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Hannah Swensen #13
Apple Turnover Murder
Early summer brings plenty of work for baker Hannah Swensen, even before Mayor Bascomb's wife drops by The Cookie Jar to place an order for her charity event...For eleven-hundred cookies! And Hannah almost flips when her business partner, Lisa, suggests setting up an apple turnover stand. But she places her faith in Lisa and agrees to be a magician's assistant in the fundraiser's talent show. The only snag is the show's host, college professor Bradford Ramsey. Hannah and her sister, Michelle, each had unfortunate romances with Ramsey, and when the cad comes sniffing around between acts, Hannah tells him off. But when the curtain doesn't go up, she discovers Ramsey backstage - dead, with a turnover in his hand. Now Hannah must find a killer who's flakier than puff pastry - and far more dangerous.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
1,355 people are currently reading
7,595 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
110 books8,235 followersLike Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 984 reviews
February 17, 2018
I'm a committed Joanne Fluke & Hannah Swensen fan. I love the cozy mystery and these novels just have such a calming and positive effect on me. I'm giving 3.5 stars to Apple Turnover Murder, the 13th in this series. It was good and hit all the right spots, but left room for growth and more complexity. With 20+ books in the series, I can't give them all a 5, and even a 4 is sometimes too high. It doesn't mean I don't adore them. I just think it wasn't one of the top ones in the series. I like re-visiting all the characters and seeing the wonderful relationships between Hannah, her sisters, and her mothers. And I was even excited that there's quite an interesting turn-of-events in Hannah's relationships with her two suitors, Mike and Norman. Perhaps it's finally moving in the right direction. That said... not enough time was spent exploring the possible culprits or the depth of the victim who was murdered. I think there was more history to be told... I've already got books 14 and 15 from the series in my queue, and I was awarded the most current (22?) on NetGalley, so I have to catch up soon!
March 9, 2018
I really didn't like this book. I've read every one in the series but I doubt I will read anymore. The murder didn't take place until more than 100 pages in but I had already figured out who was going to be murdered, who was going to do it, and why. It could not have been more predictable.
I am not fond of love triangles to begin with but the one in this series is incredibly obnoxious and makes the lead character completely unlikable. The last few books made it seem like she was leaning towards Norman because she didn't like that Mike was seeing other women- what a hypocrite! She expects 2 men to be faithful to her but she doesn't have to be faithful to either one of them?! How ridiculous (and obnoxious) is that? And up until this book Norman has been a bit of a spineless lap dog and suddenly he starts acting shady? How out of character is that?
Furthermore, she is a condescending, know-it-all, who apparently thinks she's a detective because she bumbles around "investigating" until she figures out who the murderer is about 3 seconds before they try to kill her after she has gone somewhere secluded with them or gone somewhere secluded to meet with them- you'd think she'd learn not to do that after the first few murders she "investigated."
So annoying.
I am not fond of love triangles to begin with but the one in this series is incredibly obnoxious and makes the lead character completely unlikable. The last few books made it seem like she was leaning towards Norman because she didn't like that Mike was seeing other women- what a hypocrite! She expects 2 men to be faithful to her but she doesn't have to be faithful to either one of them?! How ridiculous (and obnoxious) is that? And up until this book Norman has been a bit of a spineless lap dog and suddenly he starts acting shady? How out of character is that?
Furthermore, she is a condescending, know-it-all, who apparently thinks she's a detective because she bumbles around "investigating" until she figures out who the murderer is about 3 seconds before they try to kill her after she has gone somewhere secluded with them or gone somewhere secluded to meet with them- you'd think she'd learn not to do that after the first few murders she "investigated."
So annoying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2014
OK I'm done with this series. I'm so tired of the love triangle thing. Pick one already and get back to the murder mysteries. Now I like having the characters personal lives included in my cozies. But this is like the same book over and over again: Hannah can't make up her mind between Norman and Mike but gets ticked off when Mike shows an interest in another woman. Well maybe he's tired of taking cold showers. They drink lots of coffee, she has stupid dreams, she doesn't get enough sleep and she can't fit into this or that dress. I'm filing this with Stephanie Plum into the only get it free from the library if I happen to see it while I'm there.
July 24, 2023
It’s summer in Lake Eden, Minnesota and Hannah and her crew have been enlisted to bake a gazillion apple turnovers for a charity event. Hannah has also been volunteered to serve as a magician’s assistant again (her favorite duty) when things go wrong, she discovers a murder. This one had some interesting developments. Cat sitting for Cuddles and something up with Norman. A lecherous college professor who I can’t say I was sorry to see .
The delight in reading this series continues to be spending time with the familiar Lake Eden characters—Hannah, Andrea, Michelle, Dolores, Mike and Norman--as they bake their way through cozy days together solving small town crime. It continues to be in my top two favorite cozy mystery series and my go-to for when I want something light and comforting. This started really picking up for me in the second half when the investigation into the murder mystery began to take center stage. This particular victim had plenty of enemies and I was kept guessing. And mmm… so many chocolatey baked treats to enjoy!
The delight in reading this series continues to be spending time with the familiar Lake Eden characters—Hannah, Andrea, Michelle, Dolores, Mike and Norman--as they bake their way through cozy days together solving small town crime. It continues to be in my top two favorite cozy mystery series and my go-to for when I want something light and comforting. This started really picking up for me in the second half when the investigation into the murder mystery began to take center stage. This particular victim had plenty of enemies and I was kept guessing. And mmm… so many chocolatey baked treats to enjoy!
April 3, 2010
As always, I enjoyed reading this Hannah book. It is written by a formula, which isn't so bad really. Hannah always gets by with too little sleep...........when is the poor girl going to get a vacation or some time to catch up on her sleep? She also never goes to the grocery store, but always seems to have what she needs in the pantry or refrigerator at home when she starts a new recipe!
She bakes some cookies, talks to the people at the Cookie Shop, takes on an extra load of work or job, finds a dead body, comes home and bakes and makes coffee, gives her statement to Mike, gets too little sleep, and starts her days all over again! Along the way, she bakes something new in each chapter, investigates the murder, tries to help people, has dinner with Norman, tries to evade her mother, falls asleep on the work table at the Cookie Jar, helps out her sisters, and eventually finds herself face to face with the murderer. She's rescued in the nick of time. All in good clean fun, with some very interesting recipes along the way.
I'm getting a little tired with the 'should I marry Mike or Norman' thing, but I guess she will resolve that eventually. I'll continue to read each new episode; great fun light reading in the middle of some of the other darker mystery/thrillers I read.
She bakes some cookies, talks to the people at the Cookie Shop, takes on an extra load of work or job, finds a dead body, comes home and bakes and makes coffee, gives her statement to Mike, gets too little sleep, and starts her days all over again! Along the way, she bakes something new in each chapter, investigates the murder, tries to help people, has dinner with Norman, tries to evade her mother, falls asleep on the work table at the Cookie Jar, helps out her sisters, and eventually finds herself face to face with the murderer. She's rescued in the nick of time. All in good clean fun, with some very interesting recipes along the way.
