| Title | : | Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #4) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0758215045 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780758215048 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 352 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2003 |
It seems the plan has been cooking for quite some time, and Hannah is shocked - especially since her ring finger is still very much bare. The good news is that the soon-to-be-torn-down house is full of antiques - and Norman has given Hannah and her mother first dibs.
They uncover some gorgeous old furniture, a patchwork quilt ... and Rhonda Scharf's dead body. A little more sleuthing turns up the half-eaten remains of a very special dinner for two - and one of The Cookie Jar's famous lemon meringue pies.
Now it's up to Hannah to turn up the heat - and get busy tracking down the clues. Starting in her very own kitchen.
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #4) Reviews
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The cozy continues... I can't get enough of these type of books. They transport me out of regular life and drop me in the reality I sometimes want to be my own. But I can also escape it when I need to...
A cop and a dentist after me? Perhaps not my ideal but it is for Hannah. I enjoy her escapades and look forward to what comes next!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at
https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators. -
4 1/2 stars
So... I knew who the killer was pretty early on, but that's ok because the book was still fantastic! Things are really starting to heat up in Lake Eden, MN and I've noticed that the author is getting into a comfortable groove with both her characters and general storyline too. I don't know about you, but I love it when authors settle in, so to speak, because readers get to settle in as well. It definitely makes it easier to keep going with a series when this happens.
Anyhoo, this is book #4 in the Hannah Swensen series, and this time in Lake Eden, MN Hannah finds herself at a crossroads between two love interests: the cutey-patootie detective hunk Mike, and the nerdy-but-also-cute dentist Norman.
Norman has recently bought a home and land, with the intention of building the house of his and Hannah's dreams. Even though they had mapped out a blue print for their idea of a perfect home, Norman still took Hannah by surprise when he purchased the home and land because they had not formally discussed their romantic plans for the future.
Inside the home is where the murder mystery begins, but this time it's Hannah's mother Delores who stumbles upon the body. As is par for the course with this series, Hannah is determined to solve the case and track down the murderer, and in doing so she finds herself in a dangerous place and has to use her wits if she wants to stay alive.
The reason I didn't give this 5 full stars is because I was hoping for a bit more of a resolution as far as Hannah's romantic life goes. That's perfectly fine though; it'll just keep me excited to continue reading the series (I know I've said this before, but I hope she picks Mike. They have the most amazing chemistry together and truth be told Norman is a little bit boring imo).
On to book #5! -
Hannah is back with the 4th of July right around the corner. Her cat is up to no good, she’s forced herself onto a diet, Norman has bought a house, but hasn’t proposed, and does she even want him to? There are lots of cookies to frost for a wedding, and pies to bake, and of course, anywhere Hannah goes, murder follows. When someone turns up dead in Norman’s new house, Hannah decides to investigate… especially since one of her pies was left out on the counter. Armed with her steno pad in hand, and fighting a muggy Minnesota summer, she and pregnant sister Andrea hunt down clues and gossip about the victim’s last known contacts.
I love the Hannah Swenson books. Every time I open one I know I’m going to get the same characters, Moisha the cat, fun recipes, Hannah’s mother interfering, and an interesting murder to solve, all in a nice relaxing read without things getting too gruesome or violent. This one was great with little mini-mysteries to uncover alongside the main course. And now on to the next… fudge cupcake, I believe, yum! -
In this 4th book in the 'Hannah Swensen Mysteries' the baker/amateur sleuth is looking for antiques with her mother when they come across a dead body. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Hannah Swensen, owner of a cookie shop, is surprised to hear that one of her boyfriends, dentist Norman Rhodes, has purchased a house - lock, stock, and barrel - from Rhonda Scarf. He plans to tear down the house and build a dream home.
Before the house is demolished Hannah and her mom, an antique shop owner, go out to look for treasures.
In addition to a few valuable antiques they find the dead body of Rhonda Scarf.
Hannah's other boyfriend, detective Mike Kingston tells her to keep her nose out of the investigation.....
......but Hannah can't resist and dives right in.
This is a real cozy mystery in the sense that the police/detectives seem to do nothing at all. As Hannah runs around questioning people and making phone calls and taking photos of the crime scene, etc. it seems like she's the first one on the scene every time.
