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Vintage Kitchen Mystery #4
No Mallets Intended
TO THE MANOR DEAD
The Queensville Heritage Society is restoring the once-grand Dumpe Manor. While Dumpe relatives and society members use the occasion to dust off old grudges, Jaymie Leighton prefers to adorn the kitchen with authentic Depression Era furnishings. A collection of vintage wooden mallets found in the house is a perfect addition to her display, but one also offers a late-night intruder the perfect weapon to knock Jaymie unconscious before escaping.
Though the attack has everyone on edge, nothing is missing from the house. Perhaps it was merely a vagrant who thought the place was still abandoned. But when Dumpe Manor’s resident historian is murdered with a mallet from the same collection, it’s time for Jaymie to turn up the heat on the investigation before someone else becomes history.
Includes recipes!
The Queensville Heritage Society is restoring the once-grand Dumpe Manor. While Dumpe relatives and society members use the occasion to dust off old grudges, Jaymie Leighton prefers to adorn the kitchen with authentic Depression Era furnishings. A collection of vintage wooden mallets found in the house is a perfect addition to her display, but one also offers a late-night intruder the perfect weapon to knock Jaymie unconscious before escaping.
Though the attack has everyone on edge, nothing is missing from the house. Perhaps it was merely a vagrant who thought the place was still abandoned. But when Dumpe Manor’s resident historian is murdered with a mallet from the same collection, it’s time for Jaymie to turn up the heat on the investigation before someone else becomes history.
Includes recipes!
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published November 4, 2014
83 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Hamilton
45 books1,041 followersVictoria Hamilton is the bestselling author of several mystery series including the national bestselling Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mysteries. She does, indeed, collect vintage kitchenware and bake muffins. She drinks tea and coffee on writing days, and wine other times. It doesn’t do to confuse days. A solitary being, she can be coaxed out of her writing cave for brownies and cat videos.
She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.
In fact her latest writing adventure is the new Regency-set historical mystery series - to be published by Midnight Ink - beginning in February 2019 with A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder, featuring Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, a young lady who dares to defy society. She will fight for her right to live her own life, despite the dangers that presents. She has a dagger, and she's not afraid to use it.
If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.
No, really, it’s not!
You can find her buried in a good book, (entombed in a good tome?) or online at:
Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com (Sign up for her annoyingly infrequent newsletter for all the latest!)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictor...
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria
She started her writing life as Donna Lea Simpson, bestselling author of Regency Romances, paranormal historicals and historical mysteries, and still has a soft spot for the Regency period.
In fact her latest writing adventure is the new Regency-set historical mystery series - to be published by Midnight Ink - beginning in February 2019 with A Gentlewoman's Guide to Murder, featuring Miss Emmeline St. Germaine, a young lady who dares to defy society. She will fight for her right to live her own life, despite the dangers that presents. She has a dagger, and she's not afraid to use it.
If you Google ‘Victoria Hamilton’, you will find listed first a famous actress who starred as the Queen Mother in the Crown and as Charlotte Brontë in ‘In Search of the Brontës’. That’s not the Victoria who writes mysteries.
No, really, it’s not!
You can find her buried in a good book, (entombed in a good tome?) or online at:
Website: http://www.VictoriaHamiltonMysteries.com (Sign up for her annoyingly infrequent newsletter for all the latest!)
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorVictor...
On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MysteryVictoria
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
January 24, 2019
No Mallets Intended is the fourth book in the 'Vintage Kitchen' cozy mystery series written by Victoria Hamilton. I began reading it a few years ago and later got sidetracked, but after being approved for the latest 2019 book on NetGalley, I'm catching up this month. The series follows Jaymie Leighton in a small town in Michigan on the border with Canada where she has various odd jobs involving cooking, hospitality, writing, and vintage kitchen items. She ended a relationship with a cheater the year before and began dating someone not quite right for her way too soon. In No Mallets Intended, Jaymie's cataloging items at the historic Dumpe Manor where she's knocked over the head with a kitchen mallet and later finds a dead body killed by a different one. Who's after something hidden in the estate?
Along the path, we meet different members of the historical society and learn of a feud between past owners who claim a missing will caused an inheritance to be improperly carried out. Since the Dumpe Manor was then sold a few times to different people, there is lots of confusion and frustration over who really owns it, but the historical society is the one taking care of it. Eventually, the will is found, but it might be fake. As Jaymie uncovers all the clues, she finds herself directly in the line of fire with the killer who chases her in a very long scene into the arms of single father who ends up becoming important to the story. Jaymie also spends time with her sister and parents finding a bond that had been missing for years. She makes a decision about her current relationship and helps her ex-bf fix his new relationship, too. What a kind woman to do all that knowing it will backfire and hurt her in the short-term.
I enjoy the series. Often is the side characters which carry a plot or books series, but after 4 in this one, I'm more comfortable with the main character and think she has the potential to make the series stronger. The side stories aren't huge and haven't offered any truly strong sidekicks for Jaymie. Good thing I like her! Writing quality is good. The vintage kitchen items are fun to hear about. It's a typical cozy with a clever US and Canada style depending on where the action takes place. I look forward to seeing more about the writing column in the newspaper that Jaymie's taking on as well as the new potential romance that begins to stir up at the end of this book.
