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Merry Muffin Mystery #7
Double or Muffin
In the new Merry Muffin Mystery, baker Merry Wynter must solve a disturbing crime among opera singers before the culprit decides it’s curtains for her . . .
When a reality TV show for aspiring opera singers descends on Wynter Castle, Merry’s got her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants. Then mysterious rumors about the cast and crew begin to surface, suggesting that some of their performances may be filled with false notes. When a dogged reporter with an eye for scandal who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who orchestrated the heinous deed.
Her long list of suspects is filled with eccentric personalities, including a promiscuous tenor known for making unwanted overtures, a pampered young prodigy and her meddlesome mother, and a quiet up-and-comer whose shadowy uncle may have ties to the underworld. As the musical contest and Merry’s investigation near their finale, she’ll have to act fast to keep a conniving contestant from plotting out her final act . . .
When a reality TV show for aspiring opera singers descends on Wynter Castle, Merry’s got her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants. Then mysterious rumors about the cast and crew begin to surface, suggesting that some of their performances may be filled with false notes. When a dogged reporter with an eye for scandal who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who orchestrated the heinous deed.
Her long list of suspects is filled with eccentric personalities, including a promiscuous tenor known for making unwanted overtures, a pampered young prodigy and her meddlesome mother, and a quiet up-and-comer whose shadowy uncle may have ties to the underworld. As the musical contest and Merry’s investigation near their finale, she’ll have to act fast to keep a conniving contestant from plotting out her final act . . .
1 pages, Audio CD
First published February 23, 2021
53 people are currently reading
361 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Hamilton
45 books1,044 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 69 reviews
February 1, 2021
Double or Muffin is the 7th book in Victoria Hamilton's 'A Merry Muffin Mystery' series and will be released in February of 2021. I've previously read all the books in this series as well as her entire 'Vintage Kitchen Mysteries' collection; she also writes several others under different pen names. I enjoy her writing style and have connected with her via social media in the past. When I saw the newest book was available for an early read, I dove in. Let's chat about it...
Merry inherited a castle years ago in upstate New York. Since then, she's gone through several life changes (marriage, moving, losing a husband, murders, et al), and this time, things are getting intense again. Bestie Pish now runs her castle (venue for events, sometimes a hotel for small groups of people, has a catering service) and has invited the cast and crew of an opera competition to film and live onsite for the last week of the event. Each of the characters has a backstory that causes heads to turn, and when one of them ends of almost dead, the mystery begins. Merry is lucky to get out alive this time.
For fans of cozy mysteries, baking, bed-and-breakfasts, opera, and small-town shenanigans, this is a wonderful series. The supporting cast is warm and funny, and all the newcomers in this book are a fine counterbalance; hint, most are not very kind people! Hamilton brings all the drama of the entertainment world, complete with the shy newbies and the divas. Clearly, some of these people have deeper connections, and when it all begins to unravel, it's quite a complicated mess (in a good way, I mean). At first, it was a bit of character overload - 12 or so new people in one chapter where even I had to stop and re-read the descriptions. I love trying to sort them all out but had a doozy of a time in that chapter. By 1/3 of the way thru, everything is very clear -- a true sign of an author who knows how to gently remind us and keep everything well organized.
As a mystery plot, it was full of red herrings. I changed my mind three or four times, and I even had a completely different arc in mind for one character who was standoffish. I was wrong about her story! Ultimately, I found everything really well integrated. I would have loved an additional chapter about what happened to each of them after the competition was over, but truthfully, how can an author tell us the future when she hasn't written the next book yet? That said, I do recommend this series for fans looking for a protagonist who is strong-willed and takes no gruff. Merry does what she wants, fights back with people who aren't very kind, and always stands up for herself. I like her a lot.
Finding this book was a surprise... a great one. I knew it would be coming, but this was the first I'd seen on the marketing side so it was good because I didn't have to wait for the cover reveal process, intro news, pre-sale alert, etc. It was immediately available, but now that means I wait another year for the next one. I hope Vintage Kitchen releases something later this year to keep me immersed in wonderful writing, clever stories, and good characters. Thanks for a fun book... easily 4.5 stars on this one. The series is getting stronger with each release.
Merry inherited a castle years ago in upstate New York. Since then, she's gone through several life changes (marriage, moving, losing a husband, murders, et al), and this time, things are getting intense again. Bestie Pish now runs her castle (venue for events, sometimes a hotel for small groups of people, has a catering service) and has invited the cast and crew of an opera competition to film and live onsite for the last week of the event. Each of the characters has a backstory that causes heads to turn, and when one of them ends of almost dead, the mystery begins. Merry is lucky to get out alive this time.
For fans of cozy mysteries, baking, bed-and-breakfasts, opera, and small-town shenanigans, this is a wonderful series. The supporting cast is warm and funny, and all the newcomers in this book are a fine counterbalance; hint, most are not very kind people! Hamilton brings all the drama of the entertainment world, complete with the shy newbies and the divas. Clearly, some of these people have deeper connections, and when it all begins to unravel, it's quite a complicated mess (in a good way, I mean). At first, it was a bit of character overload - 12 or so new people in one chapter where even I had to stop and re-read the descriptions. I love trying to sort them all out but had a doozy of a time in that chapter. By 1/3 of the way thru, everything is very clear -- a true sign of an author who knows how to gently remind us and keep everything well organized.
As a mystery plot, it was full of red herrings. I changed my mind three or four times, and I even had a completely different arc in mind for one character who was standoffish. I was wrong about her story! Ultimately, I found everything really well integrated. I would have loved an additional chapter about what happened to each of them after the competition was over, but truthfully, how can an author tell us the future when she hasn't written the next book yet? That said, I do recommend this series for fans looking for a protagonist who is strong-willed and takes no gruff. Merry does what she wants, fights back with people who aren't very kind, and always stands up for herself. I like her a lot.
Finding this book was a surprise... a great one. I knew it would be coming, but this was the first I'd seen on the marketing side so it was good because I didn't have to wait for the cover reveal process, intro news, pre-sale alert, etc. It was immediately available, but now that means I wait another year for the next one. I hope Vintage Kitchen releases something later this year to keep me immersed in wonderful writing, clever stories, and good characters. Thanks for a fun book... easily 4.5 stars on this one. The series is getting stronger with each release.
April 12, 2021
At first glance, Double or Muffin, the 7th book in the Merry Muffin Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton, seemed to have the recipe for everything I like about a cozy mystery read. The setting is an inherited castle in upper state NY that has been made into an estate for rent; a proprietress (Merry Grace Wynter) who likes to bake, has a cat and a cute husband, and stumbles across mysteries and solves them; and a cute small town atmosphere. However, from the beginning I had a hard time engaging.
