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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
lighthearted
Second book in Hannah Swensen series. This time the murders happen around a baking contest. Cute and predictable. (It is important to note this book was written around the time HIPPA laws were being written.) Light easy read.
Beyond good! love this series. looking forward for the next one!
There was a bit at the beginning about political correctness that hasn't aged well. Otherwise, I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as I did the first.
This was a nicely crafted little murder mystery with an engaging heroine and some great supporting characters. Oh -- and recipes to make you gain weight. The only thing that made this book hard for me to read was all the discussion of cookies and desserts, since I am on a reduced-calorie-meal-plan. Hannah goes a bit too far in some of her efforts, but the plot is well done and the amateur detective thing is not stretched too far. I figured out whodunit before she did, but not too early, and the clues and investigation aspect were handled well. I would read others in this series.
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
I couldn’t resist following up the first book with the second right away and this did not disappoint. Another fun twisty small town mystery.
Just like the first there’s some very questionable/problematic dialogue/comments/humor. Again nothing that wasn’t acceptable at the time the book was published but that really doesn’t belong in modern literature. I’ll leave content warnings but it’s nothing really egregious.
The characters are well crafted and seem to be whole persons. The love triangle is very subtle and while this is not often a trope I enjoy, I’m appreciating it here. The plot was intriguing and the resolution satisfying. It definitely requires some suspension of disbelief in terms of luck and realism but that is the way with most cozy mysteries.
My only comment is that both this and the first book were set in winter of the same year and I read the description of the next book and it seems to be another winter setting. How many people are gonna be murdered in a small town in 3 months??? Hahahahaha
Just like the first there’s some very questionable/problematic dialogue/comments/humor. Again nothing that wasn’t acceptable at the time the book was published but that really doesn’t belong in modern literature. I’ll leave content warnings but it’s nothing really egregious.
The characters are well crafted and seem to be whole persons. The love triangle is very subtle and while this is not often a trope I enjoy, I’m appreciating it here. The plot was intriguing and the resolution satisfying. It definitely requires some suspension of disbelief in terms of luck and realism but that is the way with most cozy mysteries.
My only comment is that both this and the first book were set in winter of the same year and I read the description of the next book and it seems to be another winter setting. How many people are gonna be murdered in a small town in 3 months??? Hahahahaha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Ableism, Fatphobia
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
Made it through another Hannah Swensen Mystery. When I started out listening to the second book, part of me was conflicted on why I was so disappointed in the first one. The writing is not by any means good and everything is irritatingly overly explained as though Joanne Fluke thinks her readers can't figure anything out themselves, but they are fine for cozy little mystery books.
Then Hannah started admonishing PC culture, complaining about the change in terminology to "Native American". She goes on to use "anorexic" as a derogatory term when someone asks how many calories are in a dessert while also being very judgmental about fat people's perceived lack of self control. Oh yes, that's why I didn't like them.
Fluke lets too many of her personal opinions leak into her characters, creating books that don't age well. Hannah is judgmental about everything, from whether or not a person eats desserts to people's dating and sexual behaviors. I'm totally fine with Hannah (and Fluke by extension) living her life, but listening to her harp of people for making their own choices and living their own lives gets old real fast.
The story itself follows much the same arch as the first. The characters are pretty flat and I wasn't invested in anyone (besides Moishe but only because he's a cat). The writing is comically bad, going off on tangents that detract from the whole. The book should have been much shorter but there are so many unnecessarily details, repeated information, and over explanations that it gets very drawn out. By the end, I didn't care who the killer was.
On a positive note, the recipes are fun and it's interesting how Fluke works baking tips into the narration. I also like how she connects the recipes to her characters, providing some detail on their favorites and preferences.
All that to say, this series isn't for me. I started reading it because it's very popular among patrons at the library where I work, but after the second one, I know it's not a good fit for me. I can see why some people enjoy these and the series is certainly popular among some sects of the population. I think it's a better fit for those who enjoy small town mysteries and who can overlook the atrocious police work and the complete miracle that Hannah's bakery is functioning at all at this point.
I may check out another audiobook at some point because they're nice mindless listening on my way to work, but for right now I need a break from Lake Eden.
Made it through another Hannah Swensen Mystery. When I started out listening to the second book, part of me was conflicted on why I was so disappointed in the first one. The writing is not by any means good and everything is irritatingly overly explained as though Joanne Fluke thinks her readers can't figure anything out themselves, but they are fine for cozy little mystery books.
Then Hannah started admonishing PC culture, complaining about the change in terminology to "Native American". She goes on to use "anorexic" as a derogatory term when someone asks how many calories are in a dessert while also being very judgmental about fat people's perceived lack of self control. Oh yes, that's why I didn't like them.
Fluke lets too many of her personal opinions leak into her characters, creating books that don't age well. Hannah is judgmental about everything, from whether or not a person eats desserts to people's dating and sexual behaviors. I'm totally fine with Hannah (and Fluke by extension) living her life, but listening to her harp of people for making their own choices and living their own lives gets old real fast.
The story itself follows much the same arch as the first. The characters are pretty flat and I wasn't invested in anyone (besides Moishe but only because he's a cat). The writing is comically bad, going off on tangents that detract from the whole. The book should have been much shorter but there are so many unnecessarily details, repeated information, and over explanations that it gets very drawn out. By the end, I didn't care who the killer was.
On a positive note, the recipes are fun and it's interesting how Fluke works baking tips into the narration. I also like how she connects the recipes to her characters, providing some detail on their favorites and preferences.
All that to say, this series isn't for me. I started reading it because it's very popular among patrons at the library where I work, but after the second one, I know it's not a good fit for me. I can see why some people enjoy these and the series is certainly popular among some sects of the population. I think it's a better fit for those who enjoy small town mysteries and who can overlook the atrocious police work and the complete miracle that Hannah's bakery is functioning at all at this point.
I may check out another audiobook at some point because they're nice mindless listening on my way to work, but for right now I need a break from Lake Eden.
Light and frothy book / the recipes and all the cookies and baked goods talk really made me hungry. I’m not going to bake, can they just do me a favor and deliver?
This was so fun! I went into this book, not knowing anything or expecting much. But I have to say, I was surprised by this book. I really enjoyed reading it. It is such a cozy read that doesn't use too much brain power. Reading is supposed to be fun, and this was exactly that. Also, there are recipes throughout the book??? If I wasn't already sold, that would tip me off.
2020 EBN Challenge... Category #5
Challenge Topic: A book with a three word title.
Winter Reading Challenge: Read a mystery.
This was another great little cozy mystery from Joanne Fluke. Hanna Swensen is at it again, helping her brother-in-law and her "friend" help solve a murder, even if at first they say they don't want the help. I am very much enjoying this series and plan to read more. They are fairly quick reads for me and they haver great recipes (if I haven't mentioned that before haha) that I really need to try.
I love how Hannah helps to solve the murders but protects the townspeople in the process. Great Job!
Challenge Topic: A book with a three word title.
Winter Reading Challenge: Read a mystery.
This was another great little cozy mystery from Joanne Fluke. Hanna Swensen is at it again, helping her brother-in-law and her "friend" help solve a murder, even if at first they say they don't want the help. I am very much enjoying this series and plan to read more. They are fairly quick reads for me and they haver great recipes (if I haven't mentioned that before haha) that I really need to try.
I love how Hannah helps to solve the murders but protects the townspeople in the process. Great Job!