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Hannah Swensen #2
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
In her debut mystery, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, intrepid amateur sleuth and bakery owner Hannah Swensen proved that when it comes to crime, nothing is sweeter than a woman who knows how to really mix it up. Now, the flame-haired, tart-talking (and baking) heroine is back, judging a contest where the competition is really murder.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
When the president of Hartland Flour chooses cozy Lake Eden, Minnesota, as the spot for their first annual Dessert Bake-Off, Hannah is thrilled to serve as the head judge. But when a fellow judge, Coach Boyd Watson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in Hannah's celebrated strawberry shortcake, Lake Eden's sweet ride to fame turns very sour indeed.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder
When the president of Hartland Flour chooses cozy Lake Eden, Minnesota, as the spot for their first annual Dessert Bake-Off, Hannah is thrilled to serve as the head judge. But when a fellow judge, Coach Boyd Watson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in Hannah's celebrated strawberry shortcake, Lake Eden's sweet ride to fame turns very sour indeed.
Between perfecting her Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie and Chocolate Crunchies, Hannah's snooping into the coach's private life and not coming up short on suspects. And could Watson's harsh criticism during the judging have given one of the contestants a license to kill? The stakes are rising faster than dough, and Hannah will have to be very careful, because somebody is cooking up a recipe for murder. . .with Hannah landing on the "necessary ingredients" list.
"Another delicious adventure. . .a superior cozy sure to leave readers satisfied. . .but hungry for more." --Publishers Weekly
Includes seven delicious recipes!
286 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2001
2111 people are currently reading
14782 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
134 books8,550 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,058 reviews
September 10, 2017
Hannah is great. She seems very real but I don't know the mid-west all that well, so I have a few more books to read in this series before I come to a conclusion... but I'm looking forward to it.
(MINOR SPOILER, skip next paragraph)
I was glad the coach bit the dust in this one, as he was not a very nice guy... the whole abuse factor (not brought up a lot) made it clear he had to go.
(OK to read)
I loved the way this one was portrayed on the TV series with Alison Sweeney when the made it into a show. Fun books in the beginning.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
(MINOR SPOILER, skip next paragraph)
I was glad the coach bit the dust in this one, as he was not a very nice guy... the whole abuse factor (not brought up a lot) made it clear he had to go.
(OK to read)
I loved the way this one was portrayed on the TV series with Alison Sweeney when the made it into a show. Fun books in the beginning.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
September 11, 2024
I'm still getting to know this series, but its off to a great start. Like the characters and the dry'ish humor!
December 22, 2022
Hannah and her zany orange cat Moisha are back at it again. A baking contest has come to Lake Eden, and Hannah is making her famous Strawberry Shortcake Swenson (yum! I always get so hungry and want to fill my house with cupcakes reading Joanne Fluke’s cozies with all the delicious descriptions and recipes!)
But when one of the judges is murdered, and it happens to be the basketball coach who Hannah knows has been abusing his wife Danielle, suspicion turns to her. Hannah and her sister Andrea have to figure out what other clues there are and what other suspects there could be before the police make it a too-easy case of domestic abuse turned murder. This one was fun for all the twists, Hannah running all over town with a million cookies in the back of her truck, and the way the plot eventually worked out. I always love settling down in Lake Eden for a good cozy.
But when one of the judges is murdered, and it happens to be the basketball coach who Hannah knows has been abusing his wife Danielle, suspicion turns to her. Hannah and her sister Andrea have to figure out what other clues there are and what other suspects there could be before the police make it a too-easy case of domestic abuse turned murder. This one was fun for all the twists, Hannah running all over town with a million cookies in the back of her truck, and the way the plot eventually worked out. I always love settling down in Lake Eden for a good cozy.
April 17, 2019
"Most people don't lock their garages in Lake Eden. There's practically to crime. If you don't count murder."
When Lake Eden is chosen to host the annual Bake Off competition, Hannah gets busy baking special creations to show off on television. Unfortunately, the violent death of one of the judges will leave everyone with a bitter taste in their mouths. And, once again, Hannah will find a way to get as involved as possible in the investigations... is someone developing a taste for murder?☠️
Hannah is up for another adventure, and she's having even more fun than the first time discovering corpses, breaking properties and tricking people into giving information. Man, that woman would steal a grandma's purse and punch her in the face with a roll of cookie dough if she would think it would benefit her.
