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Hannah Swensen #10
Carrot Cake Murder
Summertime has finally arrived in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar bakery, is looking forward to warm, lazy days, eating ice cream, and sharing picnics with friends. But when a family reunion takes a deadly turn, it's up to Hannah to find a killer. . .
Between baking up a storm for The Cookie Jar and unraveling the mystery of her cat Moishe's recent strange behavior, Hannah Swensen has a lot on her plate. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's in the midst of preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in twenty-five years--and his arrival has everyone buzzing with excitement.
Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion, telling tales of his great success and flashing money for all to see. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake, which is also Gus's favorite dessert. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads to a shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting-side down on the floor--and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest!
A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths more secrets from Gus's past, she discovers even more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer--even if it could mean a recipe for her own demise. . .
Between baking up a storm for The Cookie Jar and unraveling the mystery of her cat Moishe's recent strange behavior, Hannah Swensen has a lot on her plate. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's in the midst of preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in twenty-five years--and his arrival has everyone buzzing with excitement.
Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion, telling tales of his great success and flashing money for all to see. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake, which is also Gus's favorite dessert. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads to a shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting-side down on the floor--and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest!
A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths more secrets from Gus's past, she discovers even more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer--even if it could mean a recipe for her own demise. . .
324 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2008
1248 people are currently reading
8221 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
134 books8,543 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 943 reviews
July 22, 2017
4 stars to Joanne Fluke's Carrot Cake Murder, the tenth book in the "Hannah Swensen" cozy murder mystery series, a series which was made into several fun TV movies called "Murder, She Baked" starring Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathison. The series continues to delight readers, providing at least 15 to 20 recipes that sound delicious and look fairly easy to make. I recommend you give all three a try -- the book, the movie and the food!
Story
As set up in the previous book, Hannah's protege and part-owner of their shared Lake Eden Bakery, Lisa, and her new husband Herb, traffic cop extraordinaire, are having an extended family re-union on Eden Lake. One of their long-lost relatives, Gus Klein, randomly shows up and begins to cause trouble like he did when he was a child some thirty-five years ago. But this time, his trouble earns him an ice pick to the heart -- what some say is cold justice payback! There are tons of suspects in this murder mystery all connected to Herb and Lisa's family, and at this point in the series, Detective Mike Kingston (1 of Hannah's 2 primary love interests) no longer pretends to stop Hannah from trying to investigate, he encourages it. With both her sisters' and mother's, as well as her other primary love interest, dentist Norman Rhodes, Hannah begins digging up all the dirt she can. Gus is not as wealthy as he claimed, and is only back in town to run some final scam, but it turns out to be his last one. Hannah rounds up the suspects and proves alibis one-by-one until she's left with the one person she had a gut instinct about along the way... luckily, she's saved by Mike just before the killer tries to knock her out too.
And for some extra fun on the side, Hannah spends a lot of time with Norman making us all root for him to win her heart, only to throw a little monkey-wrench into the plan at the end when Ross, the other paramour from a few books in the past, sizzles back into town wanting to see her as soon as possible. Well now what's Hannah going to do... not only will she have 3 men to juggle but her mother just got a book romance book published starring... her own daughters. Lake Eden is gonna be hopping in book 11!
Strengths
1. Hannah is a really fun character. She has so many great traits and a couple of flaws but it all makes her so real. She is sometimes a little too rude / direct, sometimes a little flaky and sometimes just too independent for her own good. But she is also charming, pretty, a great baker and a very accomplished woman.
2. Author Fluke knows how to integrate so many families and keeps it connected throughout each book in the series. It's great to see / hear so many faces popping up from prior books that you really feel like you're part of the story.
3. The mystery has some intrigue and complexity to it for a cozy. There's at least 5 to 6 possible suspects and you have a few twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Suggestions
1. Hannah's love triangle and now quadrangle... ugh, heart-breaker... but we really need her to let someone go. I like both Mike and Norman, but I see Norman as the better match for her in the long-run. I also like Ross and am curious to see what happens in the next book. But 3's too much. I'm not trying to hold my girl back, but she hasn't done more than kiss any of them and has this much trouble trying to figure out who is right for her??? What's gonna happen when it gets steamier???
2. Love the recipes but they're starting to take over the book. I'd like to limit it to 10 per book so you are enjoying the mystery more than the cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love desserts, but I can't cook everything she throws out there!
Final Thoughts
The cozy mystery has a certain kind of reader base. You're not gonna find major romance or suspense, or even a lot of thrilling murders. It's light and fun... with a few gut punches to keep you paying attention. The Hannah Swensen series has been fairly consistent thru ten books. So if you're a cozy fan, and you like to stay with the same bunch of characters, you should be reading this series.
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.
Story
As set up in the previous book, Hannah's protege and part-owner of their shared Lake Eden Bakery, Lisa, and her new husband Herb, traffic cop extraordinaire, are having an extended family re-union on Eden Lake. One of their long-lost relatives, Gus Klein, randomly shows up and begins to cause trouble like he did when he was a child some thirty-five years ago. But this time, his trouble earns him an ice pick to the heart -- what some say is cold justice payback! There are tons of suspects in this murder mystery all connected to Herb and Lisa's family, and at this point in the series, Detective Mike Kingston (1 of Hannah's 2 primary love interests) no longer pretends to stop Hannah from trying to investigate, he encourages it. With both her sisters' and mother's, as well as her other primary love interest, dentist Norman Rhodes, Hannah begins digging up all the dirt she can. Gus is not as wealthy as he claimed, and is only back in town to run some final scam, but it turns out to be his last one. Hannah rounds up the suspects and proves alibis one-by-one until she's left with the one person she had a gut instinct about along the way... luckily, she's saved by Mike just before the killer tries to knock her out too.
And for some extra fun on the side, Hannah spends a lot of time with Norman making us all root for him to win her heart, only to throw a little monkey-wrench into the plan at the end when Ross, the other paramour from a few books in the past, sizzles back into town wanting to see her as soon as possible. Well now what's Hannah going to do... not only will she have 3 men to juggle but her mother just got a book romance book published starring... her own daughters. Lake Eden is gonna be hopping in book 11!
