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3rd out of 201 books
—
106 voters
Fudge Cupcake Murder (Hannah Swensen #5)
by
Joanne Fluke
Bakery owner Hannah Swensen just can't keep her hands out of the batter when murder stirs things up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, leaving the sheriff dead, an innocent deputy accused, and a killer still on the loose...
For Hannah, life seems to be lacking a certain flavor. It's not that she doesn't enjoy teaching a weekly "Potluck Cooking Class" at the community outreach center....more
For Hannah, life seems to be lacking a certain flavor. It's not that she doesn't enjoy teaching a weekly "Potluck Cooking Class" at the community outreach center....more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
February 1st 2005
by Kensington
(first published March 1st 2004)
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Hannah Swensen is a bakery owner in Lake Eden, Minn. She is in the process of developing the Lake Eden cookbook which will include recipes from everyone in town. At her potluck cooking class in the evenings she has had the participants test out the recipes. As she is winding up her class and tossing the garbage out, Hannah finds the local sheriff dead in the dumpster.
One of her boyfriends, Bill is appointed the Acting Sheriff. Bill determines that Hannah's brother-in-law, another law enforcemen...more
One of her boyfriends, Bill is appointed the Acting Sheriff. Bill determines that Hannah's brother-in-law, another law enforcemen...more
2.5 stars
#5 in the Hannah Swensen "cozy murder mystery series" with recipes
I really enjoy that this series is set in Minnesota and that my small hometown was mentioned specifically a second time. There is also a recipe that I am going to try this afternoon, since I have all of the ingredients and it involves chocolate. Need to be sure to allow for altitude differences this time!
HOWEVER ... Written in 2004, I find it especially unbelievable that the protagonist (a small business owner) still does...more
#5 in the Hannah Swensen "cozy murder mystery series" with recipes
I really enjoy that this series is set in Minnesota and that my small hometown was mentioned specifically a second time. There is also a recipe that I am going to try this afternoon, since I have all of the ingredients and it involves chocolate. Need to be sure to allow for altitude differences this time!
HOWEVER ... Written in 2004, I find it especially unbelievable that the protagonist (a small business owner) still does...more
Could Hannah’s life get any more complicated? The Cookie Jar is busy than ever. Her brother in law is running for sheriff against the long time incumbent. She is gathering recipes to compile Lake Mead’s cook book. Her mother and very pregnant sister are driving her nuts. Oh, then there is the cooking class Hannah is teaching. But when she finds Sheriff Grant’s body in the dumpster at the high school one evening after class, Hannah’s world spins totally out of control… He has chocolate stains all...more
Ok I've read almost this entire series at this point. They are all entertaining reads, even though the plot is pretty formulaic and the author tends to use the same phrases over and over again.
In this particular book, I liked the side mystery about the secret ingredient in the cupcakes. I may even try the recipe.
One thing I noticed from an Amazon reviewer which is definitely true is that the main character, Hannah, doesn't act like she's 30. Her personality makes her seem more like 50. I get th...more
In this particular book, I liked the side mystery about the secret ingredient in the cupcakes. I may even try the recipe.
One thing I noticed from an Amazon reviewer which is definitely true is that the main character, Hannah, doesn't act like she's 30. Her personality makes her seem more like 50. I get th...more
This is book 5 in the Hannah Swensen series. I devour this series much like I do cookies, and I've made several of Joanne's that are published in these books.
There's a lot of craziness going on in this book.
1. Bill is running for sheriff and Andrea is having a rough last few weeks of her pregnancy.
2. When the Sheriff is found murdered, Bill is suspended and he's driving everyone crazy, especially his wife, since he can't work the case.
3. Moishe is trying to be weened off the regular kitty crunch...more
There's a lot of craziness going on in this book.
1. Bill is running for sheriff and Andrea is having a rough last few weeks of her pregnancy.
2. When the Sheriff is found murdered, Bill is suspended and he's driving everyone crazy, especially his wife, since he can't work the case.
3. Moishe is trying to be weened off the regular kitty crunch...more
Another great mystery! This time, Hannah, owner of The Cookie Jar, also has her hands full teaching a cooking class. The citizens have all contributed homemade recipes for a local cookbook and Hannah has been charged with testing the recipes for accuracy with the members of her cooking class. Meanwhile, her sister, Andrea's husband, Bill, is running for Sheriff against incumbent, Sheriff Grant. When the Sheriff ends up dead in a dumpster outside Hannah's class, Bill is the prime suspect! Hannah'...more
Among the few active series of cozy mysteries I'm following, this one, and to be more precise, this book, is the one who steps up a gear. Indeed, no other books I've read had the guts to kill off the town Sheriff. To sum it up, Sheriff Grant is murdered and the heroine, Hannah's brother-in-law is suspected due to lack of alibi. He's suspended from work, by Hannah's beau, Mike. This is interesting. It would translate well to the screen as a television movie. Or as an animated series, if it were...more
This series is getting better. I was surprised at how quickly I became engaged in this story. The pacing and writing are improving, but some of the interactions between Hannah and Mike still make me cringe, given that they are apparently attracted to one another. I like Norman but he needs a bit more personality, a little bit of an edge. He's just so nice and understanding that he verges on being boring. And why are these two suitors so nice to one another? Shouldn't they be fighting each other...more
Thought this was another book on my "to read" list, but it turns out I didn't remember correctly and I know I read this before. Bummer - I don't like this series enough to reread these books. I will soldier on, however; I just hate giving up on a book - no matter how bad it is. I don't mean to imply this really bad - it's not. It's just not really good - at least so far.
