While I have read Victoria Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen Mystery series and the Teapot Collector Mysteries (under her pseudonym, Amanda Cooper) somehow I haven’t gotten around to trying the books in her Merry Muffin Mystery series. True, I have a couple of the books in that series loaded on my Kindle, but… just not enough time in the day to read everything I plan on reading… Fortunately, that changed when I picked up MUCH ADO ABOUT MUFFIN, the fourth book in the Merry Muffin Mysteries! I am so glad I did make time and will go back and catch up with the preceding three books!
Click on the book to visit Amazon.com
Synopsis
Merry Wynter has been in Spain for two months, making peace with her dying former mother-in-law. Lulled into a sense of complacency by her in-laws’ luxurious lifestyle, Merry loses touch with her friends back in Autumn Vale. When circumstances pull her out of her torpor and she returns to her inherited castle, Wynter Castle, she finds things have fallen apart in her absence.
One of her good friends is barely talking to her and seems to be under the sway of a cult. Another friend is isolating herself from her new husband and won’t confide in Merry. Her boyfriend, Sheriff Virgil Grace, is barely speaking to her. And to top things off, a melodramatic opera diva, Roma Toscano, has moved into the castle. When Merry and Virgil’s mom find the postmistress stabbed to death, Roma is suspected of murder.
While Merry may not like Roma very much, she’s pretty certain Roma is innocent. The postmistress, Minny, had made several enemies, including Merry herself. Despite the bad feelings between them, Merry wants to find the killer and provide justice for Minny. But her questions around town are hitting close to home and someone tries to kill Merry. Can she rescue her friendships and relationship with Virgil and find justice or will a killer put an end to her meddling once and for all?
My Review
Since I started with the fourth book on the series, I felt like I had some catching up to do to figure out the characters and how they related to the protagonist, Merry. There was backstory from previous books that would have helped, but by about one third of the way into the book, the author filled in what I needed to know and made the book more enjoyable. In addition to a tightly written mystery with several suspects that kept me guessing, Victoria Hamilton weaves the theme of home into the story. Merry’s heart isn’t sure where home is when the book starts out, but she finally realizes Autumn Vale is where she belongs. The love for family, friends, and family history pulls her in and allows her to create a home where she wants to stay and allow her heart to mend.
Merry loves to cook and bake for her family, friends, and also provides muffins for several of Autumn Vale’s establishments. The author includes a couple of muffin recipes at the back of the book…both sound absolutely delicious and perfect for upcoming fall weather. Victoria Hamilton also gave me her recipe for Gouda and Harvest Vegetable Chowder from BRAN NEW DEATH, the first book in the Merry Muffin Mysteries, to share with you. I loved how the chowder uses pureed cauliflower to help thicken it, instead of relying on heavy cream or lots of flour and butter. Easy to make and full of vegetables, this Gouda and Harvest Vegetable Chowder uses nutty, buttery Gouda cheese for flavoring and will become a healthy family favorite! Thanks, Victoria, for sharing your nourishing chowder recipe with us!
A very special thank you to Victoria Hamilton for providing an autographed copy of MUCH ADO ABOUT MUFFIN. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below the recipe to enter. Contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only and ends Monday, August 15, 2016 at 11:59 pm PST. Winners will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
Gouda and Harvest Vegetable Chowder
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
1 medium onion, diced
2 cups cauliflower, broken into small florets
2 cups broccoli, broken into very small florets
1 cup grated carrot
3 cups good quality or homemade chicken stock
2 cups whole milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cup shredded Gouda; you can substitute a different cheese if you like. Cheddar works well!
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Melt butter in large saucepan. Add onion and cook over medium heat until soft.
Add the cauliflower and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the cauliflower is soft, about 10 minutes.
Puree the cauliflower and onion mixture until smooth.
Add the broccoli florets and grated carrots. Bring to a simmer and cook until almost tender, about 5 minutes.
Slowly whisk 1 cup of the milk into the flour. Whisk until completely smooth.
Add the flour mixture and an additional cup of milk to the chowder. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens.
Remove pan from heat and add 1-1/2 cups Gouda (or cheese of your choice) and stir until melted.
For serving, sprinkle with additional cheese and buttered croutons if desired.
Enjoy the Bacon Cheddar muffins from BRAN NEW DEATH with the chowder, or plain cheddar muffins! Mmmm!
Tips
If your cheese is fairly soft before grating it, place in the freezer while prepping the vegetables for the chowder. Firm, cold cheese will grate much easier.
If leftover chowder is too thick, add additional chicken broth when reheating until desired consistency is reached.
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I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I can’t wait to try this soup. It sounds delish! Thank you for the recipe and the opportunity to win a book.
i have never been to a castle, but i would love to travel someday and visit one
Mmmm! I will have to make this soup! No, I have never visited a castle, other than through books or on shows like Downton Abby. But I would LOVE to visit one!
No, but wouldn’t that be fun! Thanks for sharing the recipe and the chance to win!
JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com
This recipe sounds amazing, just in time for fall and hopefully cooler weather to enjoy it in. Thanks for sharing! I’ve not read this series before but I have the first one and if I win I’ll be sure to share it with a friend…one of my favorite things to do! 🙂
[email protected]
I have visited Versailles in France, and what I would consider 2 American castles: Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California and The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. The chowder sounds delicious – I love gouda cheese & the tip about freezing it before grating it!
No, I’ve never visited a castle.
I’ve never visited a castle but would love to! Soup and book both sound delicious.
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Castles! I visited Hearst Castle here in California, but had a day long tour visiting five different castles in France. My favorite was The Château de Chenonceau and Château de Cheverny…but Versailles was also ‘to die for’ or what someone did! LOL
Btw, I love this series! I have never visited an actual castle. I have been to a house way that built it to like like a castle. Only a lot smaller.