I'm getting a little tired with the 'should I marry Mike or Norman' thing, but I guess she will resolve that eventually. I'll continue to read each new episode; great fun light reading in the middle of some of the other darker mystery/thrillers I read.
November 5, 2020
Reasons why you, a poor unsuspecting book character, enter cursed Hannah Swensen's life:
1. You live in a town with a population count of 51 (52 in winter because is high tourist season)
2. You want a cookie (in that case you just have to hope she had time to bake them that day since doing her job is the least of her concerns on a daily basis)
3. You are going to die a gruesome and incredibly painful death any time soon.
Be careful which one you choose... Or on second thought, don't even bother: if you are not in the third category now, just wait a couple of books. See you when you are stone cold, unfortunate citizen of this cursed town! Hope they bake cookies where you're going, cause Hannah sure won't have time to do it while she is investigating on your death. Toodles!
September 21, 2011
First let me begin by saying that when I started reading the Hannah Swensen series, I truly enjoyed the books -- they were light, fluffy confections that were easy to read. I enjoyed getting to know the small town folk & family and more about the town, itself. It's a shame that I've been soured on these books because of the ridiculous love-triangle of Mike/Hannah/Norman. Hannah is becoming more and more unlikeable - whiny, self-centered, prude, and sarcastic. I find it difficult to relate or to feel pity for her at all.
She whines when Mike tells her that she'd be better off with Norman. She's obviously been leaning towards Norman for some time now. At least Hannah and Norman spend time together on true dates. They get each others' jokes and can complete each others' sentences. Norman doesn't care if Hannah is a bit plump; Norman doesn't want to change Hannah. Mike sees Hannah as a never-ending supply of cookies, coffee, and home-cooked meals; someone he can relate to as a detective, not a man.
In this book, something is troubling Norman. For the first time, Hannah considers that she might lose both men she's been playing with, as her cat, Moishe, plays with duck feet, mice, and his Kitty Condo. But it doesn't stop her from feeling sorry for herself, while others around her get on with the business of life and love.
Hannah can't even say the word "sex" - what? The murder victim is a professor that Hannah fell in love with as a grad student, and obviously had an affair with, not knowing that he was married at the time. Are we supposed to believe that this lothario has stunted Hannah's ability to love again -- after now many years? And now, Hannah finds out her sister, Michelle, is one of a long string of women that the professor is involved with, including the town mayor's wife -- probably paying the roving mayor back for his own dalliances.
Hannah admits the truth or most of it to both Mike & Norman. I'm surprised that they didn't ask more questions, such as, "If you slept with this jerk, why can't you even get to second base with me?" But instead, they try to protect her. Wow.
If you're a fan of the series or the characters or even the love triangle, my apologies. I feel like a masochist continuing to read the series, but... what else can I do?
She whines when Mike tells her that she'd be better off with Norman. She's obviously been leaning towards Norman for some time now. At least Hannah and Norman spend time together on true dates. They get each others' jokes and can complete each others' sentences. Norman doesn't care if Hannah is a bit plump; Norman doesn't want to change Hannah. Mike sees Hannah as a never-ending supply of cookies, coffee, and home-cooked meals; someone he can relate to as a detective, not a man.
In this book, something is troubling Norman. For the first time, Hannah considers that she might lose both men she's been playing with, as her cat, Moishe, plays with duck feet, mice, and his Kitty Condo. But it doesn't stop her from feeling sorry for herself, while others around her get on with the business of life and love.
Hannah can't even say the word "sex" - what? The murder victim is a professor that Hannah fell in love with as a grad student, and obviously had an affair with, not knowing that he was married at the time. Are we supposed to believe that this lothario has stunted Hannah's ability to love again -- after now many years? And now, Hannah finds out her sister, Michelle, is one of a long string of women that the professor is involved with, including the town mayor's wife -- probably paying the roving mayor back for his own dalliances.
Hannah admits the truth or most of it to both Mike & Norman. I'm surprised that they didn't ask more questions, such as, "If you slept with this jerk, why can't you even get to second base with me?" But instead, they try to protect her. Wow.
If you're a fan of the series or the characters or even the love triangle, my apologies. I feel like a masochist continuing to read the series, but... what else can I do?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 27, 2020
The Hannah Swensen series is an outstanding series. The characters are just amazing and the plot is always interesting.
May 9, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook 🎧
Book #13 in the Hannah Swensen Series
I figured out the plot and who done it very early on in the book so this one only gets three stars.
Book #13 in the Hannah Swensen Series
I figured out the plot and who done it very early on in the book so this one only gets three stars.
July 25, 2012
Could Hannah drink anymore cups of coffee in this book?? I swear, on every page she was dying to drink up a cup of coffee before pouring herself another…or Michelle had made the coffee and was pouring a cup for Hannah…or Hannah was making coffee for late night visitors…or people were having coffee in her cookie shop…or Hannah was pouring coffee for Andrea…I could go on FOREVER! Usually, this doesn’t bother me, but DANG! If I read about another cup of coffee, I’ll go nuts!
*Deep breath*
Well, I was cheering for Norman up to this point, but now I'm not so sure. He has suddenly changed and now Hannah has to deal with his big news. Regardless of this, overall, this was one of the better stories that has come out of this series. I enjoyed hearing more about Hannah's past, but I do have to make a slight complaint. Hannah is still quite young and she has some of the most prudish ideas about sex- normally I don't complain about his because I am able to just enjoy the story without the sex, but I felt this plot needed to discuss it a little more. She hinted that she made bad decisions in her past, but when you look at her current views on sex, she is unrecognizable to her college self (and she isn't that much older). She went from someone who had made bad decisions in high school to someone that can barely even say the word "sex". I understand trying to show how Hannah has grown as a person and is wiser than her college self, but there was too much of an extreme here. Now, I’m not asking Hannah to start having sex with her two boyfriends, but I just wish she didn’t struggle so much with it. She needs to stop being such a scary cat lady for a little bit and embrace her youth (and all that goes with it).
So, having ranted about Hannah’s sex life, I can continue the rest of the review. Overall, this was a good book in the series, but I’m afraid it might be the last book that I like Norman in. I’ve already dived into the next book to find out what is going to happen with her and Norman, but I am worried. I really hope things don’t get too fuddled up. However, I will probably see this series to the end because I am enjoying them and they make for a good break between other bigger books.
*Deep breath*
Well, I was cheering for Norman up to this point, but now I'm not so sure. He has suddenly changed and now Hannah has to deal with his big news. Regardless of this, overall, this was one of the better stories that has come out of this series. I enjoyed hearing more about Hannah's past, but I do have to make a slight complaint. Hannah is still quite young and she has some of the most prudish ideas about sex- normally I don't complain about his because I am able to just enjoy the story without the sex, but I felt this plot needed to discuss it a little more. She hinted that she made bad decisions in her past, but when you look at her current views on sex, she is unrecognizable to her college self (and she isn't that much older). She went from someone who had made bad decisions in high school to someone that can barely even say the word "sex". I understand trying to show how Hannah has grown as a person and is wiser than her college self, but there was too much of an extreme here. Now, I’m not asking Hannah to start having sex with her two boyfriends, but I just wish she didn’t struggle so much with it. She needs to stop being such a scary cat lady for a little bit and embrace her youth (and all that goes with it).
