I have been a fan of the mother-daughter writing team, Victoria Abbott, for quite some time. I was thrilled when I heard that not only were they coming out with a new book in their Book Collector Mystery series, but it was going to be set in San Francisco! I just love that city and spent some time there when I lived up in the wine country for a couple of years. Victoria Abbott expertly captures the flavor and feel of San Francisco while delivering their best story yet with
THE HAMMETT HEX.
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Synopsis
Jordan Bingham is finally taking a vacation away from her not-quite-so-lawful uncles and her crabby employer, Vera Van Alst. Vera is against Jordan leaving, even if it’s only for a week, but finally relents when Jordan agrees to track down a rare copy of Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett. Accompanying Jordan to San Francisco for the romantic getaway is Officer Tyler “Smiley” Dekker. Smiley, it seems, is keeping a few secrets from Jordan, like reconnecting to his estranged grandmother who lives in San Francisco. Smiley is also a huge fan of Dashiell Hammett and wants to visit some of the places mentioned in his books.
However, from the very beginning of their stay in the City by the Bay, things go terribly wrong. Jordan is pushed from a cable car and then a car almost runs them over. When they meet with Smiley’s grandmother an unknown person puts her in harms way. Someone seems to be following them but they have no idea why. When Jordan’s Uncle Kev shows up it can only mean more bad news. Can Jordan find out what their assailant is after or will their vacation end up in tragedy? Can she learn to completely trust Smiley or will her family’s unsavory background pull them apart?
My Review
THE HAMMETT HEX pulled me in from the very start and I became so engrossed in the book that I forgot to take notes for my review! The story has lots of exciting twists and turns that had me turning pages late into the night. I love the characters surrounding Jordan in Harrison Falls but the new addition of Smiley’s grandmother and her helper in San Francisco adds a whole new dimension to the series. Smiley’s Gram has a spunkiness and zest for life that compliments Jordan’s adventurous spirit. I also enjoyed “The Kelly Rules” that started each chapter, shared by Jordan’s uncles. It gives some insight in to how Jordan was raised and her outlook on life, while providing a bit of humor.
Victoria Abbott also shares several recipes, all of them sound oh so yummy! I chose to make Chocolate Chip Meringue Kisses which are naturally gluten-free. These delicately delicious cookies had me nibbling the delectable treats often over several days…and they stayed just as fresh as the first day I made them. Thank you for allowing me to share your amazing recipe, Victoria!
A huge thank you to Victoria Abbott for providing a signed copy of THE HAMMETT HEX to one lucky winner! Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe for a chance to win. Contest ends Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. 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!) Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
Ingredients
- These are the meringue kisses that Smiley remembers from his childhood. They're very easy, as long as your eggs are room temperature and there's not a speck of anything greasy near bowl or beaters and that means not a single drop of yolk, according to Gram.
- 4 egg whites (from extra large eggs, at room temperature)
- 1 cup minus 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon good quality vanilla
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 - 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (mini chocolate chips work great!)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 225 degrees (F).
- Beat the egg whites with cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
- Add the vanilla and almond extract.
- Slowly add sugar, tablespoon by tablespoon, beating well after every addition, until stiff peaks have formed.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop out meringue and shape into "kisses".
- Bake in preheated oven at 225 degrees (F) for about 50 minutes.
- Turn off oven and let kisses dry for at least an hour.
- Don't let them brown at the edges.
- If your oven runs hot, reduce temperature.
- Store in a cookie tin in a cool, dry place.
- Makes about eighteen kisses, depending on size. They keep well if no one finds them. (Cinnamon & Sugar's note: I made mine "mini" and got about 80 cookies. Baking time was still the same.)
- Eggs separate easier while they are cold and then allow the egg whites to come to room temperature.
- Mini chocolate chips make great eyes if you want to turn the kisses into little Halloween ghosts.
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I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
These cookies are super cute and just in time for Halloween. Thank You for the recipe. ?
I love the trolley cars and High Tea at the Palace.
Very hopeful I adore this series
There’s so much to love about San Francisco but probably my favorite thing is the food… SF Sourdough bread IS definitely the best!
Sadly, I have never been to San Francisco….would really love to see it someday!
