A retired professional MLB player turns up dead during the Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration, and with his past, the list of suspects is as long as the first day of summer... and Hannah's mother is on it.
This is book 29 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series, and it's a cozy mystery. This is something I noticed earlier in this series, but the more it progresses, the more annoying it gets: there is a lot of fillers, things that are really unnecessary, mundane day to day things that bring absolutely nothing to the story. I was only 5% into this one and I was like, go on already... As much as I love the series, the more books I read in it, the less I like it and the more I am annoyed with it. So maybe I should move on to another series? There are also a lot of repetitions and redundance. And frankly, some of the characters are inconsistent, and the writing is not very good, it felt amateurish. Also, typically in cozy mysteries, the murder/crime happens much earlier and like the first 10%; it only happens at the 30% mark in this one (another proof of how drawn out the story is). I don't remember all of the details of the books that I've read, but I have a feeling that it's not the first time that Dolores is on the list of suspects? Also, I do understand that this is a small town, and everyone is always up in everybody else's business, but why won't they let Mike quit? He's clearly overexerted, he clearly is very near to a mental breakdown. The guy needs a break. Just let him be. And I did skip a few books there so maybe I missed the info (I think the last one I read was book 13 or 14), but Hannah was still on the fence between Mike and Norman. And she still hasn't picked in this one?!? She seems to be leaning a little bit more towards Norman, but seriously, after 29 books, she should have made up her mind... if she doesn't know by now, none of them are right for her... Anyway, this ends with cliff hanger that had me very curious for the next installment, but I clearly am not really into that series anymore...
I'm definitely gonna try that pink lemonade cake recipe, though, it looks delicious!
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke takes us bake to Lake Eden, Minnesota. I have read this series from the beginning which is why I read each new installment (I keep hoping the books will return to how they were in the beginning). The series has changed since Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. The last several books do not feel like they are being written by the same person who authored the earlier books in the series. I found the story to be easy to read. I like the characters (Hannah, Norman, Mike, Lisa, Doc, Delores, Andrea, etc.) and the setting. However, there is too much repetition. The ingredients for a stew Hannah was making must have been repeated a minimum of four times. I can tell the author researched several types of sausages from her descriptions. The names of the characters along with recipe names are repeated often. It feels like the writer is padding the story to make it longer. Some of the dialogue is clunky. More time is devoted to baking and eating than to the mystery. Every person who comes to the back door of The Cookie Jar gets to come inside and sample Hannah’s latest creation (which we get told about each time a new person enters the kitchen). I know it is a culinary mystery, but the culinary part does not need to supersede the mystery portion. Mike is away on a forced vacation (some tough love) since he is feeling burnout (is anyone buying this). The mystery was simple. Hannah does some investigating (she asks questions). Hannah’s mother is a prime suspect but not really. Of course, Delores wants to be the prime suspect and begs the police to put her in this position (I think the author has decided to try her hand at fantasy fiction). It was odd that Bill would take direction from Hannah. Her insights are welcomed (did Hannah put some magic mushrooms in her cookies). There is the expected reveal. I am curious as to why Hannah is still living with Norman. I understand why she does not want to return to her condo (who could blame her or Moishe). I do not understand why Hannah does not sell her condo. I could see Hannah living in a cute house (with a picked fence) or in an apartment over The Cookie Shop (short commute). Character development is not happening. The book had an odd ending. Several issues were left up in the air. Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is the twenty-ninth A Hannah Swensen Mystery. I do not suggest that new readers start with this book. This is a book for those who have been reading the series since the beginning (those die-hard fans). It is a shame that the writing has gone downhill. It is time for Hannah to decide between Mike and Norman (and we all know that Norman is not the right choice—he is nice, but boring). Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is a cookie centric cozy with a battered baseball player, feline ladybug stalkers, scrumptious cake, a curious cat carrier, a town intervention, and a disconcerting call.

What I thought of the book:
I will have to say I haven't read the other books in this series, and it turns out Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is #29.
I've recently read a few mysteries and thought to myself, this will be perfect, but unfortunately it fell short. I finished the book thinking the writing felt disjointed. The true mystery vibe was not strongly carried out in this book. I did love all the food talk and recipes and there was a decent cliffhanger at the end of the book, which I can only assume will lead to book #30. This was a 2 star for me. A recommended read? If you are interested in the Hannah Swensen Mystery Series, then go for it. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this eARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was so excited to read Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke! I’ve read all the previous books in the series and enjoyed getting to see where the characters are now. It’s got all the classic Hannah Hallmarks!

Hannah Swensen is always a great, cozy read. This time, her mom finds the body. I'm a little disappointed that they didn't use that more, as she should have been a suspect for reasons Fluke set up.

