What do you think?
Rate this book
Hannah Swensen #27
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
Spring has sprung in Lake Eden, Minnesota, but Hannah Swensen doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not with hot cross buns to make, treats to bake, and a sister to exonerate!
Hannah’s up to her ears with Easter orders rushing in at The Cookie Jar, plus a festive meal to prepare for a dinner party at her mother’s penthouse. But everything comes crashing to a halt when Hannah receives a panicked call from her sister Andrea—Mayor Richard Bascomb has been murdered . . . and Andrea is the prime suspect.
Even with his reputation for being a bully, Mayor Bascomb—or “Ricky Ticky,” as Hannah’s mother likes to call him—had been unusually testy in the days leading up to his death, leaving Hannah to wonder if he knew he was in danger. Meanwhile, folks with a motive for mayoral murder are popping up in Lake Eden. Was it a beleaguered colleague? A political rival? A jealous wife? Or a scorned mistress?
As orders pile up at The Cookie Jar—and children line up for Easter egg hunts—Hannah must spring into investigation mode and identify the real killer . . . before another murder happens!
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
Hannah’s up to her ears with Easter orders rushing in at The Cookie Jar, plus a festive meal to prepare for a dinner party at her mother’s penthouse. But everything comes crashing to a halt when Hannah receives a panicked call from her sister Andrea—Mayor Richard Bascomb has been murdered . . . and Andrea is the prime suspect.
Even with his reputation for being a bully, Mayor Bascomb—or “Ricky Ticky,” as Hannah’s mother likes to call him—had been unusually testy in the days leading up to his death, leaving Hannah to wonder if he knew he was in danger. Meanwhile, folks with a motive for mayoral murder are popping up in Lake Eden. Was it a beleaguered colleague? A political rival? A jealous wife? Or a scorned mistress?
As orders pile up at The Cookie Jar—and children line up for Easter egg hunts—Hannah must spring into investigation mode and identify the real killer . . . before another murder happens!
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
341 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 23, 2021
1858 people are currently reading
13025 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
134 books8,542 followersLike 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 school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,231 reviews
March 12, 2021
Triple chocolate cheesecake sounds yummy right? But once again we are served up a lame platter of silly sausages instead of a tasty treat.
The book opens with Andrea complaining directly to the Mayor about her husband Bill's job as town Sheriff. Why Bill can't stand up for himself who knows. Not me.
1. Our first wtf from the book comes from Terry the Mayor's assistant who tells Hannah "Bruce [the Mayor's nephew is a real menace on the road when he gets a snootful." yes a snootful. Who is saying this in 2021? Terry that's who. Hit me up if you use the term snootful or are able to work it into your 2021 vocabulary.
2. Once Andrea takes out her Lake Eden rage on the Mayor everyone hears a loud crash, including Terry and Hannah. They all decide to leave the office anyway without checking on the Mayor but in the parking lot Terry has the gall to remark "That was a really loud crash, I wonder if you broke his chair." Yeah Terry maybe you should have checked up on your boss before leaving.
3. After Slapfest 2021 (tm) Andrea ( I wonder if she is Ahhhhhhhhhhndrea like Ahhhhhhhhhndrea Zuckerman from 90210 or just Ann-drea) and Hannah head to Delorimother's penthouse. Hannah remarks that she can make some kind of excuse to Mother if Andrea doesn't want to go to the penthouse garden right away. But nah fam Andrea/Ahndrea is ok and remarks that she thinks she will be ok when she gets to the penthouse. In case you forgot Delorimother lives in a penthouse. Did I mention the penthouse?
4. Andrea worries about the whereabouts of Norman and Hannah's indoor cats and wonders if the cats are somehow magically at the penthouse. But don't worry because Hannah remarks that Normal Norman is bringing the cats in their carriers. The cats do not want to miss penthouse time. Hannah takes this time to blame Moishe the cat for her not going home yet. Poor Moishe is scared of the condo. Probably because it's not a penthouse.
5. Poor Doc arrives home to his penthouse. Did I mention it's a penthouse? Because it is. It's a penthouse. Anyway he remarks to Delorimother that when she said they were having chicken he thought it would be a couple of Florence's roasted entrees. (For those new here Flo owns the Red Owl in town). But Hannah has made slow cooker goop instead. Delorimother then remarks to her husband and frowns "You never told me that you didn't like Florence's roast chicken Doc. You should have said something I could have made my Hawaiian Pot Roast or my EZ Lasagna" According to the writer "It was clear that Delor[imother]es was upset" Doc has to calm down his inept wife. I mean come on now lady how old are you with adult children and you still can't learn how to make a damn omelet or something? Poor Doc always having to pay for dinners out or eat the same Sandra Lee type meals day in and day out. I worry about Doc.
6. Remember that Hannah is the guest at the penthouse but has somehow brought all the damn food including the dessert. Delorimother has the gall to ask her "What do you have for dessert, dear?" as if this is the damn Lake Eden Inn or the diner. But don't worry dear readers because Hannah has brought...Triple Chocolate Cheesecake! Even if she does have to hide some for poor Doc so Mike doesn't eat the whole town of Lake Eden.
7. Andrea also leaves with a big portion of cheesecake to take to her husband. But then disaster strikes when she tries to instead give a piece to the recently slapped Mayor in order to butter him up. Andrea calls from the city hall to report finding a dead person. Hannah asks if Andrea knows who the dead person is because she herself was "thinking that it was probably a homeless person who'd come into the lobby of city hall trying to get warm" does that make it ok Hannah? I think you need to do some volunteering down at the Lake Eden homeless shelter. Is there even a homeless shelter? Christ someone save this town.
8. Andrea reports yes she does in fact know the dead person and is freaking out (justifiably let's be real here) when Hannah arrives on the scene but then lets Hannah know that she was so scared she...dropped the cheesecake. Andrea finds a dead body and what she chooses to fret about is the cheesecake. Hannah assures her it's cool to ignore the dead person because "There's more cheesecake where that came from" It must be good cheesecake.
9. Hannah then decides to rename the dessert Crime Scene Cheesecake and I don't get the appeal myself but to each his own. Hannah apologizes for being flippant but Andrea cries over spilled cheesecake "But I ruined your beautiful cheesecake! And I'll never be able to eat your cheesecake again because it will always remind me of...of him!" Sorry Andrea, more cheesecake for us and Mike I suppose.
10. Andrea apologizes for the 20th time about the cheesecake and admits she never should have taken cheesecake to the city hall. I mean what if it had some liens to pay or needed a permit? I for one fully support cheesecake in city hall.
11. Notes from the recipe "I use disposable paper bowls to do this so that I don't have to wash out a bowl and dry it after each time chocolate is melted" Ok Hannah but surely you own more than 2 bowls I mean you are a baker. Why ruin the planet with your cheesecake? You've already ruined city hall.
12. Hannah and gang return to the penthouse and Hannah "refilled Andrea's champagne glass and carried out to the penthouse garden. She handed it to Andrea and stashed the bottle in the silver ice bucket in the garden." In case you didn't know there is a penthouse and a garden and fancy silver ice buckets that live in the garden. The garden in the penthouse.
13. Post murder everyone comes for dinner and Hannah tells everyone to come straight to the kitchen first so she can feed them before they enter the garden. Is this for the safety of the animals? The garden? The ice bucket? Who knows.
14. All this time Bill the Sheriff has not even come over to comfort his wife who found a dead body. Finally he arrives and Hannah seethes with jealousy. "Hannah was glad to see her sister happy and still in love, but she couldn't help but wonder whether she'd ever feel that way about anyone again." Hannah girl you better stop messing with Normal Norman's mind! And anyway you said you never liked your spouse Ross in the first place so what gives? The whole thing was a charade. Still whatever, she probably misses his velour lounge sets. I know I do.
15. We have a flashback to when Andrea actually eats the cheesecake and remarks "Hannah's new cheesecake was absolutely delicious! It was the perfect antidote for her anxiety and depression" cheesecake for all! I know we all need it thanks to Miss Rona
16. But before flashback Andrea can go to city hall to apologize to the mayor and bring him some paxil cheesecake the readers are treated to this quip "Andrea glanced down at the clothing she was wearing. It wasn't quite right for an apology mission. She hurried up to her closet, chose another outfit that was feminine enough but also business-like" what in the hell Andrea? Go in PJs if you like. No one is forcing you to be feminine enough or business like. And speaking of business do you not work anymore? You spend this whole book just lounging, flogging your kids off to poor Grandma McCann and making your nasty whippersnapper cookies.
17. Back to present when Delorimother gets a call from Doc who also works as the town's forensic expert. She let's Bill (the freaking Sheriff) know "Doc said to tell you that it was definitely a homicide. And since Vonnie came back in to type up the autopsy report, Doc's going to drop it off at the sheriff's station on his way home" Damn Doc can't you type it up yourself? This isn't the middle ages. Poor Vonnie gets dragged out of her comfy clothes to type up a report.
18. Never fear because Bill remarks that Rick can drop off a copy to his house so he can read it later, you know after he settles his wife who found a dead bloody body. Hannah thinks this is a good idea "knowing full well that if Andrea had her wits about her (she just found a dead body Hannah) she'd wait until Bill was in the shower, copy the pages of the autopsy report, and have it back in Bill's case before he toweled off" maybe this is one of the reasons someone else needs to run for sheriff. Someone like Florence or Grandma McCann maybe.
19. Hannah previously remarked that she hid the cheesecake for Doc in the vegetable drawer that Delorimother doesn't use but when Doc arrives home Hannah tells him she hid it in the back of the shelf and "taped on a label that read LIVER & Onions" because apparently Mike's kryptonite is liver and onions. Noted.
20. Hannah wonders is Mike knows braunschweiger is liverwurst. Because if he had "Mike would never make his Busy Day Pate again!" who knew the dumb cutesy recipe names were spreading? Call the CDC
21. What kind of doctor is doc anyway? He remarks at one point "tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have two operations in the morning and I'm scheduled for office visits all afternoon" hm sounds suspect. Does the hospital only employ doc as the one doctor? He does it all! Doctor Doc!
22. After he finishes his cheesecake Doc asks Hannah to rinse off his plate before she joins them in the garden. Is Hannah a maid? But Doc is just trying to hide his cheesecake habits from Delorimother. Idk about you but i'd notice if someone used and washed a plate in my home.
23. Hannah still feels guilty for taking over Norman's master bedroom in his house but not guilty enough to you know, leave.
24. Did you know Norman has a tiny refrigerator in the den? I didn't and now I do thanks to him taking a tiny ginger ale from it and delivering it to poor helpless Hannah on the couch. Hannah remarks again that Norman is such a "nice man" but not nice enough to hook up with I guess.
