Much Ado About Muffin

I read and loved the first book of this series when it came out and then these books kind of fell off my radar, I can tell you they are front and center now. After I get done writing this review, I am going to pop over to the the Merry Muffin Mystery page and buy the 2nd and the 3rd books. I'm anxious to fill in the blanks between the first book and this one. It took me a little while to get some of the new characters straight, I did have to flip back and forth a few times to make sure I had the right person in my mind when reading. This all ironed itself out and I was quickly engrossed in a great story. What really struck me is just how much Merry truly seems to care about her relationships. It was refreshing to read. This book kept me reading into the night. There are lots of great suspects and the stakes are high. If you are new to these books, you might want to start reading from the first one, Bran New Death, but if you are patient with this book you will quickly become immersed in the town of Autumn Vale and the life of Merry Wynter. There are also two yummy looking recipes at the end of the book. I am looking forward to trying them when my kitchen cools down and I can stand to use my oven again. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I loved the book so much that I purchased a copy as a gift for a friend.

Merry Wynter is so glad to be back in Autumn Vale. Being away made her realize that this is where she wants to be. Unfortunately not everyone is happy with her decision. Minnie Urquhart, the post mistress, dislikes Merry with a vengeance. Now Minnie's dead. She was murdered in the Post Office. Who's the culprit? Minnie was a disagreeable woman who made enemies with many of the town's people. Now with the FBI investigating, everyone is a suspect. With Sheriff Virgil Grace on the sidelines, Merry will have to use all her skills to get answers. Merry is an engaging woman with a quick mind and a caring nature. She wants to solve the crime. I liked her. She is there to help and support her friends. Why she even has a temperamental opera singer staying at the Castle just to make he best friend, Pish, happy. Virgil and Merry have wonderful chemistry. I enjoyed seeing them together. Their banter is flirtatious and their attraction sexy. Victoria Hamilton has written a suspenseful mystery filled with devious suspects, hidden motives and unexpected twists. This author kept me on the edge of my seat. So many people disliked Minnie that I had no idea who killed her. I loved the setting. Upstate New York in the Fall is perfect. There are so many people with motives that I didn't know until the end who killed Minnie and why. I was so worried that Emerald would be hurt by the outcome. She deserves better. Much Ado About Muffin was a satisfying cozy. I loved the characters, the romance and the suspenseful mystery. I'm never disappointed when I read Victoria Hamilton.

Much Ado About Muffin is the 4th book in the Merry Muffin series. I have not read any of the other books but this one and I have to admit I was a bit lost at times with the characters but with that being said this book was excellent. There are so many twists and characters to keep you guessing up until the end which is what I enjoy. It was nice to see Merry's interactions with her friends, including Lizzie and the librarian, Hannah. At first they gave her the cold shoulder after being gone a few months to Spain. But is now right in the world. I will have to read the other books in the series as this piqued my interest.

Murder & Red Herrings & Romance, oh my! When Merry Wynter returns home to her castle in upstate New York, she finds her best friend has brought a high-strung and overly dramatic opera singer, Roma, to let her relax and recover from a crippling case of stage fright. But Merry’s nemesis, Minnie, has caustic words for the opera singer, who lunges at her with a deadly letter opener. Although she escapes unscathed this time, Merry and a friend find Minnie murdered in her post office just days later…with the same letter opener plunged into her body. As much as Merry doesn’t care for Roma, she doesn’t think the singer would have committed murder. During Merry’s two months abroad, a woman named Crystal moved to town, and seems to be conning some of the townsfolk, including Emerald, one of Merry’s friends. Delving deeper into Crystal and her business keeps Merry on her toes and investigating even as the FBI comes to town to solve Minnie’s murder. I really enjoy the Merry Muffin Mystery series. The author has created a very likeable cast of characters, as well as a small town I’d love to visit. Not to mention our intrepid amateur sleuth lives in a castle! I like the arc Merry has made from the first book to now, in her relationships as well as within herself. One of the things I like the best about her is the compassion she has for Minnie. While they were never on friendly terms, and indeed, Minnie was extremely nasty to her, Merry doesn’t feel she deserved to be murdered. A big part of Merry’s life is her growing relationship with the town sheriff, Virgil. Just as she’s ready to explore a closer relationship with him, he may be leaving town. Be sure to read to the very last page to see what happens! There are plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing as to who the murderer is! This is a very well-written mystery, and hopefully there will be more in the series. I received the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first time reading from this author and will read more of her stories. I enjoyed this book very much. I'm a bit hesitate to read story when it has food in the title. This author has changed my view. This may have had muffin in the title and muffins throughout the story but it did not take away from the story line whatsoever. The characters were strong and likable. The mystery stayed a mystery until the end which make for a enjoyable read!