Soon after the murder, money from an old bank robbery starts circulating through town which provides clues to the crime. The book is chock full of fun characters - Hannah's sisters, mom, and friends. It's a fun light mystery that includes recipes for lemon meringue pie and a variety of (what sound like) delicious goodies.
Recipes in the book include:
Lemon Meringue Pie
Almond Kisses
Cinnamon Crisps
Praline Charlottes
Cottage Cheese Pancakes
Pineapple Right-Side-Up Cookie Bars
You can follow my reviews at
https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.... -
"Thunder sounded again, low and rumbling like the growl of some predatory beast..."
The Forth of July is approaching and, as always, Hannah takes part in the celebration with a big dose of cookies. Unfortunately, her pants have started to feel a little tight recently, so she has decided to bake and watch other people eating her food while she "enjoys" her salad and grilled chicken. Seriously, what can be worse than being on a diet when you bake cookies for living? Well, her mother uncovering a dead body while looking for antiques in an old house may be one...
Oh, Hannah! At least this time your mom is not complaining about your murder hobby... you will be able to freely investigate on anything that doesn't concern you, judge everyone's grammar, give unsolicited advice and since you have no excuse not to bake, being stuck with doing your job... only to use cookies as a bargain to extort information instead of selling them in your long-forgotten shop.
Really, the biggest mystery in this series is how is this woman even able to pay her bills.
Will Hannah and her Babbling Bumbling Band of Baboons be able to frame the killer this time? And how many other innocents' bodies will they find on her way to the grand finale?
We only have one way to find out: grab a hot beverage and a bunch of cookies aand... let's play murder!😈 -
I'm getting bored of Hannah's problem solving already. I mean, it's been the same pattern in the four books of this series - Hannah/someone close to her finds a body, the dead body has been doing something with one of Hannah's amazing confections, everyone wants her to solve the murder and she wants it too, but Mike has to be satisfied first because he gets grouchy (and well he should - what is HE doing when Hannah solves the murders, I'd dearly like to know), and then she brings out her steno-pad and painstakingly takes all these notes, goes everywhere with the free samples that Lisa baked, has Andrea do all the interviewing, and then manages to accidentally solve the thing when the killer decides to kill her off because she's getting "so close".
Why does Hannah come across as a 60 something fuddy-duddy? She's only 30. It's hard to believe that a person like her would refuse to do anything with technology, and that she'd be such a prude. It's only just the beginning of her Mike/Norman dilemma, and I'm bored of that too. I know. I can just give up on the series, but it isn't offensively bad. The recipes look good, and even though I'm not about to bake them, I can still salivate reading about them. Maybe #18 is when she'll finally grow up. Here's to hoping. 2 stars. -
If you have a problem with the r-word, please be warned. The author chooses to use it liberally, and also apparently believes people who are mentally disabilities should never be able to love anyone. It is always nice when a white woman tells you how calling people derogatory names is just silly because why be politically correct when you can bask in your privilege? Also the character is like surprised by phones and computers. It was written in 2004, not 1904, but you know, she's an "old school gal" who has no idea how to use google. Oh and all of the judgement for literally everything! Like this lady is so shady, it is cloudy all year round in Minnesota. I mean, she has a problem with shorts, crop tops, fun hair, tattoos, piercings, and two piece swimsuits. I actually laughed out loud when a 19 year old had to get permission from her 30-something year old sister to wear a bikini. I hope no one is like this. Hannah is the worst
via GIPHY -
Ok I gave this 4 stars because I knew who the killer was halfway through. Otherwise it was a great Hannah Swensen book. I just hope Hannah picks a man soon because I'm getting exhausted trying to pick for her!
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This is a really quick read. The plot is o.k. It is pretty easy to guess who the murderer is. I have a problem with the 2 boyfriends of the heroine Hannah. They are friends. What's up with that? Neither guy is jealous of the other. Not normal. And another thing. One of her boyfriends is a dentist living at home with his mother?? Not a manly man in my book. And he violates HIPAA! You can't go around telling people who you treat and what you are treating them for at a party. And I am pretty sure there is such thing as blue jello. It is called Berry Blue. At lest she got the Kraft part right. Coffee. Hannah drinks too much coffee. If the author really wants to impress me, Hannah bettter be dealing with anxiety, an irregular heartbeat & fibrocystic breast lumps in her next book. Diabetes too from all the cookies & pies that everybody seems to be scarfing down. Every couple of chapters has a cookie or pie recipe with it. They look pretty good, so I might have to try a few before returning this book to the library. I picked it up because it was in the wrong place at the library. I took that as an omen that it was so good, someone was hiding it. Someone was hiding it all right, hiding it so no one else would have to suffer through it.
