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Merry Muffin Mystery #8
Thanks for Muffin
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 . . .
Includes delicious muffin recipes!
Praise for the Merry Muffin
“[Has] the ingredients for a wonderful cozy mystery series.” —New York Times bestselling author Paige Shelton
“A great cozy with varied and interesting characters, nice plot with a few twists, and a good main character . . . Loved it!” —Mysteries and My Musings
“Merry Wynter’s character is extremely well-developed . . . This is a great start to a promising new series for cozy mystery fans. Five Stars!” —Goodreads
About the
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. She is the bestselling author of the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, the Merry Muffin Mysteries, and the Regency-set historical mystery series A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder. Visit her website at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com.
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 . . .
Includes delicious muffin recipes!
Praise for the Merry Muffin
“[Has] the ingredients for a wonderful cozy mystery series.” —New York Times bestselling author Paige Shelton
“A great cozy with varied and interesting characters, nice plot with a few twists, and a good main character . . . Loved it!” —Mysteries and My Musings
“Merry Wynter’s character is extremely well-developed . . . This is a great start to a promising new series for cozy mystery fans. Five Stars!” —Goodreads
About the
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. She is the bestselling author of the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, the Merry Muffin Mysteries, and the Regency-set historical mystery series A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder. Visit her website at victoriahamiltonmysteries.com.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2025
About the author
Victoria Hamilton
41 books1,056 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 31 reviews
December 18, 2025
Victoria Hamilton writes a few series, and sometimes it takes a couple of years for an installment to release. That's the case with Thanks for Muffin, part of the Merry Muffin series set in upstate New York. Merry is warm, inviting, and smart. She often gets too involved in crimes. This time, the mission she's been focused on for 7 previous books has come to fruition - her new foundation / building / art center / anything goes opportunity... meaning she has this great space she's turned into an investment, and each time someone visits her mansion and property, some killer shows up. What bad luck. I didn't connect much with this murder mystery, as I usually do with her books, but I did love all the time with the regular supporting cast. Oh, they are fun!
October 22, 2025
I was excited to see that Thanks for Muffin was releasing because I’d enjoyed the other book I’d read in this series – Double or Muffin – but I reviewed that in 2021 so I figured I’d missed a lot of books in between. In actuality, this IS the first book in the series since then, and as such the author does a great job of catching everyone up on the characters and the setting. So if you haven’t yet read any Merry Muffin Mysteries, this is a good place to start… or a good place to start again if you’ve read a couple here and there.
Merry Wynter’s character stood out to me in Double or Muffin and I quickly remembered why as I started reading this latest release. The first person narrative makes it easy to acclimate to her personality, and I once again enjoyed seeing the other characters through her eyes. Her husband Virgil and her best friend Pish move in and out of the story but you can sense the depth of Merry’s feelings for them whenever they are on the page. It was lovely to see Merry finally achieve her goal of opening the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts even if… well… As with all cozy mysteries worth their salt, a grand event means someone is about to die and, just like that, Merry’s two year streak of not stumbling over a body is over.
This time, there is another castle-full of dramatic guests to come under Merry’s insightful scrutiny… guests who eventually become suspects. (Oh yeah, Merry owns a castle which is #goals) The murder doesn’t happen until the halfway mark of the story, though, so we’ve already spent quite a bit of time with the suspects-to-be by the time the deadly deed occurs. This made the first half somewhat slow-going for my taste – I prefer to just jump into the mystery – but, once there’s an investigation afoot, both the pace and my interest really picked up. And, because Merry and I had already formed some opinions and established curiosities about these guests, I quickly settled on my own ideas about who killed the obnoxious victim. I ended up being sorta right… and super surprised, all at the same time haha. I love mysteries that catch me off guard and remind me not to quit my day job to become a detective just yet.
Bottom Line: Thanks for Muffin by Victoria Hamilton is the kind of cozy mystery that makes you want to curl up with coffee and a baked good (I would say, “preferably one without a side of murder”, but that’s really why we’re here). After a four year break from the series, the familiar faces, charming setting, yummy food, dose of drama, and cleverly-twisted whodunit all remind us why Merry Wynter’s world is always worth revisiting. Merry remains one of those heroines you’d love to hang out with – smart, genuine, and just nosy enough to get herself into trouble… but with a heart of gold, all the same. The mystery in this one takes its time to simmer, but once the murder hits the page, it’s all deliciously downhill (and up-paced) from there. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Wynter Castle, this one’s a treat you’ll want to savor.
