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Hannah Swensen #13.5 - Gingerbread Cookie Murder
Gingerbread Cookie Murder
"Gingerbread Cookie Murder"by Joanne Fluke:
When Hannah Swensen finds her neighbour Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah's Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that's as long as her holiday shopping list.
"The Dangers Of Gingerbread Cookies" by Laura Levine:
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he 'accidentally' falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
"Gingerbread Cookies And Gunshots" by Leslie Meier:
When Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.
When Hannah Swensen finds her neighbour Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in and sprawled on the floor of his condo next to an upended box of Hannah's Gingerbread Cookies, she discovers a flurry of murder suspects that's as long as her holiday shopping list.
"The Dangers Of Gingerbread Cookies" by Laura Levine:
Jaine Austen has been enlisted to help with her parents' retirement community's play The Gingerbread Cookie That Saved Christmas. Playboy Dr. Preston McCay is playing the role of the gingerbread cookie when he 'accidentally' falls to his death during the final act. Now Jaine must figure out if one of the doctor's jealous lovers was capable of murder.
"Gingerbread Cookies And Gunshots" by Leslie Meier:
When Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens, whose five-year-old son Nemo disappeared, she senses foul play. Crumbs from a gingerbread cookie Lucy gave to Nemo are found in the back seat of Rick's car. With the hours quickly ticking till Christmas, Lucy races against the clock to find a killer before he strikes again.
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First published January 1, 2010
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About the author
Joanne Fluke
134 books8,548 followersLike Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 743 reviews
February 20, 2018
I received Gingerbread Cookie Murder, a short novella in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series by Joanne Fluke, as one of my Christmas presents last year. I've a big fan of the series and always look forward to the read. It took me 1 hour to read this story, part of a larger paperback focused on murders involving gingerbread cookies. It's ~150 pages, but 1/3 is filled with recipes, so it's just under a hundred pages of true text. In this issue, Hannah is having trouble with her new neighbor who plays loud Christmas music all the time. But she soon finds him dead in the refrigerator after trying to store her recent baked goods for a future dessert. Add in an $8M winning lottery ticket, someone's divorce, a new dentist in town, and a suitor for Hannah's mother, then you've got lots going on in this one. It was a fun afternoon read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
December 6, 2024
I loved all of these Christmas novellas featuring gingerbread cookies. In the first, Hannah Swenson searches for a murder suspect after her condo neighbor is found with his head bashed in next to her box of gingerbread cookies. Since he had been putting on an extremely obnoxious Christmas music and laser light display show (which seems to be a thing in the Midwest) he had plenty of annoyed neighbors to pick from as suspects. This was classic, wonderful Hannah Swenson, with great characters in every scene, and I enjoyed it immensely.
In the second, Jane Austin is picked to help with a play at her parent’s retirement community. Unfortunately, the deceased had many jilted lovers and the suspect list is long. This one was delightfully snarky, had a great mystery, and I will definitely be checking out more books by the author (the other two are already on my must-read list.)
In the third novella, Lucy Stone is preparing for Christmas, lamenting the fact that not all of her children will be able to come home for the holiday, when a young boy is kidnapped outside his home. Nemo, (who we’ve met in previous books) had just chatted with Lucy at the supermarket and begged his parents for a cookie. But something seems fishy (other than Nemo’s name) about his parents’ living situation and as the town grows increasingly frantic trying to find the lost child, Lucy takes action.
In the second, Jane Austin is picked to help with a play at her parent’s retirement community. Unfortunately, the deceased had many jilted lovers and the suspect list is long. This one was delightfully snarky, had a great mystery, and I will definitely be checking out more books by the author (the other two are already on my must-read list.)
In the third novella, Lucy Stone is preparing for Christmas, lamenting the fact that not all of her children will be able to come home for the holiday, when a young boy is kidnapped outside his home. Nemo, (who we’ve met in previous books) had just chatted with Lucy at the supermarket and begged his parents for a cookie. But something seems fishy (other than Nemo’s name) about his parents’ living situation and as the town grows increasingly frantic trying to find the lost child, Lucy takes action.
December 21, 2010
I only read this book for the Hannah Swensen mystery and I probably would have been better off not reading it at all. The story has become very mundane and Hannah is really starting to bother me. She flits between these two men who have expressly stated that they like her and she thinks that's okay. She even admits to wondering why they don't fight over her more often and yet when another woman enters the picture for one of the men she acts wounded. Talk about a double standard. It's okay for her to date more than one man, but if they try to do it to her, she's a victim all of a sudden. Get over it.
