Cinnamon Roll Murder / Joanne Fluke 333 p. December Challenge: 12 Drummers Drumming

Hannah Swensen, owner and operator of the Cookie Jar Bakery, is featured in her 15th book.  Joanne Fluke combines murder and recipes in equal sweet portions.  Hannah, amateur detective, investigates the murder of  Buddy Neiman, keyboard artist with the Cinnamon Roll Six jazz band.  Dr. Bev, now the fiance to Hannah's former boyfriend, knows more about Buddy than she admits.  Hannah draws upon all her contacts and skills to solve this murder.  Along the way enjoy her Special Cinnamon Rolls, Hamburger Bake, Janet's Texas Jalapeno Pimento Cheese, and Chocolate Caramel Pecan Bars.

Plum Pudding Murder / Joanne Fluke 303 p.

This Christmas finds Hannah Swensen returning in her 12th mystery. The Cookie Jar, Hannah's shop, is busy busy busy making treats for all including Larry Jaeger to sell at his Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot. She even develops her own plum pudding--with plums--for him to sell. When she goes to pick up her check, she and boy friend find Larry dead. Taking out her steno pad, she lists the suspects and motives. Hannah checks off suspects as she goes about Lake Eden, Minn. overhearing conversations, piecing together folk's whereabouts and getting reports from an investigating mother. Plum full of recipes from Hot Fudge Sundae Cakes to Triple Threat Chocolate Cheesecake Pie.

The 'spicy' prize for the Blue-and-White week is cookies from the Cookie Jar.

Check the library catalog.

Apple Turnover Murder / Joanne Fluke 292 p.

Hannah Swensen makes her 13th appearance in this cozy mystery. The Mayor and his wife commission Hannah to bake 1100 cookies for a three day charity fundraiser. Lisa, her partner at the Cookie Jar, volunteers them to bake Apple Turnovers too. Hannah's very former love interest will be the MC from her grad school days. Hannah is dating dentist Norman Rhodes and local sheriff Mike Kingston. So she's not interested-- she hopes he has forgotten her. She warns off her former graduate school advisor when he turns his attention towards her sister. Naturally she stumbles over him backstage dead -- holding her apple turnover (recipe included). Hannah narrows down the suspects hopefully before anyone else turns up dead. A delightful mixture of murder and scrumptious recipes include mocha nut butterballs and chocolate marshmallow cookie bars. I'm hoping to make the turnovers.

Readers of Fluke's culinary mysteries may like Diane Mott Davidson works (lots of good recipes with Davidson too).

Check the library catalog