Title: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
First published April 1, 2000
436 pages
Rating: 3.7
Overview
Get ready to indulge in a mouthwatering mystery! Meet Hannah Swensen, the red-haired heroine who runs Lake Eden’s most popular bakery, The Cookie Jar. When the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy is found murdered behind Hannah’s bakery with her famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, she sets out to track down the killer to clear her cookies’ reputation.
With a list of suspects, including the high school football coach and the owner of Cozy Cow Dairy, Hannah must use her wit and baking skills to solve the crime. But as she digs deeper, the case becomes more complex, and Hannah realizes that her life may be in danger.
With a bonus short story and delicious recipes to try at home, this limited edition of the first Hannah Swensen mystery is a must-read for any mystery and dessert lover.
About the Author
Joanne Fluke, much like the fictional character Hannah Swensen, grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota. The community was close-knit, the winters were brutal, and the biggest scandal involved a young widow’s clothesline and a pair of unidentified male undergarments.
Contrary to popular belief, Joanne insists that the mosquito is not the state bird and that there really are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota.
Throughout her career as a writer, Joanne has held a variety of jobs. She has worked as a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective’s assistant, a secretary in corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical fields, a short order cook, a florist’s assistant, a caterer and party planner, a consultant for a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, and half of a screenwriting duo with her husband.
She is also a mother, wife, and homemaker.
Currently, Joanne resides in Southern California with her husband, children, stepchildren, three dogs, an elderly tabby, and a few noisy rats in the attic.
Editoral Review
Joanne Fluke’s “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” is a cozy mystery novel that was first published in April 2000. Fluke is a New York Times bestselling author who has written over 30 books in the cozy mystery genre.
Her writing style is light-hearted, humorous, and focuses on small-town life. The novel is set in the fictional town of Lake Eden, Minnesota, where protagonist Hannah Swensen runs a bakery.
When a popular local resident is found murdered inside her bake shop, Hannah takes it upon herself to solve the case. With the help of her sisters and a local detective, Hannah sets out to catch the killer while navigating her own complicated love life.
Fluke’s strength lies in her character development. Hannah Swensen is charming, witty, and relatable.
She is the kind of protagonist that readers will want to root for. Furthermore, the supporting cast of characters is equally memorable, each with their quirks and personalities.
The pacing of the novel is slow at first, but it picks up as the investigation into the murder progresses. The plot structure is straightforward, and the murder mystery will keep readers engaged until the very end.
Fluke also does an excellent job of describing the quaint town of Lake Eden, making it feel like a character in and of itself. In terms of weaknesses, the novel’s climax feels somewhat rushed, which can be a little disappointing for readers who have invested their time in the story.
Additionally, while the descriptions of the baked goods are mouth-watering, some readers may find the recipes included throughout the novel to be a distraction from the main story. That being said, “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” is a delightful read that is perfect for fans of the cozy mystery genre.
It is light, fun, and the perfect escape from everyday life. Fluke’s writing style is easy to follow, making the novel accessible to readers of all ages.
The book also speaks to a cultural significance in small towns and community life which is relatable to most people.
Overall, “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder” deserves a score of 4/5.
It is an enjoyable read that will leave readers craving cookies and wanting to visit Lake Eden. Fans of cozy mystery novels should definitely add this book to their reading list.