Strengths
1. Hannah is a really fun character. She has so many great traits and a couple of flaws but it all makes her so real. She is sometimes a little too rude / direct, sometimes a little flaky and sometimes just too independent for her own good. But she is also charming, pretty, a great baker and a very accomplished woman.
2. Author Fluke knows how to integrate so many families and keeps it connected throughout each book in the series. It's great to see / hear so many faces popping up from prior books that you really feel like you're part of the story.
3. The mystery has some intrigue and complexity to it for a cozy. There's at least 5 to 6 possible suspects and you have a few twists and turns that keep you guessing.
Suggestions
1. Hannah's love triangle and now quadrangle... ugh, heart-breaker... but we really need her to let someone go. I like both Mike and Norman, but I see Norman as the better match for her in the long-run. I also like Ross and am curious to see what happens in the next book. But 3's too much. I'm not trying to hold my girl back, but she hasn't done more than kiss any of them and has this much trouble trying to figure out who is right for her??? What's gonna happen when it gets steamier???
2. Love the recipes but they're starting to take over the book. I'd like to limit it to 10 per book so you are enjoying the mystery more than the cooking. Don't get me wrong, I love desserts, but I can't cook everything she throws out there!
Final Thoughts
The cozy mystery has a certain kind of reader base. You're not gonna find major romance or suspense, or even a lot of thrilling murders. It's light and fun... with a few gut punches to keep you paying attention. The Hannah Swensen series has been fairly consistent thru ten books. So if you're a cozy fan, and you like to stay with the same bunch of characters, you should be reading this series.
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.
October 7, 2023
In CARROT CAKE MURDER, the 10th book in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series, Hannah’s cat Moisha is going cat-crazy at night, and unfortunately, her carrot cake has been involved in a murder. Gus, a relative of Lisa, her coworker at the bakery, who has been gone for decades, and only recently returned to Lake Eden for a family reunion, winds up dead. Unfortunately, too many people had a reason to kill him. LOL with the mystery of the tattoo. Too funny. This one really gave me a hankering for carrot cake! And so many yummy salads! Yum!
May 2, 2019
"And that means one of two things. Either being in shock doesn't affect my memory, or I'm being much too used to finding murder victims!"
It's time for barbecues and gatherings at Eden Lake, and summer air smells of late blossoms and hot dishes. Hannah Swensen is doing a great job in helping her partner and friend, Lisa, organizing her family reunion. Her relatives had just started wishing her long lost uncle, Gus, was there with them, when he makes a surprising appearance, riding a brand-new shiny Jaguar. But be careful what you wish for, because way before he could say "holy casser-oly", Gus would be found dead by non-other than *casual* body-finder Hannah. Will she behave this time, letting who's in charge dealing with the investigations and going back to her baking work? But of course not, who do you think she is?? The owner of a Cookie Shop???
Another day, another body. Poor Hannah, she must have a sign hanging around where she keeps count of "days without seeing a corpse" and she has to update it every other month.
Of course, I would pity her if she was a decent person, which she isn't, as she is used to introduce murder as a refreshing topic to "lighten up the conversation" (I am not joking, she literally says that). I have to admit she is slightly less amoral in this one, I mean at least she tries to keep up to 30% of the promises she makes, she crosses her finger behind her back only once, she doesn't hate too much on her mother and she treats the three men she is dating with respect. Oh well, I admit this last one may be a contradiction. But at least she doesn't steal candy from babies.
...
Yet.
Oh well, I might go pick up the next book now. Don't wanna give her any ideas. Farewell! 👋
It's time for barbecues and gatherings at Eden Lake, and summer air smells of late blossoms and hot dishes. Hannah Swensen is doing a great job in helping her partner and friend, Lisa, organizing her family reunion. Her relatives had just started wishing her long lost uncle, Gus, was there with them, when he makes a surprising appearance, riding a brand-new shiny Jaguar. But be careful what you wish for, because way before he could say "holy casser-oly", Gus would be found dead by non-other than *casual* body-finder Hannah. Will she behave this time, letting who's in charge dealing with the investigations and going back to her baking work? But of course not, who do you think she is?? The owner of a Cookie Shop???
Another day, another body. Poor Hannah, she must have a sign hanging around where she keeps count of "days without seeing a corpse" and she has to update it every other month.
Of course, I would pity her if she was a decent person, which she isn't, as she is used to introduce murder as a refreshing topic to "lighten up the conversation" (I am not joking, she literally says that). I have to admit she is slightly less amoral in this one, I mean at least she tries to keep up to 30% of the promises she makes, she crosses her finger behind her back only once, she doesn't hate too much on her mother and she treats the three men she is dating with respect. Oh well, I admit this last one may be a contradiction. But at least she doesn't steal candy from babies.
...
Yet.
Oh well, I might go pick up the next book now. Don't wanna give her any ideas. Farewell! 👋
September 13, 2018
Hannah Swensen is the owner of the Cookie Jar bakery. Hannah helps her co-partner, Lisa, cater the Beeseman-Herman family reunion. A long lost family member, Gus Klien, returns after more than twenty years absence. Gus portrays himself as wealth. He drives a Jaguar, sports a Rolex and wears a designer suit. It becomes evident not everyone is happy about his return. When Hannah finds Gus murdered in the pavilion, she starts investigating the homicide with the help of her family and friends.
This is my first Hannah Swensen book. I find I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It didn't bother me that the sleuth was an amateur. It is well written. The plot is well thought out and nearly all the subplots are neatly tied off. There is still the love triangle - Norman, Mike and Hannah - subplot left open, though Norman seems to be the favorite. The characters are fully developed. Despite the large number of characters, I did not become confused over who was who or where they fit into the murder mystery. I did find the generous number of recipes distracted from the story. I would have preferred the recipes to be placed at the end of the book; just my preference. I want to start at the beginning of this series, so I'll definitely be reading more of Joanne Fluke's books.
This book satisfies both my something edible in the title selection and the summer equinox choice for A Book for All Seasons book club.