Besides the fact that the mysteries have become predictable and not at all realistic anymore. How many people in this tiny town can possibly die? If I were a part of the town, I would have asked Hannah to leave a long time ago. She's like a bad luck charm.
Why am I reading the book still.. honestly I just want to know what happens in the end. I feel compelled to keep reading so I can finally KNOW who she will end up.
Besides the fact that the mysteries have become predictable and not at all realistic anymore. How many people in this tiny town can possibly die? If I were a part of the town, I would have asked Hannah to leave a long time ago. She's like a bad luck charm.
Why am I reading the book still.. honestly I just want to know what happens in the end. I feel compelled to keep reading so I can finally KNOW who she will end up.
November 23, 2024
2.5 Stars
I liked the cookie theme but the actual stories were quite forgettable. The recipes were my favourite part.
I liked the cookie theme but the actual stories were quite forgettable. The recipes were my favourite part.
December 13, 2020
3.5 stars
This book had 3 short cozy mystery stories by 3 different authors. The stories were all really nice but they seemed to go downhill on my enjoyment level, which is why it took a long time for me to read this book.
Joanne Fluke’s “Gingerbread Cookie Murder,” the first short story, was my favorite out of them all. It was a little predictable but it was interesting seeing it all come together. You could tell there was a sense of danger near the end and it was awesome how Delores stepped into the heroes shoes. I’d rate this story 4.25 stars.
“The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies” by Laura Levine was the the second best story. The side characters at the main character’s parents retirement home were memorable and fun to read about. Jaine’s dad was right about some things and definitely proved that a broken clock is right at least once. I’d be happy to read another book by this author. I’d rate this story 3.75 stars.
“Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots” by Leslie Meir was an okay read for me. Nemo seemed like a cool toddler who happens to have a lot going for and against him simultaneously. His kidnapping didn’t really shake me like it did the other characters in the book. In fact, some of the characters like his grandparents seemed pretty chill about everything going on. Things make sense in the story but I’m not sure if I’d read another book with Lucy Stone unless it was in another anthology. I’d rate this story 3 stars.
This book had 3 short cozy mystery stories by 3 different authors. The stories were all really nice but they seemed to go downhill on my enjoyment level, which is why it took a long time for me to read this book.
Joanne Fluke’s “Gingerbread Cookie Murder,” the first short story, was my favorite out of them all. It was a little predictable but it was interesting seeing it all come together. You could tell there was a sense of danger near the end and it was awesome how Delores stepped into the heroes shoes. I’d rate this story 4.25 stars.
“The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies” by Laura Levine was the the second best story. The side characters at the main character’s parents retirement home were memorable and fun to read about. Jaine’s dad was right about some things and definitely proved that a broken clock is right at least once. I’d be happy to read another book by this author. I’d rate this story 3.75 stars.
“Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots” by Leslie Meir was an okay read for me. Nemo seemed like a cool toddler who happens to have a lot going for and against him simultaneously. His kidnapping didn’t really shake me like it did the other characters in the book. In fact, some of the characters like his grandparents seemed pretty chill about everything going on. Things make sense in the story but I’m not sure if I’d read another book with Lucy Stone unless it was in another anthology. I’d rate this story 3 stars.
July 31, 2017
As always, lots of yummy recipes in the story. When the story started, it reminded me a bit of "Christmas Vacation." The loud and bright lights are so Grizwalds(sp?) I can feel the cold and the season throught the pages. This was easy for me to guess the murder but a fun way it was solved.
November 3, 2010
I only read the Joanne Fluke story. I have to say that these Hannah stories are starting to get a little absurd. I would be very scared if I even know Hannah, these people keep dropping like flies in town, and the police never seem to solve the crime before Hannah and her friends. It was fun at the beginning, but now I am getting tired of it, along with Hannah's ability to choose between Norman and Mike. So why then do I keep reading, well at this point it is for the recipes in the books. I have tried many of these and they have become staples around my house. So while I suffer through the story, my reward is the great recipes.
January 10, 2018
This book was just a really fun read over the holidays. Three short stories all about a different murder incorporating Gingerbread men somehow! Perfect to read while baking your own cookies or traveling.
