What do You think about Cherry Cheesecake Murder (2007)?
After reading two of these books, I'm still trying to understand the appeal of this series. This one was about a movie being filmed in town and the abrasive director being murdered during one of the last scenes being filmed. Also added into the mix was an old college friend of Hannah's that becomes a romantic interest after she turns down both marriage proposals from beaus Mike & Norman.Writing was mediocre, family members still annoying. The only reason I gave it 3 stars is because the writing became slightly more interesting at the end. Oddly quick wrap-up to the story -- I mean, Burke wasn't really suspect until the bit about the sewing cabinet -- which almost -- almost -- made this book tolerable.
—Maggie
The star of this series is Hannah Swenson - amateur sleuth and entrepreneur - who owns a cookie bakery and loves to create new cookies for her shop and prepare treats for her friends and relatives. Luckily for readers who'd like to try the sweets, recipes are provided. In this story some scenes for a Hollywood movie are slated to be shot in Hannah's home town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. The producer, director, actors and supporting staff flood into town, and - to the delight of the townsfolk - local citizens will be involved as advisors and bit players. The murder in this book involves a character dying from a bullet wound from what was supposed to be a prop gun. This doesn't occur until about page 200, however, and until then we visit with the characters and follow Hannah's apparently eternal romantic triangle with Norman the dentist and Mike the detective. In fact, this book has an additional boyfriend - Hannah's attractive friend Ross - who's on the movie staff. It's hard to believe Hannah's beaus would put up with her indecisiveness forever, but it's a book - not real life.Once the murder occurs Hannah and her sisters are on the job - not "investigating" (which is frowned on by Mike the detective) but rather "snooping" to help find the killer. As usual with amateur detectives in these kinds of stories, they withhold information from the police, go where they shouldn't, etc. This isn't a complex mystery but rather an entertaining cozy with fun characters that are staples of the series - and lots of good pastries.
—Barbara
In this book of the series about small town baker, Hannah Swensen the movies are coming to town. There is a movie being shot here. When the director shoots himself with a proper gun that was just checked for safety Hannah just has to investigate.Who could have or would have wanted to change the prop gun for a real one? Hannah and her sisters start their 'snooping' and of course, solve the crime before the police.What is wrong with this book: The way Hannah has decided to not accept her two proposals for marriage is degrading for the two gents and why they would ever bother with her again is another question, especially when she seems also infatuated with the writer and former classmate, Ross. How can the police be this stupid? Hannah's mother who is supposed to be interfering should interfere and tell her daughter to stop the dangling act between Norman and Mike.What is right and why I seem to be a masochist: I love Tracey, Andrea's daughter, this is a fluffy read, I like the setting and it is easy to solve the crime. I also like the smattering of recipes.
—Dana