Along the path, we meet different members of the historical society and learn of a feud between past owners who claim a missing will caused an inheritance to be improperly carried out. Since the Dumpe Manor was then sold a few times to different people, there is lots of confusion and frustration over who really owns it, but the historical society is the one taking care of it. Eventually, the will is found, but it might be fake. As Jaymie uncovers all the clues, she finds herself directly in the line of fire with the killer who chases her in a very long scene into the arms of single father who ends up becoming important to the story. Jaymie also spends time with her sister and parents finding a bond that had been missing for years. She makes a decision about her current relationship and helps her ex-bf fix his new relationship, too. What a kind woman to do all that knowing it will backfire and hurt her in the short-term.
I enjoy the series. Often is the side characters which carry a plot or books series, but after 4 in this one, I'm more comfortable with the main character and think she has the potential to make the series stronger. The side stories aren't huge and haven't offered any truly strong sidekicks for Jaymie. Good thing I like her! Writing quality is good. The vintage kitchen items are fun to hear about. It's a typical cozy with a clever US and Canada style depending on where the action takes place. I look forward to seeing more about the writing column in the newspaper that Jaymie's taking on as well as the new potential romance that begins to stir up at the end of this book.
October 8, 2016
I enjoy these books, even though I find it just a bit much that she always dares a bit too much, survives, but doesn't really learn.
dnf
November 8, 2014The only character I cared about, Detective Christian, has been written out of the series and with his departure when any interest I had left in this series. I read to page 77 and stopped, so I'm not rating. It's just not for me.
Full post: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/104026...
Full post: http://jenn.booklikes.com/post/104026...
June 14, 2017
Victoria Hamilton has done it again. I absolutely enjoyed this book as much as I enjoyed the previous books in this series.
Again trouble seems to find Jaymie Leighton. While Jaymie is renovating the kitchen at Dumpe Manor she discovers a dead body. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I had no idea who the murderer was until the end.
Not only was there twists and turns in the murder investigation there were surprises in Jaymie's love life. I won't tell you what the surprises were though.
I would highly recommend that you read No Mallets Intended. I'm sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Again trouble seems to find Jaymie Leighton. While Jaymie is renovating the kitchen at Dumpe Manor she discovers a dead body. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I had no idea who the murderer was until the end.
Not only was there twists and turns in the murder investigation there were surprises in Jaymie's love life. I won't tell you what the surprises were though.
I would highly recommend that you read No Mallets Intended. I'm sure that you will enjoy it as much as I did. I'm looking forward to the next book.
June 2, 2018
The historical society had just purchased the old decrepit Dumpe Mansion and had plans to restore it to its former glory. Jaymie Leighton specialized in old kitchens and was in charge of bringing the kitchen back to it’s 1930s time period. As she was looking over some wooden kitchen mallets, someone hit her over the head with one. This started a series of strange events at the mansion …. including one death, yes, by mallet. Could Jaymie and her fellow antique lovers get the mansion ready or would the nephew of the previous owner be able to reclaim it for his own.
October 4, 2022
It’s been a while since I’ve read this series but it was f un to jump back into. Jaymie is a fun character and I like sleuthing with her. I’m also excited to see what will happen next with her personal life. The mystery was good and the house renovation brought in lots of suspects. I also like how even the recipe at the end is historical (although updated).
November 4, 2014
Reading this 4th book in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series was like going back home to visit with family and friends. I loved it!! Jaymie Leighton is doing her part to help the Queensville Heritage Society restore the Dumpe Manor to it's former glory. She is naturally doing the kitchen in Depression Era fashion. Jaymie finds some old and interesting mallets that she intends to use in her decorating. Unfortunately, a few of those mallets get used for something else.
Follow Jaymie unravel clues and twists to solve this latest "who done it" Murder, mystery, love interests, antiques~~ this book has it all !!
Follow Jaymie unravel clues and twists to solve this latest "who done it" Murder, mystery, love interests, antiques~~ this book has it all !!
November 25, 2014
No Mallets Intended is an awesome 4th in a series known as A Vintage Kitchen Mystery. Victoria Hamilton shows her passion for cooking – rather, preparing foods in time-honored traditions with vintage tools that often surpass our electronic gadgets – in this series! I only wish that I had a talent to take a little of this and a pinch of that and come up with something that would wow those eating it! One doesn’t have to be a cooking specialist, however, to appreciate the newest Vintage Kitchen Mystery. I enjoy eating, at least! And I love hearing about various implements used in the past, as well as the collectible dishes, cooking tools and vessels and related serving pieces.
If you haven’t already read any of the first three books in the series, this can stand alone due to how well each character or relationship is introduced without the feeling that the author is starting from scratch or humoring the new reader. Jaymie Leighton, our intelligent and personable protagonist, is working to restore the kitchen of the new Queensville Historic Manor, formerly known as the extraordinary Dumpe Manor. This once elegant Manor was owned by the Dumpe family in the little hometown Queensville, Michigan on the St. Clair River.
Working alone one evening, Jaymie and her sweet 3-legged Yorkie-Poo, Hoppy (Hopalong) hear someone enter the mansion. If only Hoppy could talk – as he alone is witness to her being hit on the head and knocked out. To add insult to headache, Jaymie learns later that the weapon used was one of the antique mallets in a collection that she was going to display in the kitchen. Only days later, Jaymie finds the dead body of the historian hired by the Society to prepare a pamphlet with the history of the Dumpe family and the mansion – killed by another mallet from the collection.
Cozy mysteries based in hometown towns of Michigan have a warm place in my heart, as I grew up in a somewhat larger hometown city there. To be reminded of a place where most of the homes are older than me is a delight! And to have characters who appreciate the treasure of an antique of any kind adds to the texture of the tapestry of the tale.
