New Releases by Joanne Fluke

Beloved New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanne Fluke dishes the next irresistible Hannah Swensen mystery, with Hannah scrambling to bring the flavors of autumn to Lake Eden, Minnesota . . . and the sweet taste of justice to an indulgent killer! As Lake Eden’s Harvest Festival sends The Cookie Jar into pumpkin spice mania, Hannah splits her focus between scrumptious treats and sharing her tiny condo with new roommates: Norman Rhodes and his cat, Cuddles. It’s an awkward but necessary solution after Norman’s dream farmhouse burned down over the summer, torched by a criminal desperately trying to conceal a terrifying secret . . . No one has a clue about the arsonist, the body found among the ruins, or the old class ring from a local high school partially melted by the flames. But when a celebration leads to the discovery of another murdered graduate, Hannah realizes someone might be seeking violent revenge against former classmates—and must whip up a last-minute plan to find out who . . . Now, with the help of her family, it’s on Hannah becomes a makeshift event planner to arrange an all-class alumni party at the school gym and tempt a vicious killer out of hiding. But if the true culprit RSVPs, can Hannah blow their cover and still live to slice another chiffon pie?

The Queen of Culinary Crime, Joanne Fluke, returns with a much-requested, newly updated edition of her New York Times bestselling Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook. This updated version includes all the recipes from the original 2012 cookbook and features title recipes from each of her delectable Hannah Swensen Mysteries that were released after, from Carrot Cake Murder to Pink Lemonade Cake Murder so recipes from the entire series are included. Joanne Fluke invites you to celebrate the holidays with Hannah Swensen and friends at Lake Eden, Minnesota’s annual cookie exchange! It''s a picture postcard December in Minnesota. Pristine white snow is glistening in the winter sunlight, and Main Street is brimming with festive holiday decorations. Best of all, it’s the day Hannah’s mother, Delores Swensen, is holding her annual Holiday Cookie Exchange at the Community Center—catered by none other than The Cookie Jar! The whole Swensen clan, their friends, and members of “The Lake Eden Gossip Hotline,” of which Delores is a founding member, have gathered for the delicious event. And as they share their favorite juicy tales of Lake Eden and its residents over coffee and dessert, they also share their favorite scrumptious cookie recipes—plus a mouth-watering menu of luncheon recipes, including: *Kiss My Grits Cookies *Peanut Butter & Jelly Pie *Norwegian Pizza *Minty Marvels *Double Chocolate Puffs . . . plus all the recipes from Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder to Pink Lemonade Cake Murder. Whether this is your first taste of Lake Eden, or you’re back for another helping, you can now bring the irresistible flavors of The Cookie Jar into your very own kitchen!

Summer in Lake Eden, Minnesota, has been oddly quiet, but rest assured, Hannah Swensen will bake her way to an unsolved murder . . . It''s been a sleepy summer for the folks of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In fact, it''s been a whole four months since anyone in the Swensen family has come across a dead body—a detail that just made the front page of the local paper. And that means Hannah Swensen can finally focus on her bakery . . . or can she? Life is never really quiet for Hannah. After all, her mother''s wedding is a little over a month away and guess who Delores put in charge of the planning? Yet just when Hannah believes her biggest challenge will be whether to use buttercream or fondant for the wedding cake, she accidentally hits a stranger with her cookie truck while driving down a winding country road in a raging thunderstorm. Hannah is wracked with guilt, and things get even worse when she''s arrested . . . for murder! But an autopsy soon reveals the mystery man, his shirt covered in stains from blackberry pie, would have died even if Hannah hadn''t hit him. To clear her name, Hannah will have to follow a trail of pie crumbs to track down the identity of the deceased, find a baker who knows more about murder than how to roll out a perfect pie crust—and get herself to the church on time.

It''s a muggy summer evening in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen is attending the Grand Opening of the refurbished Albion Hotel, where her famous Red Velvet cupcakes are being served in the Red Velvet lounge. The event is abuzz with the surprise arrival of Doctor Bev, a local who fled in shame after she two-timed her fiancé one too many times. But the party''s over when a guest takes a dive off the rooftop garden . . . The victim is the sheriff''s secretary, and the question is, did she fall--or was she pushed? 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 runs thin, Bev 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 target of a murder investigation--and she''s feeling the heat in a way she never has before . . .

"A Hannah Swensen holiday mystery with recipes"--Jacket.

