Karen S. (CacaoBear) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 85 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Maybe I was just in a bad mood when I read this, but it seems like Hannah's vehement refusal to share information with the police (her boyfriend) is both ridiculous and unlikely. The fact that she, her friends and family have turned murders in small-town Lake Eden into a competition to see who is more clever, the police or the baker ... is absurd.
There were soo many things in this story that I found totally implausible, that it distracted from the story, itself. A movie production comes to town to shoot some "small-town local color" and they end up casting half the town in credited roles. The producer throws money and "screen credits" around, and the masses fawn at his feet. UGH! Also, the solution was (too me, anyway) almost blatantly obvious.
Fluke's recipes, normally one of the strongest and most enjoyable parts of her writing, were, IMHO rather "pedestrian" .. and I'm sure I've seen at least one of them printed up in the grocery coupon flyer of my Sunday paper. Hardly the thing professional bakers flaunt. And the way she had to stretch the storyline to introduce the recipes in the first place seemed forced and contrived.
All in all, I'd not call this Fluke's best work ... and I despair that Hannah's actions and attitude may soon consign her to the same fate as Claudia Bishop's "Hemlock Falls Mysteries" -- recurring characters who experience no personal growth cease to advance the story line, and before long, I cease to advance the author's paycheck .... :-(
There were soo many things in this story that I found totally implausible, that it distracted from the story, itself. A movie production comes to town to shoot some "small-town local color" and they end up casting half the town in credited roles. The producer throws money and "screen credits" around, and the masses fawn at his feet. UGH! Also, the solution was (too me, anyway) almost blatantly obvious.
Fluke's recipes, normally one of the strongest and most enjoyable parts of her writing, were, IMHO rather "pedestrian" .. and I'm sure I've seen at least one of them printed up in the grocery coupon flyer of my Sunday paper. Hardly the thing professional bakers flaunt. And the way she had to stretch the storyline to introduce the recipes in the first place seemed forced and contrived.
All in all, I'd not call this Fluke's best work ... and I despair that Hannah's actions and attitude may soon consign her to the same fate as Claudia Bishop's "Hemlock Falls Mysteries" -- recurring characters who experience no personal growth cease to advance the story line, and before long, I cease to advance the author's paycheck .... :-(
Helpful Score: 2
The director of a movie filming in Lake Eden is killed... or was the male actor the target? Hannah is trying to decide between Mike and Norman while trying to find the killer. Or is newcomer Ross the right one?
Kerry K. (mistysmere) -
Helpful Score: 2
Excellent story. I want to strangle Mike. DH drooled over the recipes. We're definately copying a couple in this book.
Melissa (sugarbaby) -
Helpful Score: 2
Will it be Mike? Norman? Or wait...Maybe it's Ross?! Trying to decide who Hannah should marry is the best part of this book. The murder is Ok, too. :O)
Allie B. (kcallieb) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This was a fun, easy book to read. I wish I would have copied some of the recipes before I swapped it! Would read another Hannah Swensen book.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent as usual, Fluke never disappoints. Great characters and they really grow on you, can't wait for the next one to come out.
Joy L. (vintagejoy) -
Helpful Score: 1
Latest release prior to the current Key Lime Pie Murder. An excellent book in this great series. Hannah and her family are back in "full investigation mode", much to the distress of the local police. Highly recommended.
Bonni R. (bunnyru) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 7 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A bit slow to start but a great ending!
Helpful Score: 1
Hannah once again keeps her promise not to investigate by confining herself to snooping.
Shirley D. (bookattic) -
All of Joanne Fluke's books are good. If you want to sit down with a light-hearted good time book this is your author. I love her books. They are quick and easy to read and best of all, entertaining.
Another fine installment from Joanne Fluke and the Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes books. Although a little slow to begin with, it turns around and has a satisfying ending (as usual!)
Fran T. (knittingfran) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 13 more book reviews
I just drooled reading the recipes and her characters feel like people you know,
Barbara (choctawmama) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 8 more book reviews
I love Hannah Swensen and her adventures in crime solving. Her sidline business is a bakery. She dates the local Sheriff and is forbidden to interfear in any murder investigations. But does she listen? Never. This time she is making Cherry Cheese Cake and in the middle of it all. A movie is being made in Lake Eden. The first scene Hannah witnesses proves to be the main murder scene in more ways than one.
Better than the story, where Hannah conquers all, there are recipes through out. Peanut Butter and Jam Cookies, Cocalattas and Double Flake Cookies just to name a few.
You will love this one.
Better than the story, where Hannah conquers all, there are recipes through out. Peanut Butter and Jam Cookies, Cocalattas and Double Flake Cookies just to name a few.
