Plum Pudding Murder: A Hannah Swenson Holiday Mystery with Recipes

by: Joanne Fluke

Published by: Kensington Books

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann

In Fluke’s most delectable mystery yet, Hannah Swenson and her dentist boyfriend Norman discover the body of Crazy Elf’s Christmas tree lot owner Larry Jaeger in his luxe trailer on the tree lot site. He appears to have been shot, as was his large screen plasma TV! Hannah’s cop beau, Mike, admonishes Hannah to stay out of the investigation.

When Hannah’s mother Delores discovers that a friend–a professor at the college where she is taking small business classes–is Larry’s soon-to-be-ex-wife and has no alibi, Hannah and her cohorts go to work to find the real culprit. Hannah’s Cookie Jar store partner Lisa, her mother Delores, and her sister Andrea help her uncover the truth.

There is a ton of suspects, like many disgruntled business partners who were upset at the paltry income from the supposedly failing business, and a current fiancée, who did not know he was still married. Hannah cleverly discovers that Larry had a second secret bank account with around $250,000. Will Hannah’s propensity for accurate hunches get her into danger again?

Somehow Hannah manages to balance the two boyfriends, and they all remain friends. She just cannot decide between the two men! I always wonder if in the next book in the series (this is number12) she will be forced to choose, but so far it has not happened.

The recipes are especially tempting this outing, with everything from Jeweled Pork Roast to soup, salads, breads, cookies, bars, cakes, biscuits, and holiday spreads! This may be one of the few series that should come with a food label with calories, fat, and carbohydrate counts.

Armchair Interviews says: A fun read that could also be fattening IF you made and at all the wonderful recipes.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MurderShe Baked.com