Book 29 of 2023
Summary
In this instalment of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries book, number four of the series, we are wonderfully delighted. Hannah is enjoying the developments in the bake shop thanks to the prize money from designing the dream house (of course with the dream kitchen) with Norman that they won. Norman has the amazing opportunity of being able to build that dream house when he finds and purchases land from Rhonda. The purchase is a great deal for everyone not just Norman until a grizzly discovery is made in the basement while documenting antiques by someone (who for once is) not Hannah. How can orders of osso buco and a partially eaten Lemon Meringue Pie from Hannah’s shop be the perfect starting point to solve the mystery? Will Hannah be able to reveal the killer before anyone else gets hurt or will this be the end?
Thoughts and Review
Although this book of the series seemed to have such a simple case at its core; I thought that the simplicity revealed more about the townspeople without the sensationalism to distract. As Rhonda took more shape the other people in town also took up more space. More of the Swensen family dynamics were also revealed. It was as if this book was there to reveal more about everyone but in doing so would have a simple murder to link it into the series. How often are you writing something and realize you could have said more but didn’t? That was the feel that I got from this book a place for the left over thoughts to find a place to add to the detail of the series. I love how two different people threw out what would have been valuable evidence in the case completely by accident because it wasn’t a case then. What a genuinely human thing to do.
I am excited to read the next book after the hinting revelation that Luanne was moving back to town in the near future. It will be so interesting to see how she returns and how she has changed as a character. Seeing how different members of town responded to what was going on with Freddy was a great development because it revealed the real sense of love and community that could be found in Lake Eden, Minnesota. Although the murder case is solved the town dynamics are left completely open with the anticipation of more to come. For me it is like a favourite TV show that you just can’t wait to return to because you can’t wait to further explore the world and the characters that live in it.
Recommendation
I will of course continue to recommend the Hannah Swensen murder mystery series. As the series progresses you see the characters and author evolving. You can see how change is possible. It is not often in my own reading adventures that I see an author changing their approach to a world or situation but in this case I think it is possible. The excitement of wondering just where the series will go in the future is one thing that keeps me coming back to the series. The recipes to try are always an added bonus. Especially when every character keeps talking about the treats here is the reader’s opportunity to taste them themselves. This series is cozy and entertaining. Time well spent! Happy Reading!