Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

The fourth and truly mouthwateringly delightful book in any baker's dream series hasn't disappointed. If anything it's my favorite so far, so cute in fact that I'm all ready breezing through the next novel; I wasn't ready to let go of Hannah just yet so I had to come back for another bite of crime and cookies. In this series it's best to read in order because key characters are quickly killed off in each book and not starting at the very beginning will ruin some surprises. Hannah Swensen is quite an interesting character, while innocent and sweet she ends up with a nose for crime solving since she is always stumbling across dead bodies. Unable to choose between two men who are giving her mixed signals she happily works away at Lake Eden's coziest place, The Cookie Jar Bakery. Busy with her expanding career and trying her best to fend off her mother Delores and her constant knack for butting in, Hannah discovers another dead body, somehow her luscious Lemon Meringue Pie ends up in the house of the deceased and with a table set for two, only one slice eaten raises suspicions on Hannah's part. The problem is that Norman, one of her suitors has purchased the home in which the body has been found, and he can't take it down to build another one until the police straighten up the matter. Hannah of course gets involved, creates some new cookie recipes that the author graciously shares and gets into all sorts of trouble on her way to the truth. So far this was one of the more intricate murder mysteries I have read in a cozy mystery type of a book, these are cute novels with charm oozing out, not hard crime thrillers, but there is something delicious and satisfying about them, especially with all the coffee drinking and baking going on, not to mention the hilarious daily escapades of a woman and her cat and everyone else who finds the need to try and involve themselves in her life. It's not a graphic or loud series; it has a slightly old fashioned charm, but just a teeny bit to make it really appealing, if anything it makes the book more honest and down to earth. I can't wait to bake some of the cookies in this book, the Pecan and the Banana cookies will get tested in my kitchen soon, it's really hard to read about them and not try some. One thing that gets to me is the amount of coffee Hannah drinks; I think only a fictional character can down that much joe and not turn into a cactus. - Kasia S.

I am now a fan. I will buy anything that Joanne Fluke writes. I LOVE her characters and the directions that she takes them. The "Lemon Meringue Pie Murder" is just the latest in a series that just keeps getting better.I like the fact that this isn't a "girl gets boy" type of series and end of story. It is more in line with real life where Fluke lets us see a glimpse of the emotions of a woman who previously has not encountered a great deal of "male attention" and who suddenly has the interests of two men. Go figure, but it's closer to what is more realistic.

You don't even have to read the synopsis of this book to know that it's going to be great. I will buy anything that Fluke writes. The Lemon Merangue Murders will keep you turning page after page from the minute you crack the cover. In this one Hannah finds even more innovative ways to get herself embroiled in the thick of things. As always, a well constructed plot keeps you guessing as to who the culprit really is. I had it pinned on 3 different characters and was still wrong. This is a book (and series) for a wide range of ages. Don't forget to have some blank recipe cards handy, and don't drop pastry dough on the pages. Put the book down first......if you can. When I read The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders, I thought things couldn't get any better but each book in the Hannah Swenson series is just as great as the one before or after it. Each has it's own unique "flavor." Fluke maintains a truly high level of fun and suspense in everything she writes. By the time you've gone through all 4 of the books in this series (so far) , you feel like you have gotten to know old friends much better, and have enjoyed meeting new ones as well. I LOVE it.

Joanne Fluke's latest book just keeps adding to the reasons why I love to read this author. This is a well-written mystery with loveable charaters that you really care about ( such as Hannah and Moishe the cat)and want to read more about. The plot, even with it's twists and turns, can be followed easily ( although who actually was the murderer suprised even me!) and you can see the logic when the murderer is unmasked. This is a book with no swearing, sex scenes, or ugly racism (which is a rarity in the times) and can be enjoyed by everyone in the family. Two thumbs up, Joanne!!! I can't wait for your next one book.

Hannah Swensen returns in the 4th book in this series. In this installment, Hannah jumps in to help solve a murder when a lemon meringue pie from her bakery, The Cookie Jar, is found at the crime scene. When Norman Rhodes, one of Hannah's "boyfriends", purchases a home, he does not realize that the dead body of the previous owner will be found inside. It seems that this owner, Rhonda, stopped at her old home to pick up a few last items and thought she would have one last meal there. This meal was definitely her last, as the person that met her there may have been the last to see her alive! Adding to Hannah's troubles is the fact that some of her clothes just seem too tight, and so she sets out to put herself on a diet (even while she is baking all kinds of yummy cookies!). Playing a part in this mystery is Hannah's nagging mother, Norman's mother, and Mike, the policeman who usually fights to keep Hannah out of each case but finally gives up this time. As Hannah fights to keep her life in order and her weight in check, she must find a killer before he/she strikes again!I have enjoyed each of the Hannah Swensen mysteries and have loved the recipes that are included in each book. Each time I have read one of the books, I find myself getting hungry (not good for my waistline either!) for all of the goodies that Hannah serves. The mysteries are interesting, but as I like culinary cozies, I enjoy the books more for the food and the characters. My only complaint about this series has to be in the dialogue between characters, as they are constantly repeating each other's names. Other than that, this delightful read will leave you "hungry" for more!The first book in this series is "The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder". Enjoy!A Cozy Lover