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
