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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
I received Wedding Cake Murder as an ARC only to realize that I hadn't read this novel yet. When I picked up Wedding Cake Murder I was absolutely confused as to how it was possible for Hannah to be engaged when all I had missed was ONE novel... This is the novel I missed and although I might have been upset if I had read this one first, for me, it was the novel that helped make sense of the Ross and Hannah relationship.
When I first started reading the Hannah Swensen series several years ago I loved the series, but was absolutely horrified and disgusted by the fact that she was stringing along two guys while no one seemed to even bat an eye about this. Somewhere along the line I got sucked in by the story and stopped finding it so odd. Although I have always been team Norman, the addition of Mike stopped bothering me and I enjoyed the fun banter. I just assumed that the novels would eventually resolve themselves by her choosing one of them. It appeared to me that Norman would be the clear choice due to the fact that Moishe and Cuddles were close, that Norman had built the dream house for Hannah and himself and that he never swayed from Hannah whereas Mike had a wandering eye. In retrospect, that doesn't make a lot of sense given that if Hannah had loved either of them, really loved them, she would have made the choice long ago. Ross and Hannah make sense in this novel.
Don't get me wrong I am absolutely heartbroken about the loss of the Hannah/Norman dream. Team Norman forever! I am sad for Moishe and Cuddles. I am sad about the dream house. I really mourn the loss of what seemed like a really cute love story. On the other hand, I feel and a little bit sheepish that I put up with the dual boyfriend situation for so long.
At any rate, these novels have always been a fluffy diversion for me so although the game has certainly changed I don't think I am going to stop reading them. Since I don't see them as "good" fiction, but more like a trashy soap opera I am a lot more willing to tolerate the cheese and the horribly constructed story lines. They are just plain fun....also recipes, and coffee.....lots of coffee!
When I first started reading the Hannah Swensen series several years ago I loved the series, but was absolutely horrified and disgusted by the fact that she was stringing along two guys while no one seemed to even bat an eye about this. Somewhere along the line I got sucked in by the story and stopped finding it so odd. Although I have always been team Norman, the addition of Mike stopped bothering me and I enjoyed the fun banter. I just assumed that the novels would eventually resolve themselves by her choosing one of them. It appeared to me that Norman would be the clear choice due to the fact that Moishe and Cuddles were close, that Norman had built the dream house for Hannah and himself and that he never swayed from Hannah whereas Mike had a wandering eye. In retrospect, that doesn't make a lot of sense given that if Hannah had loved either of them, really loved them, she would have made the choice long ago. Ross and Hannah make sense in this novel.
Don't get me wrong I am absolutely heartbroken about the loss of the Hannah/Norman dream. Team Norman forever! I am sad for Moishe and Cuddles. I am sad about the dream house. I really mourn the loss of what seemed like a really cute love story. On the other hand, I feel and a little bit sheepish that I put up with the dual boyfriend situation for so long.
At any rate, these novels have always been a fluffy diversion for me so although the game has certainly changed I don't think I am going to stop reading them. Since I don't see them as "good" fiction, but more like a trashy soap opera I am a lot more willing to tolerate the cheese and the horribly constructed story lines. They are just plain fun....also recipes, and coffee.....lots of coffee!
I have read the whole series...so I needed to find out what happened with the court case and who the mystery man was in the next book (something about a wedding cake)!
The Hannah Swenson series is my happy place. This series is so light and fun, and full of friendships and silly quirks and scenes that it always makes me smile and feel better if I am down or the weather is cold and rainy (or just finished a heavy book). The descriptions of things are written in such a way that even when murder occurs, the tone is still very light and cozy. I love the beginning of the book when Dolores and Doc get married in Vegas. It was a different start to the book, but it was also so very sweet. It shows how close this family is, but also perfectly highlights all their personality quirks. This is the best part of the book (other than the "cat burglar) and reminds me why I enjoy these characters so much. The mystery was interesting and we were given MANY red herrings so that not much was revealing until the end. AND Though this series may be seen as a little repetitive, it is this familiarness that keeps bringing me back. I also love the recipes that are always included.
The audiobooks are a breeze to listen to and I hope the series continues forever.
Spoiler
FINALLY! Hannah has made a decision about love. I am actually glad she doesn't pick between Norman and Mike. In the beginning when she thinks about how she just wants to find someone who she loves passionately and can't live without, I really felt for her. I'm glad she doesn't have to settle and seems to have found that. I guess I will have to wait and see if she follows through and how Norman/Mike react.The audiobooks are a breeze to listen to and I hope the series continues forever.