25.A dirty secret is revealed! The poor cats do not eat cat food at Normans but instead are fed canned tuna or salmon which is very bad for cats. Justice for Moishe and Cuddles! Get those cats some proper taurine filled foods stat.
26. Hannah wakes up early to make some sweet rolls and remarks "Almost everyone in Lake Eden loved breakfast rolls and everyone was delighted when Hannah (or others) made them" damn did she poll everyone in Lake Eden? What about the diabetics or the vegans? I bet there are plenty of people who don't like your sweet rolls Hannah!
27. Norman remarks to Hannah about her sweet rolls "They're beautiful, Hannah" is this a come on? I think so. Is sweet rolls a euphemism for another kind of bun? Time will tell.
28. Hannah demands that Norman sit down and have some coffee while the rolls cool "for ten minutes. Then I can frost them and we can eat them" Norman remarks a minute later "How long until we can eat them, Hannah? " firstly Norman it's your house eat the damn rolls and secondly Hannah answers "about fifteen minutes, then you can have one without burning your mouth" uh a minute ago it was 10? What's going on with these rolls?
29. We find out later that (gasp) Delorimother and Doc's building has a garage that doesn't even have it's own heating system! For shame! How pedestrian.
30. Hannah remarks that checking cookies at her bakery to see if they were done was much more pleasant than thinking about murder. Ok Hannah so hows about you bake more and sleuth less? Sheesh.
31. Lord help us Andrea has arrived with more whippersnappers. The only thing she can make. She wants to know if they are good enough to serve in the bakery Hannah you can't just sell crap that Andrea made in her home dirty kitchen. Also who wants to buy cake mix cookies for Lake Eden prices? The nerve!
32. Andrea tells a dirty secret which is that she has taught her daughters the trick she learned from her own grandma which is to dredge dry Cheerios in salted butter before eating them. Ew Andrea. How gross.
33. Andrea learns of a Kiddie Kamp in town run by Luanne and asks what kinds of activities they do. She is told they do field trips to the sheriff's station and the deputies give them fake badges and take them in squad cars. So how did Andrea not know about this being married to the sheriff? Does she ever speak to Bill or just steal his stuff while he's showering and force feed him whippersnapper cookies?
34. Hannah and Andrea are catering to Delorimother in the penthouse garden again and serving quiche. Andrea remarks that Delorimother has the perfect platter for the quiche because she gave it to her mother for christmas. But before serving the quiche Hannah covers the platter in foil. Must be an ugly platter.
35. Another recipe comment: We are told here to "Crack the 6 eggs into the bowl you've chosen. Throw the empty shells away in the garbage" Great tip Hannah. Also please use the shells for compost or something or to tone down your bitter bakery coffee.
36. Again Hannah and Andrea are treated like the help in the penthouse "Oh my! What do you girls have for us?" Delorimother asks. I would have just thrown my phone at her and told her to get used to door dash.
37. Mrs. Bascomb says she didn't approve of "Richard's peccadilloes" which sounds better than stepping out I guess. To me it sounds like a mexican dish that Florence would have at the Red Owl for takeout.
38. Hannah tries to teach Andrea how to bake and explains how to use cupcake papers and a scooper but never fear because Andrea says she has a lot of experience with a scooper as she uses one to dish up stuff. Great job Andrea. You pass scooping 101.
39. Finally Mike and Lonnie tell Hannah they need her help on the case formally. She asks why "Too many suspects" they answer. Goddamn guys you didn't even try to do it yourselves.
40. We learn that Mrs. Bascomb goes to the gym at the mall every Monday Wednesday and Friday despite having a home gym in her garage. So why go to the mall? Just stay home Stephanie.
41. The book tells us everyone enjoyed Hannah's hazelnut biscotti cookies, and then a few paragraphs later Hannah says "How about some chocolate hazelnut toast cookies instead? I just made them this afternoon" Girl is this Westworld? Are you ok Hannah? Do you need help?
42. Norman wants to carry a sleeping Hannah inside the house twice. Both times Hannah tells him he will get a hernia from lifting her. At least let him try Hannah or go to the gym with Mrs. Bascomb.
43. Norman plays some smooth jazz Hannah doesn't recognize and Norman introduces Hannah to Kenny G
44. Norman was a racer! We learn Normal Norman used to "hang out in the pit a lot" when he was racing. Who knew? Not me.
45. Norman offers to give Hannah a day planner so she stops forgetting her business. Hannah demands he give one to Andrea too.
46. Andrea thinks cabbage is an orange vegetable
47. Hannah refers to Norman as her boyfriend! Sadly not seriously :(
The book opens with Andrea complaining directly to the Mayor about her husband Bill's job as town Sheriff. Why Bill can't stand up for himself who knows. Not me.
1. Our first wtf from the book comes from Terry the Mayor's assistant who tells Hannah "Bruce [the Mayor's nephew is a real menace on the road when he gets a snootful." yes a snootful. Who is saying this in 2021? Terry that's who. Hit me up if you use the term snootful or are able to work it into your 2021 vocabulary.
2. Once Andrea takes out her Lake Eden rage on the Mayor everyone hears a loud crash, including Terry and Hannah. They all decide to leave the office anyway without checking on the Mayor but in the parking lot Terry has the gall to remark "That was a really loud crash, I wonder if you broke his chair." Yeah Terry maybe you should have checked up on your boss before leaving.
3. After Slapfest 2021 (tm) Andrea ( I wonder if she is Ahhhhhhhhhhndrea like Ahhhhhhhhhndrea Zuckerman from 90210 or just Ann-drea) and Hannah head to Delorimother's penthouse. Hannah remarks that she can make some kind of excuse to Mother if Andrea doesn't want to go to the penthouse garden right away. But nah fam Andrea/Ahndrea is ok and remarks that she thinks she will be ok when she gets to the penthouse. In case you forgot Delorimother lives in a penthouse. Did I mention the penthouse?
4. Andrea worries about the whereabouts of Norman and Hannah's indoor cats and wonders if the cats are somehow magically at the penthouse. But don't worry because Hannah remarks that Normal Norman is bringing the cats in their carriers. The cats do not want to miss penthouse time. Hannah takes this time to blame Moishe the cat for her not going home yet. Poor Moishe is scared of the condo. Probably because it's not a penthouse.
5. Poor Doc arrives home to his penthouse. Did I mention it's a penthouse? Because it is. It's a penthouse. Anyway he remarks to Delorimother that when she said they were having chicken he thought it would be a couple of Florence's roasted entrees. (For those new here Flo owns the Red Owl in town). But Hannah has made slow cooker goop instead. Delorimother then remarks to her husband and frowns "You never told me that you didn't like Florence's roast chicken Doc. You should have said something I could have made my Hawaiian Pot Roast or my EZ Lasagna" According to the writer "It was clear that Delor[imother]es was upset" Doc has to calm down his inept wife. I mean come on now lady how old are you with adult children and you still can't learn how to make a damn omelet or something? Poor Doc always having to pay for dinners out or eat the same Sandra Lee type meals day in and day out. I worry about Doc.
6. Remember that Hannah is the guest at the penthouse but has somehow brought all the damn food including the dessert. Delorimother has the gall to ask her "What do you have for dessert, dear?" as if this is the damn Lake Eden Inn or the diner. But don't worry dear readers because Hannah has brought...Triple Chocolate Cheesecake! Even if she does have to hide some for poor Doc so Mike doesn't eat the whole town of Lake Eden.
7. Andrea also leaves with a big portion of cheesecake to take to her husband. But then disaster strikes when she tries to instead give a piece to the recently slapped Mayor in order to butter him up. Andrea calls from the city hall to report finding a dead person. Hannah asks if Andrea knows who the dead person is because she herself was "thinking that it was probably a homeless person who'd come into the lobby of city hall trying to get warm" does that make it ok Hannah? I think you need to do some volunteering down at the Lake Eden homeless shelter. Is there even a homeless shelter? Christ someone save this town.
8. Andrea reports yes she does in fact know the dead person and is freaking out (justifiably let's be real here) when Hannah arrives on the scene but then lets Hannah know that she was so scared she...dropped the cheesecake. Andrea finds a dead body and what she chooses to fret about is the cheesecake. Hannah assures her it's cool to ignore the dead person because "There's more cheesecake where that came from" It must be good cheesecake.
9. Hannah then decides to rename the dessert Crime Scene Cheesecake and I don't get the appeal myself but to each his own. Hannah apologizes for being flippant but Andrea cries over spilled cheesecake "But I ruined your beautiful cheesecake! And I'll never be able to eat your cheesecake again because it will always remind me of...of him!" Sorry Andrea, more cheesecake for us and Mike I suppose.
10. Andrea apologizes for the 20th time about the cheesecake and admits she never should have taken cheesecake to the city hall. I mean what if it had some liens to pay or needed a permit? I for one fully support cheesecake in city hall.
11. Notes from the recipe "I use disposable paper bowls to do this so that I don't have to wash out a bowl and dry it after each time chocolate is melted" Ok Hannah but surely you own more than 2 bowls I mean you are a baker. Why ruin the planet with your cheesecake? You've already ruined city hall.
12. Hannah and gang return to the penthouse and Hannah "refilled Andrea's champagne glass and carried out to the penthouse garden. She handed it to Andrea and stashed the bottle in the silver ice bucket in the garden." In case you didn't know there is a penthouse and a garden and fancy silver ice buckets that live in the garden. The garden in the penthouse.
13. Post murder everyone comes for dinner and Hannah tells everyone to come straight to the kitchen first so she can feed them before they enter the garden. Is this for the safety of the animals? The garden? The ice bucket? Who knows.
14. All this time Bill the Sheriff has not even come over to comfort his wife who found a dead body. Finally he arrives and Hannah seethes with jealousy. "Hannah was glad to see her sister happy and still in love, but she couldn't help but wonder whether she'd ever feel that way about anyone again." Hannah girl you better stop messing with Normal Norman's mind! And anyway you said you never liked your spouse Ross in the first place so what gives? The whole thing was a charade. Still whatever, she probably misses his velour lounge sets. I know I do.
15. We have a flashback to when Andrea actually eats the cheesecake and remarks "Hannah's new cheesecake was absolutely delicious! It was the perfect antidote for her anxiety and depression" cheesecake for all! I know we all need it thanks to Miss Rona
16. But before flashback Andrea can go to city hall to apologize to the mayor and bring him some paxil cheesecake the readers are treated to this quip "Andrea glanced down at the clothing she was wearing. It wasn't quite right for an apology mission. She hurried up to her closet, chose another outfit that was feminine enough but also business-like" what in the hell Andrea? Go in PJs if you like. No one is forcing you to be feminine enough or business like. And speaking of business do you not work anymore? You spend this whole book just lounging, flogging your kids off to poor Grandma McCann and making your nasty whippersnapper cookies.