This is my first Hannah Swensen book. I find I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It didn't bother me that the sleuth was an amateur. It is well written. The plot is well thought out and nearly all the subplots are neatly tied off. There is still the love triangle - Norman, Mike and Hannah - subplot left open, though Norman seems to be the favorite. The characters are fully developed. Despite the large number of characters, I did not become confused over who was who or where they fit into the murder mystery. I did find the generous number of recipes distracted from the story. I would have preferred the recipes to be placed at the end of the book; just my preference. I want to start at the beginning of this series, so I'll definitely be reading more of Joanne Fluke's books.
This book satisfies both my something edible in the title selection and the summer equinox choice for A Book for All Seasons book club.
August 22, 2015
Me starting this book:
Me finishing this book:
I stumbled across these books in Barnes and Noble back and June and thought the premise sounded so ridiculous. "I'm going to read all of these because they're probably so terrible that they're hilarious." OH MY GOD I WAS SO WRONG. They're not hilarious, they're just so bad! The first one was, meh, whatever... BUT I'M 10 BOOKS IN NOW and oh my god, JoAnne what the hell are you even doing? These books are all. the. same. Mix it up, woman! Stop using the word "stymied." Stop with this Norman and Mike mess. Stop putting Hannah in the 'damsel in distress' position at the end.
I honestly can't believe she gets paid to produce this drivel.
I can't believe I'm going to hate-read the 11th one now.
Me finishing this book:
I stumbled across these books in Barnes and Noble back and June and thought the premise sounded so ridiculous. "I'm going to read all of these because they're probably so terrible that they're hilarious." OH MY GOD I WAS SO WRONG. They're not hilarious, they're just so bad! The first one was, meh, whatever... BUT I'M 10 BOOKS IN NOW and oh my god, JoAnne what the hell are you even doing? These books are all. the. same. Mix it up, woman! Stop using the word "stymied." Stop with this Norman and Mike mess. Stop putting Hannah in the 'damsel in distress' position at the end.
I honestly can't believe she gets paid to produce this drivel.
I can't believe I'm going to hate-read the 11th one now.
March 8, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Library Book
Description:
Hannah Swensen has a lot on her plate. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's in the midst of preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in twenty-five years--and his arrival has everyone buzzing with excitement.
Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion, telling tales of his great success and flashing money for all to see. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake, which is also Gus's favorite dessert. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads to a shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting-side down on the floor--and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest. A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths more secrets from Gus's past, she discovers even more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer, even if it could mean a recipe for her own demise.
Book #10 in the Hannah Swensen Mysteries Series
This was a good cozy mystery with an interesting story line and no obvious killer. Highly recommended if you love cozy mysteries with lots of fun characters and not much romance. Speaking of not much romance, I’ve decided I don’t like Mike very much and I’m not sure what Hannah sees in him, except he’s “handsome” - Team Norman here!
Description:
Hannah Swensen has a lot on her plate. But she'll always make time for her business partner, Lisa, who's in the midst of preparing for a big family reunion. Everyone is delighted when Lisa's long-lost uncle makes a surprise appearance. No one has heard from Gus in twenty-five years--and his arrival has everyone buzzing with excitement.
Uncle Gus is immediately the hit of the reunion, telling tales of his great success and flashing money for all to see. He's almost as popular as Hannah's scrumptious carrot cake, which is also Gus's favorite dessert. But the next morning, as the whole family gathers for the group photo, one person is missing. Hannah offers to track down Uncle Gus, but her search leads to a shocking find. Over by the bar at the pavilion, she spots two slices of her infamous carrot cake, frosting-side down on the floor--and Gus's corpse with an ice pick jutting out of his chest. A little snooping reveals that not everyone was celebrating Gus's return. And when Hannah unearths more secrets from Gus's past, she discovers even more people with an axe to grind. Now Hannah's got to sift through a long list of suspects to find a killer, even if it could mean a recipe for her own demise.
Book #10 in the Hannah Swensen Mysteries Series
This was a good cozy mystery with an interesting story line and no obvious killer. Highly recommended if you love cozy mysteries with lots of fun characters and not much romance. Speaking of not much romance, I’ve decided I don’t like Mike very much and I’m not sure what Hannah sees in him, except he’s “handsome” - Team Norman here!
March 25, 2018
This series is consistent in being a quick, enjoyable, quirky, and fun read. This novel did not stray from those traits and was actually one of my favourites so far in the series.
This series and this novel especially, is one that can be read far after reading the previous novel. I wouldn't be surprised if the last Hannah Swensen novel I read was a year ago and I was able to quickly pick up where we left off as if no time passed at all. The characters are humorous and enjoyable, the town reminds you of a small-town that you wish you lived in and the food.....oh the food.
I haven't personally made any of the recipes that are included in these novels but I always want to! They all seem so delicious and if I was a cook (or baker) I know I'd be making these. In fact, if I'm ever looking for some inspiration, I may need to go to these novels.
As for the mystery, I found this novel to actually have me more surprised than I expected. Typically, I find that I am able to predict the criminal/murderer but in this novel, I found that I was kept in suspense until the last fifty pages or so. It was a happy surprise to not know who the murderer and need to wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
The romance is one part of this novel (and series) that I feel a little fair-weather about. I actually feel bad for these two men! They both are genuine and amazing to Hannah. I feel as if she's treating them both a tad bit unfairly. I have an obvious favourite (Mike) but at the same time, Norman is a good quality man as well. The ending though....let me say I'm not impressed. As if it wasn't complicated enough with this triangle.
I know I will be picking up the next novel in this series, I just don't know when. It's not a series that I find I need to read immediately but it definitely is a go-to when needing a quick, cozy read. For those who like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich or other similar fairly light mysteries, I would recommend this series.
This series and this novel especially, is one that can be read far after reading the previous novel. I wouldn't be surprised if the last Hannah Swensen novel I read was a year ago and I was able to quickly pick up where we left off as if no time passed at all. The characters are humorous and enjoyable, the town reminds you of a small-town that you wish you lived in and the food.....oh the food.
