Masher of Ceremonies by Victoria Hamilton

 Masher of Ceremonies

Book Summary

A fundraiser for the local historical society nearly goes bust when someone fills the coffers with blackmail and murder . . .

The annual Tea With the Queen fundraiser always makes for a festive weekend in Queensville, drawing visitors from far and wide and giving local shops a welcome boost. This year, vintage kitchenware collector Jaymie Müller is running the event, and she’s got her hands full organizing old and new volunteers along with a surly catering crew. Then her master of ceremonies tells her he’s being blackmailed but can’t go to the police, and before Jaymie can sort that out she stumbles over a dead body at the tea.

Despite the demands of keeping the event up and running, Jaymie can’t help puzzling over the murder. There’s no concrete evidence linking the cretin behind the blackmail scheme to the dead body, so she begins questioning everyone connected to the blackmail, hoping to expose the killer. And just as she discovers a web of relationships that leads her to the culprit, she realizes that the Tea With the Queen may have been a royal pain, but outwitting a blackmailer and catching a killer may be the death of her . . .

My Thoughts

Masher of Ceremonies by Victoria Hamilton is the latest A Vintage Kitchen Mystery. Because the cast and backstory build over time, it’s best to read this series in order. Jaymie has her hands full with opening a new store and organizing the annual Tea with the Queen event. If the tea is not successful, it will be discontinued, much to Jaymie’s dismay. There’s a lot happening in this story, and it never slows down. The whodunit was entertaining and fun to solve. I enjoyed hearing about the vintage kitchenware items. I wish Jakob and Jocie had a bigger presence; it felt like Hoppy got more page than Jaymie’s husband and daughter. I like the cast of quirky characters—they keep things time lively. The author weaves family drama, blackmail, murder, secrets, a store opening, and a grand tea event into a charming cozy mystery. Masher of Ceremonies pairs perfectly with a cuppa and a scrumptious scone.

Masher of Ceremonies can be obtained from Amazon along with the other novels in A Vintage Kitchen Mysteries.  You can find Victoria Hamilton's other novels here and you can follow her as well (and they will send you an email when she has a new book release). Thank you for joining me this week.  On Tuesday, May 26, I will be featuring Scent of Peril by Darlene L. Turner.  I am off to rest because I hurt my back yesterday.  I have learned that I can not bend over and see under the car any longer (an abandoned cat was under the car).  I hope that you have a relaxing weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder

 The Cold Case and the Corpse

Book Summary

When foul play pays a visit to a snowy mountain retreat, Hope Early will have to battle the elements to catch a cold-blooded killer . . .

With her first cookbook about to be published, food blogger Hope Early decides it’s the perfect time to attend a weekend retreat with a life coach and take her career to the next level. Her hopes for a life-changing experience are soon dashed, however, when she realizes the woman’s wisdom is nothing more than buzzwords and hollow clichés. Suspecting she’s a fraud, Hope discovers the woman is a longtime con artist and is even linked to an unsolved murder. But before she can learn more, someone puts an end to the life coach’s scam—permanently.

News of the murder has put everyone at the retreat on edge, and the stakes are raised when a fierce snowstorm threatens to strand them all there with the killer. With everyone a suspect and at least one other person pretending to be someone they’re not, Hope’s determined to unearth any clues that link the victim’s sordid past with someone at the retreat. But the killer is dead set on stopping Hope in her tracks, and what started as a weekend to build an exciting future turns into a struggle to survive another day . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

My Thoughts

The Cold Case and the Corpse by Debra Sennefelder has Hope Early attending a life coach’s weekend retreat.  I could tell that the weekend was not going to go well from the beginning.  The treacherous driveway to the lodge confirmed my feeling of doom.  The author captured the feeling of being isolated in a lodge during a raging blizzard (at least they had a generator).    The story is easy to read, but slow-paced and repetitive.  

I always enjoy a locked room (in this case lodge) mystery.  There are a handful of suspects, and it seems each person has a secret (what a bunch).  Hope is too pushy when investigating.  It seemed that a couple of the regular characters had attitude problems (Claire was peevish, the mayor was extremely annoying).  The reveal happened suddenly (you need to hit the brakes, or you will slide right by it).  There is a good wrap up at the end.  Hope’s surprises do not end at the lodge.  I had a feeling this particular news was coming after a certain person made a comment early in the story (I do not want to spoil it for you).  The Cold Case and the Corpse is the eighth A Food Blogger Mystery.  This book can be read on its own for those who are new to the series as the author provides all the necessary background information.  There are (of course) recipes at the end of the book (a savory and two sweet).  

