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The Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke |
| (Kensington, $6.99, NV) ISBN: 0-7582-0295-4 |
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| Lake Eden, Minnesota native Hannah Swenson has a thriving business, the
Cookie Jar, an overbearing mother, a doting niece, an older and younger
sister to balance her, as well as two boyfriends. She has a full, busy
life, keeping the town supplied with their favorite cookies, dodging gossip
about whom she should marry, policeman Mike or dependable dentist Norman
along with dating both her beaux.
When a production company comes to town to shoot on location, the last thing Hannah wants to do is get move involved with them than just plying their refreshment tables with cookies. As the town gets caught up in the excitement, so too does Hannah. One day while shooting a scene, the director, displeased with the way the actors were performing, demonstrates what he is looking for, though when he pulls the prop gun from the desk draw and shoots himself, he is really shot. The prop gun has been replaced with a real gun.
In spite of her protests to stay out of the investigation, and the determination by the police that this was not an unfortunate accident, Hannah gets slowly drawn in, and before she knows it, she is once again facing a murderer with the kind of confidence readers wish she would face her two boyfriends and make a decision. Hannah’s town is quaint and charming with quirky, enjoyable characters. Hannah’s business is a fun shop, and there are plenty of yummy recipes to entice readers along the way. Each of Hannah’s boyfriends has a certain charm and appeal, but her inability and unwillingness to choose is beginning to wear. The men’s willingness to allow her to string both of them along is also beginning to not be so believable, because although Hannah is a likable character, there is nothing to suggest she is worth all this attention. There are plenty of people who would like to see the director dead and motives abound, but the puzzle is easily figured out. Full of charm and appeal, Lake Eden is a good spot for mysteries as well as movie shoots, and Hannah’s yummy recipes give readers a welcomed respite from the on-going Mike/Norman debate.
--Jennifer Monahan Winberry |
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