I have not had an opportunity to visit a castle. It would be very intriguing to do so. Thanks for the recipe and the great review.
Never visited a castle, I saw the one in Disneyland, though. [email protected]
I actually have visited a castle when I did a semester abroad in Spain. In fact when not studying I toured a number of fantastic sites, museums and castles. The Alhambra in Granada was amazing.
I have visited Bolt Castle in the 1000 Islands a couple time. It is so beautiful. I hope I can take my kids there next summer.
When we lived in Germany we did go by the Neuschwanstein Castle (Füssen, Germany). I don’t remember that we got to go into it, or even that we got too close. This castle is said to be the inspiration for Disney’s castle.
And while we were there in Germany we did see other places also. But we came back in 1990, and my memory just isn’t as clear about the places as maybe it should be. Now, hubby, on the other hand, could probably recount places, dates, and special events.
The recipe for the chowder sounds delish — think we will have to try it. And by the way, Gouda is pronounced with an “H” sound in Europe — sorta like ‘howda’. It is a cheese that comes from Gouda, Netherlands. Our family loves Gouda cheese to this day {we lived in The Netherlands 4 years as well}.
I visited Hearst Castle years ago.
I visited Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay, NY.
I just wrote that one too, Jamie! I love going every few years to see all the updates.. We go from the Ganonaque side. Our last visit was the end of August but this time we stayed in Clayton.
First of all – yum! Your hearty autumn chowder looks so refreshing! Yes, I have visited a castle. When I was 16 years old I was lucky enough to spend the summer in France with my uncle and aunt (my mother was French). Their house was in Provence, and they took me all over the region, and one of the places we visited was a chateau. On my dream vacation, however, I am going to England and taking a tour of country manors and castles. Happy Friday! Nicole 🙂
I’ve never visited a castle, but I would like to some day!
Driven by a couple castles. But no. Never actually toured one. Recipe looks good. Gotta try it. Thanks for a chance to get the book as well
I think the only castle I’ve been in is the Sleeping Beauty castle at Disneyland in CA. That was pretty but not quite the same as a real world castle I’m guessing. LOL
I never visited a castle but I would like to. I read books and seen shows with castles and always wanted to see one. Thank you for the chance to win a signed copy of Much Ado About Muffin.
I have never visited a castle but I would love to
I really love the Merry Muffin books! This recipe sounds really good too. I’d love to visit famous castles around the world! The only castle I’ve seen up close is the one at Disney World 🙂
I have visited two castles so far: Castle Loma in Toronto and Boldt Castle on the American part of the Thousand Islands.. Boldt has such beautiful gardens; recommend googling it to see for yourselves.. I love soups, especially chowders! Thanks for the review and chance to win the new book..
Oh–I forgot to mention the Magic Kingdom castle. How could I forget that?
Visiting a castle is on my bucket list but as of yet I haven’t had the opportunity. Books that involve a castle are even more
delightful to me. Thanks for review, the recipe and a chance to enter the giveaway for a new book. [email protected]
I enjoyed your post & the recipe. Thanks for the chance to win this book in one of my favorite series. Castles are always so interesting & fun.
I have never visited a castle. I think it would be a fun thing to do.
I’ve visited Hearst Castle in California. It’s in such a beautiful setting and is really something to see. Looking forward to reading “Much Ado About Muffin”.
I’ve never visited a real one but there’s a pretty good fake one that’s a winery in Napa Valley.
I’ve been to that castle winery in Napa! I wasn’t a happy camper touring the tunnels and the “dungeon” beneath it though…a little too confining 🙂
I’m not positive, but I think we visited one on a family trip or youth group trip when I was growing up. I would love to visit an Irish castle. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Not a “real” castle overseas, but a recreated one in AR. It was so neat. Loved it!
I have visited a castle! I got to live in it for a week too…it was an historical landmark so it was odd to look out the windows sometimes and see people staring up and taking pictures!!
Have not visited a castle yet but hope to one day
Once, but I would love to visit more.
I have not visited a castle yet, but a trip to Ireland is in my future!
I have visited Hearst Castle many years ago but that wasn;t like the castle that we dream about. It was a big house and alot of rooms but not a huge building that are in the books but it was fun to tour with my friends at the time. So glad I did it then as now disabled and would have to go thru in my wheelchair not so fun. Thank you for the wonderful recipe hubby will be glad to make another one of my findings. [email protected]
This sounds yummy.
I’ve been to Bunrtty Castle In Ireland.
I have! My favorite (so far) was Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. That was in 1994. I would love to go back to the UK with the hubbie and kids.
I’ve been to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. We walked up to it, but the Germans we didn’t get to see what was in it. I’ve also been to the castle winery in Napa.
Well it sounds muffin good. I love books like this. Yes I have visited a Castle and I absolutely loved it. The atmosphere was ghostly to me. Thanks for the chance.
Marilyn [email protected]
I can’t remember if I visited a castle (unless Casa Loma in Canada counts!) but I love the merry muffin series! (and I’ve always wanted to live in a castle 😉 )
Well, I have visited Cinderella’s castle in Walt Disney World, though that isn’t really a castle. 😉
No, but i would really love to visit an old castle!
I have never visited a castle. Would be fun. [email protected]
I visited Hearst Castle which is America’s version of a castle.
Sounds like a series I need to read! [email protected]
I’ve visited several castles in Europe, mainly Austria. [email protected]
I visited Casa Loma in Toronto many years ago.
I have never visited a castle. Hopefully someday I would get a chance to visit one .
I have never visited a castle. Hopefully someday I would get a chance to visit one . thanks for having such a good giveaway.
Can’t wait to try the soup. Thank you for the chance to win your book. Cheers! ?