2Raspberrymocha
Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke
Hannah Swensen Mysteries
c. 2018
3 *s
Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar bakery is eortied about her new husband Ross. Ross hasn't been seen or heard from since a few weeks after their wedding. Where is he? Meanwhile Ross's cameraman at KCOW is taking over Ross's job. He just produced a commercial for the Lake Eden Community Theater, a play being directed by Hannah's younger sister, Michelle. Hannah is busy baking cookies for a refreshment booth at the local Christmas gift show. Michelle gets a call on her phone from PK, who appears drunk behind the wheel of Ross's car. Then he crashes. Hannah needs to discover what is happening. Is her missing husband the actual intended victim?
This was a pretty good story. The dialogue was not as stilted and formal as the last few books. However, I am heartily tired of Hannah's mother. The woman is overly bossy and too intrusive in her daughters' lives. And jumps to conclusions without listening to anything that people say. I'm still curious where Hannah's 2 former male friends stand in Hannah's life.
Hannah Swensen Mysteries
c. 2018
3 *s
Hannah Swensen, owner of the Cookie Jar bakery is eortied about her new husband Ross. Ross hasn't been seen or heard from since a few weeks after their wedding. Where is he? Meanwhile Ross's cameraman at KCOW is taking over Ross's job. He just produced a commercial for the Lake Eden Community Theater, a play being directed by Hannah's younger sister, Michelle. Hannah is busy baking cookies for a refreshment booth at the local Christmas gift show. Michelle gets a call on her phone from PK, who appears drunk behind the wheel of Ross's car. Then he crashes. Hannah needs to discover what is happening. Is her missing husband the actual intended victim?
This was a pretty good story. The dialogue was not as stilted and formal as the last few books. However, I am heartily tired of Hannah's mother. The woman is overly bossy and too intrusive in her daughters' lives. And jumps to conclusions without listening to anything that people say. I'm still curious where Hannah's 2 former male friends stand in Hannah's life.
3pamelad
>1 Raspberrymocha: It's winter in the southern hemisphere. Don't forget us!
4Raspberrymocha
Justice Denied by JA Jance
JP Beaumont Mystery
c. 2007
4 *s
JP Beaumont is is a former homicide detective now working for the Special Homicide Investigative Team for the state of Washington, as is his partner, Mel Sloanes. He is investigating a special crime for the Washington Attorney General. Mel is doing a routine check on registered sex offenders. However, she is finding that they are dying at an unusual rate after they serve their sentence. The death that JP (Beau) is investigating appears to tie in with Mel's. Mel is also on the Board of a women's victim's help organization. The AG wants to know what is going on. it's an interesting tale of twists, turns, nuns, vigilantes, family grief, and justice.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read for a cop procedural mystery. The story unfolded quickly with interesting red herrings thrown in along the way. The dialogue was quick and often witty. Very enjoyable and not the least bit gory or overly gruesome.
JP Beaumont Mystery
c. 2007
4 *s
JP Beaumont is is a former homicide detective now working for the Special Homicide Investigative Team for the state of Washington, as is his partner, Mel Sloanes. He is investigating a special crime for the Washington Attorney General. Mel is doing a routine check on registered sex offenders. However, she is finding that they are dying at an unusual rate after they serve their sentence. The death that JP (Beau) is investigating appears to tie in with Mel's. Mel is also on the Board of a women's victim's help organization. The AG wants to know what is going on. it's an interesting tale of twists, turns, nuns, vigilantes, family grief, and justice.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read for a cop procedural mystery. The story unfolded quickly with interesting red herrings thrown in along the way. The dialogue was quick and often witty. Very enjoyable and not the least bit gory or overly gruesome.
5Raspberrymocha
>3 pamelad: Oops! Maybe with my "Fall" one I should just put 3rd Quarter? I think that would work!!
6Raspberrymocha
The Belial Stone by R. D. Brady
#1 The Belial Series
c. 2013
3 1/2 *s
Dr. Laney McPhearson, a criminologist, is sent a manuscript by her best friend. It's on a hush hush archeological dig concerning a possibility of a very ancient civilization found in Montana, possibly Atlantis. Before Laney gets a chance to proofread the paper, her home is broken into by a man with superhuman abilities. Despite being shot numerous times, he shakes it off and pursues her. Laney ends up in a safe house run by Henry Chandler, a giant of a man who runs a well known think tank. Jake, Hernty's head of security is in search of his missing brother. His brother is one of hundreds of missing parolees. The information Laney has leads Jake to take a closer look at the archeological dig.
This was a fun first of a series. The characters are likeable and relatable.