Joanne Fluke is back to full-strength in her latest Hannah Swensen mystery. Even though I was not a fan of the last two books ending in a cliff hanger, the plot of Double Fudge Brownie Murder makes up for it. The recipes sound yummier than ever and there are only a couple that use processed or canned ingredients (I usually skip those). I enjoyed Hannah's love life moving towards some sort of possible resolution and the mystery has a nice twist. A standout cozy!
The Double Fudge Brownie Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 18th book in the Hannah Swensen series and frankly, it will probably be the last one that I read. I thoroughly enjoyed the first dozen or so installments in this series. However, I feel like the quality has really dropped over the years and I felt that this one was extremely sub-par work.
There are things in the author's writing style that after the first dozen or so books has started grating on my nerves. Also, Hannah's whining and hurt feelings over the fact that a) she's a suspect when she finds a body and b) when Mike doesn't share information with her like she thinks he should is annoying me. We've been through 17 other books, she should realize by now that yes, if you find a body you will be a suspect. Even if you're eliminated quickly, you're still going to be on that list. By now she should also be aware of just how much information Mike can share without losing his job and accept it. Instead, she acts like a petulant, spoiled child each time.
I'm going to stop here and put in a spoiler alert because I can't figure out a way to discuss this issue I have without spoilers.
*******Spoiler Alert*******
The other reason I just don't think I can read anymore in this series is because of how the author dealt with the whole love triangle between Hannah, Norman & Mike. Yes, I was tired of the love triangle. Most fans were. But to fix it by bringing in a third guy from about ten books ago and saying that he and Hannah had been keeping in touch all along?! To me, it was totally unbelievable. We've never seen Hannah keep in touch with this man in the books in between, so it makes very little sense to me. I seriously expected this man to be part of the whole murder plot line, if not the murderer, then an accomplice at the very least. That's how unbelievable I found this move.
I really enjoyed the first dozen or so books in this series and I would highly recommend them to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, but after this last debacle, I'm done with it.
There are things in the author's writing style that after the first dozen or so books has started grating on my nerves. Also, Hannah's whining and hurt feelings over the fact that a) she's a suspect when she finds a body and b) when Mike doesn't share information with her like she thinks he should is annoying me. We've been through 17 other books, she should realize by now that yes, if you find a body you will be a suspect. Even if you're eliminated quickly, you're still going to be on that list. By now she should also be aware of just how much information Mike can share without losing his job and accept it. Instead, she acts like a petulant, spoiled child each time.
I'm going to stop here and put in a spoiler alert because I can't figure out a way to discuss this issue I have without spoilers.
*******Spoiler Alert*******
The other reason I just don't think I can read anymore in this series is because of how the author dealt with the whole love triangle between Hannah, Norman & Mike. Yes, I was tired of the love triangle. Most fans were. But to fix it by bringing in a third guy from about ten books ago and saying that he and Hannah had been keeping in touch all along?! To me, it was totally unbelievable. We've never seen Hannah keep in touch with this man in the books in between, so it makes very little sense to me. I seriously expected this man to be part of the whole murder plot line, if not the murderer, then an accomplice at the very least. That's how unbelievable I found this move.
I really enjoyed the first dozen or so books in this series and I would highly recommend them to anyone who likes cozy mysteries, but after this last debacle, I'm done with it.
Book #18 read in 2018
I was a little disappointed in the turn of Hannah's love life. Not only did she go from her normal two suitors to THREE, but it happened so quickly that it was ridiculous. Maybe because I'm Team Norman, this is really upsetting. The mystery also seemed inconsequential in this one as well. Two days after I finished and I can't even remember who did it or why. I'm invested in the series and will continue it if only to hope that Hannah comes to her senses and sees Norman is the guy for her.
I was a little disappointed in the turn of Hannah's love life. Not only did she go from her normal two suitors to THREE, but it happened so quickly that it was ridiculous. Maybe because I'm Team Norman, this is really upsetting. The mystery also seemed inconsequential in this one as well. Two days after I finished and I can't even remember who did it or why. I'm invested in the series and will continue it if only to hope that Hannah comes to her senses and sees Norman is the guy for her.
While prepping for the trial, Hannah walks in upon a dead judge--and now, she's got two mysteries to solve, all the while on trial for MURDER.
I don't want to spoil the book but can I just say I hope the ending sticks!
*sigh* I really don't know why I picked this up. Okay, actually I do. I heard this sorted the love triangle at last and was curious how it turned out. I'm Team Norman Run Far Away As Fast As You Can. I like Norman, he deserves better than know it all Hannah.
This series has irritated me one way or another for practically every book I have read (and that's about 7 or so), mostly it's Hannah and her ridiculously pedantic know it all attitude or her technophobia. When this series began some technophobia was normal, but we're well into the 21st century now and no one under about 65 is still dumbfounded by a cell phone or has to be pretty much bullied into buying one. Except for our pantsuit loving Hannah, who is not actually in her 30s but is secretly a 80 year old woman with a great face lift I suspect.
