Strawberry Shortcake Murder

Following up on the success of The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, this is the second volume in the Hannah Swenson Murder Mysteries. Here again, we find Hannah coping with the brutal Minnesota winter when the unthinkable happens. Hannah finds a body! The local high school coach and secret wife beater is found dead face down in Hannah's strawberry shortcake. His wife certainly has a motive, but is she the real killer? The police are inclined to think so, but Hannah certainly does not. With the aide of her sister, Andrea, she sets out to find the real killer. Many suspenseful twists and turns follow as Hannah and Andrea proceed on their relentless mission to free an innocent woman. Will they succeed and find the real killer? Only in the last few chapters will you find out the answer to this riddle. Once again, author Joanne Fluke has surpassed herself with another excellent novel. The cozy and inviting atmosphere found in the first novel continues here against the backdrop of the cruel Minnesota cold. Many delicious recipes are included so you can share the experience right along with Hannah and her friends. Her strained relationship with her mother continues as her friendship with Norman grows and her closeness to her sister Andrea deepens. The novel keeps you in suspense right up until the very end providing an exhilarating mystery ride. This is a novel not to be missed. Very highly recommended. Smash B

This was my first Joanne Fluke novel, but will definitely not be my last. It was entertaining and informative. There were seven recipes contained within. Just when you think you've figured it out- more evidence leads you in a different direction. Warning!!! Read the recipes first and have the ingredients on hand. Reading this book may cause the urge to bake!!!

Hannah is a great sleuth with an entertaining plot. The characters are enjoyable and very believable. In addition, the recipes are delicious and easy to use. I just fed my husband the Strawberry shortcake last night (albiet with frozen strawberries not Lisa's fresh grown ones) and he raved about it. Definitely a winner, as is the entire series!

Veteran author Joanne Fluke has produced another winner in the Hannah Swensen series. This time the cookie baking sleuth finds her friend Danielle standing over the dead body of her abusive husband, a local high school coach. Never doubting Danielle's innocence, Hannah, with the surprisingly able assistance of her ever so feminine sister, Andrea, tackles a private investigation of the murder. The twists and surprises don't stop and neither do the mouth-watering references to dinners and desserts.Part of the charm of this series is that Hannah is surrounded by nice people and loving, supportive family members. She also has two competing admirers, one, a fix-up by her mother and his, the other a police officer who works for her brother-in-law. Hannah thoughtfully debates the virtues of each since one is movie star handsome and the other is bright and kind. There is no question we'll see Hannah exploring her options next time around. The series is set in Minnesota where the weather is cold but the people are not, but don't start with this book. Please read "The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" first so you can meet Hannah, her friends, her family and her suspects and not miss a single detail. You won't be sorry, and you'll wait anxiously for next year's book.

The citizens of Lake Eden, Minnesota are very proud of hosting the first annual Hartland Flour Dessert Bake-off. Bakery owner, Hannah Swensen is the head judge and even makes it on the evening news, showing how to bake strawberry shortcake. The first day of judging is not quite as smooth as the pre-event setup. Showing no tact, last minute replacement judge, Coach Boyd Watson accurately but viciously rips the desserts of four of the contestants, irritating everyone.That night Boyd's wife Danielle calls Hannah pleading with her to come over quickly. Hannah does only to find someone murdered Boyd in his garage. All the circumstantial evidence points towards Hannah. She was a battered spouse and even now sports a black eye. Her fingerprints are on the murder weapon, a hammer. Finally the victim's blood is all over her clothing. Hannah believes Danielle did not kill Boyd, but she worries that even her best friend, police detective Mike Kensington, thinks the wife killed the abusive husband.Having solved a previous homicide (see CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE MURDER), Hannah decides to investigate because she also realizes that in this election year, the sheriff, re-running for office, will want a fast solution.STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE MURDER is an entertaining amateur sleuth tale starring a person who seems more like a neighbor than a character in a book. The story line is fun and Chef Joanne Fluke, who proves with this tale that she is not a one-book fluke, bakes the who-done-it to a tasty morsel.Harriet Klausner