I received a copy of this book for my honest review. This is the second book in this series that I have read. I have not read the first two. I enjoyed this one very much! I wasn't so lost as to who the characters were as I was in the previous book. I still need to go back and read the first two books so I can get to know some of the characters even better. In this book, Merry is trying to figure out who was trying to frame Roma for the murder of one of the town's least favorite people. And then someone tries to run Merry off the road. There are a few suspects and there are a few different things going on that confuse who she thinks did it. And then there is the ending! Nice!

Merry Wynter didn't realize how much she had come to consider Wynter Castle, in the town of Autumn Vale, home until she was called to Spain to be in attendance at her mother-in-law's side during her final days. And so, three weeks after the funeral, she realizes two months have already passed and it's time to go home. But once back in Autumn Vale, things are different. People that she had slowly developed a friendship with, such as Shilo and Emerald, now seemed to be giving her the cold shoulder. Her friend Pish has committed himself to helping opera singer, Roma Toscano, conquer her stage fright...Roma...a former hated acquaintance of Merry. Even her cat, Beckett, seems to feel abandoned by her and has returned to the forest. And finally, there is the ambivalence from Virgil. Can she regain the trust of all her friends or is it too late? And then, before she has time to even start this process, she discovers the dead body of the town's postmistress, Minnie Urquhart. With no end of suspects that Minnie had angered, can Merry nose out the killer? This is a delightful series with some interesting main characters. I love Merry's interactions with her friends, including Lizzie and the librarian, Hannah, as well as the residents of Golden Oaks. The plot has some twists in to keep the reader guessing to the end. I look forward to the next book in this series. Disclosure: I received an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Much Ado About Muffin is the 4th book in the Merry Muffin Mystery Series by Victoria Hamilton. In this book Merry has gone to Spain to make peace with her mother-in-law who is on her deathbed. Merry takes her time in Spain enjoying being pampered and taken care of until her late husband’s brother proposes to her. This proposal makes Merry really look at her life and she quickly decides she needs to go home to Wynter Castle and resume her life there. Once home Merry finds a lot has changed in her two month absence. One morning she and a friend are going shopping but first they decide to stop at the post office to see if Merry’s luggage has arrived from Spain yet. Finding the front door locked the two friends decide to go around back to see if they can Minnie the postmaster. What they find is a dead Minnie. Will Merry be able to adjust to all the changes? Can Merry help solve the murder before something else bad happens? Is the murderer someone that is close to Merry or someone new to Autumn Vale? I really enjoy this series. What I liked about this book is there Merry has decided to put her past behind her, not to forget about her late husband but to finally stop mourning the loss of a husband and allow herself to live and love again. Merry has to smooth a lot of hurt feelings because she didn’t keep in touch with her friends during her two month absence. She finds out that she has a lot of people who love and care for her and consider her family. This book really promotes that family comes in all forms and you should always try to keep family close to you even when you’re not. It also shows that family and true friends will always forgive you when you have hurt them and will always have your back when you need them. This is a great cozy mystery (no bad language, graphic violence or sex) with a touch of romance. Great storyline and strong realistic characters. There is also a bonus of some recipes for any Muffin Lovers out there. I would definitely recommend not only this book but the series.

I hope this series goes on for a long time. Each book gets better and better as the characters of Autumn Vale grow and reveal more of themselves to the reader. Merry comes home from visiting her husband's family after the death of her mother in law to find Pish's latest pet project, opera singer Roma Toscano living in her castle. Roma has a temper and a need for drama which all come into play when a murder is committed and Roma becomes the prime suspect. Merry shows the patients of a saint while trying to clear Roma's name as Roma is openly trying to steal Merry's man, Virgil Grace. An entertaining read.

