Mystery Crime Books

Book arrived promptly and in great condition. Price could not be beat! Would purchase from Amazon again. Avoid the expensive and crowded campus bookstore.

The book arrived in excellent condition, it was brand new. I was very satisfied with my purchase.

This is a great book to have especially if you are a student struggling with theories. It is very clear and gives accurate definitions and descriptions of the theories utilized in the field of Social Work. I recommend all Social Work students to purchase the book.

This was my first reading of James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux series and it is easily apparent I have been missing some fine writing. I'm not a big fan of the million big-d&^% cop novels out there. I enjoy a select few, usually those spiced with some humor. If they are dark, and depressing, and full of moralistic BS, I pass. This book, A morning For Flamingos is none of those, nor does it have the overt humor I enjoy. What it has is some fine characterization of Dave Robicheaux as a fragile human being, a caring human being, and the kind of cop one hopes really exists.

I listened to the audio version, and at first I did not care for the narrator, but the story kept me and after the first disc I found I liked that narrator more and more. And, the dang book kept getting better. Not ramped up, adrenaline-soaked action, but understated storytelling that exceeds all my requirements for an enjoying story. I recommend this without reservation, and I'm picking up a few more of Burke's works. But not here, used; at a store, where maybe by the time the leeches get their part, he'll get a quarter.

JLB is just a better writer than most authors of this genre. Dave Robicheaux is a loser you can love and relate to at some level. I think the inner workings of the mind of a less than perfect man trying to do the right thing is what makes this book so appealing. Fabulous reading if you want to understand the alcoholic's pattern of thinking.

I have a complete library of James Lee Burke novels. I love them and I love hiw way of putting me right into the places his stories are about. Not too many writers do this well but I know New Iberia like I know my own town and have never even been there.

On the recommendation of a column in my local newspaper, I bought several in these in the series, a little too much in the language department for my tastes. Nevertheless, you certainly can picture it in your minds eye. So, although I purchased several, I only read about the first third in one. I did not throw them away, I passed them along. There are others authors out there for me.

This is truly one of the best books I've ever read by a contemporary author. I found the plot line to be involving and interesting and was really committed to the character development of the main character as well as those around him. The book was recomended to me by my brother-in-law who thought if I liked it, I'd go on to read the series. I've ordered them and look forward to seeing how this personality develops. I strongly recommend it to you.

how can carol higgins clark show her face in public after this book? her mother is a much better writer. does she even consult her mother before writng? i read someother books by her and they were better. the only expalntion for this book would be she was taking some of those knockout drugs she wrote about in this book.the characters go out of thier way to find a woman who is going to brand a man. they do not know them. why does the brand say i am snake? why does she brand blond men? are they cows? where would you buy this? also the guy's parents can drive in from maine through a blackout? they have to go through new jersey which was also in a blackoout in this book. what about highway lights and traffic signals?
how did everyone from the other states make it over the bridge? unbelievable.

This was the first Carol Higgins Clark book that I have read and I'm afraid that it will be my last. Admittedly this book is a quick read so you don't waste too much time on it, but I suspect that it was very quickly written too.
The tone of the writing suggest a mildy talented teenager is writing the book. There are far too many characters who all seem to 'coincidentaly' wind up involved in the same farce. New York comes across as a small town, not a huge city!
The character names sometimes stretch the powers of belief - Mr Blankbucks and Huckleberry Darling??
Do yourself a favour and find something else to spend a couple of hours reading - even a local newspaper will have more entertainment value.

I'm afraid that I have to agree with most of the reviewers. This was the weakest of the Regan Reilly mystery series. The book lacked suspense and pausibility. The reader knew early on what the outcome would be, and why would anyone attempt to break into a dwelling that one previously owned when contact with the new owners could easily be made, relating to them that some important papers had been inadvertently left behind. Also unexplained is how cellphones and laptop computers can be used so freely without without electrical recharging. Additionally, Georgina was not a believable antagonist. Branding someone in the midst of a NY City blackout does not appear to warrant the extensive involvement of either a private investigator, numerous unrelated strangers, or the head of the major crime division of the NYPD.

