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Hannah Swensen #12
Plum Pudding Murder
Holiday business is booming at Hannah Swenson's Cookie Jar pastry shop, but the mysterious murder of "Lunatic Larry" Jaeger puts a serious crimp in the season of good cheer.
From the looks of it, Larry had as many enemies as Hannah's sugar cookies have sprinkles. With the 12 days of Christmas ticking down and cookie orders piling up, tracking down the killer won't be easy.
A clever whodunit with pastry recipe dividends.
From the looks of it, Larry had as many enemies as Hannah's sugar cookies have sprinkles. With the 12 days of Christmas ticking down and cookie orders piling up, tracking down the killer won't be easy.
A clever whodunit with pastry recipe dividends.
307 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
1117 people are currently reading
8826 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 950 reviews
February 15, 2019
The 12th book in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series, Plum Pudding Murder, published in 2009 and written by Joanne Fluke, gets 3.5 stars. I'm skipping my normal detailed and formatted review, as you can only say so many new and different things about similar-type books. That said, I enjoyed this edition and would recommend it to existing fans and potentially new ones.
In this escapade, Hannah continues baking up a storm while preparing for the Christmas holidays. When the owner of a local tree nursery and shop is murdered, she solves the case by enlisting her mother, sisters and friends in all sorts of hi-jinks. She outsmarts her on again / off again cop boyfriend Mike, and continues flirting with her other boy, dentist Norman. Throw in about 25 recipes, and you've got a cute and fun cozy book to enjoy. Not to mention the big surprise at the end when the college guy who broke her heart shows up in town!
The murder is good, the story has a strong cast of suspects and the characters provide comic relief. It should have been 15% more story and less recipe, only to give us the necessary substance. The plots also need to start sooner; the murder didn't happen until 50% through the book! While we got to know the cast in the first half, which gave us potential red herrings and culprits, I wanted to be a bit more invested at that point.
I adore Hannah, want her as my best friend and would love to live in this town. I'd eat cookies all day, but that's what I do... so there you have it, folks... :)
In this escapade, Hannah continues baking up a storm while preparing for the Christmas holidays. When the owner of a local tree nursery and shop is murdered, she solves the case by enlisting her mother, sisters and friends in all sorts of hi-jinks. She outsmarts her on again / off again cop boyfriend Mike, and continues flirting with her other boy, dentist Norman. Throw in about 25 recipes, and you've got a cute and fun cozy book to enjoy. Not to mention the big surprise at the end when the college guy who broke her heart shows up in town!
The murder is good, the story has a strong cast of suspects and the characters provide comic relief. It should have been 15% more story and less recipe, only to give us the necessary substance. The plots also need to start sooner; the murder didn't happen until 50% through the book! While we got to know the cast in the first half, which gave us potential red herrings and culprits, I wanted to be a bit more invested at that point.
I adore Hannah, want her as my best friend and would love to live in this town. I'd eat cookies all day, but that's what I do... so there you have it, folks... :)
December 14, 2024
Maybe I’m not allowed to review this, having never had plum pudding! But I was intrigued by the idea of zany Christmas baking and murder mysteries when I saw the library had this. And oh, the recipes! This is a sweet book, set in cold, snowy Minnesota, where Hannah bakes cookies and helps her sister find Christmas trees. I was salivating after just the first two recipes, for cheesy biscuits and molten chocolate cake. Yum!
Puppy and Kitten adorability is at five overstuffed tabby cats mangling a Christmas tree. LOVED the cat in this one. Holiday cheer is at five snowflakes as well. This was SUPER holiday-focused. And although this one is not very romance-based (which is okay, it’s not billed as a romance), it gets super bonus points for all the FOOD. I think I literally gained five pounds just reading all those recipes. YUM!!! So many cookies! Definitely reading more of these while wrapping presents and when it’s time to decorate the tree!
Puppy and Kitten adorability is at five overstuffed tabby cats mangling a Christmas tree. LOVED the cat in this one. Holiday cheer is at five snowflakes as well. This was SUPER holiday-focused. And although this one is not very romance-based (which is okay, it’s not billed as a romance), it gets super bonus points for all the FOOD. I think I literally gained five pounds just reading all those recipes. YUM!!! So many cookies! Definitely reading more of these while wrapping presents and when it’s time to decorate the tree!
December 10, 2011
I like to read Christmas themed books this time of year, and willingly set aside some standards to read books from series I would not otherwise choose to read. However, I can't imagine how this one was published. Hannah has to be the most annoying character in current fiction. She even makes the recipes annoying with all her side comments. She has a business partner who not only continually holds down the fort while she runs around sticking her nose in other people's business, she actually encourages her to rest on her rare appearances in the shop because she "looks beat'. Hannah is dating two men who put up with the situation despite the fact there is no physical relationship. Not only do they put up with it, they all hang out together at her condo drinking pot after pot of coffee and eating sugar laden sweets while they cuddle up with her cat. Seriously? The dialogue is painful- every time a new recipe is trialed (and there are many) each character in turn offers an opinion. Always positive, of course. The plot is thin, which would be okay in this type of light reading if there were other redeemable elements like interesting characters or a heartwarming holiday feel to it.
September 7, 2020
Imagine you own a cookie shop in a very small town in the middle of nowhere. Imagine this town has under 10000 citizens and half of them are related. Now imagine that, at least ten times a year, you "happen" to stumble into a -murdered - dead body. There are three possible explanations for this:
1. You are a medium and you can sense a murder miles away, thus getting an incredibly strong urge to catapult yourself at the scene of the crime to help the poor soul find peace and leave for a better place;
2. You are actually a serial killer (and you may or may not have the habit to add the flesh of your murdered victims as a "secret ingredient" in your cookie dough);
3. You bring an awful lot of bad luck.
This time Hannah spends almost half of the book concentrating on very trivial mysteries: why is her mother's best friend acting so suspiciously? And what is going on with some shop and their books? You might start to think that the Christmas theme has made the author decide that, this time, there will be no corpses under the Tannenbaum. But, alas, Hannah has been known to put the fun in funeral (or was is the other way round...?); and after all half of her clientele is made of people who buy her cookies just so they can have an excuse to hear about her last murderous shenanigans. Honestly, secret ingredient or not, Hannah's cookie shop would probably be closed by now if it wasn't for her nose for "business".
Anyway, she finds another corpse, her mother has to be placated again, she investigates, she cooks, and in the end everybody is happy. Aw, don't you love a nice, cosy Christmas dinner? I sure hope Hannah's guests enjoy it as much as they can because considering how things go in their town, they have a 50% chance of being killed before the next one. Oh well, at least we all learned some new recipes in the process!
