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Description

Synopsis

With The Cookie Jar, Hannah Swensen has a mouthwatering monopoly on the bakery business of Lake Eden, Minnesota. But when a rival store opens, tensions begin to bubble...

As she sits in her nearly empty store on Groundhog Day, Hannah can only hope that spring is just around the corner -- and that the popularity of the new Magnolia Blossom Bakery is just a passing fad. The southern hospitality of Lake Eden's two Georgia transplants, Shawna Lee and Vanessa Quinn, is grating on Hannah's nerves -- and cutting into her profits.

At least Hannah has her business partner Lisa's wedding to look forward to. She's turned one of Lisa's favorite childhood treats into a spectacular Wedding Cookie Cake. And Lisa's aunt will be bringing her famous Peach Cobbler to the reception. But Hannah starts to steam when she finds out that Shawna Lee has been invited-and is bringing her own Peach Cobbler.

Hannah doesn't like having the Georgia Peach in the mix, especially when both Shawna Lee and Hannah's sometime-boyfriend, Detective Mike Kingston, are no-shows to the wedding. Hannah has suspected that Mike is interested in more than Shawna Lee's baking abilities. So when she sees lights on at the Magnolia Blossom Bakery after the reception, she investigates-and finds Shawna Lee shot to death.

Everyone in town knew the Cookie Jar was losing business to the Magnolia Bakery -- a fact that puts Hannah at the top of the initial list of suspects. But with a little help from her friends, Hannah's determined to prove that she wasn't the only one who had an axe to grind with the Quinn sisters. Somebody wasn't fooled by the Georgia Peaches and their sweet-as-pie act -- and now it's up to Hannah to track down whoever had the right ingredients to whip up a murder

Includes 10 original recipes for you to try!

About the Author
Like Hannah Swensen, JOANNE FLUKE was born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, but now lives in sunny Southern California. She is currently working on her next Hannah Swensen mystery and readers are welcome to contact her at the following e-mail address: Gr8Clues@aol.com or by visiting her Web site, murdershebaked.com.

Library Journal

A new bakery in Lake Eden threatens Hannah's (Sugar Cookie Murder) cookie shop sales, but she's more worried by the interest her sometime boyfriend shows in one of its owners. When she stops by the bakery to check up on him, she discovers a corpse. An always tasty series. Fluke lives in Southern California. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Biography

Like Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke was born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, but now lives in sunny Southern California. She is currently working on her next Hannah Swensen mystery and readers are welcome to contact her at the following e-mail address— Gr8Clues@aol.com or by visiting her website, murdershebaked.com.

Reviews (8)

5 star:
 
 (5)
4 star:
 
 (2)
3 star:
 
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Most Helpful Positive Review:

yummy as always!5 star rating
by BeckyBoo on April 15, 2009 at Barnes & Noble
this book is just as tasty as the rest! just an FYI...no southern girl, who was brought up right, would cook a frozen cobbler and pass it off as hers!
1 person found this review helpful.

Most Helpful Negative Review:

dull and slow paced1 star rating
by Anonymous on April 6, 2009 at Barnes & Noble
I had high hopes but she is no Tamara Myers or Janet Evanovich. Those authors have a flair for turning a phrase or simply putting you right in the action. When reading those authors if I am not smiling I am laughing out loud.

Reviews sorted by helpfulness:

