Cats. Cats, cats, cats, cats!

A feral cat colony, a tea with the Queen upcoming event and oh, a couple of murders. What more could you need? This was a fun little adventure that was for the most part, a delight. I enjoyed almost all the characters, thought they showed a good range, they had their flaws, their highs and I was fully invested in all the plots and subplots.

For a short book, this certainly packed a lot of story, and following the twists and turns of a murder one moment and then plans for a cafe another was enjoyable. The crime was maybe a little obvious but then again I've read a lot of murder mysteries.

This lost a point purely for the British characters. The.... accents. The use of British 'slang'. Yes, those words are British slang but no. Nobody calls the police the 'rozzers' anymore. Or any of the other very stereotypical, cringing terms they use. And to write the words with their accent... Its a shame, because the book otherwise is a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it.

Cat got your Tongs

By: Victoria Hamilton

Book 12 of A Vintage Kitchen Mystery

Publish Date: March 18, 2025

Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

Cooking, food and wine/ Mystery and Thriller

#CatGotYourTongs#NetGalley

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

Book Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I enjoyed it. You are able to read these books out of order and get the idea of who is who. I would recommend reading them in order because you do miss a little of the background from some of the characters in the series. With that being said I still got the point of the book and had a great time.

This book takes place in March in Michigan by the Canada border. It is freezing and Jaymie agrees to feed the cat colony while the usual person is gone for a couple of days. One day while feeding them she hears something and goes to check it out. What does find but a frozen body. The noise was his cell phone with an incoming call. He is unknown except for maybe a first which she hears when the caller leaves a voicemail. She is curious about this person and wonders what is doing there and why does he have on the parka from someone she knows. She starts asking around but not too much. A few days later while feeding the cats she another body and she knows this guy. Why are these guys died and who is the killer or killers. People are asking her to investigate and find out what happens. She agrees because she wants to help her friend’s niece and finally figure out what is happening around the river that separates the two countries.

I love the family and friendships in this book and how they standby each other and help each other even when they really don’t want to.

Cat Got Your Tongs is the 12th exciting book in Victoria Hamilton's Vintage Kitchen Mystery.series. The characters are likable and the mystery kept me guessing although I suspected the culprit. Jaymie is married to Jakob and his daughter Jocie is a nice addition to the story. Jaymie is taking care of a group of feral cats to help a friend. It is winter. While feeding the cats, Jaymie finds a dead body but she doesn't recognize the person. Then a 2nd dead body shows up out by the cat colony but she recognizes this person. There are several suspects and some unusual activities going on. There is a new Police Chief which Jaymie is unsure of working with. Jaymie, her friend Val and Val's sister-in-law Violet are starting Kitschy Kitchen, a tea and vintage kitchen shop. Their plans add a little lightness to the story. The ending is exciting! #CatGotYourTongs #VintageKjtchenMystery #NetGalley #BeyondThePage

Although I was sure I'd read some of this series, as I read I realized that I seemed to be mistaken. As it turned out, it didn't matter as it works well as a standalone. While, yes, it did take me a bit to sort out the characters, of which there seemed to be many initially, I quickly found myself caught up in vintage cookware collector Jaymie Muller's life and situation. The idea of a cat colony high on a bluff over a river was intriguing, especially as winter weather set in. We even get to know a few of the cats' quirks and personalities and a possible future solution to lessen the numbers there to be cared for. Jaymie also has a dog, a three-legged Yorkie named Hoppy and daughter Jocie's cat Lilibet. The relationship between Jayme and Jocie is adorable and nice to see. Husband Jakob is in and out of the story but plays a minor role of simply being there when support is needed this go-round. I ultimately enjoyed meeting the cast of characters, even the snoopy ones, and how they came together as a community as needed. Heck, even seemingly cranky Haskell Lockland turns out to have more dimensions than we first imagine.