The Cold Case and the Corpse is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Food Blogger Mysteries here.  If you follow Debra Sennefelder on Amazon, they will send you an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Wednesday, December 10 with At Morning's Light by Lauraine Snelling.  It is the second book in Home to Green Creek series.  Cold weather has hit Florida.  It was 52 degrees last night (brrr!!!).   What is it like in your part of the country?  This is the perfect weather for settling into a comfy chair under a cozy blanket with a warm drink and a good book to read.  I hope that you have a joyful day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Thanks for the Muffin by Victoria Hamilton

Thanks for Muffin: A Merry Muffin Mystery by Victoria Hamilton

 

About Thanks for Muffin

 

Thanks for Muffin: A Merry Muffin Mystery 

Contemporary Cozy Mystery 8th in Series 

Setting - Wynter Castle, Western New York State 

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page

Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2025 

Number of Pages: 211 Paperback 

 

When Merry Wynter’s festive gala takes a fatal turn, she’ll have to grill her guests to catch a killer . . .

After years of planning and hard work, Merry Wynter was finally ready to host the grand opening gala of the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts. With musicians, entertainers, members of the media and even influencers on the guest list, the event went off without a hitch—until a particularly nasty journalist posted a criticism of the gala and everything Merry was trying to accomplish. Still reeling from the review days later, Merry wasn’t sure what to feel when she discovered the reporter’s dead body on the grounds of Wynter Castle.

With many of her guests staying on at the castle for the weekend, Merry realizes they’ve got a murderer in their midst. Going from celebrating to sleuthing, she discreetly questions each of them, trying to weed out the culprit. She quickly learns that the victim had heated arguments with several of the people at the gala, and it turns out those people were all connected by a tragedy in the past. Certain the killer is among them, Merry will have to unearth the final clue that nails the killer—before the killer decides she’s getting too close .

About Victoria Hamilton

Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. Victoria is the bestselling author of three mystery series: the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, and the Merry Muffin Mysteries. She also wrote a Regency-set historical mystery series, starting with A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder.

Visit her website at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com and sign up for Victoria’s newsletter.

Social Media Links

Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com 

(Sign up for her newsletter for all the latest!) 

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaHamiltonMysteryAuthor

On BlueSky: @mysteryvictoria.bsky.social 

Check out my 'Cozy Mystery Authors' Starter Pack on BlueSky! 

On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysteryauthorvictoriahamilton/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/598635.Victoria_Hamilton

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Hamilton/e/B007T7LGAU 

My Thoughts

Thanks for Muffin by Victoria Hamilton takes us back to Wynter Castle where Merry Wynter along with her friend, Pish, are getting ready for the grand opening of Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts. It was a pleasure to reconnect with Merry, Pish, and the gang. This narrative includes a large cast of characters, which can make it challenging to distinguish each one, particularly when some of their names are similar.  The plot was carefully constructed, with multiple suspects and motives that kept the mystery open to anyone.  Merry really has her work cut out for her on this whodunit. There are some twists and turns along the way. The reveal was well done.  

Although Thanks for Muffin is the eighth installment in the A Merry Muffin Mystery series, it is accessible to readers as a standalone novel. The author effectively presents relevant background information and detailed world-building to ensure that new readers are well-oriented.   I hope in the next book that we get to spend more time with Pish, Virgil, Hannah, and the other core characters.  There are recipes at the end of the book for some of the delicacies featured in the story (buckwheat cheddar scones, blueberry sour cream coffee cake muffins, and Pish’s Thanksgiving leftover poutine). Thanks for Muffin is a cute cozy with party preparations, celebrity invitees, a rotten reporter, a grandiose grand opening, guests arguing, a murdered man, surprising secrets, and catching a killer.

Recipe

Rosemary Cheddar Apple Scones

By: Victoria Hamilton

My main character in the Merry Muffin Mysteries, Merry Wynter, makes muffins, yes, but she also makes bars, cookies, and… scones. Scones, in case you didn’t know (though I’m sure you do!) are a kind of quick bread or biscuit. One of the chief questions about a scone is how to pronounce it, to rhyme with stone or gone? Well, how about an old rhyme to set the controversy to rest?

I asked the maid in dulcet tone

To order me a buttered scone;

The silly girl has been and gone

And ordered me a buttered scone.

(From ‘Punch’ magazine, 1913.)

So… pronounce it either way.

