Joanne Fluke Reviews

Page Three

Updated! April 17, 2006

Sugar Cookie Murder

A Hannah Swensen Holiday Mystery

Author: Joanne Fluke
Publisher: Kensington Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: October 2005
Genre: Mystery: Cozy/Holiday
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0758206828
Author Email/Website: www.murdershebaked.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Part mystery, part cookbook, the latest Hannah Swensen mystery, Sugar Cookie Murder, is tops on my list of favorite reads for this year. Filled with her characteristic humor, unforgettable (and sometimes eccentric) recurring characters, and tightly woven, enjoyable plots, Joanne Fluke gives readers a reason to indulge this holiday season.

It's finally here. The Lake Eden Seasonal Potluck; and it's the perfect opportunity to showcase the recipes chosen for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet Cookbook. Things are progressing wonderfully and look to be even better when Hannah's mother Delores offers to lend a bejeweled Regency cake knife for the potluck. Plenty of good food, holiday spirit and the news Hannah's rival for Mike's affection is moving back home promises to make the potluck a night to remember.

It's certainly a night to remember. First Martin Dubinski shows up with his new wife, very young new wife. Who just happens to be wearing a twenty-thousand dollar fur coat and an elaborate engagement ring. Everyone expects fireworks, especially since both Martin's mother and ex-wife are attending the potluck. Things go rather smoothly, until Edna Ferguson, the potluck supervisor, pulls Hannah aside to report the Regency cake knife missing. Who could have taken it?

Hannah searches the community center from top to bottom, even heading outside to look for it. The good news was she found the cake knife; the bad news...it was embedded in the chest of the new Mrs. Dubinski. It's up to Hannah to track down the killer, while keeping the information from the population of Lake Eden. Not an easy task as a blizzard has moved in and all the residents are stuck in the community center. Will this case be too much for the intrepid sleuth and her eager assistants?

An absolutely magnificent read! Sugar Cookie Murder has just the right blend of suspense, mystery, laughter and holiday spirit. I was entranced from page one and didn't stop reading until I reached the end. I loved watching the clues come together and was baffled as one by one my short list of suspects were alibied. The killer's identity was a complete shock and the fact I wasn't able to identify them beforehand most rewarding. One aspect I've always enjoyed is Hannah's ability to lend a helping hand or ear, even coming up with solutions to problems which usually meant a great deal more of her involvement. Her sense of loyalty to her family and her desire to see her mother happy and protected just adds to the uniqueness I've come to associate with Hannah and the residents of Lake Eden.

Another thing I enjoy about the Hannah Swensen mysteries is the continuity. Unlike most mystery series, the events in each successive book are carried over from the previous one. You don't have to read the previous books to know, understand, and enjoy the characters and plots, but to long time readers watching Andrea's pregnancy progress, consequent birth and naming of the baby, Delores' relationship with Winthrop and the other day-to-day stuff with the main characters adds to the sense of home with the Hannah Swensen series. I always eagerly anticipate each new release and then am disappointed after devouring it since I know I will have to wait for another to be released. A definite keeper, Sugar Cookie Murder is a delectable treat and sure to keep readers happy and well-fed. *g*

Reviewer Note: I have tried the majority of recipes contained within Sugar Cookie Murder and with all honesty can say they are delicious and sure to disappear.

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Updated! April 17, 2006

Fudge Cupcake Murder

Author: Joanne Fluke
Publisher: Kensington Books
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2005
Genre: Mystery: Cozy
Format: Paperback
Price: $6.99
ISBN: 0758201532
Author Email/Website: www.murdershebaked.com
Reviewer: Sharyn McGinty

Joanne Fluke's latest Hannah Swensen mystery is filled with excitement, suspense, mayhem and her wonderfully tantalizing treats.

Murder and murder investigations are no stranger to Hannah Swensen, the owner of The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden's only cookie/coffee shop. In the past two years, she has solved four murders, thwarted her mother's matchmaking attempts, dated (and still does) two men, and introduced several new cookie recipes. This time though, solving the case is personal.

Sheriff Grant had been murdered. The murder of a sheriff is serious business at any time of year, but now so close to the election date it's even more serious. Mike Kingston, the new deputy has become the acting sheriff and his first act is to suspend Hannah's brother-in-law and Sheriff Grant's opponent, Bill Todd. Due to Bill's lack of an alibi, not to mention the fight Bob had with the sheriff, Bill is the number one suspect and it's up to Hannah to clear him.

Her investigation turns up more suspects than even she thought possible and her number one helper, her sister Andrea, is only allowed to be on her feet for four hours a day until after the baby's born. Hannah has her work cut out for her. Between rescuing Andrea from Bill's overzealous housecleaning projects, testing recipes for the soon-to-be published Lake Eden cookbook, deciding what cookies to make for Halloween, switching her cat Moishe to a senior kitty chow, and sorting through suspects, Hannah barely has enough time to think, let alone decide whether or not to end things with Mike.

Each successive novel continues to add more layers and depth to this wonderful heroine. Ms. Fluke is definitely a star in her chosen genre. I received Fudge Cupcake Murder and read it twice in one day. I couldn't put it down; it was so riveting. Watching Hannah piece together clues in addition to everything else she has to do was a real pleasure. Her life may be hectic, but there can be no denying Hannah loves as do all her many fans. Congrats, Joanne, on another winner! Don't miss Fudge Cupcake Murder for any reason.

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