... yay?
1. You are a medium and you can sense a murder miles away, thus getting an incredibly strong urge to catapult yourself at the scene of the crime to help the poor soul find peace and leave for a better place;
2. You are actually a serial killer (and you may or may not have the habit to add the flesh of your murdered victims as a "secret ingredient" in your cookie dough);
3. You bring an awful lot of bad luck.
This time Hannah spends almost half of the book concentrating on very trivial mysteries: why is her mother's best friend acting so suspiciously? And what is going on with some shop and their books? You might start to think that the Christmas theme has made the author decide that, this time, there will be no corpses under the Tannenbaum. But, alas, Hannah has been known to put the fun in funeral (or was is the other way round...?); and after all half of her clientele is made of people who buy her cookies just so they can have an excuse to hear about her last murderous shenanigans. Honestly, secret ingredient or not, Hannah's cookie shop would probably be closed by now if it wasn't for her nose for "business".
Anyway, she finds another corpse, her mother has to be placated again, she investigates, she cooks, and in the end everybody is happy. Aw, don't you love a nice, cosy Christmas dinner? I sure hope Hannah's guests enjoy it as much as they can because considering how things go in their town, they have a 50% chance of being killed before the next one. Oh well, at least we all learned some new recipes in the process!
... yay?
November 20, 2022
I have been enjoying hanging out with Hannah and her crew in Lake Eden. In this installment, Larry Jaeger who is new in town and owns the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot is found murdered by Hannah and Norman. We get to find out who had done it with Hannah's help. The story had many enjoyable moments, I especially adored her cat Moisha's antics with the Christmas tree. There also were exceptionally mouth-watering recipes in here and I am actually making some of them. So fun and perfect for the season.
October 10, 2009
This book was ok. It seems like they are getting more and more predictable and formulmatic. The characters are becoming characters of themselves. I was able to guess very early on who the murderer was.
I am very tired of the whole Mike and Norman thing. There is no way if this were to happen in real life that these 2 men would be so friendly and able to handle each other so well.
With each book Hannah seems to give over more and more control to Lisa at the Cookie Jar. I am waiting for the time that she gets mad and lets her have it.
With all of this said, why do I keep reading this series??? I do because while things are predictable, they are a fun easy read to pick up and then put down and out of your mind. The added extra bonus are the recipes. I have tried several and they have become staples at my house. So for that reason alone I will keep reading, hoping for Hannah to make her choice, and to see what antics happen next in the crazy town.
I am very tired of the whole Mike and Norman thing. There is no way if this were to happen in real life that these 2 men would be so friendly and able to handle each other so well.
With each book Hannah seems to give over more and more control to Lisa at the Cookie Jar. I am waiting for the time that she gets mad and lets her have it.
With all of this said, why do I keep reading this series??? I do because while things are predictable, they are a fun easy read to pick up and then put down and out of your mind. The added extra bonus are the recipes. I have tried several and they have become staples at my house. So for that reason alone I will keep reading, hoping for Hannah to make her choice, and to see what antics happen next in the crazy town.
September 13, 2011
Starting to lose my interest in this series... I admit that I read #12 ahead of #11, and I take it by the book and the reviews that I've missed something with Mike.
But the whole Mike/Hannah/Norman thing is too much. Like many other readers with reviews here have stated, Ms. Fluke is way out of touch with romance and small towns... unless she's remembering the 50s or 60s. And, unfortunately for me, the relationship triangle is sucking the enjoyment out of these books.
I'm the most irritated with Hannah, because *she's* the one stringing these 2 guys along. How can anyone be mad at Mike for dating other gals in town? And since he's not getting anything more than a hug and kiss or two from Hannah, why not get it somewhere else? You might argue that if Mike were truly committed, as Norman appears to be, he wouldn't date anyone else. But if the tables were turned, and it was a guy stringing along 2 decent girls but just couldn't make up his mind between them, what kind of nasty names would everyone be calling him? No one would cut that guy any slack at all.
In the span of this book, Norman's widowed mother becomes engaged. SEE! It can be done -- relationships don't have to drag on for 2-3 years or more without being able to figure out which person you should be with. JUST CHOOSE ALL READY!
Yes, I will have to read the other books in the series, because I have come to care about most of these characters. But Hannah is not on the top of my list anymore. I really don't care what happens to her -- in fact, I'd like to see both Mike & Norman dump her!
But the whole Mike/Hannah/Norman thing is too much. Like many other readers with reviews here have stated, Ms. Fluke is way out of touch with romance and small towns... unless she's remembering the 50s or 60s. And, unfortunately for me, the relationship triangle is sucking the enjoyment out of these books.
I'm the most irritated with Hannah, because *she's* the one stringing these 2 guys along. How can anyone be mad at Mike for dating other gals in town? And since he's not getting anything more than a hug and kiss or two from Hannah, why not get it somewhere else? You might argue that if Mike were truly committed, as Norman appears to be, he wouldn't date anyone else. But if the tables were turned, and it was a guy stringing along 2 decent girls but just couldn't make up his mind between them, what kind of nasty names would everyone be calling him? No one would cut that guy any slack at all.
In the span of this book, Norman's widowed mother becomes engaged. SEE! It can be done -- relationships don't have to drag on for 2-3 years or more without being able to figure out which person you should be with. JUST CHOOSE ALL READY!
Yes, I will have to read the other books in the series, because I have come to care about most of these characters. But Hannah is not on the top of my list anymore. I really don't care what happens to her -- in fact, I'd like to see both Mike & Norman dump her!
March 28, 2024
This is the second book I've read by Ms. Fluke. (The first was also a Christmas book) I've been meaning to read the rest, starting at the beginning, since there is a story line to her books, but I'm not sure I could deal with all the recipes at other times of the year. I don't mind reading them in the winter, since it's cold and I want to bake. 😉
If you love to read and bake then I highly recommend this series!
If you love to read and bake then I highly recommend this series!
November 26, 2012
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself, knowing that I don't like these books. It's nice to have the recipes, and the cover, as always, is beautiful, but otherwise... ugh. This time, the mystery had, essentially, no suspects and no clues. There was one bizarre point where there was a football game on TV and she mentioned seeing that one of the teams was "LA" (which in Hannah's mind could have been Los Angeles or Louisiana), which I assumed must be a clue given that neither existed when the book was written (and still don't) (it also could have been an attempt to not use a real franchise, but she showed no scruples about mentioning other teams, so who knows?), but that wasn't a clue at all. I don't know what it was.