And while your average small child absolutely has more familiarity with one than a new user, they don't know about changing contracts or upgrading the phone itself. I despise way too intelligent for their age child characters.
Hannah's investigative technique often irritates me as well. Ignoring the 'wandering off on your own to question a possible murderer" foolishness (plenty of mystery heroines are guilty of this), the way she goes about questioning them is my issue. She sounds like a blackmailer most of the time. If she came to me insinuating things the way she tends to do, not only wouldn't I answer her, I'd call the cops and tell them what she is up to. No one ever does this.
Though I don't know what calling Mike would do anyway. He'd just go make a bunch of sexist comments to her about it, while expecting to be fed and that would piss me off even more.
So the triangle.... lord. Despite being a 30 year old pantsuit wearing, know it all with a probably sideline in blackmail, Hannah has had 2 men in her life all along. Sexist idiot Mike & too nice for her Norman. And they are all buddy buddy & she's dating them, but platonically from everything indicated up til now. Instead of choosing one, Hannah, OUT ON BAIL, skips town to go to Vegas for a few days with her sisters & runs into an old college flame Ross. All indications are that Hannah had sex with Ross while in Vegas and is now in LURVE and wants to marry him (as often happens with 30 something year old virgins who finally get them some)
What the hell!?!?! Ross was in one of the books I have read so the name wasn't totally out of the blue to me but the situation certainly was.
Oh, and the judge was killed and Hannah decides she has to solve the case and arrest the guy. Except for the pesky fact that she is a civilian and can't arrest anyone. The actual mystery plot I swear is less than 10% of the story and there was no way to solve it as the guilty party wasn't even introduced as a character until the end of the book.
Note to self: just stop reading this series.
This series has irritated me one way or another for practically every book I have read (and that's about 7 or so), mostly it's Hannah and her ridiculously pedantic know it all attitude or her technophobia. When this series began some technophobia was normal, but we're well into the 21st century now and no one under about 65 is still dumbfounded by a cell phone or has to be pretty much bullied into buying one. Except for our pantsuit loving Hannah, who is not actually in her 30s but is secretly a 80 year old woman with a great face lift I suspect.
And while your average small child absolutely has more familiarity with one than a new user, they don't know about changing contracts or upgrading the phone itself. I despise way too intelligent for their age child characters.
Hannah's investigative technique often irritates me as well. Ignoring the 'wandering off on your own to question a possible murderer" foolishness (plenty of mystery heroines are guilty of this), the way she goes about questioning them is my issue. She sounds like a blackmailer most of the time. If she came to me insinuating things the way she tends to do, not only wouldn't I answer her, I'd call the cops and tell them what she is up to. No one ever does this.
Though I don't know what calling Mike would do anyway. He'd just go make a bunch of sexist comments to her about it, while expecting to be fed and that would piss me off even more.
So the triangle.... lord. Despite being a 30 year old pantsuit wearing, know it all with a probably sideline in blackmail, Hannah has had 2 men in her life all along. Sexist idiot Mike & too nice for her Norman. And they are all buddy buddy & she's dating them, but platonically from everything indicated up til now. Instead of choosing one, Hannah, OUT ON BAIL, skips town to go to Vegas for a few days with her sisters & runs into an old college flame Ross. All indications are that Hannah had sex with Ross while in Vegas and is now in LURVE and wants to marry him (as often happens with 30 something year old virgins who finally get them some)
What the hell!?!?! Ross was in one of the books I have read so the name wasn't totally out of the blue to me but the situation certainly was.
Oh, and the judge was killed and Hannah decides she has to solve the case and arrest the guy. Except for the pesky fact that she is a civilian and can't arrest anyone. The actual mystery plot I swear is less than 10% of the story and there was no way to solve it as the guilty party wasn't even introduced as a character until the end of the book.
Note to self: just stop reading this series.
I won't rate this, because I can't finish it. I didn't even make it through the first chapter. If this was the author's 1st book, I might be able to overlook the cutesy, overly simple writing. But after 18 books, I'd expect a little more polish and a tone that reflected a middle-aged woman, not a breathless 16 year old.
Also how can a small town doctor have enough money to hire a private jet, buy a "trousseau" for several women, fund a vacation in Las Vegas? He better be Hannah's next victim, because he's burning through his retirement money pretty fast.
Count me out.
Also how can a small town doctor have enough money to hire a private jet, buy a "trousseau" for several women, fund a vacation in Las Vegas? He better be Hannah's next victim, because he's burning through his retirement money pretty fast.
Count me out.