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80th out of 660 books
—
636 voters
Key Lime Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen #9)
by
Joanne Fluke
The yummy [ninth] smalltown cozy from Fluke (after 2006's Cherry Cheesecake Murder) finds sometime sleuth Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minn., judging the baking contest at the Tri-County Fair. When one of her fellow judges, home economics teacher Willa Sunquist, is murdered, Hannah determines to sniff out the killer. Was it a man from Willa's myste...more
Hardcover, 342 pages
Published
March 1st 2007
by Kensington
(first published January 1st 2007)
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Boring book, boring town, great recipes.
That for me sums up Key Lime Pie Murder. I usually love books centered around food because they tend to be charming and incorporate a dash of sensuality. This was not the case with this book. Hannah Swensen is the full-time owner of a local bakery and part-time detective. When she finds Willa, a bake and beauty contest judge dead, she sets out to find the killer and bring him to justice.
Great mysteries are known for their tight pacing and "never-let-up" su...more
That for me sums up Key Lime Pie Murder. I usually love books centered around food because they tend to be charming and incorporate a dash of sensuality. This was not the case with this book. Hannah Swensen is the full-time owner of a local bakery and part-time detective. When she finds Willa, a bake and beauty contest judge dead, she sets out to find the killer and bring him to justice.
Great mysteries are known for their tight pacing and "never-let-up" su...more
Lipsmackingly delicious slice of mystery pie
The ninth in the series is exactly what one would expect, yummy and dependable to deliver that specific Hannah charm and the sweet aromas of the Cookie Jar to keep the mind wrapped around sweets half the time, I never crave chocolate and coffee as when I read these books, it's just insane! The baker /sleuth combo is quite tasty when one reaches for this book, Hanna is the owner of the Cookie Jar and along with her coworkers, friends and family this sma...more
The ninth in the series is exactly what one would expect, yummy and dependable to deliver that specific Hannah charm and the sweet aromas of the Cookie Jar to keep the mind wrapped around sweets half the time, I never crave chocolate and coffee as when I read these books, it's just insane! The baker /sleuth combo is quite tasty when one reaches for this book, Hanna is the owner of the Cookie Jar and along with her coworkers, friends and family this sma...more
Jun 13, 2008
Tiffiny
rated it
1 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
No one. Don't bother with it. You can probably find the recipes online.
Recommended to Tiffiny by:
I was giving the series one more try.
I loathed this book. The series started off so cute for me. I was thrilled to find a series with no bad language, no sex --nothing objectionable so that I would feel embarrassed if my oldest child picked it up.
It's all gone downhill.
I was actually listening to the book on CD, and when I got to the point when Hannah inevitably finds a dead body, (and where she was musing that she ought to seek Mike's help). She started rationalizing that if she was wrong she'd look like a fool, and I knew she wa...more
It's all gone downhill.
I was actually listening to the book on CD, and when I got to the point when Hannah inevitably finds a dead body, (and where she was musing that she ought to seek Mike's help). She started rationalizing that if she was wrong she'd look like a fool, and I knew she wa...more
4 likes · like · see review
Totally different breed of mystery, this is the 10th book in Fluke's Hannah Swensen mystery series and we are no way close to a resolution of the love triangle that's been dragging this series in my opinion for quite a few books now. It would be wise that Fluke has her lead character finally choose because I'm beginning to want to see Norman and Mike walk off in the sunset together. The mystery set around the death of one of the judge in the food competition at the county fair was simple and not...more
Hannah owns a cookie shop called The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota. She has a cuddly big tomcat called Moishe and not one but two men in her life who both want to marry her. The inhabitants of Lake Eden come to life in these books. If you have never read one, I would recommend you get a hold of them to read in order as the characters do build up in each of them.
Hannah finds herself being a judge for the baking contests at the county fair. There are two other judges, Pam and Willa, who test...more
Hannah finds herself being a judge for the baking contests at the county fair. There are two other judges, Pam and Willa, who test...more
Hannah is thirty years old, and is dating two men. She can't decide which man she loves the most. Mike is a policemen, and he shows up often in these books to save her. Mike is exciting. Norman is a dentist. He is dependable and kind to Hannah. He helps her with her pet cat. Hannah and Norman designed a house together for a contest, and later Norman build it.