January 3, 2015
2,5 stars
My favorite short-story was, without a doubt, the one by Joanne Fluke. The other two were okay: the second was trying way too hard to be funny and the third was meh.
My favorite short-story was, without a doubt, the one by Joanne Fluke. The other two were okay: the second was trying way too hard to be funny and the third was meh.
November 27, 2011
Sometimes I just like reading fluff. I don't want to have to think. This collection of short novels fit the bill perfectly. They are sort of the equivalent of the ABC Family Christmas movies in terms of complexity. These three stories all centered around the common holiday theme of gingerbread cookies. I have to give credit to these authors - they were all able to link small town murders to gingerbread cookies, each in their own way. The idea is pretty creative.
Recipes are sprinkled throughout two of the three stories. I even made the Chewy Coconut Cranberry Cookies (pg. 68). They were very nice. I halved the recipe to make about five dozen instead of the 10 dozen that the recipe makes.
Chewy Coconut Cranberry Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rack in middle position.
1 1/2 cups melted salted butter (3 sticks)
1 1/2 cups white (granulated) sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs, beaten
3 cups quick cooking oatmeal
3 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
3 cups sweetened dried cranberries
3 cups flaked coconut (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
**I always measure out my flaked coconut and then I use the food processor with the steel blade to chop it up a little finer. That way it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. You can also measure it, lay it out on a cutting board, and chop it in finer pieces ith a sharp knife.
Hannah's 1st Note: This is easier with an electric mixer, but you can also do it by hand.
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl (I use a quart glass measuring cup) for 2 minutes on HIGH in the microwave. Let it sit for one minute, stir, and if it's not melted, microwave it for an additional 30 seconds. Take the melted butter out of the microwave and set it on the counter to cool. In a large bowl combine the white sugar and the brown sugar. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir it in well. Add the beaten eggs and stir until the mixture is light and fluffy. Cup your hands around the bowl with the butter. If it's cool enough so it won't cook the eggs, add it slowly to your bowl, beating all the while. Mix until it's thoroughly incorporated.
Add the quick cooking oatmeal in one cup increments.
Hannah's 2nd Note: The reason for adding dry ingredients like oatmeal and flour in increments is so they won't spill over the sides of the bowl when you stir them in. It seems like more work, but believe me, cleaning flour off the counter and floor isn't any fun!
Add the flour in one-cup increments, mixing it in completely before adding the next increment. Mix in the sweetened, dried cranberries, adding them slowly to your bowl. Mix until they're evenly distributed.
Hannah's 3rd Note: If you're using an electic mixer, you may want to finish the rest of the mixing by hand. Coconut tends to stick to the beaters.
Mix in the coconut. Stir until it's thoroughly incorporated. (This dough may get quite stiff - if your arm is getting sore from stirring, just get in there with your impeccably clean hands and mix it up with your fingers.)
Spray your cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray, or line them with parchment paper. Drop the cookie dough by mounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake no more than 12 cookies per standard-sie sheet. Press the cookies down a bit with the blade of a spatula or the palm of your impeccably clean hand. They do spread out a bit in the oven, but not too much. Bake 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until nicely browned on top. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and them remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 10 dozen.
Recipes are sprinkled throughout two of the three stories. I even made the Chewy Coconut Cranberry Cookies (pg. 68). They were very nice. I halved the recipe to make about five dozen instead of the 10 dozen that the recipe makes.
Chewy Coconut Cranberry Cookies
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rack in middle position.
1 1/2 cups melted salted butter (3 sticks)
1 1/2 cups white (granulated) sugar
1 1/2 cups brown sugar (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs, beaten
3 cups quick cooking oatmeal
3 cups all-purpose flour (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
3 cups sweetened dried cranberries
3 cups flaked coconut (pack it down in the cup when you measure it)
**I always measure out my flaked coconut and then I use the food processor with the steel blade to chop it up a little finer. That way it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. You can also measure it, lay it out on a cutting board, and chop it in finer pieces ith a sharp knife.
Hannah's 1st Note: This is easier with an electric mixer, but you can also do it by hand.
Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl (I use a quart glass measuring cup) for 2 minutes on HIGH in the microwave. Let it sit for one minute, stir, and if it's not melted, microwave it for an additional 30 seconds. Take the melted butter out of the microwave and set it on the counter to cool. In a large bowl combine the white sugar and the brown sugar. Add the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir it in well. Add the beaten eggs and stir until the mixture is light and fluffy. Cup your hands around the bowl with the butter. If it's cool enough so it won't cook the eggs, add it slowly to your bowl, beating all the while. Mix until it's thoroughly incorporated.
