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BOOK INFO

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BOOK BLURB

Not even Lake Eden’s nosiest residents suspected Hannah Swensen would go from idealistic newlywed to betrayed wife in a matter of weeks. But as a deadly mystery unfolds in town, the proof is in the pudding…

When The Cookie Jar becomes the setting of a star-studded TV special about movies filmed in Minnesota, Hannah hopes to shine the spotlight on her bakery—not the unsavory scandal swirling around her personal life. But that’s practically impossible with a disturbing visit from the shifty character she once believed was her one and only love, a group of bodyguards following her every move, and a murder victim in her bedroom. Now, swapping the crime scene in her condo for her mother Delores’s penthouse, Hannah and an old flame team up to solve a case that’s messier than an upended chocolate cream pie. As suspects emerge and secrets hit close to home, Hannah must serve a hefty helping of justice to an unnamed killer prowling around Lake Eden… before someone takes a slice out of her!

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MY REVIEW

Chocolate Cream Pie Murder is the 24th book in the Hannah Swensen series by Joanna Fluke. I haven’t read all of the books in this series. I’ve read six or seven books, and hopped around in the order. I do plan to go back and read the entire series. Anyway, this book is best read after reading the others in the series.

Hannah’s personal life is front and center as the truth about her marriage to Ross is revealed. As her scoundrel of a (fake) husband makes a reappearance, Hannah is trying to get on with her life.

These books usually start with Hannah finding a dead body within the first couple of chapters, then going on to play amateur sleuth to solve the murder mystery. In this book, the murder doesn’t happen to really late in the book. So late, I was beginning to think one would never happen. I know these books are mostly formulaic, but I like them and was disappointed in how this book was going. So, this one is more focused on Hannah’s personal life, than a murder mystery.

While I didn’t find this one as enjoyable as others in the series, it was nice to see Hannah getting back on track. Since this is a series, these books sometimes end on a cliffhanger, and this one is a doozy. Hopefully, the next one goes in a good direction.

This is a good series for fans of cozy mysteries and food. The main character own a bakery, and recipes are included throughout the book. Honestly, I skip over the recipes because I’m not much of a cook, but this one seemed to include more dinner recipes than dessert recipes.

A quick, light read for cozy mystery fans. Delightful and entertaining.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Books in the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
2. Strawberry Shortcake Murder
3. Blueberry Muffin Murder
4. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
5. Fudge Cupcake Murder
6. Sugar Cookie Murder
7. Peach Cobbler Murder
8. Cherry Cheesecake Murder
9. Key Lime Pie Murder
10. Carrot Cake Murder
11. Cream Puff Murder
12. Plum Pudding Murder
13. Apple Turnover Murder
14. Devil’s Food Cake Murder
15. Cinnamon Roll Murder
16. Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
17. Blackberry Pie Murder
18. Double Fudge Brownie Murder
19. Wedding Cake Murder
20. Christmas Caramel Murder
21. Banana Cream Pie Murder
22. Raspberry Danish Murder
23. Christmas Cake Murder
24. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder
25. Coconut Layer Cake Murder
26. Christmas Cupcake Murder
27. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder
28. Caramel Pecan Roll Murder
29. Pink Lemonade Cake Murder
30. Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder