Helpful Score: 1
Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke is the latest A Hannah Swensen Mystery. Hannah Swensen Barton is wondering why her husband disappeared two weeks ago. To get her mind off the conundrum, she is keeping herself busy baking delightful treats for The Cookie Jar. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and people are clambering for baked goods. Hannah gets a late-night call from P.K. Alesworth, Ross's assistant at KCOW Television, who is using Ross' car while his is being worked on. It is a video call and they (Hannah and Michelle) can instantly tell that something is wrong with Ross. They witness him crash the car after muttering something about candies in Ross' desk. P.K. is rushed to the hospital, but he does not survive. It turns out that P.K. ingested a lethal dose of a drug that caused a fatal heart attack via candy sent to Ross' office. They do not know is if the killer was targeting P.K. or Ross since P.K. has been using Ross' office at the station. Hannah dives into the case to get answers. Along the way, Hannah discovers that she did not know Ross as well as she thought. Why did Ross leave? Is he trying to protect Hannah? Hannah wants answers, and she starts with uncovering P.K.'s killer.
Raspberry Danish Murder is the twenty-second book in A Hannah Swensen Mystery series and it cannot be read alone. A new reader to the series would be utterly lost. I did enjoy Raspberry Danish Murder better than Banana Cream Pie Murder, but it still does not have the feel of the earlier books in the series. The last few books feel as if they are written by someone other than Joanne Fluke. The book has a nice steady pace and smooth transitions. There is a significant amount of repetition of information (the details of the case). One character gets some information than repeats it to Hannah, then Hannah tells Michelle and then they must share it with Mike and Norman. It was completely unnecessary. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters names were overused. Hannah is unlike herself in Raspberry Danish Murder. She is not the strong, confident woman we are used to, and I miss that Hannah Swensen. She actually worried that Ross left her because she might snore (really). The two mysteries are interlaced with baking, chatting, cooking, drinking coffee (I do not know how they can drink that much coffee) and munching on cookies. Every meal and cookie they bake is described in detail. P.K.'s murder is not the main focus. There is a limited suspect list, and, to my disappointment, the culprit is easily identified. The revelations regarding Ross are more interesting. As more details were revealed, the phrase âmarry in haste and repent in leisureâ came to mind (I wish the author had not brought Ross into the series). Hannah was quick to marry Ross and she now realizes that the background information he gave her is contradictory (I would say more but I do not want to spoil it for you). There is a dilly of a disclosure and cliffhanger at the end of the book (which will have me reading the next book in this series). There are twenty-nine recipes in the book (too many) and an excerpt from Winter Chill at the end. I give Raspberry Danish Murder 3 out of 5 stars. Raspberry Danish Murder is a book for the die-hard Hannah Swensen fans.
Raspberry Danish Murder is the twenty-second book in A Hannah Swensen Mystery series and it cannot be read alone. A new reader to the series would be utterly lost. I did enjoy Raspberry Danish Murder better than Banana Cream Pie Murder, but it still does not have the feel of the earlier books in the series. The last few books feel as if they are written by someone other than Joanne Fluke. The book has a nice steady pace and smooth transitions. There is a significant amount of repetition of information (the details of the case). One character gets some information than repeats it to Hannah, then Hannah tells Michelle and then they must share it with Mike and Norman. It was completely unnecessary. The dialogue was stilted, and the characters names were overused. Hannah is unlike herself in Raspberry Danish Murder. She is not the strong, confident woman we are used to, and I miss that Hannah Swensen. She actually worried that Ross left her because she might snore (really). The two mysteries are interlaced with baking, chatting, cooking, drinking coffee (I do not know how they can drink that much coffee) and munching on cookies. Every meal and cookie they bake is described in detail. P.K.'s murder is not the main focus. There is a limited suspect list, and, to my disappointment, the culprit is easily identified. The revelations regarding Ross are more interesting. As more details were revealed, the phrase âmarry in haste and repent in leisureâ came to mind (I wish the author had not brought Ross into the series). Hannah was quick to marry Ross and she now realizes that the background information he gave her is contradictory (I would say more but I do not want to spoil it for you). There is a dilly of a disclosure and cliffhanger at the end of the book (which will have me reading the next book in this series). There are twenty-nine recipes in the book (too many) and an excerpt from Winter Chill at the end. I give Raspberry Danish Murder 3 out of 5 stars. Raspberry Danish Murder is a book for the die-hard Hannah Swensen fans.
Kay M. (maydayzee) reviewed Raspberry Danish Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 22) on + 752 more book reviews
I had been considering not reading anymore of this series, since I could only give 3 stars to the last 3 books. What a great surprise it is that I found this one to be a solid 4 stars. I am so glad, because I already have the next book on hand, so I will continue enjoying the Hannah Swensen series.
Brenda H. (booksinvt) -
Raspberry Danish Murder is the twenty second installment in the A Hannah Swensen mystery series set in the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota featuring The Cookie Jar owner, Hannah Swensen. Hannah is still reeling from the disappearance of her husband, Ross, and is relying heavily on Mike and Norman to help her find him.
When Ross' assistant P.K. drops dead from eating candy that was left on Ross' desk, Hannah is left to wonder if someone was really trying to kill P.K. or if the poisonous treat had been meant for her missing husband. With her sister, Michelle, by her side Hannah sets out to find an answer.
I usually enjoy this series, the books are quick, easy reads with a blend of recurring characters, furry companions and recipes, but something about this one was completely off. The writing was so disjointed and completely outside of the norm that I was left to wonder if someone else was actually penning the story line. The overuse of each character's name in every sentence drove me to distraction and I found myself skimming through the pages, often thinking that reading this book would make for a good drinking game - take a shot every time someone says Hannah. There was virtually no mention of Hannah's mother Delores or sister Andrea and the girls, both who have been featured prominently in the past, and while I am a coffee drinker there is no way that someone could possibly drink as much coffee as these characters. The twist at the end is the only thing that will get me to pick up the next in the series, and then only if the book is gifted to me.
When Ross' assistant P.K. drops dead from eating candy that was left on Ross' desk, Hannah is left to wonder if someone was really trying to kill P.K. or if the poisonous treat had been meant for her missing husband. With her sister, Michelle, by her side Hannah sets out to find an answer.
I usually enjoy this series, the books are quick, easy reads with a blend of recurring characters, furry companions and recipes, but something about this one was completely off. The writing was so disjointed and completely outside of the norm that I was left to wonder if someone else was actually penning the story line. The overuse of each character's name in every sentence drove me to distraction and I found myself skimming through the pages, often thinking that reading this book would make for a good drinking game - take a shot every time someone says Hannah. There was virtually no mention of Hannah's mother Delores or sister Andrea and the girls, both who have been featured prominently in the past, and while I am a coffee drinker there is no way that someone could possibly drink as much coffee as these characters. The twist at the end is the only thing that will get me to pick up the next in the series, and then only if the book is gifted to me.
Doris A. (topmom119) reviewed Raspberry Danish Murder (Hannah Swensen, Bk 22) on + 5 more book reviews
Again Joanne Fluke does not disappoint. Love these mysteries. My mom also gets them from the State Library for the blind so we can discuss them.
Melody C. (Melody1959) -
I'm in agreement with other reviewers. Great cliffhanger at the conclusion which has me on the waitlist at my town library for next installment. But the soap opera of Hannah's life is getting tired. So many recipes- how many whippersnapper cookies can you create? and don't get me started on the calories in baked goods consumed by these characters! I only read these now if I get them at my library :)
I have read them all and eagerly wait the next book with Hannah solving mysteries and baking up a storm.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Good book in this series. Answers to some questions and look forward to more answers later on in the series. Characters good as usual. Good mystery with a twist or two. Good ending and looking forward to the final resolution of her short lived marriage. This one better than the last one, at least for me.
