Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries)

by Joanne Fluke

2004

Status

Available

Publication

Kensington (2004), Edition: Reprint, 352 pages

Description

Fiction. Mystery. HTML: The residents of Lake Eden, Minnesota, are planning to paint the town red, white, and blue to celebrate the Fourth of July�??but the fireworks are already going off at Hannah Swensen's bake shop, The Cookie Jar�?� Lemon Meringue Pie Murder Hannah Swensen thought she'd finally discovered the recipe for a perfect life. But her sometime beau Norman Rhodes tosses a surprise ingredient into the mix when he phones to tell her he's just bought a house from local drugstore clerk Rhonda Scharf�??which he plans to tear down in order to build the dream home he and Hannah designed. It seems the plan has been cooking for quite some time, and Hannah's shocked. Especially since her ring finger is still very much bare�?� The good news is that the soon-to-be-torn-down house is full of antiques�??and Norman has given Hannah and her mother first dibs. They uncover some gorgeous old furniture, a patchwork quilt�?�and Rhonda Scharf's dead body. A little more sleuthing turns up the half-eaten remains of a very special dinner for two�??and one of The Cookie Jar's famous lemon meringue pies. Now it's up to Hannah to turn up the heat�??and get busy tracking down clues. Starting in her… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member janetmueller2007

Too Many Cookies Can Be Murder to Your Waistline!, July 25, 2006
By L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews

Hannah Swensen returns in the 4th book in this series. In this installment, Hannah jumps in to help solve a murder when a lemon meringue pie from her bakery, The Cookie Jar, is

found at the crime scene. When Norman Rhodes, one of Hannah's "boyfriends", purchases a home, he does not realize that the dead body of the previous owner will be found inside. It seems that this owner, Rhonda, stopped at her old home to pick up a few last items and thought she would have one last meal there. This meal was definitely her last, as the person that met her there may have been the last to see her alive! Adding to Hannah's troubles is the fact that some of her clothes just seem too tight, and so she sets out to put herself on a diet (even while she is baking all kinds of yummy cookies!). Playing a part in this mystery is Hannah's nagging mother, Norman's mother, and Mike, the policeman who usually fights to keep Hannah out of each case but finally gives up this time. As Hannah fights to keep her life in order and her weight in check, she must find a killer before he/she strikes again!

I have enjoyed each of the Hannah Swensen mysteries and have loved the recipes that are included in each book. Each time I have read one of the books, I find myself getting hungry (not good for my waistline either!) for all of the goodies that Hannah serves. The mysteries are interesting, but as I like culinary cozies, I enjoy the books more for the food and the characters. My only complaint about this series has to be in the dialogue between characters, as they are constantly repeating each other's names. Other than that, this delightful read will leave you "hungry" for more!

The first book in this series is "The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder". Enjoy!

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LibraryThing member miamismartgirl09

For the 4th book in the Hannah Swenson, this time a previous owner of a home that Hannah's boyfriend, Norman Rhodes, the town dentist, is found dead in the basement of the home!

Hannah needs to solve this murder in time for Norman to start tearing down and then building up their dream home!

Anoter

delightful read

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LibraryThing member pacey1927

As I mentioned in my earlier review of "Blueberry Muffin Murder" readers shouldn't expect a deep involved mystery from Joanne Fluke. These books definately run in the 'cozy' category. My 6th grade step-daughter reads and enjoys them, as well. In my opinon each of the four novels have gotten

