Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Joanne Fluke (Author)

Book Description

Series: Hannah Swensen Mysteries | Publication Date: October 1, 2009

The Cookie Jar's busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time...for Christmas cookies, Hannah's own special plum pudding - and romance! Holiday orders are high, and Hannah's slated to provide dessert at the Reverend Knudsen's upcoming nuptials. She's busy as can be and loving it. She also gets a kick out of 'Lunatic Larry Jaeger's Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot', a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. Larry thinks he's crazy like a fox with his wild business schemes, but this time, the entrepreneur may have bitten off more than he can chew. Rumour has it that Larry's in the red - an idea that takes a sinister turn when Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office...It seems quite a few people would have liked to fill Larry's stocking with coal and then bash him with it - including his bitter ex-wife, his ex-partner's daughter, a woman he was wooing, and the Crazy Elf Tree lot's extremely exasperated investors...Now, with so many suspects to investigate and the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah's running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge who doesn't want her to see the New Year.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Christmas season provides the backdrop for bestseller Fluke's sprightly 12th Hannah Swenson holiday mystery (after Mar. 2009's Cream Puff Murder). When Hannah, the proprietor of the Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minn., stops by the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot one night to pick up a check, she discovers the body of the owner, Larry Jaeger, inside Elf Headquarters, the double-wide trailer that was Larry's home. Hannah's slay-dar has led her to yet another murder victim. With the support of various friends and family, including her lively and manipulative mother, Delores, Hannah investigates. Her sessions in a class on small business practices raise her suspicions about the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot. Cozy fans will cheer as Hannah survives a hair-raising confrontation with the killer to present an elegant Christmas eve banquet. Tempting recipes range from Hot Fudge Sundae Cakes to Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake Pie. (Oct.)
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (October 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758210248
• ISBN-13: 978-0758210241
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #344,190 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joanne Fluke is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 20 novels. Like Hannah Swensen, she was born and raised in a small town in rural Minnesota, but now lives in sunny Southern California. She is currently working on her next Hannah Swensen mystery and readers are welcome to contact her at the following e-mail address, [e-mail], or by visiting her website at www.MurderSheBaked.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good recipes, familiar characters: Maybe too familiar?, October 18, 2009

By 

Trixie Belle (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) (Hardcover)

The book starts out with a murder, and then backtracks to the day before a man was shot to a scene at The Cookie Jar. Hannah is selling cookies to the local Christmas tree lot for the holidays, and she and her partner, Lisa, are busy baking cookies, and preparing for the holidays. Hannah's Mom is wondering why her partner in the antique business has been cancelling so many social outings. Norman is helping Hannah put her first Christmas tree in the condo. Mike is worrying about some suspicions he has over local citizens at the tri-state mall. Andrea is selling houses and keeping her precocious daughter, Tracy, busy. The plot thickens when it becomes obvious that a local business owner may have been cheating several of the town's citizens. Norman is helpful, kind and sweet, and Mike shows up for handouts of food late at night. Mike's dalliances with other women are brought up by Hannah and then dismissed. Hannah continues to date both men, and I found myself wanting Norman to dump her. He deserves a woman who appreciates his care for her, and Hannah seems to be attracted to the bad boys. The end of the book brings yet another former suitor into the pictures. I like the myseteries, but Hannah's indecision in the romance department makes her look insensitive or not that bright.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even Christmas Tree Lots are Deadly in Lake Eden, October 1, 2009

By 

Mark Baker (Santa Clarita, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Its 10 shopping days until Christmas, and things are hopping in The Cookie Jar. Hannah has her hands full keeping the shop's regular customers in cookies plus holiday party catering. To top it off, the shop is providing the cookies for the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot. Located in the center of town, it not only sells trees, but stand, ornaments, and toys. Heck, it even has some rides for all to enjoy.

But when Hannah stops by one night to pick up a check, she finds Larry Jaeger, the owner, shot dead in Elf Headquarters (aka the trailer he was living in on site). And the secrets begin pouring out as Hannah finds motives in some surprising places. Who actually committed the murder?

We've got another entry that will please fans. The early part is a little heavy on the sub-plots, but once the murder plot gets going, all three blend together quite well. I had the killer figured out before Hannah did, but only a chapter or two. And the ending will definitely have you coming back to see what happens next.

The characters continue to be their charming selves. I love spending time with them and get excited as each new book comes out.

Can't leave out the delicious recipes, either. There are a ton of them this time, including recipes for a complete Christmas Eve dinner.

Yes, the series is extremely light and cozy. But that is part of the charm for me. If you are looking for an enjoyable Christmas mystery, this one will be perfect for you.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Mystery wonderful receipes, October 22, 2009

By 

LMS "Marie Salter" (St. Louis, MO USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Plum Pudding Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) (Hardcover)

Hannah is at it again solving the mystery of Larry the Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot with lots of twist and turns. Along the way with great recipes to try. she still has the two men in her life and can not or won't make a discusion on them put the ending leaving you wondering...is there a bigger picture. You won't be unhappy with this newest in the series.