If this book is a precursor of what we can expect from Carol Higgins Clark in the future, I'm afraid her readership will suffer immensely. She may have,like so many other mystery writers, simply been zapped of any fresh and original plot twists.

Really, really glad I got this at the library and didn't spend any money on it.
The plot - Crazy lady actress leaves some letters in a loft her estranged husband sold to Regan Reilly(heroine of this series). Instead of just going by (or calling) to retrieve her letters, she hatches this plot with her "friend" to go break in and get them back. This happens during a blackout of NYC where all cellphones work and our heroine manages to drive thru everything to rescue a friend and find a mystery to solve, no problem.
Can't believe this even got published.

My friend bought me this book for my birthday knowing I liked mysteries (If you actually want to call this a mystery),therefore, I felt obligated to finish it even though I didn't like it 20 pages in. I've since made a vow to myself never to be this loyal to any friend. No friend is worth what I went through while reading this.
Ok, where to start? First of all, this is the only (and last) book I've ever read of this series or this author for that matter. Is it just me or is this the perfect, crime-solving couple that's better looking than you or I but not quite Brad and Angelina. They love each other soooooooooo much it makes me sick. I literally think the last words of the book are (You might not want to read the next line if you haven't read the book)
something like "I love you so much dear, what would I do without you?" and they all enjoy a good laugh like the last 9 seconds of your typical Scooby-Doo episode.
The main plot follows a derranged girl who picks up blonde guys, drugs them and brands "I am a snake" in their arm, all the while New York city is under a blackout, making things even more ridiculous. So perfect wife gathers the usual suspects along the way so they can save this poor blonde-guy from being slighlty uncofortable for a little while. Invigorating.
Do yourself a favor and don't read this book. Do your house a favor and don't bring this book inside of it.

How can you not love this book? And all the rest that follow?
Shannon Mckenna is the best and I can't wait for every new release.

Wow! I found another author for my list. This was an awesome book. You didn't always like the male character, but he grows on you. Very well written and it'll be a keeper.

I loved reading this book! Loved it. It was funny, incredibly sexy and the hero was absolutely adorable!

It starts with our hero, Seth Mackey spying on Lorraine Cameron, who he thinks is Victor Lazar's (who for some reason sounds like a villain from a soap opera) newest mistress. He's been watching her a few weeks now and has her routine down pat. When I mean spying, I mean he's got cameras and motion sensors all over her house, in her car, and at her work. I'll admit, there was a moment when I was, well, disturbed. It was touch and go there for a second where I thought, "okay, this guy is a little too far gone into the crazy department." Push past it though, it's worth it. He's got a reason for his paranoia. Seth believes her boss, Victor, is the man who had his half brother killed. He was living only for revenge until Raine Cameron walked onto the security monitors. She brought him back to life with a jolt and now he can't stop staring at her. Victor Lazar also notices his distraction with Raine and arranges for the two of them to....get to know one another. They fall for each other immediately, and then we learn these two people are both working towards the same goal, to bring Victor Lazar down. Our hero and heroine must learn trust and acceptance while playing a twisted game of cat and mouse with the villains, never knowing exactly who said villains are.

Shannon McKenna has written such a tight, suspenseful novel and I enjoyed it immensely. Her talent at building sexual tension is delicious. Seth has intimacy issues and tries to hold Raine off by playing the cool, dominant, need-no-one male, but inside he's as uncertain as a little boy. He's desperately trying to find a way to keep her, terrified that he's going to ruin what's probably the best thing that has ever happened to him. It's known that he doesn't have a great track record with the ladies. It's one of the funniest things about Seth, his penchant for saying whatever is on his mind. Be it thoughtful or thoughtless, I loved Seth. I loved that almost obsessed need to take and protect Raine that he has. That alpha male quality gets me every time. He's got severe trust issues and it rears it's ugly head a few times, but nothing truly unforgivable and she sees past each and every incident. I liked Raine too. I liked her helpless Barbie act that turned into a much stronger willed woman, able to take on things she normally would run away from.

