Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen's Recipes from The Cookie Jar

Hannah Swensen

by Joanne Fluke

Joanne Fluke Invites You To Celebrate The Holidays With Hannah Swensen And All The Wonderful Folks Of Lake Eden, At The Annual Cookie Exchange. . .

All-New Recipes Included!

It's a picture postcard December in Minnesota, and Main Street is brimming with festive holiday decorations. Best of all, it's time for the annual Holiday Cookie Exchange at the Community Center — catered by none other than The Cookie Jar! Gathered together for the delicious event, the Swensen clan and their friends share their favorite juicy tales of Lake Eden — and their favorite scrumptious cookie and luncheon recipes, including:

Candy Cane Cookies
Heavenly Eggnog Cookies
Little Snowballs
Merry Berry Cookies
Old-Fashioned Sugar Cookies
Regency Ginger Snaps
Norwegian Pizza
Razzle Dazzle Champagne Cocktails

. . .plus all the recipes from Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder to Carrot Cake Murder. Now you can bring the irresistible flavors of The Cookie Jar into your very own kitchen!

"Joanne Fluke is the doyenne of deadly desserts with her deliciously popular Hannah Swensen series." — Publishers Weekly

Genres: Cookbooks, Mystery, Cooking, Nonfiction, Cozy Mystery, Food, Reference

513 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2011

About the author

Like 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

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the recipes - must try a few. Great series. This doesn't have any mysteries, but the character overviews and memories of all the previous murders makes it fun.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a fan of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries, and having a love of cookbooks, the JOANNE FLUKE’S LAKE EDEN COOKBOOK was a must have for me. Every time I read a Hannah Swensen book, I practically drool over the recipes. Having them all in one book is a dream come true. (The amount of cookie recipes alone . . . amazing!) Plus there are new recipes that at the time this book was published had never been in any of the mysteries.

If you’re looking for a cookbook with big, beautiful, glossy photos, you won’t find them with this book. What you will find is a delightful book with the feel of a personal recipe book. Think along the lines of the old timey church cookbooks. Even the pages themselves (paper) reminds me of those treasured books.

You do not have to be a fan of the Hannah Swensen mysteries to love, and enjoy this cookbook. That being said, along with the recipes, and helpful tips, Joanne Fluke has written within the book, a short Hannah Swenson story (murder and mystery free), that is a good way to learn a little bit about the characters. It takes place during a cookie exchange with the ladies of Lake Eden. Everyone wants Hannah’s wonderful recipes, so she gives each lady a book of their own. They exchange fun stories based around the recipes, and each story leads to the next chapter of this wonderful cookbook.

Between the covers of this book, you’ll find chapters such as . . . Bar Cookies, Breads & Muffins, Cakes & Cupcakes, Candy, Quick and/or Easy Meals, just to name a few, filled with recipes like . . . Chocolate Overload Cookie Bars, Mango Bread, Rhubarb Custard Cake, Jamaican Rum Balls, Cashew Crisps, Desperation Cookies, Neverfail Fudge Frosting, Apricot Bread Pudding, Salmon Cakes with Dill Sauce, Shrimp Bisque, and so many, many more. You’ll even learn how to make your own Brown Sugar, and Powdered Sugar!

Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen’s Recipes from The Cookie Jar is a wonderful addition to any cookbook collection, and a must have for culinary cozy mystery fans!

[Nancy Narma · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love, love, love Joanne Fluke and the Hannah Swensen adventures in and out of her bakery/café’; “The Cookie Jar” and have many times regretted that you didn’t jot down a tempting recipe from one of her books…Regret no longer!! Your wishes have been answered with “The Lake Eden Cookbook”. Besides tried and true collected recipes
from approximately nine editions, this cookbook encompasses much, much more! You will find so much to enjoy and use; from snippets from some of her beloved books, baking tips, notes by Hannah, Lisa and even Grandma Knudsen, in addition to the mountain of recipes for mouth-watering goodies from appetizers and easy one dish meals to muffins, pies, cakes and of course, cookies, and beyond. I’m enthralled by the no-bake cookies at the moment and intend to make “Norwegian Chocolate Pizza” among others, as soon as the weather cools around our corner of Northeastern Pa. You will love this collection and it will be a wonderful addition to your cookbook shelf—one you will refer to time and time again..I know I will!
Nancy Narma
Kensington ARC