I haven't personally made any of the recipes that are included in these novels but I always want to! They all seem so delicious and if I was a cook (or baker) I know I'd be making these. In fact, if I'm ever looking for some inspiration, I may need to go to these novels.
As for the mystery, I found this novel to actually have me more surprised than I expected. Typically, I find that I am able to predict the criminal/murderer but in this novel, I found that I was kept in suspense until the last fifty pages or so. It was a happy surprise to not know who the murderer and need to wait for the rest of the story to unfold.
The romance is one part of this novel (and series) that I feel a little fair-weather about. I actually feel bad for these two men! They both are genuine and amazing to Hannah. I feel as if she's treating them both a tad bit unfairly. I have an obvious favourite (Mike) but at the same time, Norman is a good quality man as well. The ending though....let me say I'm not impressed. As if it wasn't complicated enough with this triangle.
I know I will be picking up the next novel in this series, I just don't know when. It's not a series that I find I need to read immediately but it definitely is a go-to when needing a quick, cozy read. For those who like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich or other similar fairly light mysteries, I would recommend this series.
July 8, 2013
I'm wavering between giving this book one or two stars. I thought the first few books were cute but the series has gotten progressively more lame. So many plot points, big and small, are just unbelievable. It is 2008 and the owner of the gas station has to call in credit card numbers? But not on a Sunday of course so she'll jot down a card number to call in Mon? It is 2008 and Lisa seriously has no idea what a s'more is, so Hannah has to explain it to her? Norman, the local dentist, just hops a plane on a whim to investigate the murder? Hannah is beyond exhausted but when Norman calls late at night, she not only lets him come over but makes a cake that takes an hour to bake?! I could go on and on. The recipes look good but these books are pretty terrible. Why do I keep reading them? (secretly I have hopes that Hannah will just get married to somebody already and put us all out of our misery).
September 20, 2017
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Another hit in the Hanna Swensen series- a highly enjoyable coz mystery that revolves around baked sweets and murder! Once again, Hannah is back on the case- trying to find a killer while juggling her culinary career and prospects of love. Some may say that Hanna is quite intuitive and I would agree! However, I wish she would do something about her two love interests. While the author and Hannah make it very clear that Hannah won’t jump into something without being absolutely sure, it seems about time that she either let Mike and Norman go or choose one to marry. Other than her uncertainty when it comes to love, Hannah is as smart as ever! She grabs clues and races against time to find out what happened to Gus the night of the reunion and will stop at nothing until she finds the killer!
Overall, this is a clever and fun series to get lost in. I always look forward to reading a Hannah Swensen novel and being back with the gang as they hunt down clues and killers. While at some points is exasperating that a sleuth can find the killer faster than the detectives working the case, It understand it’s all in good fun and exactly what this fictional world is supposed to be about!
Fans of cozy mysteries, this entire series is a must have for your bookshelf! Hannah is my very favorite sleuth (I own every book in the series) and her recipes are divine (yes, I have made a few).
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Another hit in the Hanna Swensen series- a highly enjoyable coz mystery that revolves around baked sweets and murder! Once again, Hannah is back on the case- trying to find a killer while juggling her culinary career and prospects of love. Some may say that Hanna is quite intuitive and I would agree! However, I wish she would do something about her two love interests. While the author and Hannah make it very clear that Hannah won’t jump into something without being absolutely sure, it seems about time that she either let Mike and Norman go or choose one to marry. Other than her uncertainty when it comes to love, Hannah is as smart as ever! She grabs clues and races against time to find out what happened to Gus the night of the reunion and will stop at nothing until she finds the killer!
Overall, this is a clever and fun series to get lost in. I always look forward to reading a Hannah Swensen novel and being back with the gang as they hunt down clues and killers. While at some points is exasperating that a sleuth can find the killer faster than the detectives working the case, It understand it’s all in good fun and exactly what this fictional world is supposed to be about!
Fans of cozy mysteries, this entire series is a must have for your bookshelf! Hannah is my very favorite sleuth (I own every book in the series) and her recipes are divine (yes, I have made a few).
July 16, 2012
#10 in the Hannah Swensen "cozy murder mystery series with recipes"
This one takes place at a family reunion for 150+ people, and somehow half of the townsfolk get invited to attend, also.
Again, a light fluff read with recipes inserted distractingly at the end of chapters, rather than the end of the book. The love triangle continues to move nowhere. At least 50 pages of each book so far are wasted with reintroducing characters; Hannah's cat antics; repeated descriptions of her early morning wake-up routine; details on how to mix cookies (or other recipes she is concocting); how technically challenged she is (finally in this book she uses a cell phone for the first time and one of the boyfriend's is teaching her to use the computer that has been in a box forever); etc. Is this an older author describing her own life through a much younger protagonist?
Just keep on reading to exercise with and to pu tme to sleep at night. Glad this series is available in the library, I would NEVER buy one of these books!
This one takes place at a family reunion for 150+ people, and somehow half of the townsfolk get invited to attend, also.
Again, a light fluff read with recipes inserted distractingly at the end of chapters, rather than the end of the book. The love triangle continues to move nowhere. At least 50 pages of each book so far are wasted with reintroducing characters; Hannah's cat antics; repeated descriptions of her early morning wake-up routine; details on how to mix cookies (or other recipes she is concocting); how technically challenged she is (finally in this book she uses a cell phone for the first time and one of the boyfriend's is teaching her to use the computer that has been in a box forever); etc. Is this an older author describing her own life through a much younger protagonist?
Just keep on reading to exercise with and to pu tme to sleep at night. Glad this series is available in the library, I would NEVER buy one of these books!
Read
June 19, 2017Why have I read ten of these though?
