Friday, June 22, 2018

No Grater Danger: A Vintage Kitchen Mystery

Good Day!  Buried in Books by Kate Carlisle will be out on June 26 along with Runaway Murder by Leigh Heron and Murder at the Mansion by Sheila ConnollyDeserts, Driving and Derelicts by Tonya Kappes also releases on June 26.  It is the second book in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.  So many new books will be out in the next few weeks.  I wish I could spend more time reading!

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.  Victoria Hamilton also writes A Merry Muffin Mystery series.

The other novels in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series are A Deadly Grind, Bowled Over, Freezer I'll Shoot, No Mallets Intended, White Colander Crime and Leave It To Cleaver. Thank you for reading my review.  May happy hour come around quickly for you (which means the work day is over)!  I will see you soon when I share my thoughts on a book that I have read recently.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

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