Language: some infrequent, mild cursing
Romance: kisses only, some suggestive references
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Merry Wynter’s character stood out to me in Double or Muffin and I quickly remembered why as I started reading this latest release. The first person narrative makes it easy to acclimate to her personality, and I once again enjoyed seeing the other characters through her eyes. Her husband Virgil and her best friend Pish move in and out of the story but you can sense the depth of Merry’s feelings for them whenever they are on the page. It was lovely to see Merry finally achieve her goal of opening the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts even if… well… As with all cozy mysteries worth their salt, a grand event means someone is about to die and, just like that, Merry’s two year streak of not stumbling over a body is over.
This time, there is another castle-full of dramatic guests to come under Merry’s insightful scrutiny… guests who eventually become suspects. (Oh yeah, Merry owns a castle which is #goals) The murder doesn’t happen until the halfway mark of the story, though, so we’ve already spent quite a bit of time with the suspects-to-be by the time the deadly deed occurs. This made the first half somewhat slow-going for my taste – I prefer to just jump into the mystery – but, once there’s an investigation afoot, both the pace and my interest really picked up. And, because Merry and I had already formed some opinions and established curiosities about these guests, I quickly settled on my own ideas about who killed the obnoxious victim. I ended up being sorta right… and super surprised, all at the same time haha. I love mysteries that catch me off guard and remind me not to quit my day job to become a detective just yet.
Bottom Line: Thanks for Muffin by Victoria Hamilton is the kind of cozy mystery that makes you want to curl up with coffee and a baked good (I would say, “preferably one without a side of murder”, but that’s really why we’re here). After a four year break from the series, the familiar faces, charming setting, yummy food, dose of drama, and cleverly-twisted whodunit all remind us why Merry Wynter’s world is always worth revisiting. Merry remains one of those heroines you’d love to hang out with – smart, genuine, and just nosy enough to get herself into trouble… but with a heart of gold, all the same. The mystery in this one takes its time to simmer, but once the murder hits the page, it’s all deliciously downhill (and up-paced) from there. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Wynter Castle, this one’s a treat you’ll want to savor.
Language: some infrequent, mild cursing
Romance: kisses only, some suggestive references
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 22, 2025
This is one of the better crafted cozy murder mysteries I've read, and I had a lot of fun with it!
Considering that this book is book 8 in a series I hadn't previously read, I really didn't feel like a stranger in this world. The author does a great job of world-building throughout the book and doesn't assume any previous knowledge - yes there are small call-backs to previous books but not so many that the reader feels they're missing out and none of the references are spoilers either. The setting and character backgrounds for this book is unique to any previous cozy murder mysteries I've read, which was a surprise but it really works! The only major downside I found was that at points there were a few too many characters to keep track of - and even though some of the names were delightfully fun, having two people with very similar names did make things more tricky in a couple of paragraphs.
The plot is very well thought out with plenty of twists and reveals. The murder is set up in such a way that almost anyone could have done it and almost everyone has a motive - so main character Merry really does need to do some investigating in order to uncover the killer. I loved that the murder doesn't happen until halfway through the book - this gave the book a nice pace; as did the fact that not every line of dialogue was written out, instead the parts which are relevant to the plot are given to us line by line but the rest is summarised.
Really enjoyable read, definitely one I'd recommend and I'm more than likely to go back and read more of this series now.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
Considering that this book is book 8 in a series I hadn't previously read, I really didn't feel like a stranger in this world. The author does a great job of world-building throughout the book and doesn't assume any previous knowledge - yes there are small call-backs to previous books but not so many that the reader feels they're missing out and none of the references are spoilers either. The setting and character backgrounds for this book is unique to any previous cozy murder mysteries I've read, which was a surprise but it really works! The only major downside I found was that at points there were a few too many characters to keep track of - and even though some of the names were delightfully fun, having two people with very similar names did make things more tricky in a couple of paragraphs.
The plot is very well thought out with plenty of twists and reveals. The murder is set up in such a way that almost anyone could have done it and almost everyone has a motive - so main character Merry really does need to do some investigating in order to uncover the killer. I loved that the murder doesn't happen until halfway through the book - this gave the book a nice pace; as did the fact that not every line of dialogue was written out, instead the parts which are relevant to the plot are given to us line by line but the rest is summarised.
Really enjoyable read, definitely one I'd recommend and I'm more than likely to go back and read more of this series now.
- Thanks to NetGalley for granting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review -
September 21, 2025
This was a lot of fun!
There were plenty of twists and turns, plots and layers upon layers.
The fact that you are a decent way into the book before the murder even happens is a brave and great choice. It really let the setting and people breathe, it brought the whole thing to life. And spending that extra time in creating these encounters with the victim really helps start the array of motives - its delightfully obvious, even if you don't read the blurb, who the victim is going to be.