September 3, 2016
As is typical in the Hannah Swensen world - Hannah is able to "save" the day while getting little to no sleep, somehow doing no work for the cookie shop, and grammatically correcting everyone around her. I read a review for the last book I read in this series and someone mentioned the annoyance they had that Hannah's two sisters were supposed to be gorgeous and stylish, but then they end up wearing the weirdest (non stylish) clothes. I noticed two times in this book people were wearing pantsuits. One was even wearing it to judge a swimming competition. REALLY?! The biggest fashion laugh was Michelle (a 20 year old) wearing a SCRUNCHIE! Are you kidding? It's not the 80s. stylish 20-something year old's do NOT wear scrunchies. That's a fact. What was also unbelievable in this book was that every single person had an alibi for 2:30 in the morning. Not one single person was in bed. How very convenient. These kinds of things are so easy for Hannah that she thinks she's a better cop than her "boyfriend" Mike. Also, the first chapter in the book Hannah takes it on herself to announce engagement plans for someone. I couldn't have been more appalled. And in the end no one called her out for being a selfish person for interfering. They all praised her for getting everyone to accept the news. I just don't get how anyone in the town talks to her. Oh well. I'll continue to read the series and see what happens. I just hope she makes a decision about Norman and Mike soon. It just makes me dislike her even more.
February 24, 2012
I'm in love with this series. It doesn't matter which book, they are really fun reads, and if you like cooking, there are some great recipes included.
Carrot Cake Murder is book 10 in the series. I'd say of the three that I've read, this one was definitely one of the best.
Here are the reasons this book is so great.
1. Not a lot with the love triangle in this one. Its hard to deal with the whole Hannah, Mike and Norman thing, and in this book it wasn't such a huge issue.
2. The mystery was really intriguing. The victim, as usual, is someone that deserves to be dead, but you still want to find out how he ended up that way. There were a lot of twists and turns at finding out who did it.
3. Awesome recipes that make you want to run to the kitchen to try them. OMG Red Velvet Cookies!!!
3. Moishe! I absolutely adore Hannah's cat, and he had a big part in this book.
4. Lisa's dad, Jack, who has Alzheimer's. He plays a big part in all of the Hannah mysteries, but he actually was a suspect in this one. He's truly a lovable character, one of my favorites in this series.
Now for the cons,
1. Hannah's mom, is just too much sometimes. I'd like her to be more accepting of her daughter.
2. Andrea. I love when characters share my name, but I hate when they are ditzy, can't cook to save herself..etc. Do my name some justice!
3. Mike and Norman. Ah the love triangle. Like I said, this book isn't as much about Hannah and the two guys, but I still can't help but wonder why she'd want either of them.
If you haven't tried a Hannah Swensen cozy yet, you should. They are quick fun reads that make a quiet afternoon go buy so much faster.
Carrot Cake Murder is book 10 in the series. I'd say of the three that I've read, this one was definitely one of the best.
Here are the reasons this book is so great.
1. Not a lot with the love triangle in this one. Its hard to deal with the whole Hannah, Mike and Norman thing, and in this book it wasn't such a huge issue.
2. The mystery was really intriguing. The victim, as usual, is someone that deserves to be dead, but you still want to find out how he ended up that way. There were a lot of twists and turns at finding out who did it.
3. Awesome recipes that make you want to run to the kitchen to try them. OMG Red Velvet Cookies!!!
3. Moishe! I absolutely adore Hannah's cat, and he had a big part in this book.
4. Lisa's dad, Jack, who has Alzheimer's. He plays a big part in all of the Hannah mysteries, but he actually was a suspect in this one. He's truly a lovable character, one of my favorites in this series.
Now for the cons,
1. Hannah's mom, is just too much sometimes. I'd like her to be more accepting of her daughter.
2. Andrea. I love when characters share my name, but I hate when they are ditzy, can't cook to save herself..etc. Do my name some justice!
3. Mike and Norman. Ah the love triangle. Like I said, this book isn't as much about Hannah and the two guys, but I still can't help but wonder why she'd want either of them.
If you haven't tried a Hannah Swensen cozy yet, you should. They are quick fun reads that make a quiet afternoon go buy so much faster.
May 8, 2024
Book number 10 in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series, set in Lake Eden, Minnesota.
In this episode a family reunion is spoiled when a prodigal son returns, only to be murdered. Hannah and her sisters must, of course, get involved with solving the case. This time, the police actually ask for their help!
I read these mostly when I need something to fit a particular challenge. The book is a fast read and has some tasty recipes included. But I am over the love triangle between Hannah, Norman and Mike.
In this episode a family reunion is spoiled when a prodigal son returns, only to be murdered. Hannah and her sisters must, of course, get involved with solving the case. This time, the police actually ask for their help!
I read these mostly when I need something to fit a particular challenge. The book is a fast read and has some tasty recipes included. But I am over the love triangle between Hannah, Norman and Mike.
September 2, 2013
Quick read. The biggest puzzle for me, having come into the series at book 10, after "huh?" was who are these people? They don't have current computer or phone skills, they have been living in some rural backwater which seems like its intended to be reminiscent of the original Eden, for too many generations for anyone to remember. They all know each other's back stories, but the reader doesn't. They laugh at things that I could not appreciate as funny. They know acronyms for all the Native American tribes in Oklahoma as if everyone should know this, never giving credit to Wikipedia, the real source from which this info must have come. (Is the rural public education system in MN that diverse and PC? If so, then i tip my hat.) Then there is the goody two shoes effect, which casts a net over any real tension or mysterious-ness in the mystery. Even the disclosures of jealousy and envy were too nice to really take the story anywhere, except, predictably to the next book. Understanding anything of substance about the character of Hannah was no option either. Until I started paying close attention, I thought Hannah was much older than she is. And I am old enough to not mind that a bit. Except she isn't that old it turns out...she is just older than her younger sisters...who I also don't get. Why does Hannah read as an old spinster? I did not find as much sympathy for Hannah or anyone else as I wished. i couldn't help thinking of her as some kind of old lady busy-body relegated to baking and adopting cats. And pretending she had more than that going on in her life. That just sounds mean, but really, How and why is she living on such meager means? she clearly has initiative and energy, loves to bake, ok, but what is the reluctance to embrace her detective-self? Maybe she could get into some more bracing predicament than how to keep the cat amused.....the best scene in the book was when Hannah hid in the lily pond. Maybe a tiny bit more excitement would serve these stories well. But then I like the recipes with more chili powder, not less.