Cons. Well, I can't believe I'm saying this, but there was too much sex. HA. I still can't believe I'm saying this. The first few sex scenes, in the hotel and the car and in Raine's home were hot. Sizzling. After awhile they got a little monotonous. He went down on her, they had sex. He was either hard and fast or gentle and slow. She could have condensed some of the later sex scenes and made them a little more interesting. Instead she went for quantity over quality I thought, and it suffered. I found myself starting to flip through the later sex scenes to return to the story. Another thing, if I had had that much sex in such a short period of time, I think it would have done either semi permanent damage, or at least some pretty serious bowleggedness that would have disallowed for all that running and jumping Raine does. LOL

I highly recommend this book. Seth's internal monologues are so funny, you have to read them. Behind Closed Doors is actually a continuation from a short story Shannon McKenna wrote, but it doesn't need to be read to follow along. The McCloud brothers and Seth are obvious aquaintances if not friends, but we are eased into their world gently. Everything is explained so you can follow along. I loved this book and can't wait to read the next in the McCloud Brothers series.

Behind closed doors is suspenseful with a decent storyline and interesting secondary characters. The leads however leave much to be desired.

Hero, Seth is out to avenge his brother, an FBI man who was killed by an evil crony of superrich Victor Lazar. He is a security surveillance expert who is working with the Feds to take down Lazar for arms dealing. Actually it is more than that but I don't want to get too much into the Lazar dealings.

Seth is very bold and brash and at times utterly unlikable with his sex -solves- all -relationship- problems attitude. At other times he is sensitive and caring. I liked him but also cringed when he thought solely about the sexual side of his relationship with the heroine.

That brings me to Raine, the heroine. I really had a difficult time liking her because she was so terribly naïve and sometimes way too stubborn. She is out to avenge the death of her father. She believes Victor Lazar killed him. Not only that, she is also Victor's niece and has been on the run with her scatterbrained mother for seventeen years. Using an alias, she has a position in the Lazar firm and even was given a nice place courtesy of the company. Anyone with half a brain would realize a secretary would not be given a swanky pad without there being some strings attached. She also has no plan for her revenge and she is blithely ignorant to the fact that since she looks just like her mother, maybe, just maybe, people will see through her alias.

Raine is practically a virgin. She decided at twenty four her virginity was just getting to be an albatross around her neck and found a family friend to divest her of this burden. It apparently was a terrible experience. Hmm, maybe because you barely knew him, Raine?

Seth meets Raine by video surveillance. He had her whole company condo under surveillance and Seth is the ultimate voyeur. He meets Raine in real time through the company under the auspices of his firm updating security for Victor.

The two begin a heated romance. They are like minks and Raine realizes that she can enjoy lovemaking and Seth gets to tell her how she will enjoy it. Seth is very inventive and earthy.

There is still the story of their revenge against Victor with several good plot twists with bouts of heated sex throughout the novel. Raine suddenly decides that she is going to be in charge of her life and Seth wants to be a little more vulnerable. Raine discovers all kinds of secrets about her family and wonders why Seth has major trust issues with her when he discovers her ssecrets. Go figure. This gets 2 stars thanks to totally naïve Raine.

This is the first Shannon McKenna book I have read. I got through the book easily, but I was left feeling disappointed. I thought the pace of the development of the relationship, especially given Raine's history, was completely unbelievable. I felt it was forced on us. We are supposed to believe this girl who has had prior experience with one man (a bad one at that) jumps in bed with the hero and they are in love in less than a week. And on top of that, it is hard to believe that she suddenly becomes this sex vixen after a couple of romps in the hay. Not buying it.

On a positive note, I did like the story surrounding Victor. In fact, I found him to be the best character of the book. I will continue the McCloud series, but I hope the future stories are better.

My first book by this author, and definitely not the last. There is quite decent plot in it, even though sometimes one asks oneself, is the main character masochist or what? Some outcomes are predictable, but generally a good mystery book. I also like the description of Montana.

James Lee Burke has a way with words that captivate you from the first sentence. The first page of this book will have your heart racing towards the end! Will Patton has to be from Louisiana.He has a natural southern draw I have been hearing all my life. Very good Book!!

Black Cherry Blues is my second James Lee Burke read - I also enjoyed Pegasus Descending. I think this is the superior book in my opinion but nevertheless I'm now hooked on the Dave Robicheaux series and have to get them all.