First of all, there is a listing of the cast of characters at the beginning of the book. That's OK for a tome like Game of Thrones, but made me raise my eyebrows for a cozy mystery. There was an overuse of alliterative names.....Moze Markunis, Gilda Greenwald, Brontay Bellini, Sparrow Summers, Anokhi Auretius, Gogi Grace, and other odd names such as Pish, Daffyd Rhys. This vast cast of characters felt more like caricatures, as little time was spent on in-depth personal details that might have served to really draw in the reader and help each character become differentiated and important to the story. Instead the reader has to rely on stereotypes like the boisterous Scottish man, the child prodigy, the international mystery girl, the flirtatious frenchman, etc . to get a sense of each character.
Finally, instead of being drawn in through descriptive narrative details, the reader is treated to a lot of Merry Grace Wynter's thoughts on the mystery as she tromps through the woods and sits in her arm chair, exhausted, drinking tea. Other authors in this genre actually include the recipes of the scrumptious food they are making in the text....in Double of Muffin there really aren't a lot of great food descriptions, and no recipes. If you want them, you have to click through to the author's website and follow a link from there! Hmmmm.
There are a lot of higher reviews for this book, and perhaps it was hard for me to engage because I haven't read from the beginning of the series. However, I think I will pass on the rest of the series. Thanks to #Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for an ARC in the digital format. #DoubleorMuffin.
First of all, there is a listing of the cast of characters at the beginning of the book. That's OK for a tome like Game of Thrones, but made me raise my eyebrows for a cozy mystery. There was an overuse of alliterative names.....Moze Markunis, Gilda Greenwald, Brontay Bellini, Sparrow Summers, Anokhi Auretius, Gogi Grace, and other odd names such as Pish, Daffyd Rhys. This vast cast of characters felt more like caricatures, as little time was spent on in-depth personal details that might have served to really draw in the reader and help each character become differentiated and important to the story. Instead the reader has to rely on stereotypes like the boisterous Scottish man, the child prodigy, the international mystery girl, the flirtatious frenchman, etc . to get a sense of each character.
Finally, instead of being drawn in through descriptive narrative details, the reader is treated to a lot of Merry Grace Wynter's thoughts on the mystery as she tromps through the woods and sits in her arm chair, exhausted, drinking tea. Other authors in this genre actually include the recipes of the scrumptious food they are making in the text....in Double of Muffin there really aren't a lot of great food descriptions, and no recipes. If you want them, you have to click through to the author's website and follow a link from there! Hmmmm.
There are a lot of higher reviews for this book, and perhaps it was hard for me to engage because I haven't read from the beginning of the series. However, I think I will pass on the rest of the series. Thanks to #Netgalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for an ARC in the digital format. #DoubleorMuffin.
September 20, 2021
I adore this series, I would love for Merry to be my BFF (maybe she could help me pick out better clothes?) and that castle! Mmmff, I want a castle.
I enjoyed the plot, I love how this series incorporates a lot of characters, but they are so well written that it's easy to keep them straight. While having so many characters might bog the story down, I've found that's not the case with this series, and I'm sure it takes a lot of skill as a writer to accomplish.
All the hubbub around the tv show was fun (although I'd have to say, I found it slightly weird that people were fawning over opera singers like they were rock stars, but to each their own.) and the investigation into the attack kept me guessing right to the end.
Another great book in the Merry Muffin series and definitely recommend to people who love more cozy (and muffins!) in their cozy mysteries
I enjoyed the plot, I love how this series incorporates a lot of characters, but they are so well written that it's easy to keep them straight. While having so many characters might bog the story down, I've found that's not the case with this series, and I'm sure it takes a lot of skill as a writer to accomplish.
All the hubbub around the tv show was fun (although I'd have to say, I found it slightly weird that people were fawning over opera singers like they were rock stars, but to each their own.) and the investigation into the attack kept me guessing right to the end.
Another great book in the Merry Muffin series and definitely recommend to people who love more cozy (and muffins!) in their cozy mysteries
February 23, 2021
Merry Wynter’s business partner, Pish, agreed to let a reality show film at the Castle. Merry, while having more work loaded on to her, is fine with it as it pays the bills. What neither of them took into account was that operatic divas are a handful.
When a journalist who is writing about the series is found left for dead, Merry can’t help but wonder who had it out for the woman. It seems all of the contestants have some secrets that they are hiding, but who has a secret deadly enough to kill? That’s what Merry intends to find out, while the singers work to hit the high notes and she hopes to avoid being the killers next hit.
A smart, engaging and well written mystery full of red herrings, much like all of the author’s works. This and her vintage kitchen series are two of the series on my must read list and never disappoint. Definitely a series for the mystery cozy lover.
When a journalist who is writing about the series is found left for dead, Merry can’t help but wonder who had it out for the woman. It seems all of the contestants have some secrets that they are hiding, but who has a secret deadly enough to kill? That’s what Merry intends to find out, while the singers work to hit the high notes and she hopes to avoid being the killers next hit.
A smart, engaging and well written mystery full of red herrings, much like all of the author’s works. This and her vintage kitchen series are two of the series on my must read list and never disappoint. Definitely a series for the mystery cozy lover.
March 21, 2021
With Double or Muffin, I’m jumping in to the middle of the Merry Muffin Mystery series, but with that title, how could I resist? I liked Merry Wynter right from the beginning, charmed by her smartly written first person narrative and the fact that she owns her own ancestral castle in the United States. Because, hello, who doesn’t want to know someone with a castle?!? Her husband Virgil, bestie (and business partner) Pish, her cat Becket, and her copious friends and acquaintances – all of them add further layers to the story on their own, even as they are advancing the plot in various ways.
Along with liking Merry right away, I also almost instantly felt so stressed for her haha. She has her plans for the next few days, and suddenly Pish springs a major inconvenience on her – a reality ‘American Idol-ish’ competition for opera singers will be filming at the castle, starting that very day, and the contestants and producers will all be staying in the castle. Cue throwing out the first to-do list and coming up with a whole new one, and boy that gives me anxiety to think about lol. I don’t like my own plans changing that dramatically at a moment’s notice, so Merry had all my sympathy even as she herself rolled expertly with the punches. And oh boy, did the reality show cast, crew, judges, and mentors add a large dose of drama and chaos to the equation, not to mention a heaping helping of secrets. I got so caught up in figuring out everything they were all hiding that I completely failed at figuring out who the attacker was – or why. Very well-constructed plot and nicely placed clues, even if I missed them lol.
Double or Muffin definitely can be read as a standalone, though I think I would have absorbed the character dynamics a bit more quickly if I’d been reading the series from book one. There are a lot of supporting characters in this particular book, and it seems several of them have popped up in other books so I think it would have been easier for me to keep up with everyone if I wasn’t meeting all of them for the first time.
Bottom Line: This was my first read in the Merry Muffin series, and my first book by Victoria Hamilton, to my recollection, but it won’t be my last. I immediately connected with the author’s writing style, with her witty & smart first person narrative. The characters are nicely developed, even the supporting characters, and while I thought it got a bit bogged down in details at times, it remained engaging from start to finish. The castle, the eccentric characters, the last-minute reality show elements – all of these helped this cozy mystery stay fresh and unpredictable, and I also appreciated that it dealt with some serious issues without getting overly heavy in tone. I can’t wait to catch up on the series backlist & future books with Merry and crew!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that this book contains some mild cursing and some suggestive elements.
