The Stuart Spoon
Inheriting her grandmother’s cherished spoon collection was just the beginning for Caroline Barrett. Little did she know, tucked away among the treasures from charming destinations lay a mystery waiting to be unraveled.
Twenty-five years after her grandmother’s passing, Caroline stumbles upon a spoon from Stuart, Iowa—a place never mentioned in her grandmother’s tales of adventure. Intrigued and determined to unearth the truth, Caroline embarks on a journey that leads her deep into the heart of her grandmother’s past.
As she delves into the history of the mysterious spoon, Caroline uncovers a romance that transcended time and distance—a love story between her grandmother and a man from the distant shores of Nova Scotia. With each revelation, Caroline is drawn deeper into the enchanting narrative, weaving together the threads of her family’s past and present.
Set against the backdrop of two countries and spanning generations, The Stuart Spoon is a captivating tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of family bonds. Join Caroline as she embarks on a quest to unlock the secrets hidden within her grandmother’s spoon collection and discovers a legacy of love that will forever change her life.
My Thoughts
The only thing better than an heirloom is one with a story. And this story of a souvenir spoon from the 1920s, passed down to a granddaughter, comes with a mystery! What a delight to follow along with search for clues, with the results at once exhilarating and poignant. Half of the mystery is set in the small town of Stuart, Iowa, right along White Pole Road, where many of my own grandparents’ stories are set, also during the 1920s. Just delightful!
The author has been back to Stuart not long ago to talk about her compelling story.
The Author
Carrie Landgraf is a fresh voice in the world of authors, fueled by a deep passion for storytelling and a love for the written word. Residing in the heart of the Midwest alongside her husband Brian, Carrie finds inspiration in the simple joys of everyday life.
As the proud parent of three married children, Carrie’s world revolves around the bonds of family and the values of faith. Embracing her newest role as a Nonna, she cherishes every moment spent with her beloved granddaughter, finding endless joy in her laughter and innocence.
. . . With a heart as warm as her prose and a spirit as bright as her imagination, Carrie Landgraf invites readers to join her on a journey of love, laughter, and the beauty of life’s simple pleasures.
Carrie did a terrific 14-minute interview with John Busbee of The Culture Buzz.
Soounds like Carrie is a lot like you, Joy!!
She doesn’t have a website, yet, but I’ve been able to connect with her. Yes, GP, probably kindred spirits. I wish I could have attended her talk in Stuart!
This reminds me of the magic of “American Pickers” where Mike and Frank not only discover old items to buy but seek “the story” behind them as well. I love how one simple spoon opened up a wealth of history and adventure. Thank you for sharing about Carrie.
Yes! Thanks, Joseph. And this one solved a family mystery for Carrie. Goosebumps!
“The Stuart Spoon” sounds intriguing. Personal stories are a wonderful way for readers to learn about history and what family life was REALLY like back in the day. 🙂
The Stuart Spoon was the only one in her grandmother’s collection that had no story, but it turned out to be the most intriguing of all!
Sounds interesting.
The Stuart spoon was the only one her grandmother hadn’t shared a story about, but it turned out to be the most intriguing!
May have to check it out since the place exists. Thanks, Joy.
Do you mean Stuart? Yes, it’s just west of Dexter, along White Pole Road, across from the restored depot. Hotel Stuart has also been restored but I’m not sure how it will be shared. (According to old newspapers, Grandpa Clabe Wilson investigated a theft from the hotel when he was the Stuart nightwatchman during the 1920s.)
Thank you for this, Joy! My mother-in-law Maxine had a sterling silver spoon collection – proudly displayed in her dining room on decorative frames and they are treasures in our family. “The Stuart Spoon” sounds charming. xo! 🥰
The author had heard her grandmother’s stories about all her collectible spoons, all but one. It turned out to have the most intriguing story of all!
Oh….intriguing. I love it! xo, Joy! 🥰
What a fascinating story! Off to find this book . . .
Thanks, Kelly!
This book sounds very good!
The author finally figured out why her grandmother was reluctant to talk about just that one little spoon!
Even small heirlooms can have an amazing story behind them. It’s great that there’s another author you know from your home area.
Thanks, Tim. Carrie is from Illinois, but she came to Stuart to do research before ever thinking about writing a book. She sure met the right people to help her!
It’s going on my nightstand. I’m trying to like mysteries. I think this is a good one for me to start with. Joy – you’ve got me wanting to take a vacation to Iowa. I have only driven throught Iowa on my way out west. I think I need a deeper dive! Thank you!
What fun! Thank you, Emery!