progressively more interesting. (I seem to read them each a little quicker than the previos volume as well!) This volume finds Hannah involved in the murder of one of the town's residents. She also finds out about an old bank robbery, and some suspicious activity involving a local mentally handicapped man. How do these relate, if at all, Hannah wonders. By now, residents of Lake Eden are used to Hannah involving herself in murder investigations despite the lack of encouragement from local law enforcement. As a side note, things seem to be coming to a head in Hannah's love triange with handsome policeman Mike, and fun and earnest dentist Norman. Readers know all these characters now, and probably everyone has their favorites. We enjoy Hannah's attitude and delight in the antics of her sisters, mother and niece. There are flaws here, hence my three star rating. Readers obviously have to suspend reality when reading Fluke's novels. Medical information is quickly given to parties it shouldn't be. Everyone seems to run their mouths and volunteer information. Hannah has yet to meet someone who kicks her to the curb for questioning them. I guess the clues and information come across a little too conveniently. Still the entertainment value here is high. This is a fun series to hook yourself on. If you question whether or not to buy it, especially if you haven't tried a Hannah mystery before, borrow it from the library or buy it here used cheaply.

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LibraryThing member sunfi

The fourth Hannah Swenson cozy mystery. This introduced a couple new characters, but not so many that you wouldn't keep the story lines straight. While these books are entertaining, they won't make you brilliant. However I do think they will help deductive/inductive reasoning.

LibraryThing member bremmd

My husband jokes about the various mystery series I read and the professions of the solvers of said mysteries. He loves to pick some far fetched job or hobby and then have them solve the crime. Topiary sculptor or glass blower, teapot collector or professional sock darner you name it they solve

crimes. I myself am perfectly okay with this. But then I do have a remarkable ability to really suspend disbelief. So it all works out.

I'm just fine with Hannah Swensen being a baker who just happens to solve murders. I'm good with the idea the police in her town can't seem to solve any of these murders without her input. I'm alright with the fact Hannah stumbles on dead bodies more often than most people come across litter. This series works for me and I do enjoy most the characters.

Hannah's mom discovers a body in the basement of a house recently purchased by one of Hannah's love interests, Norman. (See she didn't stumble on the body this time so it works) In no time Hannah is investigating the murder and even has the okay of her other love interest, Mike, a detective in the local police. There's also a sub plot of stolen money and a local boy being led astray my his cousin and all of this takes place during 4th of July festivities.

I had a hard time sticking with this story. It moved just a little slow for me and it wasn't to hard to figure out who and why the murder was committed. The side stories of Hannah's diet and her little sisters visit didn't really move the story along (though I did like the character of the little sister). There were also time where Hannah came across as a little prudish or behind the times which just struck me as odd.

None of this turned me off to the series and I'm sure I'll keep plugging away. Plus, there are some really good recipes throughout and I love a good cookie recipe.

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LibraryThing member hklibrarian

My first Hannah Swensen Mystery. I liked the characters but felt there were too many to keep track of. I liked Hannah in particular. Encouraged to read more of the series. Coookie recipes made me hungry! :)

LibraryThing member Jiraiya

I feel a bit dishonest giving this book one star, but in some ways it does deserve it. I skipped some parts. I was distracted and couldn't give the story proper attention. I'm already forgetting large chunks of the story. The first chunk (I estimate at about 100 pages) was very nice and cozy. The

author took her time to lower Hannah gently into the mystery. It never got any other way except downhill from there. There wasn't much twittering of Tracey to endure, but when one superfluous character falls, another takes its place. It's like a hydra or the roman legions. Anyway I found the Michelle character boring. It was weird to find inter cultural ( that's how it says it right in the book) romance taboo - I simply wish to move on to the next book and be done with this review.

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LibraryThing member BookConcierge

Hannah Swenson is at it again - solving the murder of a middle-aged flirt who had just inherited her aunt's estate. (I figured it out on page 193.)

LibraryThing member Maydacat

Hannah is surprised when Norman buys some property to build the dream house that they had designed for a contest. Everyone one assumes that he has asked Hannah to be his wife, but alas, he has not. Still Hannah is happy that Norman is finally leaving his mother’s home. Norman first has to tear

down the house that still occupies the land, and has offered his mother and Hannah’s any of the things there for their antique shop. Unfortunately, also occupying the house is a dead body. Hannah has been pressed into service to dig up the clues, and she is determined to succeed, even if it kills her. This sweet cozy will have you reaching for a piece of pie to enjoy while you match wits with these engaging characters to solve the mystery.

