"strong culinary mystery"

Lake Eden is a small resort town in Minnesota that is relatively crime free but when a homicide occurs, Hannah Swensen, the owner of the cookie Jar, is usually in the middle of the investigation. Murder is the farthest from Hannah's mind because her beau, Norman Rhodes bought a house from Rhonda Scarf and plans to demolish the building to build his and Hannah's dream home. Rhonda sold the home with the contents included so Norman, Hannah and her mother, an antique collector search the house for hidden treasures.

After looking in every nook and cranny in the cluttered home, Hannah's mother decides to look in the basement to see if there are any antique tools. She doesn't find any treasures, but in the furnace room she sees Rhonda's body with a knife protruding from her chest. The police specifically tell Hannah not to get involved but everyone close to her wants her on the case. She finally agrees because she hopes it will get her mind off food and diets.

There is not one heroine who loves being involved in a homicide investigation as much as Hannah Swensen does. This culinary mystery has easy mouth-watering recipes that have easy to follow directions. (I tried two of them and the deserts were scrumptious, but no comments on my weight). The who-done-it is fun in large part due to the support cast who adds flavoring ingredients to an exciting mix. LEMON MERINGUE PIE MURDER is a delicious reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted February 6, 2003