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
Along with liking Merry right away, I also almost instantly felt so stressed for her haha. She has her plans for the next few days, and suddenly Pish springs a major inconvenience on her – a reality ‘American Idol-ish’ competition for opera singers will be filming at the castle, starting that very day, and the contestants and producers will all be staying in the castle. Cue throwing out the first to-do list and coming up with a whole new one, and boy that gives me anxiety to think about lol. I don’t like my own plans changing that dramatically at a moment’s notice, so Merry had all my sympathy even as she herself rolled expertly with the punches. And oh boy, did the reality show cast, crew, judges, and mentors add a large dose of drama and chaos to the equation, not to mention a heaping helping of secrets. I got so caught up in figuring out everything they were all hiding that I completely failed at figuring out who the attacker was – or why. Very well-constructed plot and nicely placed clues, even if I missed them lol.
Double or Muffin definitely can be read as a standalone, though I think I would have absorbed the character dynamics a bit more quickly if I’d been reading the series from book one. There are a lot of supporting characters in this particular book, and it seems several of them have popped up in other books so I think it would have been easier for me to keep up with everyone if I wasn’t meeting all of them for the first time.
Bottom Line: This was my first read in the Merry Muffin series, and my first book by Victoria Hamilton, to my recollection, but it won’t be my last. I immediately connected with the author’s writing style, with her witty & smart first person narrative. The characters are nicely developed, even the supporting characters, and while I thought it got a bit bogged down in details at times, it remained engaging from start to finish. The castle, the eccentric characters, the last-minute reality show elements – all of these helped this cozy mystery stay fresh and unpredictable, and I also appreciated that it dealt with some serious issues without getting overly heavy in tone. I can’t wait to catch up on the series backlist & future books with Merry and crew!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
Reviewer’s Note: Readers may want to be aware that this book contains some mild cursing and some suggestive elements.
first seen at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 23, 2021
This was the second cozy mystery book I read this week that is hosting a reality competition being filmed at their resort/hotel/B&B. Merry Wynter has her hands full catering to the endless demands of the distinguished judges and ambitious contestants in a reality TV show where aspiring opera singers are competing at Wynter Castle. There are rumors swirling about the various contestants, their families, background and possible criminal charges. When a reporter who is covering the show, who also has an eye for scandal, is attacked and left for dead, Merry’s determined to discover who wanted her dead and why.
This is the 7th book in this series, and although Merry has a lot of life and changes behind her, you can read this book as a standalone. Merry's friend and business partner, Pish now runs her castle (a venue for events, sometimes hotel/B&B and a catering service) and has invited the cast and crew of an opera competition to film and live onsite. Each of the characters has an interesting backstory, which definitely intrigues everyone, including the reporter hired for the show. Of course with all reality shows there is drama, back-stabbing and some not so nice behaviour. Merry uses her friendly personality to get to know each of the competitors and the reporter, so when she is attacked, Merry is the one to reveal information and investigate the crime on the side. It is important to pay attention when the characters are introduced because there are a lot of them and it is easy to get confused, but they all play a huge part in the story. Merry is a great protagonist. She is strong-willed and doesn't put up with anything. She fights back, stands up for those who are being treated badly and will not put up with disrespectful or mean behaviour. The mystery is a good one. First it was nice that there was no murder, the young woman who was attacked survives. There were a lot of suspects (pretty much everyone at the competition) and enough red herrings that I changed my mind constantly. As the culprit was revealed, everything came together well and I enjoyed the conclusion. Once again, I did a read/listen with this story. I find that reading when I get the opportunity and listening while in the car or doing certain jobs (i.e. dishes, laundry) adds to my enjoyment of a story. Margaret Strom does a good job with the story, expression and inflection. Her female voices were varied and well done, but the male voices need some work. I will listen to more books by this narrator as overall, I enjoyed her performance. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
This is the 7th book in this series, and although Merry has a lot of life and changes behind her, you can read this book as a standalone. Merry's friend and business partner, Pish now runs her castle (a venue for events, sometimes hotel/B&B and a catering service) and has invited the cast and crew of an opera competition to film and live onsite. Each of the characters has an interesting backstory, which definitely intrigues everyone, including the reporter hired for the show. Of course with all reality shows there is drama, back-stabbing and some not so nice behaviour. Merry uses her friendly personality to get to know each of the competitors and the reporter, so when she is attacked, Merry is the one to reveal information and investigate the crime on the side. It is important to pay attention when the characters are introduced because there are a lot of them and it is easy to get confused, but they all play a huge part in the story. Merry is a great protagonist. She is strong-willed and doesn't put up with anything. She fights back, stands up for those who are being treated badly and will not put up with disrespectful or mean behaviour. The mystery is a good one. First it was nice that there was no murder, the young woman who was attacked survives. There were a lot of suspects (pretty much everyone at the competition) and enough red herrings that I changed my mind constantly. As the culprit was revealed, everything came together well and I enjoyed the conclusion. Once again, I did a read/listen with this story. I find that reading when I get the opportunity and listening while in the car or doing certain jobs (i.e. dishes, laundry) adds to my enjoyment of a story. Margaret Strom does a good job with the story, expression and inflection. Her female voices were varied and well done, but the male voices need some work. I will listen to more books by this narrator as overall, I enjoyed her performance. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own.
March 1, 2021
4.5 stars
This is the seventh book in the Merry Muffin series by Victoria Hamilton.
Drama returns to Wynter Castle when Merry Wynter’s partner decides to help judges and contestants in a reality tv show Opera singing contest and allow them to stay at the castled on short notice after being kicked out of their last accommodations. You knew from the beginning all this was going to be a problem.
I enjoyed the mystery and following the characters around but I wasn’t a big fan of the reality tv show part. Drama like that never appeals to me. But it was well-written and just a personal preference on my part. The story is more than stellar. The cast was fully crafted and detailed. Each and every person had quite a bit of backstory which usually isn’t the case for minor characters. Loved so much about it. Definitely check out this series, I know I want to go back and read quite a few books I have missed. I see a marathon in my future.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the seventh book in the Merry Muffin series by Victoria Hamilton.
Drama returns to Wynter Castle when Merry Wynter’s partner decides to help judges and contestants in a reality tv show Opera singing contest and allow them to stay at the castled on short notice after being kicked out of their last accommodations. You knew from the beginning all this was going to be a problem.
I enjoyed the mystery and following the characters around but I wasn’t a big fan of the reality tv show part. Drama like that never appeals to me. But it was well-written and just a personal preference on my part. The story is more than stellar. The cast was fully crafted and detailed. Each and every person had quite a bit of backstory which usually isn’t the case for minor characters. Loved so much about it. Definitely check out this series, I know I want to go back and read quite a few books I have missed. I see a marathon in my future.
If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
March 1, 2021
Disappointing
While I enjoyed the first 6 books, this one was disappointing. The actual mystery didn't occur until the book was half over. The author spent too much time fleshing out the back stories to the suspects prior to the mystery event.