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

JOANNE FLUKE’S LAKE EDEN COOKBOOK by Joanne Fluke
Love Joanne Fluke books and just thought this would be a recipe book but I was wrong. There is a story in there
about the cookie swap they have. It's easy to keep track of everybody over the years and I love these series.
Book also includes a hard copy of a recipe along with all the recipes from the Cookie Jar which Hannah runs in Lake Eden.
Love how the recipes give you not only tips on how to make them but other most useful tips on brands, measurements and how to serve-hot or cold and anything else she feels might be needed. I can't wait to try some of the ones in this book.
Love hand drawn pictures of different vegetables, dishes, etc. I wish this book was spiral bound so the print would be bigger and it'd fit on my recipe holder better.
Can't wait to make the Angel Kiss Cookies. Love the tip about the size of baking pans!
Loved hearing all the stories they shared while feasting at the cookie swap. The stories brought a smile to my face!
Love end result of the charity.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I gave it 5 stars because I did not expect a story, I expected the recipes.

It was actually quite surprise to find that there was a story at all.

Having said that, I was highly disappointed with the story. As a story teller, I feel Joanne reached her limit a while back. Every time I read one of her books I'm grating my teeth as it very much bothers me. The dialogue feels very.... forced. Every time someone speaks to Hannah, it is Hannah explaining something and them responding with something along the lines of "Well that makes so much sense." Which actually reads more like "Oh Hannah, you are so smart. You are the only smart person in the town, how clever of you." Other than when it comes to her cellphone. Then she is treated like the biggest idiot in the town. (Though in truth she pretty much is since she never charges it.)

Putting the rest behind a spoiler mark, even though there wasn't any plot in this one to spoil. It does speak to the Norman/Mike/Hannah triangle.

This was a short story, obviously so that did not give much time for explanations etc. When the men folk finally arrive at the party, Hannah's inner monologue says that she cannot look Norman in the eyes, because they have too much history and he is no longer the man who once proposed to her.

And then less than two pages later Norman and Mike show up at her condo, Norman does all the talking (prompted by Mike) and Hannah is absolutely cheerful. And don't even get me started about them showing up at her condo. Both men decided they wanted to spend the night with Hannah, even though they knew one of them would be sleeping on the couch. So they call Hannah's mother to make sure Hannah got home safe, instead of calling Hannah herself. Really? Seriously? How thin is that. Call the damn person you want to talk to, not the person's mother (who was supposed to be at a hospital, where cellphones would need to be turned off...).
And really? You want to sleep with someone when you know there is a house full of people and your romantic rival is sleeping on the couch? Yeah... that is SO romantic. I would have told both of them that they could sleep on the floor. Or I would have had Michelle (the sister) sleep with me in my bed and both the men could sleep in that room. I would not have given up my bed to one of the men (Hannah went to sleep in the guest room with Michelle).


I will continue to read the books, but man... it is getting harder and harder. If it weren't for the fact that I've gotten some really good recipes (but some of the other recipes in the books make me gag at the thought).. I would have stopped reading by now.

I will most likely buy this recipe book as it does contain most of the recipes in one nice neat format.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy the Joanne Fluke mysteries and don't mind Hannah's chattiness when delivering the recipes, you may enjoy this compilation of recipes which appeared in the series. It also includes a few excerpts from the novels as well as a map of Lake Eden.

[Mary Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yummy but some recipes were missing

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book ... not so much a story, but a short story of a group of women gathering for a cookie exchange, and talking about recipes. Interspersed with their stories are all these wonderful sounding recipes, many found in other Joanne Fluke books. Good fun reading ... and now I can have good fun cooking!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a bit of fun. Characters from other books came together for a cookie swap and it was full of recipes which I love. It wasn't a novel so much as a recipe book but I don't mind!

Don't think I would use or try to many of the recipes as they either make far too much or are far to sweet for my liking. But as I said it was a bit of fun. 😁

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a truly delightful vicarious visit to Lake Eden! Ah, Minnesota, the land of a lot of lakes and quite delicious food. Whether or not you are a fan of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries, you will so love this cookbook. It is an update with newly added recipes. I have tried several and found them outstanding. My F/F partner really enjoys when I prepare these goodies. The narrative is certainly lively and the recipes very creative. Read this book now, cook away, and indulge. XOXOXOs to the author, Joanne Fluke, for this revised book:)

Note: This review is based on a copy received through goodreads.com.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, it did say it’s a cookbook and that’s pretty much what it was. A little conversation between meals. Did get some good recipes though.

[Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest: as much as I have wanted and tried to be, I am not a fan of Hannah's for numerous reasons. However, I am a huge fan of the recipes Mrs. Fluke includes in her books, so I bought it for that reason alone. I've already made Hannah's Chicken Salad (a variation of Norman's Egg Salad that is not detailed in this book). It is excellent (as is the egg salad)!!! I found the mixture was a bit dry, though, so I increased the mayo, cream cheese, and sour cream by 1/3 of the amounts initially listed. I will definitely be making it again. I've made several of the recipes (or their original version as in the case of the Whippersnappers). It would have been nice if the original recipe (in addition to the new variation) was listed. And, the Red Velvet Cookies are faves of my sister and nephew. I was able to identify several more recipes I'd like to try in the future. Also, since this is a cookbook, it would have been helpful if the book were in "cookbook format" rather than novel format (i.e., lie flat when open). As for the story, I found it unnecessary; by page three, I was reminded why I can't stand Hannah. I would have preferred the story be in one spot rather than scattered throughout the book. And, as a "non-cook," I was a bit put off by the stories of flubs by novice cooks in the book. At least they tried to cook. Still, great as many of the recipes typically turn out to be, I'd buy the next volume detailing further recipes.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cook book. I bought this book and started reading this series because we had an abundance of rhubarb in our garden last year. My friend gave me a recipe for a rhubarb custard cake that her mom has made for years. She said that Joanne Fluke, the author of this and the Hannah Swensen Mysteries, did a shout-out for rhubarb recipes for this book. My friend said that her mom sent in this recipe and it was included in the Lake Eden Cookbook. I really liked the recipe (although my friend's mom uses a white cake mix and Joanne Fluke changed it to a lemon), so I decided to get the cookbook. Because I got the cookbook, I decided I ought to read a least one of her books. I think I've read five or six of them now. Each of the books has several recipes in it. Many of them are included in this cookbook. I like the ones I've tried thus far.

[J.H. Moncrieff · Rating 3 out of 5]

When I first got this cookbook, I remember being quite disappointed because the majority of the recipes had been in Fluke's books. It was my impression that this was a new cookbook, so I think it should have been made clear (in the subtitle, if nothing else) that these were reprints.

As I reread it, I realized it was good to have a lot of her recipes in one place (although most of my favorites from her books were not included--another disappointment), and the little continuing story is cute.

I just enjoy reading her recipes, and for people who don't have all of her books, this may be a great resource. Then again, why would you buy this book if you weren't already a fan?

Some photos would have been nice, since this is a cookbook, after all.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is more recipes then story. It has recipes from former books as well but the new recipes are flagged so if you are a collector you can skip over these and look at the new ones.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've made about ten recipes from this book and they've all been excellent. I used to keep the Hannah Swensen books after I read them so that I could reference the recipes. Then I bought this one and -ta dah - more shelf space and recipes in one convenient spot. If you're not an experienced baker, 'Hannah's' comments make things much simpler and easy to follow.

[Lesley Albers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this...mostly recipes and no murder but the little excepts about the cookie exchange actually makes you feel like you're there in Lake Eden. Probably gonna have to buy this book since I marked almost half the recipes to make.

[Laura Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cookbook is fun with good recipes. Big fan of the series

[Amy Lignor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Holiday treat that you will not forget!

The title of this gem says it all - and not only will you want to read it immediately, you will also want to head to the grocery store and buy ALL the ingredients in all of these fantastic recipes and sit down and eat every single one.

Ms. Fluke is a best-selling mystery writer who writes with a flair for food. In this, her newest novel, there are no mysteries to solve but, a whole lot of wonderful recipes for the holidays (and all other days) featuring the characters from her previous books.

Hannah’s hometown of Lake Eden, Minnesota, looks like a winter wonderland. Main Street is flush with Christmas Decorations and there is yet another storm on the way. (As a Connecticut Yankee, I could almost feel the chill). Hannah’s mother, Delores Swensen, is celebrating her annual Holiday Cookie Exchange at the local Community Center, and the party is being catered by Hannah’s shop, The Cookie Jar. The Swenson family and friends, who are referred to as “The Lake Eden Gossip Hotline,” are headed up by Delores. And as the ‘Queen’ of the hotline, she has brought everyone together for this amazing food fest.

This book is like a family Christmas where each character sits down to share their stories of the town and the people who populate it - as they eat and eat and eat. You sit and read this one and think back to your grandparents and how your whole family sat around and talked about life, family, and the love they had for each other. Unfortunately, the world changes and people are lost, but Ms. Fluke has done an outstanding job by allowing all readers to bring their loved ones ‘back home.’ The memories that this incredible story creates are truly perfect for the holidays! Not only that, but all readers will die for the amazing recipes from “The Cookie Jar.” I predict a whole lot of baking is going to occur in the near future.

[Lauren Gulisane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like my review? Check out my blog at https://taleofabookworm.blogspot.com/

A quick and simple review. If you have read any of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen novels, then you're familiar with her inclusion of recipes throughout her book.

Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook: Hannah Swensen's Recipes from The Cookie Jar circulates around a cookie exchange. Included throughout the book are a bunch of recipes (this is a cookbook after all) that will have you drooling before you're even through the first 100 pages.

I mostly checked this book out at the library to check out the recipes included and see if I wanted to purchase the book myself since I'm kind of in the middle of buying a bunch of literary cookbooks. I already the first book in her Hannah Swensen series and was instantly captivated! And her recipes look amazing in that book, so I drew the conclusion that the others must be equally impressive. I have yet to actually cook up any of her recipes, but I plan on doing so eventually.

You do not have to like Fluke's books to get this book. The recipes all look amazing! If you are a fan, this is a great place to have all these yummy recipes in one place. Be forewarned, this is not your traditional cookbook. Pictures of the food are hand drawn, and little notes are made concerning each recipe. It's kind of reminiscent of the cookbooks I've seen put together by the ladies at my church. That was part of what actually drew me to the cookbook though. Kind of like I was going to be getting insights on a family cookbook with well-loved, tried and true recipes.

This book gives you all of the recipes from Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (which I read at the beginning of this year) to Carrot Cake Murder. That's ten books worth of recipes! Well worth the money I will be spending in the next couple of weeks!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook

This is my first time reviewing a cookbook and I couldn't do it without actually trying out some of the recipes first. This cookbook is mostly sweets and makes a lot so it would be great to do for group gatherings. In the index they do have them divided by types (appetizers, bar cookies, beverages, Bread & Muffins, Cakes & Cupcakes, candy, cookies, frostings & icings, other sweet treats, pies, quick and/or easy meals, salads, soups, and substitutions for some ingredients) and alphabetized. While this is titled a cookbook it does have a little story going on. It has sketches but no pictures.

Now, if you are, like me, trying to lose weight, this is NOT the cookbook for you. If you are looking to do more on the baking side of things and have a lot of get together's, this is the book for you. I especially like all the notes that the recipes have. It seems to make it more personal. Now I didn't try all of the recipes but the ones that I did try were very good. I'll have to try them again and post pictures of them at a later time. I would recommend this book to bakers, Joanne Fluke fans and anyone who likes cookbooks. I would actually give this book a 4.5 out of 5.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Valerie: You are invited to Delores Swensen’s 4th Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange Luncheon! Wow! We, at Romancing-the-Book, have a special treat for one of our followers. You can win your very own advanced paperback proof of this fantastic cookbook! Not only does Joanne Fluke include lots of comments by Hannah to help you along, but you also have a storyline that flows smoothly between the recipe sections. To start off this event, would you like to try a Razzle Dazzle Champagne Cocktail (real or faux)? Yes, the recipe is included for both, as well as recipes for lots of other cookies from chicken salad to black forest brownies. What a wonderful addition to anyone’s cookbook collection, but a special one for readers of the Lake Eden Community!

Quote: “Almost everyone mother invited wants me to bring some type of recipe.” Page 4

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

JOANNE FLUKE'S LAKE EDEN COOKBOOK: HANNAH SWENSEN'S RECEIPES FROM THE COOKIE JAR by Joanne Fluke is an interesting mystery/fiction featuring Lake Eden characters and a collection of mouthwatering receipes. What a charming idean to mix the characters of Lake Eden with a collection of delicious receipes. This is more that a cookbook it is also a visit with the friends of Lake Eden. If you have never read,which I have not, this is a fun way for an introduction to the "Hannah Swensen" series and it has dozens of recipes as a bonus. A must have book for not only the stories within but for the recipes. A keeper. Received for review from the publisher. Details can be found at Kensington Books, an imprint of Kensington Publishing and My Book Addiction Reviews.

[Kate Beger · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I had been thinking logically, I would have known that the cookbook couldn't have been what I was expecting. When I first started reading the Hannah Swensen series, I wrote out all the recipes I was interested in. I found out that there was a cookbook! My daughter told me to stop handwriting the recipes, that she would get the book for me! Sadly, one cookbook can not hold all the recipes from 20+ murders.

[Kay Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very different

I have never read a cookbook with a story in it ever but the story was good. What I really enjoyed were the recipes and the good tips on handling ingredient substitutions and how Hannah’s friends and family watched out for her.

[Sallee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of cozy mysteries and when there is a cookbook thrown in too...well things can't get much better than that. This cookbook had some very good recipes that I want to try very soon.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun cook book with a collection of recipes from Hannah Swensen murder mysteries. A short stories weaves the recipes together.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is amazing! What a great idea to have an actual recipe book. A must for any fan of Hannah!