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LibraryThing member gypsysmom

This is a pretty good cozy mystery, sort of like Diane Mott Davidson books but a little more down to earth. I haven't read any in this series before so it's nice to find a new series I can investigate. The recipes interleaved in the book look good and I've copied a few to try in the future.

Hannah

Swenson is the co-owner of The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota. Her mother asks Hannah to accompany her to a house that is about to be torn down to look for antiques for her mother's store. (Her mother has an ulterior motive because the owner of the house is one of Hannah's boyfriends and she thinks if she throws them together the boyfriend will pop the question.) Her mother is shaken up to discover the vendor of the house dead in the basement. One of Hannah's lemon meringue pies is sitting on the kitchen table with only one piece taken out of it. Hannah is persuaded to investigate the murder despite the fact that her other boyfriend is one of the cops officially investigating the crime.

Lots of false leads later, Hannah solves the crime but almost loses her life. My biggest criticism about the book is the way Hannah goes about losing weight because she can't fit into the summer pants she bought last year. Instead of going on a sensible eating plan and exercising, Hannah cuts out everything except lettuce, cottage cheese and coffee. It's a wonder she didn't die of kidney failure or at least have heart palpitations.

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LibraryThing member dele2451

I like the simple recipes in this one.

LibraryThing member ChazziFrazz

July in Lake Eden, Minnesota and everyone is ready for the 4th of July and fireworks. Hannah is still being courted by Norman Rhodes and Mike Kingston, and she can't decide which one is the most important.

Things really heat up when Norman tells Hannah he has bought a piece of property and is going

to build the dream house that he and Hannah designed and won a prize for! Does this mean that Hannah and Norman are engaged? On top of that, the property has a house that will be torn down, and is currently full of antiques that need new homes. When Norman gives Hannah and her mother, Delores, first choice this becomes a nightmare when Delores finds a body in the basement.

Among the clues to finding a murder is the remnants of a dinner for two and one of Hannah's famous lemon meringue pies. Who, when and why become the top questions on Hannah's search list as she tries to solve this mystery.

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LibraryThing member cubsfan3410

Fun fluffy mystery. Some of the conversation that takes place in the story is 'random' but other than that, it was enjoyable.

LibraryThing member lkernagh

Another fun mystery visit with the folks of Lake Eden. Yes, some of the dialogue and social expectations come across a dated. Hey, the story was written in 2003 and we are talking about a small lake town community - not some bustling metropolis - so while Hannah's "leaps" of concern regarding her

"kid" sister's fashion (and boyfriend) choices and her reason for going on a diet tended to make me roll my eyes - Hannah has a re-occurring habit of making some interesting assumptions without knowing all the facts - it is what it is and probably should be tempered considering her own interesting "playing the field". No big surprises with this mystery. I enjoyed this story more for the overall community spirit - and the recipes, especially the pecan praline and orange snap cookie recipes - but I have to admit, not the greatest story in the series so far, but still entertaining to listen to while I am out walking.

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LibraryThing member jbarr5

Lemon Meringue Murder Mystery by Joanne Fluke
This story starts out with Hannah and she's agreed to be a witness for Norman, he's buying a house and plans to knock it down, on the lake, and build the house they designed.
EVERYBODY thinks she's to wed him but he's not even asked. When they and her

mother head to the house to get some old antique items Delores finds a dead body...
Hannah questions a lot of others to find out who was at the house and who had seen the person last to put the clues together to solve the mystery.
Always a lot going on, Michelle shows up for college break and there are many changes with her, a murder occurs and Hannah is on, she didn't realize there was a pool as to how long it'd be til she signed up.
Learned a few new things with photography and other general information that would be coming in handy, along with special ingredients in cookies.
Baking conversion charts are also listed at the end.
Recipes every other chapter. Charts for conversions are also included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

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