While I enjoyed the first 6 books, this one was disappointing. The actual mystery didn't occur until the book was half over. The author spent too much time fleshing out the back stories to the suspects prior to the mystery event.
March 10, 2021
DOUBLE OR MUFFIN by Victoria Hamilton
The Merry Muffin Mystery
After being kicked out of their hotel in Rochester, NY, judges, contestants, and the crew of Opera DivaNation descend on Wynter Castle. The reality TV show brings more drama than a Wagnerian opera with a questionable uncle, an obnoxious stage mother, an associate producer intent on showing contestants in the worst light, and an entertainment reporter who would rather be reporting true crime. Although Merry Wynter feels something is wrong with her guests, she can't pinpoint the actual problem. When the reporter is found near death, Merry makes it her mission to find out what happened and why. As secrets are slowly uncovered Merry has to wonder, who would kill to keep their secret hidden?
As an opera fan I was thrilled to see opera brought into this, the seventh, Merry Muffin Mystery. The little operatic details brought interest to the story without impeding the mystery. There were lots of questionable characters and a generalized sense of unease from the start, but the true mystery didn't occur until halfway through the book. I was soaking up the ambiance and enjoying learning about the characters through their interactions, which helped solve the mystery in the long run, although I periodically wondered when a dead body would turn up and whose it would be.
While I like Merry and Virgil, I adore Becket, the true hero of this book. I also really liked Kamile, the mysterious and very talented soprano. Although a lot of her backstory was uncovered, I wanted to learn even more. I loved that the young opera contestant sang "O mio babbino caro", one of the first pieces I learned as a young, albeit older than her, singer. I also admit visualizing Mr. Bean's mimed rendition.
DOUBLE OR MUFFIN takes the drama of opera and mixes it with the salacious gossip of a tabloid with nods to current social issues to create a perplexing and eminently enjoyable mystery.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Merry Muffin Mystery
After being kicked out of their hotel in Rochester, NY, judges, contestants, and the crew of Opera DivaNation descend on Wynter Castle. The reality TV show brings more drama than a Wagnerian opera with a questionable uncle, an obnoxious stage mother, an associate producer intent on showing contestants in the worst light, and an entertainment reporter who would rather be reporting true crime. Although Merry Wynter feels something is wrong with her guests, she can't pinpoint the actual problem. When the reporter is found near death, Merry makes it her mission to find out what happened and why. As secrets are slowly uncovered Merry has to wonder, who would kill to keep their secret hidden?
As an opera fan I was thrilled to see opera brought into this, the seventh, Merry Muffin Mystery. The little operatic details brought interest to the story without impeding the mystery. There were lots of questionable characters and a generalized sense of unease from the start, but the true mystery didn't occur until halfway through the book. I was soaking up the ambiance and enjoying learning about the characters through their interactions, which helped solve the mystery in the long run, although I periodically wondered when a dead body would turn up and whose it would be.
While I like Merry and Virgil, I adore Becket, the true hero of this book. I also really liked Kamile, the mysterious and very talented soprano. Although a lot of her backstory was uncovered, I wanted to learn even more. I loved that the young opera contestant sang "O mio babbino caro", one of the first pieces I learned as a young, albeit older than her, singer. I also admit visualizing Mr. Bean's mimed rendition.
DOUBLE OR MUFFIN takes the drama of opera and mixes it with the salacious gossip of a tabloid with nods to current social issues to create a perplexing and eminently enjoyable mystery.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
March 16, 2021
Double or Muffin is the 7th book in the Merry Muffin Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton. In this book I was pleased to meet former fashion stylist and baker Merry Grace Wynter, who inherited a castle - Wynter Castle - years ago in New York and is married to Virgil, a former Sheriff. Her best male friend, Pish Lincoln now runs her castle as a venue for events, a hotel for small groups of people or as a catering service and he has invited the cast and crew of an opera competition to film and live onsite for the duration of the filming. When one of them ends up left for dead, head and torso saturated with blood and found in the woods by Merry, the mystery begins.
Although book 7 in the series, this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone and I didn't feel disadvantaged not having read the previous instalments. With a compelling plot, drama aplenty, a great bunch of characters, and oodles of mayhem added to the mix, this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. Victoria Hamilton's clever writing style kept me fully engaged in the story even with the introduction of such a large number of characters. The author conveyed all the drama of the entertainment world so well, complete with the shy ones and the divas. With no shortage of suspects, there was plenty of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. Trying to unravel the mystery alongside Merry was lots of fun and I welcomed the racy pace. I loved the savviness of Merry in sussing out the clues as well as her inner strength and independence. I would like to read the books I've missed in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed Double or Muffin and I’m game to see what shenanigans Merry gets into next. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Although book 7 in the series, this can be enjoyed as a stand-alone and I didn't feel disadvantaged not having read the previous instalments. With a compelling plot, drama aplenty, a great bunch of characters, and oodles of mayhem added to the mix, this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. Victoria Hamilton's clever writing style kept me fully engaged in the story even with the introduction of such a large number of characters. The author conveyed all the drama of the entertainment world so well, complete with the shy ones and the divas. With no shortage of suspects, there was plenty of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. Trying to unravel the mystery alongside Merry was lots of fun and I welcomed the racy pace. I loved the savviness of Merry in sussing out the clues as well as her inner strength and independence. I would like to read the books I've missed in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed Double or Muffin and I’m game to see what shenanigans Merry gets into next. Very highly recommended.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 14, 2021
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
Newly married Merry is enjoying life. She goes to checkout on the castle one morning only to find it crawling with a television crew that she knew nothing about. Pish made a last minute decision to help them put with a location when they were kicked out of their old one. Merry grudgingly agrees though gives them a tight schedule due to upcoming events that have been planned for quite some time. This group is reality t.v. show focused on opera singers. She calls the group crazy and they definitely live up to that with all their strange behaviors. Makes for an interesting read as it all plays out that only changes slightly when one of them goes missing only to be found later close to death. This makes Merry start investigating before they all have to leave. Creates a varied mix of clues that will keep you guessing until it all plays out with some surprising results. I especially love her kitty who is quite the character in his own right. A really fun read that is sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
Newly married Merry is enjoying life. She goes to checkout on the castle one morning only to find it crawling with a television crew that she knew nothing about. Pish made a last minute decision to help them put with a location when they were kicked out of their old one. Merry grudgingly agrees though gives them a tight schedule due to upcoming events that have been planned for quite some time. This group is reality t.v. show focused on opera singers. She calls the group crazy and they definitely live up to that with all their strange behaviors. Makes for an interesting read as it all plays out that only changes slightly when one of them goes missing only to be found later close to death. This makes Merry start investigating before they all have to leave. Creates a varied mix of clues that will keep you guessing until it all plays out with some surprising results. I especially love her kitty who is quite the character in his own right. A really fun read that is sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
January 25, 2021
Ok, I have to confess, Victoria Hamilton is my favorite author. This series, and her vintage kitchen series are my top two favorite.
