Usually I only have time to read one “twaddle” book per year and that’s usually while we are on Christmas break. This year I decided to start reading the Joanne Fluke series thanks to one of my SHS cyber friends loaning me the first 6 books in the series. I did more than “start” the series. I somehow managed to read the ENTIRE series this year. When Tim saw me reading one of the books and joked about me reading such “fluff,” he had GOOD REASON to shake his head when he saw SIX of them on my desk (LOL)! He said there is definitely one thing that always holds true with me…. it’s all or nothing! Others who know that my normal reading is history related have also had fun teasing me about reading this series. Emily is the one who noticed that each of the covers has a skull located somewhere on the featured dessert except the most recent book, Cheesecake Murder, on which we couldn’t find a skull.

It usually takes me about a month to read one of these since I can only fit in a few minutes here and there while waiting for kids, reading inbetween all of the other “nontwaddle” books I’m reading for our school, waiting in line at the bank, etc. (I did end up reading the last 2 books in less than 14 days since I had to get them on interlibrary loan – lol). I was reminded AGAIN why I don’t like to read library books… they smell…. I was REALLY surprised to get through all of these books this year and I decided to save the reviews and post them all at one time, however, I did most of these reviews quite a long time after reading the book so I may have messed up the order of a few of the details. Still, the reviews will give you a general idea of common themes in this series and introduce you to the main characters.

FIRST IN THE SERIES:
In this book you are introduced to Hannah Swenson who owns a popular bakery in Lake Eden, The Cookie Jar. She has a cat named Moishe and she drives a candy apple red Suburban which her accountant claims as a tax write off since she has advertisements for the Cookie Jar on it. Her mother is anxious to have her get married and sets her up with several dates. In this book, she finds the Cozy Cow Dairy delivery man dead in the alley behind her bakery. Her famous Chocolate Chip cookies are scattered around the scene and she is determined to solve the murder and save her cookies’ reputation. She finds herself in a pickle and is rescued just in time. I wonder if ALL of the books in this series will have double murders.

SECOND IN THE SERIES:
I forgot to mention in the above review that Hannah has red curly hair. Her mother, Delores, calls every morning bright and early. Hannah has to have several cups of coffee to get herself going in the morning and Moishe has a knack for getting into the pantry to get his own food. She dates the town dentist, Norman, as well as the newest detective, Mike. Lisa, her young employee, becomes a partner in the Cookie Jar and tends to the bakery while Hannah is out solving murders. She also keeps the bakery decorated for each changing season. In this book, one of the dessert bake off judges is found dead and of course Hannah has to solve the murder and like last time she finds herself in a pickle and is rescued just in time.

THIRD IN THE SERIES:
Right in the middle of all the Winter Carnival preparations, Hannah’s bakery is shut down when a cable TV cooking show personality is murdered in HER bakery. Both Hannah and Norman’s moms decide to open up an antique store right across from the Cookie Jar which makes it convenient for Hannah’s mom to stop in more often – that’s in addition to the daily early morning phone call. Lisa’s partner, is dating Herb and they eventually become engaged. Lisa’s father has Alzheimer’s and Herb’s mother used to have a crush on him or date him (can’t remember for sure). Herb’s mother offers to help watch after and care for Lisa’s father which will make it easier on the engaged couple… but I know that info is a few books early (LOL).

FOURTH IN THE SERIES:
Surprise. Surprise. Hannah finds another dead body. This time while looking through antiques in a soon-to-be-torn down house that Norman purchased. In it’s place, the house that Norman and Hannah designed will be built. Hannah wonders about the new house plans and who will share it with Norman since he hasn’t popped the question to her yet. Andrea’s realtor expertise comes in handy in this book and the two, Hannah and her sister Andrea, have become quite the duo at solving murder mysteries although neither Mike nor Andrea’s husband, Bill, want them to help with any more investigations. They have to be careful to only do leg work… but eventually end up solving the crimes for the detectives.