Congrats on your new release day!! Have visited several times. Used to live near there (Santa Ana). Left the area in 69. went back for a visit in 84. Still have family there. Several places I really liked. Hard to pick one. We did visit Ghirardelli Square more than any where else. But would like to relate an experience when we visited in 84. It was around 10PM We had just eaten at a restaurant near Fisherman’s Wharf. Headed back to my son’s. The street we were on was lined with cars (residential), sort of narrow street (parked cars on both sides 2 open lanes). Long stretch with no turn off, we had just passed a fire station, about 3 cars away, a siren/horn sounded and the station doors rowed up and a truck with lights flashing pulled out behind us. My hubby and I were looking every which way trying to find an opening in the line of parked cars so we could pull off. I swear. I don’t know which is worse. Being totally embarrassed and scared because of no way to get out of THEIR way. Or those guys sitting up there and laughing at us as we frantically looked for a break in the cars. About 3? blocks away we pulled into a driveway to let them pass and I angrily told my hubby that those guys were actually laughing about our predicament. He just shrugged if off saying let’s hope our delay didn’t do any real harm and let it go at that. It’s been over 30 years. And I am still not sure how I feel about that. I’m between laughing and irritation.
I have never been to San Francisco. There are a lot of things I would like to see if I ever get there.
I seem to be really into reading books set in places I’ve been lately and that makes me want to dive into this one even more!
Never been, but I’d love to. Thanks for the recipe.
Can’t wait to read the newest book in the series. San Francisco is a beautiful city and one of my favorite cities to visit. The meringue kisses look like a great treat for Fall.
San Francisco is my favorite city. It has so much personality.
These cookies look great and I love the way you turned them into little ghosts.
Did yoou add the “eyes” after baking?
I added the eyes BEFORE baking and they held up just fine. Thanks for asking!
Thanks
Oh my goodness have been wanting to read this book in print I lived in the Bay Area till I was 48 then married and moved to Iowa and miss being there so much as all the rest of my family which is my 2 adult kids and 2 grandkids and another coming in 1 week living in that area. My son lives across the street from where he grew up . I love going there in person and when can’t happen especially now as i am disabled and need someone to go with me I like going there thru books it makes me happy and also brings me back to a lot of good memories.
I love ‘The City’ having lived 80 miles east all my life. I can not think of just one thing…I am a lifetime San Francisco Giants and love Fisherman’s Wharf, crab salad or chowder in a fresh sourdough bread bowl, from a stree vendor, afternoon cruise on the Blue&White Fleet, view of the Golden Gate, fog, chocolate sundae from Ghiradelli’s, cable car ride up to shop at Union Square, Golden Gate park, the Zoo…oh, my! I think I need to hop on BART for an weekend trip!
Never been, probably never will! 🙂 Cute Halloween idea for the kisses, will definitely be making!
My first memory of San Francisco was the Worlds Fair. I have a son that lives in Oakland and we both Ferry in to City and he plans a day trip. Places mom been before . hidden gardens . staircases, plays, trolley and bus rides, Golden Gate Park, never tire of San Francisco.
I’ve never been to San Francisco but always thought it would be interesting to see Fisherman’s Wharf. Also a
ride on a trolley car would be an experience. robeader53@yahoo.com
I’ve never been to SF – or to California! Cute kisses.
Thank you for the cool recipe!! Will def have to try these 😉
Happy Book Release Day! I have visited San Francisco (I was 10 years old), and my favorite memories are of the cable cars, Lombard Street and Fisherman’s Wharf and warm sour dough bread. There was no fog that day, so we were able to see Alcatraz.
Never been to San Fran! I love this author and can’t wait to read the new book! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
I was about 10 years old when our dad took us to see the golden gate bridge. San Francisco was way to big and crowded for me. We drove through it at night 5 years ago. I was never impressed with San Francisco. So not a big fan of it. But I would love to win a signed copy of The Hammett Hex. Sounds like an interesting book.
I haven’t visited San Francisco since I was a little kid (and I’m 55 now) so I don’t really remember what we did or what was fun. I think I’d like the trolley cars though. They look like a lot of fun.
I have never been to San Francisco. Maybe one day…
Trolley cars
This looks fun to make
and I have not gotten a chance to visit San Francisco, but it is on my list whenever I get to CA
Would love to try this recipe! Thanks for a chance to win a book.
I drove through San Francisco and didn’t stop years ago—what a mistake! Those cookies are soooooo cute.
I LOVE the ghosts! I can’t wait to make these for our neighbors. Thank you for the recipe and the chance to win your book.
Never been to San Francisco but would love too
I have never been to SAN Francisco but I love seeing the Trolley cars on tv.
i have never visited San Francisco. I would love to.
Love San Francisco and it would be a treat to win this book!
Love this series!
This is a series I’ve missed. Thanks for your post.
Looks like a new book for me to check out!
I’ve never been to the west coast 🙁
Cheers!
I went to San fransico, was when I was little love the trolley riding up and down, I haven’t been there in a very long time!!
I never been to San Francisco but I would love to go to Ghiradelli Chocolate Factory