In Double or Muffin, Wynter Castle is the new location for a reality show featuring opera singers. The cast and crew were tossed out of another venue, and Pish willingly grants them the use of the castle.
While Merry isn’t thrilled with this sudden change, she is curious about these quirky people.
The singers range in age, with the youngest being 15 years old.
Merry has a bad feeling about this motley crew, and her suspicions are confirmed when she finds a body in the woods surrounding the castle.
I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. I loved all the different characters and how the author made this book flow so smoothly between the investigation and the competition.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a great, fast paced story.
#DoubleorMuffin #NetGalley
In Double or Muffin, Wynter Castle is the new location for a reality show featuring opera singers. The cast and crew were tossed out of another venue, and Pish willingly grants them the use of the castle.
While Merry isn’t thrilled with this sudden change, she is curious about these quirky people.
The singers range in age, with the youngest being 15 years old.
Merry has a bad feeling about this motley crew, and her suspicions are confirmed when she finds a body in the woods surrounding the castle.
I was on the edge of my seat reading this book. I loved all the different characters and how the author made this book flow so smoothly between the investigation and the competition.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a great, fast paced story.
#DoubleorMuffin #NetGalley
February 24, 2021
Yet another fun instalment in the Merry Muffin cozy mystery series. This time Merry is voluntold by her BFF Pish to host a reality TV opera contest at Wynter Castle. For those who haven’t been following the series, Merry is a former fashion stylist now turned castle owner and muffin baker.
The TV show was forced out of their original location due to drama on set. Now Merry needs to get to the bottom of all the drama to discover which contestant on the show is a would-be murderer.
All of our favourite characters have returned as well as some spicy newcomers. There are a lot of suspects but the author does a good job of keeping everybody straight so it’s not confusing. The reality TV setting was fun and fresh! Anne, the beleaguered show producer, was very entertaining.
This book also didn’t shy away from some serious topics like sexual harassment. It was nice to see a cosy take on this topic in a forward thinking way.
I recommend this book to cosy fans!
The TV show was forced out of their original location due to drama on set. Now Merry needs to get to the bottom of all the drama to discover which contestant on the show is a would-be murderer.
All of our favourite characters have returned as well as some spicy newcomers. There are a lot of suspects but the author does a good job of keeping everybody straight so it’s not confusing. The reality TV setting was fun and fresh! Anne, the beleaguered show producer, was very entertaining.
This book also didn’t shy away from some serious topics like sexual harassment. It was nice to see a cosy take on this topic in a forward thinking way.
I recommend this book to cosy fans!
January 29, 2021
Double or Muffin" the 7th instalment in the "A Merry Muffin" Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton. I really enjoyed catching up with Merry and the rest of her friends at Wynter Castle. This time an Opera Reality Show was filming in the castle, oh my what a bunch of characters they were. The Protagonist Merry Wynter is a strong, and independent and I especially love her cat Becket who is feisty, and loving all at the same time.
I practically read in one sitting as I was so drawn into what was happening. There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with warm, diverse characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I practically read in one sitting as I was so drawn into what was happening. There were enough twists to keep me intrigued and wanting to know how it ends.
I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a cozy filled with warm, diverse characters and a small town atmosphere.
I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 15, 2021
I always enjoy this series, and I loved revisiting Wynter Castle again! Excellent mystery with lots of suspicious characters. I managed to figure out a tiny bit of the 'whodunit' but didn't unravel the entire mystery. I'd recommend this entire series to anyone who enjoys a wonderful cozy full of great characters and excellent writing/storytelling!
April 26, 2021
I enjoyed visiting Wynter Castle and Merry once again. Merry is a smart, strong, confident, and caring host. She makes most of her guests feel at home and the ones that don't are usually up to something. Wynter Castle is a wonderful setting for artists not only for its beauty but the calm it inspires. The mystery is full of red herrings and no shortage of suspects to keep the reader engaged and solving the mystery right along with Merry. I look forward to more in this series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
February 19, 2021
This is the 7th installment in the Merry Muffin Mystery series. Merry Wynter is the owner of Wynter Castle and is settling into married life and has plans with her business partner Pish to get a entertainment pavilion on the grounds and she is shocked to learn he has agreed to have an Opera reality TV show come in and do some filming for the next 7 to 10 days as they are having the castle windows cleaned for another filming crew in two weeks. Merry agrees because Pish knows one of the judges and they have been kicked out of their hotel after a number of mysterious incidents. Merry agrees to cater the dinners and do a breakfast along with housing the contestants. The contestants all seems to have something strange going on with them and are all high strung. Merry is stressed and gets some help from a few of her friends and she gets Lizzie hired on as an intern on the production. Virgil her husband is going out of town for a case (he is a private investigator) so she decides to stay at the castle. Things begin to go missing from the window cleaners as well as in the castle and the entertainment reporter arrives in the middle of the night. All the contestants appear to have something to hide and the reporter Gilda is digging up dirt on all of them. When she goes missing one day, Merry is convinced something is wrong and the night before there had been lots of coming and goings late into the night at the castle and Beckett her cat stayed out all night. Merry sees a clue that Beckett found and she eventually gets a search underway that leads to the finding of Gilda almost dead in the woods. Now she has an attempted murderer staying under her roof. Merry, Pish, Virgil along with the police are gathering evidence to find out what is going on. This was a good solid mystery with lots of possible suspects and I was guessing until the very end. The writing is solid and moves at a good pace and keeps you engaged and wanting more. There are a lot of characters in this story but it is handled well and this can be read as a stand-alone with no problem. I cannot wait for the next installment. A winner.
March 1, 2021
If you like reality TV shows, you’ll love this story. It’s all about a reality TV show that is being filmed at the Wynter Castle. There’s a rather large cast of characters – which was part of the problem for me. This is the seventh in the series so I was a little lost with background on the main characters, although the author does a really good job of relating them to each other. But I believe you’d be better served if you started with the first book rather than the seventh as I did. I’ve never read this author before, but I will be reading more of her work. Once I got into the story, I really enjoyed it. There were a lot of suspects and it was, at times, difficult to keep them all straight. They all had secrets in their pasts that they wanted kept…secret. The story is full of all the stuff we expect from reality TV – favors in exchange for getting ahead, bribery, blackmail, egos, talent vs. no-talent, and more. This time, there’s no dead body—they found the victim in time—but being in a coma means not telling the cops who the villain was. Convenient, but it works.
I enjoyed the characters of Pish, Merry, Virgil, Lynn, Gordie, and the others attached to the story line. I’m looking forward to reading more about them. And learning more about this castle and how it came to be for Merry. Which means I am definitely reading more in this series—from the beginning.
Recommendation: Although this is a stand alone with a satisfying ending, I suggest you start at the beginning of the series so you know who’s who and what’s what. I believe your enjoyment will be enhanced by this. But overall, it’s a good cozy mystery that has a good ending.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the author/publisher for providing this book. I received a 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 enjoyed the characters of Pish, Merry, Virgil, Lynn, Gordie, and the others attached to the story line. I’m looking forward to reading more about them. And learning more about this castle and how it came to be for Merry. Which means I am definitely reading more in this series—from the beginning.