There is a county fair going on in this book. Hannah is one of the judges for the baked goods enteries. Her younger sister is running for...more
There is a county fair going on in this book. Hannah is one of the judges for the baked goods enteries. Her younger sister is running for...more
Well written and actually deals with the subject material; namely the murder. But it took a long time to get there. I have noticed a trend in Cozy mysteries lately. The focus is on the protagonist and her/his personal life, love life, interesting job, etc. The murders are taking a back seat. Its annoying. This book almost did that, but redeemed itself half way through.
One thing, I really hated, although it has nothing to do with the story, is the author's constant badgering on what looks good o...more
One thing, I really hated, although it has nothing to do with the story, is the author's constant badgering on what looks good o...more
so i just finished (well, i finished it last night) the 9th book in fluke's hannah swensen mystery series. it was good. it was different from the others one though in that the murder didn't happen until 130 pages or so in, which is unusual for one of her books. however, what is perhaps more interesting is that in this book she attends to some of the ongoing plot lines with a little bit more depth, and if you're an avid reader of this series i'll start with the one that is the most obvious--the n...more
I did finish the book. Barely. Things I didn't like:
* The recipes have cheesy notes in them, like (if you can't get key limes, use regular lime juice). The notes are bold italics, so they look more important than the actual ingredient.
* There are constant admonitions to "just beat the eggs in a glass with a fork"
* The writing is awful. This book reads like a first draft that hasn't been edited. Wordy, clunky, and generally annoying. Please recognize that this criticism comes from someone who rea...more
* The recipes have cheesy notes in them, like (if you can't get key limes, use regular lime juice). The notes are bold italics, so they look more important than the actual ingredient.
* There are constant admonitions to "just beat the eggs in a glass with a fork"
* The writing is awful. This book reads like a first draft that hasn't been edited. Wordy, clunky, and generally annoying. Please recognize that this criticism comes from someone who rea...more
I like Joanne Fluke - what can I say? I also love the recipes in the books, but don't ever try them. I want to but hey, I'm the only person who eats sweet stuff in this house so it would be pointless!
But on to the book. I really enjoy thinking about small town Minnesota and having a cookie shop, and sometimes I picture me being Hannah Swenson. She's doing her dream job - who wouldn't like that?! But all the near death experiences I could do without!
In this book she had lots of help from her sis...more
But on to the book. I really enjoy thinking about small town Minnesota and having a cookie shop, and sometimes I picture me being Hannah Swenson. She's doing her dream job - who wouldn't like that?! But all the near death experiences I could do without!
In this book she had lots of help from her sis...more
This is the ninth Hannah Swensen mystery, and has all the elements I've come to expect: a murder (of course); an amateur investigation by Hannah and friends; a bit of good-natured 'competition' between them and the local police, usually leading to some silly decisions on Hannah's part; a food-related sub-plot to provide a source of recipes; continuing (still very slow) development of the romantic sub-plot with Mike and Norman.
The backdrop for this particular novel is the Tri-County Fair, so Hann...more
The backdrop for this particular novel is the Tri-County Fair, so Hann...more
If I were a fictional character planning on murdering someone in Lake Eden, Minnesota, I would first ensure that Hannah Swensen, baker-sleuth-extraordinaire, was indefinitely incapacitated, because it would seem that none of these murders-- the recipients of whom she always just happens to come across right after the deed has been done-- would be solved without her saavy (savvy? I can never remember) amateur skills. This is the 9th book in a series that is currently 14 books long, and the premis...more
The Tri-State Fair and Rodeo has arrived in Lake Eden and Hannah and her family are totally wrapped up in participating. Hannah is making cookies for the Cookie Booth and judging the baking. Delores is running the Lake Eden Historical society stall complete with dunk tank, Andrea is entered with Tracey in the look-alike mother-daughter contest, her baby is entered in the most beautiful baby contest, and little sister Michelle is entered in the Miss Tri-State contest. Moise is not eating his food...more
This book takes place during a fair being held in Lake Eden where people are doing all sorts of things to assist the community. Michelle Swensen is entered in a beauty pageant. Andrea and Tracey are entered in a mother daughter contest. Norman Rhodes entered a picture he took of Hannah into a best picture contest. Hannah is helping with judging a bake-off, helping her mother with her booth, also helping Herb her partner Lisa’s husband with his magic show. When a friend of Hannah’s and fellow jud...more
Joanne Fluke should just do cookbooks.
