“Cat Got Your Tongs” is the well done twelfth book in Victoria Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series. In this one, vintage cookware collector Jaymie Müller is busy planning a fundraiser tea and a new business venture but agrees to help look after a colony of cats while its caretakers are away. It’s not long before she stumbles across not one but two bodies and finds herself involved in yet another murder investigation. But will her snooping but her in danger of becoming the next victim?

I found the first couple of chapters in this book to be a slow start but once I got past that I really enjoyed this book. I love the setting (the fact that Jaymie lives so close to Canada places an important part in this book), the feeding the cats plotline, and the characters (Jaymie, her husband, her stepdaughter, and her friends young and old) and the way the characters have grown throughout the course of the series. The mystery is well done – this isn’t the type of mystery where you try to figure out whodunit but just sit back and enjoy the cast of characters and the ride. The mystery is well plotted with a few surprises – without giving anything away, the motive for the murders is a very real one that readers should pay attention to. If there is one thing I didn’t like about this book is that I thought Jaymie put herself in danger a few too many times – asking intrusive questions and going places alone when she was warned not to by the police. Otherwise, I really enjoyed this book.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Though I didn't know that this was the 12th book in the series when I started it, I didn't have any problem getting into the story and getting to know the characters. The story captivated me from the beginning, and I couldn't put it down once I started it. An easy to read book, this really made me want to start the entire series from the beginning, just to catch up on what I've missed in that time.

Living in northern Michigan, Jaymie has a small family of a husband and a step daughter she calls her own. She's known around the town for selling vintage things, and when a neighbour asks her to house sit for a feral cat colony, she jumps at the chance. The owner, George, doesn't trust his nephew, Parker, to do it, as there was an accident between him and the cats last time, but what he doesn't know is that Jaymie has a keen eye for investigating and getting to the bottom of things around her town, whether it's gossip, or an actual crime.

During her time feeding the cats however, she discovers two dead bodies at two separate times. And with all the other stuff going on, her best friend telling everyone she fell out of a car when she really jumped, and Parker acting really strange and still coming to the cat colony even though it's not his job, she's determined to figure out what's really going on.

This book is one that I have zero problems with. Easy to read and not too long, I found the story really engaging, and the mystery wasn't one I was going to guess easily. I liked all the characters, and I really appreciated that Jaymie gets to work out the mystery by herself, despite not being a cop. Definitely recommend checking out this book and the series if you get the chance.

This is the 12th book in the Vintage Kitchen mystery series. I read one from this series years ago, but I am not a regular reader, so I was a bit worried going in that I would be lost. I was happy that characters were introduced carefully, so that even though there was a huge list of characters that have built over the series, it was not confusing to follow. That being said, it would have been easier if a few of them had been dropped, since they were not important to the story. I’m sure regular readers of the series appreciated catching up with some of their old friends, I guess.

Jaymie Muller is recruited to look after an outdoor cat colony twice a day while the regular steward is on vacation. It is March in Michigan, and the weather is awful, making her frequent trips out to the bluff to feed the cats pretty uncomfortable. What’s even worse though, is the bodies she keeps finding out there. The mystery is pretty simple and it’s less of a clue-finding mystery and more of Jaymie just waiting for people to tell her more information. I enjoyed the non-mystery parts of the book as much as I enjoyed the mystery. I liked reading about the new store Jaymie is considering opening with a friend and I loved the cat content.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victoria Hamilton for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Cat Got Your Tongs. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoy this author! I love her historical mysteries. I didn’t realize there were so many books in this series. I definitely need to read the other books. I thought the plot was interesting. I’m a big fan of cozy books. I would definitely check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

I've been a fan of this series since the beginning having read 10 out of the 12 books. Yet it's been awhile since I read the last one. Oh what a pleasure to be back with Jaymie and company in her small town close to the Canadian border. Here, smuggling people on the river into US is one of many plot threads that's sewn together by the book's end. As Jaymie finds the first body while tending to a local cat colony, she has a vested interest, along with her innate curiosity, to figure out things. Here's to the next book coming soon see how the new tearoom and Tea With The Queen fares. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Cat Got Your Tongs is book 12 in Victoria Hamilton’s Vintage Kitchen Mystery series, and a treat for mystery and cat lovers.

Despite her busy schedule, vintage cookware collector Jaymie Müller agrees to look after a colony of cats while their main caretakers are away. The colony is located on a high bluff overlooking the St. Clair River. It’s late winter, early spring, in the area, so Jaymie still has to bundle up.

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One night, an elderly neighbor of the colony and friend of Jaymie calls to tell her that there seems to be suspicious goings-on at the river. Jaymie tells the friend to contact the police and doesn’t think much more about it. Jaymie, though, remembers the call when she discovers a dead body near the colony. And readers of the series won’t be surprised to learn that Jaymie starts investigating.
During her investigation, Jaymie learns that the river has long been used for illicit smuggling. She soon begins discovering clues at the cat colony and then another murder victim is found. Jaymie must uncover the truth before she finds herself in a dangerous situation with no way out.

