Barb's Book Reviews: Review of "Blueberry Muffin Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery" by Joanne Fluke

In this 3rd book in the Hannah Swensen series, the baker/amateur sleuth investigates the murder of a cooking show host. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Hannah Swensen, who owns the 'Cookie Jar' bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota.....

......has two beaus: dentist Norman and detective Mike.

Other regular characters in the books are Hannah's fashionista sister Andrea.....

and Hannah's mom Dorothy, who's constantly plotting to get Hannah married.

As the book opens Lake Eden is planning a winter carnival. TV star Connie MacIntyre (Connie Mac) - who hosts a cooking show, writes cookbooks, and own cookery shops - is in town for the festivities.

Connie Mac is haughty, conceited, and bossy. When her winter carnival cake suffers a mishap she commandeers the Cookie Jar to bake a replacement and is soon found dead on the premises - apparently clubbed with a baseball bat. There are plenty of possible suspects, including Connie Mac's husband, her harassed employees, and even Norman - who was asked to photograph her.

Though warned by detective Mike to stay away, Hannah jumps in to investigate the murder with the help of her sister. The lady sleuths question one person after another, hoping to establish alibis for the people they like. As usual in this series, the actual police investigation is a miniscule part of the story.

Some of the winter carnival activities like the family snowman contest.....

and the ice fishing contest add interest to the book.

So does Hannah baking and distributing cookies around town. The book includes several recipes for Hannah's cookies; the multiple choice cookie bars seem particularly intriguing.

Amidst her mother's maneuverings and her romantic forays with Mike and Norman, Hannah carries on and solves the crime. If you're a fan of cozies you'll probably enjoy this book.

Recipes in the book include: