Double Fudge Brownie Murder

Hannah Swensen #18

By Joanne Fluke 

ISBN# 978075828040

Author’s Website: http://www.joannefluke.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

 Synopsis:

Life in tiny Lake Eden, Minnesota, is usually pleasantly uneventful. Lately, though, it seems everyone has more than their fair share of drama–especially the Swensen family. With so much on her plate, Hannah Swensen can hardly find the time to think about her bakery–let alone the town’s most recent murder.  .  .

Hannah is nervous about the upcoming trial for her involvement in a tragic accident. She’s eager to clear her name once and for all, but her troubles only double when she finds the judge bludgeoned to death with his own gavel–and Hannah is the number one suspect. Now on trial in the court of public opinion, she sets out in search of the culprit and discovers that the judge made more than a few enemies during his career. With time running out, Hannah will have to whip up her most clever recipe yet to find a killer more elusive than the perfect brownie.  .  .

Review:

Things in Lake Eden, Minnesota are changing for Hannah Swensen. But first she, her sisters, mom Delores and Doc Knight head to Las Vegas for a wedding. After all the changes and schemes and hectic work Delores has been doing for her wedding, Doc and the girls decide to skip all the mess and head to Vegas. Delores actually enjoys it and Hannah gets a surprise in the form of Doc’s best man. Maybe Hannah’s love life will finally be more reasonable. And he is heading to Lake Eden.

When the girls return home, Hannah’s court date is looming. As she awaits her day in court or at least her time in front of the judge, she hears something in the judge’s office. When her judge is found dead, she becomes the number one suspect. Good news comes after his death pertaining to her case.  That doesn’t make Hannah any more comfortable being the prime suspect. She must once again try to find out who killed the cranky judge with his own gavel.

There is a lot more romance in Joanne Fluke’s books than I need, but that said it is handled with care and comfort. The mystery is well written and the characters are entertaining. The recipes are great and a plus. I do not think this installment was as good as some others, but it is still a winner. If you are a fan of Hannah Swensen you will love this one. The mystery is intriguing and definitely keeps the reader guessing. The interaction between the characters is always amusing and fun.

Double Fudge Brownie Murder is a true page turner. I would recommend it to any foodie cozy reader who enjoys a good deal of romance to top it off. This has always been a well written and well developed series and this newest installment is no let down. This long running series is even being made into a movie, with the first in the series Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery airing this year. I enjoyed this latest book and am sure anyone who enjoys a good food cozy will as well.