Banana Cream Pie Murder

Joanne Fluke

Feb 2017 · A Hannah Swensen Mystery Book 21 · Kensington Cozies

About this ebook

New York Times Bestseller: After a glorious honeymoon, baker Hannah Swensen must deal with a ghastly homicide…
 
A romantic seven-day cruise is the perfect start to bakery owner Hannah Swensen’s marriage. However, with a murder mystery heating up back in Minnesota, it seems the newlywed’s homecoming won’t be as sweet as anticipated.
 
Hannah’s eager to settle down in Lake Eden and turn domestic daydreams into reality. But then her mother’s neighbor is discovered murdered in the condo downstairs. Victoria Bascomb, once a renowned stage actress, was active in the theater community during her brief appearance in town, and made throngs of enemies along the way. Did a random intruder murder the woman as police claim, or was a deadlier scheme at play? As Hannah peels through countless suspects and some new troubles of her own, solving this crime—and living to tell about it—might prove trickier than mixing up the ultimate banana cream pie . . .
 
Features over a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar!
 
“If your reading habits alternate between curling up with a good mystery or with a good cookbook, you ought to know about Joanne Fluke.”—Charlotte Observer

Ratings and reviews

Banana Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke is the twenty-first book in A Hannah Swensen Mystery series. Hannah Swensen is enjoying a honeymoon cruise with her new husband, Ross Barton. It is the last night of the voyage when they receive a message from Delores Swensen, Hannah’s mother. Delores found the body of her downstairs neighbor, Victoria “Tori” Bascomb and she wants Hannah to return home right away (to investigate). Tori Bascomb is the sister of Lake Eden’s mayor, Richard Bascomb. Tori was a retired actress who settled in Lake Eden and provides private acting lessons. Tori also directs the Lake Eden Players and teaches drama at Jordan High School. Hannah and Ross return home the next day and find the whole family waiting for them at Hannah’s condo. As a wedding gift, Hannah’s condo has been completely redecorated (except the kitchen for which Hannah is very grateful). The following day Hannah is ready to get updated on the case and to start sleuthing. Tori was not a well-liked woman which leads to a long suspect list. Hannah is busy questioning suspects and looking into Tori’s movements on the day of her death. Hannah also has to adjust to having a husband. Hannah is used to making her own decisions, but now she must consider Ross (and consult him). When Hannah gets a little too close, the killer strikes back. Join Hannah along with her family and friends in her latest adventure in Banana Cream Pie Murder. I thought that Banana Cream Pie Murder had a good pace which makes it an easy and quick novel to read. Hannah is not her usual confident, independent self in this book. Hannah is used to making her own decisions and living independently. She now has another person to consider. Hannah and Ross rushed into marriage and they never discussed what happens after they are married (like does Ross want children or does he mind Michelle staying in the guest room). Mike and Norman know more about Hannah than Ross (like how Hannah dislikes sweeping). I did not feel any chemistry between Ross and Hannah. I did not like how Hannah is portrayed as technologically incompetent. She cannot figure out how to use her phone (change ringer, get her messages, etc.). Another un-Hannah moment is when Hannah is shopping for pale for a beer muffin recipe. Hannah has never purchased lager previously. I would expect Hannah to figure it out on her own (that she just needs to look at the labels) or ask someone in the store. Instead, she is blindly picking out different beers. Hannah has never been helpless or a dimwit. Hannah does little cooking or baking in Banana Cream Pie Murder. Michelle, Hannah’s sister, is in town and has taken over breakfast (and the majority of the baking in this book). Michelle is the more self-possessed sister in this story (especially since Andrea is MIA). I give Banana Cream Pie Murder 3 out of 5 stars. Banana Cream Pie Murder was more cozy than mystery. Every chapter revolved around the baking, making, or eating of food with recipes at the end of the chapter (which interrupts the flow). There are twenty-one recipes in Banana Cream Pie Murder. The murder investigation does not ramp up until a reader is about 70% of the way through the novel. That is when the author starts introducing the suspects. It does not take much brain power to identify the guilty party. I kept hoping for a nice twist that would pin the murder on the mayor’s wife. One thing that really bugged me was Ross calling Hannah--Cookie. I do not believe that Ross ever called Hannah by her given name. It is cute that he gave her a nickname in college, but does he have to use it all the time. I can see using it when they are alone, but not out in public . Banana Cream Pie Murder seemed to be written by someone other than Joanne Fluke. Banana Cream Pie Murder is nothing like the earlier books in the series. I did appreciate the cliffhanger ending. I am hoping that the person involved (spoiler) will get bumped off (a girl can dream). Due to cliffhanger, I will read next book in series.

TOO WORDY...READERS ARE NOT 10 YEARS OLD DON'T NEED EXPLAINING WORDS ALL THROUGH THE BOOK... IT'S LIKE THIS IN ALL OF HER BOOKS TOO MUCH EXPLANATION LONG DRAWN-OUT PLOTS CAN'T CHOOSE BETWEEN TWO MEN THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE MARRIES A THIRD RIDICULOUS.

This book seems so different from previous books. I have skipped many books in the series because of Hannah always correcting everyone's grammar and giving minute details about EVERYTHING , her double-standard of seeing two men but being offended if they show any interest in someone else and the incredible detail of what a cat may be doing that adds absolutely nothing to the plot. Well, that was missing this time - and so were characters that have been a part of the stories from book one and any sense of reality. The only thing that was interesting was the cliff-hanger and I suppose some will read the next book to see how that turns out.

About the author

JOANNE FLUKE is the New York Times bestselling author of the Hannah Swensen mysteries, which include Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, Raspberry Danish Murder, Cinnamon Roll Murder, and the book that started it all, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. That first installment in the series premiered as Murder, She Baked: A Chocolate Chip Cookie Mystery on the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel. Like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke was born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, but now lives in Southern California. Please visit her online at www.JoanneFluke.com.