So, having ranted about Hannah’s sex life, I can continue the rest of the review. Overall, this was a good book in the series, but I’m afraid it might be the last book that I like Norman in. I’ve already dived into the next book to find out what is going to happen with her and Norman, but I am worried. I really hope things don’t get too fuddled up. However, I will probably see this series to the end because I am enjoying them and they make for a good break between other bigger books.
January 10, 2018
I did read this all the way through, because I am a completionist, but I want you to know it was GARBAGE and not the fun kind. The fun hand-drawn sign on the library shelf led me astray! Joanne Fluke was recommended for "if you enjoy cozy mysteries," which is the most personally targeted sign a librarian could make, but WHOA NO. The good news is it was a very fast read but the bad news is it was a mess, not a mystery, fluffy and meandering, and irritating. Look, I know I have two Stephanie Plum books out from the library right now too, but at least they don't have gross sounding RECIPES at the end of every chapter. I will never ever recover from "Imperial Cereal," which is I guess like white chocolate haystacks, except made from dry cereal, brown sugar and melted butter, and ORANGE JUICE. WHAT FRESH HELL take it back to the library and never speak to me again
November 4, 2010
I have to say first off, that I love this series. I have read every book (except the newly released Devil's Food Cake Mystery) and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them.... except this one.
I don't know if it's Hannah's fickleness in choosing Norman or Mike, if it's the way she is constantly correcting everyone's grammar (ok, yes, that is definitely part of it), the same old tired phrases through 13 books (Swedish plasma? Ok... we get it), the fact that every recipe is the same with just a slight variant in what's added to it (chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips & it's a whole new cookie!)..... The arguments she had with herself (actually "talking" to herself in this one?) aren't helping things either.
This book was predictable and hard to finish. I know that I will read the next book because I am the type of person that wants to finish out a series (when it eventually ends) but I am hoping for less of the same. This book made it seem like the writer had grown tired of the series & was slogging through a storyline to make a buck off a series that has been hugely popular. I hope that isn't the case, because up until this one, I thought it was a great series. Here's hoping that the Devil's Food Cake does not disappoint!
I don't know if it's Hannah's fickleness in choosing Norman or Mike, if it's the way she is constantly correcting everyone's grammar (ok, yes, that is definitely part of it), the same old tired phrases through 13 books (Swedish plasma? Ok... we get it), the fact that every recipe is the same with just a slight variant in what's added to it (chocolate chips instead of white chocolate chips & it's a whole new cookie!)..... The arguments she had with herself (actually "talking" to herself in this one?) aren't helping things either.
This book was predictable and hard to finish. I know that I will read the next book because I am the type of person that wants to finish out a series (when it eventually ends) but I am hoping for less of the same. This book made it seem like the writer had grown tired of the series & was slogging through a storyline to make a buck off a series that has been hugely popular. I hope that isn't the case, because up until this one, I thought it was a great series. Here's hoping that the Devil's Food Cake does not disappoint!
July 25, 2020
1.5 Stars
rounded up to 2 Stars.
On a WOW meter this cozy registered way down towards the BLAH end. Although Hannah always registers blah on my scale considering she's early thirtyish going on ninety. Prude would even be too risque a word to describe her. I mean come on Ms. Fluke readers have been waiting ages for the big reveal on Ramsey Bradford and Hannah back in her college days and why she seems to be so afraid of commitment with men and all we get is That's it, that's her big dark secret of why she acts so prepubescient around men? Big Whoop! is all I got to say. But what really sank the book was even the usually lively characters around Lake Eden were blasé in this story. And to top it off the mystery plot was absolutely yawn worthy. I know you can do better than this Ms. Fluke.
On a WOW meter this cozy registered way down towards the BLAH end. Although Hannah always registers blah on my scale considering she's early thirtyish going on ninety. Prude would even be too risque a word to describe her. I mean come on Ms. Fluke readers have been waiting ages for the big reveal on Ramsey Bradford and Hannah back in her college days and why she seems to be so afraid of commitment with men and all we get is That's it, that's her big dark secret of why she acts so prepubescient around men? Big Whoop! is all I got to say. But what really sank the book was even the usually lively characters around Lake Eden were blasé in this story. And to top it off the mystery plot was absolutely yawn worthy. I know you can do better than this Ms. Fluke.
March 7, 2013
My friend said that this was the worst book she ever read. I am not going to try to dissuade her. At first I thought the book was written for children as the writing was so simplified, but alas it seems to be written for adults after all.
If that was not distracting enough, the book includes recipes in almost every chapter. So a typical chapter is structured like this: She walked into the room. It was a good room. It made her happy. She decided to bake in the room that brought her so much happiness. She preheated the oven to 400 degrees and got out the flour...
It then will then go through each step of making whatever she is baking and somewhere in there add a paragraph or two of storyline. Then at the end of the chapter is the actual recipe.
Goodreads says the book is 292 pgs if you take out all the baking and recipes I doubt its much more than 50 pages. I think I would encourage a friend to skip reading even that version of the book.
If that was not distracting enough, the book includes recipes in almost every chapter. So a typical chapter is structured like this: She walked into the room. It was a good room. It made her happy. She decided to bake in the room that brought her so much happiness. She preheated the oven to 400 degrees and got out the flour...
It then will then go through each step of making whatever she is baking and somewhere in there add a paragraph or two of storyline. Then at the end of the chapter is the actual recipe.
Goodreads says the book is 292 pgs if you take out all the baking and recipes I doubt its much more than 50 pages. I think I would encourage a friend to skip reading even that version of the book.
April 3, 2016
It's a hot, muggy summer in Lake Eden and The Cookie Jar is swamped. The mayor's wife asks Hannah and Lisa to bake something for her new charity weekend event. Hannah isn't sure about baking cookies on such short notice but Lisa volunteers them to bake 1000 apple turnovers. Hannah has a big problem. She's never made apple turnovers and neither has Lisa. Lisa's mother-in-law, Marge and Aunt Patsy step in to help bake. Then Lisa's husband Herb begs Hannah to be his assistant for the talent show and she's faced with purple dress demons. Her love life is getting complicated: Norman is off to Minneapolis to a dental convention and comes back withdrawn and different while Mike behaves like a perfect gentleman. Then, her old professor and lover, Bradford Ramsey, turns up in Lake Eden. He also knew her sister Michelle very well and Hannah fears her secret will be exposed and she will be shamed in front of the whole community. When Bradford turns up dead, Hannah is not too sad. Mike asks Hannah for her help in solving the case since she knew the victim.
This has to be the worst entry of the series so far. I skipped it in chronological order - it was checked out of the library I guess. I had wondered why the issue of Michelle's friend coming for dinner was never addresses and here I have my answer. The who and why was so painfully obvious, I think even Hannah should have figured it out right away. Her sisters probably would have, especially Andrea. Hannah is a little slow and tends to confront murder suspects innocently even when it's obvious they are the murderer. I also figured out what trouble Hannah would get into and how she would be rescued. (That was way too convenient). The rest of the plot takes a backseat to the mystery. Her love life plot is tired. Norman cares more about his cat than Hannah and Mike is always the ever vigilant cop. Bill's plot is somewhat interesting but the reader is left hanging at the end.