Also, the characters are really, amazingly stupid. A business has a sign that they "sell below cost and make it up on volume" and rather than just assuming it's a harmless joke, people are "shocked." "But that's impossible!" Really? Another character hears the phrase (or near enough) "don't kill the messenger," and responds with outrage that someone could be harmed simply for relaying information. Where do these people come from where everything is new and completely literal? It's like a town full of six-year-olds.
To quote myself, as I rose from reading the book every 7 minutes, "ugh."
Also, the characters are really, amazingly stupid. A business has a sign that they "sell below cost and make it up on volume" and rather than just assuming it's a harmless joke, people are "shocked." "But that's impossible!" Really? Another character hears the phrase (or near enough) "don't kill the messenger," and responds with outrage that someone could be harmed simply for relaying information. Where do these people come from where everything is new and completely literal? It's like a town full of six-year-olds.
To quote myself, as I rose from reading the book every 7 minutes, "ugh."
December 29, 2014
Another quick, cozy, read. Although I have "some" problems with these books. *cough* love triangle *cough*. Make a decision already Hannah! It is NOT a hard one to make........ I still enjoy this series. In this book particular I actually knew who the culprit was. Not sure if that means she is making it more obvious, If I'm just getting better at figuring it out, or I'm just paying more attention (probably a bit of everything).
One of my favourite things about this series is the setting. A small town, where everyone knows everyone's business (the nosiness of these people just makes me laugh)*oops I dropped my purse, now I can pick everything up and sneak a peak under this closed curtain because I MUST know who is back there* Also the Cookie Jar *sigh* such delicious cookies come out of that place. I really should try one of the recipes someday.
So yes, although I do have problems when it comes to the romance in these books. I mean seriously, no two grown men would be okay with this situation, nor would they be friends. I still give this book a solid 3 stars and look forward to picking up the next book when I'm in the mood for another cozy mystery! =)
One of my favourite things about this series is the setting. A small town, where everyone knows everyone's business (the nosiness of these people just makes me laugh)*oops I dropped my purse, now I can pick everything up and sneak a peak under this closed curtain because I MUST know who is back there* Also the Cookie Jar *sigh* such delicious cookies come out of that place. I really should try one of the recipes someday.
So yes, although I do have problems when it comes to the romance in these books. I mean seriously, no two grown men would be okay with this situation, nor would they be friends. I still give this book a solid 3 stars and look forward to picking up the next book when I'm in the mood for another cozy mystery! =)
January 22, 2012
In terms of mystery plot and suspense, these stories are on the low end of the scale... Not too complex or suspenseful, and rather tame. That's all right, sometimes I don't want to know about ever more inventive and gruesome ways to kill a human being or about the deeply convoluted psychological depravities of twisted killers. Plain human motives like pain, greed, revenge, etc. are just fine. I don't need to try too hard to guess at the killer as I spend my time enjoying the fluffy lifestyle of meals and coffee breaks and cooking.
In terms of romance, the bland supportive boyfriend team is a cute idea but all they do is have dinner or dessert and occasionally drop a light kiss on the lips. Nothing more intimate than that! Does Hannah want more action in her life? She keeps saying she is too busy to take the time to exercise or do anything else, yet she has time to bake mornings and evenings and all day... I think she needs to take the time out for a soul-searching retreat and review what works and does not work in her life, starting with the men in her life. Move on!
In terms of small town life with friends and family, there's plenty: daily interactions with Mother and sisters and nieces and assorted characters... It sounds very sweet and supportive and dreamy. I never had that in my life as I lived far away from my nearest and dearest and i realize that this kind of constant dropping in and out of each other's physical space would drive me personally crazy as I am a loner at heart.
In terms of cooking yummy treats, this series is chock full of them. Lots of coffee from dawn to bedtime, and lots of butter and sugar loaded goodies... Where are the leafy greens and fresh fruit in their daily diets? I have been tempted many times to copy the recipes and try them out, they sound very easy and tasty, but then I keep thinking that I don't need the added padding on my hips and sigh.
In terms of easy entertainment to pass the time between more serious endeavors, this series rates very high.
In terms of romance, the bland supportive boyfriend team is a cute idea but all they do is have dinner or dessert and occasionally drop a light kiss on the lips. Nothing more intimate than that! Does Hannah want more action in her life? She keeps saying she is too busy to take the time to exercise or do anything else, yet she has time to bake mornings and evenings and all day... I think she needs to take the time out for a soul-searching retreat and review what works and does not work in her life, starting with the men in her life. Move on!
In terms of small town life with friends and family, there's plenty: daily interactions with Mother and sisters and nieces and assorted characters... It sounds very sweet and supportive and dreamy. I never had that in my life as I lived far away from my nearest and dearest and i realize that this kind of constant dropping in and out of each other's physical space would drive me personally crazy as I am a loner at heart.
In terms of cooking yummy treats, this series is chock full of them. Lots of coffee from dawn to bedtime, and lots of butter and sugar loaded goodies... Where are the leafy greens and fresh fruit in their daily diets? I have been tempted many times to copy the recipes and try them out, they sound very easy and tasty, but then I keep thinking that I don't need the added padding on my hips and sigh.
In terms of easy entertainment to pass the time between more serious endeavors, this series rates very high.
February 17, 2014
#12 in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. Hannah is co-owner of The Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota and the novel is filled with recipes of the items mentioned in the story. Much of the story revolves around Hannah's relations with the two men (Mike, police detective, & Norman, dentist) she loves and love her and Hannah's relations with her family members. This mystery involves the murder of a con man who specializes in attracting investors in a business and then scamming them. He sets up a Christmas season business in Lake Eden.
There are certain story lines which continue to irk me in this series: 1)Hannah can't decide whether to marry Norman or Mike, both of whom have proposed to her. Her response is that she can't decide and, when she is able to she will tell them who. Until then, they are to swirl around her and continue to show her they care until she decides. If they show interest in another woman, she gets jealous though doesn't usually express it out loud. However, she can show interest in another man if she wishes which she does in this novel and #8 and Mike and Norman had to accept it. 2) For the story line, she needs Mike to be interested in her because he is her police in and thus provides inside information that helps her solve each mystery. She expects/wants Mike to share whatever information he has with her, gets upset when he doesn't, but she can pick and choose what information she shares with him without any misgivings. Her rationale: he doesn't completely trust her because he won't tell her everything, thus, she can withhold information. 3) I can't see what is so special about Hannah, that 2 men continually dote upon her twiddling their thumbs waiting for her to decide which she will marry.