17. Back to present when Delorimother gets a call from Doc who also works as the town's forensic expert. She let's Bill (the freaking Sheriff) know "Doc said to tell you that it was definitely a homicide. And since Vonnie came back in to type up the autopsy report, Doc's going to drop it off at the sheriff's station on his way home" Damn Doc can't you type it up yourself? This isn't the middle ages. Poor Vonnie gets dragged out of her comfy clothes to type up a report.
18. Never fear because Bill remarks that Rick can drop off a copy to his house so he can read it later, you know after he settles his wife who found a dead bloody body. Hannah thinks this is a good idea "knowing full well that if Andrea had her wits about her (she just found a dead body Hannah) she'd wait until Bill was in the shower, copy the pages of the autopsy report, and have it back in Bill's case before he toweled off" maybe this is one of the reasons someone else needs to run for sheriff. Someone like Florence or Grandma McCann maybe.
19. Hannah previously remarked that she hid the cheesecake for Doc in the vegetable drawer that Delorimother doesn't use but when Doc arrives home Hannah tells him she hid it in the back of the shelf and "taped on a label that read LIVER & Onions" because apparently Mike's kryptonite is liver and onions. Noted.
20. Hannah wonders is Mike knows braunschweiger is liverwurst. Because if he had "Mike would never make his Busy Day Pate again!" who knew the dumb cutesy recipe names were spreading? Call the CDC
21. What kind of doctor is doc anyway? He remarks at one point "tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have two operations in the morning and I'm scheduled for office visits all afternoon" hm sounds suspect. Does the hospital only employ doc as the one doctor? He does it all! Doctor Doc!
22. After he finishes his cheesecake Doc asks Hannah to rinse off his plate before she joins them in the garden. Is Hannah a maid? But Doc is just trying to hide his cheesecake habits from Delorimother. Idk about you but i'd notice if someone used and washed a plate in my home.
23. Hannah still feels guilty for taking over Norman's master bedroom in his house but not guilty enough to you know, leave.
24. Did you know Norman has a tiny refrigerator in the den? I didn't and now I do thanks to him taking a tiny ginger ale from it and delivering it to poor helpless Hannah on the couch. Hannah remarks again that Norman is such a "nice man" but not nice enough to hook up with I guess.
25.A dirty secret is revealed! The poor cats do not eat cat food at Normans but instead are fed canned tuna or salmon which is very bad for cats. Justice for Moishe and Cuddles! Get those cats some proper taurine filled foods stat.
26. Hannah wakes up early to make some sweet rolls and remarks "Almost everyone in Lake Eden loved breakfast rolls and everyone was delighted when Hannah (or others) made them" damn did she poll everyone in Lake Eden? What about the diabetics or the vegans? I bet there are plenty of people who don't like your sweet rolls Hannah!
27. Norman remarks to Hannah about her sweet rolls "They're beautiful, Hannah" is this a come on? I think so. Is sweet rolls a euphemism for another kind of bun? Time will tell.
28. Hannah demands that Norman sit down and have some coffee while the rolls cool "for ten minutes. Then I can frost them and we can eat them" Norman remarks a minute later "How long until we can eat them, Hannah? " firstly Norman it's your house eat the damn rolls and secondly Hannah answers "about fifteen minutes, then you can have one without burning your mouth" uh a minute ago it was 10? What's going on with these rolls?
29. We find out later that (gasp) Delorimother and Doc's building has a garage that doesn't even have it's own heating system! For shame! How pedestrian.
30. Hannah remarks that checking cookies at her bakery to see if they were done was much more pleasant than thinking about murder. Ok Hannah so hows about you bake more and sleuth less? Sheesh.
31. Lord help us Andrea has arrived with more whippersnappers. The only thing she can make. She wants to know if they are good enough to serve in the bakery Hannah you can't just sell crap that Andrea made in her home dirty kitchen. Also who wants to buy cake mix cookies for Lake Eden prices? The nerve!
32. Andrea tells a dirty secret which is that she has taught her daughters the trick she learned from her own grandma which is to dredge dry Cheerios in salted butter before eating them. Ew Andrea. How gross.
33. Andrea learns of a Kiddie Kamp in town run by Luanne and asks what kinds of activities they do. She is told they do field trips to the sheriff's station and the deputies give them fake badges and take them in squad cars. So how did Andrea not know about this being married to the sheriff? Does she ever speak to Bill or just steal his stuff while he's showering and force feed him whippersnapper cookies?
34. Hannah and Andrea are catering to Delorimother in the penthouse garden again and serving quiche. Andrea remarks that Delorimother has the perfect platter for the quiche because she gave it to her mother for christmas. But before serving the quiche Hannah covers the platter in foil. Must be an ugly platter.
35. Another recipe comment: We are told here to "Crack the 6 eggs into the bowl you've chosen. Throw the empty shells away in the garbage" Great tip Hannah. Also please use the shells for compost or something or to tone down your bitter bakery coffee.
36. Again Hannah and Andrea are treated like the help in the penthouse "Oh my! What do you girls have for us?" Delorimother asks. I would have just thrown my phone at her and told her to get used to door dash.
37. Mrs. Bascomb says she didn't approve of "Richard's peccadilloes" which sounds better than stepping out I guess. To me it sounds like a mexican dish that Florence would have at the Red Owl for takeout.
38. Hannah tries to teach Andrea how to bake and explains how to use cupcake papers and a scooper but never fear because Andrea says she has a lot of experience with a scooper as she uses one to dish up stuff. Great job Andrea. You pass scooping 101.
39. Finally Mike and Lonnie tell Hannah they need her help on the case formally. She asks why "Too many suspects" they answer. Goddamn guys you didn't even try to do it yourselves.
40. We learn that Mrs. Bascomb goes to the gym at the mall every Monday Wednesday and Friday despite having a home gym in her garage. So why go to the mall? Just stay home Stephanie.
41. The book tells us everyone enjoyed Hannah's hazelnut biscotti cookies, and then a few paragraphs later Hannah says "How about some chocolate hazelnut toast cookies instead? I just made them this afternoon" Girl is this Westworld? Are you ok Hannah? Do you need help?
42. Norman wants to carry a sleeping Hannah inside the house twice. Both times Hannah tells him he will get a hernia from lifting her. At least let him try Hannah or go to the gym with Mrs. Bascomb.
43. Norman plays some smooth jazz Hannah doesn't recognize and Norman introduces Hannah to Kenny G
44. Norman was a racer! We learn Normal Norman used to "hang out in the pit a lot" when he was racing. Who knew? Not me.
45. Norman offers to give Hannah a day planner so she stops forgetting her business. Hannah demands he give one to Andrea too.
46. Andrea thinks cabbage is an orange vegetable
47. Hannah refers to Norman as her boyfriend! Sadly not seriously :(
November 2, 2023
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 27th book in the Hannah Swensen series. I have to say the mystery in this book was not front and center, but the food, cooking, and talking about food was the front and center thing in this book. Honestly, I just got sick about hearing about food so much when I was reading this book. There was some cool recipes in this book. If you want a story talking about food with recipes then this is the book for you. I just wanted so much more from this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Joanne Fluke) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
December 17, 2020
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake is the 27th book in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series. I know what you're thinking... 27 books in the same series? But wait... 4 or 5 have been made into TV movies, several short stories with other authors have also been included in anthologies, and there are tons of products and services associated with this collection. It's quite huge, and I am a fan, even if the mysteries are on the lighter side. It's all about the town of Lake Eden and what Minnesota brings to the table.
Hannah is mid-30s, single (and dating 3 different men, depending on the book), and runs a bakery and coffee shop. She's smart, headstrong, and independent. Innocent too... no canoodling before marriage, support your neighbors, never lie! She's also very simple and easy-going, and the context of the series is truly more like the 1950s. Some might find this problematic. I do not (only because I get what's happening and focus on different aspects). The author very clearly is commenting on a different time and style, and the behavior of many of the men in the book, even some of the women, is not meant to say how things should be or to help promote something that isn't equal and fair.
Sure, it grates on my nerves when Hannah talks about losing weight to be more attractive. Sure, I can't stand when Mike treats her like his personal cook or maid. When you look past that, you have a truly remarkable set of characters and imagination that a woman has built over three decades.
I feel like home in this series because I know exactly how Hannah will react in every situation. I learn new desserts to make. And I have a relaxing 90-minute read. This series is not for everyone. And in the middle it wandered too far. It's back, and stronger than the last few books.
Half the content is still recipes and conversations that take 5 pages when it's really just "How are you today?" and "Good, thanks. Now, about that murder..." But it sets the tone, so I enjoy it. In this one, the mayor is killed. He's been around for 20+ books. We've heard about his affairs. We've seen his rudeness. We've wanted to clobber him ourselves. Now, some one did. Was it Andrea, Hannah's sister who had a public right with him hours earlier? Or his own family who tired of his ways? Or someone else we haven't heard about yet?
If you enjoy the series, this will give you some closure on a few areas. I can't imagine the author will write too many more, but I will keep reading them and will be very sad when they end. Ah, Hannah, the perfect best friend, I suspect.
Hannah is mid-30s, single (and dating 3 different men, depending on the book), and runs a bakery and coffee shop. She's smart, headstrong, and independent. Innocent too... no canoodling before marriage, support your neighbors, never lie! She's also very simple and easy-going, and the context of the series is truly more like the 1950s. Some might find this problematic. I do not (only because I get what's happening and focus on different aspects). The author very clearly is commenting on a different time and style, and the behavior of many of the men in the book, even some of the women, is not meant to say how things should be or to help promote something that isn't equal and fair.
Sure, it grates on my nerves when Hannah talks about losing weight to be more attractive. Sure, I can't stand when Mike treats her like his personal cook or maid. When you look past that, you have a truly remarkable set of characters and imagination that a woman has built over three decades.
I feel like home in this series because I know exactly how Hannah will react in every situation. I learn new desserts to make. And I have a relaxing 90-minute read. This series is not for everyone. And in the middle it wandered too far. It's back, and stronger than the last few books.
Half the content is still recipes and conversations that take 5 pages when it's really just "How are you today?" and "Good, thanks. Now, about that murder..." But it sets the tone, so I enjoy it. In this one, the mayor is killed. He's been around for 20+ books. We've heard about his affairs. We've seen his rudeness. We've wanted to clobber him ourselves. Now, some one did. Was it Andrea, Hannah's sister who had a public right with him hours earlier? Or his own family who tired of his ways? Or someone else we haven't heard about yet?