The characters are delightfully well-developed, folks that one would anticipate being involved in small town gatherings. Jaymie has ups and downs like all of us. Her friends and family complement her personality. Jaymie’s understanding of others is shown in her relationships. Her love of animals is also seen with her pets, the precious pup, Hoppy, and the formerly grouchy puss, Denver. And here’s to Becca, who shows me that there IS a place in modern literary circles for someone who will seek success in yet another marriage… this time will be the charm!
The plot is tightly-woven, a tale as well-planned as any renovation project would be. It holds many surprises, especially those related to the “who” and the “why” of the murder and attacks as well as the reasoning, and the convoluted resolution. Victoria Hamilton has my complete admiration for the well-crafted penning of this cozy mystery, the setting, and the characters!
I highly recommend No Mallets Intended to adults of all ages who appreciate a well-written cozy mystery and find the setting, cooking, and antiques appealing, and to fans of Victoria Hamilton’s other series – it is a sure thing that it will delight the readers, keep them on their toes and their hair standing on end until the conclusion! And if you are a great cook, you will appreciate the classic recipe included.
With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
If you haven’t already read any of the first three books in the series, this can stand alone due to how well each character or relationship is introduced without the feeling that the author is starting from scratch or humoring the new reader. Jaymie Leighton, our intelligent and personable protagonist, is working to restore the kitchen of the new Queensville Historic Manor, formerly known as the extraordinary Dumpe Manor. This once elegant Manor was owned by the Dumpe family in the little hometown Queensville, Michigan on the St. Clair River.
Working alone one evening, Jaymie and her sweet 3-legged Yorkie-Poo, Hoppy (Hopalong) hear someone enter the mansion. If only Hoppy could talk – as he alone is witness to her being hit on the head and knocked out. To add insult to headache, Jaymie learns later that the weapon used was one of the antique mallets in a collection that she was going to display in the kitchen. Only days later, Jaymie finds the dead body of the historian hired by the Society to prepare a pamphlet with the history of the Dumpe family and the mansion – killed by another mallet from the collection.
Cozy mysteries based in hometown towns of Michigan have a warm place in my heart, as I grew up in a somewhat larger hometown city there. To be reminded of a place where most of the homes are older than me is a delight! And to have characters who appreciate the treasure of an antique of any kind adds to the texture of the tapestry of the tale.
The characters are delightfully well-developed, folks that one would anticipate being involved in small town gatherings. Jaymie has ups and downs like all of us. Her friends and family complement her personality. Jaymie’s understanding of others is shown in her relationships. Her love of animals is also seen with her pets, the precious pup, Hoppy, and the formerly grouchy puss, Denver. And here’s to Becca, who shows me that there IS a place in modern literary circles for someone who will seek success in yet another marriage… this time will be the charm!
The plot is tightly-woven, a tale as well-planned as any renovation project would be. It holds many surprises, especially those related to the “who” and the “why” of the murder and attacks as well as the reasoning, and the convoluted resolution. Victoria Hamilton has my complete admiration for the well-crafted penning of this cozy mystery, the setting, and the characters!
I highly recommend No Mallets Intended to adults of all ages who appreciate a well-written cozy mystery and find the setting, cooking, and antiques appealing, and to fans of Victoria Hamilton’s other series – it is a sure thing that it will delight the readers, keep them on their toes and their hair standing on end until the conclusion! And if you are a great cook, you will appreciate the classic recipe included.
With a grateful heart, I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.
August 17, 2016
Jaymie Leighton is my favorite fictional character. Her personality and loyalty to friends, family and all things vintage make her a very special young woman.
In this book, the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching and the Queensville Heritage Society is busy restoring the charming Dumpe Manor.
Jaymie is thrilled to be decorating the kitchen in the manor and her ideas for her vintage themed kitchen are exciting. During one of her visits to the Dumpe Manor, Jaymie finds a box of vintage wooden mallets. What a score, they will be a great accessory to her kitchen, she may even be able to write a column for The Howler about the mallets.
Unfortunately for Jaymie, something odd is going on at the manor, and when she receives a harsh clunk on the head, she knows her instincts are right. Even though the injury has left her a bit scared, she is determined to keep on working at the manor.
As busy as Jaymie is, she is still trying to sort out her feelings for her boyfriend Daniel. With their agreement to re-evaluate their relationship at Christmas, Jaymie begins to question her feelings for him.When tempers flare at a Heritage society meeting regarding the ownership of Dumpe Manor, it comes as no surprise when Jaymie finds the body of Theo Carlson, the historian for the manor.
Jaymie has no choice but to begin asking questions and when her questions make someone nervous, her life is in danger as she finds herself face to face with the murderer.
As she runs for her life, her only hope is to knock on a stranger's door and fight for her life.
Will this be the end to Jaymie's snooping days?
Ms. Hamilton has turned me into a dedicated fan of this series. I love reading about all the vintage items in her book, they remind me of my childhood.
Picking up a Vintage Kitchen Mystery is like opening a letter from an old friend, it always leaves me with a smile on my face.
In this book, the Thanksgiving holiday is approaching and the Queensville Heritage Society is busy restoring the charming Dumpe Manor.
Jaymie is thrilled to be decorating the kitchen in the manor and her ideas for her vintage themed kitchen are exciting. During one of her visits to the Dumpe Manor, Jaymie finds a box of vintage wooden mallets. What a score, they will be a great accessory to her kitchen, she may even be able to write a column for The Howler about the mallets.
Unfortunately for Jaymie, something odd is going on at the manor, and when she receives a harsh clunk on the head, she knows her instincts are right. Even though the injury has left her a bit scared, she is determined to keep on working at the manor.
As busy as Jaymie is, she is still trying to sort out her feelings for her boyfriend Daniel. With their agreement to re-evaluate their relationship at Christmas, Jaymie begins to question her feelings for him.When tempers flare at a Heritage society meeting regarding the ownership of Dumpe Manor, it comes as no surprise when Jaymie finds the body of Theo Carlson, the historian for the manor.
Jaymie has no choice but to begin asking questions and when her questions make someone nervous, her life is in danger as she finds herself face to face with the murderer.
As she runs for her life, her only hope is to knock on a stranger's door and fight for her life.
Will this be the end to Jaymie's snooping days?
Ms. Hamilton has turned me into a dedicated fan of this series. I love reading about all the vintage items in her book, they remind me of my childhood.
Picking up a Vintage Kitchen Mystery is like opening a letter from an old friend, it always leaves me with a smile on my face.
November 4, 2014
Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim
This installment of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series finds Jaymie Leighton restoring the kitchen of the Dumpe Manor, which was recently purchased by the Queensville Heritage Society. Jaymie wants to make the kitchen truly vintage with items from days of yore. The story starts out with Jaymie being so entrenched in looking through vintage items that she loses track of time. Thus, setting off what seems to be a meaningless chain reaction but is so much more.
Rumored to be haunted by ghosts and with secret treasures inside, the Dumpe Manor starts to receive numerous uninvited guests. Unfortunately, one of those guests ends up paying with their life for trespassing. Once again, Jaymie and her friends put on their sleuthing hats to figure out who the killer is and why. New alliances are formed, revelations are made, and Jaymie’s life is changed.
Victoria Hamilton definitely brought surprises with No Mallets Intended. I will admit that I was a little upset at first. Okay, a lot upset. But, by the end of the story, she had me smiling. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens next for Jaymie and the people of Queensville, Michigan.
**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**
by Kim
This installment of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series finds Jaymie Leighton restoring the kitchen of the Dumpe Manor, which was recently purchased by the Queensville Heritage Society. Jaymie wants to make the kitchen truly vintage with items from days of yore. The story starts out with Jaymie being so entrenched in looking through vintage items that she loses track of time. Thus, setting off what seems to be a meaningless chain reaction but is so much more.
Rumored to be haunted by ghosts and with secret treasures inside, the Dumpe Manor starts to receive numerous uninvited guests. Unfortunately, one of those guests ends up paying with their life for trespassing. Once again, Jaymie and her friends put on their sleuthing hats to figure out who the killer is and why. New alliances are formed, revelations are made, and Jaymie’s life is changed.
Victoria Hamilton definitely brought surprises with No Mallets Intended. I will admit that I was a little upset at first. Okay, a lot upset. But, by the end of the story, she had me smiling. I’m really looking forward to seeing what happens next for Jaymie and the people of Queensville, Michigan.
**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased review.**
November 4, 2014
No Mallets Intended is the fourth book in the A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series.
Another enjoyable addition to this series.
Jaymie Leighton is helping the historical society restore the Dumpe Manor to its previous beauty. Jaymie has found a collection of various mallets that were used in cooking, losing track of time and as she is leaving late one evening, she is knocked unconscious by one and culprit gets away. Then, when Prentiss Dumpe begins to make statements that there is another will and that there is no way the family would have been written out of their inheritance. Jaymie begins to wonder if her attack was just a random occurrence. When Theo Carson, the historian that has been hired to write the history of Dumpe Manor, with another mallet from the kitchen collection, it is time to get serious about finding the murderer and assailant.
Most all of the enjoyable characters from the previous books are back to help Jaymie sort through the various clues. Jaymie is able to work closely with Bernie, lady cop and fellow collector, and the police chief to get this mystery solved.
A recipe is also included.
Looking forward the next book in this delightful series.
Another enjoyable addition to this series.
Jaymie Leighton is helping the historical society restore the Dumpe Manor to its previous beauty. Jaymie has found a collection of various mallets that were used in cooking, losing track of time and as she is leaving late one evening, she is knocked unconscious by one and culprit gets away. Then, when Prentiss Dumpe begins to make statements that there is another will and that there is no way the family would have been written out of their inheritance. Jaymie begins to wonder if her attack was just a random occurrence. When Theo Carson, the historian that has been hired to write the history of Dumpe Manor, with another mallet from the kitchen collection, it is time to get serious about finding the murderer and assailant.
Most all of the enjoyable characters from the previous books are back to help Jaymie sort through the various clues. Jaymie is able to work closely with Bernie, lady cop and fellow collector, and the police chief to get this mystery solved.
A recipe is also included.
Looking forward the next book in this delightful series.
November 6, 2014
There are so many delicious reasons to read Victoria Hamilton's Vintage Kitchen mysteries. Each one, including this fourth in the series, is the perfect mix of ingredients for a great cozy read. I love the small Michigan town setting with all the similarities to the small Ohio town I grew up in. The main character, Jaymie, is someone I would love to count as a friend. She is real and clever and complex as are the supporting characters. The mysteries keep you guessing until the very end as well. And for us animal lovers (aren't all cozy fans animal lovers?) Jaymie's furry friends Hoppy and Denver add a warm touch.