Merry Wynter is always looking for new recipes, and so… I’m always looking for new recipes! Funny how life works that way. I love tea (so does Merry!) and I appreciate something to nibble on with my cuppa (so does Merry!). These buttery-cheesy-herby scones are a delicious savory teatime treat!

Apple Cheddar Scones with Rosemary

(makes 12 – 15, depending on how you roll them out and cut them)

1 ½ cup all purpose flour

½ cup whole wheat flour

½ cup butter

4 oz old cheddar, grated

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 cup peeled, shredded apples, packed down (about 2 - 3 small-to-medium apples)

1 egg, beaten

1 tablespoon cold milk or water (if necessary)

Cut the cold butter into small cubes, then cut into the flour using a pastry cutter or your fingers, breaking down the cubes of butter just until the pieces are smaller than a pea. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbles.

Stir in the grated cheddar, baking powder, salt, sugar and rosemary.

In a separate bowl combine the shredded apples and the beaten egg. Gently fold this with the flour mixture in a large bowl until the dough just comes together. If it’s too dry to do this (it was for me) add a splash of milk or cream. I used 35% cream because… well, why not? Do not overmix. Once the dough comes together, form it into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. Chill for at least 30 minutes (or up to 24 hours).

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Press out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a roughly square or rectangular shape about ¾ inch tall. Cut using a sharp cookie cutter or biscuit cutter. I love my antique biscuit cutter because it gives a pretty edge to the scones. Or if you’re a traditionalist and prefer your scones as wedges, you can form it into a circle and cut it into 8 wedges, separate the wedges on a parchment paper lined baking sheet at least 1 inch apart from one another.

Bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until tops are golden-brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

I made these and they turned out delicious, but… I think I broke the cardinal rule of baking; I didn’t make sure my baking powder was fresh. These should have risen more. I’d be interested in your results. However the combination of the cheddar and apple was to die for. Enjoy the scones, everybody, however you pronounce them and with or without the tea!

Thanks for Muffin is available from Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords.  You can find the other novels in A Merry Muffin Mysteries here.  You can find Victoria Hamilton's other books here and you can follow her (Amazon will send you an email when she has a new book release).  

Are you ready for a giveaway?  You can win a $25 Amazon Gift Card plus a special swag bag.  You can click here to enter or enter using giveaway form below.  Good Luck!  Thank you for dropping by today.  I am experiencing a fibromyalgia flare up, so I am taking the rest of the week off.  On Tuesday, October 21, I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for Murder by the Millions by Daryl Wood Gerber.  It is the second A Literary Dining Mystery.  Don't forget to enter the giveaway! I hope that you have a fun fall day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*This post contains affiliate links.

Berried Grievances by Peg Cochran

 Berried Grievances

Book Summary

Family fireworks lead to murder in the new Cranberry Cove Mystery from USA Today bestselling author Peg Cochran!

The Fourth of July always means endless celebrations in Cranberry Cove, and this year Monica and Greg have the added pleasure of spending it with Monica’s college roommate, Kelly Cargill. When they join Kelly and her family to watch the fireworks, it’s all very exciting—until the elderly matriarch of the family dies on the spot. Then evidence comes to light that she was poisoned, and Monica promises to do what she can to catch the culprit.

Just about everyone in Kelly’s family wanted to get their hands on what was sure to be a sizable inheritance. But Monica also discovers that one of them was trying to hide a messy love affair the older woman had discovered, and that the victim’s caretaker may have wanted revenge for enduring years of mistreatment. And just as more secrets surface and the clues begin to fall into place, Monica realizes that as she’s closing in on the killer, the killer is closing in on her . . .

Includes a mouthwatering cookie recipe!

My Thoughts

Berried Grievances by Peg Cochran takes us back to Cranberry Cove where Monica is nine months pregnant when it is so very hot.  Everyone keeps asking Monica when her baby will arrive, which she found annoying, and I did as well.  Monica is not Kreskin.  Greg is so sweet and supportive.  He cooks, takes Monica out to eat, and works at his bookstore.  I did wonder about Greg attending an estate sale on a Friday evening.  I have never seen a yard or estate sale in the evening (just seemed like an odd detail).   The mystery was uncomplicated.  A relative of Monica’s college roommate dies during the Fourth of July fireworks.  The family is stuck in town until the crime is solved.  When Kelly, Monica’s friend and former college roommate, asks her to look into the crime, Monica cannot say no (you know she is dying to dive into the case).  Monica asks questions, manages to overhear a conversation or two, and happens upon a juicy tidbit.  Each new detail helps Monica get closer to identifying the killer.  There is a suspenseful reveal and good wrap up at the end.   It seemed unfathomable that Monica would do some of the things she did while in her condition. 