  • Peach Cobbler Murder Review5 star rating
    by Anonymous on August 16, 2009 at Barnes & Noble
    This book was funny, romantic, nice and you just never want to put back down! Anyone would enjoy this book.
  • Great read...5 star rating
    by Anonymous on February 26, 2008 at Barnes & Noble
    I must admit that this book was the best of the series. I couldn't put the book down and read it in 2 days. It has twists and turns (as always) and keeps you thinking who the killer really is. Not only that but Hannah ends up with 2 proposals!!! Best Part!!! I cannot wait to begin the next. Joanne Fluke is a great author!
  • fine amateur sleuth4 star rating
    by harstan on March 12, 2005 at Barnes & Noble
    In Lake Eden, Minnesota, two Georgia peaches, Shawna Lee Quinn and her wealthy widowed sister Vanessa open up the Magnolia Blossom Bakery across the street from Hannah Swensons The Cookie Jar. Because Vanessa inherited a fortune from her late elderly spouse, the siblings can afford low prices for fancy food in a chic locale that easily undercuts the competition. Hannah is losing business rapidly and faces bankruptcy if the trend continues, which seems certain as her rivals even give away free lunches. --- Hannahs break occurs, though it was not what she wished for, when Shawna Lee gets killed. Everyone would have suspected Hannah murdered her competitor except that at the time of death she was at St. Peter's Catholic Church attending the wedding of her partner, Lisa Herman to Sheriff Herb Beesman. However, she notices that one of her steady dates, Mike Kingston failed to show up at the ceremony and he spent time across the street. Needing to know, Hannah investigates the murder of Shawna Lee. --- The latest gourmet delight baked by Joanne Fluke is a fine amateur sleuth tale that provides an interesting look at market forces when wealth can force a mom and pop operation out of business. Though why Hannah had to investigate a murder seems inane and she resolves red herrings too quickly, PEACH COBBLER MURDER is a fun entry as the heroine leaves the bakery following the bread crumbs. As is always the case with a Ms. Fluke culinary mystery, dont read it on an empty stomach; you will gain ten pounds just by perusing the tasty recipes. Ms. Flukes fine tale is feisty and fun.--- Harriet Klausner
  • A Delicious Read4 star rating
    by Anonymous on November 5, 2006 at Barnes & Noble
    As with the previous books in the Hannah Swenson series, the Peach Cobbler Murder was just as delicious. I have tried most of the recipes in the other books. No bad reviews yet from my co-workers. They are simply fabulous. The only point in this book I didn't care for was all the time Mike spent with Shwana Lee Quinn. I don't think Hannah should have been so nice. Other than that, it was a great read. I am looking forward to reading the Cherry Cheesecake Mystery.
  • Ripe Peaches Drip Into Southern, Crusty-Cobbler. Freeze!5 star rating
    by Anonymous on March 26, 2006 at Barnes & Noble
    The opening scene of PEACH was a smiling grabber, of sneaking looks out the window spying on the new bakery competition. I could just about hear the stool being dragged by Lisa over to the window. And, Hanna's fluctuating frowns with attempts to stay positive were entertaining. Tracey was adorable. She'd be a great ambassador. Reminded me of Sidney Sheldon's WINDMILLS OF THE GODS (of course his novels are darkly addicting instead of sweet and chewy). Loved the way Fluke 'snapshot-ed' Lisas wedding scenes around a couple lines from the ceremony it created a lovely effect. Hanna's dream wedding was a nice touch. Loved the support and compliments Dolores gave to Hannah about the Peach Cobbler, and Dolores's change in old patterns by perfectly timing the phone call to Hannah while she was waiting for the con-artist lending institution with the nice guy quitting that day. Dolores was 'there' yet not intrusive, pushy, or overly direct in her implied offer to help with the financial flukes. It was nice to see the cutting edge of Dolores mellow with her new love interest. Her daughters might end up growing to meet her, instead of the other way around, and it was fun to watch Hannah and Andrea's comical resistance to their Mom's 'Regency' aristocrat. What makes for comfortable reading in Flukes series is the collection of warm, cuddly ongoing characters & cat. The town itself is a real draw, along with it's (its) character residents. The whole kitn kaboodle is fun to return to. I know I'll have a ready in waiting for greedy fingertips to open to the first page. This book read as scrumptiously as dribbling hot almond butter over peach cobbler crust. It was definitely proof of a series author successfully reaching beyond each book with new releases. Flukes dialogue was more relaxed, descriptions more vivid and crisp, and characters were successfully stretching their struts in pleasant, upbeat ways. The surprises in the final 3 pages couldnt have been more delectable if the words had been written in dark chocolate ink.
  • Who killed the competition?5 star rating
    by Anonymous on June 9, 2005 at Barnes & Noble
    Shawna Lee Quinn has opened the Magnolia Blossom Bakery right across the street from Hannahs own shop. As most people know, Hannah and Shawna are not friends. And if things dont change soon, Hannah and Lisa might have to close their doors. Plus Mike is often spotted at Shawnas, much to Hannahs chagrin. Shawna promises to bring her famous peach cobbler to Lisa and Herbs wedding reception. Hannah is not happy, but tries not to think about it. Then Shawna doesnt show up. When Hannah returns to her shop later, she notices lights on at Shawnas. After calling and getting no answer, Hannah goes over to see if everything is okay at Shawnas. She finds Shawna dead. Knowing that everyone knows she didnt like Shawna, Hannah realizes she is a suspect and had better investigate to find out who killed Shawna to clear herself. Lisa, Hannahs sister and Hannahs mother, along with Norman help her work to solve the murder. Most people were at the wedding with a great alibi. Who could have done it? I always enjoy books in this series. Minnesota is a great location for this series. The characters are great. I love the love triangle of Hannah, Mike and Norman. Her friends and family are great and always keep the story hopping. If you havent tried this series, I recommend you do, especially if you like food. One of these days I want to try one of the recipes. They sound wonderful. I highly recommend this book and the whole series. You might want to start at the beginning of the series if you havent read any so you can see the progression of the characters through the series.

Specifications

  • Pub. Date: February 2006
  • Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
  • Format: Paperback, 384pp