#1 The Belial Series
c. 2013
3 1/2 *s
Dr. Laney McPhearson, a criminologist, is sent a manuscript by her best friend. It's on a hush hush archeological dig concerning a possibility of a very ancient civilization found in Montana, possibly Atlantis. Before Laney gets a chance to proofread the paper, her home is broken into by a man with superhuman abilities. Despite being shot numerous times, he shakes it off and pursues her. Laney ends up in a safe house run by Henry Chandler, a giant of a man who runs a well known think tank. Jake, Hernty's head of security is in search of his missing brother. His brother is one of hundreds of missing parolees. The information Laney has leads Jake to take a closer look at the archeological dig.
This was a fun first of a series. The characters are likeable and relatable.
7Raspberrymocha
Chocolate Cream Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Hannah Swensen Mystery
c. 2019
3 1/2 *s
Hannah Swensen hasn't seen or heard from her husband in over 3 months. Life continues on at her bakery, The Cookie Jar. Then one day she gets a call from Ross demanding that she immediately give him the $100,000 that is in the checking account. He isn't acting like the loving husband she just married. Hannah is scared. As usual, the family and her friends rally around her as she tries to figure out what is going on with Ross. Then a dead body is found in her bedroom on her bed. Everyone works to keep Hannah safe. It isn't helping that Hannah hasn't been feeling well.
A quick fun read that was a bit different from the last few books. The conversation is more flowing and feels real, unlike the past few books. I still do not care for Hannah's overbearing control freak Mother (yes, Hannah calls her Mother rather than Mom.)
A Hannah Swensen Mystery
c. 2019
3 1/2 *s
Hannah Swensen hasn't seen or heard from her husband in over 3 months. Life continues on at her bakery, The Cookie Jar. Then one day she gets a call from Ross demanding that she immediately give him the $100,000 that is in the checking account. He isn't acting like the loving husband she just married. Hannah is scared. As usual, the family and her friends rally around her as she tries to figure out what is going on with Ross. Then a dead body is found in her bedroom on her bed. Everyone works to keep Hannah safe. It isn't helping that Hannah hasn't been feeling well.
A quick fun read that was a bit different from the last few books. The conversation is more flowing and feels real, unlike the past few books. I still do not care for Hannah's overbearing control freak Mother (yes, Hannah calls her Mother rather than Mom.)
8Raspberrymocha
Deadly Claws by Jenna St. James
#1 Witch in the Woods series
c. 2021
4 *
Shayla Loci has moved back to her home (castle) on Enchanted Island. She is now the Game Warden. While on her way to visit her grandmother Gigi, Jenna comes across a body in the woods. It looks to be done by a werewolf. She calls the sheriff. Meanwhile she checks for clues, as she is a retired law enforcement officer. sheriff Stone enlists Shayla to help solve the murder. There are lots of interesting paranormal and normal people living on Enchanted Island. But, who would kill the grocery store manager? The book is fun and a fast read. The author doesn't waste words, which I appreciate. This was a good introductory book to a series. I look forward to more.
#1 Witch in the Woods series
c. 2021
4 *
Shayla Loci has moved back to her home (castle) on Enchanted Island. She is now the Game Warden. While on her way to visit her grandmother Gigi, Jenna comes across a body in the woods. It looks to be done by a werewolf. She calls the sheriff. Meanwhile she checks for clues, as she is a retired law enforcement officer. sheriff Stone enlists Shayla to help solve the murder. There are lots of interesting paranormal and normal people living on Enchanted Island. But, who would kill the grocery store manager? The book is fun and a fast read. The author doesn't waste words, which I appreciate. This was a good introductory book to a series. I look forward to more.
9rocketjk
Death Blew Out the Match by Kathleen Moore Knight is a "Golden Age" mystery, first published in 1935 and the first entry in Knight's "Elisha Macomber" series, set on Martha's Vineyard. When copywriter Anne Waldron loses her job (it's the Depression, after all), she falls back to her cabin in the island town of Penberthy Village. Her friend, Hazel Kershaw (Kerch), a nurse also newly jobless, joins her there. In a nearby cabin, a famous playwright, Marya Van Wyck, is suddenly murdered. Anne and Kerch find the body . . . and off we go! There are lots of plot twists and strange goings on, here, that make the reading fun. The writing is crisp and there is a pleasing amount of sly humor, self-deprecating often, as Anne, our first person narrator, has plenty of opportunity to doubt her own credentials as a sleuth. So this was a good time.
10JuliePugsley
>4 Raspberrymocha: I love JA Jance books: Beaumont, and Joanna Brady. Over the years I've read them over and over.
