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Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Hannah Swensen #2)
by
Joanne Fluke
The stakes start rising faster than dough when a judge from the Hartland Flour company's Dessert Bake-Off is found dead in Hannah Swensen's strawberry shortcake. Can she catch the killer before he or she cooks up another recipe -- for murder?
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published February 1st 2001)
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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.
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Another delicious murder mystery! Hannah has become a cooking judge in front of a live audience. She is also given her few minutes of fame before each contest begins by baking a recipe and sharing it with the viewers.
One of the judges has to back out at the last minute due to a dental emergency, so the station has to have another person randomly choosen to be a judge on such short notice. They draw the name Boyd Watson. A basketball coach at the local high school where they are filming the bakin...more
One of the judges has to back out at the last minute due to a dental emergency, so the station has to have another person randomly choosen to be a judge on such short notice. They draw the name Boyd Watson. A basketball coach at the local high school where they are filming the bakin...more
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Someone recommended this series to me because she said it was similar to the Stephanie Plum Novels from Janet Evanovich. So I gave it a try.
I couldn't find the first book in the series anywhere so I just started with this one instead. I didn't feel as if I was missing any information, the characters were all re-introduced at one point.
I liked the book, I thought the murder was interesting to try to solve as I went along through the book and I picked out one of the "bad" guys from the beginning...more
I couldn't find the first book in the series anywhere so I just started with this one instead. I didn't feel as if I was missing any information, the characters were all re-introduced at one point.
I liked the book, I thought the murder was interesting to try to solve as I went along through the book and I picked out one of the "bad" guys from the beginning...more
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I am really am enjoying these Hannah Swenson mysteries! When Hannah signs on to host the First Annual Dessert Bake Off, she soon realizes she'll be brushing off her detecting skills as well. This time, the victim is Coach Watson, the beloved coach for the basketball team who carries a nasty secret; he beats his wife, Danielle, regularly. When the coach signs on as a last minute judge in the bake off, Hannah has to admit his taste buds are spot on. But when Danielle calls her late that night to c...more
This book was so forgettable that this review is serving more of a reminder to me about what it's roughly about. Hannah investigates against the wishes of his suitor Mike the cop, about the murder of the school coach Boyd. She and her sister Andrea, who collaborates quite extensively with her until a sudden final exit from the case, find out from Norman that Lucy the reporter is a blackmailer. I was wondering if Norman's sins for which he himself was being extorted were going to come out in the...more
I've really got to learn to stop reading books in this series because the main character owns a bakery so throughout the book it talks about cookies, cakes, and other yummy goodies. Plus it has recipes, which, if I was a cook, would be very handy.
Last winter I was on the mission to read all the books in the series in order, and so did everyone else apparently because it took me forever to get this book from the library, and once I finally did, I didn't really want to read it, but did because I...more
Last winter I was on the mission to read all the books in the series in order, and so did everyone else apparently because it took me forever to get this book from the library, and once I finally did, I didn't really want to read it, but did because I...more
I started this book a last week, but I was having a hard time getting into it. I was then stuck in the car for 12 hours and decided to pick it up again. I must say I enjoyed the story. I think I enjoyed it because I could see what was going to happen, but there was just enough twists to keep it interesting. Cookie shop owner, Hannah Swensen, is judging a local bake-off. After the first round of judging, fellow judge Boyd Watson is found dead. Not a totally surprise. He is judging was heartless a...more
Some people have called these books guilty pleasures. Some have called them "Fluff". To me they are a very interesting book of intrigue. The whole point of this book for me is trying to figure it out how, the who, and all that. However, while that makes this book good, it doesn't give it a high re-read value. To me an outstanding book is one that I would not only spend my hard earned money on, but one I would also read many times over. This book falls short, only because to me the magic is gone....more
For the first time in.......forever, I am NOT finishing a book. I just couldn't do it. I even suffered through Twilight, but this one is just too much for me. This book is lame. It's poorly written, has MAJOR holes in the plot, does NOT flow well, has characters that are not fleshed out well, and contains some of the STUPIDEST dialogue I've ever read. I guess if you don't care about any of that it might be worth reading, but I refuse to subject myself to any more. I'd give this negative stars if...more
Fluke's sequel to her first pastry mystery didn't disappoint! It reads very quickly and the plot is well raveled- so it's not easy to figure out the whodunit. The recipes sound and look delicious, and I can't wait to try some of them out. A lot of people tend to pass by these cheesy sounding books because they think they're not well written or have much depth to them. The opposite is true- the characters are endearing and each page pulls you into the story. I do enjoy the fact that the murder ha...more
#2 in Hannah Swensen cozy murder mystery series
Likes: the story is set in small town Minnesota (my home state - she doesn't exaggerate the weather!); new tempting recipes to try; I can exercise while reading so it doesn't require deep thinking, just light entertainment to distract me from sweat and muscle aches; and it's clean (no gory details re: murder, no sex).