Hannah annoyed me in this book. She becomes the grammar police and still acts like a much older lady. I find it hard to believe she's supposed to be around my age. Lisa didn't get enough time to tell her story. Her stories are always the funny highlight of the novel, along with Dolores and her antics. Dolores was conspicuously absent for most of the novel. There are only 3 new characters: Bradford Ramsey and a pair of orphaned teenage twin dancing sensations. Bradford was the classic sleazy predatory. He preyed on his students and made them believe he loved them. He took advantage of his research assistant, consistently lied and cheated. Why did no one report him to the Dean? The twins have little to do in the story. One is a naive young girl and the other is a hardened young man, bitter from his childhood spent in the Home. Stephanie Bascomb, the Mayor's wife, is smug and too wealthy but she deserves her happiness where she can get it. My favorite character is Dillon the Lab/terrier mix. He's so cute and funny.
As always, the best part of the book is the recipes. I need to try Chocolate Crack!
This has to be the worst entry of the series so far. I skipped it in chronological order - it was checked out of the library I guess. I had wondered why the issue of Michelle's friend coming for dinner was never addresses and here I have my answer. The who and why was so painfully obvious, I think even Hannah should have figured it out right away. Her sisters probably would have, especially Andrea. Hannah is a little slow and tends to confront murder suspects innocently even when it's obvious they are the murderer. I also figured out what trouble Hannah would get into and how she would be rescued. (That was way too convenient). The rest of the plot takes a backseat to the mystery. Her love life plot is tired. Norman cares more about his cat than Hannah and Mike is always the ever vigilant cop. Bill's plot is somewhat interesting but the reader is left hanging at the end.
Hannah annoyed me in this book. She becomes the grammar police and still acts like a much older lady. I find it hard to believe she's supposed to be around my age. Lisa didn't get enough time to tell her story. Her stories are always the funny highlight of the novel, along with Dolores and her antics. Dolores was conspicuously absent for most of the novel. There are only 3 new characters: Bradford Ramsey and a pair of orphaned teenage twin dancing sensations. Bradford was the classic sleazy predatory. He preyed on his students and made them believe he loved them. He took advantage of his research assistant, consistently lied and cheated. Why did no one report him to the Dean? The twins have little to do in the story. One is a naive young girl and the other is a hardened young man, bitter from his childhood spent in the Home. Stephanie Bascomb, the Mayor's wife, is smug and too wealthy but she deserves her happiness where she can get it. My favorite character is Dillon the Lab/terrier mix. He's so cute and funny.
As always, the best part of the book is the recipes. I need to try Chocolate Crack!
March 13, 2010
There has been much discussion over Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series. Many have decided to stop reading it because of Joanne's refusal to listen to reader's frustration over the Hannah, Mike, Norman triangle. I feel that Joanne has listened to us, the reader, as I found much more discussion and Hannah giving thought to her relationship with the two men. It appears that Norman may be going to have another "love interest" being introduced into the story line. I actually look forward to reading the next book and seeing where this goes.
As for the mystery, many have commented that it was boring. I did not find it so. I felt that we got insight into Hannah's past and the reason she may not be able to make a commitment with either Mike or Norman due to her past relationship with Bradford Ramsey. It seems that Hannah was truly hurt many years ago and her indecision over her love triangle seems to come from her feelings regarding that episode in her life.
I'm still going to continue with Hannah and see what happens in the future.
As for the mystery, many have commented that it was boring. I did not find it so. I felt that we got insight into Hannah's past and the reason she may not be able to make a commitment with either Mike or Norman due to her past relationship with Bradford Ramsey. It seems that Hannah was truly hurt many years ago and her indecision over her love triangle seems to come from her feelings regarding that episode in her life.
I'm still going to continue with Hannah and see what happens in the future.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2010
Nothing happened that hasn't happened in previous books. The primary problematic turn of events was easily predicted.
If you've followed the series at all, you know that there's almost always some character acting strangely, and the reason is resolved at the end.
This time, it's nice, steady Norman. Six months after the events of the last book,where he's going nuts over his mother's secretive antics, he's doing many of the same things. Sorry, but this is out of character, and he's a major enough character for that to matter.
I know, the balance between Mike and Norman must be maintained. But really, why? It's gotten old.
If there was anything else going for this book, I might be able to shrug it off. But Hannah's old college professor that enjoys seducing young students was just creepy, and not in a good way. The mystery didn't draw me in. I didn't feel connected to the characters. Even the recipes seemed meh at best.
I wish I'd skipped this one.
If you've followed the series at all, you know that there's almost always some character acting strangely, and the reason is resolved at the end.
This time, it's nice, steady Norman. Six months after the events of the last book,where he's going nuts over his mother's secretive antics, he's doing many of the same things. Sorry, but this is out of character, and he's a major enough character for that to matter.
I know, the balance between Mike and Norman must be maintained. But really, why? It's gotten old.
If there was anything else going for this book, I might be able to shrug it off. But Hannah's old college professor that enjoys seducing young students was just creepy, and not in a good way. The mystery didn't draw me in. I didn't feel connected to the characters. Even the recipes seemed meh at best.
I wish I'd skipped this one.
August 6, 2011
A silly book that happens to have a murder in it, and some killer recipes.
February 7, 2017
My husband saw me reading this book last night and stopped, standing in front of me with a grin on his face. "Hey, are those the books you read that have recipes in them?'' I nodded, and he walked off still grinning. "I guess this means you are baking apple turnovers this weekend!''
Sure, why not! :)
Apple Turnover Murder is the 13th book in the Hannah Swensen series. I like this cozy mystery series. It's light reading, sprinkled with recipes throughout the story. I like to "visit'' Hannah in the evening with a cup of hot tea, my dog in my lap, fuzzy socks keeping my toes warm....just a nice, light before-bed read. The plots are never too complex, and the books are usually quick reads at under 300 pages. Cozy mysteries offer a bit of escape......light reading, some humor, a cute subplot or two, quirky characters, and a murder mystery thrown in. No sex. No cussing. No spurting blood. Sort of like watching a Hallmark Channel movie (which is perfect because Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel has made 4 of the Hannah Swensen books into made-for-television movies).
Sometimes I just need a story where I like the characters and the plot is just light and easy to read. Comfort reading. It's a lot like comfort food for avid readers.
I have to admit I didn't like Apple Turnover Murder as much as I've liked the other books in this series. This book seemed a bit too simplistic, or maybe like it was rushed? I'm not sure exactly. Something was just a bit off for me this time. Hannah is baking a lot of goodies for a large charity gala in Lake Eden, MN. More than 1000 cookies and just about as many apple turnovers are just too much for her to tackle alone, so she gets her business partner, Lisa, and her mother-in-law to help her out. Hannah is, as usual, mulling over her relationship difficulties and losing sleep from overwork and stress. Add in former boyfriend, Professor Bradford Ramsey deciding to be a lecherous jerk, and Hannah definitely has a lot going on. Just when she thinks nothing else could possibly go wrong, Hannah discovers Bradford Ramsey dead backstage at the gala talent show. What makes it worse is that she had just told the man she wanted to kill him. Hannah is back on the case to discover who killed the promiscuous professor.