I did like the feel of the countryside, the lack of gruesome gore, and the sense of Scandinavian-American roots in some of the references and descriptions, as well as the recipes. I did really like the recipes, and they are well placed in the book. If one accepts the story as a mild pastime to add to the enjoyment between recipes, then the whole series makes more sense. If you are looking for real head thumping mystery or clues to follow, or a modern independent woman who is following some personal inner drumbeat or is driven by her own complexes, the depiction in this book was less than satisfactory. Hannah is likable, predictable, smart, not brilliant, with flaws that are irritatingly calculated to make her approachable and "for real". I prefer Miss Marple or Precious Ramotswe, not to mention Lisbeth Salander, or the quirky Janet Evanovitch 'Stephanie Plum' series, which has developed its own problem of tiresome repetitiveness. I will try another book in the series. If the tone and texture ( or lack thereof) remains the same, I will give the series a miss. As for the recipes, I bought the author's cookbook with all the recipes in the series!
I did like the feel of the countryside, the lack of gruesome gore, and the sense of Scandinavian-American roots in some of the references and descriptions, as well as the recipes. I did really like the recipes, and they are well placed in the book. If one accepts the story as a mild pastime to add to the enjoyment between recipes, then the whole series makes more sense. If you are looking for real head thumping mystery or clues to follow, or a modern independent woman who is following some personal inner drumbeat or is driven by her own complexes, the depiction in this book was less than satisfactory. Hannah is likable, predictable, smart, not brilliant, with flaws that are irritatingly calculated to make her approachable and "for real". I prefer Miss Marple or Precious Ramotswe, not to mention Lisbeth Salander, or the quirky Janet Evanovitch 'Stephanie Plum' series, which has developed its own problem of tiresome repetitiveness. I will try another book in the series. If the tone and texture ( or lack thereof) remains the same, I will give the series a miss. As for the recipes, I bought the author's cookbook with all the recipes in the series!
July 10, 2011
Fluke has perfected her gimmick with this series: predictable murder, tasty recipes. She also recycles many descriptions and dialogue from previous books in the series, as well as drop trivia in the most random places. Hockey puck regulations? Major Native American tribes?
And yet, as frustrating and mundane as it may seem, there's something to be said for how fresh-apple-pie everything is, how the biggest drama in this series and fictional landscape is having a nagging mother and the interest of multiple men-- which, can I just say, is absolutely ridiculous, immature, and unrealistic for Hannah to have so many suitors that she's stringing along. I mean, really, choose one and commit. (I'm rooting for the dentist.)
Hannah's world consists of small-business owners, county fairs, large family reunions. It's a lifestyle that is quiet and stable, that gets overshadowed and overshouted by, well, the multiple novels concerning everything else in life these days. I think what keeps drawing me back to the books in this series isn't the writing, or even the recipes, but the picture presented of the community within that small town. It's quaint, charming, life-as-it-should-be. Minus all the murders, it's a simple kind of life.
And yet, as frustrating and mundane as it may seem, there's something to be said for how fresh-apple-pie everything is, how the biggest drama in this series and fictional landscape is having a nagging mother and the interest of multiple men-- which, can I just say, is absolutely ridiculous, immature, and unrealistic for Hannah to have so many suitors that she's stringing along. I mean, really, choose one and commit. (I'm rooting for the dentist.)
Hannah's world consists of small-business owners, county fairs, large family reunions. It's a lifestyle that is quiet and stable, that gets overshadowed and overshouted by, well, the multiple novels concerning everything else in life these days. I think what keeps drawing me back to the books in this series isn't the writing, or even the recipes, but the picture presented of the community within that small town. It's quaint, charming, life-as-it-should-be. Minus all the murders, it's a simple kind of life.
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.
August 12, 2019
3 stars. I don't know what it is about these books that keep me coming back. It's definitely not the characters but here I am, 10 books in and I don't know why. I guess because they're such easy, quick reads and there's just something about them that is very addictive even though they are very predictable and the characters aren't that great. Though I will say Hannah gets a bit more tolerable with each book because she was so insufferable in book one so that's good. The love triangle is tired though and yet she still won't choose between Mike and Norman and I'm over it completely. I did like the mystery in this one though. It felt different and I wasn't able to guess the murderer so that was fun. This series is like crack and I'll keep reading them for as long as Joanne Fluke wants to keep writing them which it doesn't look like there's a plan for an ending any time soon.
{Challenges completed:
✔For Love of a Book: I Went to the Zoo Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Baking Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Greatest Love Stories Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Pizza Delivery Challenge
✔Game Night: Pie Eating Contest Challenge}
{Challenges completed:
✔For Love of a Book: I Went to the Zoo Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Baking Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Greatest Love Stories Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Pizza Delivery Challenge
✔Game Night: Pie Eating Contest Challenge}
July 4, 2025
This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the 10th book in the Hannah Swensen series. I have read a few of the other books in this series. I found most of this book boring, and I found that this story was not well put together. I found it weird how many times food is talked about and how much food is talk about, and I also think the food talk to a lot away for the story.
February 7, 2017
Old family secrets are boiling just underneath the surface when a long-lost relative shows up at the Beeseman-Herman family reunion in Lake Eden, MN. Gus Herman reappears after 25 years, showing off very expensive clothes and jewelry and telling tales of his huge success. Obviously emotions are still raw, even decades after his disappearance in the middle of the night with no explanation. Hannah Swensen's business partner, Lisa, is a member of the family so The Cookie Jar is catering the event. To her mother's chagrin, Hannah discovers Gus' dead body in the pavillion. The prodigal family member has been stabbed with an ice pick.
There are more than 100 family members at the reunion. Who killed Gus? Why did he disappear all those years ago? With the help of friends and family, Hannah is on the case once again to track down the killer.
Carrot Cake Murder is the 10th book in the Hannah Swensen series. The recipes fit the plot....great potluck fare ranging from casseroles and Mexican hotdish to decadent desserts like chocolate fudge cake and red velvet cookies. And, of course, there is a recipe for carrot cake!
