Another entertaining Hannah mystery. Thus far I'm enjoying Ms. Fluke's cookie-baking super sleuth.In this novel, Hannah is determined not to let a friend be railroaded by the police in the murder of her husband. I must say that I'm not a real mystery buff, but I attempt to keep an open mind that someone like Hannah who has no experience in police procedure or investigating crimes can be so adept at finding out the truth. But that is the fun of fiction, is it not?In this novel, aside from seeing how Hannah follows the clues, I was pleased with the relationship that Hannah and her sister appear to have established or are establishing. In the first novel, Hannah and her sister were not that comfortable around each other. Her sister is a bit of a snob. So it was with pleasure that I saw the two sisters coming together to work the murder mystery and in the process come to understand each other better and realize that they didn't need to bicker and nitpick about the things they always nitpick about.I also wanted to comment that it was interesting to love more about Hannah. She reveals a bit of her past in the romance department. I also enjoy this, where the author slowly gives out a little more background on the character. Very well done. The only thing I'm mixed about is the apparent love-triangle between Norman, the dentist, Mike the new police detective and Hannah. I will say that it's been entertaining to see the interaction of the three, but I'm not a fan of love-triangles, so I'm hoping that Ms. Fluke doesn't dangle this thread too long. I'm a buzz kill, I know, as some thrive on love-triangles.Overall, I'm enjoying the series very well. It's not always about Hannah solving a crime. We get to see the day-to-day living of a small town, the interaction of other people, Hannah's business and the day-to-day living of a small town.
A Sweet MysteryIn this second book in the Hannah Swensen series, Hannah hones her detective skills. Her friend Danielle has been battered again by her husband, Boyd Watson. Hannah rushes to her friend's defense, only to find that Boyd has been murdered. Danielle is, of course, the primary suspect but Hannah does not believe that she committed the murder. Hannah joins her sister Andrea in looking for clues. This includes trying to run down the local newspaper reporter, Lucy, and involving her good friend Norman Rhodes. There is no denying the attraction between Hannah and the new detective , Mike, and Hannah is increasingly torn between Mike and Norman as a possible boyfriend. As always, Hannah solves the crime well in advance of the detectives but places her own life in jeopardy. She is saved in the end and the evildoer is caught. I give this book four stars instead of five merely because it is it is quite easy to tell the evildoer's identity.
What do You think about Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2002)?
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.
—Liralen
I really liked book #1 and I quickly bought and finished the second installment. Had to lower my rating though because the book is EXACTLY the same as the first one. As if it was written by a template or paint-by-numbers. (view spoiler)[In both books there is a murder committed and then a second murder committed because someone was a witness to the first murder. Hannah investigates "unofficially" and ends up in a final confrontation with the killer that is EXACTLY the same in both books. They have a gun, she keeps talking to stall for time (and to wrap up any questions the reader may have), she makes a wild effort to disarm them, she ends up with the gun and the killer on the floor, the cop(s) come in and take over from there. She also repeats a lot of the same phrasing and imagery in the books. Like, exactly the same words to describe things. (hide spoiler)]
—Amanda
more like 2 & 1/2 stars. Didn't love it, didn't hate it. Listened to it on CD and it was poorly edited which was constantly annoying. The chapter breaks were long, and the speaker could be heard taking a breath before the cut offs. I read it fit the quick mystery fluff it is suppose to be, and that part was good. Hannah though is getting to be a little annoying. She was asked by her bro-in-law to help investigate in the first book, it this one she becomes a big know it all and is putting the cops down. In the end though, when scared she wants the cops around and needs them to rush in when she gets in over her head. After wire quite the extensive epilogue, hannah then asks for help learning to carry a gun. I expected this series to be a meddling baker in a small town jumping into cases not a investigator who bakes sometimes. She bails on her shop so much she is giving partnership away to Lisa. I might read one more in series to see if there is any hannah character redemption.
—Jennifer S
