Lemon Meringue Pie Murder

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003) Joanne Fluke (Hannah Swensen)

This is the 4th book in the series and since I couldn’t find it on sale, I borrowed it from the library.

First, this book is almost hilarious not set in current times.

You really need a cell phone, Hannah.”

“I don’t want a cell phone.”

“Everyone who’s anyone has one.”

I mean…

“You should take some pictures of your dad and his group in the parade. They might like to put them up on the bulletin board at the center.” Lisa started to smile again. “That’s a great idea. I already bought a disposable camera to take pictures of our float.”

There are a couple of things I particularly like. First, that despite her continually getting involved in murders. and there are regular jokes about that, it also manages to note the seriousness.

she had to work to keep the smile on her face. She hadn’t been very curious about Rhonda in the past, but now that she was dead, her life had taken on a new importance. It seemed that people could walk through life without causing a ripple, leading ordinary and uneventful lives. It was only after they’d been murdered that people took notice of them.

The other thing I like is that although Hannah refuses to choose one of the men she is seeing over the other she actually has solid reasons for doing so.

Marriage was a trade-off. You gave up some things and you gained others. Since Hannah knew she’d balk at the trade-off aspect, it must mean that she wasn’t ready for that walk down the aisle, at least not quite yet.

And she’s honest about being conflicted.

How about you? Do you want Norman to ask you?”

“I don’t know. But I do know I don’t want him to ask anyone else.”

There were several things that bothered me slightly about the story, but I’ve already started reading the next book (also borrowed from the library).

Publisher: Kensington Books

Rating: 6/10

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