A review by misskitty14
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Maybe reading the series back-to-back was a bad idea...
In this second installment of the Hannah Swensen series, the author took a hard right turn into Hallmark territory and I was not a fan. The "love triangle" our main character finds herself in did not develop much; she's sort of seeing both men but nothing serious with either of them. We get suggestions of adult themes, but mainly of the pg joke variety (ex. If you're worried about the killer, you don't have to go home alone...) On one hand, I get it: both men are pretty boring and lackluster. But why bother to include it at all?!
The mystery this time has more going on with it, but I was really offended by how dumb she was this time around. Once we get a major break in the case, we immediately get introduced to a new character with direct ties to this clue but she is completely oblivious. Heck, at multiple times she acknowledges the growing connections but shakes it off for who knows what reason. I was just so angry with her.
However, what I found most absurd is how popular her cookie shop is! For living in a small Minnesota town I'm shocked that her cookie store (note: it isn't a bakery or coffee shop) is so busy in the morning AND she has to be mindful of the afternoon rush. Plus, I'm over the main theme of the series; I get it, she likes cookies, but they are everywhere and she treats them like drugs (she pushes them on her sister to calm her down and regularly tries to get her cookie/chocolate/sugar fix).
I MIGHT come back for the third book, but for now, I need to take a break from this saccharine series.
In this second installment of the Hannah Swensen series, the author took a hard right turn into Hallmark territory and I was not a fan. The "love triangle" our main character finds herself in did not develop much; she's sort of seeing both men but nothing serious with either of them. We get suggestions of adult themes, but mainly of the pg joke variety (ex. If you're worried about the killer, you don't have to go home alone...) On one hand, I get it: both men are pretty boring and lackluster. But why bother to include it at all?!
The mystery this time has more going on with it, but I was really offended by how dumb she was this time around. Once we get a major break in the case, we immediately get introduced to a new character with direct ties to this clue but she is completely oblivious. Heck, at multiple times she acknowledges the growing connections but shakes it off for who knows what reason. I was just so angry with her.
However, what I found most absurd is how popular her cookie shop is! For living in a small Minnesota town I'm shocked that her cookie store (note: it isn't a bakery or coffee shop) is so busy in the morning AND she has to be mindful of the afternoon rush. Plus, I'm over the main theme of the series; I get it, she likes cookies, but they are everywhere and she treats them like drugs (she pushes them on her sister to calm her down and regularly tries to get her cookie/chocolate/sugar fix).
I MIGHT come back for the third book, but for now, I need to take a break from this saccharine series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Domestic abuse