Peach Cobbler Murder – Joanne Fluke

Hannah Swensen is back in Lake Eden and her business is starting to struggle, as a bakery opens up across from her in town and all the locals seem to be over there, doing research and checking out the opposition. Apparently the amount of offers, free baked goods and wonderful Peach Cobbler that are going out mean that the Magnolia Blossom Bakery is busy and Hannah’s Cookie Jar is not.

To add salt to this business wound, is the fact that the owner is Shawna Lee, a rival in the affections of one of Hannah’s beaus, Mike Kingston. Hannah is trying to remain outside of this jealous bubble that seems to be created every time she sees Mike and Shawna together, and when they both don’t turn up for Lisa and Herb’s wedding, Hannah tries not to think the worst.

But then when she sees the lights on at the Magnolia Blossom Bakery after the wedding reception, she decides that perhaps she needs to find out the truth. But what she does find is not pleasant, and Shawna is not a threat any more. But someone else must be and Hannah knows that her jealousy makes her a potential suspect so she needs to clear her name.

Along with the help of her ever efficient sister Andrea and her ultimately nosey mother Delores who seems to have problems of her own that both women have to deal with as well as trying to find the culprit of yet another murder in Lake Eden.

A typical Hannah Swensen book which is ideal for  those who want a cosy read with a sprinkling of crime and spot of cooking along the way.

I have no idea why these books appeal to me, but when I have had a particularly taxing time at work or been reading a book which remains with you so much, these are ideal for a light diversion. In fact I have forgotten who in fact committed the murder, but that bit is really no relevant as when you pick up the next one, you just get stuck right into the goings on of the Lake Eden residents. My only wish, is that Hannah makes her mind up about Norman or Mike soon, it is just not fair on them or us!