Share for friends:

Read Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2004)

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2004)

Online Book

Author
Genre
Rating
3.86 of 5 Votes: 5
Your rating
ISBN
0758215045 (ISBN13: 9780758215048)
Language
English
Publisher
kensington

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2004) - Plot & Excerpts

The 4th Hannah Swensen has a lot to offer but for the most part I am starting to understand why some of Flukes constant readers reviews sound more like long suffering than adoration. The book is well written and there is definitely some character development, in this book we really begin to understand what it is Mike and Norman have to offer Hannah. The problem is it seems Hannah has an emotional connection with Norman and a physical one with Mike, and it becomes clear to me who is the better choice for Hannah, Norman. My main issue is it seems and pardon the pun Fluke has her own recipe for writing these books. There is the typical struggle with Moshie the cat, Hannah's sometimes dull day to day life then suddenly a murder takes place and Hannah decides to investigate. While Hannah investigates she goes back and forth between Norman and Mike, her mother nags her, and Andrea decides to help Hannah solve the murder. This book has stuck to the recipe but has added a new ingredient and that is Mikes acceptance of Hannah investigating. The main issue is Hannah lives a pretty boring life, even her love triangle is boring and there are no sordid details, which at the least would spice up these books. The problem is Fluke just drags things out. That includes the details of Hannah baking and the Norman and Mike situation. I also wish for once Hannah could figure out who the killer is before the end of the book and that she did not need someone else to inadvertently tell her who the killer is. For a cozy and a quick read this is a decent book but do not expect it to be intellectually stimulating as you will have solved the murder before your fifty pages in. Obviously my review is not a recap of the synopsis with a few of my thoughts thrown in as I personally do not find those reviews that helpful. Let's get to the point, if you liked the previous three books you will like this one however anything that bothered you in the previous books has not changed.

My husband jokes about the various mystery series I read and the professions of the solvers of said mysteries. He loves to pick some far fetched job or hobby and then have them solve the crime. Topiary sculptor or glass blower, teapot collector or professional sock darner you name it they solve crimes. I myself am perfectly okay with this idea but then, I do have a remarkable ability to really suspend disbelief. So it all works out.I'm just fine with Hannah Swensen being a baker who just happens to solve murders. I'm good with the idea the police in her town can't seem to solve any of these murders without her input. I'm alright with the fact Hannah stumbles on dead bodies more often than most people come across litter. This series works for me and I do enjoy most the characters.In this outing Hannah's mom discovers a body in the basement of a house recently purchased by one of Hannah's love interests, Norman. (See she didn't stumble on the body this time so it works) In no time Hannah is investigating the murder and even has the okay of her other love interest, Mike, a detective in the local police. There's also a sub plot of stolen money and a local boy being led astray my his cousin and all of this takes place during 4th of July festivities.I had a hard time sticking with this story. It moved just a little slow for me and it wasn't to hard to figure out who and why the murder was committed. The side stories of Hannah's diet and her little sisters visit didn't really move the story along (though I did like the character of the little sister). There were also time where Hannah came across as a little prudish or behind the times which just struck me as odd.None of this turned me off to the series and I'm sure I'll keep plugging away. Plus, there are some really good recipes throughout and I love a good cookie recipe.

What do You think about Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2004)?

Hannah Swensen and Lisa Herman own the Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota. Business is very good in the resort town and the two stay quite busy baking cookies and selling coffee. Lake Eden is a small town and one can stay pretty up-to-date just by sitting in the coffee shop of the Cookie Jar. Norman, one of Hannah’s two sometimes boyfriends, picked the Cookie Jar as the place to sign the contract for the house he just bought. According to Norman, he bought the Voelker place from Rhonda Scharf in order to demolish the old house and build a custom designed home on the spot. In fact, the custom home that he and Hannah designed for a contest and won first prize. Everyone but Hannah thinks Norman is building the house as a home for the two of them and that he will ask her to marry him soon. When Hannah’s mother, Delores asks Norman if she can have any antiques Rhonda left in the old house, he quickly agrees. The three of them go out to the house to see what’s there. They find many antiques, but when Delores goes into the basement looking for antique tools she finds a dead body.Hannah’s other sometimes boyfriend is Mike, who is a detective with the sheriff’s department. Usually Mike is very opposed to Hannah getting involved in police investigations. This time, however, he seems resigned to the fact that no matter what he does or says, she will somehow be involved. That is a good thing because sometimes more information can come from gossip and “friendly encounters” than from the most well developed police investigation.This murder mystery is built around small town life and includes some of the most wonderful dessert recipes you could ever hope to taste. All of the characters seem very true-to-life and the location is enticing enough for your next vacation! This is a great new addition to the wonderful Hannah Swensen series.
—Barb

Now this was a more traditional mystery. I must say the recipes made me want to read the book (they all sound yummy), but I wasn't a fan of the book. For one thing, I think I"m starting to get sick of love triangles- especially when they are both perfectly good guys. Perhaps it's just because I'm jealous no two people have ever fought over me, but about half-way through, I was tired of hearing about the romance that was going nowhere. I was also jealous all she did was make cookies all day. I so want that job. The mystery was predictable and I had it figured out less than halfway through the book. That being said, the main character was a reasonably likable person and some of the dialogue was amusing. Perhaps if you like mysteries, you might be into it. Now I'm going to try the recipes (best part of the book!).
—Kelle

As I mentioned in my earlier review of "Blueberry Muffin Murder" readers shouldn't expect a deep involved mystery from Joanne Fluke. These books definitely run in the 'cozy' category. My 6th grade step-daughter reads and enjoys them, as well. In my opinion each of the four novels have gotten progressively more interesting. (I seem to read them each a little quicker than the previous volume as well!) This volume finds Hannah involved in the murder of one of the town's residents. She also finds out about an old bank robbery, and some suspicious activity involving a local mentally handicapped man. How do these relate, if at all, Hannah wonders. By now, residents of Lake Eden are used to Hannah involving herself in murder investigations despite the lack of encouragement from local law enforcement. As a side note, things seem to be coming to a head in Hannah's love triange with handsome policeman Mike, and fun and earnest dentist Norman. Readers know all these characters now, and probably everyone has their favorites. We enjoy Hannah's attitude and delight in the antics of her sisters, mother and niece. There are flaws here, hence my three star rating. Readers obviously have to suspend reality when reading Fluke's novels. Medical information is quickly given to parties it shouldn't be. Everyone seems to run their mouths and volunteer information. Hannah has yet to meet someone who kicks her to the curb for questioning them. I guess the clues and information come across a little too conveniently. Still the entertainment value here is high. This is a fun series to hook yourself on. If you question whether or not to buy it, especially if you haven't tried a Hannah mystery before, borrow it from the library or buy it here used cheaply.
—Stacey

Write Review

(Review will shown on site after approval)

Read books by author Joanne Fluke

Read books in series Hannah Swensen

Read books in category Fiction