Dislikes: the recipes are distracting set right in the middle of the chapters, would prefer they were listed at the end of the book. I...more
Likes: the story is set in small town Minnesota (my home state - she doesn't exaggerate the weather!); new tempting recipes to try; I can exercise while reading so it doesn't require deep thinking, just light entertainment to distract me from sweat and muscle aches; and it's clean (no gory details re: murder, no sex).
Dislikes: the recipes are distracting set right in the middle of the chapters, would prefer they were listed at the end of the book. I...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
Hannah Swensen, owner of the Lake Eden's Cookie Jar, has been asked to judge Hartland Flour's first Dessert Bake-Off. One of the other judges has to back out at the last minute and Hannah's neice Tracey picks a fill-in judge at random. Who should be drawn from the hat but none other than Lake Eden's local lovable basketball coach, Boyd Watson... who also happens to be a domestic abuser in his private life.
When Hannah's friend Danielle calls in a panic, she rushes right over. There's not much eve...more
When Hannah's friend Danielle calls in a panic, she rushes right over. There's not much eve...more
Hannah is the judge of the first ever Hartland Flour Dessert Bake-Off. When one of the judges, Boyd Watson is found dead, Watson's abused wife, Danielle is the prime suspect. Hannah however follows her sleuthing instinct and sets out to prove Danielle innocent. Mike Kingston, the new supervisor of detectives and a romantic interest warns her to steer clear but we all know that Hannah can do a much better job than the police.
Hannah has two romantic interests now. Detective Mike and Dentist Norman...more
Hannah has two romantic interests now. Detective Mike and Dentist Norman...more
Lake Eden is a small, close knit town in Minnesota. Right now I might be afraid to live there! This is the second book in the series by Joanne Fluke and of course, the second murder. Hannah Swensen is still baking up some delicious treats in her shop "The Cookie Jar" and in her spare time sleuthing to solve the latest murder in the town. Her brother-in-law and "boyfriend" are the local detectives and it is under the guise of helping them that Hannah looks for clues in order to find the murderer....more
Strawberry Shortcake Murder (Joanne Fluke)
Murder Mystery. Hannah Swensen is a baker living in rural Minnesota. When she is not baking she is solving crimes...this job just comes naturally to her. Hannah is asked to judge a four day bake sale. After the first day one of the judges, Coach Boyd Watson is found dead and Hannah is on the scene.
Hannah with the help of her sister Andrea, decide to do some investigating
Fast paced who done it, with twists, turns a lot of suspects is a fun page turning al...more
Murder Mystery. Hannah Swensen is a baker living in rural Minnesota. When she is not baking she is solving crimes...this job just comes naturally to her. Hannah is asked to judge a four day bake sale. After the first day one of the judges, Coach Boyd Watson is found dead and Hannah is on the scene.
Hannah with the help of her sister Andrea, decide to do some investigating
Fast paced who done it, with twists, turns a lot of suspects is a fun page turning al...more
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This is the second book where crime and chaos comes to Hannah Swenson's small, sleepy town. Hannah, a baker by trade, keeps finding dead bodies. When her shy neighbor calls her in the middle of the night to come over, Hannah can only guess what she will find. The local high school coach has been murdered in his garage, and his shy wife, Danielle is the only suspect. Hannah takes it upon herself to find the real killer. There is a bit of romance as Hannah is currently dating two very eligible bac...more
I got this book for my birthday and wasnt sure if I was going to like it, but I love murder mysteries so I decided to give it shot and I fell in love with it. This book is about a murder that takes place in a small town during a baking contest. In almost every chapter you will also find a variety of recipes, some of which are really good. Great book and it will keep you guessing the whole way through. Joanne Fluke wrote a series of this type of murder mystery recipe books and this was the second...more
The second in the cookie mystery series starring Hannah Swensen. I think the later books are better written, but this one was okay-struggled a bit to finish it.
Boyd was not beloved and certainly Hannah was not a fan, but when he is murdered Hanah is detrmined to find out why. Between running her successful cookie shop and working nights at the TV station, Hannah has to find time to investigate Boyd's death. As she finds clues and starts putting it all together her very own life is at risk...Inc...more
Boyd was not beloved and certainly Hannah was not a fan, but when he is murdered Hanah is detrmined to find out why. Between running her successful cookie shop and working nights at the TV station, Hannah has to find time to investigate Boyd's death. As she finds clues and starts putting it all together her very own life is at risk...Inc...more
The problem with reading this series out of order is that when a character shows up who I haven't seen in the later books it's easy to tell that they are the killer/will get murdered.
It was kinda cool to read an earlier book though because it introduces problems that have already been resolved in the books I've read.
My biggest problem with this one was that everyone seemed a little too willing to be outside the law/their ethics... it seems like in the later books Hannah is a little bit more care...more
It was kinda cool to read an earlier book though because it introduces problems that have already been resolved in the books I've read.
My biggest problem with this one was that everyone seemed a little too willing to be outside the law/their ethics... it seems like in the later books Hannah is a little bit more care...more
I liked this murder mystery novel. It was an easy read, a book to curl up on the couch with and spend an afternoon enjoying. I especially liked the recipes included and will definitely be baking the 'Strawberry Shortcake' and 'Choclate Highlander Cookie Bars' YUM!!