I would compare Burke's writing to Michael Connelly in regards to a dark element in all the characters - "good" and "bad" ones. These are flawed characters who've lived hard lives. Dave Robicheaux is like your "Harry Bosch" character of Michael Connelly's except with a more small town Louisiana/Cajun flavor.

Burke has a real talent for taking you to Louisiana and back - the anecdotes about growing up cajun are fascinating and warmly sentimental.

The rich descriptions, atmosphere and cultural flavor coupled with a strong Clint Eastwood type of character make these stories winners. There is a sort of noir feel like the old Clint Eastwood movies.

Pegasus Descending got me interested but this book hooked me and made me a serious fan.

I highly recommend - especially if you like Michael Connelly's work.

Narrator was excellent but James Lee Burke flowers descriptions up too much like he is being paid by the word wow. I work from home and listen to so many audio books. Black cherries Blues I couldn't concentrate on it after two cassettes I had to stop I was day dreaming too much so started a different audio book with a different author fully engrossed in it instantly from the first line. If James Lee Burke would just get on with the storyline which is actually quite OK more people would follow his books. sorry will never buy another James Lee Burke again.

[***** = breathtaking, **** = excellent, *** = good, ** = flawed, * = bad]

I'm not a worshipful fan of every single thing that Burke writes, but I found Black Cherry Blues one of his best. Robicheaux gets framed on a murder charge, and once he's out on bail, he must travel to Montana to investigate an illegal Mafia take-over of tribal lands that, in a complicated way, pertains to his murder trial.

The character interactions are nothing short of amazing. I found myself shaking my head again and again at the foolish actions of has-been singer Dixie Lee, mentally urging Robicheaux to get the heck away from him, and simultaneously kind of liking him for being so colorful! And Clete Purcell ... words fail me. Was there ever a cop who was more out-of-control than this self-destructive hellraiser? His hospital scene with Robicheaux made me burst out laughing at the same time that it almost brought a tear to my eye.

Definitely read this book. There are scenes that give you the chilling feeling that you are one imperfect guy with the impersonal forces of the universe arrayed against you. The book puts you deep into Robicheaux's psyche. Longer review at the Mystery Books site on BellaOnline (BellaOnline.com).

I have been reading S. Brockmann and thought that this author might be worth a try. I found her books almost as good and well put together. I always love a good series and this is turning out to be one of them. What I really find nice about a series is the development of the characters. Another author I read, only because she is an Arizona author, has a problem with the character development between novels. Melton's books seem to be a little dark (shadowed may be a better word) in the beginning but they are worth the read.

This series was recommended to me and I'm reading them in order. I enjoyed book 1 and this one! Nice uncomplicated romance with Luther (SEAL) and Hannah (CIA Agent). They worked well together and for me this book was a fun read. I like a good book, once in awhile, that I don't have to think too hard and this was it. I also enjoyed the additional story/romance running along, too. I thought it was...romantic.

To start, I read MMelton's 'Next To Die' first and fell in love with that book, so then I started reading her previous books of this series. The great news is that her books get BETTER and better. The bad news is that I didn't like the older books as much as I enjoyed Next To Die, so I'll have to wait till a newer one comes out.

About this book, I really like the hero and heroine, alpha male and super girl. Hannah is strong, and not sitting there helpless waiting for rescue. And Lindstrom is an ex-football star who also have manners and modesty, a real hunk of a sweetheart.

But, there wasn't enough dialogue. The sizzle is not quite there. And the side story about another SEAL and the woman who only wanted to have a baby did not really tie in to this story; seems kind of thrown in, not adding much. Although I did enjoy their cooking scene, and who can resist a man who cooks chicken mole for you from scratch?? and of course, he has a nice body too.

In the Dark is the second book in this series that deals with 3 Navy SEALs - Gabe Renault (aka Jaguar - his story was the first book in the series Forget Me Not), Luther Lindstrom (aka Little John - his story is this book), and Chase McCaffrey (aka Westy - his story is in Time to Run).

