Red Velvet Cupcake Murder by: Joanne Fluke

Title: Red Velvet Cupcake Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke
Publisher: Kensington
Pages: 304
Series: Hannah Swensen #16
Format: Nook ebook
Source: Purchase

Description:

This summer has been warmer than usual in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen is trying to beat the heat both in and out of her bakery kitchen. But she's about to find out the hard way that nothing cools off a hot summer day like cold-blooded murder. . . It's a hot, muggy evening, and the last thing Hannah wants to do is squeeze into a pair of pantyhose for the Grand Opening of the refurbished Albion Hotel. But with Hannah's famous Red Velvet cupcakes being served in the hotel's new Red Velvet lounge, she can't bring herself to back out.

The party starts off with a bang with the unexpected arrival of Doctor Bev, a Lake Eden legend who left town in shame after she two-timed her fiancé one too many times. Bev's splashy appearance on the arm of a wealthy investor is the talk of the night. But the gossip comes to a screeching halt when a partygoer takes a mysterious dive off the hotel's rooftop garden.

The victim is the sheriff's secretary, Barbara Donnelly, and she is barely clinging to life. The question is, did she fall--or was she pushed? As the police investigate, the only one who isn't preoccupied with the case is Doctor Bev. She's too busy trying to stir things up with her old flame Norman, who's reunited with Hannah.

Just as Hannah's patience with Bev runs dangerously thin, her rival is found dead at the bottom of Miller's Pond. The only clue the police have is the Red Velvet cupcake Bev ate right before she died--and the tranquilizers someone seems to have baked into it. To everyone's shock, Hannah is now the unlikely target of a murder investigation--and she's feeling the heat in a way she never has before. ..

My Thoughts: 

This book starts off with a quick enough mystery how did Barbara Donnelly end up almost dying was she pushed or did she fall?  Unfortunately Barbara has suffered alot of damage so trying to figure it out is not easy.  

Of course add to the mess Doc. Bev is back and driving those close to Hannah completely nuts and she still has her eyes on Norman which has Hannah fuming!  When Doc Bev winds up dead it's up to Hannah to clear herself and find out who murdered the scheming Doctor.

In this book two things happen that I think were overdue.  Lisa's father proposed to Herb's mom which I think was so cute.  And Mother had her own announcement.  Which was great too, now if only Hannah could pick a guy it would make everything worthwhile.

I enjoyed this book and learning more about the Police secretary Barbara who really came out on top in this book.  And was glad that the Doc Bev story ended finally.  The bad parts are the whole love triangle Hannah is in I think is getting stale.  I think Hannah needs to get off that dang fence and pick a man.