This time, she even involves her nice, unsuspecting little sister whose husband is the town cop in her evil plans, so she can also show off her talent in fabricating excuses for the poor girl so she can lie to her cop husband without damaging the investigation.
Will Hannah be able to uncover the truth behind the evil actions that stained Lake Eden's water with scarlet blood? And will she able to do so without being convicted for the hundreds of crimes she has to commit meanwhile and without having to close her shop because she literally has no time to bake since she has to do the job of the town cops who, by her own admission, were perfectly able to solve the crime without her?? But the most important question is: why are these books so entertaining??? Man I love cozy mysteries 🤣
When Lake Eden is chosen to host the annual Bake Off competition, Hannah gets busy baking special creations to show off on television. Unfortunately, the violent death of one of the judges will leave everyone with a bitter taste in their mouths. And, once again, Hannah will find a way to get as involved as possible in the investigations... is someone developing a taste for murder?☠️
Hannah is up for another adventure, and she's having even more fun than the first time discovering corpses, breaking properties and tricking people into giving information. Man, that woman would steal a grandma's purse and punch her in the face with a roll of cookie dough if she would think it would benefit her.
This time, she even involves her nice, unsuspecting little sister whose husband is the town cop in her evil plans, so she can also show off her talent in fabricating excuses for the poor girl so she can lie to her cop husband without damaging the investigation.
Will Hannah be able to uncover the truth behind the evil actions that stained Lake Eden's water with scarlet blood? And will she able to do so without being convicted for the hundreds of crimes she has to commit meanwhile and without having to close her shop because she literally has no time to bake since she has to do the job of the town cops who, by her own admission, were perfectly able to solve the crime without her?? But the most important question is: why are these books so entertaining??? Man I love cozy mysteries 🤣
October 4, 2019
Book 2 was no better than book 1. Hannah is still insufferable, and she still treats everyone in town like they're an idiot (in her defense some of them are. "I didn't know raisins are a dried fruit. I thought they just came in a box." Seriously?). The detectives apparently don't do anything, while Hannah's running around nosing into people's personal lives and condescendingly telling her sister how helpful she is! She can count the beeps on an answering machine!
I hope the real Eden Lake, Minnesota is nothing like Lake Eden, MN from the book, because there's an awful lot of murder for a small town and your HIPPA rights can be violated for a couple of lousy cookies and a red cream soda.
I hope the real Eden Lake, Minnesota is nothing like Lake Eden, MN from the book, because there's an awful lot of murder for a small town and your HIPPA rights can be violated for a couple of lousy cookies and a red cream soda.
September 2, 2012
I really liked book #1 and I quickly bought and finished the second installment. Had to lower my rating though because the book is EXACTLY the same as the first one. As if it was written by a template or paint-by-numbers.
I gave three stars because it was still a light, easy, enjoyable read, and I may even give the third one a try to see if Fluke has any other tricks up her sleeve. But if nothing changes then I won't be reading any more.
I gave three stars because it was still a light, easy, enjoyable read, and I may even give the third one a try to see if Fluke has any other tricks up her sleeve. But if nothing changes then I won't be reading any more.
December 2, 2020
3.5
Another enjoyable cozy mystery with Hannah. I'm not sure why she seems to head every investigation for the police department, but I've enjoyed her and the cookie shop.
This is only the second in this long running cozy series. This one was a library loan.
July 10, 2018
First chapter in and the MC starts getting nostalgic about the racist crap (a note book) they used to be able to buy, but now it's not "PC," and according to their friend Natives aren't actually Native at all, and I couldn't throw this book because it was an e-edition and I love my eReader.
It'd be one thing if I wasn't reading reports about lead in the water of reservations and no one giving a damn, it'd be one thing if the Washington D.C. 'Merican football team changed their name; there might even be a point to the reactionary "oh my god times changed and now I can't call people a slur I really liked to use," if in fact this was an issue we had adequately addressed.
That said, if you like mildly racists bakers in Minnesota this might just be your series. Also, props to baking fiction for learning how to pad the page before Amazon started paying by the page turn. Too bad the recipes are terrible too.
It'd be one thing if I wasn't reading reports about lead in the water of reservations and no one giving a damn, it'd be one thing if the Washington D.C. 'Merican football team changed their name; there might even be a point to the reactionary "oh my god times changed and now I can't call people a slur I really liked to use," if in fact this was an issue we had adequately addressed.