My favorite part of this series is Jaymie's passion for the kitchens of yesterday. The author describes in loving detail the dishes and tools, the cabinets and the curtains and all the charm I remember from my childhood. Jaymie's appreciation for her home and the life she has created remind me of what's important to me.
This is a series to grab hold of and put on your "keep" shelf for sure.
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, I purchased the first three books in the series myself.
My favorite part of this series is Jaymie's passion for the kitchens of yesterday. The author describes in loving detail the dishes and tools, the cabinets and the curtains and all the charm I remember from my childhood. Jaymie's appreciation for her home and the life she has created remind me of what's important to me.
This is a series to grab hold of and put on your "keep" shelf for sure.
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. However, I purchased the first three books in the series myself.
November 3, 2014
How could anyone not love a series with titles like A Deadly Grind, Bowled Over, Freezer I'll Shoot and the latest one No Mallets Intended? These are the titles in Victoria Hamilton's series Vintage Kitchen Mysteries.
The Heritage Society is renovating the old and once beautiful Dumpe Manor and they plan to sell tickets for a tour of the lovely old painted lady. Jaymie, our heroine has chosen to restore the kitchen will all period appliances and kitchen ware.
As Jaymie is working in the house alone, she is hit in the head with a mallet and knocked unconscious, by an unknown assailant. When there is a murder on the back porch everyone starts to believe that the house may be cursed and it takes Jaymie and her boyfriend Zack, who happens to be a detective, to help the police force put a stop to and discover who is behind the problems in Queensville.
I love Victoria's books and wait impatiently for the next one.
A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
The Heritage Society is renovating the old and once beautiful Dumpe Manor and they plan to sell tickets for a tour of the lovely old painted lady. Jaymie, our heroine has chosen to restore the kitchen will all period appliances and kitchen ware.
As Jaymie is working in the house alone, she is hit in the head with a mallet and knocked unconscious, by an unknown assailant. When there is a murder on the back porch everyone starts to believe that the house may be cursed and it takes Jaymie and her boyfriend Zack, who happens to be a detective, to help the police force put a stop to and discover who is behind the problems in Queensville.
I love Victoria's books and wait impatiently for the next one.
A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.
October 30, 2014
I loved this book. It took me back to my grandmother's Depression-Era, green and cream kitchen. Jaymie Leighton, an expert on antique kitchen accessories, is helping her local Heritage Society restore a lovely Queen Anne manor house fallen into disrepair. Who could imagine that this venture would lead to murder and mayhem? This is the fourth volume in Victoria Hamilton's Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series. (Victoria Hamilton is a nom de plume for Donna Lea Simpson, herself a collector of vintage kitchen cookware.) The setting is a small village in Michigan, across the river from Canada. The characters are extremely well drawn and seem like familiar folks, both friendly and not so much. The plot is what sets this cozy apart. Deliciously convoluted, with fiendish red herrings; I certainly never figured it out early. For readers of the previous offerings in this series, Jaymie's personal life takes some unforeseen and very interesting turns. Highly recommended!
November 3, 2014
No Mallets Intended by Victoria Hamilton
This is the fourth book in the Vintage Kitchen series and it is a great read! The heritage society is getting the manor ready for tours and it is Jaymie’s job to restore the kitchen. When she finds a set of vintage wooden mallets in the house she wants to add them to her kitchen. They would be perfect. When the mallets are taken by an intruder and used to knock Jaymie out things go from bad to worse. People of the town believe that the manor is haunted and when a murder takes place on the back porch and the mallet is the murder weapon everyone starts looking at Jaymie as the suspect. Now she has to show the town that she isn’t the killer before their is another victim.
This is such a great book with strong characters who keep you going. The storyline is fantastic and you will never for a minute see the plot twist unfold. This book keeps you reading until the end.
This is the fourth book in the Vintage Kitchen series and it is a great read! The heritage society is getting the manor ready for tours and it is Jaymie’s job to restore the kitchen. When she finds a set of vintage wooden mallets in the house she wants to add them to her kitchen. They would be perfect. When the mallets are taken by an intruder and used to knock Jaymie out things go from bad to worse. People of the town believe that the manor is haunted and when a murder takes place on the back porch and the mallet is the murder weapon everyone starts looking at Jaymie as the suspect. Now she has to show the town that she isn’t the killer before their is another victim.
This is such a great book with strong characters who keep you going. The storyline is fantastic and you will never for a minute see the plot twist unfold. This book keeps you reading until the end.
November 23, 2014
This was the first book I have read of Victoria Hamilton's and it was amazing. The mystery starts at the very beginning of the book and you are kept guessing who did what and why throughout the whole book. I found myself guessing and then guessing again trying to figure it out. The story made me feel like I was a part of the town, the descriptions of the homes, food and smells were so real! I can't wait to read more from this series and others by Victoria!!
September 11, 2019
This is a great series. I was a little disappointed about love interests. Great read and great mystery
June 21, 2020
A cozy mystery set in a small town in southeastern Michigan featuring Jaymie Leighton as the main character. She discovers a body and has to find out the answers to all the questions she has. She is a snoop and somewhat proud of it. The book was a quick easy read.
February 26, 2019
I love this series and any series by Victoria Hamilton. I have enjoyed all of her mystery series. Always entertaining.
February 20, 2015
One doesn’t have to be a Chef to appreciate the newest Vintage Kitchen Mystery. Victoria Hamilton is an awesome cozy mystery writer and I’d looked forward to reading this book, the fourth of the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. I appreciate cozy mysteries that actually feature a mystery rather than a romance posing as a cozy mystery.