The mystery portion of the plot seemed hurried this time. The investigation was lackluster, and the ending just seemed staged to me. The interaction between the main characters was obviously building up to something....but the reveal was a bit ho-hum for me. I still enjoyed the book...don't get me wrong. This particular book just seemed a bit meh to me.
I still love Hannah Swensen. And this book was a good build for what I think it going to happen in the rest of the series. I'm forging ahead with the rest of the series. Not every book in a long series can be monumentally exciting. And this is entirely my own opinion. To some, this book may have been awesome. I think I'm just ready for this series to head in a different direction.....the love triangle sub-plot was getting old five books ago. I think there might be light showing at the end of the tunnel though......
The recipes in Apple Turnover Murder sound SO yummy!! I think I need to bake this weekend! My husband excepts apple turnovers!
There are 20 books in the Hannah Swensen series, with #21 Banana Cream Pie Murder coming out February 28th!
As soon as I catch up with Hannah, I think I'm going to check out some of Joanne Fluke's suspense novels. I have heard good things about them. I'm curious to see what her non-cozy books are like! The cover-art looks delightfully creepy on her suspense books! I can't wait to try a couple of them! For more information about Joanne Fluke and her books, check out her website: www.murdershebaked.com
Sure, why not! :)
Apple Turnover Murder is the 13th book in the Hannah Swensen series. I like this cozy mystery series. It's light reading, sprinkled with recipes throughout the story. I like to "visit'' Hannah in the evening with a cup of hot tea, my dog in my lap, fuzzy socks keeping my toes warm....just a nice, light before-bed read. The plots are never too complex, and the books are usually quick reads at under 300 pages. Cozy mysteries offer a bit of escape......light reading, some humor, a cute subplot or two, quirky characters, and a murder mystery thrown in. No sex. No cussing. No spurting blood. Sort of like watching a Hallmark Channel movie (which is perfect because Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel has made 4 of the Hannah Swensen books into made-for-television movies).
Sometimes I just need a story where I like the characters and the plot is just light and easy to read. Comfort reading. It's a lot like comfort food for avid readers.
I have to admit I didn't like Apple Turnover Murder as much as I've liked the other books in this series. This book seemed a bit too simplistic, or maybe like it was rushed? I'm not sure exactly. Something was just a bit off for me this time. Hannah is baking a lot of goodies for a large charity gala in Lake Eden, MN. More than 1000 cookies and just about as many apple turnovers are just too much for her to tackle alone, so she gets her business partner, Lisa, and her mother-in-law to help her out. Hannah is, as usual, mulling over her relationship difficulties and losing sleep from overwork and stress. Add in former boyfriend, Professor Bradford Ramsey deciding to be a lecherous jerk, and Hannah definitely has a lot going on. Just when she thinks nothing else could possibly go wrong, Hannah discovers Bradford Ramsey dead backstage at the gala talent show. What makes it worse is that she had just told the man she wanted to kill him. Hannah is back on the case to discover who killed the promiscuous professor.
The mystery portion of the plot seemed hurried this time. The investigation was lackluster, and the ending just seemed staged to me. The interaction between the main characters was obviously building up to something....but the reveal was a bit ho-hum for me. I still enjoyed the book...don't get me wrong. This particular book just seemed a bit meh to me.
I still love Hannah Swensen. And this book was a good build for what I think it going to happen in the rest of the series. I'm forging ahead with the rest of the series. Not every book in a long series can be monumentally exciting. And this is entirely my own opinion. To some, this book may have been awesome. I think I'm just ready for this series to head in a different direction.....the love triangle sub-plot was getting old five books ago. I think there might be light showing at the end of the tunnel though......
The recipes in Apple Turnover Murder sound SO yummy!! I think I need to bake this weekend! My husband excepts apple turnovers!
There are 20 books in the Hannah Swensen series, with #21 Banana Cream Pie Murder coming out February 28th!
As soon as I catch up with Hannah, I think I'm going to check out some of Joanne Fluke's suspense novels. I have heard good things about them. I'm curious to see what her non-cozy books are like! The cover-art looks delightfully creepy on her suspense books! I can't wait to try a couple of them! For more information about Joanne Fluke and her books, check out her website: www.murdershebaked.com
April 7, 2019
4.5 stars
I loved the sass and shade that was in this book. It was a very interesting story involving Hannah's former lover from college, Ramsey Bradford, who showed up in the previous Plum Pudding Murder. This time he's causing even more trouble for Hannah by FINALLY remembering who they used to be to each other after 6 months of time. "Where's that pretty little sister of yours? I haven't seen her in a while.". . ."Don't be like that Hannah. I've got a feeling she's a lot like you...and you were extra special. I really should get to know here better...don't you think?". . ."That depends on you, Hannah. If YOU won't be nice to me, I'll just have to go younger." I was honestly insulted for Hannah as I couldn't believe this guy didn't remember someone he had sex with previously, but this book shows that this man had plenty of women in his life and keeping track of them would have been too much for this egotistical jerk. His murderer wasn't wrong in the fact that he'd saved the female half of the population from this man as he showed no signs of stopping his heartbreaking ways. Still two wrongs don't make a right and even this guy deserves justice. Even if he did threaten to go after one of his students if Hannah didn't sleep with him again...
I'd be the happiest man in the work if you'd marry me, Hannah. I can't think of anything that would be better for me. But it wouldn't be better for you. You'd be miserable if you married me. Every time I turned around to look a pretty woman, you'd wonder if I was going to make a move on her when you weren't around. Think about it, Hannah. I've already let you down a couple of times in the past, and you'd have to be the biggest fool on earth to take a chance on me.
Plum Pudding Murder focused on how Norman and Hannah are together and Apple Turnover Murder focuses on Mike and Hannah working together. It was actually nice seeing Mike has a self-reflection moment as it shows he acknowledged his less than stellar treatment of Hannah in their relationship. Even so I can't say that him saying he knows he's been a bad boyfriend makes up for the fact that he hasn't changed his behavior he was aware may hurt Hannah. Still I give him points for growing up a bit, and it made me like Mike a bit more than I did before.
I enjoyed this book more than the last one but there was one hinderance the annoyed me. Norman was acting weird in this book and it wasn't fully explained in this book, which I didn't like as he'd stated an explanation would be upcoming. Guess that means it'll be in the next book as I don't see how the hint of an explanation is enough to give a concrete answer. This is why I can only give the book a 4.5 star rating even though I really enjoyed the writing.
