Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the second book in the Hannah Swensen series.  Hannah is a cookie store owning crime solver.  There's nothing special about this book, but it's a good read.  Hannah does her thing investigating a murder even though she is just an ordinary citizen.  She doesn't always abide by the law to get her information either.  The silliest part to me about this series is the fact that she opens her cookie shop first thing in the morning... because people eat cookies for breakfast.  That just makes me chuckle.  I'm not sure why.  However, the murder story is fine.  It doesn't give too much away too early.  It is a little predictable, but it's ok.  It's a typical, average murder mystery book.  Nothing special.  I do like the recipes thrown in there though.  I've never made any of them, but who knows.  Maybe one day I will.  I give this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke is another novel with a mystery solving food professional like the Goldy Bear series.  It even has the cookie recipes in the book just like the recipes in the Goldy Bear series.  This is the first book in the Hannah Swensen series.  Hannah owns a cookie shop and bakes cookies for a living.  Her brother-in-law is on the police force, and that's how she gets into solving a murder case, not to mention the fact that she finds the body.  It's an easy read.  The characters are like-able.  It's nothing super special though.  It keeps you guessing long enough to want to complete the book.  I like the fact that there is a possibility for romance in the books to come.  It was good enough for me to seek out the second one.  We'll see how far into the series I stay interested.  I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars.