I absolutely love this series. These books are so good. This is a series that started out slow, but by the end of the first book, I knew I wanted to find out how the characters were doing. Ms. Hamilton is a very good writer and the plots are twisty and really make you think. I cannot wait for the next book!

Jaymie is looking forward to having a girl’s weekend with her college friends. It’s been a few years since the group has spent time together. Shortly after the group gets together tensions arise and arguments ensue. It’s obvious that some in the group have grown apart and others are keeping secrets. Several of the ladies’ husbands show up in the area causing even more tension in the group. Once a local man is found dead just down the road from Jaymie’s house where the group is staying she can’t help but believe someone she knows is involved.

The first book in this series was my first cozy mystery. I have loved this series from its beginning. As the series has evolved Jaymie has become a more complexed and confident protagonist. The book is well-written, the plot moves at a fast but steady pace. There are plenty of red-herrings as many of Jaymie’s college friends are keeping secrets. There is no shortage of suspects and I was surprised at who the killer really is. I look forward to the next book in the series.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

I really enjoyed the first one in this series. I haven't kept up with it. Too many other options available. I was not particularly fond of this one. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and didn't really care about any of them. I did finish reading as I wanted to discover the culprit. It was a surprise which added to my enjoyment.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

This was a pretty dark “cozy mystery” IMO. The characters were well-written, though, and their relationships and fighting were complex, although at times it got a little old. The book did keep me guessing pretty far in but still wrapped up nicely. One odd thing was the focus on the ages of the characters and how they related to each other - it was distracting because I couldn’t figure out how a few years difference matters to thirty-something adults. Just a weird quirk from the author.

Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this fabulous cozy mystery! This is the first time that I have read anything by Victoria Hamilton and I adored her masterful writing. Cast Iron Alibi was a wonderful blend of mystery and old friendships and many of the characters were great individuals, whilst some were less so. The author managed the pacing perfectly within the awesome and absorbing plot. With no shortage of suspects, there was plenty of clues and possibilities to satisfy even the most enthusiastic and diligent of armchair detectives. A superb read, very highly recommended and well-worth five stars.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Beyond The Page Publishing via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is the ninth book in the “A Vintage Kitchen” series, but it’s the first one I read. There’s a cast of characters list at the beginning that provided enough detail to let you know who’s who so it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s set in upper Michigan on an island that requires a ferry to get to. The small town that is on the mainland is where the main character lives but she has a cabin on the island for vacations.

What I liked: I liked that it wasn’t obvious who the killer was because of the plethora of suspects. I liked Jaymie’s relationship with her husband and stepdaughter—very well done. I liked the descriptions of the campfires, the trailer, and other settings as well as mountain pies. Love them! The ending was a good twist. And I’m going to have to find the recipe for those butter tarts she described. There is a recipe at the end for hobo packets that took me back to my camping days. The “camping” part of the story was really well done and made me long for those times once again. I could almost smell the fire, hear it crackling, taste the s’mores… Excellently done (though I did wonder where the mosquitoes were).

What I didn’t like: the characters. Okay, not all of them, but most of Jaymie’s friends were very unlikable. I was ready to throttle a few of them and Jaymie came across as a bit wimpy when it came to standing up for herself with them—especially Tiffany! Yes, it was nice to get together with her old friends, but some of them were no friends of hers any longer and should have been told to take off.

Recommendation: I’d recommend reading other books in this series first—though it’s not absolutely necessary. But I believe it would give you a better basis for some of the characters in this one. Still…it’s not a bad cozy. So pick it up if you’re familiar with the series and maybe enjoy a campfire and a mountain pie while you’re at it.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cast Iron Alibi by Victoria Hamilton is the newest in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series in which Jaymie is married to Christmas tree farmer and junk store owner Jakob, and is stepmom to his daughter, Jocie, who is a little person and the job of Jaymie's life. These are fabulous and interesting characters despite the fact that Jakob and Jocie are off to Poland for ten days and Jaymie is here, camping (sort of) with her college friends, which they did regularly. This time, though, it was not working out as well as it had in the past. One friend, wanted to spend all her time in bars, picking up men. She wished she'd gone to Poland. Then, of course, there is a murder and Jaymie must get involved.

The Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series is one of a kind. Its main characters are unique and interesting. Its setting is fascinating. Jaymie is a fabulous character, in part, because of how much she loves her family. The books take me to a part of the country I have never been, and I enjoy it. Each book feels like a visit home. The mysteries are good with plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep the reader interested and there is always resolution.

There are few cozy mystery series I would recommend to a beginner more highly than this one.

