeonly woman also has substantial real estate holdings, and at the moment she’s engaged in a fierce battle with a property developer who wants her to sell off her old buildings in the name of progress. When Jaymie goes to visit the woman and discovers that there’s been an attempt on her life, she polishes up her sleuthing skills to find out who was behind the foul deed.
Her first instinct is to suspect the developer, but as she digs deeper into the case she learns that her older new friend has purportedly been the victim of numerous criminal acts—all of which point to different suspects. Unsure if the stories are true or simply the confused ramblings of a senior citizen, Jaymie sifts through the clues hoping to expose the culprit, but she knows that if she keeps stirring up trouble, she’ll be next on the would-be killer’s list . . .
Includes a vintage recipe!
Praise for the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries:
“All the right ingredients . . . Small-town setting, kitchen antiques . . . and a bowlful of mystery. A perfect recipe.” —New York Times bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert
“[A] charming new series.” —New York Times bestselling author Sheila Connolly
“A chilling whodunit.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Well-plotted with several unexpected twists and more developed characters.” —The Mystery Reader
“Jaymie is a great character . . . She is inquisitive and full of surprises!” —Debbie’s Book Bag
About the Author:
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. In addition to the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, she also writes the Merry Muffin Mystery series and blogs at Killer Characters. Visit her website at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com.
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The Vintage Kitchen Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton is the kind that grows on you with each new edition. I’m now finished with the 7th book, No Grater Danger, and have one more left to be current with the available releases. It’s one of my goals for this year’s reading challenge – too not fall behind on series and authors I enjoy reading. Overall, I liked this book, and I found the mystery challenging and clever.
Jaymie is newly married to Jakob and learning to be a mother to her stepdaughter, Jocie. Jocie’s experiencing a few issues at school with other kids and is pushing her boundaries, but Jaymie quickly figures out how to step in and be a good parent. Jakob is supportive of her plans, and they decide on plans for future businesses for their family. Meanwhile, Jaymie’s checking out a collection of vintage graters. Between stolen goods, a few death attempts on an older woman Jaymie met once before, and a plot to turn somewhat unused waterfront property into bigger real estate investments, the bodies begin to turn up!
While this is a cozy mystery series, the murder doesn’t happen until about 50% into the book; however, there are other mysteries beforehand leading up to it, so I wasn’t concerned as the intrigue and suspense percolated from the beginning. In the end, the reasoning and clues all made sense. I guessed the killer but not right away, as it really could’ve legitimately been 3 people with valid reasons. Hamilton gives you lots to think about, and with the supporting cast and the subplots, you’re always entertained.
I particularly enjoyed learning all about the vintage tools in this book. I could more easily picture them and their uses this time. I much prefer cozies with a theme I can connect to, and this is a series that lives up to the sub-genre. I’m looking forward to the latest one which came out late last year and is on my Kindle to start later this month.
This is yet another lovely addition to the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. It is well written, flows smoothly and has a delightful cast of secondary characters. I guessed who the villain was fairly on in the book, but figuring out the what, why and how was still fun.
We’ve watched Jaymie Leighton grow and change through six books. She’s an entrepreneur with multiple jobs – she writes a newspaper column, she works at the emporium, she occasionally works in her sister’s antique shop and she re-creates vintage recipes for modern cooks. However, her favorite thing is collecting vintage cookware. Now, however, her most favorite thing is her new husband, Jakob Mueller, and her new step-daughter, Jocie.
One of Jaymie’s favorite places to be is Queensville’s heritage house. She has worked hard, along with the other members of the Queensville Heritage Society, to make the heritage house a wonderful representation of Queensville’s heritage. So, when Jaymie is presented with the opportunity to use the vintage kitchen area of the heritage house for trying a new teaching technique, she can’t wait to give it a try. The subject will be the spice trade and the trade routes used to get the spices around the world. Luckily, a local family has quite a historical link to the spice trade and Jaymie hopes to learn some of the history to share with the class – and maybe – she can borrow some of the antique nutmeg grinders owned by Miss Perry to display at the heritage house.