If you enjoy the series, this will give you some closure on a few areas. I can't imagine the author will write too many more, but I will keep reading them and will be very sad when they end. Ah, Hannah, the perfect best friend, I suspect.
February 20, 2021
Sigh.
To start, I was actually looking forward to this one; we were back in the present time and now we can see Hannah moving forward after the whole debacle with hewhomustotbenamed. ALLLLLLL good things IMO. If only it was as easy as writing that sentence was.
I have read all of the Hannah Swensen books. Even the short stories. I have spent good money on these books. I read ALL the crappy books that were there for awhile [featuring hewhomustnotbenamed and some of the most ridiculous storylines I have ever read in my whole reading life]. I keep saying that I need to be done with this series because it isn't enjoyable reading for me anymore. And I keep reading them because I hope that they will go back to being what they used to be and because aside from my immense dislike of Hannah, I absolutely love all the other characters. But this book might have broke me. I really do think that I have to be done. And this is why:
1. Hannah and her new "inner dialogue". WHAT THE HECK PEOPLE??? This was truly the most annoying part of the book [besides the end]. It was almost constant and there were at least two chapters where that was how 98% of the whole chapter was written. NO. Just no. Please stop. Hannah doesn't need to be any more annoying than she already it. THIS is both unnecessary and LAZY writing. It needs to stop. It was absolutely horrible.
And the whole "Hannah ignored the inner dialogue/inner conflict" was even more annoying. THIS WAS NOT NEEDED. UGH.
2. How is it, that all of the sudden, ALL THREE OF THE SISTERS have become helpless waifs? None of them have ever been that [especially Michelle and Hannah], and they have all become...helpless and simpering. And it was gross. They are all absolutely used to the men in their lives both helping them and taking care of them, and to have them all of the sudden become simpering, hand-waving, helpless-acting waifs was really annoying. Thankfully, this only happened a few times, but this is also something that needs to stay out of the next book. NONE of these women are helpless waifs [especially the sisters - their father taught them about life and cars and such and to imply otherwise, when previous books have talked about how he taught them is insulting]. Please stop writing them as such.
3. ALL. OF. CHAPTER. 7.
We absolutely did not need a chapter where Hannah and Norman fight over who is nicer [that is easy - Norman. Hannah isn't really a nice person when you come right down to it, though, she breaks some of that mold in this book, much to my delight. More on that later] and it really goes on for WAY too many pages. Like a whole chapter. I may or may not have sprained my eyes from rolling them so hard whilst reading that chapter.
4. WHY WHY WHY is Andrea suddenly acting like she is FIVE??? She is a successful business woman. She sells real estate. She is the wife of the Sheriff. She has two amazing kids and she is a very good mother [even though she does rely on Grandma McCann a lot]. She may not be the greatest cook, but she is not a childish, clingy person. THIS portrayal of her is a huge disservice to her character. Andrea went from being a snappy, critical, character, to someone who I really like and who has developed into an amazing character and this book took that all away from her. I can understand her initial clinging because finding a dead body is horrible. But the rest of it was really lame and just meh. At one point, when she was so "happy to be helping in the kitchen", I thought she was going to squeal and clap her hands like she was a little kid [and Hannah treating her as such - that involved some rather mean "inner dialogue" which was unnecessary] and I actually cringed.
I know that Andrea isn't a great cook and that her whippersnappers are her crowing glory, but WHAT GROWN UP GIRL FROM A SMALL TOWN doesn't know how to make a green salad? Really?
STOP. DUMBING. THESE. WOMEN. DOWN.
5. There is so much repetition in this book, that most chapters was just the same information, told to you twice, just in different ways [and sometimes, not so different ways]. It was like being hammered over the head with the same information so you didn't notice that there wasn't much of a plot and that everything going on was rather lukewarm and that the only thing going on was food and cooking and recipes [all very good things, but there WAS a murder to solve and it was such a weak, weak, investigation] and Hannah's constant inner monologue with herself. In one chapter, Hannah explains to Michelle what desserts she is bringing and why and Michelle is all on board. Fast forward to the middle of the chapter and Michelle asks about the desserts and Hannah tells her what she's brought and why and Michelle goes "That's awesome Hannah. You always think of everything". Uh....what?? Y'all had the conversation just a few short hours before. THE SAME CONVERSATION. <--That is the repetition I am talking about.
6. Hannah at one point says she has never been in love [her inner self asks about hewhomustnotbenamed and her other inner self retorts "that was LUST" and I rolled my eyes. If it was lust we still wouldn't be dwelling on it now would we?]. WHAT?? WHAT has she been doing with Norman and Mike all these years? Has she not had any feelings at all for these two men that she continually has led on? WHY WHY WHY is she still with them if she doesn't LOVE THEM? Or even have a glimmer of a stronger feeling that like for them? WOW. That was just...WOW. She needs therapy.
7. W T H was that reveal/ending?? R E A L L Y?? Meh.
8. Are we even sure that these are still be written by the author? Because this book seems like it was written by someone who has never, ever spent time with these characters.
I will say that there was a moment towards the end of the book [even though I was shocked that Andrea didn't know how to make a freaking green salad, but I digress] where Hannah shuts down the inner monologue and actually HELPS her sister learn how to cook/make something. She works WITH her and doesn't criticize and lets Andrea do it on her own. And then tells everyone that Andrea was the one that made it. And that was a huge step for Hannah. That was one of the few really good parts of the book.
I know this is long and if you have stayed with me for the whole thing, thank you. I hope that you understand why I have had to be brutally honest about what I have read. After 27 books, you have a certain expectation and when that hasn't been [and hasn't been for some time] met, you feel the need to let others along WITH the author the reasons why [and in reading other reviews, I am not the only one who has been continually disappointed by these recent books] the book was just one or two star worthy and what should be changed. Unfortunately, I am not sure the tiny amounts of good in this book is enough for me to continue on to book 28 [should there be one]. And that, after years of reading a series, is very, very disappointing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
To start, I was actually looking forward to this one; we were back in the present time and now we can see Hannah moving forward after the whole debacle with hewhomustotbenamed. ALLLLLLL good things IMO. If only it was as easy as writing that sentence was.
I have read all of the Hannah Swensen books. Even the short stories. I have spent good money on these books. I read ALL the crappy books that were there for awhile [featuring hewhomustnotbenamed and some of the most ridiculous storylines I have ever read in my whole reading life]. I keep saying that I need to be done with this series because it isn't enjoyable reading for me anymore. And I keep reading them because I hope that they will go back to being what they used to be and because aside from my immense dislike of Hannah, I absolutely love all the other characters. But this book might have broke me. I really do think that I have to be done. And this is why:
1. Hannah and her new "inner dialogue". WHAT THE HECK PEOPLE??? This was truly the most annoying part of the book [besides the end]. It was almost constant and there were at least two chapters where that was how 98% of the whole chapter was written. NO. Just no. Please stop. Hannah doesn't need to be any more annoying than she already it. THIS is both unnecessary and LAZY writing. It needs to stop. It was absolutely horrible.
And the whole "Hannah ignored the inner dialogue/inner conflict" was even more annoying. THIS WAS NOT NEEDED. UGH.
2. How is it, that all of the sudden, ALL THREE OF THE SISTERS have become helpless waifs? None of them have ever been that [especially Michelle and Hannah], and they have all become...helpless and simpering. And it was gross. They are all absolutely used to the men in their lives both helping them and taking care of them, and to have them all of the sudden become simpering, hand-waving, helpless-acting waifs was really annoying. Thankfully, this only happened a few times, but this is also something that needs to stay out of the next book. NONE of these women are helpless waifs [especially the sisters - their father taught them about life and cars and such and to imply otherwise, when previous books have talked about how he taught them is insulting]. Please stop writing them as such.
3. ALL. OF. CHAPTER. 7.
We absolutely did not need a chapter where Hannah and Norman fight over who is nicer [that is easy - Norman. Hannah isn't really a nice person when you come right down to it, though, she breaks some of that mold in this book, much to my delight. More on that later] and it really goes on for WAY too many pages. Like a whole chapter. I may or may not have sprained my eyes from rolling them so hard whilst reading that chapter.
4. WHY WHY WHY is Andrea suddenly acting like she is FIVE??? She is a successful business woman. She sells real estate. She is the wife of the Sheriff. She has two amazing kids and she is a very good mother [even though she does rely on Grandma McCann a lot]. She may not be the greatest cook, but she is not a childish, clingy person. THIS portrayal of her is a huge disservice to her character. Andrea went from being a snappy, critical, character, to someone who I really like and who has developed into an amazing character and this book took that all away from her. I can understand her initial clinging because finding a dead body is horrible. But the rest of it was really lame and just meh. At one point, when she was so "happy to be helping in the kitchen", I thought she was going to squeal and clap her hands like she was a little kid [and Hannah treating her as such - that involved some rather mean "inner dialogue" which was unnecessary] and I actually cringed.
I know that Andrea isn't a great cook and that her whippersnappers are her crowing glory, but WHAT GROWN UP GIRL FROM A SMALL TOWN doesn't know how to make a green salad? Really?
STOP. DUMBING. THESE. WOMEN. DOWN.
5. There is so much repetition in this book, that most chapters was just the same information, told to you twice, just in different ways [and sometimes, not so different ways]. It was like being hammered over the head with the same information so you didn't notice that there wasn't much of a plot and that everything going on was rather lukewarm and that the only thing going on was food and cooking and recipes [all very good things, but there WAS a murder to solve and it was such a weak, weak, investigation] and Hannah's constant inner monologue with herself. In one chapter, Hannah explains to Michelle what desserts she is bringing and why and Michelle is all on board. Fast forward to the middle of the chapter and Michelle asks about the desserts and Hannah tells her what she's brought and why and Michelle goes "That's awesome Hannah. You always think of everything". Uh....what?? Y'all had the conversation just a few short hours before. THE SAME CONVERSATION. <--That is the repetition I am talking about.
6. Hannah at one point says she has never been in love [her inner self asks about hewhomustnotbenamed and her other inner self retorts "that was LUST" and I rolled my eyes. If it was lust we still wouldn't be dwelling on it now would we?]. WHAT?? WHAT has she been doing with Norman and Mike all these years? Has she not had any feelings at all for these two men that she continually has led on? WHY WHY WHY is she still with them if she doesn't LOVE THEM? Or even have a glimmer of a stronger feeling that like for them? WOW. That was just...WOW. She needs therapy.