I loved the sass and shade that was in this book. It was a very interesting story involving Hannah's former lover from college, Ramsey Bradford, who showed up in the previous Plum Pudding Murder. This time he's causing even more trouble for Hannah by FINALLY remembering who they used to be to each other after 6 months of time. "Where's that pretty little sister of yours? I haven't seen her in a while.". . ."Don't be like that Hannah. I've got a feeling she's a lot like you...and you were extra special. I really should get to know here better...don't you think?". . ."That depends on you, Hannah. If YOU won't be nice to me, I'll just have to go younger." I was honestly insulted for Hannah as I couldn't believe this guy didn't remember someone he had sex with previously, but this book shows that this man had plenty of women in his life and keeping track of them would have been too much for this egotistical jerk. His murderer wasn't wrong in the fact that he'd saved the female half of the population from this man as he showed no signs of stopping his heartbreaking ways. Still two wrongs don't make a right and even this guy deserves justice. Even if he did threaten to go after one of his students if Hannah didn't sleep with him again...
I'd be the happiest man in the work if you'd marry me, Hannah. I can't think of anything that would be better for me. But it wouldn't be better for you. You'd be miserable if you married me. Every time I turned around to look a pretty woman, you'd wonder if I was going to make a move on her when you weren't around. Think about it, Hannah. I've already let you down a couple of times in the past, and you'd have to be the biggest fool on earth to take a chance on me.
Plum Pudding Murder focused on how Norman and Hannah are together and Apple Turnover Murder focuses on Mike and Hannah working together. It was actually nice seeing Mike has a self-reflection moment as it shows he acknowledged his less than stellar treatment of Hannah in their relationship. Even so I can't say that him saying he knows he's been a bad boyfriend makes up for the fact that he hasn't changed his behavior he was aware may hurt Hannah. Still I give him points for growing up a bit, and it made me like Mike a bit more than I did before.
I enjoyed this book more than the last one but there was one hinderance the annoyed me. Norman was acting weird in this book and it wasn't fully explained in this book, which I didn't like as he'd stated an explanation would be upcoming. Guess that means it'll be in the next book as I don't see how the hint of an explanation is enough to give a concrete answer. This is why I can only give the book a 4.5 star rating even though I really enjoyed the writing.
February 19, 2017
This book is what you expect from a Hannah Swenson Mystery. Hannah and her partner Lisa are busy as always at The Cookie Jar. They are catering desserts at a wedding when the story begins and Hannah spies Professor Bradford Ramsey. It seems Hannah has a past. She had an affair with Professor Ramsey when she went to College, that is until she found out he was engaged and he unceremoniously dumped her. There is a huge fundraiser going on in town and the mayor's wife Stephanie Bascomb somehow gets Hannah and Lisa to commit to making hundreds of Apple Turnovers for various events over the weekend. At the talent show, the MC Bradford Ramsey ends up dead, stabbed to death eating one of Hannah's turnovers. This time, Mike, one of her boyfriends and a Police Detective, actively seeks out Hannah's help.
This is a typical cozy mystery served with some food and gallons of coffee. I could never live in this town as it seems all they do is eat, a large majority of it cookies or some type of baked goods. I figured out the mystery shortly after it occurred, but it was still fun to see how it was investigated. Hannah is still dating two men who both want to marry her, although Mike seems to be pushing her in Norman's direction. This is a fun, easy read with some wonderful recipes that I will try. Love to read these by the pool as I do not need to think too hard.
This is a typical cozy mystery served with some food and gallons of coffee. I could never live in this town as it seems all they do is eat, a large majority of it cookies or some type of baked goods. I figured out the mystery shortly after it occurred, but it was still fun to see how it was investigated. Hannah is still dating two men who both want to marry her, although Mike seems to be pushing her in Norman's direction. This is a fun, easy read with some wonderful recipes that I will try. Love to read these by the pool as I do not need to think too hard.
May 15, 2010
Wow. That was quite possibly one of the worst books in this already dull series. I knew who did it and why before the murder even happened. Now that's just sad. I enjoy the recipes in these books, but I could do without the play by play cooking show disguised as a plot. "Spray it with some Pam" "what about this?" "Oh, any non-stick cooking spray will do." Seriously. If you want to write a cookbook, write a cookbook. (No really, I would totally buy it) If you want to keep us interested in the supposed intrigue happening in the lives of your characters than maybe you should put a little more thought into the plot, I'm just saying. The Mike-Norman thing is still going on...really? After Mike proved to be a cad now they're trying to make him look good again and Norman is supposedly stepping out on her? I don't know why either one is with her at this point aside from all the free food. She's really kind of annoying. That said, I'm sure I'll still read the next book...if only to find out what happens with the cliff-hanger ending...though I expect it will be rather dull and not at all as exciting as the author is obviously trying to make it appear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2015
I like a good mystery, and I am a cookbook junkie. You’d think the books of this author’s series would be perfect for me. Nope. This one had 125 pages of “junk” before anything regarding the mystery is mentioned. That, along with the 3-5 pages for each of the 21 recipes and some chapters describing how the characters in the story are carrying out each step of the same recipes makes for some tedious reading. The mystery ends up being mildly interesting, but the plot is uncomplicated and there is too much back story. By the way--the characters must all be fat and totally caffeine-hyper based on all the descriptions of drinking coffee and eating cookies.
September 12, 2017
Very quick read - the story seemed faster paced than some others in the series. I figured out whodunit by chapter 10, but it was interesting enough watching the story play out to find out I was right.
September 20, 2012
Apple Turnover Murder is the 13th book in the series if you don't count Candy Cane Murder #11 as a whole book since it was about 110 pages but with two other stores after it, if you count Candy then it's #14 which is my count so I'm keeping it.
Anyways, this is a cozy murder mystery series, and even though it has progressed into double digits the schematics are still the same. This is a total getaway from modern things and stress, well other than all those murders, so if you expect Hannah to drop one of her two boyfriends or to stop acting like she's stuck in the fifties you might as well pick something else. I love the series, when I'm in the mood for it I always find it a nice way to spend time, there is eating galore in here and there are recipes which tie into the story, I made the Mocha Nut Butterballs as I read it and they were tasty little morsels to heave with tea. I supposed to me this is a cozy read because it feels like full blown nostalgia. Everything is so much simpler, Lake Eden feels like a place that time has forgotten but it sure has a lot of festivals and events which makes it the perfect back drop for getting more characters killed off and then the whole thing investigated.
Summer weather seems to bring out whacky things in Lake Eden, this time Hannah has her hands full baking hundreds of dozens of cookies and apple turnovers for a huge charity event happening in her little town, unfortunately for her the host of that event is Bradford Ramsey, her old college professor who has burned her in the past. Apparently Hannah had a fling with him, which in Hannah terms probably means some hot and passionate hand holding, I doubt he got as far with her as he did with every other female in the area because no one is surprised when he is discovered dead, of course eating one of her pastries. Revenge was sure sweet for someone in Lake Eden that day! The suspect line is a mile long, even Hannah finds herself shuddering at the thought that she could have been counted as one because of the way that Ramsey acted, but duty calls and snooping is her favorite past time so off she goes!
