This fun new story from the Queen of Culinary Cozies is just the indulgence you need this winter! Cozy mystery fans know that a trip to The Cookie Jar—Hannah Swensen’s famous bakery—will always result in a delightfully page-turning whodunit… familiar cast of characters, all the while relishing the baking frame and the delicious-sounding recipes.”
—Booklist
“Another sweet-tempered outing filled with tempting sweets.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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!
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I have read every Hannah Swenson story and I love her character. I think it’s time Hannah finally makes a choice and moves forward. The Ross storyline was not something that made sense for Hannah and I think it’s time she finally pick her future! I read this one pretty quickly to get to the end. Mayor Bascomb has been murdered and Hannah’s sister Andrea is right in the middle of this one. This time around, everyone helps solve this murder until the very end. Something different in this story was the inner dialogue Hannah kept having with herself. It felt like it was filler more than anything else. I miss my old Hannah and will still read the next book in the hopes that Hannah finally moves on with her life.
Hannah Swenson is investigating yet another murder in the small town of Lake Eden, MN. This time her sister Andrea finds herself to be a suspect after finding the victim dead in his office. Of course, Norman is able to take time off to help her track down suspects and check their alibis. When the puzzle pieces begin to take shape Hannah plans to confront the killer and possibly puts herself at risk.
This is the 27th book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. While I’m invested enough in the characters and recipes to keep reading, I’m beginning to lose my patience with the writer’s obsessions with coffee, butter and pointing out how much Mike eats. Also, I really found Hannah’s “talking to herself” extremely annoying. And, while I don’t want to invite back the love triangle, I wish Hannah would either get a boyfriend or at least tell Norman she is not interested in him. There is absolutely no romance between the two of them and the poor man is clinging to her. I recommend this book if you are invested in the characters. If you are new to the series read from book 1 and stop when it gets too weird. Will I read the next book? Probably.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
By Joanne Fluke
There is nothing like reading a culinary cozy mystery by Joanne Fluke! All I need is a bit of pastry, a nice cup of tea, and off I go immersing myself in this fun murder mystery. In this installment, I am in the midst of springtime in Lake Eden, Minnesota in the very busy Easter season at the aptly named The Cookie Jar, The last thing Hannah needs is a frantic call from her sister Andrea who finds herself to be the main suspect to mayor Richard Bascomb’s sister.
Its so lovely to revisit Hannah and her family in another cozy mystery that is simply a delight to read. I love picking up on the red herrings and immersing myself into the story, the intrigues of the small town, and getting to know some new characters into the mix. Another lovely and solid read from Joanne Fluke.
I felt like there were as many pages of recipes as there were of story. Rather light on plot. I read it because I’ve read all the others.
I’ve read all this series in order, Fun and entertaining with great recipes. Highly recommend.
She always has a good story line. Have read all her books as one lstory line goes into the next book.
Another great book by Joanna Fluke
This long running culinary cozy series is heavy on the family and friends relationships and lots of food. It’s a nice escape to the small Minnesota town of Lake Eden. The mystery is overshadowed by the character interactions but, after 27 books I expect that and it works. Yes, it’s predictable and that’s comforting. Thinking I will ever try all of the recipes – that hasn’t changed and it’s probably a good thing thing that I don’t cook. Too many calories.
Hannah has heard her sister go toe to toe with the obnoxious mayor. Even through the mayor’s thick office door the loud voices come through clear as a bell and it isn’t pretty. The mayor has gone after Andrea’s husband for arresting his precious nephew and has made threats. Andrea isn’t going to let it go and she makes her point very, very clear….and very loud. Too bad somebody else has had enough of the man and bumps him off. The list of suspects is long and Andrea tops the list. Not only did she have that ugly confrontation but she is the one to find his corpse. Hannah is now on the case as nobody messes with her family and gets away with it.
My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I have enjoyed this series through the years, but the writing has definitely gone downhill. The conversations between the characters was so lightweight and choppy. And Hannah’s internal debate conversation is right irritating.
While those are the negatives, I did at least enjoy the mystery. And it was a nice change of pace for who was guilty. Even though the recipes take up a good number of the pages in the book, I do enjoy having those and the ability to bake the delicious creations. I hope the series improves back to the delightful books that were written earlier. It would make me sad to miss out on Hannah’s adventures.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Can Hannah find who killed the mayor before her sister is arrested for the crime? Read and see.
Another fun and interesting adventure with Hannah and crew. And now I want some cheesecake.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
The latest in the Hannah Swensen book-ography has Hannah investigating when her sister Andrea discovers the body of one of Lake Eden’s most reputable citizens. Because Andrea also had a heated altercation with said citizen earlier in the day she is the prime suspect.
This book, more than any other in this series, seems to have a lot of using going on. Mike is the most prevalent example as almost every other character in almost every chapter says something about how Mike will want the extras of whatever they’re eating, even if he wasn’t invited to the meal! I found it very grating. Hannah is using Norman because she and Moishe are living with him still while Michelle and Lonnie are at the condo. And Hannah actually refers to Norman as her boyfriend. It’s clear that he isn’t really, though, and that Hannah is only staying with him out of necessity because she is clearly desperate to get back to the condo and is only staying away because Moishe is terrified of going back there.
I was surprised about the identity of the victim because I’d thought this person wasn’t so bad. Possibly my idea of them was clouded by their portrayal in the Hannah Hallmark movies?
All in all, though, a nice check back in on Lake Eden residents for fans of the series.
This is one of my favorite series and I’ve read every book. Fluke does an amazing job of writing a bok that pulls you right into the story line. Her characters are superbly developed. I enjoy reading these books just to see what hi-jinks Hannah gets herself into. If you want a book to get yourself absorbed into this is it.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and this is my voluntary, honest review.
