Book Review: Fudge Cupcake Murder

The fifth book in the Hannah Swensen mystery series, Fudge Cupcake Murder, is everything readers have come to expect from Joanne Fluke's trademark style. Pairing delectable baked good recipes with tales of murder and mystery, this book continues the story of Hannah's life with predictable flair. Lake Eden, Minnesota, must be grateful for the baking expertise and intuitive crime-solving abilities of The Cookie Jar owner, Hannah.

Hannah is hard at work compiling a group of recipes for a Lake Eden cookbook and trying to determine the mystery ingredient for a special fudge cupcake recipe. She happens upon the body of Sheriff Grant in a dumpster and must ferret through the evidence to determine who has offed the disliked sheriff. Of course, there is danger the closer she gets to finding the killer.

Hannah still can't seem to decide between her dual love interests, Norman and Mike. Her sister is close to having her second child. Moreover, her mother is being pursued by an unknown man, whom they fear is a con man. I find the advancing story line of her life equally fascinating as the murder mystery elements. I will happily seek out the next installment in this series. While they are not very literary fare, they are entertaining, whimsical and light-hearted fun.