I was pulled into this story immediately, and found myself so taken by the descriptions that I felt as though I was chilled from the cold early spring days. I had an idea as to the true culprit as I neared the end, but I wondered how Jaymie would put the pieces of the puzzle together to prove the guilt. I very much enjoyed tagging along with her as she did.

Each entry into this series is a solid mystery, and this entry is no different. As a busy mom myself, I enjoy seeing how Jaymie balances it all (although I’m certainly in no hurry to add amateur sleuth to my tasks!).

The characters are wonderful, and it’s nice to see Jaymie so supported by friends and family. There’s also a little romance between Jaymie and her kind and supportive husband Jakob.

As always, I love the description of the vintage items, as well as the small town. It’s a true cozy escape. Readers new to the series could jump in with book 12 and go back and pick up the rest of the series, many of which I’ve enjoyed as audiobooks.

Cat Got Your Tongs is the 12th book in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series, but can be read as a standalone. Protagonist, Jaymie Müller, has volunteered to take care of the feral cat colony by the St. Clair River while it's normal caretakers are out of town. She gets a call one night from the elderly woman whose house overlooks the colony, that there have been lights on the river. Jaymie tells her to call the police. The next day when she goes to feed the cats, she finds a dead body. She is pretty sure he was killed and the coroner confirms it. Rumor has it that there has been smuggling of people into the US from Canada across the river. When she finds another body by the cat colony, this one someone Jaymie knows, she becomes invested in finding out why they were killed and by whom.

This was an enjoyable story and if you love cats, this one will make you smile. Jayme, her family and her friends all play a large part in her lives and this book. She and Val, are going to open a business to sell Jaymie's antique kitchen implements and her kitchen kitsch. Jaymie is also planning an elaborate Queen Victoria Tea for Victoria Day in May, she is taking care of the cats, working part time at an antique store and solving this mystery. It sounds busy, but it flows together so well. Jakob is Jaymie's husband and is so supportive of all she gets involved in. The mystery was well-developed with several suspects and twists along the way. I was pulled into this story and enjoyed every minute. I had no idea who the murderer was, but had figured out who the accomplice was earlier in the book. There were some interesting side plots as well, that really added to the story. A wonderful cozy mystery that has me wanting to go back and read the ones that I missed along the way.

My library stopped purchasing this series so I had not read the last few titles but it didn’t matter. This one was all about cats – my favorite thing as much as reading. The story centered around Jayme’s commitment to take care of a feral colony while the caretaker was away. Minus the vet on speed dial available at the drop of a hat…the rest was very accurate in this regard. Jayme discoveries bodies while taking care of the cats and then investigates. I love this series for it’s small town feel and love of vintage cookware (not mentioned as much in this title but with the opening of the shop we’ll see more of that). The mystery was clever and while I didn’t figure this on out….it was probably because the killer was mostly kept in the background but when revealed made purrfect sense. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for review.

I would recommend this book as a good read. Jaymie finds a murdered person. She slowly gets involved in trying to solve it.

It's late winter (March) in Michigan and Jaymie agrees to help with feeding a cat colony while the main volunteer is away. What Jaymie doesn't know is that there are suspicious activities taking place along the river near where the cat colony is located.
I'd have to say Jaymie has the worst luck, engineered by the author, as she finds two dead during feeding times for the cats.
I like this series. It has changed much from the early days when the focus was really on the Vintage Kitchen items Jaymie would find and write about. It could be said to be richer as the stories focus more on Jaymie as a Mom and the life she is living with Jakob Muller and Jocie.
The mystery is a complex one to unravel. The ending had me tearing just a bit at the sweetness of Jaymie and Jakob's relationship.
If you like animals, relationship focused stories and tea, you are sure to enjoy Cat Got Your Tongs.
Thanks to Netgalley and Beyond the Page for the opportunity to read this book.

There are so many characters thrown in willy nilly that I was a bit lost at first. Also not a fan of multiple characters having names beginning with same letter. Too easy to get mixed. This includes the author sometimes. (not saying it was in this case though) Was hovering between 3 & 4 stars because so many characters but the story hung together and finished up satisfactorily. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Jaymie is enlisted to help feed a cat colony in winter in Michigan. In spite of being very busy, once she sees the cats, she is determined to help out. But the cats are witnesses to some dark doings and when Jaymie discovers the second body within a day nearby, she is drawn into the investigation. Partly she is drawn in by the various locals who may be involved in these deeds but it goes well beyond their little community. Human smuggling, drugs, and all sorts of mayhem and nastiness is underneath and Jaymie is going to be drawn into the middle of it.

She has a good relationship with the local police including one of her best friends. So when she tells them what she has discovered, they listen. She is very careful how she does it until she pokes the bear once too often and things are going to get very dangerous. Good thing there are feline heroes to help out. I loved the way the various kitties in the colony are brought into the story in a very heartwarming way. I also enjoy when there are references to my home town in the book, even if one of them is the propensity for Lake Huron to deposit streamers right on top of us.

