Bowled Over

Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series, #2

By: Victoria Hamilton

Narrated by: Emily Woo Zeller

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Vintage kitchenware and cookbook collector Jaymie Leighton has been estranged from her high school best friend Kathy Cooper since they were teenagers, but she never knew what turned Kathy against her.

After fireworks at a Fourth of July picnic, Jaymie discovers the body of her former friend in the park. On the ground nearby is Jaymie's own Depression-era glass bowl, broken in two.

With her fingerprints all over the bowl and a troubled history with the victim, Jaymie suddenly finds herself at the top of the list of suspects. Did the killer intend to frame her for the murder? If so, she is ready to mix it up, because solving crimes is vintage Jaymie Leighton...

©2013 Donna Lea Simpson (P)2013 Tantor

Entertaining

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it was entertaining

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the book – the mystery held my attention throughout. Though Jamie’s nosiness does sometimes get annoying – I just don’t understand what her compulsion is to be so nosy. Also in times where she is knowingly in danger she gives up information that puts her in extreme danger just to satisfy curiosity instead of considering her physical safety is in eminent danger. Really stupid.

Ridiculous premise

It was just okay as cozy mysteries go but I sure would not keep in on my shelf to re-read. Really, who obsesses for 17 yrs. over a lost friend? We move on with life and incorporate new friends into our lives.

second best

This story was disappointing because it did not talk enough about her vintage kitchen business. The first one was way better and I don't know if i'll move on to # 3

fun cozy series

Will be finishing the series. The collectibles are fun. Good characters and nice setting. a bit formulaic

She was Out of Control and Offed by a Bowl

The second in the Vintage Kitchen Mystery Series is a good listen (not quite as good as book one . . . but almost) . . . some reviewers question that a spat in middle school could last so long, but not me . . . pettiness has a long shelf life, unfortunately . . . and as heartbreaking as it is, that's the world we live in . . . Jaymie's desire to make amends with her friend, Kathy, even after all the years had gone by, were admirable and right . . . the brokenness in a young girl's family and home life make permanent scars, and the author portrayed them well in the story . . . I did miss the descriptions of Jaymie's collecting of vintage kitchen items, which were minimal in the second book . . . but was delighted in the findings she made in her grandmother's old cook books . . . and her growing vintage picnic basket business . . . even though one item, the depression era glass bowl, found its way into a murder's hand . . . as with most mysteries, things are not what they seem, and the police (and Jaymie) go off on leads that look promising, only to hit dead (no pun intended) ends . . . the conclusion was unexpected, and well worth the wait . . . now, I am off to Book 3 . . . thanks for a great listen!

Good start to a new series

This was a very interesting and quick read. It had interesting characters and a believable plot. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Vintage glass can be deadly!!

In Queensville, Michigan, Jaymie Leighton, enjoys collecting her vintage kitchenware and cookbooks. She has lots of friends, including her ex's fiancé, the family at the local B&B, and a couple of men who are interested in her. But Kathy, her best friend from twenty years ago, still refuses to speak to her and Jaymie has decided it's time to finally clear the air. This can't happen though, because Kathy's body is discovered by Jaymie at the Fourth of July celebration, murdered with Jaymie's beautiful vintage square glass bowl. Everyone in town knows about their situation. Thus begins the search for the killer.

This is the second book in this series and I have found them both very enjoyable. Kathy is spunky and determined in everything she does. The descriptions of the vintage items in the story is excellent and fascinating, including the foods from old cookbooks. The mystery was full of twists and turns, but made total sense in end. Looking forward to the next one. I've been listening to these on audio, which adds a lots to my enjoyment also.

Kathy , Kathy, Kathy.. Let it go already, r

A 32 yr old woman goes on and on and on and on about a botched junior high friendship. What would Kathy think, or do , or say! too much filler. Thin story material. Jamie was not likable at the end. Too silly and self-centered. Needed serious editing. More events , much less speculating on kathy's failed nursing career she never bothered about. Enjoyed the first book this one was boring, redundant, repetitive.

Serves a specific audience

For me (youngish professional who enjoys literature as well as more "fluffy" reads) this book was completely bizarre. The main character is a thirty-something, independent woman who is suddenly obsessed with finding out why her high school friend decided to cut her dead when they were 16. As is common with mystery series protagonists, she is nosy. THIS character is over the top outrageously rude and inconsistently characterized (described by others as sweet, described by self as hating conflict, yet starts haranguing a recent widower because he didn't force his wife to talk out a high school tiff that occurred before he met her. No one thinks this is inappropriate). We ended up giving the story the Mystery Science Theater 3000 treatment while cooking supper and enjoyed it.
I guess this book would appeal to those who love other long running mystery series- either in book form or tv. My grandmother who took Murder, She Wrote VERY seriously and preferred stories with sanitized violence and sex would have gone gaga over this novel! The narration is excellent. Enjoy!