The story moved at a relaxed pace.   We get to follow Monica as she goes about her daily life (over a two-week period).  There is plenty of cooking, eating, and relaxing.  We get to catch up with Mittens and Hercules.  I can tell that the author has pets from her descriptions of the animal’s behavior.  I was extremely disappointed with the ending. I was surprised that the author ended the story without providing two important details (she should have revealed at least one).  Berried Grievances is not my favorite story in A Cranberry Cove Mysteries (as you can tell).  Berried Grievances can be read as a standalone for those new to the series as the author provided the needed background information. Berried Grievances is a relaxed cozy mystery with a creative cranberry cookie, sweltering temperatures, a murdered grandmother, a belated baby, an absent tome, and a surprising solution. 

Berried Grievances is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other seven A Cranberry Cove Mysteries here.  You can find Peg Cochran's other novels here.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I am sharing my thoughts on Read to Death at the Lakeside Library by Holly Danvers.  It is the third A Lakeside Library Mystery.  I am off to work in my bedroom.  My room along with my closet is a disorganized mess.  I am trying to do a little bit each day (I will be glad when it is orderly).  The heat and humidity have caused fibromyalgia flare ups which means I get less done each day (increased pain and tiredness). I will be glad when fall weather arrives.  I hope that you have an upbeat day.  Take care, stay cool, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Poaching is Puzzling by Daryl Wood Gerber

 Poaching is Puzzling

Book Summary

In the cutthroat world of crossword solvers, Jenna Hart will have to decipher some puzzling clues to catch a killer . . .

The annual crossword puzzle contest has drawn contestants from near and far to Crystal Cove, and Jenna watches in amazement as puzzle-themed books fly off the shelves at the Cookbook Nook. Her aunt Vera is putting up a sizable cash prize, and no one is more surprised than Jenna to discover there’s bad blood between Vera and the prominent puzzle constructor who’s acting as master of ceremonies. And when the puzzle guru has his throat slit while he’s out hiking, the police instantly peg Aunt Vera as the culprit.

Jenna can’t stand by and watch her aunt take the fall. It’s been clear since the victim arrived that he had contentious relationships with a number of the contestants—even going so far as to steal puzzles from some of them and claim them as his own—and Jenna’s certain one of them is the killer. Trading puzzle solving for crime solving, she sorts through the convoluted clues and cryptic suspects, hoping to nab the guilty party before they decide she’s a problem they’ll solve with another murder . . .

Includes mouthwatering recipes!

My Thoughts

Poaching is Puzzling by Daryl Wood Gerber is a diverting cozy mystery.  We return to the scenic Crystal Cove, California where Jenna Hart and her Aunt Vera own the Cookbook Nook.  The story is well-written with developed characters.  This is a character driven series.  Jenna is back as well as her Aunt Vera, her husband Rhett, Bailey, Kate, Cary as well as Tigger and Rook.  I enjoyed the crossword puzzle theme for this story.  There are daily crossword puzzles for the townspeople to solve, a crossword puzzle tournament, crossword themed merchandise (cookie jars for example), and the murder of a cruciverbalist (crossword puzzle designer).  The death of Wesley Preston, a renowned crossword puzzle designer, puts Aunt Vera in the crosshairs of Chief of Police Cinnamon Pritchett.  Aunt Vera asks Jenna to investigate.  She knows that the crossword puzzle visitors and contestants will talk to Jenna because she speaks their language.  There are multiple suspects in Wesley’s death.  Wesley managed to antagonize several people in the days leading up to his death.   Jenna asks questions, searches for helpful clues, and gets useful gossip.   The whodunit can be solved before the reveal (the devil is in the details).  The case is neatly wrapped up at the end (thanks to Jenna).  

A crossword puzzle cookie!

I learned a couple of novel words while reading Poaching is Puzzling (like cruciverbalist and turophile) and I enjoyed the addition of the fifty cent words (my favorite type). There are details on how crossword puzzles are crafted along with the crossword puzzle trivia.  I also learned about the different types of knives and their names (there is one for each type of cheese—soft, hard, smooth, and semi-hard).  There is some repetition of minutiae (a pet peeve of mine).  We get to spend time with the cutie Tigger and the clever Rook.  I like that the author includes adorable furbabies in her books.  I look forward to my next visit to Crystal Cove.  Poaching is Puzzling is the twelfth A Cookbook Nook Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone, but you will miss out on the background of the characters and how the couples came together.  Poaching is Puzzling is a crossword centric cozy with clever conundrums, a slain cruciverbalist, enticing appetizers, luscious cheeses, a sparkly spirit staff, shrewd wordsmiths, and a triumphant tournament victor.