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This series is really growing on me. I like how the characters are evolving. I am adjusting to the fact that the reader always knows who the "bad" guy is before the main character. This is just pure escapist reading--no literary quality whatsoever.
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In the year 2004, this book should have never made it to the shelves. I can't believe that the author uses the word "retarded" multiple times to describe a character with intellectual disability and an editor let her get away with it! No, no, no.
There are so many other things wrong with this "story." Hannah's obsession with her weight and the fact that she thinks she needs to lose 20 pounds because ONE pair of pants from last summer don't fit. If you gained 20 pounds in one year, NONE of your clothes would fit! And she is seriously so stupid that it never occurred to her to check the size of the pants when she couldn't get them on? And this causes her to jump to the conclusion that Norman won't propose to her because she's fat! What?! It couldn't possibly be because she's also dating another guy and has at no point ever demonstrated an ounce of interest in Norman romantically. Her only interest in Norman comes when she needs him to violate HIPPA laws (it happens again in this book), to further her "sleuthing."
Despite this book being published in 2004, I seriously think we're working from a manuscript from the 1950s. No one has ever heard of the internet. Hannah sends her sister to look something up in an encyclopedia. Hannah is appalled when her sister has green streaks in her hair, wears a crop top and short shorts, going so far as to refer to the outfit as a "husband catcher" outfit. Come on.
And then to round things out - a little dose of racism. Hannah tries to stop her sister from saying something racist about her sister's "inter cultural relationship" (Fluke's words, not mine), by saying something completely racist! "Oh, his name is Raj! His family must have an amazing curry recipe!" No, no, no.
I love cozy mysteries, and I keep listening to these because I want to like them, but they keep getting worse! -
Series Hannah Swensen series #4
Genre: Cozy Mystery
This series is my guilty pleasure. Whenever I am in a book slump and get tired of reading the same old books over and over again I know I can count on a good Hannah Swensen mystery to lighten up my reading experience. This book did just that!
Hanna Swensen, amateur sleuth and bakery owner, always finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation-- whether she wants to or not. -- In many cases, one of her delicious desserts will be present at the scene, but this doesn't make her the guilty party, it's just that she is a popular baker and everyone loves her delicious treats (recipes are included in the story). So when she spots her Lemon Meringue Pie at Norman's new house -- Rhonda's aunts home that she sold -- and her mother finds a body in that very basement, things get messy and Hanna is thrown into yet another murder case in Lake Eden.
This series, while it has a lot of books, doesn't get old for me. In each book you witness character growth and some fantastic connections between the characters. I love how close knit the town of Lake Eden is, and how everyone knows everything about what's happening. Now, while I wish Hannah would make up her mind on who to settle down with (Norman the dentist, or Mike the cop) I have a feeling that she may figure it out soon...
Fans of cozy mysteries or those who are new to the genre should definitely pick up a Hannah Swensen novel. Like I said before, this series is my guilty pleasure, and I love going sleuthing with the characters. Do would I recommend it? Highly! But make sure to read the series in order! -
I don't think I've ever had Lemon Meringue Pie before.. I've made lemon pound cake with blueberries in it though. Does that count?
Honestly, I think there's just something about cozy mysteries that has me in a daze right now. So it should be a surprise to anyone that I jumped into Lemon Meringue Pie Murder right after devouring the previous book.
With this being the fourth book, I will say that it was okay. Not the best (so far) and I was a little disappointed that I figured out who did it before the big reveal. I'm normally not that quick with finding it out but with this one, well, it was just a lot more predictable than the first three books. Or maybe I'm just becoming a better detective when I'm not working or multi-tasking chores around the house.
Not sure but have no fear - I'm going to find the next book and hopefully dive into stat. I just want to keep the groove going and maybe - just maybe - the series will get less predictable again. -
I made it to page 209 and gave up.
I got tired of Hannah obsessing about her diet every time food was mentioned and her reaction to how she thought her younger sister looked returning home for a visit after her first time off at college hit a bad nerve with me. She was so up tight about it, she sounded like her own mother!
The story is ok, but it's not compelling me to read and figure out who did it.