The characters were all fun, although it bordered on there being too many at times to keep easy track of. I liked the variety of them, and the names were all a complete delight - ridiculous at times, but entertaining in its ridiculousness.
However, I didn't like that a crucial clue was kept from us, I'm a big believer in murder mysteries being 'fair' to the reader, and having this major thing known to Merry but not the reader wasn't cool. You could still make a reasonable guess as to whole the killer was, but that would have sealed the deal.
Despite that, this book kept me turning the pages, eager to see what happened next and I really enjoyed my time with Merry Wynter.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
There were plenty of twists and turns, plots and layers upon layers.
The fact that you are a decent way into the book before the murder even happens is a brave and great choice. It really let the setting and people breathe, it brought the whole thing to life. And spending that extra time in creating these encounters with the victim really helps start the array of motives - its delightfully obvious, even if you don't read the blurb, who the victim is going to be.
The characters were all fun, although it bordered on there being too many at times to keep easy track of. I liked the variety of them, and the names were all a complete delight - ridiculous at times, but entertaining in its ridiculousness.
However, I didn't like that a crucial clue was kept from us, I'm a big believer in murder mysteries being 'fair' to the reader, and having this major thing known to Merry but not the reader wasn't cool. You could still make a reasonable guess as to whole the killer was, but that would have sealed the deal.
Despite that, this book kept me turning the pages, eager to see what happened next and I really enjoyed my time with Merry Wynter.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
October 5, 2025
It has been a long time between books in this series, four years to be exact, and I was happy to go back and visit with old friends. I have always enjoyed Merry and the circle of friends and colleagues she has built around her and Wynter Castle. It was nice to move ahead to see the conference center and performing arts center ready for a christening first performance. It was a little disconcerting to try and catch up with all of Merry's friends and connections after a time gap and still deal with everything that was going on in the event happening mode. The other problem I had was the overwhelming number of characters involved in the performances, party, and murder mystery. There was a list of characters by the author at the beginning that was somewhat helpful, but there were still too many people, histories, and interconnecting relationships to try and keep everything clear! While the mystery was compelling and kept you turning the pages, I missed time with Pish, Virgil, Hannah etc and it seemed like we spent a lot of time preparing meals and trying to keep people, connections and their histories straight. Next time, I hope we get to spend more time with our favorite people. Many thanks to #Netgally, #BeyondthePagePublishing, and the author for an opportunity to catch up. #ThanksforMuffin #AVeryMuffinMystery #VictoriaHamilton #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
October 1, 2025
"Thanks for Muffin (Merry Muffin Mystery #8)" by Victoria Hamilton is set a few years after book 7. It seems that because of this there is a lot of detail catch up being put at the beginning of the book. It takes a little bit to get to the main story and mystery.
Merry Wynter and the castle crew had finished their performance center and are throwing a Thanksgiving Eve gala to celebrate it opening. Yes, they decided to host a big event with celebrities on one of the biggest travel days in the United States. I'm a bit surprised they got the turn out they did.
Unfortunately, some of their guests aren't what they expected. One in particular seems out to ruin anyone they interact with. Well, we're in cozy mystery territory so that means 50/50 victim or culprit for that character. The police are a bit short staffed because of Thanksgiving. This leaves Merry feeling like she needs to help investigate.
I honestly wasn't surprised by the culprit. There's some serious motive there that I could see as a potential motive if I were in their shoes. However, there was a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting. Though, it did make sense once the reveal happened confirming the culprit.
This was a fairly standalone edition to the series. However, you may be more connected to the characters had you read the previous books. Great late fall/early winter with a hint of Thanksgiving book.
Merry Wynter and the castle crew had finished their performance center and are throwing a Thanksgiving Eve gala to celebrate it opening. Yes, they decided to host a big event with celebrities on one of the biggest travel days in the United States. I'm a bit surprised they got the turn out they did.
Unfortunately, some of their guests aren't what they expected. One in particular seems out to ruin anyone they interact with. Well, we're in cozy mystery territory so that means 50/50 victim or culprit for that character. The police are a bit short staffed because of Thanksgiving. This leaves Merry feeling like she needs to help investigate.
I honestly wasn't surprised by the culprit. There's some serious motive there that I could see as a potential motive if I were in their shoes. However, there was a bit of a twist I wasn't expecting. Though, it did make sense once the reveal happened confirming the culprit.
This was a fairly standalone edition to the series. However, you may be more connected to the characters had you read the previous books. Great late fall/early winter with a hint of Thanksgiving book.
August 26, 2025
Merry Wynter is excited for the grand opening gala of Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts.
Merry and her good friend Pish have been working hard on the project and both are hoping the event goes without any trouble.
Everything seems to be going fine until an abrasive journalist writes a scathing article about the event.
