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NO GRATER CRIME is the nineth book in the Country Store Mysteries by Maddie Day. Set in Indiana, the author captures the essence of the Midwest with the mannerisms and vernacular of the small-town residents. Her strong descriptive voice brings the area to life and allows the reader to feel like they’re living right alongside Robbie Jordan, owner of the Pans ‘N Pancakes. Robbie is busy running her successful café and shop, plus planning her wedding to Abe and getting to know her future step-son. Ms. Day has allowed the characters to grow and evolve over the course of the series, and as a result, I feel invested in what happens to them. I love how they are kind and supportive of each other. Even when facing unsavory characters or delving into investigations, Robbie manages to exude a sense of kindness.
With everything going on the last thing Robbie needed or wanted was for someone to die in her restaurant after eating her omelet containing poisonous mushrooms. With the café temporarily closed, Robbie feels obligated to find out how the mushrooms ended up in her kitchen, and who might have wanted the man dead. Or, is someone trying to frame Robbie and put her out of business? Ms. Day sets the mystery up and then delivers a pitch perfect investigation. While it seems kind of obvious from the onset who might be responsible for the crime, there are twists and turns to follow alongside Robbie. I waffled back and forth multiple times as I followed the clues until the final reveal. Wrapping up the story is a heartwarming end that will leave a smile on the reader’s face and the desire to find out what is in the future for Robbie.
Running a café gives Robbie the opportunity to showcase her culinary skills. Be prepared to be hungry from all the mouthwatering descriptions mentioned on the pages, and be sure to check out all the recipes included at the back of the book. With an overabundance of rosemary in our herb garden, I couldn’t wait to try out the recipe for Ms. Day’s Lemon Rosemary Scones. While rosemary can be overpowering, the scones contained just the right amount while the lemon complemented and tempered the flavor. Flaky and rich, these scones are delightful with or without the glaze included in the recipe. I chose to go the easy route of just a sprinkle of sugar on the tops before baking. Perfection with a cup of fragrant tea!
Amazon Synopsis
Ever since meeting the wary owners of an antique shop opening across the street, Robbie has been scrambling to manage weird incidences plaguing her café and country store. Pricey items vanish from shelves without explanation, a fully equipped breakfast food truck starts lingering around the area each morning, and loyal diners mysteriously fall ill. When an elderly man dies after devouring an omelet packed with poisonous mushrooms, Robbie must temporarily close down Pans ’N Pancakes and search for the killer with a real zest for running her out of business—or else.
A special thanks to Maddie Day for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of NO GRATER CRIME. Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Wednesday, September 1 , 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
- 2 cups unbleached white flour, sifted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar, plus more for sprinkling
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoons cold butter, cut into small cubes
- 1 tablespoon rosemary, finely minced
- Zest of one lemon
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Zest of half a lemon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon rosemary, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon milk
- 1 cup icing sugar
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Preheat the oven to 410 degrees (F). Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.
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In a food processor, add the flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. Pulse until combined.
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Spread the butter on top of the dry ingredients. Pulse until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.
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Add the rosemary and lemon zest and pulse until combined. Transfer to a large bowl.
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Add the buttermilk and egg over the flour mixture and stir, using a rubber spatula, until just combined.
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Flour a work surface and transfer the dough on it. Knead for 1 minute.
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Using your hands, pat the dough into a circle and cut into wedges. Arrange scones in a single layer on the prepared cookie sheet.
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Brush tops with milk, then sprinkle with sugar.
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Bake until tops are golden brown, for 12 - 15 minutes. Let scones cool completely.
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Omit brushing the tops with milk and sprinkling with sugar.
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Whisk together lemon zest and juice, rosemary and milk. Gradually add the icing sugar until the desired consistency is reached.
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Drizzle the glaze on the completely cooled scones and serve.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I collect antique whisks along with Wagner and Griswald cast iron cookware.
Yes! I have quite a few antique kitchen items. My mother grew up on a farm, so I have some that my grandmother used at the farmhouse; antique coffee grinder, wooden butter molds…to name a few. The book sounds like a great read and I love the recipe for the scones, I prefer savory scones to sweet. So I am definitely going to try this recipe.
No but I have a potato masher from my great aunt which I call antique. Thanks for the chance!
Jess
maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com
No, I don’t collect antique kitchen items, but I do have some items that are pretty old.
No but my sister does
I don’t collect vintage antique kitchen items.
I have some platters does that count? LOL
Not sure it’s a collection, but I have several inherited from both my Mom and my Granny that I love and use regularly.
The recipe for Lemon Rosemary Scones has be saying “Yes please!”
No.
I don’t collect them but since I must be older than I thought, I guess, I have recently learned that people actually collect my bowls and dishes I use to cook with everyday. They’d probably love the old gadgets I still have that belonged to my mom, including a grater.
I have a few kitchen antique items such as serving bowls and platters a few whisks but at my age I try not to collect too much more.
I’m writing a book about a Gilded Age detective whose secret weapon was a whisk. Don’t know if she knew how to make scones . . .
I am drawn to old cookbooks, especially church collections and the like.
I don’t see them much any more, but I used to find old advertising signs (small, 8 1/2 X 11 ish)
I have a few antique kitchen items from my grandmother and mom.
thanks for the recipe. I love cinnamon scones but
don’t know how to make them. This recipe will
give me a start. Thoroughly enjoy your books.
Looking forward to reading the newest.
thanks. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
No, I do not.
No, I don’t. But I do collect other things.
Can’t wait to try out the recipes.
Congratulations on your new release!!! I have a few antique kitchen tools that were my great aunts which I use for decoration. Sometimes I will find something and purchase it but as a rule I do not collect them. Looking forward to trying your recipes.
I don’t collect antique kitchen items, but I do have an antique tea kettle.
No I don’t and congrats on the release!
I have a few things that belonged to my mother and grandmothers. I like anything that is lemon flavored.
i don’t collect anything including antique kitchen items
I am not entering. I just want to say that I absolutely LOVED this book! I don’t collect antiques.
I have a few of my moms kitchen utensils. I cherish them. Thank you for the recipe and giveaway.?
I am pretty much a minimalist so I don’t collect much of anything. Thank you for the giveaway!
Thank you for the giveaway! Love this series! As for collecting antique kitchen items, I am pretty much a minimalist so I don’t really collect at all.
No I don’t collect antique kitchen items but I have a few things that were my grandmas. Two cookie jars and a few serving dishes.
I don’t actively collect kitchen items but I’ve ended up with several that belonged to my mother and grandmother. I’ve collected many other things over the years and I’m now trying to reduce the number of things I have.
I have a few older pieces of cast iron I like.
I have some items passed down from my Mom (& grandmother)…use them & keep them since I am sentimental…lol
I don’t collect any antique kitchen utensils. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
I don’t but my daughter’s love vintage cookbooks and my youngest likes vintage Pyrex.
I don’t really collect them but I have several items and several cookie cutters! Thanks for the chance!
No I do not collect antique kitchen items
I don’t have any antique kitchen tools, but do have several very old cookbooks ~
I don’t collect antique kitchen items.
i have always collected them. i display them in my dining room
I have a couple of things, but they were given to me.
No, I don’t collect antique kitchen items, but I do love them! My Mother has some from my Great Aunt!
Congratulations on the release! I think they are amazing and fun to look at, but I do not have the room to collect anything else right now. I can’t wait to try these scones, thank you!