I see a sack of 8 Hannah Swensen murder mysteries going to Half Price Books. -
This was my second read in the Hannah Swensen mystery series! I really enjoyed it and even though I was able to guess who committed the murder, the ending was still full of surprises and ended on a high note! This was also fun to read in time for the 4th of July, as Hannah and her friends and family were celebrating Independence Day in the story and this added more enjoyment to the storyline.
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, and she holds hands with two guys at the same time. These books are the WORST, but I ate a ton of cookies while reading it, so that's worth a couple of extra stars.
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This was one of the first books I put on my Goodreads TBR back when I first joined, and I was glad to revisit it and read it. There's just something extra awesome about the older books in this series. The new ones seem a little different, but this book is how I always remembered the characters. The mystery was a good one! Poor Norman had bought some land wanting to demolish the house on it, but Delores discovered a body in the basement, the woman who sold Norman the house and land. Hannah swore she wouldn't investigate this time, but since Mike never got terribly upset anymore, she gave in. I love how the chapters in the older books tend to end on a little bit of humor.
I was already completely familiar with all the main characters, so the newer one I really liked was Freddy, the handyman who was a little slow, but his cousin was teaching him the trade. The side story of robbery money starting to appear in Lake Eden was interesting, and I couldn't help but think that maybe it tied into the murder. I had an idea of who might have been the killer, but changed my mind until the clues started coming fast at the end. It was a pretty exciting ending, no real action like clobbering the killer or anything, but it was cool how it played out (pun intended, you'll see why if you read it!). If I only went by the books, I would be like Hannah and not be able to decide between Mike and Norman. They both so darn nice! -
Did not like the patronizing way they dealt with the guy with intellectual disabilities, I know the book is old but not cool.
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So far, I would say this is my favorite of the Hannah Swenson series and the first to rate above a 3 star.
The mystery was more realistic and had a better flow.
The characters aren't ridiculously stupid in this one, even though I have to wonder at the size of a ton that has such constant murders. It's gotta be time to lock this place down and call a national emergency or something.
The weakest part for me is the romance. None of it is very well done or convincing. I don't feel like Hannah cares much about either dude other than the sexual attraction she has for a certain man of the law. It feels more like she is stringing everyone along and if she gets engaged to the other, it would feel really forced at this point. She would just be getting married to appease her mother.
Overall 3.75 rounded up to 4 Stars. -
Hannah has trouble with her cat in this one. He steals her expensive pillow. I won't spoil the surprise of whether this problem is solved.
Hannah's trousers are too tight, so she goes on a diet. I nearly cried. I have a salad every day as part of my lunch, and it's the most delicious part. I felt so sorry for Hannah, who thinks there is no middle ground between dieting and... eating. (Would that be the opposite?) Why not eat healthy food? She can 'solve' 18 or so murders, but she can't work that out? I suppose that's what happens when the town's doctor (Doc Knight, anyway) thinks that bran cookies are the best way for people to get fibre (in another one of the series). Is lettuce the only vegetable they have?
Norman has bought the old Voelker place, intending to tear it down and build the dream house that he and Hannah designed. Ooooooh - will he propose? To Hannah? Wait and see!
I've just realised that Hannah doesn't have any non-family friends except Mike and Norman.
Oh - someone is murdered in this book, and Hannah 'solves' it in her usual . -
This series is beginning to lose what was already only a slight appeal to me. The story was predictable and I feel like there has not been much character growth throughout the series so far. I’d also like to point out that this love triangle she’s in needs to play itself out soon. It’s dragged on long enough.
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I really enjoyed this one! The mystery was fun and I kinda guessed who did it. I do enjoy the characters and it was fun having Hannah’s youngest sister there. The 4th of July in Lake Eden sounds like a lot of fun. Hannah’s cookie recipes sound interesting and I’ll have to try one someday (after I cut it down to be a reasonable number of cookies).
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DNF- I guessed the murderer halfway in and I just couldn't bring myself to keep reading after that point. Probably a decent book but it was too predictable.
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My husband jokes about the various mystery series I read and the professions of the solvers of said mysteries. He loves to pick some far fetched job or hobby and then have them solve the crime. Topiary sculptor or glass blower, teapot collector or professional sock darner you name it they solve crimes. I myself am perfectly okay with this idea but then, I do have a remarkable ability to really suspend disbelief. So it all works out.