It seems the journalist has angered quite a few people, so when his body is discovered, it seems everyone could be a suspect.
I really like this series and the author has done a wonderful job in creating a place that seems very real to me.
Merry and her good friend Pish have been working hard on the project and both are hoping the event goes without any trouble.
Everything seems to be going fine until an abrasive journalist writes a scathing article about the event.
It seems the journalist has angered quite a few people, so when his body is discovered, it seems everyone could be a suspect.
I really like this series and the author has done a wonderful job in creating a place that seems very real to me.
September 6, 2025
Merry Wynter is hosting the grand opening for a gala and she has made sure to invite all of the right people. Merry is the last in her family line so her hopes are that a trust is set up for the performing arts center and it can continue to thrive. Entertainers, influencers, reporters, etc. Wynter and Pish are always cooking delicious foods! Muffins, yogurt parfaits, casseroles, and all sorts of other breakfast foods. This book definitely made me hungry while I was reading.
A reporter turns up dead and now Wynter has to figure out how it happened. Rumor has it that the reporter has a pretty shady past and has a felony also. Turns out, the reporter had a run in with a couple different people in town.
I felt like it was a bit hard for me to get into in the beginning. I think there were too many characters and descriptions to piece together. It may be because this is the first book I have read in the series, so maybe I wasn't able to jump right in.
I loved the recipes at the end! The blueberry sour cream coffee cake muffins sound amazing. The cheddar and buckwheat scones sound like something I'll have to try to bake. I didn't guess the suspect correctly, but it all made sense how everything connected in the end. Thank you to Netgalley, Beyond The Page Publishing, and Victoria Hamilton for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
A reporter turns up dead and now Wynter has to figure out how it happened. Rumor has it that the reporter has a pretty shady past and has a felony also. Turns out, the reporter had a run in with a couple different people in town.
I felt like it was a bit hard for me to get into in the beginning. I think there were too many characters and descriptions to piece together. It may be because this is the first book I have read in the series, so maybe I wasn't able to jump right in.
I loved the recipes at the end! The blueberry sour cream coffee cake muffins sound amazing. The cheddar and buckwheat scones sound like something I'll have to try to bake. I didn't guess the suspect correctly, but it all made sense how everything connected in the end. Thank you to Netgalley, Beyond The Page Publishing, and Victoria Hamilton for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
October 31, 2025
Merry Wynter and Percival “Pish” Lincoln are hosting an amazing and elegant inaugural gala to introduce the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts while also serving as a charity fundraising event. People will travel via luxury party buses from Manhattan to Western New York for the opportunity to dress to the nines and have a holiday experience. Among the guests is a variety of talent, from a world-renowned soprano soloist and her equally talented offspring, an actor, a 90s popstar, and a producer/director. Several guests will be staying through the holiday for an amazing Thanksgiving dinner to be enjoyed the next day. The last thing needed for the grand opening weekend, was a disagreeable, philandering, muckraker reporter who ends up dead after streaming an unflattering video and nasty bit of commentary about the gala and the attendees.
This is book 8 of the Merry Muffin Mystery series and I must confess that I think there would be much to gain by reading the preceding episodes. That is not to say that this is not a stand-alone cozy, I was not lost or confused while enjoying the story but having a pre-existing knowledge of characters and relationships would have enhanced my reading experience. Ms. Hamilton does include a “Cast of Characters” at the beginning of the book which helped immensely. She also includes a few recipes at the conclusion of the story which are quite tasty and simple enough for any level of cook to complete. I enjoyed making and eating the savory Cheddar and Buckwheat Scones with a nice bowl of stew. I have plans to also try the Blueberry-Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins.
Merry, our sleuth, is a smart cookie, or baker, I should say. She is easy to relate to and has a real big heart of gold regardless of what some people might think. She isn’t an heiress or an entitled well-to-do, but she is a hard worker with an amazing baking ability that has led to a successful business. The castle she inherited was a bit of a shambles and it did not come with a fix-it fund, so of course she is going to do anything she can to help solve the murder before the news hits the net and threatens all that she and her best buddy Pish have accomplished. Being the smart lady, she is also means that she surrounds herself with smart people. Her smart and hunky husband Virgil, a former cop turned private investigator, is pulled in on the case by local law enforcement. It is always helpful to have an inside man. Merry’s other friends pitch in and help out in a variety of ways. Which is extremely helpful because it seems like suspects are popping up left and right as Merry learns more and more about her guests and their personal histories. Who would have guessed that the gala was going to be seven degrees of Dan Sooner.