Add the quick cooking oatmeal in one cup increments.
Hannah's 2nd Note: The reason for adding dry ingredients like oatmeal and flour in increments is so they won't spill over the sides of the bowl when you stir them in. It seems like more work, but believe me, cleaning flour off the counter and floor isn't any fun!
Add the flour in one-cup increments, mixing it in completely before adding the next increment. Mix in the sweetened, dried cranberries, adding them slowly to your bowl. Mix until they're evenly distributed.
Hannah's 3rd Note: If you're using an electic mixer, you may want to finish the rest of the mixing by hand. Coconut tends to stick to the beaters.
Mix in the coconut. Stir until it's thoroughly incorporated. (This dough may get quite stiff - if your arm is getting sore from stirring, just get in there with your impeccably clean hands and mix it up with your fingers.)
Spray your cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray, or line them with parchment paper. Drop the cookie dough by mounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake no more than 12 cookies per standard-sie sheet. Press the cookies down a bit with the blade of a spatula or the palm of your impeccably clean hand. They do spread out a bit in the oven, but not too much. Bake 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until nicely browned on top. Cool on the cookie sheet for 2 minutes and them remove the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Makes 10 dozen.
February 21, 2017
This was the third and final Hannah Swenson book I brought to read by the pool while on vacation in Florida. I didn't realize this was an anthology with stories by three different authors. Each story had to be centered around Gingerbread cookies.
Gingerbread Murder by Joanne Fluke: When Hannah finds her noisy, annoying neighbour Ernie Kusak dead on the floor of his condo with her plate of Gingerbread cookies smashed on the floor, she immediately tries to solve the crime. His head has been smashed in with a water pitcher. Did his murder have anything to do with his recent lottery win? Was it a disgruntled neighbour angry with the loud incessant music? Maybe his ex-wife was upset with him for indulging their children? Even though this was a novella, there was still a lot of baking, time with her two beaus and help from her family to solve this crime.
The Danger of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine: Jaine Austen has gone to Florida for Christmas with her parents. Of course Prozac, her spoiled cat, goes with her. Her mother, wanting grandchildren, spoils Prozac even more. Their retirement community puts on a Christmas play each year, and due to her parents bragging that she is a big Hollywood writer, she has been asked to watch the rehearsal and let them know what she thinks. The play, entitled The Gingerbread Cook That Saved Christmas, is awful, but Jaine does not tell them that. When the star of the show, Dr. Preston McKay, dies at the play, foul play is suspected. It appears that the cable that whisks him away has been cut. When Jaine's mother's best friend is suspected of the crime, Jaine tries to figure out who was responsible for the murder. Was it a jealous lover? Was it the handyman who was embarrassed by the good doctor? Was it one of the ladies that thought he was going to marry them? Of course the humour thanks to her father and her cat that are customary in Ms. Levine's books is here even in this short story.
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier: It is close to Christmas and Lucy is trying to get her Christmas preparations finalized when she finds out that two of her children will not be home for Christmas. She decides that she will "adopt" Nemo, the cute little boy for Christmas. She and her two remaining daughters head off to shop for the children. On the way home for the store, with Nemo's gifts in the SUV, Lucy finds out that Nemo has been snatched from his front yard. She begins to investigate and things do not seem to be what his parents have said happened. Who took Nemo? Was there a ransom demand? Was this a kidnapping for hire? Where is Nemo now and is he still alive? Lucy has to strike out on her own if she wants to solve the mystery and save Nemo.
All these stories follow the formula that these authors write in. They are fun, simple to solve, and have some laughs. Of course, I can't forget the recipes that are included, they do seem yummy. A nice light read when you do not want anything heavy or something that will make you think too hard.
Gingerbread Murder by Joanne Fluke: When Hannah finds her noisy, annoying neighbour Ernie Kusak dead on the floor of his condo with her plate of Gingerbread cookies smashed on the floor, she immediately tries to solve the crime. His head has been smashed in with a water pitcher. Did his murder have anything to do with his recent lottery win? Was it a disgruntled neighbour angry with the loud incessant music? Maybe his ex-wife was upset with him for indulging their children? Even though this was a novella, there was still a lot of baking, time with her two beaus and help from her family to solve this crime.