Seriously, her recipes are great, at least all the ones I've tried. But the characters and stories in this series? They're stale. They need to actually DO something, grow, or just get new characters all together. This is the last of this series I'm going to read.
Hannah is still in the middle of a love triangle, one where she's kissing and thinking about forever with two different guys... and it's enough already. I find it impossible to believe that they're...more
Seriously, her recipes are great, at least all the ones I've tried. But the characters and stories in this series? They're stale. They need to actually DO something, grow, or just get new characters all together. This is the last of this series I'm going to read.
Hannah is still in the middle of a love triangle, one where she's kissing and thinking about forever with two different guys... and it's enough already. I find it impossible to believe that they're...more
I'd heard that these books were cute; I just found this one to be boring. Yet when I told myself I was just going to stop reading it - I kept going back to it. I definitely skimmed large portions of it, the mystery wasn't really a mystery (easy to solve), and the characters didn't ring true. Hannah is only supposed to be 30, but the way she was written she seemed like a frumpy 60+, who wore pantsuits and didn't know the slightest thing about computers or cell phones. But she had two desirable me...more
1 like · like · see review
I do enjoy the Hannah Swensen mysteries, but I think that this particular one was based too much on formula. Additionally, the author exerted a great deal of effort into identifying proper use of grammar (when a character had not used proper grammar) and the description of recipe ingredients. I think Ms. Fluke's time would have been better spent in character and plot development. I also would like to see a resolution to the love triangle. I hope she is not now trying to develop it into a quadran...more
2.5 stars #9 in the Hannah Swensen "cozy murder mysteries with recipes"
Same song, next verse ...
LIKE: recipes included, though I wish they would all be at the end of the book instead of breaking up the storyline (I'm going to bake the Orange Cake); setting in small town Minnesota; that this series is the perfect light fluff to read and distract while exercising (I doubt I would continue reading these otherwise);
DISLIKES: no progress in deciding between Mike and Norman; reinforces my preference...more
Same song, next verse ...
LIKE: recipes included, though I wish they would all be at the end of the book instead of breaking up the storyline (I'm going to bake the Orange Cake); setting in small town Minnesota; that this series is the perfect light fluff to read and distract while exercising (I doubt I would continue reading these otherwise);
DISLIKES: no progress in deciding between Mike and Norman; reinforces my preference...more
These books are all cute and very formulaic, but it's nice to read something fluffy every once and awhile. Besides, these books have recipes! Check them out if you like mysteries but nothing gory, or if you like romance but want to branch out a little bit. If you've heard of the Janet Evanovich books (the mysteries following Stephanie Plum, bounty hunter, that have numbers in the titles, One for the Money and so on) these are very similar. The Hannah Swenson books, however, are much softer witho...more
This is the second Hannah Swenson mystery I've read. Let me tell you what I don't like about this series: Hannah and her circle of family and friends are all Mary Sues. They are good, through and through. Too good. A little bit annoying - that's how good they are.
Also, Hannah is a total grammar snob - mentally correcting other characters' grammar. I can appreciate this, but it comes across a bit like an English lesson.
Last on my list of complaints is that the dialogue is very artificial. The cha...more
Also, Hannah is a total grammar snob - mentally correcting other characters' grammar. I can appreciate this, but it comes across a bit like an English lesson.
Last on my list of complaints is that the dialogue is very artificial. The cha...more
So, I kind of took a departure from "literature" during last fall semester and it all started with this book. I was at the BYU library getting some sources for a folklore food presentation I had, and this book came up in my search for cookbooks. Since I love Key Lime pie I was intrigued, tracked the book down and, on a whim, decided to take it home with me. At first, I thought it was just a corny mystery book (like a baking Nancy Drew), but the hilarious part is that I kept reading and now I lov...more
Mar 24, 2013
Susan
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
hannah-swensen-mystery-series,
2013-audio-book-challenge,
2013-books-in-a-series-reading-chal,
2013-colorful-reading-challenge,
2013-cruisin-thru-the-cozies-readi,
2013-foodies-read-challenge,
2013-in-the-middle-reading-challeng,
2013-mount-tbr-reading-challenge,
2013-mystery-crime-reading-challeng,
2013-read-52-books-in-52-weeks,
2013-reading-challenge-addict,
2013-sequel-reading-challenge,
2013-what-s-in-a-name-6,
2013-women-challenge
Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke is book 9 of the Hannah Swensen mystery series, set in modern-day fictitious Lake Eden, Minnesota. Hannah owns The Cookie Jar with her dear friend and baker-partner Lisa. Hannah is still unable to decide between her two suitors: Norman the dentist or Mike the detective, each with his own unique appeal.