This is book 8 of the Merry Muffin Mystery series and I must confess that I think there would be much to gain by reading the preceding episodes. That is not to say that this is not a stand-alone cozy, I was not lost or confused while enjoying the story but having a pre-existing knowledge of characters and relationships would have enhanced my reading experience. Ms. Hamilton does include a “Cast of Characters” at the beginning of the book which helped immensely. She also includes a few recipes at the conclusion of the story which are quite tasty and simple enough for any level of cook to complete. I enjoyed making and eating the savory Cheddar and Buckwheat Scones with a nice bowl of stew. I have plans to also try the Blueberry-Sour Cream Coffee Cake Muffins.
Merry, our sleuth, is a smart cookie, or baker, I should say. She is easy to relate to and has a real big heart of gold regardless of what some people might think. She isn’t an heiress or an entitled well-to-do, but she is a hard worker with an amazing baking ability that has led to a successful business. The castle she inherited was a bit of a shambles and it did not come with a fix-it fund, so of course she is going to do anything she can to help solve the murder before the news hits the net and threatens all that she and her best buddy Pish have accomplished. Being the smart lady, she is also means that she surrounds herself with smart people. Her smart and hunky husband Virgil, a former cop turned private investigator, is pulled in on the case by local law enforcement. It is always helpful to have an inside man. Merry’s other friends pitch in and help out in a variety of ways. Which is extremely helpful because it seems like suspects are popping up left and right as Merry learns more and more about her guests and their personal histories. Who would have guessed that the gala was going to be seven degrees of Dan Sooner.
October 9, 2025
THANKS FOR MUFFIN is the eighth book in the Merry Muffin Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton. It’s been a few years since the release of the last book in this charming series, and I was happy to see a new installment and a chance to catch up with protagonist Merry Wynter. Merry and her best friend, Pish, are preparing for the grand opening gala of the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts. A longtime dream of theirs, it was rewarding to see it all come together as they got ready to celebrate. Ms. Hamilton fills the readers’ senses with her vivid descriptions of the settings and brings the characters to life on the page. Given the time between the last book and this new release, the author takes her time to reacquaint the reader with the characters and catch them up on what’s been going on. There’s also a helpful list of characters at the beginning of the book to help keep track of the main characters. There’s a slow buildup, filled with family, friends, and guests as they gather to celebrate the gala and Thanksgiving the following day. That said, the first part of the book’s pacing was a bit slow with a gradual lead up to the crime. And given the magnitude of the huge grand opening celebration, and there are so many characters to keep track of, I found myself flipping to the beginning to remind myself of who I was reading about.
That said, once the actual murder takes place, the plot kicks into high gear with Merry and Pish in the thick of the investigation. With such numerous people attending the grand opening, there’s a wide pool of suspects who not only had reasons to want the victim dead, but who had the opportunity to do the deed. It kept me guessing as the author led me on with twists and turns, only for me to change my mind a few pages later. There are clues for the armchair detective to follow… but be careful not to fall for misdirection like I did. As Merry’s investigation digs deeper, the author expertly weaves in the day-to-day life of running the Performing Arts Center, and entertaining guests at her castle. I enjoyed how well Merry works not only with her best friend, Pish, in uncovering the culprit, but she also relies on her private investigator husband, Virgil. As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, the heart-stopping reveal kept me glued to the pages as I waited with bated breath to see how it played out… which ended up being quite thrilling! This is a great addition to the series, and I hope more books are planned in the future!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
That said, once the actual murder takes place, the plot kicks into high gear with Merry and Pish in the thick of the investigation. With such numerous people attending the grand opening, there’s a wide pool of suspects who not only had reasons to want the victim dead, but who had the opportunity to do the deed. It kept me guessing as the author led me on with twists and turns, only for me to change my mind a few pages later. There are clues for the armchair detective to follow… but be careful not to fall for misdirection like I did. As Merry’s investigation digs deeper, the author expertly weaves in the day-to-day life of running the Performing Arts Center, and entertaining guests at her castle. I enjoyed how well Merry works not only with her best friend, Pish, in uncovering the culprit, but she also relies on her private investigator husband, Virgil. As the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, the heart-stopping reveal kept me glued to the pages as I waited with bated breath to see how it played out… which ended up being quite thrilling! This is a great addition to the series, and I hope more books are planned in the future!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 14, 2025
Merry Wynter is opening her inherited castle as a performing arts center. After the lavish opening celebration, one of the guests is discovered dead. There have been previous problems with murders there, so she is determined to help solve this mystery and save the castle’s reputation.
I wanted to read Thanks for Muffin because I love cozy mysteries. The castle setting was intriguing, and I was interested in the baking aspect of the story.
This is my first read in the series. I greatly appreciated the cast of characters list and referred to it several times. The mystery was different than I anticipated, but not in a bad way. I thought it would be a cozy with a good deal of baking, given the book title. There was less baking than I expected, and this was more a classic mystery - with a cast of characters that would make Agatha Christie proud.