The Danger of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine: Jaine Austen has gone to Florida for Christmas with her parents. Of course Prozac, her spoiled cat, goes with her. Her mother, wanting grandchildren, spoils Prozac even more. Their retirement community puts on a Christmas play each year, and due to her parents bragging that she is a big Hollywood writer, she has been asked to watch the rehearsal and let them know what she thinks. The play, entitled The Gingerbread Cook That Saved Christmas, is awful, but Jaine does not tell them that. When the star of the show, Dr. Preston McKay, dies at the play, foul play is suspected. It appears that the cable that whisks him away has been cut. When Jaine's mother's best friend is suspected of the crime, Jaine tries to figure out who was responsible for the murder. Was it a jealous lover? Was it the handyman who was embarrassed by the good doctor? Was it one of the ladies that thought he was going to marry them? Of course the humour thanks to her father and her cat that are customary in Ms. Levine's books is here even in this short story.
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier: It is close to Christmas and Lucy is trying to get her Christmas preparations finalized when she finds out that two of her children will not be home for Christmas. She decides that she will "adopt" Nemo, the cute little boy for Christmas. She and her two remaining daughters head off to shop for the children. On the way home for the store, with Nemo's gifts in the SUV, Lucy finds out that Nemo has been snatched from his front yard. She begins to investigate and things do not seem to be what his parents have said happened. Who took Nemo? Was there a ransom demand? Was this a kidnapping for hire? Where is Nemo now and is he still alive? Lucy has to strike out on her own if she wants to solve the mystery and save Nemo.
All these stories follow the formula that these authors write in. They are fun, simple to solve, and have some laughs. Of course, I can't forget the recipes that are included, they do seem yummy. A nice light read when you do not want anything heavy or something that will make you think too hard.
January 6, 2019
Why do I keep doing this to myself
August 3, 2022
Cute and enjoyable novella to add onto an enjoyable series.
December 3, 2020
This is a great book to read during the holiday season that has three stories within written by three different authors. They are all unique and fun in their own way quite enjoyable. There are also a few recipes included so you can try the foods they are talking about within the book.
December 2, 2022
I am usually down for a silly Christmas book but this was painful to read. I did not like it at all. It was slow, the stories were underdeveloped and characters were unlikeable. Just not good at all. I had to force myself to finish it. Not to mention the fat shaming in the second story?! She kept saying how fat she was and how she shouldn’t enjoy Christmas cookies and her binge eating was a huge part of the book. Read something much better than this book!
December 10, 2013
I love Joanne Fluke when I want something very light to read and Hannah Swensen is one of my favorite characters in that regard, but I wasn't thinking when I started this. I wanted more Fluke and less of the other authors. Don't know why I didn't notice that when I downloaded the book. Oh well! On to the next!
March 21, 2014
Three new Christmas novellas starring the author's series detectives. Lots of holiday fun, especially if you already love one or more of the series.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
December 15, 2015
The things we read for reading challenges. I'm just sayin'...
November 14, 2020
Incredibly terrible and no actual gingerbread recipe? Devastating.
September 12, 2024
This book is a collection of three novellas set during the Christmas season. I was especially interested in reading the Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke because I have been following the Hannah Swensen Mystery series and am very interested in the character development. It did not disappoint me! The mystery story itself was okay, but not the highlight of my reading enjoyment. I also enjoyed the Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots novella by Leslie Meier because that is another series that I have been following. Again, the character development was good, but the mystery was just okay. Finally, I was introduced to the Jaine Austen Mysteries in the Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine. I had no trouble following the plot even though I was new to the series, and this is book #9.5. All in all, this is a nice group of stories to read during the Christmas season.
November 27, 2020
I am only reading the Joanne Fluke story [as I don't read the other cozies featured] at this time, even though it will say I read the whole thing - I am only counting the pages read from the Hannah Swensen story.
There is 150 pages in this story.
This was okay - Hannah spent more time with Norman than the "other one" and so that was good. And the mystery was good for about 2 seconds and then I figured it out and just had to hold on until the reveal.
There is 150 pages in this story.
This was okay - Hannah spent more time with Norman than the "other one" and so that was good. And the mystery was good for about 2 seconds and then I figured it out and just had to hold on until the reveal.
October 11, 2022
Cute festive treat of a mystery.