7. W T H was that reveal/ending?? R E A L L Y?? Meh.
8. Are we even sure that these are still be written by the author? Because this book seems like it was written by someone who has never, ever spent time with these characters.
I will say that there was a moment towards the end of the book [even though I was shocked that Andrea didn't know how to make a freaking green salad, but I digress] where Hannah shuts down the inner monologue and actually HELPS her sister learn how to cook/make something. She works WITH her and doesn't criticize and lets Andrea do it on her own. And then tells everyone that Andrea was the one that made it. And that was a huge step for Hannah. That was one of the few really good parts of the book.
I know this is long and if you have stayed with me for the whole thing, thank you. I hope that you understand why I have had to be brutally honest about what I have read. After 27 books, you have a certain expectation and when that hasn't been [and hasn't been for some time] met, you feel the need to let others along WITH the author the reasons why [and in reading other reviews, I am not the only one who has been continually disappointed by these recent books] the book was just one or two star worthy and what should be changed. Unfortunately, I am not sure the tiny amounts of good in this book is enough for me to continue on to book 28 [should there be one]. And that, after years of reading a series, is very, very disappointing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2022
This was my first read by Joanne Fluke & what a surprise this was i would class this as a cosy read that kept me turning the pages, i am starting at number 27 in the series as i just picked this up at my library. I did enjoy the goings on at Eden Lake with Hannah running her own bakery with her friends & family, but then trying to solve a murder of Mayor Bascomb.
Andrea Hannah's sister finds the Mayor dead in his office Andrea is mortified, shaking she calls Hannah to come over & solve who did it but it turns out that Andrea is the main suspect. But nothing is as it seems when Bascombs wife Stephanie is also a suspect due to her husbands infidelities, but the question is WHY WAS HE MURDERED ?
This book had charm & sometimes funny moments you also got the recipes included in the book to make this was a delightful book so much so i bought The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders so i can start at the beginning.
Andrea Hannah's sister finds the Mayor dead in his office Andrea is mortified, shaking she calls Hannah to come over & solve who did it but it turns out that Andrea is the main suspect. But nothing is as it seems when Bascombs wife Stephanie is also a suspect due to her husbands infidelities, but the question is WHY WAS HE MURDERED ?
This book had charm & sometimes funny moments you also got the recipes included in the book to make this was a delightful book so much so i bought The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders so i can start at the beginning.
December 3, 2020
As a fan of this series, I’m always anxious to read another book.
While I thought the story itself was good, I have to say, this book is too much.
I mean honestly, Andrea is how old and she’s still acting like a child. I got very tired of hearing about the whippersnapper cookies, I mean ok, it’s a fun cookie, but this was really over the top.
I was also annoyed with Hannah and Norman. Kiss and get together or just move on already. You can only drag this on for so long before a reader like myself wonders when this became a contemporary romance series.
I’m sorry for my brutal honesty, but this book is over the top sweetness and all this stuff with Ross has turned Hannah into a different person.
Where’s the action? Where’s the battle of wills between Mike and Hannah? These are all the funny things I enjoyed reading in this series. If the series is going to continue like this, I will make this my last book.
While I thought the story itself was good, I have to say, this book is too much.
I mean honestly, Andrea is how old and she’s still acting like a child. I got very tired of hearing about the whippersnapper cookies, I mean ok, it’s a fun cookie, but this was really over the top.
I was also annoyed with Hannah and Norman. Kiss and get together or just move on already. You can only drag this on for so long before a reader like myself wonders when this became a contemporary romance series.
I’m sorry for my brutal honesty, but this book is over the top sweetness and all this stuff with Ross has turned Hannah into a different person.
Where’s the action? Where’s the battle of wills between Mike and Hannah? These are all the funny things I enjoyed reading in this series. If the series is going to continue like this, I will make this my last book.
December 12, 2020
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC!
Hannah and her family are back at it again! Bill just recently got in an altercation with the Mayor of their town and he now has it out for him. Hannah's sister Andrea goes to soften the blow and try to talk some sense into Mayor Bascomb, but it doesn't go well...at all. As a form of apology Andrea brings over some of Hannah's amazing triple chocolate cheesecake, sure to make anyone feel better. However, Andrea finds the mayor dead, face down in his desk. Now as one of the prime suspects, Hannah must find a way to clear Andrea's name and figure out who did in the Mayor of their town.
I have read every Hannah mystery book out there and will continue to do so solely because I have already put so much time into reading all 27 of the books. However, this is probably the worst one to date. These books are NOTHING like they were in the beginning. I'm not sure who is writing them anymore (I highly doubt the author is still cranking these books out), but the formalities between the characters is AWFUL. Norman and Hannah literally had two fights about how nice the other person is. Also, what is up with that relationship, how many books are they going to draw out her love triangle? Then you have Andrea and the only cookie she knows how to make, which will probably end up fizzing out as soon as she's used every cake box mix known to man. Andrea also clings onto Hannah like she's five years old. She's a grown woman with two kids, she can figure out how to make a damn meal herself. Lastly, Hannah has developed an inner monologue as of late. She seems to have a good and bad angel on her shoulder and we have to hear about every conversation they have. I'm sorry about complaining but this book is too much.
ps. how is everyone not 400lbs? all they do is eat and drink coffee, and Hannah abuses Lisa and never goes into work. Ok I'm done.
Rate: 1/5
Fiction
Author: Joanne Fluke
Hannah and her family are back at it again! Bill just recently got in an altercation with the Mayor of their town and he now has it out for him. Hannah's sister Andrea goes to soften the blow and try to talk some sense into Mayor Bascomb, but it doesn't go well...at all. As a form of apology Andrea brings over some of Hannah's amazing triple chocolate cheesecake, sure to make anyone feel better. However, Andrea finds the mayor dead, face down in his desk. Now as one of the prime suspects, Hannah must find a way to clear Andrea's name and figure out who did in the Mayor of their town.
I have read every Hannah mystery book out there and will continue to do so solely because I have already put so much time into reading all 27 of the books. However, this is probably the worst one to date. These books are NOTHING like they were in the beginning. I'm not sure who is writing them anymore (I highly doubt the author is still cranking these books out), but the formalities between the characters is AWFUL. Norman and Hannah literally had two fights about how nice the other person is. Also, what is up with that relationship, how many books are they going to draw out her love triangle? Then you have Andrea and the only cookie she knows how to make, which will probably end up fizzing out as soon as she's used every cake box mix known to man. Andrea also clings onto Hannah like she's five years old. She's a grown woman with two kids, she can figure out how to make a damn meal herself. Lastly, Hannah has developed an inner monologue as of late. She seems to have a good and bad angel on her shoulder and we have to hear about every conversation they have. I'm sorry about complaining but this book is too much.
ps. how is everyone not 400lbs? all they do is eat and drink coffee, and Hannah abuses Lisa and never goes into work. Ok I'm done.
Rate: 1/5
Fiction
Author: Joanne Fluke
September 28, 2025
This novel opens with Hannah listening outside city hall as her sister Andrea and Mayor Bascomb (the serial philanderer) have a terrible fight over something he’s done to her husband and Sheriff Bill. As everyone can probably guess what happens next. The Mayor, who has a list of enemies in Lake Eden a mile long, turns up dead, and Andrea is a suspect.
As always, I really enjoyed the recipes in this one. I find Doc Knight and Hannah’s mother Dolores to be rather cute together, so those scenes really work for me. He’s a good addition to the regular crowd. This had some interesting character developments. Michelle and Lonnie are now living in Hannah’s old condo as Hannah is still too traumatized to live there on her own after discovering Ross dead. Her cat Moisha loves living with Norman’s cat in Hannah and Norman’s dream house and you kind of have to wonder how much longer the series can stretch this out before putting those two together.
For the most part, I liked how the mystery solving progressed, but like some other reviewers, I thought the inner dialogue grew a bit tedious and some of Hannah and Andrea’s actions in this book don’t reflect the same strong, intelligent women that made me love and want to follow Fluke’s characters through 27 books (Hannah brightly exclaiming to her inner voices that she knows she’s going over to the murderer’s house alone to confront them, but it’s all good, she’ll just text Mike where she’s going and bring cookies, for example.)
As always, I really enjoyed the recipes in this one. I find Doc Knight and Hannah’s mother Dolores to be rather cute together, so those scenes really work for me. He’s a good addition to the regular crowd. This had some interesting character developments. Michelle and Lonnie are now living in Hannah’s old condo as Hannah is still too traumatized to live there on her own after discovering Ross dead. Her cat Moisha loves living with Norman’s cat in Hannah and Norman’s dream house and you kind of have to wonder how much longer the series can stretch this out before putting those two together.
For the most part, I liked how the mystery solving progressed, but like some other reviewers, I thought the inner dialogue grew a bit tedious and some of Hannah and Andrea’s actions in this book don’t reflect the same strong, intelligent women that made me love and want to follow Fluke’s characters through 27 books (Hannah brightly exclaiming to her inner voices that she knows she’s going over to the murderer’s house alone to confront them, but it’s all good, she’ll just text Mike where she’s going and bring cookies, for example.)
March 8, 2021
Reading other reviews of this latest installment in the Hannah Swensen series, I sense that readers are dissatisfied with the book's faults, including its thin, plot-hole-ridden storyline, awkward dialogue, fixation on mundane food descriptions, and increasingly simplistic characters. However, I think we are missing the possibility that Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder reflects a natural progression of this mystery series into deeper, more complex psychological territory. Ostensibly a cozy mystery, TCCM actually offers commentary on ubiquitous violence in society and its traumatic effect on the individuals who witness it. Stay with me here....
Is it possible that this book is evidence of Hannah's psychological deterioration, having been given the staggering responsibility of single-handedly solving every murder in Lake Eden while still being expected to cook elaborate daily meals for its absent police force? The motif of Hannah's internal struggle between her rational and suspicious minds, deemed annoying by some readers (okay, all readers), illustrates that our baker detective is slowly losing grip on reality and must rely on dissociative techniques to cope with her years of trauma. In the countless circumstances in which this motif is used, neither "mind" produces a truly rational thought, suggesting that Hannah's coping mechanism is ineffective and yet drives her back toward solving the mystery, unable to break the cycle she's forced to relive again and again. Further, the book leads us to believe that Hannah has lost grip on her sense of time: see the scenario in which Hannah introduces her biscotti to Mike and, not five pages later, reintroduces him to the same biscotti he's already eaten. Hannah does not only relive recent moments; she also reverts to her childhood, displaying an otherwise inexplicable need to teach Andrea, a grown woman with two children, what orange vegetable the Easter Bunny might eat. If we closely examine Hannah's mental state, we can mine more interesting explanations from the text besides "There was probably no editor" or "The author doesn't really know what 'rational' means."