Jaymie Leighton is an energetic, busy young lady, between helping out at the Bed and Breakfast next door, helping at the Emporium, the local store, at a local antiques shop when the owner is on a buying trip, managing her family’s vacation home at a small island off the coast, and running a successful business providing vintage picnic baskets. In her spare time, Jaymie and the Queensville Heritage Society members are restoring the extraordinary Dumpe Manor to serve as a museum and office space for the group. While working on her area of interest-turning the kitchen into a Depression era version of itself, while working alone one evening, Jaymie and her sweet 3-legged Yorkie-Poo, Hoppy (Hopalong) hear someone/something. If only Hoppy could talk – as he alone is witness to her being hit on the head and knocked out. To add insult to headache, Jaymie learns later that the weapon used was one of the antique mallets in a collection that she was going to display in the kitchen. Unfortunately, soon after, Jaymie finds the dead body of the historian, Theo Carson, hired by the Society to prepare a pamphlet with the history of the Dumpe family and the mansion – killed by another mallet from the collection. Between Theo Carson, a woman scorned, and angry Dumpe descendants there are valid reasons to fear that the Manor will be taken from the Heritage Society.
The characters are well-developed and anticipate being involved in small town gatherings and gossip. Jaymie’s friends and family complement her personality and she compliments theirs. Her current boyfriend, Daniel, is pressuring her to commit more fully to their relationship. Psychiatrist Prentiss Dumpe believing he is the true heir to the Manor causes major issues for the Historical Society. Author, Theo Carson, seems to want to find only the negative history, like involvement in the slave trade or Nazi sympathizers. And Carson sure likes playing the field with Jaymie’s friend Cynthia. Additionally, there are individuals convinced there is a treasure hidden somewhere in the house, and they are determined to find it despite the current renovation. As someone who appreciates animals in cozy mysteries, I’m glad Jaymie loves animals which is obvious with her precious pup, Hoppy, and the formerly grouchy puss, Denver.
I found it refreshing to become reacquainted with Jaymie, learn more about vintage kitchenware, recipe development for her desired cookbook (classic recipes included) and her latest adventure. Victoria Hamilton eloquently writes of her love of cooking using vintage tools that often surpass our electronic gadgets – a number of which I inherited and personally use in my kitchen! A great mystery that had me guessing all the way to the end. Jamie's love life has its own twists and turns. Very enjoyable book and I look forward to Jaymie’s adventures in the fifth one in this cozy series.
Jaymie Leighton is an energetic, busy young lady, between helping out at the Bed and Breakfast next door, helping at the Emporium, the local store, at a local antiques shop when the owner is on a buying trip, managing her family’s vacation home at a small island off the coast, and running a successful business providing vintage picnic baskets. In her spare time, Jaymie and the Queensville Heritage Society members are restoring the extraordinary Dumpe Manor to serve as a museum and office space for the group. While working on her area of interest-turning the kitchen into a Depression era version of itself, while working alone one evening, Jaymie and her sweet 3-legged Yorkie-Poo, Hoppy (Hopalong) hear someone/something. If only Hoppy could talk – as he alone is witness to her being hit on the head and knocked out. To add insult to headache, Jaymie learns later that the weapon used was one of the antique mallets in a collection that she was going to display in the kitchen. Unfortunately, soon after, Jaymie finds the dead body of the historian, Theo Carson, hired by the Society to prepare a pamphlet with the history of the Dumpe family and the mansion – killed by another mallet from the collection. Between Theo Carson, a woman scorned, and angry Dumpe descendants there are valid reasons to fear that the Manor will be taken from the Heritage Society.
The characters are well-developed and anticipate being involved in small town gatherings and gossip. Jaymie’s friends and family complement her personality and she compliments theirs. Her current boyfriend, Daniel, is pressuring her to commit more fully to their relationship. Psychiatrist Prentiss Dumpe believing he is the true heir to the Manor causes major issues for the Historical Society. Author, Theo Carson, seems to want to find only the negative history, like involvement in the slave trade or Nazi sympathizers. And Carson sure likes playing the field with Jaymie’s friend Cynthia. Additionally, there are individuals convinced there is a treasure hidden somewhere in the house, and they are determined to find it despite the current renovation. As someone who appreciates animals in cozy mysteries, I’m glad Jaymie loves animals which is obvious with her precious pup, Hoppy, and the formerly grouchy puss, Denver.
I found it refreshing to become reacquainted with Jaymie, learn more about vintage kitchenware, recipe development for her desired cookbook (classic recipes included) and her latest adventure. Victoria Hamilton eloquently writes of her love of cooking using vintage tools that often surpass our electronic gadgets – a number of which I inherited and personally use in my kitchen! A great mystery that had me guessing all the way to the end. Jamie's love life has its own twists and turns. Very enjoyable book and I look forward to Jaymie’s adventures in the fifth one in this cozy series.
November 6, 2014
No Mallets Intended by Victoria Hamilton
The Fourth Vintage Kitchen Mystery
Jaymie Leighton and the Queensville Heritage Society are restoring Dumpe Manor to serve as a museum and office space for the group. While working on her contribution-turning the kitchen into a Depression era version of itself-Jaymie hears something. She tries to ignore it-but it turns out to be a person, a person who hits Jaymie with a vintage kitchen mallet and knocks her out cold! That's just the start of the problems surrounding Dumpe Manor. An egotistical writer (who appears to be out to smear the Dumpe family in the pamphlet he's writing for the society), a woman scorned, and angry Dumpe descendants combine with the threat that the Manor will be taken from the society lead to murder. The body... a victim of yet another vintage kitchen mallet.
If you've ever looked at vintage kitchen utensils you know they can do some serious damage. Take the kitchen mallet, generally used for pounding meat, but you could certainly pound other things, including people. Someone does just that in No Mallets Intended, the latest Vintage Kitchen Mystery by Victoria Hamilton. First Jaymie is coshed on the head by a kitchen mallet, then an obnoxious author is murdered; the weapon-a meat mallet!
While Jaymie is restoring a Depression era kitchen in Dumpe Manor she also has to deal with the pressure being asserted by her boyfriend, Daniel, to commit more fully to their relationship. But can she deal with his highhanded manner, no matter how well intentioned? Should she have to? After being the victim of an assault she finds yet another dead body. Can she look into the murder without putting herself in danger?
Victoria Hamilton brings us a few puzzles in her fourth Vintage Kitchen mystery. Murder may not be the only criminal activity plaguing Queensville, Michigan. In addition, there are romantic puzzles faced by several characters. A complicated mystery, secrets revealed, and plenty of vintage kitchenalia serve up a great story. No Mallets Intended is a welcome addition to the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series that leaves me anticipating the next adventure.
Recipe included.
The Fourth Vintage Kitchen Mystery
Jaymie Leighton and the Queensville Heritage Society are restoring Dumpe Manor to serve as a museum and office space for the group. While working on her contribution-turning the kitchen into a Depression era version of itself-Jaymie hears something. She tries to ignore it-but it turns out to be a person, a person who hits Jaymie with a vintage kitchen mallet and knocks her out cold! That's just the start of the problems surrounding Dumpe Manor. An egotistical writer (who appears to be out to smear the Dumpe family in the pamphlet he's writing for the society), a woman scorned, and angry Dumpe descendants combine with the threat that the Manor will be taken from the society lead to murder. The body... a victim of yet another vintage kitchen mallet.
If you've ever looked at vintage kitchen utensils you know they can do some serious damage. Take the kitchen mallet, generally used for pounding meat, but you could certainly pound other things, including people. Someone does just that in No Mallets Intended, the latest Vintage Kitchen Mystery by Victoria Hamilton. First Jaymie is coshed on the head by a kitchen mallet, then an obnoxious author is murdered; the weapon-a meat mallet!
While Jaymie is restoring a Depression era kitchen in Dumpe Manor she also has to deal with the pressure being asserted by her boyfriend, Daniel, to commit more fully to their relationship. But can she deal with his highhanded manner, no matter how well intentioned? Should she have to? After being the victim of an assault she finds yet another dead body. Can she look into the murder without putting herself in danger?
Victoria Hamilton brings us a few puzzles in her fourth Vintage Kitchen mystery. Murder may not be the only criminal activity plaguing Queensville, Michigan. In addition, there are romantic puzzles faced by several characters. A complicated mystery, secrets revealed, and plenty of vintage kitchenalia serve up a great story. No Mallets Intended is a welcome addition to the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series that leaves me anticipating the next adventure.
Recipe included.
February 22, 2015
No Mallets Intended by Victoria Hamilton is the fourth book in a cozy series that I am really enjoying. In tis book, Jaymie is working with a group to restore and preserve a grand manor in town. There is discussion of the vintage pieces that Jaymie collects and uses in her designs. There is an attack on Jaymie and of course, a murder. The plot lines concern questions of inheritance rights, fraud, stolen property, murder and some romance. I really did enjoy the plot line of Jaymie’s own romance in this book of the series. The mystery is well plotted and the pacing keeps the story moving quickly making for a quick read. Recommended for cozy mystery readers.
August 30, 2024
3.5 stars rounded to 4
No Mallets Intended is the fourth cozy mystery in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. Jaymie is helping the Queensville Heritage Society as they restore a once grand mansion to become their new home site. She is using her knowledge of all things vintage kitchen to help create perfect time appropriate space, but when she is attacked while working on the site she becomes on edge. Who attacked her and why? Nothing was taken. When a the mansion’s resident historian is murdered Jaymie knows it’s not a coincidence, everything is connected. Unable to resist, Jaymie jumps right into the case and will stop at nothing to figure out who the culprit is.
I’ve read the rest of this series and have enjoyed it, this book was no different. I like the setting and the characters and found the mystery to be intriguing. I like Jaymie as a main sleuth, but I do wish she Ahmad a bit of a stronger sidekick. No one very seems to be there to help her in the investigation and since she doesn’t learn from her daring exploits in past cases she kind of needs some support. This is a good series, not my all time favorite, but a solid one to return to for each book. I found this book to be fun and enjoyed the twists of the case. I was kept guessing up until the end on who the killer was which is always good in a mystery. I’m interested to see what comes next for Jaymie since so much of her personal life seems to be at loose ends by the end of this book. If you’re looking for a fun mystery series based on vintage kitchen items this series is a good one!
No Mallets Intended is the fourth cozy mystery in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. Jaymie is helping the Queensville Heritage Society as they restore a once grand mansion to become their new home site. She is using her knowledge of all things vintage kitchen to help create perfect time appropriate space, but when she is attacked while working on the site she becomes on edge. Who attacked her and why? Nothing was taken. When a the mansion’s resident historian is murdered Jaymie knows it’s not a coincidence, everything is connected. Unable to resist, Jaymie jumps right into the case and will stop at nothing to figure out who the culprit is.
