Author: Joanne FlukeTitle: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: January 2008
Buy:Amazon
Book Blurb: Discover the delicious mystery that started it all!
No one cooks up a delectable, suspense-filled mystery quite like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke’s dessert-baking, red-haired heroine whose gingersnaps are as tart as her comebacks, and whose penchant for solving crimes—one delicious clue at a time—has made her a bestselling favorite. And it all began on these pages, with a bakery, a murder, and some suddenly scandalous chocolate-chip crunchies. Featuring a bonus short story and brand new, mouthwatering recipes, this limited edition of the very first Hannah Swensen mystery is sure to have readers coming back for seconds…
Hannah Swenson already has her hands full trying to dodge her mother’s attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden, Minnesota’s most popular bakery. But once Ron LaSalle, the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah’s famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, her life just can’t get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer.
Who would have the sheer audacity—and the motive—to kill the most punctual delivery man Hannah ever had? Topping the list is the high school football coach. What exactly was his wife doing, making the rounds with the milkman? Could Max Turner, owner of Cozy Cow Dairy, have had a secret he didn’t want to share with his top employee? The more Hannah snoops, the more suspects turn up. Why has Lake Eden’s most prominent prodigal son, Benton Woodley, just resurfaced? And what about the mysterious Mr. Harris who seemed interested in buying the property next to the dairy, but then disappeared? This is one murder that’s starting to leave a very bad taste in Hannah’s mouth. And if she doesn’t watch her back, Hannah’s sweet life may get burned to a crisp.
Review: This is the reissue of the first book in the Hannah Swensen series. It comes complete with the added short story Candy For Christmas. I have to say that I'm not sure what I love the most about the series, the characters or the recipes. I made the Chocolate Chip Crunches a few weeks ago and everyone raved about them. So Joanne gets props for having awesome cookie recipes. I plan on trying a few more from this book too.
The story is like most of the others in the series, only you get to see everything from the beginning. I've read a few of the books already and I have to tell you, it doesn't matter if you read them in order or not.
This book is pure fluff, and I don't mean that in a bad way. This is the kind of fluff you reach for when you've had a bad day and you need to just enjoy your reading time. I really liked getting to see the start of Hannah's relationships with Mike and Norman. I don't usually "ship" with these stories, but finally reading this book, I have to say, I'm Team Norman.
The murders were amusing, and being the dunce that I am, I never figured out whodunit until I reached the end. I always find myself laughing when the amateur sleuths go breaking in to places and they never get in trouble, even when they find bodies there!
This edition also includes a short story, Candy For Christmas. This was really a sweet story, no murder involved here, just a runaway girl and a whole lot of great holiday cookie recipes.
Lake Eden is one of my favorite places to visit, because Hannah and her family and friends are just so much fun to spend time with!
Rating: 5 flowers
3 comments:
Not my sort of book, but happy you liked it and enjoyed it :)
I have read all of these in order from beginning to end, with the exception of the latest release. I love the series!! They are fluff, but good fluff. I have so connected with citizens in town and it is fun to see what happens with them next.
I am so glad that you liked this one so much. It is one of my favorite cozy series. I am on book 4, Chocolate Cupcake Murder. Great review.
- FABR Steph
Post a Comment