Hannah's individual psychological state is a microcosm of trauma, contributing to a larger theme of a community's rapid desensitization to violence. Why else would the Swenson sisters spend several pages fixating on the loss of a slice of chocolate cheesecake while the flesh-and-blood murder victim grows cold at the crime scene? Why else would every character--police force included--discuss the case at hand in ten minute intervals, taking elaborate, chapter-long "breaks" to gorge on buttered rolls, debate the technicalities of what constitutes organ meat, and teach one of the characters, who may or may not be a murder suspect herself, how to bake? In Lake Eden, pursuing justice is an inconvenient distraction from the characters' own desires, and the author uses these scenes to condemn society's apathy toward crime, not just to fill her word quota or provide some semblance of significance to the book's threadbare plot.
After years of reading this series for some reason, maybe I'm looking too deeply into it. However, I share the perspective of whatever character it was (it might have been Norman idk) who asked Hannah at the beginning of the book: "You say triple chocolate cheesecake. Are there three kinds of chocolate in this cheesecake?" We both believe that even if the glaringly, stupidly obvious is presented to us, it is still worth asking the tough questions to uncover a more palatable explanation.
Is it possible that this book is evidence of Hannah's psychological deterioration, having been given the staggering responsibility of single-handedly solving every murder in Lake Eden while still being expected to cook elaborate daily meals for its absent police force? The motif of Hannah's internal struggle between her rational and suspicious minds, deemed annoying by some readers (okay, all readers), illustrates that our baker detective is slowly losing grip on reality and must rely on dissociative techniques to cope with her years of trauma. In the countless circumstances in which this motif is used, neither "mind" produces a truly rational thought, suggesting that Hannah's coping mechanism is ineffective and yet drives her back toward solving the mystery, unable to break the cycle she's forced to relive again and again. Further, the book leads us to believe that Hannah has lost grip on her sense of time: see the scenario in which Hannah introduces her biscotti to Mike and, not five pages later, reintroduces him to the same biscotti he's already eaten. Hannah does not only relive recent moments; she also reverts to her childhood, displaying an otherwise inexplicable need to teach Andrea, a grown woman with two children, what orange vegetable the Easter Bunny might eat. If we closely examine Hannah's mental state, we can mine more interesting explanations from the text besides "There was probably no editor" or "The author doesn't really know what 'rational' means."
Hannah's individual psychological state is a microcosm of trauma, contributing to a larger theme of a community's rapid desensitization to violence. Why else would the Swenson sisters spend several pages fixating on the loss of a slice of chocolate cheesecake while the flesh-and-blood murder victim grows cold at the crime scene? Why else would every character--police force included--discuss the case at hand in ten minute intervals, taking elaborate, chapter-long "breaks" to gorge on buttered rolls, debate the technicalities of what constitutes organ meat, and teach one of the characters, who may or may not be a murder suspect herself, how to bake? In Lake Eden, pursuing justice is an inconvenient distraction from the characters' own desires, and the author uses these scenes to condemn society's apathy toward crime, not just to fill her word quota or provide some semblance of significance to the book's threadbare plot.
After years of reading this series for some reason, maybe I'm looking too deeply into it. However, I share the perspective of whatever character it was (it might have been Norman idk) who asked Hannah at the beginning of the book: "You say triple chocolate cheesecake. Are there three kinds of chocolate in this cheesecake?" We both believe that even if the glaringly, stupidly obvious is presented to us, it is still worth asking the tough questions to uncover a more palatable explanation.
December 8, 2020
Thank you Kensington Publishers and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.. However, I did not care much for it. In any of these books about Hannah and her friends that I read, it seems that all they do is sit around, eat cookies or dinner and drink coffee, 24/7. Every other paragraph states that someone will put the coffee on. And do these people even have jobs? How are they able to just drop by the Cookie Jar constantly? In this book, I also did not like the converstations between Hannah's "rational" brain and her "suspicious" brain. I hate to sound complaining, but I also prefer that all recipes be in the back of the book instead of between chapters. It seems like too much of the story is filled with recipes.
December 19, 2021
I've heard a lot of good things about this author and this series, and I am grateful to Kensington Books for the opportunity to read an ARC. Unfortunately, this style of writing did not work for me at all. This book is okay, but I thought it would be my new favorite series.
This style of writing is not exactly for me. I fully appreciate the concept of combining a mystery with a bunch of recipes. This idea revolutionized the genre of cozy mystery. I've seen similar things in other books, apparently inspired by this series. I find this combination very interesting and innovative. Unfortunately, it didn't work out very well in this book. At times it seemed to me that I was reading a cookbook with an added plot. I think this is due to the author's attempts to put too many food related scenes into this book. Sometimes it resembles bizarre product placement. But neither did the general writing style work for me. I found too many awkward dialogs that sound unnatural and scenes that add nothing to the plot and work only as a filler.
I'm afraid this book is just too simple for me. The mystery idea itself had a lot of potential, but it was not used. Also because the stakes were not high at any time. I wish Hannah would have to find a murderer to clear her sister Andrea of suspicion. That would add a little thrill. I prefer more complicated stories and I think that it can also be achieved in cozy mystery. Here, to put it simply, if someone is a suspect, s/he is a murderer. I solved this case too quickly. The murderer turned out to be a person whom I began to suspect quite early and for reasons I also predicted.
I think if I had read the previous books, it would have been much easier for me. Most of all, I would feel attached to the characters and scenes that seemed redundant to me when I read this book, I would probably find cute. Fans of the series will be glad to see more of the ordinary life of their favorite characters. For me, this was unfortunately not enough to give them the necessary depth.
I think I'll try to read the first book in this series before finally deciding if this author is for me. This is a book more for fans of the series. If you are new to it as I am, this is not the best point to start. Although I will consider making one of the recipes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This style of writing is not exactly for me. I fully appreciate the concept of combining a mystery with a bunch of recipes. This idea revolutionized the genre of cozy mystery. I've seen similar things in other books, apparently inspired by this series. I find this combination very interesting and innovative. Unfortunately, it didn't work out very well in this book. At times it seemed to me that I was reading a cookbook with an added plot. I think this is due to the author's attempts to put too many food related scenes into this book. Sometimes it resembles bizarre product placement. But neither did the general writing style work for me. I found too many awkward dialogs that sound unnatural and scenes that add nothing to the plot and work only as a filler.
I'm afraid this book is just too simple for me. The mystery idea itself had a lot of potential, but it was not used. Also because the stakes were not high at any time. I wish Hannah would have to find a murderer to clear her sister Andrea of suspicion. That would add a little thrill. I prefer more complicated stories and I think that it can also be achieved in cozy mystery. Here, to put it simply, if someone is a suspect, s/he is a murderer. I solved this case too quickly. The murderer turned out to be a person whom I began to suspect quite early and for reasons I also predicted.
I think if I had read the previous books, it would have been much easier for me. Most of all, I would feel attached to the characters and scenes that seemed redundant to me when I read this book, I would probably find cute. Fans of the series will be glad to see more of the ordinary life of their favorite characters. For me, this was unfortunately not enough to give them the necessary depth.
I think I'll try to read the first book in this series before finally deciding if this author is for me. This is a book more for fans of the series. If you are new to it as I am, this is not the best point to start. Although I will consider making one of the recipes.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 6, 2021
After twenty-seven books (and a few short stories), I am invested in this series and the characters. With that being said, this was one of the worst books in the series. Nothing happened with the characters. It was all about the mystery being solved. Readers want to know about the character's personal lives, as well as the mystery. I understand wanting to keep readers guessing about Hannah and Norman/Mike, but it's really time to just make the leap. The whole rational/suspicious mind dialogue was awful. It took away from the story and was just weird. If this is how the next books are going to go, I feel like I could skip the next 5 books and not miss anything.
April 6, 2021
I honestly do not know why I am still reading these atrociously written books. Maybe I just want to know how (and when) Joanne Fluke will wrap up these storylines. Maybe I just can’t look away. This book is terrible. The characters spend one third of the book padding the pages, reiterating almost verbatim the conversation they JUST had with someone else. Another third is devoted to discussing recipes and eating lots of artery clogging meals, and praising anyone who made any food. There is a scant third that is *maybe* story. In addition, 3/4 of the time, people’s ages in this series are a complete mystery. Some of the timeline is VERY convoluted, especially since it seems some of these characters age and progress in life, while others just don’t. If you are like me, and intend to keep reading until the bitter end of this series, just know what you are in for.
March 2, 2021
I don't think these books used to be quite this poorly written, although it's been more than a decade since I read the first few. Now they are just poor dialogue, tons of recipes (repetitive), and weak characters that are just caricatures of their old selves. Mike eats. Norman is nice. Etc.
April 23, 2021
Easter is coming, and The Cookie Jar is awash in orders, keeping Hannah Swensen, her business partner Lisa, and the rest of their staff busy. But that doesn’t mean that Hannah doesn’t have time to help her sister Andrea when she calls in a panic. She’s just found Mayor Bascomb’s dead body in his office hours after having a very loud fight with him. The police wouldn’t be doing their job if they didn’t consider Andrea a suspect, so Hannah springs into action to figure out what really happened. Can she prove her sister is innocent?
I’ve been reading this long running series since the beginning, and I keep reading because I do enjoy catching up with the characters. If that is your reason for picking up the book, you’ll find they are as charming as always. I was pleased to see the soap opera of the previous few books has died down, and we see growth in a surprising direction in one character. Sadly, the love triangle is no closer to being resolved. The mystery is decent with enough suspects to keep us engaged. However, the focus is on the food. There is plenty of talk about food and how much the characters love what they are eating. With 24 new recipes for us to try, there is certainly plenty of new food to talk about. The dialogue is repetitious, an example of why realistic dialogue is better than real dialogue in a novel. While I still want to catch up with the characters, I find myself skimming the book instead of reading it closely. If you are like me and want to keep up with the characters, you’ll be glad you picked up this book. But if you haven’t started the series yet, you’ll want to go back to the beginning to find out why there are readers like me who still enjoy visiting the characters. And if you’ve given up on the series, you can safely skip this one.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I’ve been reading this long running series since the beginning, and I keep reading because I do enjoy catching up with the characters. If that is your reason for picking up the book, you’ll find they are as charming as always. I was pleased to see the soap opera of the previous few books has died down, and we see growth in a surprising direction in one character. Sadly, the love triangle is no closer to being resolved. The mystery is decent with enough suspects to keep us engaged. However, the focus is on the food. There is plenty of talk about food and how much the characters love what they are eating. With 24 new recipes for us to try, there is certainly plenty of new food to talk about. The dialogue is repetitious, an example of why realistic dialogue is better than real dialogue in a novel. While I still want to catch up with the characters, I find myself skimming the book instead of reading it closely. If you are like me and want to keep up with the characters, you’ll be glad you picked up this book. But if you haven’t started the series yet, you’ll want to go back to the beginning to find out why there are readers like me who still enjoy visiting the characters. And if you’ve given up on the series, you can safely skip this one.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
January 27, 2021
What I like best about these books are the recipes. I save all the books because I am sure I am going to make them. I've never done it but there's always hope. Set In Minnesota the recipes are very accessible and include ingredients like canned soup and Cool Whip. They're not particularly healthy but they are comfort food.