I received a free ARC of Cast Iron Alibi from Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #castironalibi

Jaymie is organizing a reunion of her college roommates. They are coming to Heartbreak Island to stay at Jaymie’s parents cabin. Jaymie has also renovated a camper trailer and it sounds darling.
Things go wrong with the reunion from the start. Brandi brings along a friend. Gabriela is on tenterhooks about not hearing from her husband. Some of the husbands show up in the area when it was supposed to be a girls retreat.
Mario, a boastful handyman, dies a violent death. Jaymie is suspicious of some of her friends and has a bad feeling that one of them may be involved in Mario’s death.
This was a fun and well thought out mystery. I read the first three books, but I haven’t read some of the in between books, so it was fun to catch up with what was happening in Jaymie’s life and to see part of her past.
All the pieces come together in a bit of a heartbreaking ending to the murder. Thankfully, the author gives us solace with the return of Jaymie’s husband and daughter at the end.

I am brand new to this series, so I know I have missed A LOT! However, I did not get confused as to who's who since the author has a who's who list of characters at the beginning of the book. Obviously the characters are very well developed since this is book #9 in the series. I had a hard time getting into the story at first because I didn't like a couple of Jaymie's former college roommates. Time must have really erased how selfish and self-centered those two were. Then the murder was committed and the game was on, so I became way more interested. The murderer was also not the person I thought it was. The vintage cooking information was also pretty interesting. I will never be a collector, but it does bring back memories of things that both my grandmothers had. I liked it enough that I will read the rest of the books in the series. Thank you to Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a charming cozy series that has always been one of my favorites. This is the Ninth in series and one of my favorites. I highly recommend the entire series. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. Reading this series is like meeting up with old friends over a cup of tea. Its endearing and heartwarming throughout each book. If you love kitchens and kitchen items you will delight over this protagonist who collects vintage kitchen items.

In this next in series our protagonist Jaymie is looking forward to her ladies only college reunion and the activities that they have planned. Jaymie offered to host the event at her families cabin on a lake. She has renovated a old trailer to take to use as her base camp letting her friends use the cabin. While the initial meet and greets go well soon old feelings rise up among the college friends and some arguing occurs. Jaymie is a peacemaker and finds herself stuck in the middle . Soon a murder occurs and Jaymie cannot help but be involved and try to solve the many clues . Twist and turns in the story kept me guessing and I was surprised at the conclusion of the sleuth.

I loved this next in series. .Its the first book where Jaymie has been on her own since her marriage and stands independently. I like that she took bold steps to stand up for herself and for what she believed in. Jaymie is one of my favorite protagonist and is endearing as this series progresses.

Cast Iron Alibi by Victoria Hamilton is the 9th book in A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, and another great addition. Ms. Hamilton does it again! Jaymie is attending a girls-only college reunion vacation. With last minute change of plans, Jaymie hosts the reunion at her family's cabin. This vacation if full of petty fights and even murder! I loved this book and this whole series, and can't wait for the next book in the series. As always the series is best when it is read in order, but this book can be read as a stand alone. I found this book to be a quick and fun read, with a well developed plot and characters. If you love fun cozy mysteries, which are my favorite, you will love this book/series. Strongly recommended.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.

With her husband and step-daughter away, in Europe, Jayme sees it as the perfect time to reconnect with some of her college classmates. For awhile their get togethers were yearly but several years have passed and now it's time for some girl time. When they arrive, some tensions and secrets come with them as well as some uninvited guests. Soon enough a homicide is added to the class reunion and Jayme sets about to find the killer. - who of her former classmates would be capable of killing or be connected to one?
This is the ninth in the series and can be read as a stand alone but, for myself, I think a reader new to the series would get more out of each mystery if they started at the beginning. That way Jayme's development explains a lot in each book. She has come a long way. As for the mystery, it's a very satisfying puzzle with a well developed cast of characters. The small town setting near the NE border between the US and Canada and her vintage kitchenware store are a perfect fit. No matter the title of the next in the series, I have it on my want list already.

I normally like cosy mysteries/detectives and, putting that together with vintage kitchen collection and food seemed a winner. Sadly not. The main character, Jaymie, has just packed her husband and young step-daughter off to Poland to visit family and has invited her old college friends to her town for their sort of annual reunion after their camping reunion has fallen through. We are then treated to a group of selfish women who seem to want to do nothing more than drink, chase men, criticise each other, their friends, husbands and families. in a nasty back biting way. Intolerance abounds, a lecherous handy man is murdered and Jaymie turns her mind to solving the murder - possibly to avoid thinking about her so-called friends. The murder was solved, errant husbands turned up or stalked, murdered was uncovered. However, I really didn't care and was pleased when I finished the book wondering whether my conscience should just have said give it up, this one is not for you, sorry NetGalley. It wasn't badly written or anything, a bit kitchy in the decorations of the old trailer, but the characters were so 'no thanks' and the idea of that lot camping under canvas was a hoot, for me. Thanks to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I like this series and this is an excellent instalment.
I was happy to meet again the well written and likeable cast of characters and read about their development.
The mystery is solid and it kept me guessing.
Can't wait to read the next instalment.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Riveting Great Lake Cozy Mystery
College friends meet for a reunion and things go badly. The plot is great with many twists and turns. Nothing is as it seems. This book is part of the Vintage Kitchen cozy series and it stands alone very well. A few recipes are included, but the food is not the focus of these stories. I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

My first book in this series by Victoria Hamilton. Jaymie is looking forward to seeing her college friends and enjoying a vacation. Her husband and daughter are in Poland visiting his first wife's family.
Jaymie's friends show up with added drama. Nothing is going as Jaymie planned. A Murder happens right after they all arrive and Jaymie trys to figure out who is responsible.
Drama, drama, and more drama these women have tons. I enjoyed this book, but was sad at who the murderer was

While this is the ninth book in the series, it’s the first one that I have read, and I didn’t feel like it was difficult to jump into. There’s a cast of characters list at the beginning that provided enough detail to make the book feel like a stand alone.

I enjoyed the fact that it wasn’t immediately obvious who was responsible for Mario’s death. There were many suspects. What I didn’t find as enjoyable were the characters themselves. Most of them just weren’t likable, and that negatively impacted my enjoyment of the book itself. I also felt like the ending drug on much longer than necessary.

I will probably try another book in the series to see if I enjoy it. Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Princess Fuzzypants here: I have enjoyed this series from the very beginning. Jaymie is a delightful character who is surrounded by great family and friends. Having these stories set in my neck of the woods adds to my pleasure as I know so many of the places she describes. In fact, the friendship that is at the heart of the story started at the university that is very close to my home. It is the friendship that leads to some testy situations with murder topping the list.
Jaymie has been coerced into being the reluctant hostess for the girls get-together for the ladies who shared a home while all of them were attending The University of Western Ontario. The normal get-together was camping which was cancelled at the last moment and another location was needed in a hurry. Since Jakob and Jocie were set to visit family in Poland, it seemed it was meant to be. But as Jaymie discovers, it was a carefully hatched plot and one of her friends was the devious planner. It seems some of her friends had changed- a lot- in the years since university and one of them is a killer.
There are lots of twists and turns as several of her friends seem to have changed beyond recognition. With the exception of Jaymie, all the marriages seem to be in crisis and two of the husbands turn up. There are lots of motives and plenty of suspects as the sordid exploits of the deceased come to light. But it was not until close to the end that I began to suspect the real killer. The “reasons” for the murder were still a big surprise when revealed. It was an enjoyable and satisfying read.
Four purrs and two paws up.

Jaymie Leighton Muller will be spending a girls-only vacation with old friends from college. It's been a few years since their last get-together, but Jaymie has high hopes that everyone will enjoy their time in her family's vacation cottage. However, things get off to a rough start right from the beginning when one of the women brings along an uninvited friend from her hometown. This is just the first of the tagalongs who begin causing conflicts within the already tense group. When a local man is murdered, Jaymie is afraid the killer could be an extended group-member and starts her own investigation.

I've read many of the earlier books in this series, but missed some of the more recent ones. The Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book provides a great refresher on who's who in Queensville, Michigan as well as the reunion attendees from out of town. Changes have occurred in Jaymie's life since the last book I've read and I enjoy seeing her in the role of wife and mother. A few times she seemed a little too naive in her selective memories about times her group of friends didn't get along so well, but overall she is a likable character. She is loving and loyal and won't give up until she gets to the truth. I like when she starts calling others out on their lies as well especially since most of those attending the reunion aren't nearly as likable as Jaymie.

The various unpleasant characters provide a large number of suspects for Jaymie to investigate. There were clues as to who the killer was, but I missed them. Therefore, I was very surprised when the identity of the killer was revealed. I think this book can still be classified as a cozy, but it was very suspenseful and once things got going, I didn't want to put the book down. The final reveal was dramatic, but the book ends on a happy note for most of the characters. Fans of the series will really enjoy this installment and those new to the author will also like this entertaining book. The book would appeal to fans of Daryl Wood Gerber.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Beyond the Page Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Cast Iron Alibi by Victoria Hamilton is book nine in the A Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. I have only read the last two in the series but was able to get caught up quickly.
When a local womanizing contractor is murdered with a vintage pie iron belonging to Jayme all eyes are on her visiting college friends.
Hamilton gives plenty of suspects, not only Jaymie's guests but also some of the locals could have done him in. The main characters are likeable and the supporting ones also draw you in. The setting will have you wanting to visit the area to shop and go on a dinner cruise.
You get it all, friend and family relationships and plenty of twists and turns.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.