Fans of Joanne Fluke and Hanna Swensen will delight in the 39th book of the series, Pink Lemonade Cake Murder. It brings all of our old friends with a touch of a fresh feel. The recipes sound yummy and the Hannah's mother brings laughs to their fans and book friends. From anyone else, I would say her reaction to being knocked down three times in a dunking book several years prior would be overdone but for her, it fits perfectly as does her desire to be prime suspect in the most recent murder.
I do wish Hannah would realize that she and Mike are just friends; he has made no real moves since he cheated on her years ago and his only interest seems to be in the food she feeds him.
The book does end in a cliff-hanger, but it is introduced in the last chapter and is more a of teaser, a big one, but still a teaser chapter.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for allowing me to read an ARC of another fun Hannah Swensen novel.
#NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #JoanneFluke #HannahSwensen

The last few Hannah Swenson adventures have been disappointing, and #29 is no exception.
The switch to recipes sandwiched between chapters is a significant distraction, as is the expanded narration regarding food. The quality of the mystery could be better, and the result is falling interest in the story

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 29th book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. I’ve read all of the books in the series thus far and will probably continue to read them because I’m so heavily invested in Lake Eden and the people within it. That said, there’s been a noticeable difference in the writing style and the quality of the story/mystery throughout the last handful of books, and Pink Lemonade Cake unfortunately reads that way as well. I was hoping that the cliffhanger from the previous book would ramp up the stakes in this book with a fun summertime mystery, but the majority of the book fell flat. The writing has become so unbelievably clunky, disjointed, and repetitive. The way the teenagers were written felt gross. There are multiple discussions on how one of the teenage girls was ‘raised wrong’ and was shamed for wearing a bikini top and skirt…as a teenager…in the summer…? OH, NO! *clutches pearls*
The dialogue between the characters just doesn’t feel natural. And while I love food-centric cozies with recipes, this book focuses more on descriptive food writing and cookbook recipes than it does on the actual mystery.
Some good points: I love the cute cat content and of course the cliffhanger leaves me wanting more. It’s just such a shame. I truly hope that the series will get its footing back and that I’ll be able to come back to write a review that says how much I love this series again.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke. My comments are an independent, honest review.

I'm not sure why I continue to read this series at this point. It is such a train wreck (maybe that's why...I can't look away). The inconsistencies with character actions or the way they act makes for a very difficult reading time. I swear Andrea was not this helpless in the earlier books. Hannah talks to her like she is a child, but then again, Andrea's responses leave you wondering. I could see the person who was murdered being the victim as soon as he was introduced in the story. The whole dunk tank thing was baffling (like you voluntarily went into the dunk tank, why did you wear your best dress and get mad when someone dunked you...literally in the name of the game). And the mother being upset for not being a suspect?! Um...what is happening here?? The treatment of Mike (who is having a mental breakdown) was absurd. And I don't ever remember Mike's mentor being in any of the previous books, but they treated her like she came to visit all the time. The story did end on a pretty good cliffhanger, but I need to work up my nerve to read the next book. Good thing, it'll probably be a year before it's out.

This is the 29th book in the Hannah Swenson series. This book focuses on a murder of a former big shot ball player occurs at the ball park. This time Dolores is the one to find the body and insists on being a suspect. With Mike taking a much needed break, Hannah sets out to solve the murder.

This is a definite cozy read. It is however probably one of my least favored books in this series. The story seemed to take forever to get going and was so focused on random details. The character conversations feel forced and unnatural for some reason. Perhaps a bit too much focus on the baking and not quite enough on tge mystery.

It is a quick, decent read and does have some bright moments. The cliff hanger ending was a nice addition.

Thank you to Kensington books, Joanne Fluke and Netgalley for the ARC.

Hannah Swensen is back, another murder, someone close to her is the number one suspect and she still can't choose between Norman and Mike. Very light on the mystery with many recipes. Story ends with an unsolved mystery.
 #PinkLemonadeCakeMurder #NetGalley

This mystery was highly enjoyable and I thought it had a satisfying end. That being said, I was the biggest fan of the author wrote their characters. I did burn through this though. 3.5 stars.

Another great book in the Hannah Swensen series! I always love coming back to Lake Eden and going through another cozy mystery. I love this cozy mystery series and I can’t wait for even more!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the arc of this book.

This is book #29 in our beloved Hannah Swensen cookie murder series. I love this series so so much. Was this the best in the series, no. It took about a quarter of the way for anything to happen. But then it started feeling like the normal books that we’ve read previously. Lots of cookies, so much coffee, Hannah never charges her cell phone, and she constantly needs to be reminded to check the peephole of her door. Oh, and Lisa runs that bakery like a pro!

This time, Hannah’s mom finds the body, and if you’re familiar with this series, it’s funny because Hannah usually finds the bodies, at the dismay of her mom. So this story revolves around the death of a baseball player. There were some big chunks of baseball talk that just went right over my head, but it was ok. The recipes looked pretty good, especially all the muffins they kept eating. And the killer will probably surprise you because what the heck?!?

If you’re reading this out of order, the series is better than this book. But it’s ok.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This was my honest review.

The Hannah Swensen series is a comfort read for me. I’ve read them all and love visiting Lake Eden and catching up with all of the characters.

The storyline of Mike considering retirement and being at the lake for much of the story has me wondering what will happen with him next, especially since we saw more of Stella in this book.

Hannah’s mom being the one to find the dead body was an unusual event and Delores was determined she be considered the prime suspect! That had me both laughing and rolling my eyes.

The search for No-No’s killer was a little unusual. Yes, Norman and Hannah always help, but not quite in the way they did this time and it was far from realistic. However, that is part of why I read this series, to escape reality and to be entertained.