Swensen owns a cookie store and I have never been able to figure out how she makes a living at it. It's a small town and she has employees and spends most of her time visiting with family members. She also hands out lots of free samples but somehow she seems to do very well. I guess cookies sell better than I thought.
In this one her sister is thought to have murdered the nasty mayor after the two have a bad fight. Hannah and Norman swing into action to investigate. The murder is not really what matters. It's more about the food and the family and feeling good. It's just what I needed. And someday I am really going to try a recipe. They sound mouth watering.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
Swensen owns a cookie store and I have never been able to figure out how she makes a living at it. It's a small town and she has employees and spends most of her time visiting with family members. She also hands out lots of free samples but somehow she seems to do very well. I guess cookies sell better than I thought.
In this one her sister is thought to have murdered the nasty mayor after the two have a bad fight. Hannah and Norman swing into action to investigate. The murder is not really what matters. It's more about the food and the family and feeling good. It's just what I needed. And someday I am really going to try a recipe. They sound mouth watering.
Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
December 2, 2021
Beware! May contain some spoilers
This series was one of my first cozy series and I still like a lot of the older books but since Hannah married Ross, this series has changed (and not for the better). Hannah seems different in this book from her usual self and so do some of the other characters. First of all, Hannah is having a lot of internal conversations/ arguments. It's kinda weird. And since when was Hannah and Moishe too traumatized to stay in her condo? I'm guess this is a result of Ross's murder but why is it such a big deal in this book suddenly but not in the previous book? Also, why is Andrea working for Hannah? What happened to her real estate job? It seems weird to me that Andrea seems to be just following Hannah around most of the time and almost is acting like Hannah's kid. For example, Andrea got overly happy when Hannah tells her she could make a salad at one point, like a little kid. When does she have time to be a mother or anything else for that matter? And what happened to the romance between Mike and Hannah? I know she's staying with Norman but it sorta feels like she made a choice. I would be overjoyed if she truly choose Norman but that's not how it feels. It's almost like she gave up on both guys. I understand she just went through the trauma with Ross but something still feels off. It almost feels like I missed a book and I know I didn't. It has been a while since I read Coconut Layer Cake Murder so maybe that's it but I don't think so. Hannah's different in this book. And as a long time reader, I really hope Hannah is back to normal in the next one because I don't like the changes.
February 27, 2021
I love this series but this one seemed a little different in writing. Hannah was in her head a lot. I enjoyed the murder and reveal though. Makes it seem more real-ish instead of unbelievable fiction. I'm not sure this book was exactly 5 star worthy, but I don't want the series to end so 5 stars it is!!
December 20, 2020
I eagerly await the new Hannah Swensen cozy mystery each year. I have been faithfully reading this series ever since the first book came out in 2000. This series wasn't the very first culinary cozy series...but close to it. The plots aren't complex....the characters talk a lot about food....and recipes take up a lot of the pages...but for me Hannah Swensen books are a tradition. I love this series, and I will keep reading each book as quickly as Joanne Fluke can churn them out until it comes to a close. I love the characters (except for one that shall remain unnamed to not give spoilers for new readers.....but any reader who has read most of the books knows who I am referring to. Ugh)
This time, Hannah's sister Andrea is incredibly upset with Lake Eden's mayor. When the man turns up dead soon after, Hannah is on the case to find out who could have been mad enough to kill. Turns out the list of suspects is rather long. The mayor was a bit of a jerk. Hannah and her crew get to work to discover the culprit.
I enjoyed this book...just as I enjoy every Hannah book. The mystery was a bit light in this one, but still interesting. The characters spent most of their time discussing cookies and kitchen tips with a bit of time left for sleuthing. The ending seemed almost abrupt. I wish there had been just a bit more mystery and a bit more character development for the Lake Eden crew in this one....but the story was entertaining and fun to read. It was a quick read...I finished in under 2 hours, mostly because I don't fully read through all the recipes. I only read ones I might actually try out. My husband is diabetic, so I skip all the dessert recipes. :)
An enjoyable visit to Lake Eden. Not much mystery...but enough to keep me reading. And unless Joanne Fluke surprises me with a short story or visit to Lake Eden before next Christmas, that's my Hannah fix until the holiday season 2021. The tradition will continue!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
This time, Hannah's sister Andrea is incredibly upset with Lake Eden's mayor. When the man turns up dead soon after, Hannah is on the case to find out who could have been mad enough to kill. Turns out the list of suspects is rather long. The mayor was a bit of a jerk. Hannah and her crew get to work to discover the culprit.
I enjoyed this book...just as I enjoy every Hannah book. The mystery was a bit light in this one, but still interesting. The characters spent most of their time discussing cookies and kitchen tips with a bit of time left for sleuthing. The ending seemed almost abrupt. I wish there had been just a bit more mystery and a bit more character development for the Lake Eden crew in this one....but the story was entertaining and fun to read. It was a quick read...I finished in under 2 hours, mostly because I don't fully read through all the recipes. I only read ones I might actually try out. My husband is diabetic, so I skip all the dessert recipes. :)
An enjoyable visit to Lake Eden. Not much mystery...but enough to keep me reading. And unless Joanne Fluke surprises me with a short story or visit to Lake Eden before next Christmas, that's my Hannah fix until the holiday season 2021. The tradition will continue!
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
January 9, 2022
I'm hoping Hannah isn't having a breakdown. This argument between her suspicious and rational mind is unsettling. I hope this is a temporary situation because it's unbearable to listen to on an audible version. Otherwise, the story was much better than the last one I complained about.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2020
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder ( Hannah Swensen #27) by Joanne Fluke
First ...Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this book.
As a long time fan of Hannah's, I have read all 27 books and as a fan of this series, I’m always anxious to read the next one. That being said the series went off course about the time Ross showed up and seems to be floundering. I will keep reading them, hoping they will get back on course and will be very sad when they end yet I'm disappointed that they never seem to go any where. Hannah should have married Norman somewhere around book 7 when they designed a house together, instead after 27 books, he's being written like her gay best friend. Mike, who I have always found obnoxious has now turned into a slacker, who is also a pig. In the last 2 books he's done no police work, he eats 5 times as much as everyone else and it's always someone else feeding him, he never picks up the bill.
I found Hannah's good self, bad self conversations plain stupid, it reads like a mental disorder and seemed to be written to take up space. Also, since when do people call each other by name in every sentence?
These books are so far from where they started that there is no way they are being written by the same person. I understand once you are established you can hire ghost writers but at least hire good ones that have read the first books and will be true to the characters. And don't even get me started on 50% of these books are now recipes.
I could keep going but I think you get my drift by now, all that being said I will keep reading the books, hoping Hannah's like turns into the fairy tale I've been looking for since book one!
First ...Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this book.
As a long time fan of Hannah's, I have read all 27 books and as a fan of this series, I’m always anxious to read the next one. That being said the series went off course about the time Ross showed up and seems to be floundering. I will keep reading them, hoping they will get back on course and will be very sad when they end yet I'm disappointed that they never seem to go any where. Hannah should have married Norman somewhere around book 7 when they designed a house together, instead after 27 books, he's being written like her gay best friend. Mike, who I have always found obnoxious has now turned into a slacker, who is also a pig. In the last 2 books he's done no police work, he eats 5 times as much as everyone else and it's always someone else feeding him, he never picks up the bill.
I found Hannah's good self, bad self conversations plain stupid, it reads like a mental disorder and seemed to be written to take up space. Also, since when do people call each other by name in every sentence?
These books are so far from where they started that there is no way they are being written by the same person. I understand once you are established you can hire ghost writers but at least hire good ones that have read the first books and will be true to the characters. And don't even get me started on 50% of these books are now recipes.
I could keep going but I think you get my drift by now, all that being said I will keep reading the books, hoping Hannah's like turns into the fairy tale I've been looking for since book one!
December 20, 2020
Finally, another post-Ross novel. Hannah is living at Norman's house with her cat as Moishe was so traumatized in the earlier events, he doesn't want to return to the condo. Norman is happy to have Hannah with him (of course). Andrea's husband, Bill (the chief of police), stops a drunk driver. It's the mayor's nephew, and the mayor wants him released with just a slap on the wrist. He threatens to fire Bill. Andrea, Hannah's sister, goes to meet the mayor to ask him to re-consider but his rudeness ends up causing her to slap him so hard he falls out of his chair. Later than day, she wants to make amends and take a piece of Hannah's triple chocolate cheesecake to the mayor's office and finds him dead.
Hannah makes a deal with Mike to share all their evidence and interviews. Of course, Hannah solves the case before the police! But I'm most bothered by Andrea - she used to be a happy and confident real estate agent, now she portrayed as a weak person unable even to crack eggs without putting the shells into the batter! Hannah has to praise her for putting paper liners into cupcake trays - what has happened! And Hannah's now got two voices in her head telling her opposing views of each situation - is this because of Ross?
Anyway, I still love this series and look forward to the next. Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.
Hannah makes a deal with Mike to share all their evidence and interviews. Of course, Hannah solves the case before the police! But I'm most bothered by Andrea - she used to be a happy and confident real estate agent, now she portrayed as a weak person unable even to crack eggs without putting the shells into the batter! Hannah has to praise her for putting paper liners into cupcake trays - what has happened! And Hannah's now got two voices in her head telling her opposing views of each situation - is this because of Ross?
Anyway, I still love this series and look forward to the next. Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.
August 9, 2021
Okay, first of all – yikes I have read 27 of these books. Second of all, this was maybe the worst book I've ever read.
Let's dive in:
• I stand by the first dozen or so books in this series, the mysteries were cozy and the recipes were delicious and the characters were lovable
• I have NO idea what happened, probably a ghost writer? Maybe an automated book generator created to test our limits as a species?
