Publishers Weekly - Audio
04/27/2015
Set in the idyllic little town of Lake Eden, Minn., this 18th entry in Fluke’s popular series begins with its cookie-maven heroine, Hannah Swensen, about to go on trial for her involvement in a fatal auto accident. If that’s not disturbing enough (even for the self-possessed Hannah), she discovers the judge murdered in his chambers. But the mystery element quickly gives way to Hannah’s more personal adventure—she’s falling in love with Ross, a former college classmate who may be moving back to town. Along with a soupçon of suspense and a large helping of amour, Fluke manages to stir in a fair amount of cookie chat with matching recipes. The latter, which has aided the series’ popularity, doesn’t work so well in audio format. The recipes also interrupt the generally entertaining plot (previous audio versions of this series wisely saved the recitation of recipes for after the story’s conclusion), which Toren narrates in splendid fashion. She also does a noteworthy job of giving voice to the novel’s charming red-haired Hannah; her engaging, multigenerational family; friends old and new; and assorted unpleasant antagonists. A Kensington hardcover. (Mar.)
Publishers Weekly
01/26/2015
Bestseller Fluke’s lively 18th Hannah Swensen mystery (after 2014’s Blackberry Pie Murder) finds the Lake Eden, Minn., baker a murder suspect, after she discovers the dead body of Judge Colfax in his chambers. She has solved plenty of crimes in the past, but can she clear herself? Fortunately, family lawyer Howie can keep her out of jail, and her relatives can operate the bakery while Hannah searches for the real killer. It takes a lot of digging to unravel the mystery of the murder of Judge Colfax, but fortunately she can rely on the help of sisters Michelle and Andrea, as well as an assist from an exciting visitor from her past. In her spare time, Hannah always manages to come up with new recipes for loyal readers to try, close to 20 of them this time. Add the big surprise ending, and fans will be more than satisfied. Author tour. Agent: Meg Ruley, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
Indulge In Joanne Fluke's Criminally Delicious Hannah Swensen Mysteries! Blackberry
Pie Murder
"Witty. . .tempting recipes at the end of most chapters, including one for fresh blackberry cookies, will appeal to anyone who loves to bake." —Publishers Weekly
"Fluke offers a new twist to the series. . .the cookie-shop owner's character gains depth. . .but there's still room for recipes and for Hannah to move toward an overdue decision on the question of which of her two boyfriends she prefers. Readers will be eager for the next installment." —Booklist
"Lake Eden's favorite baker, Hannah Swensen finds herself on the wrong end of a police investigation. . .in Fluke's good-natured 19th [installment]." —Kirkus Reviews
Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
"Culinary cozies don't get any tastier than this winning series." —Library Journal"If your reading habits alternate between curling up with a good mystery or with a good cookbook, you ought to know about Joanne Fluke." —The Charlotte Observer
Cinnamon Roll Murder
"Fans of this wildly popular series will not be disappointed. Fluke has kept this series strong for a long time, and there is still plenty to enjoy for foodie crime fans." —Booklist
Devil's Food Cake Murder
"Fabulous." —Publishers Weekly
Kirkus Reviews
2015-01-08
A trip to Las Vegas brings an unexpected twist to Hannah Swensen's love life.Doc Knight has had it with wedding arrangements. So he whisks his fiancee, Delores Swensen, and her adult daughters Michelle, Andrea and Hannah (Blackberry Pie Murder, 2013, etc.) off to Las Vegas for a surprise ceremony in the Little Chapel of the Orchids. The biggest surprise, though, is his choice of best man: filmmaker Ross Barton, an old college crush of Hannah's. This time, Ross more than reciprocates Hannah's interest, and she returns home resolved to dump both of her boyfriends while waiting to see if Ross can land a job at Lake Eden's KCOW Television. But old habits die hard, and pretty soon, she's making Lick Your Chops Pork for dentist Norman Rhodes and detective Mike Kingston while her cat, Moishe, chases Norman's cat, Cuddles, around the dining room table. Even worse, Hannah's attraction for corpses is as strong as ever, and pretty soon, she stumbles across the body of Judge Colfax, who's been stabbed in his chambers while preparing to hear a vehicular homicide case against her. Naturally, Hannah's a suspect, and even more naturally, she's determined to solve the case herself. But the biggest mystery that faces Hannah is what to do about Norman and Mike when Ross gets to town. Hannah's love life has gotten so complicated that the mystery seems a mere afterthought. Twenty-eight recipes provide further competition.