Much Ado About Muffin by Victoria Hamilton is the fourth book in A Merry Muffin Mystery series. Merry Wynter has been in Spain for the last two months. Her mother-in-law is dying and asked to see Merry (she treated Merry horribly when she was married to her son). After her passing, Merry decided to stay for a spell. It was nice to get away from life and have things done for her. Merry even quit talking and writing her friends back home in Autumn Vale, New York. But she realizes that it is time to return to reality and heads home. Merry arrives at Wynter Manor to find out that Pish has invited a guest to stay (awfully nervy). The guest is none other than Roma Toscano, the opera singer who hit on Merry’s deceased husband, Miguel (right in front of her). Pish states that Roma needs his help (he could have asked first). Merry agrees to let her stay, but she will definitely regret it. Merry soon finds out that Roma has antagonized most of the townspeople (which is hard to do). Merry has her own amends to make for neglecting her friends for so long including her best friend, Shilo (and Merry’s romantic interest, Virgil Grace). When postmistress, Minnie Urquhart ends up dead, Roma becomes the number one suspect. Roma recently had an argument with her (at the house in front of witnesses) and the murder weapon belongs to Roma. This sends Roma into another round of hysterics. Merry sets out to clear Roma’s name and hopes it will get Roma out of her house and Autumn Vale. But Merry has some other matters that need attending as well. Emerald seems to be under the influence of an unscrupulous woman, and she will not listen to reason. Merry is determined to help Emerald whether she wants the help or not. Come join Merry in Autumn Vale in Much Ado About Muffin. Much Ado About Muffin is a well-written story with a nice, complex mystery. I found, though, that there is a little too much going on and quite a few characters (it is hard to keep them all straight). The book goes at a good pace (steady) with quite a bit of action. The setting of Autumn Vale sounds so lovely that I want to live there. The book has some quirky, but friendly characters. There is some romance in the novel, but it is just the right amount so that it enhances (not distracts) the storyline. I give Much Ado About Muffin 4.25 out of 5 stars (I liked it). There are some recipes included at the end of the book. I look forward to reading the next book in A Merry Muffin Mystery. I hope that Merry finally figures out what to do with the castle in the next book. Merry needs to find a way for the house to earn money for her (host gathering, make it into an inn or a restaurant, host mystery dinners). I received a complimentary copy of Much Ado About Muffin from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

Much Ado About Muffin by Victoria Hamilton is fourth book in the Merry Muffin Mysteries series. This is the first book I have read in this series. Although an interesting story it was not what I would consider a cozy mystery. I found that the author was constantly re-introducing characters from previous books in the series, making sure the reader knew who each person was as well as which previous story they were involved in. A great deal of time was spent concentrating on the relationships and personalities. I wanted to see more investigating of the murder rather than all of the examination of various people. I enjoyed reading this book despite the slow start to the story. I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*FTC: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.* In Victoria Hamilton’s latest Merry Muffin mystery, we find our protagonist Merry returning from an extended trip in Spain, one that resulted in a reconciled relationship with her former mother-in-law on said-woman’s deathbed and a half-hearted marriage proposal from her former brother-in-law. It’s time for Merry to get back to reality—back to Autumn Vale to reconnect with her friends and loved ones, especially a certain good-looking cop. After getting settled in, Merry is quickly pulled back into the loop and discovers that all is not well in Autumn Vale. Her good friend Pish has installed Roma Toscano (an overly dramatic opera singer) in Wynter Castle. Minnie Urquhart, the postmistress, is stirring up trouble, and Emerald has fallen victim to a potential scam artist. When Minnie winds up dead, it’s up to Merry to seek justice on her behalf, wherever the road leads. Having read the first two books in the series, I was already familiar with many of the characters coming into this book. There’s been a decent amount of plot progression and character development over the course of the series. I was excited to see Merry finally move forward with Virgil as well as her decision to stay in Autumn Vale, which felt like a natural decision (rather than a contrived reason to continue a series). Merry’s muffin business doesn’t occupy as much space, which though understandable, made me a little sad. Here’s to another book or three in the series! I hope that it continues.

A tasty delight, and a delectable treat! Author Victoria Hamilton once again proves that muffin . . . I mean, nothing can keep her from writing a delicious mystery. MUCH ADO ABOUT MUFFIN is the perfect addition to Ms. Hamilton’s Merry Muffin Mystery series. Not only does it bring new drama and mystery to the series, it also touches on other ongoing aspects. Readers are allowed to get a good way into the story before the victim is found. I personally like it that way. I think it brings so much more to a tale. But just because the body is found later doesn’t mean the beginning is slow. Quite the opposite. There is so much happening in the first few chapters, I couldn’t believe how fast I was reading through it. I was simply engrossed. And once the body was discovered, well, there was no putting down this fabulous read for me. I devoured it! I’ll merrily follow Victoria Hamilton and her Merry Muffin Mysteries as long as she writes them. Make sure to check out the back of the book for some yummy muffin recipes!