There were many characters in this book - performers, their hangers-on, and towns people. As a result there were a number of viable suspects, which made this a challenging mystery for Merry, and a very interesting reading.
I recommend Thanks for Muffin for fans of cozy mysteries that harken back to old fashioned classic mysteries. It was a fun read!
I wanted to read Thanks for Muffin because I love cozy mysteries. The castle setting was intriguing, and I was interested in the baking aspect of the story.
This is my first read in the series. I greatly appreciated the cast of characters list and referred to it several times. The mystery was different than I anticipated, but not in a bad way. I thought it would be a cozy with a good deal of baking, given the book title. There was less baking than I expected, and this was more a classic mystery - with a cast of characters that would make Agatha Christie proud.
There were many characters in this book - performers, their hangers-on, and towns people. As a result there were a number of viable suspects, which made this a challenging mystery for Merry, and a very interesting reading.
I recommend Thanks for Muffin for fans of cozy mysteries that harken back to old fashioned classic mysteries. It was a fun read!
October 14, 2025
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.
October 26, 2025
This series continues to be a refreshing and engaging read from start to finish. From the very first book, the author has skillfully invited readers into Merry’s world, allowing us to experience her emotions and growth firsthand. Throughout the series, we have witnessed her journey through grief, her discovery of a new home and community, and, ultimately, the joy of finding love. Her development has been both realistic and rewarding, a true testament to the author’s ability to create a relatable and enduring protagonist.
In this latest installment, Merry sees one of her long-held dreams come to fruition. Surrounded by both familiar faces and new acquaintances, she celebrates her accomplishments while navigating unexpected challenges. The story delivers several surprising twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying resolution as Merry and her friends work together to uncover the truth behind a tragic death.
Overall, this novel is a strong addition to an already beloved series. It balances mystery, personal growth, and heartfelt relationships with skill and warmth. Watching Merry’s journey come full circle has been both uplifting and deeply satisfying.
In this latest installment, Merry sees one of her long-held dreams come to fruition. Surrounded by both familiar faces and new acquaintances, she celebrates her accomplishments while navigating unexpected challenges. The story delivers several surprising twists and turns, culminating in a satisfying resolution as Merry and her friends work together to uncover the truth behind a tragic death.
Overall, this novel is a strong addition to an already beloved series. It balances mystery, personal growth, and heartfelt relationships with skill and warmth. Watching Merry’s journey come full circle has been both uplifting and deeply satisfying.
November 7, 2025
I’ve read this author before and enjoyed her stories, but this one just did not resonate with me. First of all, there are a lot – and I do mean a lot – of characters to the point where it was really confusing after a bit. Plus two of the characters – Pish and Piph — had names so similar, I had trouble keeping them straight. And then there was the mystery itself. In most cozies, the dead body (or mystery problem) usually shows up by chapter two. Three at the very most. I was halfway through this book before anything happened. The first half of the story is all about the gala happening at the new Performing Arts Center and the descriptions of all the guests and their clothing, which made for really slow reading for me. But by the time we got to the actual murder, we had quite an extensive list of suspects.
I’m not saying this is a bad book, it just didn’t pull me in like most cozies do. But the ending was satisfying and I will give the author kudos for her world-building and descriptions.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
I’m not saying this is a bad book, it just didn’t pull me in like most cozies do. But the ending was satisfying and I will give the author kudos for her world-building and descriptions.
Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
December 30, 2025
If we are lucky, mistakes we make in our youth are mere embarrassments when we get older. But some mistakes, if they are in fact mistakes, can return to haunt us and they might even turn deadly. What Merry does not realize as she opens her castle to the movers and shakers is how many of those attending the Grand Opening have ties to the community and each other and not in good ways.
She is delighted how well the event is going until an obnoxious bully tries to undermine her night of glory. When she discovers his body in a garbage can the problem quickly becomes trying to unravel the entanglements of the various attendees and picking out which one did the deed. The story is sad on many levels including the timing of the murder. The characters are all different from the facades they show from the ritziest to the most common. They are all involved to a greater or lesser extent in the tragedies that occurred at the hands of the deceased. Some of the characters, like Herman, were so sympathetic that as a reader, I wanted to know what happened next. That is the sign of a good story that engages.
Four purrs and two paws up.
She is delighted how well the event is going until an obnoxious bully tries to undermine her night of glory. When she discovers his body in a garbage can the problem quickly becomes trying to unravel the entanglements of the various attendees and picking out which one did the deed. The story is sad on many levels including the timing of the murder. The characters are all different from the facades they show from the ritziest to the most common. They are all involved to a greater or lesser extent in the tragedies that occurred at the hands of the deceased. Some of the characters, like Herman, were so sympathetic that as a reader, I wanted to know what happened next. That is the sign of a good story that engages.
