Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Review and giveaway: A Deadly Grind by Victoria Hamilton



Paperback, 304 pages
Expected publication: May 1st 2012 by Berkley

ISBN: 0425248011 (ISBN13: 9780425248010)
edition language: English
From the publisher:

When vintage cookware and cookbook collector Jaymie Leighton spies an original 1920s Hoosier brand kitchen cabinet at an estate auction, it’s love at first sight. Despite the protests of her sister that the 19th-century yellow-brick house they share in Michigan is already too cluttered with Jaymie’s “junk,” she successfully outbids the other buyers and triumphantly takes home her Hoosier.

But that night on the summer porch where they’ve left the Hoosier to be cleaned up, a man is murdered, struck on the head with the steel meat grinder that is part of the cabinet. Who is this stranger—and what was he doing on their porch? Does his death have anything to do with the Hoosier?

As the police struggle to determine the man’s identity, Jaymie can’t help doing a little digging on her own, accompanied by her three-legged Yorkie Poo, Hopalong. But in her bid to uncover the truth about the hidden secrets of the Hoosier, Jaymie may be the one who ends up going, going...gone.

My thoughts: This has been a bonanza year for new series that really appeal to me. In A Deadly Grind, I liked the two sisters and how they complemented each other's personalities, but I really liked Jaymie. She's an independent woman who's very comfortable in her own skin. Collecting vintage cookware and living in an old-fashioned farm house suits her just fine. Writing her cookbook using old recipes she converts to modern day, tending her garden and helping out her neighbors leads to a full life for her. She likes a slower pace of life and doesn't feel the need for a high powered career or all the latest modern conveniences. She has a fine appreciation for the past.

I thought the mystery was well done in this one; plenty of suspects with the powerful motive of Greed! Yes, that's Greed with a capital G; greedy enough to commit murders, theft and betrayal. The author kept me guessing through out most of the book. Although I did figure out the culprit towards the end, that did not take away from the story at all.

The setting, Michigan near the Canadian border, was interesting and the author made me feel as if I were really in the scene. I liked the ambiance of the Queen's Tea that Jaymie participated in. Sounds like an event I would love to attend myself. All these little details make for a well rounded cozy.

Almost no cozy is complete without a little romance. Jaymie's budding love interest sounds like a real sweetie pie. I hope to see this relationship more developed in the next book because I know I will be reading it. The Queen's Cake recipe featured in the story is published at the end of the book, both the old version and the new. 4****

About the author: Victoria Hamilton is a pseudonym for national bestselling author Donna Lee Simpson, who is also a collector of vintage cookware and recipes.

Disclosure: A review copy of the book was provided by Berkley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Due to the ever so generous Berkley, I am able to offer a giveaway of one copy of this book. Open to US only.. Be sure to leave an e mail address in your comment. Deadline to enter is May 26th at 5 PM (est). Bonus entries are as follows:

+4 for following on Networked blogs. Just remind me under what name.
+3 for blogging (sidebar is fine) or tweeting about the giveaway. Leave me a link, please.

If you cannot comment you can still enter by sending me an e mail with A Deadly Grind in the subject line. Include your name and e mail address and send to florida982002[at]yahoo.com

Good luck!

20 comments:

  1. Ooh, I've heard about this series, but didn't realize it was set in my state! This book sounds right up my alley.

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. I follow you through Networked blogs as Janel Gradowski. :)

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Love the title, the story sounds good too!

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. +4 for being a networked follower, Wendy Newcomb.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  5. my mom at a meat grinder like that and my great aunt had a Hoosier cabinet like that in her kitchen. of course, she bought it new.
    but as far as I know, neither killed anyone with it.

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  6. I love that you found this one so very entertaining and that you enjoyed it! It sounds like a cozy that I would really enjoys well. Thanks for the excellent review. It's funny because I have recently discovered I have a love for antique cookware as well :) Good luck to all the entrants in the giveaway!

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  7. A cozy with sisters and a cookbook sounds fun to me! kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

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  8. This looks like a new series that will appeal to me as well! Thanks for the info and chance to win!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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  9. can't wait to read A Deadly Grind!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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  10. I would love to have either a Hoosier cabinet (I am Hoosier and proud of it!) or a pie safe. Looking for a corner cabinet right now. I love strong, independent women who know themselves and do what they want. This book is high on my wish list.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  11. I follow you on Networked Blogs.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  12. I tweeted:

    http://t.co/lmmesOh3


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  13. This sounds like a great series - already on my wish list!!

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  14. +4 Follow on Networked blogs as Karen Purbaugh Barnett.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

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  15. I've added this one to my reading list.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(d0t)com

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  16. I want to read this one! Especially because not too many books take place in Michigan!!! Sounds fun!

    stacijoreads@gmail.com

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  17. I sooo want to read this cozy! Collecting vintage kitchen items can be so much fun=)
    Lethea B
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

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  18. +3 I tweeted=)
    https://twitter.com/#!/Luvdaylilies/status/204422392641105921

    Lethea B
    Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net

    ReplyDelete
  19. This looks like a fun cozy.
    THanks for the giveaway
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  20. follower by Networked Blogs (Marjorie)
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

    ReplyDelete

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