There are certain story lines which continue to irk me in this series: 1)Hannah can't decide whether to marry Norman or Mike, both of whom have proposed to her. Her response is that she can't decide and, when she is able to she will tell them who. Until then, they are to swirl around her and continue to show her they care until she decides. If they show interest in another woman, she gets jealous though doesn't usually express it out loud. However, she can show interest in another man if she wishes which she does in this novel and #8 and Mike and Norman had to accept it. 2) For the story line, she needs Mike to be interested in her because he is her police in and thus provides inside information that helps her solve each mystery. She expects/wants Mike to share whatever information he has with her, gets upset when he doesn't, but she can pick and choose what information she shares with him without any misgivings. Her rationale: he doesn't completely trust her because he won't tell her everything, thus, she can withhold information. 3) I can't see what is so special about Hannah, that 2 men continually dote upon her twiddling their thumbs waiting for her to decide which she will marry.
December 22, 2015
I admit it, I'm addicted to the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series. I'm totally reading them out of order, but I don't care. The festive stories are the best, and this one was really great. It was really more story than mystery. In fact, the murder didn't happen until the story was almost over.
The best part of the story is always the recipes. Joanne develops the best cookie recipes. It is one of the reasons why I always go for these books.
The whole story revolves around The Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot, who seems to be doing well but his books show otherwise. When more people seem to be finding out about what Larry's doing, he ends up dead and as always, Hannah is on the case. She found him, after all.
Cozy mysteries always make me laugh, because its hard to believe one small town could have so many murders and all found by the same woman.
In the real world, Mike would have be be wondering if Hannah was a serial killer!
This is the twelfth book in the series, and Hannah is still dating two guys. I really wish Hannah would make a decision on which guy she wanted. I have to admit, I'm team Norman. I don't know why, but I like the guy that is a bit more reliable.
I didn't guess the killer in this one at all, which is actually unusual. I'm actually pretty good at figuring out the killer in these books.
The subplot in this book involves Norm's mom, Carrie, and that was actually a little bit more interesting than the actual murder.
These books are kind of fluffy, but I enjoy them. I enjoy Harlequin romances too. I wish this one had more mystery to the story, but it really doesn't matter, because I enjoy all the goings on in Lake Eden.
I will inevitably read more in this series.
The best part of the story is always the recipes. Joanne develops the best cookie recipes. It is one of the reasons why I always go for these books.
The whole story revolves around The Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot, who seems to be doing well but his books show otherwise. When more people seem to be finding out about what Larry's doing, he ends up dead and as always, Hannah is on the case. She found him, after all.
Cozy mysteries always make me laugh, because its hard to believe one small town could have so many murders and all found by the same woman.
In the real world, Mike would have be be wondering if Hannah was a serial killer!
This is the twelfth book in the series, and Hannah is still dating two guys. I really wish Hannah would make a decision on which guy she wanted. I have to admit, I'm team Norman. I don't know why, but I like the guy that is a bit more reliable.
I didn't guess the killer in this one at all, which is actually unusual. I'm actually pretty good at figuring out the killer in these books.
The subplot in this book involves Norm's mom, Carrie, and that was actually a little bit more interesting than the actual murder.
These books are kind of fluffy, but I enjoy them. I enjoy Harlequin romances too. I wish this one had more mystery to the story, but it really doesn't matter, because I enjoy all the goings on in Lake Eden.
I will inevitably read more in this series.
December 10, 2010
Hannah Swenson owns a cookie bakery in Minnesota. She is also an amateur sleuth who has apparently solved other murders in previous books. This one, set around Christmas, involves a murder that happened at the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree lot. There were so many things about this book that annoyed me. First, the murder happens on page 5, but no one discovers the body until page 209. There is a lot of inconsequential fluff in between, mainly centering around the new types of cookies Hannah is selling. She gives so many away that it is a wonder she can stay in business! I was also annoyed that Hannah is dating two men and nobody seems to care that she won't just settle down with the nice one instead of lusting after the bad one. Further, her sister is married to the Sheriff, yet nobody (including her sister) tells her to butt out and let the police do their work to solve the murder. Finally, I think the ending was just a bit too fast and convenient. There are a ton of recipes in this book that a veteran baker or gourmet cook might like, but they seemed a little complicated for someone short on time, ingredients, and baking experience, such as myself. I don't think I'll be reading any of her other books.
June 26, 2011
I don't know why I read these books, except that I read cookbooks too, and this is like a cookbook with a really bad mystery in between the recipes. I will have to try a recipe or two to see if they work, the mixing method is sometimes a little suspect to me. (Hannah often mixes baking soda into the wet instead of adding to the dry.)
Anyway, the book is part of a series set in small town Minnesota where I don't recommend you visit. New people in town are usually murdered, or they are the ones doing the killing. The mysteries are totally obvious. The writing is very bad. Hannah, the cookie maker/sleuth can't decide between 2 men who are both happily dating her in a completely non-jealous way. The cat is annoying. Hannah is annoying. But the recipes always sound yummy and my mother passes these books from her friends to me, so I'll probably keep reading them, and keep complaining about how bad they are. Like the cookies that Hannah makes - you know you shouldn't start... but if you eat one cookie you might as well eat 10. If you are going to read the recipes you might as well read the other 150 pages too.
Anyway, the book is part of a series set in small town Minnesota where I don't recommend you visit. New people in town are usually murdered, or they are the ones doing the killing. The mysteries are totally obvious. The writing is very bad. Hannah, the cookie maker/sleuth can't decide between 2 men who are both happily dating her in a completely non-jealous way. The cat is annoying. Hannah is annoying. But the recipes always sound yummy and my mother passes these books from her friends to me, so I'll probably keep reading them, and keep complaining about how bad they are. Like the cookies that Hannah makes - you know you shouldn't start... but if you eat one cookie you might as well eat 10. If you are going to read the recipes you might as well read the other 150 pages too.
August 23, 2012
The plot is thinner than usual, the Hannah self bashing is still on big time with a nice dose of you are not 'normal' from her mother and one half of her romantic triangle (Mike, which is one of the most despicable romantic lead I've read in a cozy in a long time, the character makes me want to take a shower and get clean every time he's there).
Why would I still read these books? I don't know. 75 pages of the 300 or so pages are recipes, the action revolves around food all the time. The female characters are put down even when they are successful business women, mothers, workers. I sometimes want to shake the writer and go 'have you reread yourself?'.
The one redeeming character is Norman. The second half of the romantic triangle. That there is still a romantic triangle does not compute, Hannah and Norman would make a kick butts, take some names sleuthing duo and maybe, maybe finally Hannah would stop bashing herself. I am not holding my breath.