That said, if you like mildly racists bakers in Minnesota this might just be your series. Also, props to baking fiction for learning how to pad the page before Amazon started paying by the page turn. Too bad the recipes are terrible too.
October 4, 2019
NOW I remember why it has taken me so long to get to the 2nd book in this series. Hannah just makes me so irritated! There are 3 things that are very wrong about this book:
1) I know it's a little town and the police force might not be that experienced with murder and mayhem but in bulldozes Hannah with her English Lit degree and cookie recipes and thinks if only she plays a sort of Nancy Drew she can do so much better and solve the case. She actually tells her cop boyfriend, "I'll tell you what I think you should know" about what she had found out in her breaking and entering. Why he or her policeman brother-in-law haven't put her in prison for obstruction, I don't know. By the end, I was almost rooting for the killer (who was so obvious to me but not to our crime-fighting heroine Hannah) to shoot her after she was taken hostage! She wraps up the "case" by arrogantly thinking back to all her wonderful (eye rolling) contributions and the fact that without HER the murderer would have never been caught! Which means she is basically calling her cop boyfriend and brother-in-law idiots. Nice.
2) ENOUGH with the cat! Joanne Fluke has described ad nauseum the most spoiled cat since Garfield. Why do I care and what does it have to do with the story to know the daily activities of Hannah's cat? Oh, I see, because of above, maybe she is getting us ready for Book #29 where Hannah becomes a lonely cat lady.
3) Why Hannah's business hasn't gone bust yet, I can't imagine. In a small town, there can't be that much business for cookies, especially in the winter and it doesn't help that on every other page she is giving cookies away or eating them all herself. I'd hate to have to balance her books. Ingredients in this town, like chocolate and butter and sugar must be FREE? While Hannah is haring off trying to play girl detective she leaves her "assistant" to run the business--much more competently than Hannah it seems.
No. This was not a good effort and I was going to be kind and give it 2 stars but after outlining what was wrong with this book I had to bump it down to 1 star. Is there a zero star option?
1) I know it's a little town and the police force might not be that experienced with murder and mayhem but in bulldozes Hannah with her English Lit degree and cookie recipes and thinks if only she plays a sort of Nancy Drew she can do so much better and solve the case. She actually tells her cop boyfriend, "I'll tell you what I think you should know" about what she had found out in her breaking and entering. Why he or her policeman brother-in-law haven't put her in prison for obstruction, I don't know. By the end, I was almost rooting for the killer (who was so obvious to me but not to our crime-fighting heroine Hannah) to shoot her after she was taken hostage! She wraps up the "case" by arrogantly thinking back to all her wonderful (eye rolling) contributions and the fact that without HER the murderer would have never been caught! Which means she is basically calling her cop boyfriend and brother-in-law idiots. Nice.
2) ENOUGH with the cat! Joanne Fluke has described ad nauseum the most spoiled cat since Garfield. Why do I care and what does it have to do with the story to know the daily activities of Hannah's cat? Oh, I see, because of above, maybe she is getting us ready for Book #29 where Hannah becomes a lonely cat lady.
3) Why Hannah's business hasn't gone bust yet, I can't imagine. In a small town, there can't be that much business for cookies, especially in the winter and it doesn't help that on every other page she is giving cookies away or eating them all herself. I'd hate to have to balance her books. Ingredients in this town, like chocolate and butter and sugar must be FREE? While Hannah is haring off trying to play girl detective she leaves her "assistant" to run the business--much more competently than Hannah it seems.
No. This was not a good effort and I was going to be kind and give it 2 stars but after outlining what was wrong with this book I had to bump it down to 1 star. Is there a zero star option?
July 19, 2017
:: 4 Delicious Stars ::
I adore this series. It is light, action packed, fun, and leaves readers craving for more. Hannah Swensen (the books heroine/amateur sleuth) is very likeable. She is smart, charming, and really knows how to dish out delicious treats! While I do feel like her character could be a bit more dynamic, there really isn’t anything bad I can say about her. Hopefully as the series progresses her character will develop a bit more. In addition to this, the plot is a bit predictable in this book. Those who enjoy a good cozy mystery will notice that this is true for most of them. However, that’s okay because these books are made to be light and fluffy; the brain doesn’t have to go into overdrive to figure out what is going to happen next. So, all in all I enjoyed this book and I will continue to read the series. Joanne Fluke does a wonderful job mixing in yummy recipes with the story and I can’t wait to try some of them! Fans of cozy mystery, I do recommend this book. Try to read the first one in the series first though (Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder) as it gives a bit more character information. You can also find a movie adaptation of that book on the Hallmark Channel (and another one coming out December 2015).
