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What I'm Reading Wednesday: Joanne Fluke's Raspberry Danish Murder

Wednesday, October 24, 2018



Happy Wednesday, My Lovelies!  I'm finally caught-up with the horse show laundry and all the other clothes we messed-up during Fall Break #2.  In between travel and laundry, I read one of Joanne Fluke's latest Hannah Swensen mysteries, Raspberry Danish Murder.  It was one of the mysteries I featured on my Cozy Mysteries Set in Autumn Round-up post from several days ago.  I have several of the books from this series on my iPad, and this is book #22 in the series.  There are recipes throughout the book because as a recipe is introduced in the plot, it is inserted at the end of the chapter.  Sometimes there are several recipes at the end of chapters.  Some of them sound so good, but my favorite one that I must try is the Oatmeal and Marmalade Muffins recipe.  I'll post about it once I make it maybe next week because we have another horse show Saturday in Tuscaloosa!

According to Goodreads:

Thanksgiving has a way of thawing the frostiest hearts in Lake Eden. But that won’t be happening for newlywed Hannah Swensen Barton—not after her husband suddenly disappears . . .

Hannah has felt as bitter as November in Minnesota since Ross vanished without a trace and left their marriage in limbo. Still, she throws herself into a baking frenzy for the sake of pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving-themed treats while endless holiday orders pour into The Cookie Jar. Hannah even introduces a raspberry Danish pastry to the menu, and P.K., her husband’s assistant at KCOW-TV, will be one of the first to sample it. But instead of taking a bite, P.K., who is driving Ross’s car and using his desk at work, is murdered. Was someone plotting against P.K. all along or did Ross dodge a deadly dose of sweet revenge? Hannah will have to quickly sift through a cornucopia of clues and suspects to stop a killer from bringing another murder to the table . . . 


My Review:

I've read several of these mysteries, and this one is not one of my favorites for a couple of reasons.  First of all, most of the plot is centered around meals.  This does allow for many excellent recipes to be included throughout the narrative, but it makes the story a little boring.  I understand that Hannah owns a bakery, but I would have enjoyed reading about other things, like her sister Michelle's drama internships....basically anything else but strictly mealtime and food!  Also, Hannah seems to have lost her confidence because she worries that perhaps her husband Ross left her because she snores.  Really?  If that's the case then SO WHAT WHO CARES!!!  Most fans of the series don't like Ross anyway, so GOOD RIDDANCE!

One thing I do like about this edition to the series is the mystery itself.  Although a nice character is killed, the mystery is interesting, and that part of the book is well-written.  Hannah is a very good investigator, and she solves the case because her intuition and observation is spot-on.  The book ends with a shocking cliffhanger, so I want to read the next one in the series,  Christmas Cake Murder.



If the recipes are as good in this one as other Hannah Swensen Mysteries, the girls and I might like to bake several of the recipes during Christmas.


Are you a fan of the Hannah Swensen series: Murder, She Baked on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries?  I think they're great, and I love Alison Sweeney and Cameron Mathieson.  





Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill



7 comments

  1. I don't watch much day time tv but I'm look forward to some winter days to watch the Hallmark channel...so many great movies!

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  2. I haven't seen that Hallmark series, but I will make a point of taping it. Have a great week!

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  3. I have never read that author but I like the idea of a book that has recipes included...maybe just not as many as the one you just read. Thanks, Ricki Jill. I have found some of the very best books by reading your blog!!!! xo Diana

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  4. oh these sound fun! Going on my to read list!
    Jenna

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  5. I am in the middle of The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock! Thanks for the recommendation!!

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  6. I have read most of this author's books. Her books are a quick read and I do enjoy the recipes. As a genre, I prefer British writers. Right now I am reading through Jacqueline Winspear's books. Set in England prior to WWI and through WWII, they are interesting historically and Maisie Dobbs proves to be an interesting and believable character.

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I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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