Recommendation: Although this is a stand alone with a satisfying ending, I suggest you start at the beginning of the series so you know who’s who and what’s what. I believe your enjoyment will be enhanced by this. But overall, it’s a good cozy mystery that has a good ending.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the author/publisher for providing this book. I received a 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”
March 3, 2021
Double or Muffin by Victoria Hamilton has Merry Wynter welcoming the cast and crew of a reality competition for aspiring opera singers to Wynter Castle. Merry is kept hopping with baking meals, cleaning rooms, catering the food services tables, and handling the requests of the guests. It is a mystery as to why the group was asked to leave their last hotel. Merry also has the windows of the castle being washed for the next group to descend on the stately home. As if Merry does not have enough on her plate, items begin to disappear around the castle and from the window washers’ van. Before Merry can look into the matter, the industrious reporter writing an article on the competition disappears. A search party is organized, and the reporter is found wounded in the woods. She was stabbed and left for dead in the cold. Merry is determined to discover who harmed the woman and begins working through the lengthy suspect list. Can Merry find the guilty party before they fly the coop? Double or Muffin is the 7th A Merry Muffin Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I thought Double or Muffin was well-written with developed characters. There is an interesting cast of characters. It appears that everyone with the show has a secret. The story has a good flow, but I did find the pacing a little slow in the first half. The mystery was well-plotted, but it does not occur until halfway through the book. There are a number of suspects for Merry to consider. The singers in the competition all seem to be hiding something and it is up to Merry to ferret out the information. There are clues to aid readers in solving the crime before the solution is revealed. I thought one detail was particularly clever. I enjoyed Becket’s antics and his participation in the mystery. It was great to catch up with Merry, Pish, Virgil, and their friends. Double or Muffin ends on a sweet note. Double or Muffin is a lively cozy mystery with problematic prima donnas, mouthwatering muffins, a cunning cat, missing materials, a prying reporter, and attractive operatic arias.
February 17, 2021
So you think you know what reality television is really like? Step inside Wynter Castle, where Opera DivaNation has stormed the castle for a singing showdown featuring many of the genre’s most talented singers. Castle owner Merry Wynter, her bestie and business partner Pish, and Merry’s husband Virgil are expecting a certain amount of mayhem, of course, but they never expected events to become life threatening.
I enjoyed the large, wildly diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstory, agenda and goals. The author deftly juggles everyone, giving her characters distinct personality traits, talents, and backstories rife with tantalizing information. A ginger cat named Becket often steals the show and that’s all right with me. Clues, motives, and red herrings abound. If Murder on the Orient Express had taken place in a castle, it might have resembled this ‘just one more chapter and then I’m going to bed for sure’ wild ride of a mystery.
Double or Muffin is all about the details. You’ll find it easy to picture the lavish settings in your mind’s eye. You’ll feel the tension and excitement of an opera reality show as it comes to life inside Wynter Castle. You may not even notice that the actual mystery doesn’t kick in till the halfway point of the book because you’re having so much fun with all these eccentric people. When the mystery finally is revealed, it packs a good punch since we’ve become so familiar with everyone.
I have to mention that Merry Wynter takes a stab at (forgive me) the reality show contest industry which can drive aspiring talent a little, or a lot, too far. I applaud the author for bringing real problems to light and dealing with them honestly in her fictional world.
Thank you to author Victoria Hamilton, NetGalley, and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
I enjoyed the large, wildly diverse cast of characters, each with their own backstory, agenda and goals. The author deftly juggles everyone, giving her characters distinct personality traits, talents, and backstories rife with tantalizing information. A ginger cat named Becket often steals the show and that’s all right with me. Clues, motives, and red herrings abound. If Murder on the Orient Express had taken place in a castle, it might have resembled this ‘just one more chapter and then I’m going to bed for sure’ wild ride of a mystery.
Double or Muffin is all about the details. You’ll find it easy to picture the lavish settings in your mind’s eye. You’ll feel the tension and excitement of an opera reality show as it comes to life inside Wynter Castle. You may not even notice that the actual mystery doesn’t kick in till the halfway point of the book because you’re having so much fun with all these eccentric people. When the mystery finally is revealed, it packs a good punch since we’ve become so familiar with everyone.
I have to mention that Merry Wynter takes a stab at (forgive me) the reality show contest industry which can drive aspiring talent a little, or a lot, too far. I applaud the author for bringing real problems to light and dealing with them honestly in her fictional world.
Thank you to author Victoria Hamilton, NetGalley, and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 5, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: Right upfront I admit, I loved this story. Anytime a kitty like Becket gets his just rewards and is the ultimate hero of the piece, well, you know, it is going to get my paw of appurrval. And the rest of the story was pretty good too.
Merry’s plans for her Castle and the surrounding grounds are coming along well. She has booked several big things for the near future and she figures she can easily accomplish all her jobs, calmly without rushing. Things change drastically when her partner Pish agrees to let a reality series film in the Castle. It is an American Idol for opera singers. Surely, this will be a staid, well behaved group. Right? Not. In fact, they are desperate for a location having been turfed from the hotel where they had been working for questionable behaviour..
It’s an interesting group of finalists, three men and three woman. There is a teenage girl with the stage mother from hell. There is a mysterious foreign woman with an overbearing uncle. A former boy-band alumnus from Scotland, a Quebecois singer, a black opera singer and a woman whose presence in the finalists baffles everyone who hears her. There are lots of behind the scenes shenanigans and even more nefarious back stories about both cast and crew. It was going to be a diva-fest regardless but when a journalist who is writing a story about the series is left for dead in the woods, the stakes are for more than the spotlight.
The aforementioned Beckett proves to be the hero-cat more than once as he is instrumental in saving both the journalist and his mistress. I can understand why Merry was not sure about the identity of the villain as there were some convincing red herrings that will keep the reader guessing right up to the end.
Lots of plot twists and fun, even if opera is not your cup of tea. Five purrs and two paws up.
Merry’s plans for her Castle and the surrounding grounds are coming along well. She has booked several big things for the near future and she figures she can easily accomplish all her jobs, calmly without rushing. Things change drastically when her partner Pish agrees to let a reality series film in the Castle. It is an American Idol for opera singers. Surely, this will be a staid, well behaved group. Right? Not. In fact, they are desperate for a location having been turfed from the hotel where they had been working for questionable behaviour..
It’s an interesting group of finalists, three men and three woman. There is a teenage girl with the stage mother from hell. There is a mysterious foreign woman with an overbearing uncle. A former boy-band alumnus from Scotland, a Quebecois singer, a black opera singer and a woman whose presence in the finalists baffles everyone who hears her. There are lots of behind the scenes shenanigans and even more nefarious back stories about both cast and crew. It was going to be a diva-fest regardless but when a journalist who is writing a story about the series is left for dead in the woods, the stakes are for more than the spotlight.