I have noticed the patterns, what is mentioned in beginning and when and then how it ties in the ending and it doesn't bother me, it's hardly a mystery you can solve the way you'd solve an Agatha Christie, which is usually way trickier, here you sort of learn who is the suspect versus connect the dots. This was one of the better plots for me, and it kept my curiosity high so that's a plus. Most of the time the characters that are being investigated have nothing to do with the crime which is pretty funny.. But I do appreciate the consistency and the ending here, whoa... call me curious! Has Norman finally grown a pair? I want the details, I want the details!!
Anyways, this is a cozy murder mystery series, and even though it has progressed into double digits the schematics are still the same. This is a total getaway from modern things and stress, well other than all those murders, so if you expect Hannah to drop one of her two boyfriends or to stop acting like she's stuck in the fifties you might as well pick something else. I love the series, when I'm in the mood for it I always find it a nice way to spend time, there is eating galore in here and there are recipes which tie into the story, I made the Mocha Nut Butterballs as I read it and they were tasty little morsels to heave with tea. I supposed to me this is a cozy read because it feels like full blown nostalgia. Everything is so much simpler, Lake Eden feels like a place that time has forgotten but it sure has a lot of festivals and events which makes it the perfect back drop for getting more characters killed off and then the whole thing investigated.
Summer weather seems to bring out whacky things in Lake Eden, this time Hannah has her hands full baking hundreds of dozens of cookies and apple turnovers for a huge charity event happening in her little town, unfortunately for her the host of that event is Bradford Ramsey, her old college professor who has burned her in the past. Apparently Hannah had a fling with him, which in Hannah terms probably means some hot and passionate hand holding, I doubt he got as far with her as he did with every other female in the area because no one is surprised when he is discovered dead, of course eating one of her pastries. Revenge was sure sweet for someone in Lake Eden that day! The suspect line is a mile long, even Hannah finds herself shuddering at the thought that she could have been counted as one because of the way that Ramsey acted, but duty calls and snooping is her favorite past time so off she goes!
I have noticed the patterns, what is mentioned in beginning and when and then how it ties in the ending and it doesn't bother me, it's hardly a mystery you can solve the way you'd solve an Agatha Christie, which is usually way trickier, here you sort of learn who is the suspect versus connect the dots. This was one of the better plots for me, and it kept my curiosity high so that's a plus. Most of the time the characters that are being investigated have nothing to do with the crime which is pretty funny.. But I do appreciate the consistency and the ending here, whoa... call me curious! Has Norman finally grown a pair? I want the details, I want the details!!
October 13, 2014
2.5 stars. This one didn't annoy me nearly as much as the last couple have but I'm still only reading this series out of habit at this point. This was one of those books that suited my needs of "something quick I can read on vacation that doesn't have a plot that requires my full attention." Same old, same old. Hannah finds a dead body next to one of her baked goodies and local law enforcement steps aside so she can solve the case, which of course she does.
The dead body in this case is the professor both Hannah and her sister had flings with while students at the college where he taught. Michelle is pretty forthcoming about this but Hannah is horrified her secret past with him will be exposed because Hannah is clearly the most chaste 30-something to ever live. It's really no wonder sometime boyfriend Mike hooks up with other women every chance he gets. And her other boyfriend Norman must have the patience of a saint. (Again I wonder why she's torn between them though this book did at least say she just doesn't want to settle down yet).
This is a quick read if you page through all the recipes which take up a good portion of the book. I did find reading it more enjoyable when I was trapped on a plane hopped up on Melatonin than when I was back in the real world. For one thing, I was reading it on my Kindle/Kindle app on my phone, and the editing for this version was horrible, mainly due to words being randomly hyphenated in the middle of the sentences and the recipes not starting on their own page like they do in printed format. My other gripe is after finding the body, Hannah admitted she wanted the professor dead, was overheard threatening him but was never a suspect in his murder. Um, okay. I also wonder when these people sleep as everyone always seems to be calling and popping over at all hours of the night. I would think by now, caffeine would have lost it's effect on Hannah given how much coffee she drinks.
Still, it wasn't a bad read. I could relate to Andrea's dilemma of her husband looking at a job offer that would take them to Florida and away from their families. Her anguish of wanting to be a supportive wife because she knew this was a good opportunity vs not wanting to leave the only home she's ever known was done quite well. And some of Michelle's breakfast recipes are intriguing-perhaps she'll open her own restaurant some day as well?
The dead body in this case is the professor both Hannah and her sister had flings with while students at the college where he taught. Michelle is pretty forthcoming about this but Hannah is horrified her secret past with him will be exposed because Hannah is clearly the most chaste 30-something to ever live. It's really no wonder sometime boyfriend Mike hooks up with other women every chance he gets. And her other boyfriend Norman must have the patience of a saint. (Again I wonder why she's torn between them though this book did at least say she just doesn't want to settle down yet).
This is a quick read if you page through all the recipes which take up a good portion of the book. I did find reading it more enjoyable when I was trapped on a plane hopped up on Melatonin than when I was back in the real world. For one thing, I was reading it on my Kindle/Kindle app on my phone, and the editing for this version was horrible, mainly due to words being randomly hyphenated in the middle of the sentences and the recipes not starting on their own page like they do in printed format. My other gripe is after finding the body, Hannah admitted she wanted the professor dead, was overheard threatening him but was never a suspect in his murder. Um, okay. I also wonder when these people sleep as everyone always seems to be calling and popping over at all hours of the night. I would think by now, caffeine would have lost it's effect on Hannah given how much coffee she drinks.
Still, it wasn't a bad read. I could relate to Andrea's dilemma of her husband looking at a job offer that would take them to Florida and away from their families. Her anguish of wanting to be a supportive wife because she knew this was a good opportunity vs not wanting to leave the only home she's ever known was done quite well. And some of Michelle's breakfast recipes are intriguing-perhaps she'll open her own restaurant some day as well?
September 1, 2014
It has been a long time since I have read on a book of this series. This is really not a mystery but a delightful cookie recipe book. The writing is clear and concise. It is easy to read and all the cookies sound good. Rose's Zucchini cookies caught my eye. I read the recipes even if I don't plan on making them. I was more than half way through the book before the mystery started. The story starts with a wedding but it is not Hannah. LISA and Hannah agree to supply a large number of Apple turnover s for fundraiser. There is one scenc e with Mike another with Norman. All the regular characters are mention. The murder victim even is found eating a turnover. There is nothing new about the mystery.
March 16, 2016
In this book, you finally meet Bradford Ramsey, the one who broke Hannah's heart and helped make Hannah who she is today. Love the book and Hannah does so much better with her new loves.
July 29, 2022
Another good edition to the series. I wish she would hurry up and pick one of her suitors. I do think it is silly that she gets jealous of Norman and Mike’s interests in other women, when she can’t pick just one man herself.
June 5, 2016
Average at best. I used to be really into chick-lit books, and mysteries always made them better. But I think I'm starting to lose interest in this genre. Apple Turnover Murder is fine. Nothing incredibly wrong with it or anything, and if you're into chick-lit and murder mystery, then you'll probably really enjoy this book. I tried to enjoy the story for what it was. I've excepted that this isn't my favorite genre anymore - not even a preferred genre - but I could move past that to just read the story. But there were a handful of things that I really disliked, which is why I'm only giving 3 stars.
