Joanne Fluke

Book number 10 in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series, set in Lake Eden, Minnesota.

In this episode a family reunion is spoiled when a prodigal son returns, only to be murdered. Hannah and her sisters must, of course, get involved with solving the case. This time, the police actually ask for their help!

I read these mostly when I need something to fit a particular challenge. The book is a fast read and has some tasty recipes included. But I am over the love triangle between Hannah, Norman and Mike.… (altro)

3.5 stars is accurate
This is a complete, no thinking required, fluff book that is a light, easy and quick read. Some how no matter where Hannah is, she finds herself in the center of a crime, most often murder. This time she's one of the suspects. Of course, when she's not baking cookies or cupcakes, she strikes out to find the real murderer. This book is sprinkled with recipes for some good sounding cookies, although she really dumbs down the recipes: "1/2 cup (1 stick, 8 ounces, 1/4 pound) salted butter, softened" or "Add the sofened butter, (the butter should be at room temperature, unless, of course, you're working in a drafty kitchen in the middle of a cold Minnesota winter, In that case you'll have to soften it a bit more)" So the average recipe goes on for 4 pages. That aside, I find this series fun to read.… (altro)

How cute! This is the kind of peaceful mystery series I grew up with, and it's easy to see why Fluke has such a strong following. Each book, set around the crime investigations of a Minnesotan baker and the lives of her family and friends, also contains several recipes that relate to the plot.

An adorable concept. The tough thing about this type of book, admittedly, is that several of the characters are recurring and unlikely to be revealed to be killers (although, having only read 1 of a series of 30, who am I to judge?). So I wasn't that surprised by the killer. But enjoyed the experience. Might return again to this world some day.… (altro)