In Key Lime Pie Murder, Hannah’s initial concern is for Moishe. Her beloved cat has lost his appetite, and continually stares out the window…at nothing, as far...more
In Key Lime Pie Murder, Hannah’s initial concern is for Moishe. Her beloved cat has lost his appetite, and continually stares out the window…at nothing, as far...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
I'm always on the lookout for a good detective series, particularly one that isn't too grisly. I was therefore primed and ready to like this book.
It was ok.
I think it took about half of the book for the murder to happen. Call me impatient, but in a detective novel I tend to anticipate a crime early on with the rest of the novel resolving it. Instead I got to read a lot about judging various baked goods and worrying about which guy to choose.
The author does include some recipes that sounded prett...more
It was ok.
I think it took about half of the book for the murder to happen. Call me impatient, but in a detective novel I tend to anticipate a crime early on with the rest of the novel resolving it. Instead I got to read a lot about judging various baked goods and worrying about which guy to choose.
The author does include some recipes that sounded prett...more
Recipes galore and a fun read. She is a good mystery writer for women. No gore. Nothing to gross one out and give you nightmares. A good women's writer.
1 like · like · see review
Hannah Swensen, small town baker is going to be judging food at the Tri-Country Fair. Hannah is caught on the midway after it closes and sees her fellow judge, Willa Sunquist murdered. Sunquist was the home economics teacher at the high school. Hannah must, of course, investigate.
The arrogance of Hannah and her abilities to solve crimes is sometimes too much but she does get the 'job' done. There is the usual cast of characters: Hannah's two boyfriends (Norman and Mike), her two sisters (Andrea...more
The arrogance of Hannah and her abilities to solve crimes is sometimes too much but she does get the 'job' done. There is the usual cast of characters: Hannah's two boyfriends (Norman and Mike), her two sisters (Andrea...more
As a whole, this is a light-hearted, fluffy series with lots of good recipes. This particular addition has a great little town fair and really brings in all of the great aspects of such an event - baking contests, animals, rides, deep-fried foods, the works! The subplot about Moishe was also very cute - he is a great character. However, some of the extended story lines and formula points have really begin to drag. The love triangle is getting old. Also, by this point, I think Hannah should reall...more
This book was pretty standard fare for the Hannah Swensen mysteries. If you'd enjoyed the previous books in the series you will likely enjoy this one which is set around the events of the county fair taking place in the early summer.
The love triangle continues with no resolution, though someone has stepped up their game. I won't tell you who.
I read this in audiobook format via my library's NetLibrary subscription and did have three points in the book where it would suddenly jump back to the begi...more
The love triangle continues with no resolution, though someone has stepped up their game. I won't tell you who.
I read this in audiobook format via my library's NetLibrary subscription and did have three points in the book where it would suddenly jump back to the begi...more
The small-town cozy from Fluke. When one of her fellow judges, home economics teacher Willa Sunquist, is murdered, Hannah determines to sniff out the killer. Was it a man from Willa's mysterious past? Or a student she flunked? Fluke has developed a charming supporting cast—Hannah's besotted (and slightly spineless) two suitors, her overbearing but likable mother, her endearing sisters and her levelheaded business partner all feel like friends by the time the murder is solved.
This was wonderful,...more
This was wonderful,...more
I liked this book but it wasn't my favorite one of the series. I didn't feel a connection to Willa the same way I have to other victims and since it had to do with a traveling rodeo group I really wasn't interested in the suspects in the same way.
On a note unrelated to my overall enjoyment of the novel, or maybe it is. I would really like so progression with either Mike, Norman or both's relationship with Hannah.
Still very good! I would always recomend the series - but read it in order! I think...more
On a note unrelated to my overall enjoyment of the novel, or maybe it is. I would really like so progression with either Mike, Norman or both's relationship with Hannah.
Still very good! I would always recomend the series - but read it in order! I think...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key Lime Pie Murder | 5 | 40 | Nov 05, 2012 08:42pm |
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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I couldn't believe that it was chapter 11 before there was a murder. By then I was more concerned about what was wrong with the cat tha...more
Mar 28, 2010 12:53pm
Apr 01, 2010 08:46pm
Nov 25, 2010 07:30pm