FIFTH IN THE SERIES:
In this series Andrea’s husband, Bill, is running for Sheriff which is very unfortunate for him when the current Sheriff shows up dead and he becomes the number one suspect. Both Hannah and Andrea work overtime to find the killer so Bill can go back to work and Andrea’s life can return to normal. Andrea is expecting and having Bill at home causes problems for her because he won’t let her do anything and he takes charge of cleaning things out of the house. Hannah found the Sheriff’s body while emptying trash from her cooking class into a dumpster. The cooking class is testing all of the recipes which are competing to be entered in Lake Eden’s cookbook… and Hannah has to make Moishe’s food from scratch.

SIXTH IN THE SERIES:
This book didn’t take long to read at all since the last 1/2 of the book includes recipes from Lake Eden’s Christmas party which is a tasting event for all of the recipes that will be published in their soon-to-be-released cookbook. A Minnesota blizzard has everyone locked down at the party where Dolores’ prized possession is stolen and, of course, there is a murder…. but was it really murder this time? I won’t give away the surprise and Andrea has her baby. Was it really what they thought it would be and what are they going to do about the name? Hannah gets to drive Mike’s prized I wonder if Hannah will chose Mike or Norman. I guess I’ll have to track down the next book sooner rather than later.

SEVENTH IN THE SERIES:
This book opens with Hannah feeding her cat ice cream out of a fancy crystal dessert dish… hm….. I guess the special cat diet from the last book didn’t carry forward to this book. Moishe (the cat) gets several “jobs” hunting mice out of people’s spare bedrooms. The Cookie Jar almost goes under when two new gals come to town (brought into the story with the previous book) and open up a bakery down the street. Hannah becomes the #1 suspect when she finds one of the sisters dead. Hannah’s business partner, Lisa, gets married. Hannah ponders whether she would like to marry Mike or Norman, but doesn’t have to worry since neither propose…. until the last page… but I won’t give away what happens.

#8 IN THE SERIES
This book has a completely different opening than any of the other books – a prologue which describes the murder. All the way through the book you know it’s coming and you can watch for clues. Interesting. I liked the change. A murder happens during the filming of a movie in Lake Eden. Several locals have parts in the movie including Hannah’s cat, Moishe, and her niece. Hannah answers both proposals from the last book…. She runs into a friend from college which puts both Mike and Norman on edge. The Cookie Jar is hired to make mini Cherry Cheesecakes which are featured in one of the movie scenes. Hannah lands a part in the movie and…. of course, she solves the murder mystery.

This book wasn’t initially on my summer reading list. However, I’ve been wanting to read it ever since it came out in March.

Hannah Swensen’s cat, Moishe, takes on an almost front and center role in this book being treated to home cooked meals, specially prepared carry out dinners, and he even receives an invitation to dinner at Norman’s house (LOL). Speaking of Norman’s house. It must be about finished I’m guessing, Hannah went out to see it and it sounds LOVELY! I wish it were a real life house (LOL).

Hannah continues to have a hard time chosing between Norman (the town dentist) and Mike (the town law enforcement officer). They are both hoping to win her hand in marriage. I suppose there are a few more books to come in this series since she didn’t chose one in during this book (LOL).

I hadn’t read the reviews of this book so I had no idea it took place at a county fair. I happened to read this book the week before our county fair which was kind of fun. I commented about this book to a friend of mine while we were walking past the booth mentioned in the book where the murderer gets his weapon… notice how I didn’t give anyway any of the details?

This was a fun book and nice light reading for the summer!

Cream Puff Murder is #11 in the series.  Hannah tries to get into shape by joining a health club with her sister so she can fit into a special-occasion dress.  In this book, one of her two boyfriends finds himself the suspect in a murder.

Number 12 in the Hannah Swensen series, the Plum Pudding Murder

Hannah’s latest book, Apple Turnover Murder, was released on February 23, 2010.