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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
Not my favorite of the series but finished better than I thought it would. Mom, you'd like this because it's just a nice cozy mystery & easy read
funny
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:
Complicated
The continuation of the Hannah Swensen series follows the same predictable structure and with the same characters we love while introducing and providing more background for some new players, mainly Ross.
While this one wasn’t one of my favorites since the pacing seemed off, I did still enjoy reading about the daily lives of Hannah and her friends and family. Some of the interactions seem unrealistic and some relationships between characters seem underdeveloped/a bit of a reach.
Nevertheless, this installment was an easy, calming read. Read this if you enjoy getting to know characters in a series a bit more while trying to solve a murder in the background.
While this one wasn’t one of my favorites since the pacing seemed off, I did still enjoy reading about the daily lives of Hannah and her friends and family. Some of the interactions seem unrealistic and some relationships between characters seem underdeveloped/a bit of a reach.
Nevertheless, this installment was an easy, calming read. Read this if you enjoy getting to know characters in a series a bit more while trying to solve a murder in the background.
Why do I keep reading these? Have they gotten worse or have they always been this bad? The writing is incredibly simplistic. I have an 11yo and she uses this system at school called Accelerated Reader. They label each book with a reading level basic on it's complexity. I'm quite sure that if this book were in there, it would be written on a low elementary school level. There are exclamation points in odd places that make it look like a child with delusions of writing the great American novel at their age wrote it.
Hannah's an idiot, except when the author's trying to make you think she's a genius with her annoying tidbits of knowledge. There are lots of portions of this book where the most mundane things are explained and explained again. We get an entire paragraph on why Hannah likes to sit in one particular chair in her kitchen, instead of the other three. She never works. She's about to go to trial and legitimately thinks she could be put in jail, but doesn't really seem to care at all. She's not been able to decide between Norman or Mike for 18 books now, but this new guy comes in and all of the sudden he's THE ONE for sure. She's let Mike treat her like crap for ages now. She can't figure out how to work a cell phone.
Then there's everyone else. Doesn't Andrea have a job? She's always helping out at Hannah's cookie shop. When does she do her actual job? Why isn't Lisa pissed? She constantly works 12 hour days getting little to no help from Hannah. Hannah's mom and Doc set her up with Russ, but then seem concerned when Hannah seems to fall for Russ. Mike's an ass.
And how many times do we need an explanation of Feet Up or the Invisible Waitress? Also, that last one? Who does that? If I'm talking and a waitress/waiter comes to our table, I stop talking, thank them for the refill (or whatever) and wait until they go away to start talking, whether I'm talking about something stupid or serious.
And don't get me started on how many recipes are in this book. I counted...there are 84 pages of recipes. Even one for an incredibly simple recipe I always do at Christmas. Here it is: crush one package of Oreos, combine with a block of cream cheese and form into balls. Dip the balls in chocolate and let harden. THAT recipe took up 3 pages in this book.
Gah! But I keep reading. I definitely wouldn't if I had to buy them, but I guess I'll read if the library keeps getting them. Meh.
Hannah's an idiot, except when the author's trying to make you think she's a genius with her annoying tidbits of knowledge. There are lots of portions of this book where the most mundane things are explained and explained again. We get an entire paragraph on why Hannah likes to sit in one particular chair in her kitchen, instead of the other three. She never works. She's about to go to trial and legitimately thinks she could be put in jail, but doesn't really seem to care at all. She's not been able to decide between Norman or Mike for 18 books now, but this new guy comes in and all of the sudden he's THE ONE for sure. She's let Mike treat her like crap for ages now. She can't figure out how to work a cell phone.
Then there's everyone else. Doesn't Andrea have a job? She's always helping out at Hannah's cookie shop. When does she do her actual job? Why isn't Lisa pissed? She constantly works 12 hour days getting little to no help from Hannah. Hannah's mom and Doc set her up with Russ, but then seem concerned when Hannah seems to fall for Russ. Mike's an ass.
And how many times do we need an explanation of Feet Up or the Invisible Waitress? Also, that last one? Who does that? If I'm talking and a waitress/waiter comes to our table, I stop talking, thank them for the refill (or whatever) and wait until they go away to start talking, whether I'm talking about something stupid or serious.
And don't get me started on how many recipes are in this book. I counted...there are 84 pages of recipes. Even one for an incredibly simple recipe I always do at Christmas. Here it is: crush one package of Oreos, combine with a block of cream cheese and form into balls. Dip the balls in chocolate and let harden. THAT recipe took up 3 pages in this book.
Gah! But I keep reading. I definitely wouldn't if I had to buy them, but I guess I'll read if the library keeps getting them. Meh.
i liked it. In did not predict the ending. unexpected romance twist. can't wait for the next one.
fast-paced
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
I've stayed loyal to this series out of respect for the superb character development rather than the enthralling murder mystery. The series hasn't always delivered when it came to the plot line for the mystery, but the quality has really taken a turn for the worse these last few books. The books are now more centered on the drama of the protagonist than anything else. The investigation of the murder and the discovery was wholly disappointing with almost no build-up or transitions. However, the other sub-plots and the drama with Hannah were charming and endearing as usual.
Finally, at long last, we have a bit of traction in the whole Hannah and Mike or Hannah and Norman storyline, LOL! It only took 18 books, but hey, it helps me learn patience! Hannah, in a previous book, had an accident involving her cookie truck and a man on the road, and she is facing charges of manslaughter. The judge overseeing her case is found dead (by Hannah) in his office. Also, there's a wedding and celebration for a family member, and it was nice to take a quick detour out of Lake Eden and have a change of scenery. Much needed after all of these books! I had nearly given up on this series, but on the advice of some reader buddies whose judgment I trust, they advised me to keep going, and now I'm glad I did. I'm not overly in love with this series, but I am rejuvenated and hopefully back on track. Next up, Wedding Cake Murder!