April 26, 2012
I listened to this book on cd. It is actually three books in one--three different authors all writing about gingerbread cookies mystery theme. First is Joanne Fluke's heroine Hannah Swensen, then Laura Levine's Jaine Austen and finally, Leslie Meier's Lucy Stone.
I will review the middle book which is actually entitled "The dangers of gingerbread cookies" starring Jaine Austen, who writes ads for an LA plumbing company "In a rush to flush..." among other. I love Jaine--she is a thirty something never married girl who is trying to live her a dream as a writer but has to eat--hence the toilet bowl ads--and she does looove to eat. Jaine is very likeable and funny with a hysterical sense of humor who solves murders which fall in her path with regularity (no pun intended--hint--toilet bowl ads..) She is "owned" by a female take-no-hostages cat named Prozac, who is very much the boss. This is not helped by the fact that Prozac is doted on by Jaine's mother who projects all her love and desire for a grandchild onto the cat, which she calls Zoloft as she only remembers Prozac is named after some kind of medication. Prozac/Zoloft acts more like Jaine's spoiled rotten brattish younger sister, at least in Jaine's eyes, competing for her mother's affection. Jaine's father is a also a loving albeit bumbling dad with delusion of being a detective. Jaine's parents are very loveable and loving towards Jaine but if only she'd get married and produce grandchildren to love!
In this story, Jaine is visiting her parents who live in Florida in a retirement community. A fellow retiree has written a (lame) play "The gingerbread man who saved Christmas" where leading man and elderly playboy, Dr. Preston McCay, "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act of the play. Jaine takes upon herself to solve the murder--much fun and hilarity ensues as well as a too close brush with the killer towards the end. Extremely fun series to follow (I've read several of Laura Levine's books) but be prepared to crave Christmas fudge and other goodies!
I will review the middle book which is actually entitled "The dangers of gingerbread cookies" starring Jaine Austen, who writes ads for an LA plumbing company "In a rush to flush..." among other. I love Jaine--she is a thirty something never married girl who is trying to live her a dream as a writer but has to eat--hence the toilet bowl ads--and she does looove to eat. Jaine is very likeable and funny with a hysterical sense of humor who solves murders which fall in her path with regularity (no pun intended--hint--toilet bowl ads..) She is "owned" by a female take-no-hostages cat named Prozac, who is very much the boss. This is not helped by the fact that Prozac is doted on by Jaine's mother who projects all her love and desire for a grandchild onto the cat, which she calls Zoloft as she only remembers Prozac is named after some kind of medication. Prozac/Zoloft acts more like Jaine's spoiled rotten brattish younger sister, at least in Jaine's eyes, competing for her mother's affection. Jaine's father is a also a loving albeit bumbling dad with delusion of being a detective. Jaine's parents are very loveable and loving towards Jaine but if only she'd get married and produce grandchildren to love!
In this story, Jaine is visiting her parents who live in Florida in a retirement community. A fellow retiree has written a (lame) play "The gingerbread man who saved Christmas" where leading man and elderly playboy, Dr. Preston McCay, "accidentally" falls to his death during the final act of the play. Jaine takes upon herself to solve the murder--much fun and hilarity ensues as well as a too close brush with the killer towards the end. Extremely fun series to follow (I've read several of Laura Levine's books) but be prepared to crave Christmas fudge and other goodies!
December 10, 2016
This is a collection of three novellas by three different authors. They all involve Christmas and gingerbread cookies.
Book 1: "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" -- 2.5 stars
The focus of the book is on cooking and baking. The corpse that shows up is kind of an afterthought. The main character, Hannah, apparently has a habit of finding dead bodies and confronting killers. Woman, get yourself a CCW! Anyway, it's a pretty formulaic mystery, and you should be able to solve it yourself before the end. The writing is really plain and dry.
Book 2: "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies" -- 3+ stars
Like Hannah, Jaine has a hobby of solving mysteries. She could really use a CCW, too. It takes a little while for a body to actually show up in the story, as we have to meet all the suspects first. The writing is pretty funny with constant chuckles. I appreciated that.
Book 3: "Gingerbread Cookies and +Gunshots" [sic] -- 2 stars
This is more of a kidnapping case than a murder case. There's not really anything to solve -- you just watch the main character uncover things. There aren't clues to follow like in a traditional mystery. I didn't really like the main character, Lucy. She's a nosy busy-body with an alarming lack of ethics. (I wouldn't trust her with a CCW. She and the author clearly don't know anything about guns, seeing how they're described here.) The story contains a lot of details about driving and doing errands. It was like having my own life narrated. I thought reading was supposed to provide an escape ... ? Then the ending was a bit too convenient.