Poaching is Puzzling is available from Amazon*.  The other A Cookbook Nook Mysteries can be found here.  You can find Daryl Wood Gerber's other delightful cozy mysteries here.  Thank you for stopping by today. It is hard to believe that April is almost over.  I will return on Tuesday, May 2 with Dressed to Drill by Kate Carlisle.  It is the tenth A Fixer-Upper Mystery.  I hope that you have a delightful weekend.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams & Tina Radcliffe

 Methods of Malice

Book Summary

Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .

The Hope Street Community Theater is staging It’s a Wonderful Life as a fundraiser, and Cooper and the Bible study group are all taking part. They’ve also managed to land the help of a famous Broadway director who’s trying to clean up his image after a scandal, and he travels to Richmond along with his star actress and staff. But the director’s entourage epitomize the worst of theater personalities, with petty grievances and jealousies stirring up more drama off the stage than on. And when the assistant director is found murdered in her hotel suite, the list of possible suspects is longer than a red carpet.

Unwilling to stand by with a murderer in their midst, Cooper and her friends get to work ferreting out clues and surveilling the staff, including a dangerously inept set technician as well as the director’s current and former love interests. Despite inexplicable and terrifying stage “accidents” threatening to derail their investigation and the play, the intrepid amateur sleuths know the show must go on. Their only prayer is to set a trap and successfully catch a killer before it’s curtains for Cooper.

Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!

My Thoughts

Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is a pleasing story.  I like Ellery Adams writing style.  She creates stories with friendly characters, charming settings, and interesting storylines.  I enjoyed returning to Richmond, Virginia to catch up with the Cooper Lee and the other members of the Sunrise Bible study group.  All the members of the bible study are participating in the Hope Street Community Theater’s production of It’s a Wonderful Life.  The production is a fundraiser for the senior center.  Unfortunately, the rehearsals are plagued with incidents.  Then, Regina McAllister, the assistant director and the director’s ex-wife, is murdered.  It is important that this production moves forward because the senior center is counting on them.  Cooper Lee and the members of the Sunshine Bible study group set out to unmask the killer.

I found Methods of Malice to be easy to read.  The characters are realistic and relatable.  Grammy Lee is a hoot.  I like that she speaks her mind (in other words she is outspoken and opiniated).  I liked that all the members of the Bible study were participating in the play.  Some of them would have preferred to work behind the scenes (okay, most of them), but they put aside their awkwardness and fears for a good cause. The mystery was fun to solve.  The victim was not well-liked (she had an attitude problem) so there are several suspects.  There are some plot twists along the way that keeps things entertaining.  Cooper Lee and the Bible study group asks questions and uncover clues.  The reveal nicely wraps up the whodunit.  Your mouth will be watering from the tasty treats whipped up by Cooper’s mother, Maggie and Cooper’s beau, Jon Eason (there are recipes at the end of the book).  

I truly enjoyed how the story ended.  It is heartwarming.  There are changes in store for a couple of the characters.   The last meeting of the year for the Sunshine Bible study group touched on some good points.  I like the idea of a gratitude journal.  My favorite lesson was, “Guarding our hearts and letting the things of God in and not the world.”  The members of the Bible study are good friends.  I like how they are there for each other.  Methods of Malice is the seventh A Hope Street Church Mystery and it can be read as a standalone.  The author provides the necessary background information on the characters.  Methods of Malice is a charming Christian cozy with an important play, a dead assistant director, concerning calamities, Bible study sleuths, and a killer Christmas.  

Methods of Malice is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Hope Street Church Mysteries here.  Ellery Adams has Paper Cuts (I am reading it right now) coming out April 25.  It is the sixth A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel.  Murder in the Book Lover's Loft (I cannot wait to get my hands on this one) will be out on July 25.  It is the ninth A Book Retreat Mystery.  Tina Radcliffe has The Baby Inheritance publishing on April 25. Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with my forthright review of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders by Jesse Q. Sutano.  I hope that you have an inspiring day. I am off to work on my new bike (the doctor thought it would be good exercise).  It arrived unassembled (of course).  The instructions are not the best.  A task that I thought would take two hours is taking me days.  I will get there in the end.  When I am done I will get myself a cute basket and lights for the wheels.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.