As for the mystery/murder, it doesn't actually happen until you're nearly 1/3 of the way through the book but there's a growing sense of unease in the lead-up. Part of it comes from the ominous weather, yes, but we get peeks at activities that, well, let's just say seem highly unusual and surely illegal. By the time the first body is found, we're fully immersed in the happenings and, if you're at all like me, already considering whodunit. Jaymie's relationship with the local police force was a definitely plus. Nice to see the police treated with due respect and not somehow shown as being inept. Not only is Jaymie's love of animals obvious, but her sense of caring stands out as the story goes along. I mean, this woman doesn't hesitate to speak out on behalf of her town and friends, not to mention take on a major role in a major event with very little planning time remaining. She also seems to have learned from past mistakes, not always easy. Never poke a bear, indeed. Toss in some curious seniors, aging rock'n'rollers, shady business dealings, unpredictable felines, family emergencies, family ties, and, well, much more, an it makes for an intriguing mystery full of characters you'll like and humor (hope you like puns--grin), and you'll be hooked right up to the scary conclusion. Stick around, though, for the rest and a vintage recipe!

Bottom line, despite coming into this series late, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm a huge fan of character driven plots and this one had unique, well-fleshed out characters that I quickly came to like. While more a dog than cat person, I definitely enjoyed the story's focus on basically animal rescue/care. Reading of a potential option to help at the end made me hope to hear more of it in future books. Yes, I'll definitely be keeping up with this series from now on, not to mention checking the library for back installments. My thanks to #BeyondThePagePublishing for the advance copy that introduced me to Jaymie and her circle of friends, family, and pets. The setting was fascinating and, I might add, nicely introduced to us, and I'm looking forward to my next visit.

Jaymie is talked into helping to feed a cat colony. While she is there she discovers two bodies. British rockers, shady deals and strange boyfriends all play roles in this book. It's a good read and the characters are vividly written. Jaymie and Val are onto a new venture and the annual Queen Victoria tea may be cancelled. Lots of subplots to keep you interested and the main mystery resolves well.
I was given an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

Cat Got Your Tongs is the 12th book in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series. It takes place in the town of Queensvile, Michigan. Heartbreak Island is an island divided in half, Johnsonville, Canada and the other half Queensville. The story opens with Parker Hellman waiting on the Canadian side to pick-up a man and take him to the Queensville side. The man told him that he was cold so Parker gave him his red winter jacket. Upon getting out of the boat on the beach below Lois's house. Parker left to go back to Canada. The man walked up the path and was attacked by a man and fell back onto the beach. Parker heard the cry and splash but didn't think anything about. it. The next day he heard about the body on the beach. The next day when feeding the cats Jaymie found a bag with gloves, wallet with money in the dry container. She put everything back in the container. While there she heard some singing and went to find out where it was coming from and saw the body on the beach in the red jacket. She thought it was Parker. The phone was making the singing. She ran down and thinking it was Parker turned the body over and found it wasn't him but someone else dead. His head had been bashed in. She called 911. The police came. Later while feeding the cats she found Ethan also dead.

Jaymie Muller is the main character in the story. She lives outside town in a cabin with her husband, Jakob Muller and her stepdaughter, Jacie. She also owns a house in town with her sister, Becca who owns Queensville Fine Antiques. Outside of town is a cat colony that is overseen by George Hellman and Bonnie Smith. They were both going to Florida for a month. They needed someone to feed and oversee the cat colony. Mrs. Stubbs, an elderly woman and friend of Jaymie called and asked her if she could take care of the cats. Jaymie said she would help. Lois Perry owns a large victorian on Winding Woods Lane where you parked to see the cats. Her property overlooks the river and the island. Miss Perry's neighbors Haskell Lockland, President of the Historical Society was not supportive about thr colony being there. George's nephew, Parker Hellman was not reliable to feed the cats. Morgan Perry is Miss Perry's niece was living and dating Ethan Zarcone who is a good friend with Parker.