The aforementioned Beckett proves to be the hero-cat more than once as he is instrumental in saving both the journalist and his mistress. I can understand why Merry was not sure about the identity of the villain as there were some convincing red herrings that will keep the reader guessing right up to the end.
Lots of plot twists and fun, even if opera is not your cup of tea. Five purrs and two paws up.
March 1, 2021
Merry Wynter has converted a castle into a bed and breakfast. It's exterior is also used in movies and shows or as promotional material. As such, and because it is her home, Merry wants it to remain as untarnished as possible. Both physically and in reputation.
Unfortunately, keeping it so has been extremely difficult.
Imagine her surprise to be told that without advance notice, MANY people would be descending upon her quiet oasis, staying a week and filming a reality television show. She doesn't have time to absorb or react before they begin arriving.
The show is an opera talent program. Merry hopes this would involve a more respectable sort of people. Then she learns that they are here after being evicted from their previous arrangement. NO one is saying why.
A widely varied selection of contestants, judges, production staff and crew make up this production.
Fortunately, only the contestants will be spending the nights.
This is a multilayered story with an abundance of secrets to keep us guessing.
Murder, or at least attempted murder, fraud, scandal, and much more weave back and forth between these pages. Each time Merry and friends (and frenemies) discover one piece of the puzzle more questions and worries arise.
Is there a murderer living within the castle walls?
Who is next to be in danger?
Will this reality show ever end?
Fast paced and fascinating, you won't want to put this book down, but you will jump at every bump in the night.
Unfortunately, keeping it so has been extremely difficult.
Imagine her surprise to be told that without advance notice, MANY people would be descending upon her quiet oasis, staying a week and filming a reality television show. She doesn't have time to absorb or react before they begin arriving.
The show is an opera talent program. Merry hopes this would involve a more respectable sort of people. Then she learns that they are here after being evicted from their previous arrangement. NO one is saying why.
A widely varied selection of contestants, judges, production staff and crew make up this production.
Fortunately, only the contestants will be spending the nights.
This is a multilayered story with an abundance of secrets to keep us guessing.
Murder, or at least attempted murder, fraud, scandal, and much more weave back and forth between these pages. Each time Merry and friends (and frenemies) discover one piece of the puzzle more questions and worries arise.
Is there a murderer living within the castle walls?
Who is next to be in danger?
Will this reality show ever end?
Fast paced and fascinating, you won't want to put this book down, but you will jump at every bump in the night.
February 23, 2021
This is the 7th Merry Muffin Mystery and the first time it doesn't include murder. Wynter Castle unexpectedly hosts an opera reality show. This introduces an interesting cast of characters to the book. Most of the contestants and some of the judges are hiding secrets.
Gilda is a news reporter who is on site following the course of the competition. Part way through the filming Gilda goes missing. With help from Becket, Merry finds Gilda unconscious and injured in the woods. Merry has always been very negatively impacted by finding dead bodies on the property, but she was still quite upset that someone was injured and left for dead in the woods.
The story flows pretty well. Merry kept details of the investigation to herself (or the author hid them to keep the guilty party from being obvious). It's at the point of final action that the guilty parties become clear and many of the secrets kept by the contestants come to light.
I found the story to be an enjoyable read even though I am not a big fan of reality TV shows. Basing a book on the filming of a reality show doesn't increase my fondness.
The book could definitely be read without reading the other books in the series. The main characters are all introduced with enough information to make the story work by itself.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book prior to publication.
Gilda is a news reporter who is on site following the course of the competition. Part way through the filming Gilda goes missing. With help from Becket, Merry finds Gilda unconscious and injured in the woods. Merry has always been very negatively impacted by finding dead bodies on the property, but she was still quite upset that someone was injured and left for dead in the woods.
The story flows pretty well. Merry kept details of the investigation to herself (or the author hid them to keep the guilty party from being obvious). It's at the point of final action that the guilty parties become clear and many of the secrets kept by the contestants come to light.
I found the story to be an enjoyable read even though I am not a big fan of reality TV shows. Basing a book on the filming of a reality show doesn't increase my fondness.
The book could definitely be read without reading the other books in the series. The main characters are all introduced with enough information to make the story work by itself.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the book prior to publication.
February 28, 2021
Double or Muffin by Victoria Hamilton is maybe a nightmare bout a reality T.V. show descending on Merry and Wynter Castle: Opera Diva Nation. It is full of all the elements that one has always know were part of reality T.V.: progressing in exchange for sexual favors, bribery, blackmail, and pure hatefulness. There were six hopefuls: three male and three female. The females ended to be younger than the males, in fact tow were nearly children. All was controllably miserable and chaotic until there was a murder. That made it all worse.
The core characters in this series and very likable and real, although the two owners of Wynter Castle are opposite in every way. Merry is young, newly married, sensible, hard working, and compassionate. Her partner, Pish Lincoln, is and older man, gay, knowledgeable about the world and acquainted with a plethora of people in it, always having a resource to call upon. They were best friends. Odd. Merry keeps things going in a practical way. Pish is more esoteric. The mystery was a good one. The setting was ideal and interesting. Just enough odd terrain to provide for the mystery. All-in-all, this is a book worth reading if you enjoy cozy mysteries at all. Well done and page-turning. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Double or Muffin by Netgalley. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #doubleormuffin
The core characters in this series and very likable and real, although the two owners of Wynter Castle are opposite in every way. Merry is young, newly married, sensible, hard working, and compassionate. Her partner, Pish Lincoln, is and older man, gay, knowledgeable about the world and acquainted with a plethora of people in it, always having a resource to call upon. They were best friends. Odd. Merry keeps things going in a practical way. Pish is more esoteric. The mystery was a good one. The setting was ideal and interesting. Just enough odd terrain to provide for the mystery. All-in-all, this is a book worth reading if you enjoy cozy mysteries at all. Well done and page-turning. I recommend it.
I was invited to read a free ARC of Double or Muffin by Netgalley. All opinions expressed herein are solely my own. #netgalley #doubleormuffin
March 10, 2021
"Double or Muffin" is the 7th book in the Merry Muffin Mystery series, but only the 2nd one I've read. Though there are references to past events from the previous installments, these books do not need to be read in order. In this story, Merry Wynter is hosting the production of a singing competition (think "The Voice" but all opera) in her castle. The contestants, judges, and crew are all a bit odd to say the least.
When a reporter covering the competition is attacked, Merry wants to ensure the investigation is wrapped up quickly so she gets involved. It turns out the reporter was looking into more than just the competition - she wanted to reveal secrets and scandals to make a name for herself. That means her attacker could be virtually anyone. More than one contestant was hiding a secret, and some contestants may not have been above sabotaging others for a chance to win.
Merry Wynter is a likable character, and her castle inheritance is a wonderful setting for a series. The competition didn't resonate with me much, but it may have if it was a genre that I enjoy and have some knowledge about. I wish the story had more about the business Merry runs and the baking/cooking, but there were a lot of characters involved and the focus did need to be on them.