You can find my full review and more by checking out my blog: www.prettylittlebookreviews.com
I adore this series. It is light, action packed, fun, and leaves readers craving for more. Hannah Swensen (the books heroine/amateur sleuth) is very likeable. She is smart, charming, and really knows how to dish out delicious treats! While I do feel like her character could be a bit more dynamic, there really isn’t anything bad I can say about her. Hopefully as the series progresses her character will develop a bit more. In addition to this, the plot is a bit predictable in this book. Those who enjoy a good cozy mystery will notice that this is true for most of them. However, that’s okay because these books are made to be light and fluffy; the brain doesn’t have to go into overdrive to figure out what is going to happen next. So, all in all I enjoyed this book and I will continue to read the series. Joanne Fluke does a wonderful job mixing in yummy recipes with the story and I can’t wait to try some of them! Fans of cozy mystery, I do recommend this book. Try to read the first one in the series first though (Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder) as it gives a bit more character information. You can also find a movie adaptation of that book on the Hallmark Channel (and another one coming out December 2015).
You can find my full review and more by checking out my blog: www.prettylittlebookreviews.com
July 1, 2022
Eden Lake, Minnesota, has been chosen as the site of the Heartland Flour Dessert Bake-off. Bakery owner Hannah Swensen was named the head judge for the contest. High School Basketball Coach Boyd Watson is one of the other judges. Shortly after the contest, Boyd Watson is found bludgeoned to death. His wife, Danielle, who was abused by Boyd for years, is the number one suspect. Hannah doesn't believe that Danielle would hurt anyone and sets out to prove that she is innocent. Hannah questions people who were close to Boyd, learning that there was more than one person who wanted him dead.
This is a cute cozy mystery with lots of suspects. I enjoyed watching Hannah and her sister, Andrea, sift through evidence a piece at a time. I also thought some of the recipes used throughout the book sounded delicious. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is a cute cozy mystery with lots of suspects. I enjoyed watching Hannah and her sister, Andrea, sift through evidence a piece at a time. I also thought some of the recipes used throughout the book sounded delicious. My rating: 4 Stars.
September 1, 2010
It's a cop-out, but the Hannah Swensen mysteries really only need a lump review:
For some reason, I keep reading these when they show up at the library. I don't know why. Do I enjoy them? Sure. They're trashy murder mysteries that don't always make sense. I can huff at them in irritation when the main character does, or thinks, something especially stupid. They involve recipes.
Actually, the books are formulaic enough that they themselves were written by recipe.
Yes, I will keep reading them, assuming that new books keep showing up on the library shelves. I will enjoy them, and I will probably root for Norman as Suitor of the Day. But no, I will not be spending any money on these books.
For some reason, I keep reading these when they show up at the library. I don't know why. Do I enjoy them? Sure. They're trashy murder mysteries that don't always make sense. I can huff at them in irritation when the main character does, or thinks, something especially stupid. They involve recipes.
Actually, the books are formulaic enough that they themselves were written by recipe.
Yes, I will keep reading them, assuming that new books keep showing up on the library shelves. I will enjoy them, and I will probably root for Norman as Suitor of the Day. But no, I will not be spending any money on these books.
October 28, 2019
This is the second cozy mystery in the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke. For those of you who don't know, you can currently watch this series on the Hallmark channel. I personally haven't seen it, although I have heard it's great.
Set in the fictional tiny town of Lake Eden, MI, Hannah Swensen is the owner of a bakery called The Cookie Jar. Once again, there's been a murder, and once again, we find Hannah placing herself in the middle of the investigation.
Why she gets away with this, I don't know, but maybe it's because one of her love interests is a detective. Plus, it doesn't hurt that her brother-in-laws is also a detective, so she's easily able to talk her way out of trouble. :P
In this particular story, the victim is a wife-beating sleazeball, so it was hard to feel sorry for him. Of course, that doesn't mean that a killer should be allowed to run loose in the usually safe town of Lake Eden, but it's worth a mention.
Overall, this is brain candy for people who just want to sit down and enjoy a simple book without having to think too much. Also, it's worth noting that this novel is written a bit more smoothly than the first one, perhaps because the author is more comfortable with the characters, or has more confidence. Either way, that's a great sign, although I personally enjoyed the first story a little bit more. But that's just a matter of preference.