Hannah is at it again. Spring may have sprung with Easter on the way but when her sister calls to tell her Mayor Bascomb is dead, Hannah must juggle everything to find the true murderer and clear her sister. Ricky Ticky may not have been the nicest person but even he didn’t deserve to die. With Andrea the number one suspect, Hannah must find out who done it from the list of suspects piling up. Hannah finds herself wading through a long list in order to discover why he was killed. Can she do it before another murder happens? I look forward to the next installment. A received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Book starts out with listing of works by the author in this series, table of contents and dedication and acknowledgement pages.
Hannah is at the mayor’s office and his secretary is having some cookies. Andrea, Hannah’s sister has a husband who is a cop and keeping her cool with the mayor but she is telling him off about an arrest her husband made.
Andrea had gotten so mad at the mayor she hit him and he fell out of his chair.
Later Andrea goes to the mayor at work with a triple chocolate cake to apologize but he’s dead…
Hannah works with Mike and Loonie this time and they exchange information with one another.
There are potentially so many that could’ve done it… Love catching up with all the characters over the years I’ve read this series. Even if you are reading this a s first timer you will feel comfortable as some things about the characters will bring you up to date with the past books.
With all the Easter parties and events Hannah is busy with Easter treats and we, the reader get the recipes to try for ourselves.
They sound so yummy just reading about them. Hannah has been living at Norman’s because her cat won’t go back to the condo, Ross had lived there with them and the family has taken care of redoing the whole place for her return. Her sister Michelle lives there til she returns.
Love how this one all comes together. Index and baking conversion charts are listed at the end.
I received this review book from Kensington Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.
#TripleChocolateCheesecakeMurder #NetGalley
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke is book 27 in the Hannah Swenson Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
This time it’s Hannah’s sister that is the suspect in the latest murder in Lake Eden. The mayor has been found slumped on his desk with his head bashed in and Andrea was one of the last to see him alive and unfortunately, the one to find him. Though Hannah is baking for Easter, she also is helping Mike with the investigation knowing Andrea couldn’t have done it.
There are plenty of plot twists, likeable characters, humor, family and plenty if yummy sounding recipes. I will say, I have read all in the series and this one was a tad disappointing. There seemed to be a lot of coffee drinking as a fill in.
I was given an ARC from Kensington via NetGalley for an honest review.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke is a Hannah Swensen cozy mystery and as much recipes as mystery. I remember loving this series, for many years, but it has gotten so simplistic. Is it just me? Andrea’s husband, Bill, is the sheriff and he had stopped the mayor’s nephew for drunk driving. Instead of letting him off, as he had in the past, he arrested him because there was a highway patrolman present and he had no choice. The mayor tried to fire him. Andrea, Hannah’s sister, was having none of it and was in speaking to the mayor right now. He voice was low and controlled. How long would that last Hannah, who was in the outer office, wondered. Well, she soon had her answer, with a resounding smack and a crash. Andrea had slapped his face so hard that she had knocked his chair over. Time to leave, so Andrea, Hannah, and Terry, the mayor’s secretary, rushed out the door. Hannah and Andrea were joining everyone at her mother’s for dinner. Hannah had brought three Triple Chocolate Cheesecakes with her so there would be plenty for everyone. Mike was coming, and he always ate A LOT. Andrea didn’t feel like staying so he left. After she got home she realized she needed to apologize to the mayor, so cutting a big slab of the cheesecake she’d brought home for Bill, she went to his office, where she discovered his body. She was paralyzed.
This truly is a cozy. We know all the characters and they get together daily in a kitchen to bake. The reader is comfortable with everyone. We know what to expect. We all know Andrea didn’t kill the mayor. Even the police knew that. But who did? Hannah has her famous “murder book” started almost immediately but there are so many suspects. The mayor was not a popular man. Even Mike suggested they share information. That was new. He was normally warning her to stay out of it. It was a simplistic story. I could see the end a mile away. Everybody loved happily ever after. But isn’t that what’s supposed to happen in a cozy?
I was invited to read a free ARC of Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Netgalley.
All opinions contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #triplechocolatecheesecakemurder
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke is another wonderful Hannah story!! I love visiting Hannah and the gang and seeing what they are up to. While the series is best read in order I think if you wanted you could jump right on into this book. Highly recommended and delicious recipes incorporated also!!
When Hannah’s sister Andrea calls her panicked because she just found a dead body, Hannah goes to her and discovers Andrea has found the Mayor dead in his office. Many people have reason to kill Mayor Bascomb but, Hannah knows Andrea just had an argument and had slapped the Mayor that afternoon so it puts Andrea at the top of the list!
It is almost Easter, Hannah and the girls are busy as always at The Cookie Jar getting ready for the holiday when another murder investigation lands in her lap. Norman is helping Hannah look for suspects and luckily, this time Mike and Lonnie need her help and ask for it instead of warning her to butt out. Andrea’s husband, Bill, has to sit back and let his deputies investigate his wife, no matter how hard it is.
Joanne Fluke has done it again with another installment of her fun series. Many suspects, all with reason to kill and lots of interaction with Hannah and her family.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a copy of this book!
Hannah is back at work but still living at Norman’s. Her cat Moishe refuses to return to her condo. As typical in these books, life centers around food and cooking. Hannah’s sister Andrea is a chief murder suspect as she finds the mayor dead. Andrea and the mayor had a fight earlier in the day.
I’ve read this series for a long time. Although there are the characters that we love, it seems as if the writing may be not to the par of the earlier books. The conversations seem a little adolescent and it might be past time to let Hannah take a next step in her life. As normal the book is filled with recipes to make. I enjoyed but hope for more from the next book.
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.