Total average: 2.5 stars
Book 1: "Gingerbread Cookie Murder" -- 2.5 stars
The focus of the book is on cooking and baking. The corpse that shows up is kind of an afterthought. The main character, Hannah, apparently has a habit of finding dead bodies and confronting killers. Woman, get yourself a CCW! Anyway, it's a pretty formulaic mystery, and you should be able to solve it yourself before the end. The writing is really plain and dry.
Book 2: "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies" -- 3+ stars
Like Hannah, Jaine has a hobby of solving mysteries. She could really use a CCW, too. It takes a little while for a body to actually show up in the story, as we have to meet all the suspects first. The writing is pretty funny with constant chuckles. I appreciated that.
Book 3: "Gingerbread Cookies and +Gunshots" [sic] -- 2 stars
This is more of a kidnapping case than a murder case. There's not really anything to solve -- you just watch the main character uncover things. There aren't clues to follow like in a traditional mystery. I didn't really like the main character, Lucy. She's a nosy busy-body with an alarming lack of ethics. (I wouldn't trust her with a CCW. She and the author clearly don't know anything about guns, seeing how they're described here.) The story contains a lot of details about driving and doing errands. It was like having my own life narrated. I thought reading was supposed to provide an escape ... ? Then the ending was a bit too convenient.
Total average: 2.5 stars
December 2, 2023
A few years ago I read another collection of holiday mystery stories that these three authors put together, so I was interested in reading this new one.
Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke: This was the best one, I thought. Hannah's neighbor keeps blasting Christmas music, so bad that the cops come and she finds the neighbor dead. So she plays detective to find out who killed him. The reason for the killing was actually a pretty decent reason. The thing that annoys me with the Hannah books, is that she has two boyfriends. Just pick one already.
The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine: I like the characters in this story the best. Jaine's parents are so funny. She goes and visits them in FL and during the Christmas play the local playboy gets killed. Was it one of his 3 girlfriends or someone else. I love how the author voices what the cat is thinking. Because it's probably true.
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier: I didn't like this one. I'm kind of iffy about the Lucy Stone books. Every so often there will be a good one, but most are just a little to dark for me. In this one, a little boy is kidnapped and Lucy tries to find out who did it. It was actually pretty easy to figure out. And probably very realistic.
Gingerbread Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke: This was the best one, I thought. Hannah's neighbor keeps blasting Christmas music, so bad that the cops come and she finds the neighbor dead. So she plays detective to find out who killed him. The reason for the killing was actually a pretty decent reason. The thing that annoys me with the Hannah books, is that she has two boyfriends. Just pick one already.
The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies by Laura Levine: I like the characters in this story the best. Jaine's parents are so funny. She goes and visits them in FL and during the Christmas play the local playboy gets killed. Was it one of his 3 girlfriends or someone else. I love how the author voices what the cat is thinking. Because it's probably true.
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots by Leslie Meier: I didn't like this one. I'm kind of iffy about the Lucy Stone books. Every so often there will be a good one, but most are just a little to dark for me. In this one, a little boy is kidnapped and Lucy tries to find out who did it. It was actually pretty easy to figure out. And probably very realistic.
August 8, 2011
This book has three different stories by three different authors, Gingerbread cookie murder by Joanne Fluke, When Hannah finds her neighbor Ernie Kusak with his head bashed in in his condo and a box of upended gingerbread cookies on the floor . Hannah finds herself with a suspects list as long as her shopping list. the second story is by author Laura Levine The danger of ginger bread cookies. Jaine Austen has been asked to help with her parents retirement communitys play the ginger bread cookie that saved christmas. But when Dr Preston Mckay the person playing the roll of gingerbread cookie accidently falls to his death. Jaine must figure out who was responsible for the murder was it a jealous lover or someone else with a grudge against the doctor. The third story is by Leslie Meier. Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots. When five year old Nemo disappeared. And Lucy Stone discovers the body of Rick Juergens the childs father dead, and crumbs from a Gingerbread cookie are found in the car with the body Lucy wonders was it a kidnapping scam gone wrong and where is Nemo now?Lucy must act quickly before the killer strikes again. I had a hard time just choosing one of the storys to read really enjoyable.