In this book, Luther Lindstrom, a Navy SEAL, has been assigned to save and protect Hannah Geary. Hannah has mysteriously disappeared and Luther and his team have learned that she's being kept in Cuba. While he and his team try to rescue Hannah, she's saving herself and meets up with Luther and his team as she makes her escape from the cell where she's been held.

Hannah Geary, a CIA agent, was working with her partner on a suspected arms smuggling investigation when her partner was mysteriously killed. Now she's been kidnapped and in Cuba - what's going on? Why was she kidnapped but not killed like her partner?

After Hannah escapes from Cuba, she works with Luther to determine what her partner learned. They need this information as Gabe Renault is facing a court martial due to his actions in Forget Me Not. Luther is torn - he's attracted to Hannah but he needs information to save his commander. And just who is trying to get Hannah out of the way?

Along with the mystery is the romance between Luther and Hannah. Luther just broke off his engagement to his fiancée who was cheating on him. He knows what he wants in a relationship - he wants a woman who he can wants children and keep the home fires burning while he's away on missions. While he is attracted to Hannah, he knows - and Hannah agrees - that she's not that type of woman.

Hannah Geary is a wonderful heroine - strong and determined to figure things out. She's not content to stay at home and be protected. She's taking action - which doesn't always suit Luther.

As far as the mystery here, I found that, like in Forget Me Not, it was pretty easy to figure out the bad guy. But that didn't stop me from enjoying this book. It has a nice balance of romance and suspense (though I wouldn't have minded a bit more romance). There's also the secondary story of Sebastian and Leila, a romance first hinted at in Forget Me Not which gets resolved very nicely here.

I'm usually not that crazy about sequels - I figure - couldn't the author have figured out a different storyline instead of continuing something I just read? But it works here. In fact, I liked this book more than Forget Me Not - I think because the female heroine is such a strong intelligent woman. If you plan on reading Forget Me Not, be sure you read it before you read this book - if you read this book first and then go back to read Forget Me Not, you'll know the basic storyline and the bad guy of that book.

I really cannot understand the people who recommended this book, either they haven't had the chance to read something better or our tates really differ! Through out the story you never feel a connection with the characters, which is imperative in order to enjoy a book and feel part of it...As an avid reader I've had the opportunity to read romances, suspense and my favorite, a combination of both these elements and I can honestly say that there is so much better out there you can pick out from than this book...sorry! but it is just not worth your money!

Michael Jecks is a very, very accomplished writer. He brings the Edward and Isabella period to brilliand life. I recommend everyone who has interest in mistery and medieval history to read his books as soon as possible and, just like me, to crave for the next installment of the series

This is the first book in the series that fails to deliver on an enjoyable mystery. The author almost apologizes for the radical change in his crafting of this story. Mr. Jecks does a wonderful job of weaving his character into the historical backdrop of the English-French conflict and provides a solid story line to follow. It is however not his typical work that builds details and characters to a climax of understanding who the culprit is. I would recommend it as a good read for someone who is like the time period of the setting, as the story touches on many of the little known facts of the events, just not a good mystery.

I can only apologize to Michael Jecks for not having written a review before now. Although I had the long wait, it arrived earlier than originally expected. I pledged to wait and finish the book that I was reading at the time by an excellent author. But, the flesh is weak and before I knew it, I was carefully taking the dust jacket off the precious tomb and finding it most difficult to put down despite a set back in health. Jecks has been good, no excellent before now. Then he wrote outside of his "home ground" and one or two nay sayers where there to chide him for leaving home as it were. I could not agree! He grew and his character development grew apace. Now Jecks has proven to me that he can weave a great story in a most complex web while one enjoys every minute of reading not just the "who done it," but absorb the historical period at the same time. I will leave it at that because I don't plan on telling the story. But, Jecks, you had best get the next one on the shelves soon. I am also glad to see that the book stores are keeping his older works on the shelves as never before that I have seen in this part of the U.S. I certainly hope that British readers appreciate what they have in this author and give him credit. The book is good enough that I over looked the few typos that I don't credit the author with, but his publisher should take greater care for Jecks. I am looking forward to the release of his friend, Bernard Knight's, latest work. I hope for earlier than expected release here.