The mystery is engaging with plenty of suspects and lots of sleuthing by Hannah and her friends. The strange love triangle between Hannah and her two love interests, Mike and Norman, continues...but it really isn't an integral part of this story. It's in the background, but not really important. That was a nice change. It's the one thing about Hannah that annoys me.....she can't make up her mind which man she wants but she gets ridiculously jealous if either of them even look at another woman. I don't believe any self-respecting, intelligent man would put up with that sort of treatment for such a long time. But I also recognize that I have been pulled into this series partially because I want to know which man "wins,'' I'm reading the books as fast as I can -- and avoiding spoilers as best I can -- so that I can find out what happens. I have a guess....prompted by the ending of Carrot Cake Murder.....but I'm not saying a word.
Wanting to know the outcome of Hannah's love life isn't the only reason I enjoy the Hannah Swensen series. I like the characters, the recipes are amazing, and I like the setting. It reminds me of the town I grew up in. There are lots of culinary themed cozy mystery series out there today, but the Hannah Swensen series was one of the first. I read the first couple books when they came out and loved them.....then life happened (darn adulting taking up all my time!) and I never got to read the rest. Now that I only have one child at home, I have more time for reading. So, I came back to the series and can't get enough of it! I've had the books on my shelf just waiting for me to have time to enjoy them -- so happy to finally be catching up on what's been happening in Lake Eden! :)
The Hannah Swensen series has 20 books, with #21, Banana Creme Pie Murder, coming out in late February. There is also a cookbook, Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook, and two holiday themed short story/novella collections that include Hannah stories. I highly recommend the series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries or loves to bake -- the recipes are awesome! :)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel has made four Hannah Swensen movies starring Allison Sweeney. There are some differences between the books and the movies, but they are fun to watch! So far, they have filmed movie versions of: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Book 1), A Plum Pudding Mystery (Book 12), Peach Cobbler Mystery (Book 7) and A Deadly Recipe (Fudge Cupcake Mystery - Book 5). Hopefully more are to come! Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel also has movies from several other cozy series -- check them out!
For more information on Joanne Fluke and her books check out her website: http://www.joannefluke.com/
There are more than 100 family members at the reunion. Who killed Gus? Why did he disappear all those years ago? With the help of friends and family, Hannah is on the case once again to track down the killer.
Carrot Cake Murder is the 10th book in the Hannah Swensen series. The recipes fit the plot....great potluck fare ranging from casseroles and Mexican hotdish to decadent desserts like chocolate fudge cake and red velvet cookies. And, of course, there is a recipe for carrot cake!
The mystery is engaging with plenty of suspects and lots of sleuthing by Hannah and her friends. The strange love triangle between Hannah and her two love interests, Mike and Norman, continues...but it really isn't an integral part of this story. It's in the background, but not really important. That was a nice change. It's the one thing about Hannah that annoys me.....she can't make up her mind which man she wants but she gets ridiculously jealous if either of them even look at another woman. I don't believe any self-respecting, intelligent man would put up with that sort of treatment for such a long time. But I also recognize that I have been pulled into this series partially because I want to know which man "wins,'' I'm reading the books as fast as I can -- and avoiding spoilers as best I can -- so that I can find out what happens. I have a guess....prompted by the ending of Carrot Cake Murder.....but I'm not saying a word.
Wanting to know the outcome of Hannah's love life isn't the only reason I enjoy the Hannah Swensen series. I like the characters, the recipes are amazing, and I like the setting. It reminds me of the town I grew up in. There are lots of culinary themed cozy mystery series out there today, but the Hannah Swensen series was one of the first. I read the first couple books when they came out and loved them.....then life happened (darn adulting taking up all my time!) and I never got to read the rest. Now that I only have one child at home, I have more time for reading. So, I came back to the series and can't get enough of it! I've had the books on my shelf just waiting for me to have time to enjoy them -- so happy to finally be catching up on what's been happening in Lake Eden! :)
The Hannah Swensen series has 20 books, with #21, Banana Creme Pie Murder, coming out in late February. There is also a cookbook, Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook, and two holiday themed short story/novella collections that include Hannah stories. I highly recommend the series to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries or loves to bake -- the recipes are awesome! :)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel has made four Hannah Swensen movies starring Allison Sweeney. There are some differences between the books and the movies, but they are fun to watch! So far, they have filmed movie versions of: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Book 1), A Plum Pudding Mystery (Book 12), Peach Cobbler Mystery (Book 7) and A Deadly Recipe (Fudge Cupcake Mystery - Book 5). Hopefully more are to come! Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel also has movies from several other cozy series -- check them out!
For more information on Joanne Fluke and her books check out her website: http://www.joannefluke.com/
April 23, 2025
This one was less annoying than some of the previous love triangles, although Joanne Fluke couldn't help but throw a third back into the mix at the end. Ugh!
The weird prudishness of almost the entire town gets annoying, like all of these grown adults with children can't talk about something like a strip club or a tattoo in 2008??? You don't have to like it, but to talk around in circles in such an extremely conservative way makes things more uncomfortable and weird than just using proper terms.
I love the recipes, and I will keep reading, but there's just always something that keeps this from being a series I love.
3.5 Stars rounded up.
The weird prudishness of almost the entire town gets annoying, like all of these grown adults with children can't talk about something like a strip club or a tattoo in 2008??? You don't have to like it, but to talk around in circles in such an extremely conservative way makes things more uncomfortable and weird than just using proper terms.
I love the recipes, and I will keep reading, but there's just always something that keeps this from being a series I love.
3.5 Stars rounded up.
February 4, 2025
Este si no estuvo tan bueno
Hay un sospechoso inicial, y un segundo sospechoso conveniente que confirma el primer sospechoso, lo cual es sospechoso.
Y ahora aparte de seguir alargando el triángulo Norman/Mike, le van a agregar la vecina nueva de Mike, Ronnie creo.
2.6 stars
Hay un sospechoso inicial, y un segundo sospechoso conveniente que confirma el primer sospechoso, lo cual es sospechoso.
Y ahora aparte de seguir alargando el triángulo Norman/Mike, le van a agregar la vecina nueva de Mike, Ronnie creo.