FTC disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
When a reporter covering the competition is attacked, Merry wants to ensure the investigation is wrapped up quickly so she gets involved. It turns out the reporter was looking into more than just the competition - she wanted to reveal secrets and scandals to make a name for herself. That means her attacker could be virtually anyone. More than one contestant was hiding a secret, and some contestants may not have been above sabotaging others for a chance to win.
Merry Wynter is a likable character, and her castle inheritance is a wonderful setting for a series. The competition didn't resonate with me much, but it may have if it was a genre that I enjoy and have some knowledge about. I wish the story had more about the business Merry runs and the baking/cooking, but there were a lot of characters involved and the focus did need to be on them.
FTC disclosure: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
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January 25, 2021This is the seventh book in the Merry Muffin series & the first I have read. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book and I would go back and read the earlier ones. I found this a pleasant, easy book to read though very descriptive at the start which could be off putting. This time Merry is hosting a reality show at short notice, with all the possible personality clashes and tropes that could be imagined in this context.
It draws on the way the media can use quotes out of context so they can be miss perceived which is an important message to remind people about especially when we are all being exposed to so much misinformation in the media & draws on themes such as BLM through blunt dialogue between characters about the perceptions and bias applied to people who appear to meet with demographic along with other timely themes in a positive way.
The author has a way of describing what the main character is wearing in a dear diary way that feels odd to me and often out of place and adds details of Merry's relationship with Virgin that feel a little unnecessary for the general style of the book.
Overall an enjoyable gentle crime story with lots of suspects and a nice easy read.
(Copy for Review from NetGalley)
It draws on the way the media can use quotes out of context so they can be miss perceived which is an important message to remind people about especially when we are all being exposed to so much misinformation in the media & draws on themes such as BLM through blunt dialogue between characters about the perceptions and bias applied to people who appear to meet with demographic along with other timely themes in a positive way.
The author has a way of describing what the main character is wearing in a dear diary way that feels odd to me and often out of place and adds details of Merry's relationship with Virgin that feel a little unnecessary for the general style of the book.
Overall an enjoyable gentle crime story with lots of suspects and a nice easy read.
(Copy for Review from NetGalley)
February 21, 2021
Received a free copy for honest review from Netgalley
In the latest installment of Merry Muffin Mysteries, Merry Grace Wynter owner of Wynter Castle and baker extraordinaire must solve yet another crime.
Merry and her business partner and best friend Pish Lincoln rent the castle out for different events and this time the castle and catering services are being used by a production company that is taping a reality based competition that involves aspiring opera singers. As the castle fills up with cast, crew, judges and production staff things may not be as they seem. Everyone involved with the show seems to have secrets and ulterior motives and when a journalist writing about the competition is attacked and left for dead Merry must sift through what is relevant and what isn't to help solve the crime. She even gets a little help from her cat!
I love that there are so many characters in the book. At first it was a little confusing to keep them all straight but I found it really added to the mystery of who dun it, you really had to decided who's secrets and backstory was relevant to solving the crime. This was a great cozy mystery with diverse characters and a small town atmosphere that draw you in from the very first page. I recommend it to all.
In the latest installment of Merry Muffin Mysteries, Merry Grace Wynter owner of Wynter Castle and baker extraordinaire must solve yet another crime.
Merry and her business partner and best friend Pish Lincoln rent the castle out for different events and this time the castle and catering services are being used by a production company that is taping a reality based competition that involves aspiring opera singers. As the castle fills up with cast, crew, judges and production staff things may not be as they seem. Everyone involved with the show seems to have secrets and ulterior motives and when a journalist writing about the competition is attacked and left for dead Merry must sift through what is relevant and what isn't to help solve the crime. She even gets a little help from her cat!
I love that there are so many characters in the book. At first it was a little confusing to keep them all straight but I found it really added to the mystery of who dun it, you really had to decided who's secrets and backstory was relevant to solving the crime. This was a great cozy mystery with diverse characters and a small town atmosphere that draw you in from the very first page. I recommend it to all.
February 24, 2021
This is the seventh book in the Merry Muffin Mystery series, you can read this story without knowing what happened in the first six. I did. In this story, Merry Wynter has allowed a reality TV show to finish filming their show in Wynter Castle after a debacle has forced them out of a Rochester hotel. While filming, a reporter who’s been covering the competition is attacked and left for dead. Merry has to wend her way though the suspects to figure out who would’ve attacked the reporter, a woman not many there actually like. She’s dug up dirt on just about every contestant and is relentless in pursuing her stories.
Merry doesn’t solve this alone, she has the help of her cat Becket, her business partner Pish, friends, and her husband Virgil.
This was the first time I’d read a cozy mystery from this author, and it won’t be my last. Full of twists and turns, the story kept me on my toes. Good writing, wonderful characters, and just enough clues to keep you guessing.
*I received an ARC of this story from the publisher and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Merry doesn’t solve this alone, she has the help of her cat Becket, her business partner Pish, friends, and her husband Virgil.
This was the first time I’d read a cozy mystery from this author, and it won’t be my last. Full of twists and turns, the story kept me on my toes. Good writing, wonderful characters, and just enough clues to keep you guessing.
*I received an ARC of this story from the publisher and this is my honest and voluntary review.
February 22, 2021
This is an ARC review. Wow!!This book is another great one in this series. While it could be a stand alone I suggest reading the 1 st book in the series so you can become familiar with the characters. This one starts out strong and just grabs one mind. There's no putting it down.. Wynter Castle is over run with constants and crew from the reality show. Opera Diva Nation.. But there's more going on than just try outs. Someone (or maybe a few) is hiding some secrets they don't want revealed . However journalist Gilda Greenwald is out for a good story and she'll do whatever it takes to get that story. But things don't turn out well for Glenda and after being attacked she's left for dead. Can Merry Wynter Grace (owner of the castle) figure out who wanted their secrets silenced or will she become the next victim??.
March 6, 2021
Just when you thought reality shows couldn’t get any cattier than RuPaul’s Drag Race, enter the world of Opera Divanation! In Double or Muffin, Merry and her business partner Pish host a competition show for aspiring opera singers in her castle in upstate NY.
If you, like me, know next to nothing about opera, no worries. Opera Divanation is more about the divas in the opera-based reality show than the operas themselves. There are a mass of characters. However, their fully realized personalities make it easy to keep them straight.
The mystery is a real challenge. The plot within the reality show itself was fun. Virtually everyone has secrets to hide that eventually come to the surface. Overall, Double or Muffin is a fun look behind-the-scenes at a reality TV show. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
If you, like me, know next to nothing about opera, no worries. Opera Divanation is more about the divas in the opera-based reality show than the operas themselves. There are a mass of characters. However, their fully realized personalities make it easy to keep them straight.
The mystery is a real challenge. The plot within the reality show itself was fun. Virtually everyone has secrets to hide that eventually come to the surface. Overall, Double or Muffin is a fun look behind-the-scenes at a reality TV show. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5 stars!
Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
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