First, I'll admit to two of my biases: I have enjoyed all of Michael Jecks' books, and I love medieval mysteries in general. And I hate the fact that these are sold as being "Knights Templar" mysteries, because that is hardly their main focus.

That being said, this book is more Templar-oriented than most, and Jecks is as scrupulous about history as always. I also love the fact that the title is in some ways a potentially misleading riddle.

For those who are used to seeing Jecks' characters in the English countryside, this novel, which is set mostly in France, will be new and different. I applaud Jecks for branching out geographically, while keeping the characters with whom I was comfortable. It is another book that teaches a lot of history painlessly while amusing us with interesting characters and a good mystery.

My first read in the Dr. Siri series, and I enjoyed it a great deal. The reality of mystery and what we would call the occult (and the Lao would not)are jarring at first, but persuasive by the end of the book.

This was my second experience with Colin Cotterill's highly unusual Siri Paiboun detective series and I found it as enjoyable as my introduction in "Anarchy and Old Dogs." (I'm apparently reading in reverse chronological order, but it hasn't made a difference so far.) As noted by other reviewers, the main characters and setting for these stories are about as unusual as any being written and published in English. Who else writes about Laos in the postwar 1970s? But the author is entirely credible in presenting the exotic and very personable subjects as well as in his spinning of some very original plot lines.
"Disco for the Departed" employs humor and humanity throughout to propel the story and while there is some slightly suspect reliance on the mystical and supernatural to assist in the resolution of the book's mysteries, Cotterill's use of the devices is clever enough in this context to get away with it. The prose and character development are the strong points of this book and give the reader some very enjoyable moments. Highly recommended.

Collin Cotterill's mysteries are set in the 1970's in Laos, of all places. His mystery series features Dr. Siri an aged, wise coroner and his co-workers Geung and Nurse Dtui. This books mixes elements of the spirit worlds (but no so much as to make the books unbelievable) and real world. The plot is easy to follow and the characters well-developed.

In this book, the third of four so far published to feature the septuagenarian national coroner of Laos, Dr Siri is called on to explain the mystery of a mummified arm inconveniently protruding from a concrete path in Huaphan Province. The mystery must be solved: the President is due back in a week and everything needs to be tidied up. Dr Siri is confident: `It doesn't take me that long to concede defeat.' It is 1977 and Dr Siri and Nurse Dtui are staying at Party Guesthouse Number One where food is scarce but bureaucratic process is rich.

In the meantime, back in Vientiane, Judge Haeng continues in his quest to have Mr Geung removed from his position in the morgue: `What image would foreign visitors take home if they came and saw a moron working for the State?' Mr Geung is removed, but Judge Haeng is sadly mistaken if he thinks he's won this particular skirmish with Dr Siri.

As is usual in these delightful stories, Dr Siri and his team have a number of problems to solve and questions to answer: what is Cuban black magic doing in the mountains of Laos? Will Nurse Dtui succumb to the attractions of the handsome officer? Why do the spirits talk to Dr Siri, and what will happen to Mr Geung?

Now that I've read all four of the Dr Siri books published so far, I can sit back (until next month) to wait for the fifth instalment. Dr Siri's dry humour, his ability to get the best outcomes from the creaking bureaucratic processes all make him an enjoyable albeit an unlikely hero.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

In 1977, the newly victorious Pathet Lao did away with some traditional folk festivals, for fear of trouble and disorder; what they got was a serious drought, which was obviously caused by the cancellation of the parties by the party.
That's the historical background to Dr.Siri's third adventure of low tech, but high spirits Crime Scene Investigations. Move over, Gil Grissom, Mac Taylor, and Horatio Caine, here comes a superior master of your craft!
Siri's shamanism this time has a chance for international encounters, as Cubans are also involved and good at it, in some kind of special voodoo that I hadn't heard about yet. Since the crime lab of Vientiane is a team, if a small one, we also learn more about Fatty's, the nurse's, private life. And poor Geung, the lab assistant with Downe Syndrome, has an involuntary adventure that adds substantially to the suspense of this delightful mix of fun and mysteries.
Not only the reader has fun, also the departed of the title are being entertained by the disco of the title. The victims of the war in the country's NE are dancing at night to disco music that only Siri can hear. They had suffered while alive, because, after all, what is a war for, if nobody suffers.
Cotterill is rather bitter about both sides, the party who had taken Siri's brain on loan for decades, now he is his own thinker again at 73, as well as about the Americans with their cluster bombs that keep maiming farmers and their wives and children for time to come.