Set in the fictional tiny town of Lake Eden, MI, Hannah Swensen is the owner of a bakery called The Cookie Jar. Once again, there's been a murder, and once again, we find Hannah placing herself in the middle of the investigation.
Why she gets away with this, I don't know, but maybe it's because one of her love interests is a detective. Plus, it doesn't hurt that her brother-in-laws is also a detective, so she's easily able to talk her way out of trouble. :P
In this particular story, the victim is a wife-beating sleazeball, so it was hard to feel sorry for him. Of course, that doesn't mean that a killer should be allowed to run loose in the usually safe town of Lake Eden, but it's worth a mention.
Overall, this is brain candy for people who just want to sit down and enjoy a simple book without having to think too much. Also, it's worth noting that this novel is written a bit more smoothly than the first one, perhaps because the author is more comfortable with the characters, or has more confidence. Either way, that's a great sign, although I personally enjoyed the first story a little bit more. But that's just a matter of preference.
April 3, 2025
3.5
these books are old as dirt and kinda slur filled but 10x more interesting than most cozy mysteries today.
these books are old as dirt and kinda slur filled but 10x more interesting than most cozy mysteries today.
January 13, 2021
This was cute enough but very dated! Publisher, remove the body shaming and casual usage of the R word and "anorexia" as a joke!
December 22, 2023
Meh. Hannah was much more palatable in the first book. This was a quick, easy read. A mystery, but the solving of it was questionably sold for me.
After the initial shocking event, it was a bit slow-moving and boring.
I love all of the recipes and the tips about them at the end of the chapters.
I went from thinking: Please make Hannah less dense. How does nothing ever occur to her, and the other characters must come up with all the clues and ideas? It doesn't sell her for me.
To the end of the book, I felt like I liked that Hannah was confident, but taking credit for pretty much everything was really annoying.
It's not the greatest book I have ever read, but it is enjoyable enough that I will continue the series and pick up Book 3 at some point.
3 Stars.
After the initial shocking event, it was a bit slow-moving and boring.
I love all of the recipes and the tips about them at the end of the chapters.
I went from thinking: Please make Hannah less dense. How does nothing ever occur to her, and the other characters must come up with all the clues and ideas? It doesn't sell her for me.
To the end of the book, I felt like I liked that Hannah was confident, but taking credit for pretty much everything was really annoying.
It's not the greatest book I have ever read, but it is enjoyable enough that I will continue the series and pick up Book 3 at some point.
3 Stars.
July 28, 2022
The Hannah Swensen series has it all: racism, fat shaming, sexism, trivialization of mental health issues, blatant HIPAA violations, police misconduct, sexual assault that’s swept under the rug, extreme condescension, and more. I picked up her second book first and then started the first because I hate the thought of not finishing a series. 20+ books of unapologetic outdated writing is too much. I’ll be calling it quits at 1.5 books. Joanne writes like the Queen of Boomers who stopped evolving in the mid-80s. She reminds me of my grandmother and not in a cute way.
June 12, 2024
3.5 stars
This was the next installment in this cozy mysteries series. The mystery was good and the characters are funny. I am not a love triangle gal so I hope that goes away soon if I continue in this series. My favorite parts are her recipes throughout the story.
This was the next installment in this cozy mysteries series. The mystery was good and the characters are funny. I am not a love triangle gal so I hope that goes away soon if I continue in this series. My favorite parts are her recipes throughout the story.
October 27, 2020
“Strawberry Shortcake Murder” book is used in the "Just Desserts" movie.
2nd in the Hallmark TV series “Murder She Baked”.
Book and Movie Comparisons List
Hallmark’s Murder She Baked TV series
A “cozy mystery” with Hannah Swensen of Lake Eden, Minnesota, running “The Cookie Jar”, her coffee shop “serving and selling” goodies.
In this book, Hannah bakes her “Strawberry Shortcake Swensen” & organizes/runs the “Lake Eden Inn” town’s first annual “Bake Off” contest.
Jordan High’s basketball coach Boyd Watson (husband) is killed with his own hammer? Found face down in a “cake, whipped cream and crushed strawberries” in his home garage?
Hannah finds Daniele (abused wife) crying with a black eye at home.
The Lake Eden sheriff’s investigation case is rushed, because of upcoming town elections.