You will love this one.
Great for readers who like to cook as well.
Carol T. (cozycat93) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 21 more book reviews
Very good writer. Interesting characters. Excellent story.
Mindy S. (mindarellas) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 7 more book reviews
If you like mysteries with a female hero then you have found the right series.
Karen S. (karen54) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 14 more book reviews
This book was as I expected from Joanne Fluke. I have enjoyed all the the Hannah Swensen series that I have read so far. Have enjoyed the recipes too. I have tried a couple and they were delicious.
Darilee P. (cozysleuth) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 153 more book reviews
Another good Hannah Swensen tale with the whole family included. There are some new characters as the movie filming plot evolves and as always good recipes.
Loads of fun and some great recipes.
Paula P. (nursepp) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 26 more book reviews
This is a great book. The cookies are super!
Andrea J. (Nansfancy) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 20 more book reviews
One of the better books in this series, I have not made s successful batch of cookies from her books but I keep trying.
JANET R. (janabug) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 41 more book reviews
Great Book, light reading
Also had great receipes to try too!
Also had great receipes to try too!
Jennifer D. (mpontalba) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 43 more book reviews
Another sweet mystery with recipes! Hannah's small town is invaded by a movie company, and not even her cheesecake can keep the director safe.
Ilene H. (Ilene) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 111 more book reviews
Hannah Swensen and her bakery, The Cookie Jar, bask in the glow of Hollywood glamour when Main Street becomes a movie set. And although tensions simmer as the cameras roll, no one expects the action to turn deadly....until it's too late...
There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever sence she got not one but two marriage proposals. Movie mania soon shoves Hannah's marriage dilemma into the background and even gives her cat a shot at stardom. The Cookie Jar serves as snack central with Main Street rented out for the week. She stirs lots of fresh gossip whipping up treats for cast and crew, including demanding director Dean Lawrence's favorite--cherry cheesecake.
Everything's on schedule until Dean demonstrates a suicide scene with a prop gun that turns out to be all too real. As filming continues, Hannah sifts through the clues, hoping against hope that the person responsible for Dean's death is half-baked enough to have made a mistake. When it happens, Hannah intends to be there--ready to rewrite a killer's lethal script with the kind of quirky ending that can only happen in Lake Eden..
There's no such thing as privacy in Lake Eden, but Hannah never thought things would go this far. Everyone has been telling her what to do ever sence she got not one but two marriage proposals. Movie mania soon shoves Hannah's marriage dilemma into the background and even gives her cat a shot at stardom. The Cookie Jar serves as snack central with Main Street rented out for the week. She stirs lots of fresh gossip whipping up treats for cast and crew, including demanding director Dean Lawrence's favorite--cherry cheesecake.
Everything's on schedule until Dean demonstrates a suicide scene with a prop gun that turns out to be all too real. As filming continues, Hannah sifts through the clues, hoping against hope that the person responsible for Dean's death is half-baked enough to have made a mistake. When it happens, Hannah intends to be there--ready to rewrite a killer's lethal script with the kind of quirky ending that can only happen in Lake Eden..
Annette C. (sunshine61860) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 12 more book reviews
Another great book from Joanne Fluke. Read one and you are hooked.
Good book. I really like Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swenson books.
loved it !
They are all great mysteries and the recipes are really good.
If you like this series you will enjoy this book. She has more characters so it makes it interesting. And the plot is different so it also adds to the interest. But it is still Hannah and her cohorts against Mike trying to solve the mystery. And it is still basically a "Hallmark" type story. Her recipes are excellent.
These books often resemble a diary Hannah wrote - so that makes it good for some - a turnoff for others. If you like the series this is great - by book 8 you probably know if you like it or not. If it is your first one - it is better than some.
These books often resemble a diary Hannah wrote - so that makes it good for some - a turnoff for others. If you like the series this is great - by book 8 you probably know if you like it or not. If it is your first one - it is better than some.
Naomi S. (sandy123) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 7 more book reviews
This was an easy read with lots of really great cookie recipes and a few pie and loaf recipes. If you are a baker and like a quickie murder mystery this is it. It is also appropriate for teen girls.
The Cookie Jar's owner has three problems. Who to marry? Who killer the director? A movie is being shot in town and everyone wants a part.
Hannah is quite annoying in this installment. It is still a good series but I am starting to with that she was the next casualty. (Tracy is a little over the top also!)
Patty J. C. (theblue-greenlight) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 66 more book reviews
Fun series
Hope M. (beadlady) reviewed Cherry Cheesecake Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 8) on + 63 more book reviews
I love Fluke and all her books are fun and full of recipes