• The recipes looked gross, there was little to no investigating of any kind, and Hannah is insufferable
• Also there were SO many plot and chronological errors. At one point Hannah served the same dessert twice in a chapter, there were spelling errors, grammatical errors, and I cannot stand to read any more of this dialogue y'all
• Cozy mysteries are often silly, but they should also just be good books that are readable
• 0/10 – Joanne are you still alive?? Are they Weekend at Bernie-ing you so they can keep making $ off of your books????
Let's dive in:
• I stand by the first dozen or so books in this series, the mysteries were cozy and the recipes were delicious and the characters were lovable
• I have NO idea what happened, probably a ghost writer? Maybe an automated book generator created to test our limits as a species?
• The recipes looked gross, there was little to no investigating of any kind, and Hannah is insufferable
• Also there were SO many plot and chronological errors. At one point Hannah served the same dessert twice in a chapter, there were spelling errors, grammatical errors, and I cannot stand to read any more of this dialogue y'all
• Cozy mysteries are often silly, but they should also just be good books that are readable
• 0/10 – Joanne are you still alive?? Are they Weekend at Bernie-ing you so they can keep making $ off of your books????
February 8, 2021
I have read all 27 books in this series and enjoy the recipes and the murder mystery. In this edition there is also a lot of talk about food as in the chapter when there was way to much talking about who had a piece of cheesecake, wanted a piece, would eat more than one piece etc. That lasted through most of the chapter. Another thing that bothered me was Hannah's internal dialogue. The reader is told the rational part of Hannah's mind thought something and then told the suspicious side thought something. This continued throughout the story and each time it stated it was the rational part then the suspicious part. I will continue with the series but I hope next time it is more story focused and less random food talk.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
May 14, 2021
When you read one of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson books, you aren't doing it for the mystery or twisty plot points. Basically you are going to Lake Eden, to visit with Hannah and her family and friends...and of course, the recipes. It's the equivalent of sitting in front of a cozy fire with tea and a cookie. As long as that's your expectation, you'll have a lovely visit with old friends. Rounding up from 3 and a half stars. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 25, 2021
I keep reading this series, which gets more idiotic with each new book, because I am a completist and have trouble walking away from a series. I can’t believe I have read all 27. What I find most annoying is the way characters speak to one another just doesn’t ring true. A lot of the time they sound like they have been injected with happy gas. Other times they sound like their IQ’s are deficient. It’s all such a bore; I must break my bad habit of continuing to read this dreck.
May 25, 2021
Quite funny with lots of recipes!
December 3, 2021
"Don't waste your time on this book," my suspicious mind said. "The last few have been complete crap."
"But I'm getting it from the library," my rational mind pointed out. "At least it doesn't cost any money."
"Time is more important than money," my suspicious mind argued.
Ugh. To be fair, this one was a wee bit better than the last few, but this recent trend of Hannah's two minds arguing with each other is so juvenile and annoying. I started skipping all of those segments. And she always ignores the two sides of her brain anyway, so what's the point? (How do you ignore your own brain, and if you know what it's saying, are you really ignoring it?)
The resolution of the mystery comes out of left field like usual, but at least there is a mystery in this one. There really is a murder in Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, hooray! But Mike breaks into the killer's home and secretly tapes his confession without the three people in the house hearing him pick the lock, really? Well, that's convenient. It surprises me that, after all these books that deal with detective work and crimes, Fluke still doesn't know a thing about police procedure. And, once again, Mike and Lonnie rely on civilians to solve their case and share their own police investigation details with them. Why? Because there's too many suspects! It's too hard to actually do their job, so why not pawn the dirty work off on civilians? That gives Mike more time to eat everything in sight.
Why does Mike get invited to anything anymore? All he does is show up and hog the food, demanding all the leftovers for himself after having twice or three times as many helpings as anyone else. He never brings anything. He never reciprocates. He's not funny or charming as he was in the earlier books. He's just a parasite.
Meanwhile, Norman and Andrea seem to have regressed to children who need Hannah's parental-like approval and her pretending she "needs" them to do simple things like make a phone call, cook an omelet, or mix together corn and mayonnaise. She's so patronizing it made my teeth hurt. And the two sides of her brain are beyond nasty regarding everyone she presumably loves.
Hannah is still living in Norman's house, presumably rent free, and he's waiting on her hand and foot with slavish devotion, even offering to "carry her in the house" when she's tired. Hernia jokes ensue, every time. This is getting to be too much. Either he's her boyfriend, or Hannah really needs to stop taking advantage of him. Her behaviour is bordering on cruel, not to mention she's totally using him if she isn't interested. He does seem to be growing a tiny backbone, though, which is a positive step in the right direction.
Even the recipes have gone downhill with a vengeance--every time one sounded interesting, it ended up requiring a boxed cake mix and instant pudding. There are instant mashed potatoes in her hot cross buns--wtf? It doesn't take a recipe to add a few things to a boxed cake mix. Sigh.
And yes, this book was better than the last few.
"But I'm getting it from the library," my rational mind pointed out. "At least it doesn't cost any money."
"Time is more important than money," my suspicious mind argued.
Ugh. To be fair, this one was a wee bit better than the last few, but this recent trend of Hannah's two minds arguing with each other is so juvenile and annoying. I started skipping all of those segments. And she always ignores the two sides of her brain anyway, so what's the point? (How do you ignore your own brain, and if you know what it's saying, are you really ignoring it?)
The resolution of the mystery comes out of left field like usual, but at least there is a mystery in this one. There really is a murder in Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder, hooray! But Mike breaks into the killer's home and secretly tapes his confession without the three people in the house hearing him pick the lock, really? Well, that's convenient. It surprises me that, after all these books that deal with detective work and crimes, Fluke still doesn't know a thing about police procedure. And, once again, Mike and Lonnie rely on civilians to solve their case and share their own police investigation details with them. Why? Because there's too many suspects! It's too hard to actually do their job, so why not pawn the dirty work off on civilians? That gives Mike more time to eat everything in sight.
Why does Mike get invited to anything anymore? All he does is show up and hog the food, demanding all the leftovers for himself after having twice or three times as many helpings as anyone else. He never brings anything. He never reciprocates. He's not funny or charming as he was in the earlier books. He's just a parasite.
Meanwhile, Norman and Andrea seem to have regressed to children who need Hannah's parental-like approval and her pretending she "needs" them to do simple things like make a phone call, cook an omelet, or mix together corn and mayonnaise. She's so patronizing it made my teeth hurt. And the two sides of her brain are beyond nasty regarding everyone she presumably loves.
Hannah is still living in Norman's house, presumably rent free, and he's waiting on her hand and foot with slavish devotion, even offering to "carry her in the house" when she's tired. Hernia jokes ensue, every time. This is getting to be too much. Either he's her boyfriend, or Hannah really needs to stop taking advantage of him. Her behaviour is bordering on cruel, not to mention she's totally using him if she isn't interested. He does seem to be growing a tiny backbone, though, which is a positive step in the right direction.
Even the recipes have gone downhill with a vengeance--every time one sounded interesting, it ended up requiring a boxed cake mix and instant pudding. There are instant mashed potatoes in her hot cross buns--wtf? It doesn't take a recipe to add a few things to a boxed cake mix. Sigh.
And yes, this book was better than the last few.
February 22, 2021
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is the 27th book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series by Joanne Fluke. I picked up this series with Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (book 24) and I also thoroughly enjoyed book 25, Coconut Layer Cake Murder as well as book 26, Christmas Cupcake Murder.
In Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder Hannah Swensen, the owner of 'The Cookie Jar', is busy working through her enormous Easter order list. She also has to find the time to prepare a festive meal for a dinner party taking place at her mum, Delores' penthouse. In the midst of all of this, Hannah’s older sister Andrea gets added to the suspect list after Mayor Bascomb is found murdered in his office. She was seen arguing with him in attempts to dissuade him from trying to punish her husband, Bill the Sheriff, after he arrested the mayor’s spoiled, drunk nephew Bruce, instead of figuring out a way to let him off.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder was an extremely intriguing tale that included a variety of recipes, many of the treats with an Easter theme and I'm particularly keen to try the Butterscotch Marshmallow Bar Cookies and the Tropical Vacation Bundt Cake! Hannah was delighted to be asked to help with the crime investigation whereas normally her involvement would be considered by the police force to be unwelcome. I thoroughly enjoyed being back with the Lake Eden crowd. Unravelling the mystery in the pockets of Hannah was lots of fun and I welcomed the comfortable pace. In common with the other novels I've read in this series, a lot of cake eating takes place, particularly cheesecake (one of my favourites!) and family and friends regularly get together for champagne drinks, with numerous comedic scenes. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is a highly recommended five star read and a fabulous Easter-themed story that will be of interest to many cozy readers, and I’m game to see what shenanigans Hannah and the Lake Eden rabble get into next.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
In Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder Hannah Swensen, the owner of 'The Cookie Jar', is busy working through her enormous Easter order list. She also has to find the time to prepare a festive meal for a dinner party taking place at her mum, Delores' penthouse. In the midst of all of this, Hannah’s older sister Andrea gets added to the suspect list after Mayor Bascomb is found murdered in his office. She was seen arguing with him in attempts to dissuade him from trying to punish her husband, Bill the Sheriff, after he arrested the mayor’s spoiled, drunk nephew Bruce, instead of figuring out a way to let him off.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder was an extremely intriguing tale that included a variety of recipes, many of the treats with an Easter theme and I'm particularly keen to try the Butterscotch Marshmallow Bar Cookies and the Tropical Vacation Bundt Cake! Hannah was delighted to be asked to help with the crime investigation whereas normally her involvement would be considered by the police force to be unwelcome. I thoroughly enjoyed being back with the Lake Eden crowd. Unravelling the mystery in the pockets of Hannah was lots of fun and I welcomed the comfortable pace. In common with the other novels I've read in this series, a lot of cake eating takes place, particularly cheesecake (one of my favourites!) and family and friends regularly get together for champagne drinks, with numerous comedic scenes. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is a highly recommended five star read and a fabulous Easter-themed story that will be of interest to many cozy readers, and I’m game to see what shenanigans Hannah and the Lake Eden rabble get into next.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
February 25, 2021
That was painful. I could write a lengthy review of all my thoughts, but I already have a headache so I'm just going to cut to my main gripe.
What happened to Andrea? She went from being an intelligent woman with a career and a family to a helpless child who could barely put cupcake liners in a pan. It reminds me of how on Boy Meets World Eric went from loveable goofball to barely able to tie his shoes.
Yikes.
What happened to Andrea? She went from being an intelligent woman with a career and a family to a helpless child who could barely put cupcake liners in a pan. It reminds me of how on Boy Meets World Eric went from loveable goofball to barely able to tie his shoes.
Yikes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,231 reviews