I purchased the book because I enjoyed the Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swenson Mysteries), and I also liked the concept of recipes in a murder mystery. The venue of a neighborhood bakery makes a great center for the gathering of information and gossip, as the local bakery in my old home town certainly did. This rather clever choice of a central source of community information reminds me of the Lois Meade series: Murder On Monday (Lois Meade Mystery), Terror on Tuesday (Lois Meade Mystery), etc. by Ann Purser, which I also enjoy.

The book, like the other I've read, is a delightful depiction of Minnesota as it's often viewed by others. The nurses I worked with in New York City knew exactly one thing about Minnesota, it's COLD!! The author perpetuates our snowy image and the Minnesota Nice character of the people in her little town of Lake Eden where the central characters are charming and enjoyable people with whom to spend time. Each has his or her strengths and weaknesses and each supplies something to the others and to the story that moves things right along. Furthermore, there is a growing history through the sequence of the stories that leaves one wanting to know more about where each goes.

In this book the entire action occurs in one place, the local community center during the occasion of a Christmas party that previews the recipes submitted for a community cook book--something that many small towns have sponsored. The situation is much like the old fashioned manor house mysteries of Agatha Christie and others, given a modern update.

An added plus is the introduction of recipes throughout the book and the complete cookbook included at the end of the novel. While I'm not necessarily interested in all of them, there are many that I'd like to try and probably will, especially some of the main entrees. Many of them will be familiar to Minnesotans and probably sound weird to others, since the Jello salads and desserts are a local standard that no one from out of state seems to fathom!!!

A fun visit to Lake Eden. I look forward to others.

So far I have enjoyed all of Joanne Fluke's previous books until now. While this still had the typical coffee drinking, cookie baking, small town feel that I love I thought the mystery was annoying and as it turns out it couldn't possibly match the title of the book, once you read it you'll know what I mean.
I found the pacing scene at the hospital so utterly ridiculous and unrealistic I could barely read about it, these are supposed to be real people(characters) after all..
Plus the story was too short, I love the cookie recipes but I like a few in the middle of the story as Hannah is making them.
I think Mike's a jerk and have grown tired of his role in this series. Choose Norman and be done with it!

This book started off very well. I love the idea of having the whole thing occur at one event...and the thrill of the "murderer is still among us." However, when the murder was solved it was a big let down. There were no real clues until the very end. It was just a disappointing finish to a very interesting setup.
I like the idea of including the recipes from the Lake Eden Cookbook...that had an original flair, but I think this added to why the story was such a let down. I enjoy reading the recipes that Joanne Fluke includes in all her books, and these were no exception. However, including them in the mystery book just made for a shorter story with a hurried ending. Maybe there should have been a separate book for the recipes.
I recommend that readers get this from the library if only interested in the mystery, but if you are a recipe fanatic buy a copy for yourself.
Anyway, having said this, I am still on the Hannah band wagon, and I cannot wait to read the next installment.

I really enjoyed this book and it's recipes, in fact bought several as gifts, and one to remove all the recipes pages as mini cook book! Do wish
Joanne would publish a real cookbook of her yummy treats!! I've scanned and copied some but.........
Do recommend this tho' !

As enjoyable as this Hannah Swenson mystery was, it was all about the food. The book has the recipes from the Lake Eden cookbook in it, so there are a lot more than cookies. The recipes look great, and I want to try some. The mystery was pretty good too. It's a holiday mystery, so Christmas is the theme. All the citizens of Lake Eden are caught at the Community Centre for a pot luck that is supposed to be a trial for the cookbook, and they get caught in a snowstorm. So we have all our favourite characters under one roof. And, of course, Hannah discovers another body, so her and her sisters are "helping" Mike try to solve the crime. The mystery isn't that difficult, but the story is still fun, and there are over 50 recipes to enjoy with the book! What more could you want?