Hannah & her sister sneak into the hospital to meet Daniele & investigate clues.
Why was Boyd’s pegboard hammer used? No robber weapon? Suicide? Retribution against Boyd? Then missing town reporter? Killed?
Like “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” & other series book, humor breaks the plot with cooking recipes at the end of some chapters........
2nd in the Hallmark TV series “Murder She Baked”.
Book and Movie Comparisons List
Hallmark’s Murder She Baked TV series
A “cozy mystery” with Hannah Swensen of Lake Eden, Minnesota, running “The Cookie Jar”, her coffee shop “serving and selling” goodies.
In this book, Hannah bakes her “Strawberry Shortcake Swensen” & organizes/runs the “Lake Eden Inn” town’s first annual “Bake Off” contest.
Jordan High’s basketball coach Boyd Watson (husband) is killed with his own hammer? Found face down in a “cake, whipped cream and crushed strawberries” in his home garage?
Hannah finds Daniele (abused wife) crying with a black eye at home.
The Lake Eden sheriff’s investigation case is rushed, because of upcoming town elections.
Hannah & her sister sneak into the hospital to meet Daniele & investigate clues.
Why was Boyd’s pegboard hammer used? No robber weapon? Suicide? Retribution against Boyd? Then missing town reporter? Killed?
Like “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” & other series book, humor breaks the plot with cooking recipes at the end of some chapters........
June 26, 2024
If this woman doesn't get arrested for evidence tampering in the next book then I'm calling the Lake Eden police department myself. Also, for someone who bases their plots around baking and sweets, why does this author hate fat women so much?
October 28, 2011
Another delicious murder mystery! Hannah has become a cooking judge in front of a live audience. She is also given her few minutes of fame before each contest begins by baking a recipe and sharing it with the viewers.
One of the judges has to back out at the last minute due to a dental emergency, so the station has to have another person randomly choosen to be a judge on such short notice. They draw the name Boyd Watson. A basketball coach at the local high school where they are filming the baking contest.
It's a rather interesting mystery surrounding Boyd Watson's murder. Secrets are kept in this small town with someone blackmailing almost each and everyone. Hannah finds herself in more trouble than she bargins for when she promises the wife Danielle that she would help prove she is innocent since the new cop and her brother in lasw are pretty much not looking for another suspect and she is their main target.
I could not put this book down, it was a wonderful read. Without spoiling the book, there was one part in particular where I could not read fast enough. The first person that I felt was the killer and then changed my mind, I should have stuck with my initial instinct as I would have been correct. This book had me laugh out loud a few times because of the silly puns, or because of an insult coming from one of the characters when you had not expected it.
I am really getting sucked into this series and will have to look at getting the recipe book that was just released this month since all of them seem so tasty.
If you're ready for a good read that will have you on the edge of your seat, can't stop turning the pages even though you sould be making dinner or going to sleep, and have a sweet tooth this is the book for you.
One of the judges has to back out at the last minute due to a dental emergency, so the station has to have another person randomly choosen to be a judge on such short notice. They draw the name Boyd Watson. A basketball coach at the local high school where they are filming the baking contest.
It's a rather interesting mystery surrounding Boyd Watson's murder. Secrets are kept in this small town with someone blackmailing almost each and everyone. Hannah finds herself in more trouble than she bargins for when she promises the wife Danielle that she would help prove she is innocent since the new cop and her brother in lasw are pretty much not looking for another suspect and she is their main target.
I could not put this book down, it was a wonderful read. Without spoiling the book, there was one part in particular where I could not read fast enough. The first person that I felt was the killer and then changed my mind, I should have stuck with my initial instinct as I would have been correct. This book had me laugh out loud a few times because of the silly puns, or because of an insult coming from one of the characters when you had not expected it.
I am really getting sucked into this series and will have to look at getting the recipe book that was just released this month since all of them seem so tasty.
If you're ready for a good read that will have you on the edge of your seat, can't stop turning the pages even though you sould be making dinner or going to sleep, and have a sweet tooth this is the book for you.
July 11, 2015
The bad thing about these books is that I want to eat the entire time I'm reading! I enjoy Hannah Swensen and her uncanny ability to find herself in yet another murder mystery. It sort of reminds me of Scooby Doo and the gang and how they always wound up at the scene of a crime or in the middle of a case no matter what. I could do without the "too cheerful" dialogue and way happy ambience of these books, but I do enjoy them! This one had me stumped until the end. Now I'm on to the 3rd one :)
June 3, 2022
Love this series!