Jaymie, Jakob and Jacie were going to live in town for a week as Becca was in Canada visiting Grandma eighton for that week. Later Jaymie and Jacie went to the colony to feed the cats but George was there to take care of them before he left for Florida. Jaymie stopped in the see Miss Perry and noticed the tension between her and her niece. Morgan was in a boot. She had jumped out of the car after having a fight with Ethan. She had sprained her ankle. Quinley Gustafson, Morgan's friend was also there.

Haskell took the podium at the Historical Meeting and catching up with the minutes he informed the members that due to lack of volunteers they would be only funding Dicken's Day, a Christmas fundraiser and discontinue the Queen Tea Party. Jaymie was upset with that decision and asked that it be voted on, Mabel Bellwood told Haskell that he had bullied the board members to vote against the tea. Haskell told Jaymie that since she was to head the committee to oversee the tea and she better make money for that fundraiser.

While at the meeting her friend, Val told her that the man talking to Petty, a board member, was Ethan. She had babysat for his family when Ethan was younger. She said he was a small time hood who is looking to make a quick buck. Jaymie and Val went over the talk to Petty and found out that Ethan was looking into buying old and vacant victorian buildings. When Jaymie mentioned Morgan's ankle and after accusing her as a busy body Ethan pretended to get a call and left. Petty had told Ethan to talk to Haskell. Jaymie also saw Haskell talking to a man she didn't recognize. When leaving the meeting Jaymie saw Ethan arguing with the man.

Jaymie went to feed the cats. She parked in Aunt Lois's driveway. (Miss Perry) and was unloading the car she heard shouting and the house next door opened and Ethan came out. An old man, Bog Brewer, followed with water and got into a new black car. The old man came through the cat colony. She introduced herself and asked the man not to come through as the cats were eating. His wife came after him and they introduced themselves. They were renting the house next door to Lois. He said that Ethan had come to talk to them about an investment. He realized it was a sham and was mad that his wife was going to give him some of her money. His wife name was Duckie.

Jaymie noticed one of the cats was not doing well. She was very small and looked like she was hurt. She called the vet, Dakarai Kasimo, who took care of the cats for a small fee or free. He said that the cat needed to be taken care of away from the colony. She called her friend, Heidi Lockland and asked her if she would help and take the cat to care for her. Heidi came and took the cat. When leaving she saw a black BMW arrive at Bog's house. It was the strange man.

Val asked Jaymie if she would have lunch with her. She took her to the old knitting store and over lunch there she told Jaymie about her plans for a tea shop and wanted Jaymie to do it with her. She said the name of the shop would be Kitschy Kitchens and would also sell kitchen stuff. She also said that her sister-in-law wanted to move closer to her and would also be an invester.

With the two deaths I will leave the story to the reader to enjoy. There is so much going on that I can't put it all on paper. The reader will find an exciting story that will take them to an unexpected and exciting ending.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this ARC.

"Cat Got Your Tongs (Vintage Kitchen Mystery #11)" by Victoria Hamilton revived my interest in this series. I was a bit put off by the book previous to this one in the series but gave this one a shot and really enjoyed it. This one is set in late winter/early spring (it's the upper Midwest they're the same season pretty much). Jaymie is helping care for a colony of cats while trying to manage all her other obligations.

Despite Jaymie's busy schedule she still manages to investigate two mysterious deaths that happen near the cat colony. There was a clear suspect before the big reveal but it really came down to how to prove it all.

Even though I’ve missed several books in this series it was easy to pick right back up. The mystery was well written and fast paced. And I liked that the police weren’t depicted as incompetent the way they are in so many cozies.

This was my first time reading the cozies in this series. After finishing this one, I know I'll be returning!
The mother-daughter relationship between Jaymie and Jocie was so refreshing and entertaining. I could feel the love that Jaymie has for her little daughter. Then, the sense of community with her friends was well done. I'm glad this book focused on certain side characters to be key in the plot, because Jaymie has too many friends.
The mystery was built-up in a timely manner. Clues were sprinkled throughout the story, and I found myself connecting the pieces before the big reveal. There were some nice plot twists.
When it comes to the writing itself, I feel that I even learned more on how to set up and develop a cozy mystery. There were parts with info-dumping, but only two or three; nothing major that made it seem like the author relied on it.