October 9, 2011
This is an anthology of gingerbread related short novellas.
I enjoy reading Joanne Fluke because her heroine has a Cookie bakery and 2 boyfriends. She also includes recipes for some of the goodies she sells in her shop. She is always finding bodies in her frozen hometown of Lake Eden, Minnesota. This story is no different although Hannah is not a suspect even though several of her gingerbread cookies are found with the body when her neighbor is found with his outdoor music blaring and annoying the neighbors.
The second story in the book is more humourous even though there is also a murder here. Christmas in a Florida retirement community includes a play staring the local playboy as a gingerbread boy (think the Spirit of Christmas in a bad costume). It wouldn't be a mystery if there weren't so many suspects who hate the guy with good reason. The cat is the funniest character.
The third story is a darker one of a kidnapping a week before Christmas. Lucy is feeling depressed because two of her children have other plans for Christmas so she decides to help out a local family in need. When the child is kidnapped she tries to find him and solve the mystery.
I enjoy reading Joanne Fluke because her heroine has a Cookie bakery and 2 boyfriends. She also includes recipes for some of the goodies she sells in her shop. She is always finding bodies in her frozen hometown of Lake Eden, Minnesota. This story is no different although Hannah is not a suspect even though several of her gingerbread cookies are found with the body when her neighbor is found with his outdoor music blaring and annoying the neighbors.
The second story in the book is more humourous even though there is also a murder here. Christmas in a Florida retirement community includes a play staring the local playboy as a gingerbread boy (think the Spirit of Christmas in a bad costume). It wouldn't be a mystery if there weren't so many suspects who hate the guy with good reason. The cat is the funniest character.
The third story is a darker one of a kidnapping a week before Christmas. Lucy is feeling depressed because two of her children have other plans for Christmas so she decides to help out a local family in need. When the child is kidnapped she tries to find him and solve the mystery.
December 1, 2010
I know, I know, I said that I wasn't going to read any more books by Joanne Fluke, but hey, this is a Christmas book. Three novellas comprise this book by three different authors and, apparently, murder runs rampant during the holidays--just a warning so that you can be on your guard. In the "Gingerbreak Cookie Murder" Hannah Swensen finds her neighbor--who had been blasting Christmas music for days--with his head bashed in. I'm not sure, but a good attorney might be able to argue justifiable homicide on that one. A thin plot, but there are some interesting recipes. "The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies" by Laura Levine is set in a Florida retirement community during their annual Christmas play. One of the principle actors "accidentially" dies (or was it murder)? Who cares? The the weakest of the three novellas was "Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots" by Lesie Meier. This tale was my least favorite because it concerns a kidnapped child--how festive. In terms of entertainment, I rate this a bah-humbug!
February 23, 2021
Gingerbread Cookie Murder - I didn't care for this story at all, but then I don't like the Hanna Swenson series, myself. 1 star
Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies - This story was OK, though I got tired of the feuding parents. And all of the seniors were unpleasant stereotypes, but that may be the way these books work, I don't know. I figured out who the murderer was as soon as the clue showed up in the story; it seemed pretty obvious to me. 2 stars
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots - This was a more interesting and better written story. I've read a few other Lucy Stone books and liked them all right, though Lucy seems to feel more sorry for herself than I think she should. It's not like other parents don't have to spend Christmas without all their kids eventually, it's just part of kids growing up. Still, the story moved pretty well. 2.5 stars
Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies - This story was OK, though I got tired of the feuding parents. And all of the seniors were unpleasant stereotypes, but that may be the way these books work, I don't know. I figured out who the murderer was as soon as the clue showed up in the story; it seemed pretty obvious to me. 2 stars
Gingerbread Cookies and Gunshots - This was a more interesting and better written story. I've read a few other Lucy Stone books and liked them all right, though Lucy seems to feel more sorry for herself than I think she should. It's not like other parents don't have to spend Christmas without all their kids eventually, it's just part of kids growing up. Still, the story moved pretty well. 2.5 stars
June 29, 2015
I enjoyed the first two novellas the main characters were cheeky and their antics made me giggle. I didn't enjoy the last one as much. The main character really irritated me which made me not enjoy that story as much but that's OK because I bought it for the first one since it goes with my Hannah Swensen series.
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