No Grater Danger

Written by Victoria Hamilton

Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller

Vintage cookware enthusiast Jaymie Leighton is thrilled at the prospect of meeting an elderly descendant of her town's founding father, not least because she's known to possess an enviably large collection of antique spice graters. But the curmudgeonly woman also has substantial real estate holdings, and at the moment she's engaged in a fierce battle with a property developer who wants her to sell off her old buildings in the name of progress. When Jaymie goes to visit the woman and discovers that there's been an attempt on her life, she polishes up her sleuthing skills to find out who was behind the foul deed.

Her first instinct is to suspect the developer, but as she digs deeper into the case she learns that her older new friend has purportedly been the victim of numerous criminal acts-all of which point to different suspects. Unsure if the stories are true or simply the confused ramblings of a senior citizen, Jaymie sifts through the clues hoping to expose the culprit, but she knows that if she keeps stirring up trouble, she'll be next on the would-be killer's list . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Oct 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781541485549

Victoria Hamilton

Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson.She now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking, and dead bodies in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries and Merry Muffin Mystery series. Besides writing about murder and mayhem, and blogging at Killer Characters, Victoria collects vintage kitchen wares and old cookbooks, as well as teapots and teacups.

Reviews for No Grater Danger

[carlathelibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

No Grater Danger by Victoria Hamilton is the seventh story in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. UI have only read the last two, so am confident in saying you can read these as standalone stories, but you might miss some character building. Jaymie Leighton Muller is enjoying her new life married to Jakob and taking care of her stepdaughter, Jocie. In this story she was thrilled, the first time Jocie called her mommy. Jaymie is volunteering at Jocie's school and is asked to assist in a new program that involves teaching through objects. Mrs. Stubbs, the school principal, suggests Jaymie talk with her cousin, Lois Perry who owns a large collection of spice graters along with other historical objects to do with the spice trade. Lois is a recluse who is being harrassed by Fergus Baird, a local developer to sell him her waterfront property. When Jaymie arrives for a meeting with Lois, she finds her at the bottom of the back stairs. Jaymie finds a wire across the stairs as well as the information that this is not the first time someone has tried to kill her. Jaymie sets out to find the person behind this because the next attempt on Lois’ life could be successful.

No Grater Danger is well written with a great pace and interesting storyline. Jaymie is a great main character and I love her family unit. She and Jakob are on the same wavelength and as busy as they are, they make time for family and each other. There are many wonderful moments in the story with family time as well as time with friends, cooking, eating, and shopping, Lois is a feisty, intelligent and stubborn woman who comes from a different time and has different values and beliefs. Queensville, Michigan is a lovely town with quaint shops and I appreciate how they want to preserve their history. I love the fact that they live on a Christmas tree farm. The writing is very descriptive describing items and events. The mystery is well-crafted with a twist that surprised me. There are red herrings and multiple suspects as well the murder of another character. Jaymie actively questions suspects and seeks clues to aid her investigation, with some of those questioned not being very forthcoming or happy about Jaymie's interference. Some reviewers figured out the culprit early in the story, I didn't, but I did figure it out before the reveal. I wanted to keep reading to discover the why as well as to see if Jaymie figures it out and/or puts herself in danger. I definitely recommend this to any cozy mystery lover, especially those who enjoy Victoria Hamilton books. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions stated are my own.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Now that Jaymie Leighton Muller has taken on the job of wife and stepmother, she has been working with the school principal and been asked to create a program that teaches through object. She's decided to teach about the Spice trade and enlists the help of Lois Perry, an elder lady whose family made their fortune in spices and their home is even known as the Nutmeg Palace. On a visit to puck up a few vintage nutmeg graters, Jaymie finds Mrs. Perry at the bottom of the steps in her home seriously injured. Someone tried to kill her! Why? Was it for the inheritance, the properties that a developer is trying to buy? When the developer is found dead on Mrs. Perry's property - murdered - and other attempts on Mrs. Perry's life come to light, things are turning serious and Jaymie not only has to protect Mrs. Perry but herself as well.I love this series, the details of the vintage items as well as the characters and setting.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

No Grater Danger by Victoria Hamilton is the seventh story in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. Jaymie Leighton Muller is enjoying her new life married to Jakob and taking care of her stepdaughter, Jocie. Sybil Thorndike, Jocie’s school principal, asks Jaymie to assist in a new program that involves teaching through objects. They want to use objects from the heritage house for an upcoming spice trade lesson. Mrs. Stubbs suggests Jaymie talk with her cousin, Lois Perry who owns a large collection of nutmeg graters along with other historical objects. Lois Perry is a reclusive woman who lives in the Nutmeg Palace and owns the waterfront property in town. Fergus Baird, a developer, has been badgering Lois to sell off the property. When Jaymie arrives for a meeting with Lois, she finds her at the bottom of the back stairs. Someone set it up for Lois to fall and this was not the first time an attempt has been made on her life. Jaymie sets out to find the person behind these dastardly deeds because the next attempt on Lois’ life could be successful. No Grater Danger contains good writing, a steady pace and smooth transitions. There is a great cast of established characters and I like the addition of Lois Perry (feisty and intelligent woman). I have liked watching Jaymie grow over the course of the series, and I am glad that she has found the right partner for her in Jakob Muller. Queensville, Michigan is a lovely town with quaint shops and I appreciate how they want to preserve their history. There are beautiful descriptions of vintage items in the book including the Savoy by Buccellati Sterling Silver set, various nutmeg graters, and Pyrex. The mystery is well-crafted with a twist that will surprise you. There are red herrings and multiple suspects. Jaymie actively questions suspects and seeks clues to aid her investigation. Armchair sleuths will be able to discern the guilty parties’ identity early in the story. However, it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book. I wanted to keep reading to discover the why and spend more time in Queensville. There are many appealing cozy moments in the story with Jaymie and her new family (hubby and stepdaughter), time with friends, cooking and eating, shopping, and wonderful descriptions of vintage items. I am giving No Grater Danger 4 out of 5 stars. I could have done with less repetition of facts and speculation. I will be eagerly awaiting the next installment in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series.