First of all, I realize this is part of a series, and it's very far along in the series. So since this is the first one of the series I've read, I could tell that there was a lot of backstory from previous books that I just wasn't familiar with. I didn't let that have weight on my rating, but it's possible that it kept me from liking other aspects that did affect the rating.
I guess I'll start with the characters. Everyone acts the exact same age. It took forever for me to realize Dolores was the mother of our MC, and even once I got a grip on that fact, Dolores didn't come across as older than the rest of the characters. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Tracey. Tracy is Andrea's daughter, our MC's sister, and I still have no idea how old Tracey is. She talks like she's at least a teenager, but if she were a teenager, she wouldn't be going on a field trip and have to bring a snack for her and a partner. That's very early elementary school.
A lot of my confusion with the characters came from the dialogue. I was not crazy about the dialogue at all. 1) The way everyone talked didn't seem natural. 2) Joanne Fluke included small talk conversations way too much. The flow of the conversations happened as if they would in real life, but real life goes a lot faster in, well, real life, but in a book, it just slows the story down. A lot of random and unimportant chit chat was inserted into the story, and I feel like pages and pages of this book could have been shaved off if we didn't have all this filler conversation. 3) And lastly, the dialogue, as well as a lot of description, gave me the impression that Fluke didn't trust me, as the reader, to have common sense.
So many details are described, but I feel like it was more Fluke's way of making sure I understood what was happening rather than necessary detail for the story. For example, when Hannah is at Andrea's house and Tracey is helping with making the snack for her field trip... Hannah isn't just telling Tracey what to do to make the snack, but also telling her every "expert" piece of advice. Like telling Tracey how to scoop brown sugar. And then one time Lisa (if I remember correctly) walks into the cookie store, and we get all this detail why Lisa's phone is off. "Oh. I turned off my phone at the speech because they told us to turn off our phones because a ringing phone could be disruptive. I obviously didn't check my messages like I usually do because I forgot to turn it back on. Oh, silly me with my charged phone that I forgot to turn back on because I always check my messages. Wow what a goofball." This could have very easily been described as "Oh yeah, I forgot to turn my phone back on after the speech." As a reader with common sense, I can gather that most speeches and whatnot ask people to at least silence their phones, and I understand that many times people forget to turn their phones to the regular volume afterward. I don't need it spelled out for me. This happened a lot throughout the story, and it was annoying.
I also realize that Fluke is really into baking. Not just for this Hannah Swenson series, but it's clear that baking is a big time hobby for Fluke in her personal life. I can appreciate that, and I appreciate all the recipes included. (I'll probably make copies of the recipes before I return the book to the library.) But a lot of times it felt like overkill. Like Fluke was trying way too hard to include all these great cookies just for the sake of including more cookies. It didn't add to the plot at all for me. And let me just mention the coffee while I'm on the subject. God, I swear, it seemed like every second of this book someone was either drinking coffee, pouring coffee, making a pot of coffee, bathing in coffee, brushing their teeth with coffee, or drowning the entire town of Lake Eden with coffee! I love coffee, y'all. Really love it. But even I started getting tired of all the coffee by the end of it. Again, overkill.
This review probably sounds more harsh than I want it to be. Like I said, it's not that the book is bad. I think I'm just drifting away from chick-lit. All the flaws I mentioned, I was able to look over them enough to still be interested in the plot and want to know whodunit. I can't say I'm itching to read more about the adventures of Hannah Swenson, but I might grab another book in the series if I find myself in a reading rut and just need something to read.
First of all, I realize this is part of a series, and it's very far along in the series. So since this is the first one of the series I've read, I could tell that there was a lot of backstory from previous books that I just wasn't familiar with. I didn't let that have weight on my rating, but it's possible that it kept me from liking other aspects that did affect the rating.
I guess I'll start with the characters. Everyone acts the exact same age. It took forever for me to realize Dolores was the mother of our MC, and even once I got a grip on that fact, Dolores didn't come across as older than the rest of the characters. On the other end of the spectrum, we have Tracey. Tracy is Andrea's daughter, our MC's sister, and I still have no idea how old Tracey is. She talks like she's at least a teenager, but if she were a teenager, she wouldn't be going on a field trip and have to bring a snack for her and a partner. That's very early elementary school.
A lot of my confusion with the characters came from the dialogue. I was not crazy about the dialogue at all. 1) The way everyone talked didn't seem natural. 2) Joanne Fluke included small talk conversations way too much. The flow of the conversations happened as if they would in real life, but real life goes a lot faster in, well, real life, but in a book, it just slows the story down. A lot of random and unimportant chit chat was inserted into the story, and I feel like pages and pages of this book could have been shaved off if we didn't have all this filler conversation. 3) And lastly, the dialogue, as well as a lot of description, gave me the impression that Fluke didn't trust me, as the reader, to have common sense.
So many details are described, but I feel like it was more Fluke's way of making sure I understood what was happening rather than necessary detail for the story. For example, when Hannah is at Andrea's house and Tracey is helping with making the snack for her field trip... Hannah isn't just telling Tracey what to do to make the snack, but also telling her every "expert" piece of advice. Like telling Tracey how to scoop brown sugar. And then one time Lisa (if I remember correctly) walks into the cookie store, and we get all this detail why Lisa's phone is off. "Oh. I turned off my phone at the speech because they told us to turn off our phones because a ringing phone could be disruptive. I obviously didn't check my messages like I usually do because I forgot to turn it back on. Oh, silly me with my charged phone that I forgot to turn back on because I always check my messages. Wow what a goofball." This could have very easily been described as "Oh yeah, I forgot to turn my phone back on after the speech." As a reader with common sense, I can gather that most speeches and whatnot ask people to at least silence their phones, and I understand that many times people forget to turn their phones to the regular volume afterward. I don't need it spelled out for me. This happened a lot throughout the story, and it was annoying.
I also realize that Fluke is really into baking. Not just for this Hannah Swenson series, but it's clear that baking is a big time hobby for Fluke in her personal life. I can appreciate that, and I appreciate all the recipes included. (I'll probably make copies of the recipes before I return the book to the library.) But a lot of times it felt like overkill. Like Fluke was trying way too hard to include all these great cookies just for the sake of including more cookies. It didn't add to the plot at all for me. And let me just mention the coffee while I'm on the subject. God, I swear, it seemed like every second of this book someone was either drinking coffee, pouring coffee, making a pot of coffee, bathing in coffee, brushing their teeth with coffee, or drowning the entire town of Lake Eden with coffee! I love coffee, y'all. Really love it. But even I started getting tired of all the coffee by the end of it. Again, overkill.
This review probably sounds more harsh than I want it to be. Like I said, it's not that the book is bad. I think I'm just drifting away from chick-lit. All the flaws I mentioned, I was able to look over them enough to still be interested in the plot and want to know whodunit. I can't say I'm itching to read more about the adventures of Hannah Swenson, but I might grab another book in the series if I find myself in a reading rut and just need something to read.
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