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Okay, finished this book. I am...more
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Okay, finished this book. I am...more
This was the second Hannah Swensen book I read, and I think I've had my fill. The first one was better because it was new to me, but the convenience of Hannah's involvement was getting on my nerves in this book. At least Hercule Poirot USED to be a private eye, and had a legitimate reason to be contacted for solving mysteries. Hannah runs a bakery! Nothing wrong with baking--my dad is a baker--but I wouldn't say it qualifies you for the crime-solving business. I started to feel like she was just...more
Hannah Swensen is at it again...baking fabulous goodies and finding they're the last thing a murder victim has eaten. But the stakes are high this time; her brother in law, Bill, is the prime suspect, and Mike is his accusor.
This book was more enjoyable than the last few that I have read in the series. It was a quick and easy read as usual, and the recipes sounded delicious. I can't wait to try some of them.
The format of each book is very predictable as they seem to have the same formula. In t...more
This book was more enjoyable than the last few that I have read in the series. It was a quick and easy read as usual, and the recipes sounded delicious. I can't wait to try some of them.
The format of each book is very predictable as they seem to have the same formula. In t...more
The killer was pretty obvious.
I'm starting to not like either of Hannah's men. Norman lacks fire and Mike doesn't support Hannah like he should. He started to do better in book 4, but he resorted back to an idiot in this book. If he spent more time with Hanna then perhaps she wouldn't almost get herself killed all the time.
Anyway, I'm kind of tired of the fact that Bill and Mike are apparently not intelligent enough to solve a case. The cops should get one eventually, and not because Hannah has...more
I'm starting to not like either of Hannah's men. Norman lacks fire and Mike doesn't support Hannah like he should. He started to do better in book 4, but he resorted back to an idiot in this book. If he spent more time with Hanna then perhaps she wouldn't almost get herself killed all the time.
Anyway, I'm kind of tired of the fact that Bill and Mike are apparently not intelligent enough to solve a case. The cops should get one eventually, and not because Hannah has...more
I really liked this! I didn't think it was that predictable (thought it's my first read in the series, so I'm not that familiar with the characters). I do feel a little young to be reading 'cozies', and the romance is a bit tame (I think I'm Team Mike), but this was a quick, relaxing escape. It is a little similar to the Isis Crawford mysteries, but I like that there's one central sleuth here - the bickering sisters in the Crawford novels can be annoying. I also liked that the recipes are integr...more
I like the Hannah Swensen series. They are light and fun to read. But just that. Every time I read a new book from her, the killer is more and more obvious, so the fun is just to see whats new in the main characters. I really like Hannah and her sisters, but its true that Hannah acts likes she's 50. I like that she's independent and not sure if she wants to settle, but she's way too serious all the time, and I hate when people cant figure out what they want or feel for such a long time. It becom...more
Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for a cozy mystery series. You give me someone with a fluffy occupation stumbling onto a mystery where she or he manage to outwit the police and solve the crime and I’m all in. Be they housewives, mystery bookstore owners, southern sisters, or small town bakers I love them. I have an infinite ability to suspend disbelief.