Why would I still read these books? I don't know. 75 pages of the 300 or so pages are recipes, the action revolves around food all the time. The female characters are put down even when they are successful business women, mothers, workers. I sometimes want to shake the writer and go 'have you reread yourself?'.
The one redeeming character is Norman. The second half of the romantic triangle. That there is still a romantic triangle does not compute, Hannah and Norman would make a kick butts, take some names sleuthing duo and maybe, maybe finally Hannah would stop bashing herself. I am not holding my breath.
May 16, 2010
Writing is good. Plot is ludicrous. Sort of "Look! His head is blown off! Are those his brains on the wall? Oh, by the way, I have a new recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Here, try one. I just mix a little earl grey tea into the mix and then toast them gently over an open fire." Right! Not so much a mystery as a recipe book.
December 19, 2012
Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke is the twelfth book in the Hannah Swenson baking mysteries. It's also the first one that I've read. Fortunately, one really doesn't need to have read earlier books to slip into this one (although there are some relationships to work out that are probably explained as you go along if you read them in order).
Hannah Swenson is the owner of the Cookie Jar pastry shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She's the queen of baking in the small town and a pretty dab hand at solving a mystery or two. It's Christmas time in this particular outing and business is booming with everyone putting in orders for extra cookies, pastries and other deserts for their holiday gatherings. "Lunatic Larry" Jaeger, the owner of the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot is no exception. He's been selling Hannah's creations in his Elf Treat shop and the cookies are flying out of there faster than Santa's reindeer. He asks Hannah to whip up a special dessert that will make even more customers flood into his tree lot and she obliges with some Minnesota Plum Pudding. She takes a sample to Jaeger to try, but before he can tell her whether he thinks it will fit the bill someone decides that he has sold his last Christmas tree.
When Hannah gets curious about who might have wanted Jaeger to join the ghosts of Christmas present, she finds that there are more people on the list than she anticipated--from the Mayor who was Jaeger's partner (and who may have found himself swindled by the fast-talking tree salesman) to his ex-wife to his current fiancee to connections from his rather murky business past. It seems that Jaeger was on more than just Santa's naughty list. Hannah and her helpers (her mother, her boyfriend the dentist, her pastry shop assistant, and her boyfriend the police officer--yes, two boyfriends) will have to work fast to find the killer before the killer decides to put an end to Hannah's cookie business...permanently.
This book has a lot of fluff....and I'm not just talking about the marshmallow creme in some of the recipes (yes, there are recipes included--and they sound yummy). I realize that this is a cozy mystery and on the whole I'm a fan of cozy mysteries...but this one leaves a lot to be desired. It starts out with a bang (literally) and Jaeger immediately becomes a Christmas corpse. But then Fluke takes us back in time--One. Whole. Day. That takes up more than One. Half. of the Book. Just to give us the background and lead us back to the point where Jaeger's body is discovered. That's because we have to take all these little detours through "what the heck is Hannah's mom's best friend up to and why is she so secretive???" to "the multiple adventures of Hannah's cat and the first-ever Christmas tree that he has to deal with"--not to mention working in all the recipes that we then pad the story with. Not that the recipes don't sound good. They do. But, honestly....28 recipes in one book? Is this a cozy mystery with a bit of cooking theme or a cook book with a murder thrown in for spice?
The book is plugged in the synopsis as "a clever whodunit with pastry recipe dividends." I'm afraid not. It's not all that clever. I spotted the murderer as soon as s/he was introduced in a meaningful way. I think the characters could be very interesting if we had as much attention given to them as we do to the minute details of every recipe (which recipes are given with multiple helpful hints "from" various characters in the book. Two stars--just.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Hannah Swenson is the owner of the Cookie Jar pastry shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She's the queen of baking in the small town and a pretty dab hand at solving a mystery or two. It's Christmas time in this particular outing and business is booming with everyone putting in orders for extra cookies, pastries and other deserts for their holiday gatherings. "Lunatic Larry" Jaeger, the owner of the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot is no exception. He's been selling Hannah's creations in his Elf Treat shop and the cookies are flying out of there faster than Santa's reindeer. He asks Hannah to whip up a special dessert that will make even more customers flood into his tree lot and she obliges with some Minnesota Plum Pudding. She takes a sample to Jaeger to try, but before he can tell her whether he thinks it will fit the bill someone decides that he has sold his last Christmas tree.
When Hannah gets curious about who might have wanted Jaeger to join the ghosts of Christmas present, she finds that there are more people on the list than she anticipated--from the Mayor who was Jaeger's partner (and who may have found himself swindled by the fast-talking tree salesman) to his ex-wife to his current fiancee to connections from his rather murky business past. It seems that Jaeger was on more than just Santa's naughty list. Hannah and her helpers (her mother, her boyfriend the dentist, her pastry shop assistant, and her boyfriend the police officer--yes, two boyfriends) will have to work fast to find the killer before the killer decides to put an end to Hannah's cookie business...permanently.
This book has a lot of fluff....and I'm not just talking about the marshmallow creme in some of the recipes (yes, there are recipes included--and they sound yummy). I realize that this is a cozy mystery and on the whole I'm a fan of cozy mysteries...but this one leaves a lot to be desired. It starts out with a bang (literally) and Jaeger immediately becomes a Christmas corpse. But then Fluke takes us back in time--One. Whole. Day. That takes up more than One. Half. of the Book. Just to give us the background and lead us back to the point where Jaeger's body is discovered. That's because we have to take all these little detours through "what the heck is Hannah's mom's best friend up to and why is she so secretive???" to "the multiple adventures of Hannah's cat and the first-ever Christmas tree that he has to deal with"--not to mention working in all the recipes that we then pad the story with. Not that the recipes don't sound good. They do. But, honestly....28 recipes in one book? Is this a cozy mystery with a bit of cooking theme or a cook book with a murder thrown in for spice?
The book is plugged in the synopsis as "a clever whodunit with pastry recipe dividends." I'm afraid not. It's not all that clever. I spotted the murderer as soon as s/he was introduced in a meaningful way. I think the characters could be very interesting if we had as much attention given to them as we do to the minute details of every recipe (which recipes are given with multiple helpful hints "from" various characters in the book. Two stars--just.
