Publication Date: February 28, 2012 Finished: April 21, 2012 Robin’s Rating: Always Good Audio Book Read by: Suzanne Toren
Book Cover Description: When Hannah Swensen hears that the Cinnamon Roll Six jazz band will be playing at a festival in Lake Eden, Minnesota, she bakes up a supply of their namesake confections to welcome them. But tragedy strikes when their tour bus overturns on its way into town. And keyboard player Buddy Neiman's minor injuries turn deadly serious when someone plunges surgical scissors into his chest...Turns out, Buddy Neiman isn't the victim's real name. In fact, no one is really sure who he is. Hannah's investigation digs up a few local suspects. There is Doctor Bev, who seems to know more about "Buddy" than she's willing to admit. And Devon, an aspiring keyboard player who may have had a fatal case of jealousy. Hannah isn't sure how she'll unravel the mystery, but one thing's for sure: there's nothing sweeter than bringing a killer to justice...
What I Think: I love these books. I want to be friends with Hannah Swensen, and have her make me cookies. And of course, if I ever happen to just stumble across a dead body the way that Hannah does I absolutely want her on the job. I don’t know when I first read one of Ms. Fluke’s delightful tales of the kind and kooky baker who always seems to be in the wrong place, but I do know that I was hooked after the first one. Just like a batch of chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven.
Here’s what I like about these books: the people who live in Lake Eden are warm and wonderfully quirky; the Cookie Jar is the kind of place I’d like to have in my town; Even though these are murder mysteries, they are funny and as wholesome; The bad guy (or gal) always gets caught, and then there are the cookies! It’s true they are predictable, and have been for a while (this is the 15th in the series!), but I’m willing to accept that. Think of them as you’re favorite sweatshirt. It always feels good, but you’d never wear it out in public!
If you’re looking for a consistently crafted who done it, give one of these mysteries a try. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed! One last thing worth mentioning is that I usually listen to these books while I’m in the kitchen cooking or cleaning. All of the Hannah Swenson books have cookie recipes included in the stories. Since the books are read as they are written, we got to listen to a recipe read through at the end of each chapter. Very boring! and quite distracting to the flow of the story. In this new book the recipes are grouped together and read at the end. I’m so thankful for this change. Not that I don’t love a good recipe, it’s just that I don’t want it in the middle of Hannah’s antics!