White Colander Crime by Victoria Hamilton

I really love this time of year, and I also love that many of the mystery series that I read, which have new parts coming out now, are festively set. White Colander Crime by Victoria Hamilton is the fifth part in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series and this part is set during the Dickens Days festival, which was awesome.

From the back of the book:

In the new Vintage Kitchen Mystery from the author of No Mallets Intended, the Heritage Society is re-creating a perfect Victorian Christmas—until good tidings go bad...

Queensville has great expectations for their Dickens Days festival. A tourist-trade boon boom means a big turnout for the opening of Queensville Historic Manor and for Jaymie Leighton, food columnist and vintage cookware collector, a chance to promote the manor and give away homemade goodies.  At the end of a long day of festival fun, Jaymie discovers the battered body of local woman Shelby Fretter.

Shelby predicted her own murder in journal entries—and all clues point to Cody Wainwright, the troubled son of Jaymie’s beleaguered newspaper editor. But considering the entire Fretter family had its share of dirty secrets, Jaymie’s not convinced  by the case against Cody. With twists all over, she’s going to have to work like the Dickens to wrap up this investigation before Christmas—especially with the real killer ready to kill again.

My thoughts:

Things aren't always what they seem, especially not in a cozy mystery and that is how Jaymie feels as she tries to piece together what happened. I liked that she was inclined to believe one thing while still looking into other possibilities. I think that showed a realness of character that can be missing in this type of story. Speaking of characters, I was new to this series, so I don't know the whole backstory of everyone, but there are some really fabulous characters. I simply adore the relationship with Jakob and his daughter.

As far as the mystery goes, it was top notch with a perfect page turning pace and just the right balance of tension and cozy that I like in my mysteries. The setting was wonderful and makes me want to go back and get to know everyone on a more personal level. Oh, and in the back of the book you will find a recipe for a new twist on a holiday favorite! 

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