Member Reviews
Hannah Swenson is still reeling from the discovery of her late husband's dishonesty and his ultimate demise when she is offered the chance to work for a week out at the Lake Eden Inn for her friend, the innkeeper, Sally, while she and her husband host a fishing competition. As often happens in Eden Lake, someone ends up sleeping with the fishes.
I stopped reading this series after book 22, which was the third book in a row that had turned out to be tremendously disappointing for me. Though I missed six books in between, I missed nothing in terms of character growth. I did miss the entire story arc that was Ross, who was apparently nothing more than a poorly planned attempt to resolve the Norman/Mike debate without alienating anyone from either camp. Given how quickly he was dispatched I assume no one was any more fond of him than I was.
Though I found this book much more entertaining and much better-written than books 19-22, I was still pretty disappointed. There were recipes in at least 2/3 of the chapters, with some chapters contained 3 or more recipes. There was also a lot of other unnecessary filler. The same thing would be repeated by 2-3 characters on the same page. One character would say "isn't that right?" and the other characters would respond "yes, that's right!" An explanation would be given for something that didn't need to be explained (two pages of discussion on how to chop up dried apricots in a food processor without them getting clumped up, did we need that?) As with previous books I felt this had probably started out as a short story and been expanded to a full-length novel without adding any action or subplots. But on a positive note there was less silly stuff (like the door knocking patterns, which was only mentioned once) and there was less lovey dovey between Hannah and Mike and Norman, which I thought had crossed a line.
Definitely Joanne Fluke isn't writing these books anymore. Definitely the same person is writing them and that person is, slowly but surely, improving as a writer. Unfortunately, though this book was a big improvement over the last few I read, it still leaves a lot to be desired. The charm of Eden Lake and its citizens is a distant memory and though this book ends with a pretty big cliffhanger, I don't feel compelled to read the next book in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Full disclosure- this is one of my very favorite series!! In the past 10 years of so, I have read and also listened to the audio version of this entire series multiple times- every time a new book is released, it’s time for a complete series reread! So getting chosen for this ARC made my day and I immediately moved it to the top of my reading list!
This book feels like it’s going back to the old way of writing- lots of interpersonal relationships and a fun mystery—even some of the annoying quirks Hannah had picked up are gone. I did miss Moishe and Cuddles, I hope they are in a lot more of the next book and I would love to see less recipes and more plot line, I just can’t get enough of Hannah and her Lake Eden crew!!
Hannah Swensen is back on the case. This time her skills are being put to use at a local fishing competition. Hannah is working in the kitchen at the Lake Eden Inn when the star of a televised fishing show is murdered. Sonny was universally disliked so the suspect list is long. Along with her sister, Andrea, Hannah is determined to catch the killer and bake...a lot.
This book is exactly what you think it's going to be. Joanne Fluke did not deviate from her usual formula of 90% recipes and 10% plot. The mystery unfolds in a straight forward manner and it was pretty easy to guess who the bad guy was. That being said I did appreciate the fact the setting was something other than The Cookie Jar and that the character of Mike developed a slight bit of depth. I'm going to go with 3 stars for this one.
I was given this book in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.
I was thrilled to see there’s another Hannah Swenson Mystery coming out! Joanne Fluke knocked it out of the park with Caramel Pecan Roll Murder! I look forward to these books like I look forward to dessert and devour them like something delicious and chocolatey! There are lots of other books in the series if you’ve never read one I’d recommend starting at the beginning or there will be spoilers though it is an enjoyable stand alone read!
In this one Hannah and Andrea are helping Sally bake for a fishing tournament at the Lake Eden Inn when they find a body Hannah is drawn in to investigate and the story takes place from there! I love how cozy and sweet these books are! The recipes are fun takes and I always find a few I want to try!
I have read every book that Joanne Fluke has ever written and I was looking forward to reading her new book, Caramel Pecan Roll Murder and was thrilled to get an E-copy from NetGalley to review. The recipes were abundant in this novel, but the story didn’t seem to be like her other books and I was hoping for a more exciting storyline and the ending was a real surprise and cliffhanger but I was expecting more involvement with the characters and her pets . It was a good read, but I wanted to escape more into the story and forget about the crazy pandemic that is going on in the world. Maybe her next book in the series will be back to the regular Joanne Fluke book I expect to read.🤗🤞🥰📚😋
I'm always eager to read the newest entry in this long-running series featuring baker Hannah Swensen. Even though the last few books have disappointed me in their writing and execution, I'm happy to say that Caramel Pecan Roll Murder returned to the level of earlier books in the series. The characters were sharper and more believable, and the mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. And I love that it was set at the Lake Eden Inn - the food they eat there always makes me hungry! Looking forward to #29 and finding out where this cliffhanger takes our friends. Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advance digital copy!
Another great read from Joanne Fluke! I always love catching up with Hannah and her crew. I enjoyed this mystery and can’t wait for the next book!
Embracing a sweet escape from her usual routine at The Cookie Jar, Hannah gets asked for her help in baking pastries at the local inn for a flashy fishing competition with big prizes and even bigger names. But the fun stops when she spots a runway boat on the water and, on board, the lifeless body of the event’s renowned celebrity spokesperson…
It’s been a few books since I caught up with Hannah and the gang. This one was a fun one to jump back in and catch up.
#CaramelPecanRollMurder #NetGalley
This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Kensington Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
Same sweet, simple, cozy you’ve read before if you’ve read the others in this cozy mystery series. Don’t expect anything deep, take them at face value. They’re fun, don’t ask a lot of females, men are the dominant gender and Midwest values from the 1950s still rule.
