The structure of this book was interesting. The murder would happen halfway through, so a prologue showing the incident from the victim's view was written. The book has some heart and it won me over gradually. I was prepared to rate it 3 stars. But the last few pages undid all that goodwill. I'm always a sucker for an unorthodox climax. However that Dolores character not only ruined the mood for me but reminded me of the insufferable antics of that cat that I'd forgotten. I'm taking a hiatus fro...

In this 8th book in the 'Hannah Swensen' series, the baker/amateur sleuth investigates when an actor is murdered with a 'prop gun.' The book can be read as a standalone. *****The star of this series is Hannah Swenson - amateur sleuth and entrepreneur - who owns a cookie bakery and loves to create new cookies for her shop and prepare treats for her friends and relatives. Luckily for readers who'd like to try the sweets, recipes are provided. In this story some scenes for a Hollywood movie are sla...

With the eighth installment of the Hannah Swensen series, Cherry Cheesecake Murder delivers strong. I was very excited by the story, characters and forward motion in this book.The introduction of Ross as a new suitor for Hannah could have gone the wrong direction, but Ross combines the great attributes of Mike and Norman into a single man. I'm rooting for Ross to win Hannah's love; and let's get real, she needs to make a choice soon. I'm only saying so because the story dictates her to choose o...

It was all I could do to get through this poorly written, men’s rights advocating dumpster fire of a book. Joanne Fluke and her Mary Sue are sanctimonious, woman hating twits, and I’m done gritting my teeth over this. I’m convinced that Fluke is writing exclusively for an audience of midwestern, socially conservative housewives, with a healthy heap of misogynists “mixed in” This series is reliably sexist; there’s lots of female murder victim-blaming, slut shaming, biological essentialism, and sn...

Hannah Swensen, professional baker and amateur detective, is on the case again in the 8th book in this fun culinary cozy series. This is my favorite cozy series, so when snow was in the forecast here in NC, I went right to my best cozy pal to help me weather the storm. Fuzzy socks. Hot tea. And Hannah Swensen. Perfect snowy weather combination for me.In Cherry Cheesecake Murder a movie is being filmed in Lake Eden. The entire town is excited about the production. Hannah is hired to provide speci...

I'm done with this series. Both Norman, the dentist and Mike, the cop have proposed to Hannah so she debates with herself all night trying to decide who to marry. First of all, if you've been dating them both for so long and can't decide, it's because you really don't love either one. There is nothing spectacular about either guy.Secondly, Hannah finally comes up with Mike was handsome and exciting while Norman was dependable and endearing. Seriously that's her impression of both guys? Obviously...

I am enjoying this series more and more. Hannah and all the characters, seem so real. It feels like I have gotten to know these characters over these last few installments. I am looking forward to reading and I am glad I have plenty more to read.

“Why were you smiling like that?” “Smiling like what?” “Like the cat that got into the cream pot.” Lake Eden, a small cozy town in Minnesota, has been chosen by a famous director to be the set for a movie, and of course everyone is head over heels and trying their best to be chosen for a small part. Everything is going as smooth as a cheesecake, until the fake revolver used in a suicide scene turns out to be not so fake after all... the director gets killed on the spot and, guess what? Hannah S...

I love the Hannah Swensen series and all the recipes in the books. Another great installment!

4 StarsChallenges:AMMP: Oh, The Places You’ve Been!: MinnesotaFall Into Reading Challenge: Mystery

Hannah investigates the murder of a director from the movie that's being made in Lake Eden.And here is where I part ways with this series. It's a little sad, actually. Food, cozy mystery, small town, nice people, lots of dessert descriptions. It should have stayed better. I've read eight books in this series and given them three's and four's. This one was slowwwwwwww and awkwardly written (as was the last one). The murder didn't happen until half way through the book. Hannah is starting to show

Such a fantastic series! It never gets old for me. Whenever I am in a book slump I dive into a Hanna Swensen novel because she always seems to save the day! Now, I may be way behind in the series but I am going to try and finish them up within the next year! Fingers crossed.Highly recommended cozy series. Just make sure to read them in order of publication.

A film is being shot in Lake Eden. Stage mothers. Walk on roles for extras and 25-pound orange cats. Oy vey! Hannah is reeling after being proposed to by two men. There may be a third suitor waiting in the wings. And her cherry cheesecake may be the only thing that can keep an overly picky and at times creepy director under control. This mystery had at interesting format because (view spoiler)[ it was one of those where the murder didn’t take place until most of the way through the book. Still t...

This book really makes me dislike Hannah. She's a pompous ass. There is apparently nothing she can't cook and even though she is constantly described as being plump with frizzy red hair, she is the femme fatale of her sleepy little Minnesotan town.This book, Hannah decides which marriage proposal she will accept. Being the condescending twit that she is, she is put out that someone had the audacity to propose to her and actually expect a response. Sheesh - seriously? In the ultimate 'fence-sitti...

Come on, Joanne! Mike is a slut, Norman is everything a woman could possibly want, and this is what you do? Sigh. I give up. You make Hannah look like some kind of nasty tease. Norman needs to go find a woman who won't lead him around by the nose and then go chasing off after some pretty boy who has told her more than once that his job is more important than her! No more, Joanne - I didn't finish this one - - and I am really disappointed. Not only is Hannah such a screw-up that she not only teas...

This book was okay. Not the same charm as the previous ones. I'm really staring to tire of the Mike/Hannah/Norman triangle and was really incensed she added Ross to the mix. I really dislike love triangles and this one is really ridiculous. It's far-fetched the two men would get along so well and be okay with the woman they love dating others. The love triangle seriously detracts from the mystery (which was again somewhat predictable). Hannah is also very much becoming a Mary Sue character. http...

Another great Hannah Swensen murder mystery! As usual I enjoyed the characters and the plot. This murder made a lot of sense in the end and I enjoyed reading it :)

Digital audiobook read by Suzanne Toren1.5* Book Number Eight in the Hannah Swenson cozy mystery series, featuring the Cookie Shop proprietor, her two sisters, and their mother, along with a regular cast of town residents. A movie is being shot in Lake Eden, and many of the townspeople get roles in the production. But a terrible accident on the set of the climactic scene results in a death, that is ruled a homicide. This is bad on so many levels. I read it only to fulfill a challenge, because I

Hannah Swensen, please stop grammar policing people. And make up your mind with this love triangle. This has gone on too long! These men are far more patient than anyone I’ve ever known.

This is the first book of the series that I have read.I found the mystery to be plodding and predictable. It starts on page one with the murder, then you have to read 2/3 of the book in flashback to get back to where you started.I also really disliked the main character Hannah. Who really lets 2 guys that proposed to you wait 2 weeks (or more. This happened in a previous book so it could be even longer) while you decide who you want to marry. And then, even though it is a small town, she publicl...