Miss Perry is a feisty, independent, crotchety octogenarian who doesn’t take well to strangers. Luckily, Jaymie’s friend, Mrs. Stubbs is her cousin and sets up an appointment for Jaymie to meet Miss Perry. Jaymie and Miss Perry like each other instantly and they strike a tentative deal for Miss Perry to loan the grinders to the historical society. However, when Jaymie comes to pick up the grinders, the door is unlocked, but nobody answers. Feeling apprehensive, Jaymie opens the door and calls out to Miss Perry – but nobody answers. Jaymie is worried for Miss Perry and enters and looks through the home until she finds Miss Perry – lying at the foot of the stairs.
Poor Jaymie seems to attract dead bodies – but, luckily, Miss Perry isn’t dead, but she is gravely injured. However, Jaymie fears for Miss Perry’s life because there are some strange things happening around the lady. There have been thefts and other ‘accidents’ that could easily have taken her life. Jaymie’s insatiable curiosity is always engaged and she becomes more and more worried about her new friend. Then, a real dead body is found in Miss Perry’s backyard.
There are lots of twists and turns and red herrings scattered throughout the story. Whether you figure out the villain early on or not, the story is still a lovely read. Is there only one villain or several? Why in the world would they want to harm a lovely old lady? Well, you’ll just have to read the story to find out all the answers.
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“I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher.”
Another fantastic story in what has turned out to be a GREAT series. Jaymie manages to get herself into another pickle but help comes at just the right moment. (I know she will be fine but I always get antsy anyway). Loved the radio show and I hope it becomes a regular thing for her. Not sure how I feel about the new investment at the tree farm but I guess I will see how it goes.
Nicely done mystery.
Good characters and plenty of possible “bad guys.”
Quite enjoyable.
This is a fabulous mystery! No Grater Danger is #7 in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series and surpasses the rest! I love the setting, mostly in Michigan, across the St. Clair River from Canada. I like the continuity of characters; Jaymie and her new family are a delight. The mystery includes local history through various kitchen instruments specifically related to the spice trade to Queensville.
When they married, Jaymie and her husband Jakob chose to spend part of the year in Queensville in her family home, and part of the time out of town on a corner of his Christmas tree lot. They first met in his home in the log cabin Jakob had made by hand from a kit when she was escaping from a killer. He, Jaymie, and his daughter, Jocie, are a tight-knit family.
Sybil is the principal of Jocie’s school and Jaymie’s friend. A dedicated educator, Sybil talks with Jaymie about Learning through Objects, a concept not yet tried in history classes. Martha (Perry) Stubbs will work with the head of the Heritage committee for permission for Jocie’s class to go through Queensville Historic Manor, learning through artifacts in the House. Jaymie will visit Lois Perry, the elderly cousin of Martha and keeper of all historical items and papers related to the Perry family and their lead in the spice trade. Lois also owns much of the land at the docks, refusing to sell to a developer, who says the best thing that could happen would be for her to die so her niece would inherit everything…and sell it to get the town on its feet again.
Lois will loan various items to the Manor, including antique kitchen implements and spice graters. Her great niece, Morgan, is in her 30’s and helps Lois with anything she needs. Lois lives alone, even after a break-in resulting in the loss of an extensive silver set that was purchased (with provenance) at the antique store Jaymie’s sister and brother-in-law own. She is injured in her home by someone putting a trip wire on her stairs, and the body of the man who wanted to buy the Perry land is found dead on her property. Jaymie tries to find a way to help Lois.
Jocie is adorable, a scene stealer. Lois is fascinating, knowing the background of the family antiques, documents, and other memorabilia. I love how the characters who feel like old friends have grown and changed over time, particularly Jaymie, who is a happy wife and mother. All characters, including Lois and Morgan, are defined well for their roles.