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to Kensington Cozies and the Goodreads Giveaways for my having received a copy of Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook!

Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook features a plethora of dessert recipes (as well as a few savory recipes), the majority of which have already appeared in other installments of Hannah Swensen Mysteries. Categories of recipes are presented, for the most part, after snippets of pertinent culinary conversations occurring during Delores Swensen’s 4th Annual Cookie Exchange Luncheon, the entirety of which takes place over the course of a single day. (Furthermore, the narrative is bookended with the start and end of the series’ titular heroine’s day before and after she attends said luncheon.)

The recipes in this cookbook are sweet and simple and would appear to me, having flipped through and scanned them all, to be rather straightforward. (It should be noted, however, that I haven’t been able to find the time to bake recently, so my comments come more from theory than practice.) Lovely stylized illustrations in the style of the cover art accompany a number of the recipes, but there aren’t any actual photographs of the finished products, which I might have preferred, despite my fondness for this particular art style.

While Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook is, as one might expect, primarily a cookbook, it also--if I’m not mistaken regarding publication order--functions as the 14 and ½th installment of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries. As someone who is only just about to start book 12 in the series (after having begun with books 16 and 24, which in hindsight I’d highly discourage most anyone from doing), I wasn’t lost. I am wondering based on a stray comment in the narration what might have happened to affect a particular interpersonal dynamic, but I wasn’t lost. Nor do I think anyone starting the series with this installment would have difficulties following along with the narrative portions, though that person might be spoiled for certain overarching plot points, particularly as they relate to characters’ love lives. That said, a newcomer to the series, not yet having invested in the characters, might not become engrossed with the characters’ discussions of baking woes and tips, personal anecdotes, or Lake Eden gossip, though I could see that same newcomer very much so enjoying the dessert recipes.

I think I’d recommend this book for those who are looking for an abundance of straightforward dessert recipes and baking tips as well as Hannah Swensen Mysteries readers and collectors.

Finally, for anyone wondering whether or not to give the series a go, I would say there are a few considerations to make. While none of the mystery elements are spoiled by any subsequent installments from what I’ve noticed, I’d still say this series should be read in sequential order because of the ways in which the character relationships develop across the series (unless one happens to wish to acquire in isolation a murder mystery book featuring a favorite dessert). Having begun over twenty years ago, Hannah Swensen Mysteries too can have aspects that may feel very of their time, and somewhat surprisingly heavy subjects can be touched upon in this cozy mystery series. (And in addition, to anyone who may happen to have a history with disordered eating, I’d think I’d recommend that person look into content warnings for each installment of the series prior to reading.) But for the most part, if one enjoys baking and mysteries in the vein of those featured on Murder, She Wrote, this series would probably be worth checking out.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the most unique cook book that I have ever perused. It begins with a prologue of general tips noting that if butter is in a recipe, it is salted butter, eggs should always be large sized eggs, nuts are interchangeable but be careful of allergies, and not all types of flour can be substituted for one another. After these helpful tips, is the beginning of a story just like any other Hannah Swenson Mystery, with Hannah doing what she does best, that is when she isn’t sleuthing, she is baking cookies, lots of delectable cookies. It is Christmas time and Hannah’s mother, Delores, has hired The Cookie Jar to cater this year’s cookie exchange luncheon complete with champagne. If you have ever read a Hannah Swenson mystery, then you know that if Delores is involved then so is champagne. In addition to preparing the luncheon, Hannah has a list, a long list of recipe requests to print and hand out. We, the readers, get the recipes in one compilation. This book is a treasure trove, made up of all the recipes that have appeared in each and every mystery found throughout this deliciously entertaining cozy series.
The recipes are in alphabetical order by category and include helpful tips and entertaining anecdotes. This is the same format that you see in the individual books described in the stories and then laid out at the end of the corresponding chapter. The recipe entries are written in such a way that it is as if Hannah was having a conversation with you and explains the thought behind some of the recipes and gives advice in the way of “Hannah’s notes” where needed. There are a few recipes that have been contributed by other cooks and Hannah gives credit where credit is due, such as the Double Chocolate Puffs aka Chocolate Whippersnappers a type of cookie that her sister Andrea makes. This is the first recipe that I remember Andrea making so it is a big deal because cooking is not Andrea’s forte. Andrea is an excellent interior decorator/real estate agent and sometime sleuthing sidekick.
The recipes are not complicated and I have made many of them over the years. The only thing missing from this book is the usual murder or mystery. I am very happy to add this book to my collection because it will save my Hannah Swenson mystery books from getting batter, butter, or melted chocolate on the pages.