The cliffhanger! I will definitely be anxiously awaiting the next book in the series to find out what happens.

Thank you to Kensington Books for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

Hannah Swenson and the Cookie Jar crew are back in Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke. This time, it is Hannah's mother Delores who stumbles across a dead body, that of baseball player No-No. Having threatened to get revenge on him the night before, Delores is convinced that she is the prime suspect. With Mike at the lake, contemplating retirement, it is up to Hannah and Norman to assist Bill and his detectives in clearing Mother's name and finding the real killer. The ending felt a little rushed and like it came out of left field (not the baseball field) but it has me ready for the next installment.

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARc.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. I always love a Hannah Swenson books and have read everyone in this series. These can be cheesy but it’s a total comfort read!
Hannah works to solve a murder where her mom is the #1 suspect.

I’ve read all of these books in order, as well as listened to them because I just love the extra fun I feel listening to
Suzanne Toren.
While I think it’s fair to say the books follow a pattern, it’s part of what brings me back- it’s a wonderful feeling of returning to that delightful and delicious Cookie Jar, and then looking forward to delicious recipes- and new ones
with each book! The recipes are neatly tucked into the back of each chapter, and most of them are fairly simple.
This adventure was exciting (for a moment) for Dolores (Lorie) mother of Hannah, Andrea and Michelle, and wife
of the town Doctor, when she accidentally stumbles upon a dead man and accidentally touches the presumed
Murder weapon. There is just one small problem- well, more than one, but one that is going to carry over into the next book, and one that is wrapped up. As readers know, NO crime in Lake Eden, Minnesota goes without the group
solving the crime, and taking the bad guy into custody! This time, though, all of the problems had to be solved
without Mike, the Homicide Detective is out of service for now, which will leave us all anticipating what will be on
the table in the next book!
I love these stories, so much. It’s almost (just ALMOST) hard to read them so early because it seems like the
wait is even longer…
My thanks to Kensington Cozies and Net Galley for providing this download copy
in exchange for my honest review

Thank you, NetGalley and Kingston books for this ARC.

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Publishing date 25 July 2023

Is Joanne Fluke still wroting this series or has soneine taken over?! This book did not feel like the earlier books in this series. I was so excited to read this book, but ended up somewhat disappointed. There was so little mystery and so much food descriptions in this book! I felt like this book was more of a recipe book with a little mystery thrown in. At least the love triangle was only mentioned a handful of times instead of taking over the whole book. I still think Hannah just needs to decide between Mike or Norman. Maybe Mike and Norman just need to move on already, Hannah isn't all that in my opinion.

What little mystery there was in this book was not that great and really didn't catch my interest. I almost gave up on it a few times. The only exciting thing about this book was the last page.

This series was the 1st cozy mystery series that I ever read so I feel loyal to it. I probably should give up on this series but will probably keep reading it. Hopefully the old Joanne Fluke will be back for the next book!

Hannah is back with more recipes, cookies, and a mystery to solve. Though formulaic, these stories are a comforting read. A cliffhanger at the end will leave the reader wanting the next book in this long-running series.

This is definitely a plot filler book in the series to get from the last major arc to the next. It's a little lackluster compared to others in the series, but the cliffhanger is A++

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Pink Lemonade Cake Murder. I love this series and the characters that make this series so special. However, this installment wasn't one of my favorites.

I am not a baseball fan and too much of the discussion revolved around the game. There seemed to be more recipes than story, I like the story part, not the recipes. I also want to know how Hannah makes money, she is constantly giving away her cookies.

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is the twenty-ninth installment in the A Hannah Swensen Mystery series set in Lake Eden and featuring The Cookie Jar owner Hannah Swensen. I've been saying after reading each of the past several books in this series that I would not continue to torture myself, but here I am and once again kicking myself in the behind for even thinking things this time around might be better.

You can read the book jacket and the reviews prior to mine to get the gist of the mystery. This installment is so farfetched, so wordy and so repetitive. Are you really supposed to believe that Mike is going to just sit back and stay out of town while Hannah and Company solve the murder for which her mother is a suspect? I want to scream every time the person speaking has to say the the name of the person they are speaking to in each and every sentence and sometimes twice in the same sentence. If there's only 2 people in a room, I think we (and they) can figure out the dialogue.

There is a cliffhanger at the end in order to get you to read the next addition - but I'm seriously thinking it's time for Hannah to choose Norman and ride off into the sunset with the cats.

I received an advanced copy of Pink Lemonade Cake Murder from NetGalley via Kensington Cozies. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.

Another great read by Joanne Fluke. She never disappoints. This book features the death of a local boy who went to the big leagues but kinda got a bad reputation and he causes someone Lake Eden to off him when he was back to dig his glory in their faces. I totally missed Mike in this bookings he was considering designing from the police force and had a secondary storyline off camera. I am not sure how I would enjoy a Hannah Swensen book without him. But I have t to admit I am Team Norman all the way. Definitely a great story that was a bit of a page turner. Check it out.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of PINK LEMONADE MURDER (Book 29 of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries) by Joanne Fluke, in exchange for an honest review. Hannah and the Cookie Jar are participating in the Tri-County Summer Solstice Festival, which features a baseball tournament. When Dolores discovers the body of an unpopular ex-MLB baseball player and fancies herself the prime suspect, Dolores insists Hannah aid the Lake Eden Police Department in finding the killer and clearing Dolores’ name. Meanwhile, Mike is in crisis and unable to participate in the investigation.

I liked this book and enjoy the series. My only complaint is that I wish the recipes would be grouped together and placed in the back instead of at the end of each chapter. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring bakeries, local events, and lots of recipes.

#PinkLemonadeCakeMurder #NetGalley