Rating: 
Summary: Inexplicably Entertaining
Review: I've become hooked on this mystery series, although I can't figure out why! The writing is repetitive; there are pages and pages of irrelevant detail; and the recipes (although they sound great) are written in a very patronizing way! But the characters and the setting are appealing (even if Hannah is too self-congratulatory and not very insightful -- it's the others who make the books worthwhile), and they are fun, quick reads.
Rating: 
Summary: Inconsistent behavior
Review: Inconsistent behavior from the characters in books bugs me. If Hannah doesn't like hearing her mother talk about how she ought to get married in early morning phone calls, why doesn't she get caller ID? For that matter, why doesn't she get a portable phone & not have to go to such lengths to satisfy her cat & mother simultaneously? And how can anyone run a business when they're away from the place as often as the baker owner of the Cookie Jar is, for that matter? The book isn't bad but the main character certainly is annoying.
Rating:
Summary: Who Doesn't Love a Good Strawberry Shortcake?
Review: The 2nd book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series involves another case solved by an owner of a Minnesota bakery called The Cookie Jar. Hannah is also an amateur sleuth (having previously helped the police solve a murder involving a friend) and likes to get involved in police matters in between baking. In this book, the murder victim is Coach Boyd, a loudmouth, and nasty judge at the town's first Hartland Flour Baking Contest. He is murdered, and his battered wife enlists Hannah's help in finding the murderer, claiming her innocence. However, with her fingerprints all over the murder weapon and a strong motive of spousal abuse even Hannah will have trouble proving this abused wife's innocence. This was an excellent read more for the character relationships than it was for the mystery. Although the mystery was interesting, I find the characters engaging and the town "warm" despite the cold temperatures. The dialogue between the characters gets repetitive at times (they are constantly repeating one another's names) but overall, this is a light, entertaining mystery series. Also included in these books are yummy recipes that you can try which is a nice treat while you read the books! I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders, before you read this book as it gives a lot of background on the other characters in this series. Enjoy! A Cozy Lover
Rating:
Summary: Who Doesn't Love a Good Strawberry Shortcake?
Review: The 2nd book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series involves another case solved by an owner of a Minnesota bakery called The Cookie Jar. Hannah is also an amateur sleuth (having previously helped the police solve a murder involving a friend) and likes to get involved in police matters in between baking. In this book, the murder victim is Coach Boyd, a loudmouth, and nasty judge at the town's first Hartland Flour Baking Contest. He is murdered, and his battered wife enlists Hannah's help in finding the murderer, claiming her innocence. However, with her fingerprints all over the murder weapon and a strong motive of spousal abuse even Hannah will have trouble proving this abused wife's innocence. This was an excellent read more for the character relationships than it was for the mystery. Although the mystery was interesting, I find the characters engaging and the town "warm" despite the cold temperatures. The dialogue between the characters gets repetitive at times (they are constantly repeating one another's names) but overall, this is a light, entertaining mystery series. Also included in these books are yummy recipes that you can try which is a nice treat while you read the books! I would recommend that you read the first book in the series, The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders, before you read this book as it gives a lot of background on the other characters in this series. Enjoy! A Cozy Lover
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasing read. This mysery draws the reader into the story
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: a good read (especially around holidays)
Review: This book is simple fun! The heroine, a slightly frumpy and ever-believable Hannah, has trouble on her hands when a dead body mars the baking competition she judges. To help clear the name of the most likely suspect, she juggles her work, judging duties, her family obligations, and the rest of her life, and manages to fit in some time for investigation. I found this book to be delightful. Granted, it is not one of the greatest works of fiction, but it delivers good entertainment. My suggestion is to read this over winter holidays: the setting is snowy and you can almost smell the cookies!
Rating:
Summary: Hannah can be my best friend.
Review: This is a delightful mystery, tasty and tasteful. While it's not necessary to read Ms. Fluke's first Hannah Swensen mystery to thoroughly enjoy this one, you don't want to miss that one either. Both form the basis of what looks to be a successful series of culinary cozy mysteries. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Hannah, her sister Andrea, Norman, Mike...heck, all of the residents of Eden Lake better. Of course, I'm hooked and can't wait until the next installment.
Rating:
Summary: A Culinary Event Continues
Review: This is one of the best culinary mystery series for it incorporates recipes into the storyline. It makes you want to make every "cookie" item and savor the relationships expressed by the characters. Art work used on the cover just enhances the anticipation of the food and mystery to follow. Keep them coming and watch the calories!
Rating:
Summary: A Culinary Event Continues
Review: This is one of the best culinary mystery series for it incorporates recipes into the storyline. It makes you want to make every "cookie" item and savor the relationships expressed by the characters. Art work used on the cover just enhances the anticipation of the food and mystery to follow. Keep them coming and watch the calories!
Rating:
Summary: Inspires Baking...
Review: This series is great and the characters are ones that you want to read about more. I constantly felt the need to go bake (and sample!) the many great recipes that were included in the book. The mysteries are light, but not thoroughly transparent. I'll get the next book that comes out in this series!
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