This was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
February 7, 2017
It's Christmastime again in Lake Eden, MN and Hannah Swensen is busy baking cookies to supply the Crazy Elf Tree Lot. Larry Jaegar and his fiance Courtney run the tree lot. It seems to be doing good business, but Mayor Bascomb tells Hannah that Larry is losing money. He's selling the trees too cheaply and Bascomb is worried he will lose his investment in the business. The books don't balance either. There are several people upset with Larry, but one person is angry enough to kill. Hannah and her sometimes-boyfriend Norman find Larry shot to death in the office at the tree lot. Was he killed over money? Or something else? Hannah and her friends are on the case again. What's Christmas in Lake Eden without a murder?
Plum Pudding Murder is the 12th book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. There are 20 books so far, with the 21st, Banana Cream Pie Murder, coming out on February 28th! To get the full background on all the main characters it might be advisable to start at the beginning of the series, but it's definitely possible to jump into things in the middle of the series and still enjoy the mystery. There is enough background sprinkled here and there so a new reader could follow and understand the book without having read all of the ones before it.
The Hannah Swensen series is my favorite cozy mystery series. I like the characters. They remind me of people I knew growing up in a small town. I am getting a bit weary of a love triangle with Hannah's two main love interests....Mike and Norman. In this book, that situation is in the background and not integral to the plot....but it is still there. Hannah needs to make up her mind and stop stringing them along. It really does seem like she is just hanging on so she isn't alone while waiting for a better man to come along. Mike is a bit of a jerk, and Norman is a push-over. Because I am still 8 books behind, I'm being very careful to not accidentally read any spoilers about what happens between Hannah and her men. I'm going to catch up with this series and find out ASAP.....I am really beginning to hope that they both dump her and she finds someone else better suited to her. If either Mike or Norman was what Hannah needed, she would have made a decision a long time ago. It's like a soap opera. I dislike her stringing two men along for 12 books..... but I can't stop reading because I want to find out what happens. So, while I roll my eyes each time she has both men making goo-goo eyes at her and complain that I'm getting tired of that subplot......I secretly really really want to know who Hannah ends up with. Maybe she will in the next book -- Apple Turnover Murder!
The recipes in Plum Pudding Murder are all holiday dinner or party related, ranging from entrees and side dishes to desserts and biscuits.
Plum Pudding Murder and 3 other Hannah Swensen stories have been made into movies by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. The movie version of this book differs from the book a little bit, but not much. The Hannah Swensen movies are fun to watch! Cozy mystery fans will definitely enjoy all four of them. But, as usual, the books are better than the movies.
Joanne Fluke has also written several thriller/suspense novels. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: www.murdershebaked.com
Plum Pudding Murder is the 12th book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. There are 20 books so far, with the 21st, Banana Cream Pie Murder, coming out on February 28th! To get the full background on all the main characters it might be advisable to start at the beginning of the series, but it's definitely possible to jump into things in the middle of the series and still enjoy the mystery. There is enough background sprinkled here and there so a new reader could follow and understand the book without having read all of the ones before it.
The Hannah Swensen series is my favorite cozy mystery series. I like the characters. They remind me of people I knew growing up in a small town. I am getting a bit weary of a love triangle with Hannah's two main love interests....Mike and Norman. In this book, that situation is in the background and not integral to the plot....but it is still there. Hannah needs to make up her mind and stop stringing them along. It really does seem like she is just hanging on so she isn't alone while waiting for a better man to come along. Mike is a bit of a jerk, and Norman is a push-over. Because I am still 8 books behind, I'm being very careful to not accidentally read any spoilers about what happens between Hannah and her men. I'm going to catch up with this series and find out ASAP.....I am really beginning to hope that they both dump her and she finds someone else better suited to her. If either Mike or Norman was what Hannah needed, she would have made a decision a long time ago. It's like a soap opera. I dislike her stringing two men along for 12 books..... but I can't stop reading because I want to find out what happens. So, while I roll my eyes each time she has both men making goo-goo eyes at her and complain that I'm getting tired of that subplot......I secretly really really want to know who Hannah ends up with. Maybe she will in the next book -- Apple Turnover Murder!
The recipes in Plum Pudding Murder are all holiday dinner or party related, ranging from entrees and side dishes to desserts and biscuits.
Plum Pudding Murder and 3 other Hannah Swensen stories have been made into movies by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries channel. The movie version of this book differs from the book a little bit, but not much. The Hannah Swensen movies are fun to watch! Cozy mystery fans will definitely enjoy all four of them. But, as usual, the books are better than the movies.
Joanne Fluke has also written several thriller/suspense novels. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: www.murdershebaked.com
April 6, 2019
4.25 stars
Boy did it feel good to be back in Hannah Swensen’s world. I really enjoyed this book for it being a fun cozy mystery with recipes. There were 2 cases being worked on in this book: 1st is the murder mystery of the book and the 2nd is why is Carrie, Norman’s mom, distancing herself from those closest to her (her son and Hannah’s mother). I enjoyed the fun story mixed with serious story as it balanced the more serious murder mystery and dangers involved in hunting a killer, but I can see why some readers were upset with the back and forth. If you don’t know who a previous character was then the need to make sure that Carrie was okay might not make much sense.
I appreciated the different writing style choices that Ms. Fluke did with the 12th Hannah Swensen book. The first chapter started off showing us how the murder happened and who the character was as a person. Right off, you know nobody will really miss this man and some maybe glad he’s dead. He wasn’t a sympathetic victim like others in past but still had his killer found. (Even jerks deserve justice.) This book was darker than the past ones and I appreciated it. Fraud and embezzlement are major issues that sadly many people face. This book was released in 2009 when the economy in the U.S. (and world) wasn’t in a good place. Losing any amount of money is difficult and can lead people to drastic decisions. It changes people to be harder and less trusting because nobody wants to be taken advantage of again. The plot sheds light on this serious topic while still being a cozy mystery.
I loved all the Moishe the Cat scenes. As a cat owner I understood Hannah’s fears about having a Christmas tree and the struggle of wrapping presents with one around. (It was a nightmare when I had 3!) I nearly had a heart attack when antique AND glass ornaments were brought out... I kept wondering if a harmony would be reached between Moishe and the tree with its decorations.
Not going to lie, I really enjoyed that Mike was hardly in this book. Norman was a constant presence and it showed just how wonderful a husband he’d be. Mike was nice but also a manly jerk when he showed up. Who the heck would say they’re taking you to a hospital so you’ll be okay enough to cook a Christmas meal for them AFTER you saved that person from certain peril!?!? It’s moments like this where people develop PTSD so saying something nice to them is okay. Especially if you’re in a relationship with the person you saved. Honestly, I’m more certain on my stance that Norman is the right choice for Hannah. That being said it was odd that he was barely around Hannah except when he wanted food. Kind of wish it was acknowledged that he was distancing himself from her more than “he’s been busy at work all day.”
We got introduced to the ONLY man who has had a sexual encounter with Hannah and we know nothing about him but a few facts. 1) He’s a man whore, 2) doesn’t remember Hannah (but she sure remembers him), and 3) he’s in town (yet still can never find her in a small town). I wonder why he was even introduced in this book. There was no big confrontation but maybe he’ll be a bigger part in the series later on. He was pointlessly around but not really around, so it felt off that he was in this book. Maybe later on my rating will change once I find out why he was brought back into Hannah’s life. For now a solid 4.25 stars for me.
Boy did it feel good to be back in Hannah Swensen’s world. I really enjoyed this book for it being a fun cozy mystery with recipes. There were 2 cases being worked on in this book: 1st is the murder mystery of the book and the 2nd is why is Carrie, Norman’s mom, distancing herself from those closest to her (her son and Hannah’s mother). I enjoyed the fun story mixed with serious story as it balanced the more serious murder mystery and dangers involved in hunting a killer, but I can see why some readers were upset with the back and forth. If you don’t know who a previous character was then the need to make sure that Carrie was okay might not make much sense.
I appreciated the different writing style choices that Ms. Fluke did with the 12th Hannah Swensen book. The first chapter started off showing us how the murder happened and who the character was as a person. Right off, you know nobody will really miss this man and some maybe glad he’s dead. He wasn’t a sympathetic victim like others in past but still had his killer found. (Even jerks deserve justice.) This book was darker than the past ones and I appreciated it. Fraud and embezzlement are major issues that sadly many people face. This book was released in 2009 when the economy in the U.S. (and world) wasn’t in a good place. Losing any amount of money is difficult and can lead people to drastic decisions. It changes people to be harder and less trusting because nobody wants to be taken advantage of again. The plot sheds light on this serious topic while still being a cozy mystery.
I loved all the Moishe the Cat scenes. As a cat owner I understood Hannah’s fears about having a Christmas tree and the struggle of wrapping presents with one around. (It was a nightmare when I had 3!) I nearly had a heart attack when antique AND glass ornaments were brought out... I kept wondering if a harmony would be reached between Moishe and the tree with its decorations.
Not going to lie, I really enjoyed that Mike was hardly in this book. Norman was a constant presence and it showed just how wonderful a husband he’d be. Mike was nice but also a manly jerk when he showed up. Who the heck would say they’re taking you to a hospital so you’ll be okay enough to cook a Christmas meal for them AFTER you saved that person from certain peril!?!? It’s moments like this where people develop PTSD so saying something nice to them is okay. Especially if you’re in a relationship with the person you saved. Honestly, I’m more certain on my stance that Norman is the right choice for Hannah. That being said it was odd that he was barely around Hannah except when he wanted food. Kind of wish it was acknowledged that he was distancing himself from her more than “he’s been busy at work all day.”
We got introduced to the ONLY man who has had a sexual encounter with Hannah and we know nothing about him but a few facts. 1) He’s a man whore, 2) doesn’t remember Hannah (but she sure remembers him), and 3) he’s in town (yet still can never find her in a small town). I wonder why he was even introduced in this book. There was no big confrontation but maybe he’ll be a bigger part in the series later on. He was pointlessly around but not really around, so it felt off that he was in this book. Maybe later on my rating will change once I find out why he was brought back into Hannah’s life. For now a solid 4.25 stars for me.
August 30, 2016
"The alarm clock was set for four in the morning, but Hannah awoke before it went off. She sat up in bed and glanced at the clock. It was three forty-seven. What had happened to wake her up eight minutes before the alarm went off?" OK, Fluke knows a lot about baking and cooking but apparently doesn't know how to count AND this book didn't have a very thorough editor. Small point, to be sure. I have in the past read a couple of Joanne Fluke's novels, from the series where each is dubbed a "Hannah Swensen Holiday Mystery," right around Christmas. The protagonist, Hannah, owns The Cookie Jar, a bakery / coffee shop, in a small town in Minnesota and remarkably, dead bodies seem to cross her path every year! Always around Christmas! And even more remarkably, they are all the victims of murder! It's sort of like the old television show 'Murder, She Wrote.' And plucky Hannah, never afraid of being a victim herself, always has some flimsy reason why she should solve the crime and bring the killer to justice. Moreover, lucky Hannah, of indeterminate age, has not one but two devoted boyfriends who, remarkably, are very good friends with one another. If she were sleeping with both men, or even better, they were all sleeping together, that would be a little weird. The fact that she is not sleeping with either, and presumably the two men are not doing each other, makes it even weirder. Also weird is that EVERYONE in town weighs five hundred pounds. Of course this I infer because they ALL eat so much junk (Minnesota in winter apparently cannot scare up any vegetables), sweets all the time with an endless amount of coffee, the word exercise is never mentioned, and my personal favorite form of exercise (oh yes, sex), one that Hannah should be sharing with at least one of her boyfriends (I like Norman - she needs to cut Mike loose) is not something Hannah even THINKS about. Really, who doesn't think about it? Ever? Despite the fact that the stories are weak, and the implausibility of so much murder and mayhem (and NO sex)in a tiny town in Minnesota, I return to the series because around Christmas I kind of want an innocent, more merry, lightweight read (although at the end of this one I really wanted to read something bloody and gory with a lot of casual sex), and I like the inclusion of the actual recipes, at the end of each chapter, of the goodies Hannah makes in the story (even though I rarely cook myself and I never bake, I think I will have to try my first recipe from one of Fluke's novels - I copied the recipes for the cheesy bread and the pork and beans bread so one of them will be the one). Anyway, around the holidays, the stories, though forgettable, are innocent fun, and while this may or may not really deserve a lower rating, I give it a three. :)
October 12, 2009
I love the various Hannah books. Despite loathing the extreme cold, I always find myself wishing that I could visit the Cookie Jar and mingle with just about everyone. Frequently the mysteries come second to the warm fuzzies these books give me.
Lately though, I've grown increasingly tired of the Hannah/Norman/Mike love triangle. It worked for quite some time, but for the last few books, Mike's become increasingly unlikeable. I've never fully worked out how their dating sitaution goes, but I don't think he's supposed to be dating other women, at least not based on how upset Hannah gets. And yet, he does. As of Plum Pudding, Hannah doesn't even seem to believe he could be faithful, even with Norman out of the picture. Yet, he hasn't been thrown out of the equation or even gently nudged towards the door.
If Norman isn't enough for Hannah, introduce someone who is and establish a new triangle. Otherwise, cut Mike loose because he's really taking away from the glee of the books.