Joanne Fluke's Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is the twenty-eighth installment in the Hannah Swensen mystery series, offering readers another mouthwatering culinary whodunit. As a devoted fan of the series, I eagerly dove into this book, hoping to be immersed once again in the delightful town of Lake Eden and its engaging characters. However, I found this particular installment to be somewhat lacking compared to its predecessors.

One of the positive aspects of Pink Lemonade Cake Murder is the incorporation of lemonade recipes throughout the story. This twist adds a fun and refreshing element to the book, allowing readers to indulge in delicious treats alongside the characters. Additionally, the book ends with a significant cliffhanger, ensuring that fans of the series will have another installment to look forward to.

The familiarity of the characters is another positive aspect of this book. Returning to Lake Eden feels like catching up with old friends, and Fluke manages to infuse a touch of freshness into their interactions. Fans of the series will appreciate reconnecting with Hannah Swensen and the supporting cast, who bring warmth and charm to the story.

However, there are several negative aspects that detract from the overall enjoyment of Pink Lemonade Cake Murder. The murder itself happens early on in the book, but the subsequent investigation feels lacking. The mystery takes a backseat, and the focus shifts more towards the personal lives of the characters. While this can be enjoyable for fans invested in their relationships, it may leave mystery enthusiasts longing for a more intricate investigation.

Furthermore, some characters in the book exhibit extreme attitudes towards a young woman's behavior and appearance. While this may be a deliberate choice by the author to highlight societal prejudices, it felt somewhat exaggerated and detracted from the overall believability of the story.
One of the biggest drawbacks of this book is the writing style. Unlike the smooth and flowing prose found in earlier installments of the series, Pink Lemonade Cake Murder suffers from choppiness and repetition. The narrative feels disjointed, and the writing lacks the polish and finesse that fans have come to expect from Joanne Fluke.

While it has its moments of charm and familiarity, the book falls short in terms of the mystery itself, character portrayals, and writing style. However, devoted fans of the series may still find enjoyment in revisiting Lake Eden and catching up with their favorite characters.

Hannah and the town are preparing for a weekend of fun that includes baseball, contests and food. Unfortunately murder appears on the schedule, and the wrong person knows they will be blamed unless Hannah and Norman act quickly, and without Mike's help.

Hannah and the gang are back, Typical storyline, just a new murder, How many can there be is such a small town? As I said before, the best are the recipes. Thank goodness the main go to wasn’t constantly making a fresh pot of coffee as in the previous book. Although they sure do drink a lot. Seemed like more a social gathering than crime solving. I did like the cliffhanger, but I’m not sure if it will keep me coming back for more. Maybe it’s time to move on.
Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #PinkLemonadeCakeMurder

I received this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Catching up with Hannah Swenson and gang is like a comfortable pair of jeans. They feel wonderful and always like them but sometimes you want a bit more.

As always, someone is murdered and Hannah has to help solve the mystery. With Mike out of town, Norman play a central figure. Is Hannah making a choice? While I love reading the books and keep thinking I should try some of the recipes, I was left feeling a little underwhelmed.

The ending was interesting and leaves the reading wanting to know, What's going to happen next?

If you are a foodie this book might be for you. It's simply written, but the characters talk a lot about food, and there are some yummy recipes included. The mystery is low-key and mainly involves questioning a few characters.

I have read all the books in this series, but the most recent books seem amateurish. Also, Norman needs to quit being Hannah's lap dog and Mike?? That was strange. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

2.5 stars rounded up to 3 for the recipes.

I was given an Arc of this book in exchange for a review. Thank you Netgalley.
Hannah is up to her nosy ways when a local baseball player ends up dead under the bleachers. Mike is trying to retire and Norman remains ever faithful to Hannah. While the last books have not been as good as the earlier ones, This one has more of a feel of the earlier books. I felt that the story followed a good arc and there weren't just scenes of the usual people having coffee and cookies. Andrea has taken on a larger role in this story, but I missed Michelle! Overall a good mystery and a fun read. The new recipes sound good!

PINK LEMONADE CAKE MURDER is the 29th book in the Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke. I faithfully read this series until a few years ago and then gave up because the love triangle had been done to death. But, with the tempting title and cute cover, I thought I’d give it another shot to see if Hannah’s life had progressed any. I really, really wanted to like this book… However, the writing style was so far off from the earlier books and the dialog was so stilted and repetitive that it was a difficult to get through. I realize this is an advance readers copy, but clearly more editing should have been done to make it more readable. The plot was light, there wasn’t a buildup of suspense, and Hannah’s involvement seemed forced. The reaction of the town shaming the high school girls was simply unrealistic and cringy. Had the setting been in the 1950s, I might have bought into their reaction and the reason for the murder to happen. But seriously, in 2023 there is no reason girls wouldn’t and shouldn’t wear bikini tops and short skirts during the summer! Between that and, I don’t think this is a spoiler, Hannah still hasn’t chosen between Norman and Mike, makes me give up on this series. Even the odd cliffhanger at the very end won’t tempt me. However, if you like to cook, there are lots and lots of recipes to fill the pages.