I’ve read the rest of this series and have enjoyed it, this book was no different. I like the setting and the characters and found the mystery to be intriguing. I like Jaymie as a main sleuth, but I do wish she Ahmad a bit of a stronger sidekick. No one very seems to be there to help her in the investigation and since she doesn’t learn from her daring exploits in past cases she kind of needs some support. This is a good series, not my all time favorite, but a solid one to return to for each book. I found this book to be fun and enjoyed the twists of the case. I was kept guessing up until the end on who the killer was which is always good in a mystery. I’m interested to see what comes next for Jaymie since so much of her personal life seems to be at loose ends by the end of this book. If you’re looking for a fun mystery series based on vintage kitchen items this series is a good one!
February 19, 2018
The fourth book in the Vintage Kitchen series.
I loved the first, felt ok about 2 and 3 and wanted it to get better. This book did get a little better for me.
The main character, Jaymie, can be a fun person with a very adventurous sounding life - running people’s businesses when they’re away, volunteering at the local historical society, finding odd Vintage kitchen supplies. However sometimes she is a pain - her comments and actions sometimes feel painful in how they’re written. Overall the stories are good - this one focuses on the House bought by the historical society and being renovated to show to the public. It’s an idea I’ve read before and better written but.. it still has a lot of merit. I liked her finding the mallets and identifying why so many were needed for specific jobs in older times. I liked the interesting people on the committee and their different interpretations of time, history, family scandals. I really enjoyed her explaining the different approaches to writing a history or memoir.
I’m so glad she finds a new beau - the old ones got boring.
I loved the first, felt ok about 2 and 3 and wanted it to get better. This book did get a little better for me.
The main character, Jaymie, can be a fun person with a very adventurous sounding life - running people’s businesses when they’re away, volunteering at the local historical society, finding odd Vintage kitchen supplies. However sometimes she is a pain - her comments and actions sometimes feel painful in how they’re written. Overall the stories are good - this one focuses on the House bought by the historical society and being renovated to show to the public. It’s an idea I’ve read before and better written but.. it still has a lot of merit. I liked her finding the mallets and identifying why so many were needed for specific jobs in older times. I liked the interesting people on the committee and their different interpretations of time, history, family scandals. I really enjoyed her explaining the different approaches to writing a history or memoir.
I’m so glad she finds a new beau - the old ones got boring.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
I just found out that this is book four in the series but, guess what, it doesn't matter. I could read this one and not feel that I missed something or needed more back story. There was just enough there to get me on track with the characters and story.
Jaymie, the protagonist, collects antique kitchen items and has a penchant for finding bodies and becoming involved in murder investigations. She has some friends like Valetta, and Bernie who support her at times but mostly she and her pup Hoppy do the sleuthing.
This mystery involves the a property dipute and a will. It's involved enough to keep you guessing. I enjoyed this one although it took a while for things to really start happening.
Jaymie, the protagonist, collects antique kitchen items and has a penchant for finding bodies and becoming involved in murder investigations. She has some friends like Valetta, and Bernie who support her at times but mostly she and her pup Hoppy do the sleuthing.
This mystery involves the a property dipute and a will. It's involved enough to keep you guessing. I enjoyed this one although it took a while for things to really start happening.
July 23, 2019
At first I was going to rate this book a 3 star but the ending was well-written and upped the excitement level, so added a point. The characters were well-drawn, prose fine, but the main character spent a fair amount of time talking or gossiping, rather than taking action. But the ending was a little bit of a surprise. The author also remembered to include Hoppy the dog, which made for some charming moments; some books have animals on the cover who are not really part of the action, which misleads the purchaser. It was good enough to check out the other novels in the series. This was the first I have read by this author and I had no problem with entering the series midstream.
January 30, 2019
Another great book in the Vintage Kitchen series. Jaymie is working at the Dumpe Manor with the Historical Society members for an Open House for Christmas. An unpopular man who is writing the brochure for the Open House is murdered. There are a lot of suspects including the Historical Society members and a few villagers to keep things interesting. Also some loose ends in Jamie's life are resolved. I expected one and once you start this book, the 2nd isn't a surprise but they were a little disappointing initially but necessary. This book was quite enjoyable! Looking forward to the next book.
May 11, 2018
Jaymie enjoys vintage kitchens and is given the task to restore the Dampe Manor kitchen. She gets and obtains various mallets, vintage cutlery and vintage ovens for the Dampe Manor. While doing this she finds out someone is using the Dampe Manor for stolen clothes and electronics as well as a Root Cellar. Jaymie ends up trying to figure out who decided to murder a resident historian with one of her mallets.
October 28, 2020
Good, Good, sooo Good!😊 I'm not kidding. So many things were going on for Jaymie but she FINALLY got a few things handled and now she is free to go in any direction she wants. 😁 Maybe the police chief gave her a nudge to become a PI or something. I don't know, guess we will see. 😉 I have never ever been bored reading a book by this author and I know when I check them out from my local library I am in for a treat.
March 27, 2019
The Heritage Society is restoring the Dump Mansion. Jaymie is knock unconscious on her way out one night. Then a historian is murdered the same way. Jaymie decide s to help out. Meanwhile her sometime boyfriend wants to step their relationship and she isn't ready. She has another guy on her mind. Then the murder takes up her time. Will she straighten her boyfriend out and will she figure out all the clues. Read and find out.
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