Sieve and Let Die: A Vintage Kitchen Mystery
by Victoria Hamilton
It is my pleasure to welcome Victoria Hamilton to
Escape With Dollycas today!
Hi Victoria,
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a writer of mysteries. That’s probably the main way I would describe myself. But of course there is more. I love reading, naturally, mysteries, of course. But also memoirs, history non—fiction, true crime. I like tea and wine and brownies. I love autumn. I love cats, especially my own two, Poodle and Jimmy.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
Well, I’m not sure, so this is just a guess.
1 – I’m Canadian, born and raised, and live in southwestern Ontario.
2 – I’ve never had children, so my characters (as far as I can say now) never will give birth to children either. I don’t think I could do the experience justice. BTW, I think parenthood is the most difficult job in the world.
3 – I took most of a university degree in English (never did finish it!) by correspondence BEFORE there was an ‘online’! I thought it would be the best way to learn the discipline writing for a living would require. I think I was right and it has done me well throughout my career. Now, if I could just get those last five credits.
What books/authors have most inspired you?
I am a dyed-in-the-wool Sue Grafton
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It varies depending on whether I am writing a historical or contemporary, and whether there is any specific field of knowledge required of a character. For Sieve and Let Die
For my next historical, Lady Anne and the Haunted Schoolgirl, I have researched the lives of real historical figures, authors/playwrights sisters Sophia and Harriet Lee, who ran a girl’s school in Bath England from 1781 on. I started that research a year ago, but only started writing this summer. I love research! The trick is, to know when to stop.
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?
It’s hard to suffer from something you don’t believe in. What people think of as ‘writer’s block’ is one of several things: a) a problem in the plot that you can’t move forward from b) you’re writing the wrong book or c) real-life problems are getting in the way and you perhaps need a break.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Find a genre or style you’re passionate about, and pour yourself into it. Be honest with yourself about the writing. Recognize your limitations and get help when you need it.
When you are not writing what do you like to do?
I love to read, so that, and TV (I have a guilty secret; I love so-called reality TV!). I have always done crafts – cross stitch, crochet, etc – but I’m finding more and more in the last few years that writing takes a lot out of me. At the end of the day, a book or TV accompanied by a cup of tea and a cookie is more relaxing. But fall is more my time for crafts anyway, so maybe I’ll get back into crafting!
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
It’s more anywhere and anywhen! I have been so fascinated by Bath, England in 1786, I wish I could see it from then!
What is next on the horizon for you?
As always, I have plans! I am writing three books right now, but focusing mainly on Lady Anne and the Haunted Schoolgirl, which is proving to be great fun! Lady Anne Addison
When the poor young lady is murdered, Anne goes all in to find out who did it, while also navigating the treacherous waters of her estranged parents and her developmentally challenged brother all coming together in Bath for the wedding.
Thank you, Victoria for visiting today!
Please keep reading for information about Victoria’s latest release.
About Sieve and Let Die
Sieve and Let Die: A Vintage Kitchen Mystery
Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Beyond the Page (October 17, 2023)
Print length : 279 pages
ASIN : B0CHWKY49V
In the new Vintage Kitchen Mystery from the author of A Calculated Whisk, Jaymie’s not sure who to believe when every suspect’s alibi has as many holes as a sieve . . .
Vintage cookware collector Jaymie Müller is stunned when an irate woman accuses her pharmacist friend Val of tampering with her prescription. When more unfounded accusations follow, it seems clear the woman has a personal grudge against Val. But before they can figure out why, Jaymie and Val stumble upon the woman’s dead body on the steps of Val’s pharmacy. Given her altercations with the woman and the location of the body, the police naturally suspect Val.
Jaymie has heard rumors that the victim had become forgetful and erratic, but could that explain her death? And why was Val being framed as her murderer? Determined to find the clues that connect the woman’s strange behavior to her death, Jaymie begins questioning the people in her life—and soon suspects that the culprit is among them. But she’ll have to be careful about who she confronts, because while solving murders is hard work, there’s a killer on the loose who finds committing them all too easy . . .
Includes a vintage recipe!
Great Escapes Praise for Sieve and Let Die:
A Vintage Kitchen Mystery
by Victoria HamiltonSieve and Let Die is a well-written and plotted mystery with great characters, an interesting mystery, and great stories about the characters. I look forward to the next book in the series, as well as catching up on those I missed along the way. Five Stars!
~Carla Loves to ReadI really enjoyed reading this fun cozy mystery. I loved Jaymie and her family. I liked the mystery that had a lot of twists and turns.
~bigreadersite’s Blog
More About Victoria Hamilton
Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson
Author Links:
Webpage Facebook Twitter/X Amazon
Purchase Links
Digital – Amazon U.S. – Amazon Canada Barnes & Noble Kobo Smashwords
Paperback Links – Amazon USA – Barnes & Noble
The Rest of the Series
Find More Books by Victoria Hamilton Here.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
October 16 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 16 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
October 17 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 17 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW
October 18 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
October 19 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
October 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 20 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
October 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 21 – Lady Hawkeye – RECIPE
October 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
October 22 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST
October 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
October 23 – Celticlady’s Reviews – RECIPE
October 23 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST
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This looks likeca fabulous myself. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
Congratulations on another book! l love that you named your cat, Poodle.
LOL… it’s fun when I call him to come home… “Pooooodle, here kitty kitty kitty!”
I love books that contain recipes.
Thank you for your wonderful feature which interests me greatly. The interview was very interesting. I used to live in Ontario which is special as I lived there for many years and explored the different regions. I miss the lakes, and my home. Wishing you much happiness.
Thank you so much Lori for hosting me and organizing my tour! I appreciate it so much, and loved doing this interview!
Hi from a fellow Ontarian! I love the title of your book! Cute cover too! Looks like my feral, Tiger.
What an interesting mystery! Great cover and interview. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like an interesting mystery.