I love this series! I love the recipes and I love that the mystery is truly a mystery and it's fun and has great humor! I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
I love this series! I love the recipes and I love that the mystery is truly a mystery and it's fun and has great humor! I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!
January 24, 2021
2.5 stars
The mystery part of this was good but i did take some issues with some things that were said. There was the use of the R Word and Hannah talking about a notebook that was no longer available for purchase as their was a Native American chief on the cover and how the word Indian was totally fine and wasn't used in a racially insensitive way for people in Lake Eden as a Native American who lived there said Native American was inaccurate as his ancestors came from Siberia and took over the land from the people who originally lived there. This really bugged me. This book was published in 2001 so maybe it was just a product of the times but it was still jarring during my read. I am not sure if I plan to continue on with the series.
The mystery part of this was good but i did take some issues with some things that were said. There was the use of the R Word and Hannah talking about a notebook that was no longer available for purchase as their was a Native American chief on the cover and how the word Indian was totally fine and wasn't used in a racially insensitive way for people in Lake Eden as a Native American who lived there said Native American was inaccurate as his ancestors came from Siberia and took over the land from the people who originally lived there. This really bugged me. This book was published in 2001 so maybe it was just a product of the times but it was still jarring during my read. I am not sure if I plan to continue on with the series.
July 10, 2021
I loved it
March 5, 2021
Enjoying reading through this cozy mystery series.. but ready for more storyline with the characters
April 9, 2021
Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo after reading this I really wanted Strawberry Shortcake. Heck, I wanted to eat some while reading it. Even now I would go for some. Ugh, I love Strawberry Shortcake. Which is weird because I am not a sweets person anymore - the bakery life has killed my love of it.
While diving into this delicious murder mystery, we meet Hannah who is judging a bake-off contest. Yum! Along the way, we meet Boyd and honestly I wasn't a big fan of his. He was just really rude and I'm all for not sugarcoating things to people when needed but dang - he was harsh. So I wasn't surprise by what happened to him one bit.
Now this was pretty entertaining but some of it was a bit unbelievable. Does this mean I'm going to stop reading this series? Heck no. I want more delicious murders coming my way and maybe some more dessert ideas. Summer holidays are coming and I need some yummy treats.
While diving into this delicious murder mystery, we meet Hannah who is judging a bake-off contest. Yum! Along the way, we meet Boyd and honestly I wasn't a big fan of his. He was just really rude and I'm all for not sugarcoating things to people when needed but dang - he was harsh. So I wasn't surprise by what happened to him one bit.
Now this was pretty entertaining but some of it was a bit unbelievable. Does this mean I'm going to stop reading this series? Heck no. I want more delicious murders coming my way and maybe some more dessert ideas. Summer holidays are coming and I need some yummy treats.
September 21, 2025
This one is problematic and I realize it’s 20 years old but there is so much body shaming it was hard to read at times. Anorexia as a joke was gross and the use of the r word almost put me over the edge but again, trying to understand this is an older release. I’m so curious if the series gets better, the bones of the storyline were def there for me and I did enjoy many aspects so I’ll keep going with the series in hopes things reflect more current times.
April 2, 2019
Here I am on a diet and after finishing this all I’m craving now is sweets! I like how there are several recipes in these books for the deserts that are mentioned throughout it and I like the light hearted love triangle that’s developing! It’s mainly the same plot as the first book and I figured out the killer a little before he was revealed but I enjoyed it and I look forward to the next one.
November 30, 2021
Strawberry Shortcake
Otro caso para la galletera Hannah.
Aquí al inicio hasta parecieran felices con la victima, pero como las sospechas recaen en alguien inocente, Hannah se pone a investigar, para encontrar al verdadero asesino, que
Un cozy mistery muy agusto, sencillo, ya que llega la pista es como que transparente quien, y aun así. Nuevamente se agradece que el componente romántico, menos que al mínimo.
3.5 star
Otro caso para la galletera Hannah.
Aquí al inicio hasta parecieran felices con la victima, pero como las sospechas recaen en alguien inocente, Hannah se pone a investigar, para encontrar al verdadero asesino, que
Un cozy mistery muy agusto, sencillo, ya que llega la pista es como que transparente quien, y aun así. Nuevamente se agradece que el componente romántico, menos que al mínimo.
3.5 star
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