That said, the murder wasn't entirely difficult to figure out, but it wasn't one of those immediate, "AHA!" moments. Points for that. I'm still trying to figure out whether the cliffhanger gets points given or taken away.
Lately though, I've grown increasingly tired of the Hannah/Norman/Mike love triangle. It worked for quite some time, but for the last few books, Mike's become increasingly unlikeable. I've never fully worked out how their dating sitaution goes, but I don't think he's supposed to be dating other women, at least not based on how upset Hannah gets. And yet, he does. As of Plum Pudding, Hannah doesn't even seem to believe he could be faithful, even with Norman out of the picture. Yet, he hasn't been thrown out of the equation or even gently nudged towards the door.
If Norman isn't enough for Hannah, introduce someone who is and establish a new triangle. Otherwise, cut Mike loose because he's really taking away from the glee of the books.
That said, the murder wasn't entirely difficult to figure out, but it wasn't one of those immediate, "AHA!" moments. Points for that. I'm still trying to figure out whether the cliffhanger gets points given or taken away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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.
September 27, 2009
13 books in and Hannah's mysteries are getting a little thin. Fluke has finally introduced characters not from Lake Eden, since it wouldn't be credible for people in the town to keep dying. This seemed to have more recipes than usual. Also it was weird to read a christmas mystery in October. I would've thought the publisher would have pushed the pub date to November at least.
Also, after 13 books I'm really tired of the Mike vs. Norman debate. It's just not as fun as Evanovich's love triangle. I'm hoping the cliff hanger at the end of this book will bring about a resolution in book 14.
Also, after 13 books I'm really tired of the Mike vs. Norman debate. It's just not as fun as Evanovich's love triangle. I'm hoping the cliff hanger at the end of this book will bring about a resolution in book 14.
March 19, 2014
Joanne Fluke is a nitwit who writes for nitwits. The biggest fans of hers think they share the joke, but the last laugh really is on them. I may not be her biggest fan (in fact, I may be one of her most egregious readers) but I seem to be a big fool myself for reading her books in such a quick succession. This author is most probably a stupid liberal, considering the way she views reality. I'm taking a much needed hiatus from reading these books. My task is to heal my remaining brain cells so they develop an immunity to Joanne Fluke's morbidly moronic literature.
December 15, 2024
i own eight more books in this series so this is kind of devastating.
July 22, 2022
Another fun addition. I’m enjoying this series.
April 23, 2025
Hannah is so shallow; if Norman were more attractive, she would have married him forever ago. The only thing Mike has going for him is that he's more manly and looks better. Norman deserves better. Mike just uses Hannah.
Much of this had to do with Moisha and poor business practices at a Tree Farm.
The romance wasn't at the forefront, and the mystery reigned supreme, making it more enjoyable.
4 Stars
Much of this had to do with Moisha and poor business practices at a Tree Farm.
The romance wasn't at the forefront, and the mystery reigned supreme, making it more enjoyable.
4 Stars
May 18, 2014
Oh boy. I'm so far into this series, I feel invested. Plus, they take so very little time to read that I feel like I should just go ahead and read them, especially since I'm not paying for them, but getting them from the library.
This is YET ANOTHER Christmas story. The previous short story was also set at Christmas time, presumably before this one. But Hannah specifically mentions dressing like an elf LAST year in this book, so I think the order here at GR is off.
Hannah still thinks she's the only one with an ounce of brains. Her constantly marveling at how someone picks up on something quickly (to her) and complimenting them drives me nuts. Her constantly jealousy of anyone Mike looks at twice drives me crazy too. You're dating two guys! Who knows why they both like you, but they do! And the recipes! Jeez, deliver me from recipe hell. I've tried one recipe in these books and it sucked. Yes, only one. A few of them sound okay. In this book, I copied out the chocolate chip pretzel cookie one to maybe try. But pork and beans bread? Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should. And can we talk about those splatter things? First off, no, that lady didn't invent the word splatter! Second off, slapping some old frosting on a saltine IS NOT A RECIPE!
Gah!
This is YET ANOTHER Christmas story. The previous short story was also set at Christmas time, presumably before this one. But Hannah specifically mentions dressing like an elf LAST year in this book, so I think the order here at GR is off.
Hannah still thinks she's the only one with an ounce of brains. Her constantly marveling at how someone picks up on something quickly (to her) and complimenting them drives me nuts. Her constantly jealousy of anyone Mike looks at twice drives me crazy too. You're dating two guys! Who knows why they both like you, but they do! And the recipes! Jeez, deliver me from recipe hell. I've tried one recipe in these books and it sucked. Yes, only one. A few of them sound okay. In this book, I copied out the chocolate chip pretzel cookie one to maybe try. But pork and beans bread? Just because you CAN do something, doesn't mean you should. And can we talk about those splatter things? First off, no, that lady didn't invent the word splatter! Second off, slapping some old frosting on a saltine IS NOT A RECIPE!
Gah!
November 19, 2009
Last February, when I started working at Barnes & Noble "Cream Puff Murder" (Hannah Swensen Mystery, Book 11) had just been released and we had it everywhere in the store. The cover was so pretty that I kept meaning to read it, but never took the plunge. Then, we got in the newest addition to the series and I had to pick it up. The series just looked like a nice fun entry into the mystery genre. I mean, really, even if the story itself hadn't been that great, you at least got all the fun recipes that the book is loaded with. Win, win, right?
I'm really glad that I picked up Plum Pudding Murder and I'm planning on getting the other books in the series soon. The bite-sized chapters make these easy to read books perfect to pick-up and breeze through while I'm on break at work or if I just have a few minutes here and there. Some of the lines that the characters use seem corny at times and slightly unrealistic for any actual person to use, but they really seem to fit Joanne Fluke's writing style so they don't feel too out of place.
All in all, I really enjoyed this as a nice break from some of the more serious reading that I've been doing lately and will be recommending the series to anyone who loves baking, coffee, and needs a quick break from time to time.
I'm really glad that I picked up Plum Pudding Murder and I'm planning on getting the other books in the series soon. The bite-sized chapters make these easy to read books perfect to pick-up and breeze through while I'm on break at work or if I just have a few minutes here and there. Some of the lines that the characters use seem corny at times and slightly unrealistic for any actual person to use, but they really seem to fit Joanne Fluke's writing style so they don't feel too out of place.
All in all, I really enjoyed this as a nice break from some of the more serious reading that I've been doing lately and will be recommending the series to anyone who loves baking, coffee, and needs a quick break from time to time.
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