Vintage Kitchens and Cozy Mysteries

Hoosier Cabinet

We are warned to be wary of multitasking, that our brains are not wired to handle doing several of tasks at once and doing them all well. In one instance I disagree, I'm a fan of 'reading' while walking. Exercising might not be one of my favorite things, but listening to an audiobook (reading is one of my favorite things) helps to make the miles go quicker especially if I'm on the treadmill.  Installing the Overdrive app on my phone was a brilliant move on my part. Just log into my local library, search for a new title to listen to, download, and off I go down the road.


That's how I found Victoria Hamilton's Vintage Kitchen Mysteries featuring budding cookbook author, collector of vintage cookbooks and cookware, and amateur sleuth - Jaymie Leighton. The first in the series, A Deadly Grind  centered around a hidden object in a Hoosier cabinet that Jaymie had purchased at an estate auction. I was pleased to see how an author could create a story around a piece of furniture that I had in my very own dining room.  My piece is a hand-me-down from my aunt and uncle when they downsized from a larger home when they retired.

The ensuing stories have all revolved around different vintage items that Jaymie has acquired or is researching for her writing projects (I've only gotten through the first three novels so I can't speak for all the titles). I too like to collect dinner and glassware. With the passing of my grandmothers and great aunts I have selected items from their kitchens as a way to remember them and their homes. The little blue and white doll pictured is actually a set of nesting measuring cups. The two small monks are a pepper and salt shaker set, and the larger one is designed to hold some other condiment such as mustard. His head is removable and there is a small spoon to ladle out the contents.

Doll is actually nesting measuring
cups. 

Vintage kitchenware - Monks
are salt and pepper shakers,
large monk's head comes off
and there is a small spoon.