This novel was hard to put down! An authentic touch of Michigan was one of my favorite places to visit near my hometown. Seeing mention of Bronner’s in Frankenmuth brings fond memories of a family member and I spending many hours going through Christmas decorations and crafts from around the world. Jaymie’s primary focus is Jakob and Jocie, and she still makes time for friends, whether old, such as Valetta and Martha, or new, such as Lois Perry. I would enjoy seeing Lois again; she is the source of much of the history. The mystery builds with tantalizing details, suspects, and red herrings. This reader was hard-pressed to figure out who really dunit. The end brings many delights and surprises, and I was very satisfied with the resolution and teasers of what we can look forward to with Jakob and Jaymie’s new ventures. I highly recommend No Grater Danger and this series!
From a grateful heart: I won a copy of this cozy mystery from the author through the Killer Characters blog and was not obligated to provide a review.
This is my favorite book in the series. Jaymie is settling into married life and being a wife and mother. She, of course, gets caught up in investigating a murder and attempted murder. I love the relationship Jaymie has with her husband and daughter. They are truly a heartwarming family. I look forward to seeing what’s next for Jaymie, Jakob, and Jocie and third friends!
No Grater Danger by Victoria Hamilton is the 7th in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries series but the first one I have read.
The first few chapters I was lost due to having so many characters brought in at once. I would have to stop and remember who they all were but once the story got into the base mystery, I truly enjoyed the book.
One of my favorite things about the book was the unconventional protagonist. She is not only a newly wed but a step parent to a special needs daughter who makes time for herself by having girls nights with her friends.
I also enjoyed the vintage kitchen items and the antiques.
The story has enjoyable and relatable characters and a setting that will have you wanting to go to Queensville for a visit. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
I was given a copy of the book for an honest review by Netgalley.
No Grater Danger by Victoria Hamilton is the seventh story in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. Jaymie Leighton Muller is enjoying her new life married to Jakob and taking care of her stepdaughter, Jocie. Sybil Thorndike, Jocie’s school principal, asks Jaymie to assist in a new program that involves teaching through objects. They want to use objects from the heritage house for an upcoming spice trade lesson. Mrs. Stubbs suggests Jaymie talk with her cousin, Lois Perry who owns a large collection of nutmeg graters along with other historical objects. Lois Perry is a reclusive woman who lives in the Nutmeg Palace and owns the waterfront property in town. Fergus Baird, a developer, has been badgering Lois to sell off the property. When Jaymie arrives for a meeting with Lois, she finds her at the bottom of the back stairs. Someone set it up for Lois to fall and this was not the first time an attempt has been made on her life. Jaymie sets out to find the person behind these dastardly deeds because the next attempt on Lois’ life could be successful.
No Grater Danger contains good writing, a steady pace and smooth transitions. There is a great cast of established characters and I like the addition of Lois Perry (feisty and intelligent woman). I have liked watching Jaymie grow over the course of the series, and I am glad that she has found the right partner for her in Jakob Muller. Queensville, Michigan is a lovely town with quaint shops and I appreciate how they want to preserve their history. There are beautiful descriptions of vintage items in the book including the Savoy by Buccellati Sterling Silver set, various nutmeg graters, and Pyrex. The mystery is well-crafted with a twist that will surprise you. There are red herrings and multiple suspects. Jaymie actively questions suspects and seeks clues to aid her investigation. Armchair sleuths will be able to discern the guilty parties’ identity early in the story. However, it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. I wanted to keep reading to discover the why and spend more time in Queensville. There are many appealing cozy moments in the story with Jaymie and her new family (hubby and stepdaughter), time with friends, cooking and eating, shopping, and wonderful descriptions of vintage items. I am giving No Grater Danger 4 out of 5 stars. I could have done with less repetition of facts and speculation. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series.
This was a nice cozy. It was interesting to learn about spice graters. The mystery took a while to develop, but once it did, the story grabbed my attention. The victim and murderer took me by surprise. The writing style is easy to read and the characters are likeable. The story was a slow starter for me and therefore did not keep my interest. I had to get 1/3 to 1/2 way through the story before it kept me interested. Lots of characters and I often had to stop and figure out who was who. Also I had a hard time determining if this story took place in Canada or the US. The author does mention Michigan, but there is a lot of talk of Canada with the UK thrown in. Not my favorite, but still a nice read.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review.