I stumbled upon the Hannah Swensen mystery just recently. I know they’ve been around forever and that’s good for me because there’s a nice big...more
I stumbled upon the Hannah Swensen mystery just recently. I know they’ve been around forever and that’s good for me because there’s a nice big...more
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, assum...more
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, assum...more
This is the first Joanne Fluke mystery that I've read but it won't be the last. Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar, just can't keep her hands in the flour and not trying to solve crimes. When the sheriff is murdered and her boyfriend thinks her brother-in-law may have done it, at first her only interest is in clearing his name. But as the clues add up, she can't help wanting to know who and why, too. Hannah is educated, articulate, and friendly with a strong support group including her sist...more
Jan 03, 2013
Marieanne Fabiano
added it
Another good one. Of course, I was able to figure out who the murderer was about 3/4 of the way through. Hannah takes on the job of trying to find the person who has murdered Sherriff Grant and thrown his body in Lake Eden's school's dumpster. In the process, she also sets out to clear her brother-in-law Bill as the primary suspect in the case. Side note, Hannah was trying to figure out a mystery ingredient for fudge cupcakes throughout the book. Towards the end, she figures it out and the recip...more
I would have to say that the allure of ten recipes probably attracts me more to this series--I have read at least one other--than the characters or plot. Again, this is one of those cases where the main character, Hannah Swensen, has two men with whom she is somewhat involved--the mild mannered dentist, and the dashing police officer. Hey, Hannah--you are not getting any younger. Perhaps you should think about choosing one or the other. So far, I haven't tried any of the recipes--but the title o...more
I have actually listened to (with the kids) all of the books in this series, 1-16. They're all good; the characters are consistent and well rounded. They are all true mysteries. They are truly rated G but entertaining anyway. Since I do listen to these with my sons, I appreciate the lack of uncomfortable sex scenes, and there is no violence, although there is a significant amount of suspense. Both my sons and I enjoy these, and I'm very grateful that I can get them through audible.com. I have al...more
The name alone of the book helped set my expectations of it and it met my expectations....an easy, quick, quirky, not-too-involved mystery. Perfect for reading in the tub or on the beach. I will read others of hers but with the same expectations! I rated it 3 out of 5 because it's not a book I would purchase nor will I read it again (in all likelihood). When asked if it's worth reading, my response would be "will it change your life? no. Will it entertain you for a short time? Yes. So is it wort...more
I knew who (well, that it was at least one of two related people) had done it halfway through, but no hint as to why until 2/3 3/4 through - usually knowing so early bugs me, but in this case it was more of a good guess, and I didn't feel like it was unenjoyable or pointless to read to the end of the mystery, like it often feels for me if I feel I figure it out too soon; I guess the latter disappointed feelings happen when I feel like the author was either too obvious or through poor writing let...more
As always, reading this series is like eating a favorite confection from your childhood - fun, maybe a bit fluffy, down-home, and familiar.
I applaud Joanne Fluke for developing characters who are the back-bone of the stories. The main characters are well-developed enough to deepen and mellow as the series continues. They don't radically alter their personalities from book-to-book.
I mark these books as psuedo-mysteries, though, because although the mystery is the impetus for the story, I don't us...more
I applaud Joanne Fluke for developing characters who are the back-bone of the stories. The main characters are well-developed enough to deepen and mellow as the series continues. They don't radically alter their personalities from book-to-book.
I mark these books as psuedo-mysteries, though, because although the mystery is the impetus for the story, I don't us...more
I really enjoy this series as while you are reading you get some good recipes along the way. This book finds Hannah’s sister Andrea on bed rest while very pregnant. The sheriff who’s up for reelection and it is up to Hannah and Andrea to determine who had it out for him. They find themselves needed to clean Andrea’s husband who’s running for Sheriff. We also catch a glimpse of a relationship bonding between Mike and Shawna Lee Quinn and it has Hannah’s temper all over the place. A great enjoyabl...more
With a series of books as long as Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries I like to read a few books to see how things develop and I have to admit I'm of two minds on this series.
On the one hand the characters are well fleshed out and fairly quirky. There are even a few regular extras who aren't immediately killed or arrested. Hannah actually has 2 love interests, both of which are presented with good and bad qualities rather than making one the, "good" love interest and the other the, "bad lov...more
On the one hand the characters are well fleshed out and fairly quirky. There are even a few regular extras who aren't immediately killed or arrested. Hannah actually has 2 love interests, both of which are presented with good and bad qualities rather than making one the, "good" love interest and the other the, "bad lov...more
Hannah is back with another adventure and as usual there's trouble around her sweet smelling cookie shop. Small town of Lake Eden is plagued by murders, this time it's the Sheriff and he's not a nice guy; there are a lot of people who would want him out of their hair. Things get even more complicated when all eyes fall on her brother-in-law Bill who was running against Grant in the upcoming election and once again Hannah must take it upon herself to help and clear his name. At least her shop isn...more
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In Fluke’s scrumptious fifth culinary cozy (after 2003’s LemonMeringue Pie Murder), Lake Eden, Minn., bakery owner Hannah Swensendiscovers the fudge-stained corpse of overbearing, unscrupulousSheriff Grant in a trash receptacle near her cooking school. Hannah’sbrother-in-law Bill is the prime suspect in the bludgeoning of hisrival for the upcoming sheriff’s election, so Hannah’sabout-to-deliver pregnant sister, Andrea, frantically begs herinvestigative assistance. And to kick it up a notch, Hann...more
This book is nº 5 in the Hannah Swensen series.. This time Hannah discovers the Sheriff's dead body inside the dumpster and since her brother in law becomes prime suspect - because they were both running in the local elections - she has an added motive to find the killer. Not that she really needs a motive....
I did like the mystery, it was interesting and there were a lot of possible suspects, but I think that what really makes this series are the recipes and Hannah's relationship with family, f...more
I did like the mystery, it was interesting and there were a lot of possible suspects, but I think that what really makes this series are the recipes and Hannah's relationship with family, f...more
this was a pretty decent book. though i'm pretty sure that if i read the other four before it first that i would have understood and liked it a whole lot more. there weren't too many details but, at one point i just began to feel the pressure of so many details that i had to remember, like who was this person's alibi and why this person was connected to what happened over here, ect. that it almost split my brain in half. i do think that it was drawn out maybe a bit too much but overall it was a...more
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Like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public sch...more
More about Joanne Fluke...
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public sch...more
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Apr 06, 2013 10:02am