Hannah Swenson was a fun character to read, she is ballsy but not in an aggresive way, which I like. The mystery was a like expected, I knew how it would turn out but still enjoyed getting to the reveal.
Overall, funny, cute and an easy...more
Hannah Swenson was a fun character to read, she is ballsy but not in an aggresive way, which I like. The mystery was a like expected, I knew how it would turn out but still enjoyed getting to the reveal.
Overall, funny, cute and an easy...more
This is the second book in the Hanna Swensen series by Joanne Fluke.
Hannah is back and trying to solve the murder of Boyd Watson, along with the help of her sister, Andrea. As Hannah digs deep she uncovers lots of secrets about the citizens of Lake Eden.
I quite liked this mystery, even though I solved the mystery before Hannah. I like the close relationship Hannah is starting to have with her sister, especially as they were never close growing up. It's nice to see them trying to solve the murder...more
Hannah is back and trying to solve the murder of Boyd Watson, along with the help of her sister, Andrea. As Hannah digs deep she uncovers lots of secrets about the citizens of Lake Eden.
I quite liked this mystery, even though I solved the mystery before Hannah. I like the close relationship Hannah is starting to have with her sister, especially as they were never close growing up. It's nice to see them trying to solve the murder...more
Hannah is back again in this story, baking amazing cookies and finding dead bodies. In this installment, she is head jusdge for a bake-off when one of her judges is found dead. Suspicion immediately shifts to the wife, a good friend of Hannah's, since the victim abused her. As Hannah tries to solve the crime, she finds herself in danger from the murderer.
One of the best things about this series is the recipes included every few chapters. While I am not much of a baker they sound mighty yummy and...more
One of the best things about this series is the recipes included every few chapters. While I am not much of a baker they sound mighty yummy and...more
These are fast becoming my embarrassing little secret...even more than the smut, I think. They are total fluff and, after a full book of Hannab being quite competent of often seeming to be quite logical, the danger bit she finds herself in at the end of each book is totally ridiculous...but each book takes me right back to watching an episode of Murder She Wrote as a kid and it is all just happy, happy. I really like this sweet, fluffy books and one day, I am going to get around to trying some o...more
Oct 05, 2012
Laurie Bok
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
mysteries-thrillers
Cute. I actually have other Joanne Fluke books that I own. I bought the first one, but the missing ones I will just get at the library like this one.
They are very light reading...small town, cooking, a little romance, murder and an amateur sleuth who more than helps solve the crimes!
Reminds me of the Lorna Barett "Bookplate Special" books which came out after this series and has recipes in them as well.
I'll continue reading the series all the way up to the latest. I like the characters and the...more
They are very light reading...small town, cooking, a little romance, murder and an amateur sleuth who more than helps solve the crimes!
Reminds me of the Lorna Barett "Bookplate Special" books which came out after this series and has recipes in them as well.
I'll continue reading the series all the way up to the latest. I like the characters and the...more
This is the 1st book I've read from this author.
I found this mystery in the large-print section of my local library and find this format to my liking.
I'm not sure whether I like this series, having previously read the Diane Mott Davidson books. Those books feature a caterer who solves mysteries, and feature recipes of dishes she mentions in the story.
Fluke's character, Hannah, has a cookie shop, and includes recipes of dishes mentioned in the story.
For this 1st book, I was somewhat off-put by th...more
I found this mystery in the large-print section of my local library and find this format to my liking.
I'm not sure whether I like this series, having previously read the Diane Mott Davidson books. Those books feature a caterer who solves mysteries, and feature recipes of dishes she mentions in the story.
Fluke's character, Hannah, has a cookie shop, and includes recipes of dishes mentioned in the story.
For this 1st book, I was somewhat off-put by th...more
I like this series so far, however the writing feels a little hokey, almost like Fluke doesn't quite know what direction to take her characters in. Hannah never seems to get in trouble or be wrong or not know what to do, and its hard for me to like a character who is set up as "perfect." This is a very long series, however, and well-loved, so I will keep chugging along with it to see how it evolves. It also annoys the crap out of me that Hannah constantly eats cookies and is only described as "s...more
I am new to cozy mysteries. This is my second, the first being Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, the first in the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke. I think I might’ve enjoyed Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder more, because it was new then. This second book seemed formulaic. Now, don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against a good formulaic read. If a formula is awesome, it doesn’t matter how many times its been used. And the way that Fluke has adapted the murder mystery formula is not bad at all. I th...more
In this second Hannah Swensen murder mystery, Hannah is a judge at a local bake-off. Coach Boyle (who we met in the first book where we learned he was a wife-beater) is another judge and is found murdered in his carport after the first night of the bake-off. (His wife, Danielle, calls her upon finding his body, before calling the police). The two homicide detective, her brother-in-law and Mike, the new detective from down south, both warn her not to get involved in investigating but to leave it...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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“If chocolate were a mandatory part of breakfast, people wouldn’t be so
grouchy in the morning.”
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