Thank you #Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke in exchange for an honest review. Hannah Swenson runs The Cookie Jar bakery and cookie shop. There is a multi car accident before the Walleye Fishing Tournament. A friend, Sally, asks Hannah to help her, as her dessert chef has had to leave unexpectedly to help his mother. Hannah agrees to help. Hannah and Norman go out on the lake to find a place to fish. They come across a boat going around in circles. Turns out, the driver is dead. Hannah and her sisters try to help solve the mystery. I like the way Andrea and Michelle love to help Hannah. I love how Joanne Fluke has recipes throughout the book, and they all sound so good. Thank you for another great book.
Caramel Pecan Roll M. by J. Fluke, published by Kensington Books, is a stand-alone in this 29 book series. Yes, no joke, 29 books - astounishing, seems they're that great reads.
Anyway, back to CPRM.
Hannah Swensen, bakery owner has the next task on her hands. Together with Mike the Detective, she becomes kind of assigned to Mike's latest case.
An entertaining, witty and fun read that has everything I love in a great story. Just the right amount of suspense and intrigue from start til the last page.
A Hannah Swensen Mystery, a great read, 4,5 stars.
This was a fun read. Joanne Fluke does not disappoint in this next installment of the Hannah Swensen series. It was fun to picture the actors that play these characters as I was reading. A delightful book, good mystery, and some yummy recipes.
#CaramelPecanRollMurder #NetGalley
A Walleye fishing contest has come to town and Hannah and Andrea have offered to help their friends who own the property where it's being held. The fishermen are excited at the opportunity to fish and some are even more excited to rub elbows with the famous fishing show host who will be there. This could be a great opportunity for the town if the sponsors agree to come back and make it an annual event.
Quickly people seem to find the host of their favorite fishing show really isn't one of them. He treats his sidekick, who really is a fisherman, like dirt and isn't well liked the more people see of the real Sonny. When Sonny is found murdered, could his sidekick finally have snapped and killed him? Hannah can't help but put her sleuthing skills to work and soon she and Andrea are interviewing suspects and trying to find out who killed the man. Will they reel in the killer or will they be sleeping with the fish soon, thanks to the killer?
This is a great series, even Hallmark agrees as they have a series of movies based on the books. My only gripe is the constant use of names when people are talking, even if only two people. That's not real life and no one I know talks that way constantly. Aside from this, and I've come to skip reading the names now, it's a great series. Give it a shot and be ready to get your baking on when you're done. There are a ton of recipes in each book.
I have been reading this series from the beginning and it's hard to believe this is Book 28! Even though I enjoy this series so much, I have to admit being disappointed in the last couple of books.This book is much better than the last few books have been. The conversations, even between close friends and family, are still overly formal and stilted in places, but the annoying inner dialogue of Hannah's that took over the prior book is thankfully missing from this book.
There is more substance to the book, as well. The mystery itself which is about an obnoxious fishing show host being murdered was interesting provided many suspects for Hannah to question. The resolution of the case made sense, but Mike's behavior during the investigation was off. There is an unexpected development at the very end, and I assume that cliffhanger will be addressed in the next book. No progress in the Hannah/Norman relationship in this book, but maybe next time? It's time for Hannah to move on from Ross and recognize the great guy that has always been there for her!
For those who enjoy the culinary aspect of this series, there are plenty of recipes in this book ranging from breakfast dishes to desserts to appetizers. The earlier books of this series are still my favorites, but I enjoyed this book much more than the last several so I hope the series continues to be this entertaining.
I received this ebook from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. An advance copy was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Hannah is asked to help bake pastries for the local inn who is hosting a fishing competition. She will spot a runaway boat which will lead to a discovery of a dead body of a renowned spokesman.
Prime suspect is his suffering assistant but is he the killer? Once again Hannah will mix work with sleuthing. A yummy addition in this cozy series.
This newest edition of Hannah Swensen murder stories was decent. In a similar fashion as several that came before it, Caramel Pecan Roll Murder is very typical Hannah: baking, murder, and squeaky clean fun. This case in particular was not as basic as the last few have been. I didn't guess the murderer right away, which made me happy. A slight surprise at the end makes me want the next book, but not enough to really have trouble waiting. In my opinion, Hannah Swensen has already gone over her peak, and she should retire soon.
The author has done it again with a great cozy mystery!
Caramel Pecan Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke brings Hannah back to help in baking pastries at the local Inn. Everything is going well until she finds a body, and not just anybody but the event's celebrity spokesperson. - Sonny Bowman.
True to Fluke's writing this is a cozy mystery I would definitely recommend. Never get enough, so I can't wait til the next book!.
This is a cozy mystery. I enjoy the books by this author. I do not enjoy the long recipes, but I imagine that I am in the minority there. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. It is a quick, fun read with believable characters. The theme of friendship runs throughout the story. I am thankful that Fluke writes in this genre for her many fans...always something new...murder and mayhem...intrigue...guessing...guessing about what will happen next. Mouth watering food...and the title is ingenious...Try this one...enjoy...
I enjoyed this book, although I thought it ended too abruptly. I liked the characters, they're well rounded and the story is interesting. I was mildly surprised by who the killer is. #CaramelPecanRollMurder #NetGalley
I've been a long time reader of this series, and I've always been supportive of the author and her works.
Since this is the 29th book in this series, I had hoped by now that we'd see some progress with Hannah and Norman, but things still are as awkward as usual.
While I love the characters in general, it's time for them to move forward.
Hannah has always been portrayed as a strong, independent woman, who has seen more dead bodies than anyone I know.
Now, she's scared to return to her condo, staying with Norman, and basically being miserable.
I think this is disappointing, the Hannah I know would step up and either return home, or buy her own home.
Her whirlwind fling with Ross and his death surely caused her emotional pain, however, she needs to take her own advice. Chocolate cures anything.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
#CaramelPecanRollMurder #NetGalley