Four purrs and two paws up.
October 10, 2025
Thanks for Muffin is the 8th book in Victoria Hamilton's Merry Muffin Mystery series and I am glad after 4 years this series is continuing. Merry Wynter Grace and her best friend Pish are having a gala over Thanksgiving weekend to celebrate the opening of the Wynter Performing Arts.Center. There are actors, opera fans, social media influencers and locals in attendance. After the gala many of the guests depart leaving a small group who are staying for the weekend. A disliked local reporter is at the gala and had disagreements with many of the guests and then is found dead. The suspects are the group of about a dozen weekend guests but there is a Cast of Characters and the author reminds us who the characters are as.the.story unfolds. There are a lot of secrets, previous events and mishaps that keep the story interesting! It was fun to catch up with the characters again! This is an enjoyable book and series and I am looking forward to the next book. #ThanksForMuffin #MerryMuffinMystery #NetGalley #BeyondThePage
October 12, 2025
She is back! So excited to read more about Merry and Wynter Castle. This time, she is preparing for the opening gala of the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing arts. So many will come, but also someone has stayed behind. Herman, someone who helped with construction has stayed behind in the shed and Merry is at her wits end to get him to leave. As all the fancy guests arrive, it is clear they he may actually know some from the group. We soon learn that many of the guests are from the area and many of them have a connection to something very tragic in local history. After a wonderful opening night, Merry and guests wake to find that the local reporter who had made a pain of himself all night is missing. Sadly they find a body and after two years of peace, the murder castle is back and it is up to Merry to solve the crime before everyone heads back home. A wonderfully written series with a rich set of characters. I am so excited the series is back and looking forward to more. Thank you Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the advanced copy.
October 26, 2025
Finally, Merry Wynter is able to have the opening gala for the Wynter Center for the Perform Arts. She hopes that the history of murdered bodies she has had is behind her. Well, that isn't so. A particularly nasty journalist who leaves a bad review of the event is found dead on the property. But she isn't the only one glad to see him dead. Many people there have past times to the man and one of them might just be a murderer.
It took a while for this to get going partly because there was a lot of recounting how the series got to this point. This is the first book in several years in the series to be published. However, there is enough ground work for me to understand what is going on without having read the others in the series. The mystery is solid but I really enjoyed the characters. The worked well together and were also eccentric, but I think you kind of expect that of people who would be doing this. An enjoyable read with some Thanksgiving cheer.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
It took a while for this to get going partly because there was a lot of recounting how the series got to this point. This is the first book in several years in the series to be published. However, there is enough ground work for me to understand what is going on without having read the others in the series. The mystery is solid but I really enjoyed the characters. The worked well together and were also eccentric, but I think you kind of expect that of people who would be doing this. An enjoyable read with some Thanksgiving cheer.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 11, 2025
This was my first time reading a book from this series, and even though it’s book eight, I didn’t feel lost at all. The author did a great job of introducing the characters and setting without making me feel like I missed something important.
The story takes place around the grand opening of a performing arts center, and the build-up to the event was fun to read. I liked getting to know Merry and her best friend Pish as they prepared for the big weekend. The setting felt cozy and full of personality, and the mix of guests from artists to influencers made things interesting.
Once the body is found, the mystery kicks in and I was hooked. There were plenty of suspects, and I kept changing my mind about who might be guilty. The twists were well done.
I liked how Merry worked with both her friends and her husband to figure things out.
The story takes place around the grand opening of a performing arts center, and the build-up to the event was fun to read. I liked getting to know Merry and her best friend Pish as they prepared for the big weekend. The setting felt cozy and full of personality, and the mix of guests from artists to influencers made things interesting.
Once the body is found, the mystery kicks in and I was hooked. There were plenty of suspects, and I kept changing my mind about who might be guilty. The twists were well done.
I liked how Merry worked with both her friends and her husband to figure things out.
December 9, 2025
Thanks for Muffin is book #8 in the Merry Muffin Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton.
It’s good to catch up with Merry again. There is a gala at the castle the night before Thanksgiving and a Thanksgiving dinner the next day. A nasty reporter was putting everything Merry was trying to accomplish at risk - until he turns up dead. This was an entertaining mystery filled with wonderful characters and well-described settings. The author did a good job of bringing everyone up to speed at the beginning since there has been a few years gap between this and the previous book. There are tasty recipes at the end.
Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
It’s good to catch up with Merry again. There is a gala at the castle the night before Thanksgiving and a Thanksgiving dinner the next day. A nasty reporter was putting everything Merry was trying to accomplish at risk - until he turns up dead. This was an entertaining mystery filled with wonderful characters and well-described settings. The author did a good job of bringing everyone up to speed at the beginning since there has been a few years gap between this and the previous book. There are tasty recipes at the end.
Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 11, 2025
This was a well constructed murder mystery that described the scene and the investigation really well. Merry Wynter plans the opening of a new arts centre in upstate New York and invites local and national figures to its unveiling. The evening is a great success until a local reporter disappears. When his body is found the remaining guests face an investigation which reveals plenty of dark secrets about the guests the reporter and the local area. Merry realises who the killer is in a dramatic conclusion before the perpetrators are apprehended. The book raises some quite serious issues as well as being a readable enjoyable murder mystery
October 20, 2025
Merry is excited. Her dream of the performance art center is finally coming to fruition. she couldn’t have planned a better event. But what she wasn’t planning for was a murder taking place at the event center.
When the body of one of her unruly guests is found, Merry find themselves spending the Thanksgiving holiday with a murderer. Can they serve up the culprit on a silver platter or well one of them be the next victim?
It feels like it’s been a while since I last entry in this series, but as soon as you pick up the book and start reading, it feels like no time at all has passed. The author is done an excellent job. I’m delivering yet another solid cozy mystery in this series.
When the body of one of her unruly guests is found, Merry find themselves spending the Thanksgiving holiday with a murderer. Can they serve up the culprit on a silver platter or well one of them be the next victim?
It feels like it’s been a while since I last entry in this series, but as soon as you pick up the book and start reading, it feels like no time at all has passed. The author is done an excellent job. I’m delivering yet another solid cozy mystery in this series.
August 26, 2025
It's time for the Wynter Performing Arts Center to have its grand opening and all the "right"people have been invited to give glowing reviews. But something is so wrong, when one of the journalists is found dead. It's up to Merry Wynter to aid in the hunt for the murderers while she keeps all of the guests content over the Thanksgiving weekend. Good buildup for the grand opening and catching any reader up on what is occurring. A cozy entry set in New York but with a bit of glitz and glamour.
October 13, 2025
Gala Press Problem
Ms. Hamilton's latest addition to the Merry Muffin series is a win, Merry and her crew are determined to open the new theater with a grand gala and do, but have so many unexpected events, leading up to the the discovery of a body and the subsequent investigation. The descriptions of the events and people are vivid and it makes it easy to visualize the scene. It's well laid out and related and I recommend it. I also plan to try one or two of the included recipes.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
Ms. Hamilton's latest addition to the Merry Muffin series is a win, Merry and her crew are determined to open the new theater with a grand gala and do, but have so many unexpected events, leading up to the the discovery of a body and the subsequent investigation. The descriptions of the events and people are vivid and it makes it easy to visualize the scene. It's well laid out and related and I recommend it. I also plan to try one or two of the included recipes.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc to peruse gratis and offer my opinion in the same.
February 23, 2026
Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts is finally opening and Merry Wynter is excited to be hosting the grand opening gala. The event went well with no problems rearing their ugly heads and Merry couldn't be happier. Merry couldn't believe a journalist wrote an article about the event and had nothing nice to say. Things take an even worse turn when Merry finds the critical reporter dead. Wanting to make sure nothing else goes wrong Merry decides to look into the death herself. Will she be able to find a killer before she herself ends up in their line of sight?
October 14, 2025
I really enjoyed this great cast of characters in this mystery. I loved Merry and Virgil and Piph. I enjoyed the descriptions of the castle and the grounds. I liked all the descriptions of the gala. I enjoyed how Merry must ask questions but also be a good host. I liked the speed of this story. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.
October 26, 2025
It took me a while to get into the story. Partly because it’s been so long since there’s been a new book and partly because there were so many characters that I had trouble remembering who everyone was. I did enjoy seeing how projects from past books finally came to fruition and, how Lizzie is finally coming into her own.
January 20, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victoria Hamilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Thanks for Muffin coming out October 14, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really enjoy this author’s writing. I love cozy mysteries. This was a fun one. I enjoyed the characters. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
I really enjoy this author’s writing. I love cozy mysteries. This was a fun one. I enjoyed the characters. I would definitely check out more books by this author.
January 22, 2026
Very Satisfying Read
I have loved this series, and this addition is amazing. The characters are beautifully written, and the story well crafted. I really enjoyed it.
I have loved this series, and this addition is amazing. The characters are beautifully written, and the story well crafted. I really enjoyed it.
March 17, 2026
A nice return to Wynter castle. It’s the grand opening of the performance center. Lots of people with secrets show up.
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