Title: Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
First published January 1, 2003
352 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780758215048 (ISBN10: 0758215045)
Rating: 3.87
Overview
In the small town of Lake Eden, Hannah Swensen leads a seemingly perfect life as the owner of The Cookie Jar and a budding romance with her longtime friend, Norman Rhodes. But when Norman surprises her with news of buying a house, Hannah’s life takes an unexpected turn.
As they explore the house, they stumble upon a shocking discovery – the body of Rhonda Scharf, the previous owner of the house. As Hannah digs deeper into Rhonda’s life, she discovers a tangled web of secrets, lies, and half-eaten lemon meringue pie.
With her keen sense of deduction and her mother’s help, Hannah sets out to solve the mystery before the killer strikes again. Join Hannah as she whips up a delicious concoction of mystery, intrigue, and pie in Lemon Meringue Pie Murder.
About the Author
Joanne Fluke, much like the famous character Hannah Swensen, spent her childhood in a small town in rural Minnesota. The town was filled with friendly neighbors and harsh winters, and the biggest scandal was the discovery of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow’s clothesline.
Joanne insists that the state of Minnesota truly has 10,000 lakes, and that the mosquito is not the state bird.
Throughout her career as a writer, Joanne has held a variety of jobs, including public school teacher, psychologist, musician, private detective’s assistant, corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, short order cook, florist’s assistant, caterer, party planner, computer consultant, production assistant, screenwriter, mother, wife, and homemaker.
Currently, Joanne resides in Southern California with her husband, their children, his children, three dogs, one elderly tabby, and a few noisy rats in the attic.
Editoral Review
In Joanne Fluke’s “Lemon Meringue Pie Murder,” readers are taken on a thrilling journey through the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. Published in 2003, this cozy mystery is one of many in the author’s Hannah Swensen series.
Fluke’s writing style combines humor, suspense, and baking recipes to create a unique blend. As a cozy mystery, the themes are light-hearted overall, but there are still elements of suspense and intrigue that keep the reader engaged.
The setting of the small town is charming and quaint, making it easy for readers to imagine themselves in the story. The plot centers around Hannah Swensen, a small-town baker who becomes entangled in a murder investigation when her bitter rival is found dead shortly after a heated argument between the two.
As Hannah attempts to solve the mystery and clear her own name, readers are introduced to a cast of quirky and memorable characters. Fluke’s strengths lie in her ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters who are easy to root for.
Hannah is a relatable protagonist, flawed yet lovable, and her interactions with the other characters are relatable and authentic. The pacing of the novel is also well-done, with the mystery unfolding slowly but steadily, never feeling rushed or dragged out.
One of the weaknesses of the novel is the predictability of the plot. Readers familiar with the cozy mystery genre may find themselves guessing whodunit before the reveal.
Additionally, the inclusion of baking recipes, while charming, can at times feel forced and disrupt the flow of the narrative. Compared to other works in the cozy mystery genre, Fluke’s “Lemon Meringue Pie Murder” stands out with its unique blend of humor, suspense, and baking recipes.
However, for readers looking for a more challenging mystery, this book may not scratch that itch. Overall, “Lemon Meringue Pie Murder” is a cozy and charming mystery that will make readers laugh, cringe, and crave sweets.
It is recommended for fans of the cozy mystery genre, lovers of small-town settings, and anyone looking for an enjoyably light read. I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