I was provided with an advance copy thanks to Kensington and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A lovely cosy mystery. Slightly far fetched but is that not just part of being a cosy mystery?! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for a review.

The latest Hannah Swensen mystery finds her investigating when a baseball player is murdered. I miss the days when Hannah went out to investigate and snoop. Most of this was just interviews since Mike was at the lake house. And then they just accidentally stumbled upon the murderer. I was surprised though that this one ended o a cliffhanger (separate from the main mystery). That does intrigue me and gives me hope the next one will dive right into the mystery.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The 29th in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series. Hannah is a baker who lives in a small town Lake Eden, Minnesota. Detective Mike is on the sidelines this time taking a break at a lake thinking about his career. The a local, retired MLB player ends up dead at the Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration. Hannah’s mother Lorie finds the body and becomes the prime suspect. Hannah and Norman help Bill and his two deputies find the killer to clear her mothers name.

This works fine as a stand alone but half the fun of cozy mysteries is getting involved with the local characters and following the changes in their lives. I was surprised that this ends in a cliff hanger. The series does include 28 recipes that are featured at the end of some chapters. My book club use to have a month where you read a food mystery book (there are several series) and you had to make one of the recipes to share as a treat.

Fluke has been writing this series for over 20 years. This this will be enjoyable for her fans and people who enjoy less graphic cozy mysteries. I liked it but it didn’t inspire me enough to want to read the series from start till now. Thank you to Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies for the ARC via NetGalley and I am leaving a voluntary review (3.5 Stars)

Great book as always! I’ve read every Hannah Swenson book, and this one does not disappoint! And after that cliffhanger I can’t wait to read the next one!!

*****Publishing July 25, 2023******

If you love a good Cozy Murder Mystery, then you will enjoy this book! Joanne Fluke writes fun and entertaining books that are centered around The Cookie Jar and it’s owner, Hannah Swenson.

Hannah is back again, but this time Mike , one of the best police detectives, is on the verge of resigning. Can Hannah and the community help convince him to reconsider?

Hannah is also baking Pink Lemonade Cakes for the Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration. A retired MLB player ends up dead at the celebration. Can they figure out who did it before it ruins Hannah’s career, as her mother is the prime suspect?

I love Hannah’s predicaments and how she always finds a way out of them! Also, I love how the author included Minnesota state facts and the recipes!

Even though this is book # 29 in the series, it could be read as a stand alone. This book ends on a cliff hanger, so I am looking forward to the next one in the series!

Thanks to Kensington Books (Kensington Cozies), I was provided an ARC of Pink Lemonade Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have read numerous books in this series and enjoyed every one. While the books all have a mystery that is neatly tied up by the end, they do connect with each other. I’ve skipped a few in the series, so I believe you can read this as a stand alone; however, you will be stepping into the middle of the series. This particular book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, so I definitely think you would not want to miss the next one. I can’t wait to read it.

Do you ever get so caught up in a book, that you feel like you could offer advice to a character? That’s how I feel when reading these books. . The characters in this series are so familiar to me, I feel as if I know them.

As always, the book is chock-full of recipes. There are plenty of recipes for cookies, and I noticed some for the crock pot. The recipes are scattered throughout the book.

Another good thing about this series: You won't find any graphic sex scenes or curse words. That's a definite plus in my opinion.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, this is definitely a good choice for your TBR (too be read) pile.

The stars I give for 'Pink Lemonade Cake Murder' are for some of the recipes, not the writing. This series is so uneven. Just when I think it has it's old sparkle back along comes an offering like this one. The dialogue is so formulaic, it as if it is written about robots, not real people. Some of the exchanges between Hannah and Norman are almost embarrassing they are so adolescent. I will never abandon Hannah, mostly because I want her to choose Mike, but a mature Mike that Joanne Fluke seems incapable of accomplishing. Please elevate the writing so it can fulfill it's potential.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

This book was so good! One of my most favorite Hannah Swensen mysteries, yet! The mystery was great, and the cliffhanger left me speechless! I cannot wait for the next book to come out! There was also some really good recipes that I’m going to have to try. Don’t hesitate to buy this book!