I hadnt read this series but I am very familiar with the author and this cover pulled me in
This was a wonderful cozy and I didn't feel like I was missing out by not reading the others in the series although I will be now that I've read this.
A wonderful cozy to escape to for awhile

This is my first cozy book by this prolific author, so it took me a while to get to know the characters. This is book #12 in the series!

I am sure that if I had started reading this series with book #1, it would have been easier to get into ir. After I was familiar with the protagonist and all the characters, I also discovered that there are 2 intriguing plots in this book.

This book was extremely well written and very tense. I liked the author's style of writing because it kept me engaged. I did figure out whodunnit, but I wanted to find out why the crime had been committed.

It was very satisfying to find out the why, as well as the who.

I look forward to the next book in this series, but in the meantime I will start at the beginning of the series.

Author pays a lot of attention to setting the scene. There were a number of characters and since this was the 1st time reading this series I was confused for a long time. However, the mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Victoria Hamilton’s 12th book in the Vintage Kitchen series is extremely well written. While her sister is out of the country, Jaymie and her family have moved back into her family home in town. She gets volunteered to care for a group of feral cats and in one 12 hour period discovers two dead bodies near the feline colony. Her attempt to solve the crime, as usual, sends her all over town. She revisits some characters from her previous books which is a treat. She ends up in danger but uses her experience from previous adventures to work her way out of trouble. NetGalley was kind enough to provide me with an advanced reader copy, but the opinion is my own.

Cats! All over the place. Protecting them from a dark threat can be deadly, but Jaymie does her best and as usual, gets herself in a dangerous situation. Hamilton's created a memorable cast, and this installment expands upon the families we've gotten to know over the years in the Vintage Kitchen series. Solid mystery. Good romance. Smart friendships.

CAT GOT YOUR TONGS is the twelfth book in the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries by Victoria Hamilton. While I haven’t had the opportunity to keep up with the series, it was a pleasure to dive in and catch up with what protagonist Jaymie Müller has been doing. This newest book can easily be read as a standalone, but the characters are definitely worth getting to know over the course of the series. One of the best ways to describe Jaymie is she’s kindhearted and despite the crime, the book leaves you with warm and cozy feelings. Jaymie is a caregiver at heart and she’s passed that trait on to her darling stepdaughter, Jocie. They are helping take care of a colony of feral and stray cats during the brutal winter cold, while the normal volunteer goes on vacation. Ms. Hamilton brings the plight of the cats to life on the pages, and each scene is detailed, allowing the reader to feel invested. I also chuckled at the puns included and all the clever and pun-y business names. It brings a lightheartedness to the story.

On one of the visits to the cat colony, Jaymie comes across a murder victim. One of her friends had been seeing strange lights on the river from her home, and together they surmise that smuggling must be going on from Canada to the U.S. and the death is connected. Is the cargo human? Drugs? Or other illicit items? And why did an aging British rock star move into the neighborhood? The author weaves a multi-faceted tale filled with suspects, secrets, and lies. The twists kept me guessing, but it wasn’t until the bone-chilling, edge-of-your-seat reveal that I figured it out alongside Jaymie. With the adrenaline pumping, it was a pleasure reading the heartwarming last chapter, which left me with a feeling of contentment and a desire to catch up on the series.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A cosy crime mystery set in Michigan and the latest instalment featuring vintage collector Jaymie. Cat and animal lovers will enjoy this warm and intriguing story like I did.

#CatGotYourTongs #NetGalley is another fantastic addition to this series.
This series has easily become my favorite and I'm always excited to read another book featuring my favorite characters.
Jaymie's love for animals shines through in this story, as she agrees to keep watch over a cat colony, so the current caretakers can have a break.
Jaymie doesn't expect to become involved in another murder investigation, but her fans know it's bound to happen.
I highly recommend the book and this entire series by author Victoria Hamilton.
Thank you for writing such a wonderful cozy mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.