I have enjoyed this series but this is my favourite book thus far. Five purrs and two paws up.

Jaymie teases on a volunteer gig to care for homeless cats while their caretakers are both out of town. While she was hoping to find homes for some of the cats, she certainly wasn’t expecting to find a dead body…or two. Is the killer now playing with her like a cat with a ball of yarn? Jaymie just have to stay out of the killer’s web.

I really adore this series. From the vintage cookware to all of the supporting characters and the protagonist, everyone makes it feel like a visit with runs. I can’t wait to see what new recipes are included and what cookware is being collected or used in each and every entry.

An engaging and action-packed cozy mystery. An interesting group of characters, some familiar and some new ones. The English accent was a bit much at times, but did add to the story. Some sweet moments and a terrifying one. Nice conclusion. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Cozy lovers who are following the popular Vintage Kitchen Mysteries will want to pick up the 12 installment, Cat Got Your Tongs, by bestselling author, Victoria Hamilton. Jaymie agrees to take care of a cat colony of stray cats while her friend George is out of town, and while feeding them at night, discovers a body. Of course, Jaymie gets involved, and when another body is discovered, she puts both herself and friends in danger. New neighbors, an old rocker and his wife have moved in next to the cat colony, and Jaymie suspects they know something, but can’t quite get them to talk. In the meantime, she and her best friend, Val, plan to purchase a vacant building to start a tea and antique gift shop to be called The Kitschy Kitchen.

All the main characters are back in this novel; Jaymie, the protagonist, is married to Jakob and loves her step-daughter, Jocie, who is a smart and delightful little person. Even though they have been well-developed in previous novels, Hamilton gives enough background and necessary information to read this as a standalone novel, although the characters and supporting characters will make most readers want to go back and read the entire series.

Hamilton does an excellent job of telling the story, and the novel is well-written and organized. Even though this is a cozy (no sex, no profanity, no blatant violence), the suspense builds throughout and even though the mystery is lighthearted, there are twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge.

Anyone who hasn’t read this series, and who likes recipes and references to food, will want to pick up this fun novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Cat Got Your Tongs by Victoria Hamilton has a very busy Jayme taking on another task. The local cat colony needs to be fed while their caregiver is away and Jayme cannot say no when asked to fill in. I love the descriptions of the vintage kitchen items. I grew up with surrounded by vintage and antique kitchen items (and I have similar items in my home). I am amazed at the different types of tongs (there are at least ten different types of tongs including ice tongs and pastry tongs). I found Cat Got Your Tongs to be easy to read. I like the author’s friendly writing style. The characters are likeable (well, most of them) especially Jocie, Jayme’s stepdaughter. The story moved at a steady clip. The whodunit was intriguing and fun to solve. The new police chief is unsure of Jayme (she will need to prove herself). I love the idea that Jayme’s best friend, Val came up with for dealing with their excessive amount of vintage kitchen treasures. The cat colony is something that is near and dear to me. I live in a community where people have abandoned their pets and feral cats have resulted. Trap, Neuter, Release (and vaccinate) (aka TNR) is practiced, but not everyone likes having the cats in the neighborhood (just like in the book). I enjoyed reading about people who care enough about the cats that they would go out twice a day in frigid weather to feed them, make sure they had cozy sleeping spots, and that the cats were healthy. Cat Got Your Tongs can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or if you have missed a couple of books. Cat Got Your Tongs is a catastic tale with a colony of cats, late night lights, frosty temperatures, a victim or two, a busy body with binoculars, tons of tongs, and the Kitschy Kitchen.

Cat Got Your Tongs is book #12 in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery series by Victoria Hamilton.

This was another great addition to the series. Jaymie is taking care of a colony of cats while their caretaker is away. She wasn’t expecting to find a body. Are there nefarious activities taking place? I really like the characters and that Jaymie was willing to help the feral cats even with everything else going on in her life. The mystery was well paced and kept me hooked. I appreciated the Cast of Characters at the beginning to refresh my memory.

Thank you to the author, Beyond the Page, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is a charming cozy series with a savvy smart protagonist who loves animals. A perfect addition to this well loved cozy series. Jaymie has offered to feed a outdoor colony of feral cats high on a bluff overlooking the city. The weather is terrible and Jaymie wants to make sure the cats are cared for while their caretaker is away. Amid the blizzard and snow drifts a elderly neighbor voices concerns about suspicious activity in the area. When a body is found Jaymie is on the case with her investigative skills.
This series has well loved characters and a fun love of animals theme. Jaymie is a likable protagonist and has her own unique challenge with this mystery to solve. I enjoyed this next in series and read it cover to cover.

I love a good cozy but ones that include cats, cooking, and fun banter... sign me up! I had been partway through this 12 book series but when I saw this book pop up I decided to get caught up! I can attest that all 12 are wonderful and exactly what I want in a cozy.

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.