I'm just fine with Hannah Swensen being a baker who just happens to solve murders. I'm good with the idea the police in her town can't seem to solve any of these murders without her input. I'm alright with the fact Hannah stumbles on dead bodies more often than most people come across litter. This series works for me and I do enjoy most the characters.
In this outing Hannah's mom discovers a body in the basement of a house recently purchased by one of Hannah's love interests, Norman. (See she didn't stumble on the body this time so it works) In no time Hannah is investigating the murder and even has the okay of her other love interest, Mike, a detective in the local police. There's also a sub plot of stolen money and a local boy being led astray my his cousin and all of this takes place during 4th of July festivities.
I had a hard time sticking with this story. It moved just a little slow for me and it wasn't to hard to figure out who and why the murder was committed. The side stories of Hannah's diet and her little sisters visit didn't really move the story along (though I did like the character of the little sister). There were also time where Hannah came across as a little prudish or behind the times which just struck me as odd.
None of this turned me off to the series and I'm sure I'll keep plugging away. Plus, there are some really good recipes throughout and I love a good cookie recipe. -
I really love this series. I love Hannah, her mother and sister and all the side characters of this book. The story line was really good though I did guess who might be the murderer. I kind of wish though that Hannah would decide on a guy. I go back and forth between one minute liking one or the other. I kind of hope that we get a third love interest that just blows her away. It was really kind of nice to meet her other sister Michelle in this and I loved the ending.
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On to the next one.
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With the fourth of July rolling around, the town is buzzing around getting everything prepared.
When Hannah's sometimes beau, calls informing her that he bought a house from the local drugstore clerk Rhonda Scarf, to tear down and build their dream house (the one they won from the contest last book), to say Hannah was surprised is an understatement. The whole town expects an engagement announcement and for her to move into the house, which Hannah spends most of the book denying to those who ask her.
Hannah is also excited to see her younger sister, Michelle, who is coming home from college. Freddy, the local, well isn't the smartest person in town, but he has a lovable personality. His cousin had returned to town to help him.
When Delores, Hannah, and Norman, go to the house, to see if their is anything they want, before it gets torn down, Delores discovers the body of Rhonda in her basement, Hannah is reluctant to investigate the murder, but with so many people having "investments" she decides to investigate. While investigating, she discovers stolen money is circulating around town, and she feels that the two things must be linked.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved the story and while I figured out who the murderer was about halfway through, it was still enjoyable. I just didn't really like the motive.
The love triangle is starting to get a bit tiring, but I am still rooting for Norman. I like Mike but sometimes he can be really chauvinistic in my opinion. Let's face it, he's upset that Hannah is better at getting information and finding murders than him.
I look forward to reading the next book. -
I don't think I will be reading anymore books in this series. I just think the problematic aspects are a but much for me. I know this was published in the early 2000s. This author uses the r word so much.
There is also a part where a character mentions their boyfriend and Hannah thinks the person is Indian based on their name. Then, she thinks in her head that she doesn't know how she feels about biracial relationships.
I also want to mention the dieting. The MC changed a lot in this book. One of the ways was that she thinks she is fat and is trying to lose weight. It just made me uncomfortable. She thinks about how someone might ask her to move in with them if she were skinny, even though said love interest plainly states that is not the case.
There is also quite a bit of slut shaming based on what other characters are wearing. Hannah puts people down in her head so much. Sometimes she does say it out loud, don't get me wrong.
I'm going to try to find a less problematic version of this series. -
I feel a bit dishonest giving this book one star, but in some ways it does deserve it. I skipped some parts. I was distracted and couldn't give the story proper attention. I'm already forgetting large chunks of the story. The first chunk (I estimate at about 100 pages) was very nice and cozy. The author took her time to lower Hannah gently into the mystery. It never got any other way except downhill from there. There wasn't much twittering of Tracey to endure, but when one superfluous character falls, another takes its place. It's like a hydra or the roman legions. Anyway I found the Michelle character boring. It was weird to find inter cultural ( that's how it says it right in the book) romance taboo - I simply wish to move on to the next book and be done with this review.
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Fun addition to the series. I enjoy all the characters and the story was a fun one to investigate. I don’t fully get the love triangle, to be honest. She doesn’t appear to love either Mike or Norman; however, the topic of marriage keeps coming up. I know the book was written quite awhile ago, and it is nice to see how things changed