2.6 stars
August 5, 2011
A piece of cake to read. Har har har. I've read almost every book in this series. The plots are formulaic but it's good when you don't have to think and in my jobs I read for work, not pleasure, too much of the time. I read culinary mysteries for the recipes. I get just as tired of goody-goody Hannah trying to choose between two boyfriends in this one -- oh grow up -- as I weary of Goldy in Diane Mott Davidson's series reminding everyone what a horrible abusive ex-husband she has -- you have a better one now, let it go already and teach me how to cook something. Hannah's character at least talks and behaves like someone her age -- I always think Goldy is way older than she is and her character is supposed to be about my age.
March 6, 2014
I had some ill will towards this book early on. Mainly because of that dratted cat, Moishe. He is too aggravating, and quite a few of Hannah Swensen books in the not so distant past clinched one star because of his 'adventures'. I wish someone would immolate that cat. Anyway this book is the first genuine book in the series to earn four stars from moi. Candy Cane Murder doesn't count. It seems strange that the same English words found in the dictionary, when arranged by a skilled writer, can generate so much pleasure. Often the conversation went off at a tangent, so much that I can't really classify this story as a bona fide mystery. It's really a slice of life book, if I may borrow from the manga community. That's it for now, and please don't focus on my catty remarks earlier!
June 9, 2008
I was really disappointed with this book. I had read the first in the series a long time ago and remembered liking it fairly well. This book was painful to read. There were WAY too many characters and I didn't understand the premise (why was the whole town attending a family reunion?). The writing was childish (Hannah didn't know what a ring tone was and definitions of very easy words) and there were quite a few grammatical errors.
The only reason I might suggest this book to someone is for the recipes. Some of them look pretty good.
The only reason I might suggest this book to someone is for the recipes. Some of them look pretty good.
May 18, 2016
Forgive the food analogies. I don't want to be a book (food) snob but I'm having reader's (eater's remorse). (And yes, eater's remorse is a real term...google it.) There are so many great or even good books and I wasted time (calories). It was like the character's lemon fluff jello dessert: light, fluffy, but no real substance (nutrition).
Can I surmise that Goodread reviewers do like a great escape book now and then? But even then expect some character depth and plot twists? If so, join me in coining the term "reader's remorse."
Can I surmise that Goodread reviewers do like a great escape book now and then? But even then expect some character depth and plot twists? If so, join me in coining the term "reader's remorse."
April 21, 2020
I am not typically a fan of the Hannah Swensen series, but I needed a bakery book for a reading challenge and with Covid-19, the ebooks at the library were limited. I think you either love or are meh about this series. I'm on the meh side.
In this one, after many years Gus comes back to town during his family's reunion, and ends up getting murdered. All the relatives want Hannah to solve the murder. She whips out her murder book, which she apparently carries with her at all times and gets to work.
At number 10 the love triangle is still going on. Hannah is disappointed Mike will not share vital information about the investigation. Same old, same old. Nothing much to differentiate this book from the others save who was murdered, and how.
There did seem to be a lot of recipes in this book, more so than usual. Many of them are designed for large crowds, so if you have a huge potluck (or after it's safe to have a large gathering of folks) there might a recipe here for you.
In this one, after many years Gus comes back to town during his family's reunion, and ends up getting murdered. All the relatives want Hannah to solve the murder. She whips out her murder book, which she apparently carries with her at all times and gets to work.
At number 10 the love triangle is still going on. Hannah is disappointed Mike will not share vital information about the investigation. Same old, same old. Nothing much to differentiate this book from the others save who was murdered, and how.
There did seem to be a lot of recipes in this book, more so than usual. Many of them are designed for large crowds, so if you have a huge potluck (or after it's safe to have a large gathering of folks) there might a recipe here for you.
January 29, 2020
It’s summer and Hannah is busy baking and running around. She gets involved helping with a family reunion, and when a long-lost family arrives only to be killed, well, Hannah just has to find the killer. Her partner Lisa is afraid that her father may be a person of interest to the police, but since he has Alzheimer’s disease, he really can’t remember what happened the night Gus died. Regular readers will enjoy the interaction between the characters, but the solution to the murder seems a bit thin. Still, the story is enjoyable, and the characters are delightful. Norman is wonderful, Mike is obnoxious, and Moisha the cat is entertaining.
July 16, 2025
Carrot Cake Murder
Hannah Swensen, Book 10
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: HC Public Library
Dates Read: 7/9/25 - 7/11/25
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Suzanne Toren
The Characters:
Hannah Swensen:
Andrea Todd: Hannah’s sister and sidekick
Lisa (Hannah’s business partner), Mike (Cop and love interest), Norman (town dentist and love interest number 2), Moishe (chief feline officer), Michelle (Hannah’s baby sister),Other town residents
The Story:
A Good installment. Moishe had me very worried. I’m glad he is happy with his kitty condo. I really feel like Hannah should just settle down with Norman. Mike is a good guy but Norman just cares about her so much.
Hannah Swensen, Book 10
I Picked Up This Book Because: Continue the series.
Media Type: Audiobook
Source: HC Public Library
Dates Read: 7/9/25 - 7/11/25
Stars: 4 Stars
Narrator(s): Suzanne Toren
The Characters:
Hannah Swensen:
Andrea Todd: Hannah’s sister and sidekick
Lisa (Hannah’s business partner), Mike (Cop and love interest), Norman (town dentist and love interest number 2), Moishe (chief feline officer), Michelle (Hannah’s baby sister),Other town residents
The Story:
A Good installment. Moishe had me very worried. I’m glad he is happy with his kitty condo. I really feel like Hannah should just settle down with Norman. Mike is a good guy but Norman just cares about her so much.
July 26, 2021
This book was typical for the series. Sometimes I think I should take a break because they are pretty much all the same but it is like visiting old friends to read about the characters of the Lake Eden community. Many of the characters, like Andrea and Lisa, have developed and changed in good ways. Some, like Mike,, have not changed and I don’t think they ever will. I wish Hannah could see that as her view of Mike is ridiculous. The setting on this book was interesting given that it was a family reunion backdrop. The ending was a little unexpected for me as I had the wrong motive in mind.
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