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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I knew this was going to be a little different. The murder didn’t happen until 1/3 into the book.
They get stuck at the hall during the Christmas party due to a blizzard. But that doesn’t stop a murder from happening.
The ending was different from the past books as there was no motive behind it.
They get stuck at the hall during the Christmas party due to a blizzard. But that doesn’t stop a murder from happening.
The ending was different from the past books as there was no motive behind it.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
I enjoyed the simple storyline; however, this was painful on audio. I ended up finishing it in ebook format, which was better. I probably won't read any more of these, but it was a nice change from the heavier stuff I've been reading and listening to.
So so book, I think I'm done with this series for a while. Some good sounding recipes in the back of the book though.
I picked up this book for two reasons: 1) I'm really into holiday themed cozy murder mysteries and 2) I love the Hannah Swensen series on Hallmark.
A holiday theme buffet showcasing foods that will be appearing in Hannah's upcoming cookbook sets the food tone for the book. Unfortunately for Hannah, she again finds a dead body and she and her entourage go about investigating. I always enjoy murder mysteries that take place in a confined space in which the murderer is among the guests, think Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None (Ms. Christie at her best!). Just listening to all the food that's being placed out for the buffet made me salivate and I'm glad to see 80+ recipes provided...and just in time to make a few for my own holiday party.
That's what I loved about the Sugar Cookie. Sadly there was so much more that didn't work for me.
One, Hannah. The Hannah in the tv series is quirky and lovable. The Hannah in the book reminded me of a spoiled petulant child. One scene where she interrupts Mike while he's interviewing a suspect, he tells her to leave. The petulant child slams the door and stomps away going, "I'll show him". Um, Hannah, Mike is doing his job, you're the one that interrupted him. Ugh! I found the book Hannah annoying and unlikable. Then there's Mike. The tv Mike is handsome, patient, and a good cop. The book Mike is also handsome and a good cop but he comes across as a chauvinistic pig.
The plot is simplistic and Hannah just takes everybody's word for it. Oh, you say you were in the kitchen with so-and-so, oh, so you couldn't possibly be the killer. She never questioned that people could be lying. She would take people off of her suspect list for the dumbest reasons. No tension, no howdunit, no suspense. It took 100 pages to get to the one and only murder and only around 75 pages till the murderer confessed. That's right, the murderer just confesses to Hannah. Ugh!!!
The lack of depth to the story and the annoying characters will have me only watching Hannah on Hallmark. I need a mystery that actually provides a mystery. But I love all the recipes!
A holiday theme buffet showcasing foods that will be appearing in Hannah's upcoming cookbook sets the food tone for the book. Unfortunately for Hannah, she again finds a dead body and she and her entourage go about investigating. I always enjoy murder mysteries that take place in a confined space in which the murderer is among the guests, think Murder on the Orient Express and And Then There Were None (Ms. Christie at her best!). Just listening to all the food that's being placed out for the buffet made me salivate and I'm glad to see 80+ recipes provided...and just in time to make a few for my own holiday party.
That's what I loved about the Sugar Cookie. Sadly there was so much more that didn't work for me.
One, Hannah. The Hannah in the tv series is quirky and lovable. The Hannah in the book reminded me of a spoiled petulant child. One scene where she interrupts Mike while he's interviewing a suspect, he tells her to leave. The petulant child slams the door and stomps away going, "I'll show him". Um, Hannah, Mike is doing his job, you're the one that interrupted him. Ugh! I found the book Hannah annoying and unlikable. Then there's Mike. The tv Mike is handsome, patient, and a good cop. The book Mike is also handsome and a good cop but he comes across as a chauvinistic pig.
The plot is simplistic and Hannah just takes everybody's word for it. Oh, you say you were in the kitchen with so-and-so, oh, so you couldn't possibly be the killer. She never questioned that people could be lying. She would take people off of her suspect list for the dumbest reasons. No tension, no howdunit, no suspense. It took 100 pages to get to the one and only murder and only around 75 pages till the murderer confessed. That's right, the murderer just confesses to Hannah. Ugh!!!
The lack of depth to the story and the annoying characters will have me only watching Hannah on Hallmark. I need a mystery that actually provides a mystery. But I love all the recipes!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Goddamnit, Joanne. You were doing so well and then you had to bring up Hannah's "middle problem?! Sigh.
Other than that it was a quick fun little mystery. But you're still getting points deducted.
Other than that it was a quick fun little mystery. But you're still getting points deducted.
I’m being nice and giving it a 2 star rating because I can’t give it a 1.5. This was a novella with a cookbook tacked on the end of it. I finished really fast once I saw all the recipes. I was honestly hopeful for a decent locked in mystery. It was okay but not anything to write home about. One the spectrum of these it’s smack in the middle.
3.5 stars - An enjoyable holiday escape into the world of Hannah and her bakery and the murder she always gets involved in. This was interesting in a locked room sort of way, with the town being in the same building and the snow storm keeping them together.