When Hannah Swensen hears that the Cinnamon Roll Six jazz band will be playing at a festival in Lake Eden, Minnesota, she bakes up a supply of their namesake confections to welcome them. But tragedy strikes when their tour bus overturns on its way into town. And keyboard player Buddy Neiman''s minor injuries turn deadly serious when someone plunges surgical scissors into his chest...Turns out, Buddy Neiman isn''t the victim''s real name. In fact, no one is really sure who he is. Hannah''s investigation digs up a few local suspects. There is Doctor Bev, who seems to know more about "Buddy" than she''s willing to admit. And Devon, an aspiring keyboard player who may have had a fatal case of jealousy. Hannah isn''t sure how she''ll unravel the mystery, but one thing''s for sure: there''s nothing sweeter than bringing a killer to justice.

Fans of deliciously charming, page-turning whodunits rejoice! Beloved New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Culinary Mystery Joanne Fluke delivers the twenty-eighth mouthwatering Hannah Swensen Mystery! In this irresistible mystery from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanne Fluke, Hannah Swensen is at the center of a lively summer fest with fun for everyone in Lake Eden, Minnesota--including a cold-blooded murderer . . . The Tri-County Summer Solstice Celebration has come to town, and even among local artisans, athletes, and marching bands, Hannah attracts fans of her own while serving lip-smacking pink lemonade desserts. But the mood sours when a body turns up, leading revelers to wonder if the festivities mark both the longest day of the year and the deadliest . . . A retired professional MLB player has met a terrifying end--and, considering the rumors swirling about his past, the list of suspects could fill a small stadium. Among them could soon be Delores, Hannah's mother, who publicly held a grunge against the victim after he infamously dunked her in the tank at a previous county fair . . . Now, with her mother's innocence on the line, a life-changing announcement at The Cookie Jar, and a plethora of desserts to bake, Hannah can't afford to strike out as she begins a dangerous investigation into the ruthless killer who's truly in a league of their own . . . Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

Straight from the surefire pantry of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanne Fluke, a classic cozy mystery in which baker Hannah Swensen discovers that sometimes life can be a little too sweet . . . Hannah Swensen must admit that her life is pretty sweet. Things are going well in the romance department, and her bakery’s delectable confections are selling almost as fast as she can bake them. Even her good friend Claire is on cloud nine, head over heels with her new husband, Reverend Bob Knudson. If only they could find time to take their honeymoon! When Bob’s childhood friend Matthew Walters comes to town, it seems like divine intervention. Matthew, like Bob, is a Lutheran minister with a stubborn sweet tooth. Since he’s on sabbatical, Matthew is happy to fill in for Bob while he and Claire take that long-awaited honeymoon. It sounds like the perfect plan—until Hannah finds Matthew dead in the rectory, face-down in a plate full of Devil’s Food Cake. Determined to find out who killed Matthew, Hannah starts asking questions—and discovers that the good Reverend wasn’t quite the saintly fellow he appeared to be. It will take some more digging to find out, but Hannah is sure of one thing: even the most half-baked murder plot can be oh so deadly . . .

In the latest installment of "New York Times"-bestselling author Fluke''s Hannah Swensen mystery series, the beloved baker and sleuth may have bitten off more than she can chew. Includes recipes for more than 10 delicious desserts.

"New York Times"-bestselling author Fluke serves up another yummy installmentof her Hannah Swensen mystery series, and this time Hannah''s sometime squeezeis a prime suspect. Includes recipes.

The beloved New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Culinary Mystery delivers a new mouthwatering Hannah Swensen Mystery with brand new recipes, but it’s not just chocolate bunnies and Peeps on the menu, this year someone is serving up murder for Easter! New York Times and USA Today Bestseller! Spring has sprung in Lake Eden, Minnesota, but Hannah Swensen doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not with hot cross buns to make, treats to bake, and a sister to exonerate . . . Hannah’s up to her ears with Easter orders rushing in at The Cookie Jar, plus a festive meal to prepare for a dinner party at her mother’s penthouse. But everything comes crashing to a halt when Hannah receives a panicked call from her sister Andrea—Mayor Richard Bascomb has been murdered . . . and Andrea is the prime suspect. Even with his reputation for being a bully, Mayor Bascomb had been unusually testy in the days leading up to his death, leaving Hannah to wonder if he knew he was in danger. There are plenty of suspects to sift through for sure. And as orders pile up at The Cookie Jar—and children line up for Easter egg hunts—Hannah must spring into investigation mode and identify the real killer . . . before another murder happens! Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar! “Another sweet-tempered outing filled with tempting sweets.” —Kirkus Reviews

It’s Christmas in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and there’s no better way to enjoy the holidays than by cozying up to two Hannah Swensen yuletide mysteries with a plateful of goodies from The Cookie Jar bakery . . . CHRISTMAS CARAMEL MURDER Hannah and her good pal Lisa have agreed to provide all the goodies for the town’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. But before anyone can say “Bah, humbug!” the actress playing Mrs. Claus exits stage left for good. As murder suspects pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, it might take a visit from ghosts of Christmas past to wrap up this mystery in time for the holidays . . . CHRISTMAS CAKE MURDER Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle of Lake Eden when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes, Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. It’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake . . . Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

Now in paperback! In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Joanne Fluke''s 25th installment in the bestselling Hannah Swensen Mystery series, Hannah leaves Lake Eden to help a friend in sunny California--but an unexpected phone call brings her back to a cold Minnesota winter for a murder investigation, and of course, new criminally delicious recipes! When Hannah learns that her sister Michelle''s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, is the prime suspect in a murder case, she goes straight from a movie studio sound stage to the Los Angeles airport. Back in frigid Minnesota, she discovers that proving Lonnie''s innocence will be harder than figuring out what went wrong with a recipe. Lonnie remembers only parts of the night he went out to a local bar and ended up driving a very impaired woman home. He knows he helped her to her bedroom, but he doesn''t recall anything else until he woke up on her couch the following morning. When he went to the bedroom to check on her, he was shocked to discover she was dead. Hannah doesn''t know what to believe--only that exonerating a suspect who can''t remember is almost impossible, especially since Lonnie''s brother, Detective Rick Murphy, and Lonnie''s partner, Chief Detective Mike Kingston, have been taken off the case. Before everything comes crashing down on Lonnie like a heaping slice of coconut layer cake, it''ll be up to Hannah to rack up enough clues to toast a flaky killer...

Kick back with something sweet and indulge in three bite-sized Yuletide tales too good to resist! The unstoppable bestselling cozy mystery trio Joanne Fluke, Laura Levine and Leslie Meier team up for the yummiest holiday treat of the year--a special Christmas collection featuring three delectable mysteries. Gathered in one volume for the very first time, here are three Yuletide tales of mystery, murder, and romance, featuring your favorite sleuths... The Twelve Desserts of Christmas by Joanne Fluke It''s the perfect mix of naughty and nice when two lovestruck boarding school teachers watch six kids over Christmas break. But when someone wants the cozy couple''s romance to burn out faster than a scorched fruitcake, it''s Hannah Swensen to the rescue, armed with her sleuthing skills--and twelve deliciously festive recipes... Nightmare of Elf Street by Laura Levine Aside from the mortifying costume, how bad can a gig as a mall Santa''s elf be? Jaine Austen finds out when she''s teamed up with the Santa from Hell. But things go from bad to worse when he''s found murdered on the job--and Jaine is a suspect. Now all she wants for Christmas is to find the real killer... The Christmas Thief by Leslie Meier Elizabeth Stone is ready for a white Christmas in Tinker''s Cove, Maine--until a fancy Yule ball at the Florida hotel where she works dumps snow on her plans. The sponsor''s jewels have gone missing and the police are asking about her ties to a cute mystery guest. Good thing Elizabeth''s mother, Lucy Stone, flew down to surprise her. ''Tis the season for a little investigating... Includes Luscious Holiday Recipes!

The latest irresistible cozy mystery with recipes from a bestselling author that fans of Kathi Daley, Laura Childs, and Jessica Beck will eat up, crumbs and all . . . When The Cookie Jar becomes the setting of a star-studded TV special about movies filmed in Minnesota, Hannah hopes to shine the spotlight on her bakery—not the unsavory scandal swirling around her personal life. But that’s practically impossible with a disturbing visit from the shifty character she once believed was her one and only love, a group of bodyguards following her every move, and a murder victim in her bedroom. Now, swapping the crime scene in her condo for her mother Delores’s penthouse, Hannah and an old flame team up to solve a case that’s messier than an upended chocolate cream pie. As suspects emerge and secrets hit close to home, Hannah must serve a hefty helping of justice to an unnamed killer prowling around Lake Eden . . . before someone takes a slice out of her! Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar! “Hannah’s fans will relish following Hannah’s journey as she heals and becomes stronger, surrounded by the love of family and the many familiar, quirky residents of Lake Eden.” —Booklist

The yuletide season in Lake Eden, Minnesota, guarantees a white Christmas, delectable holiday goodies from Hannah Swensen''s bakery, The Cookie Jar—and murder … The Cookie Jar''s busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time … for Christmas cookies, Hannah''s own special plum pudding—and romance! She also gets a kick out of “Lunatic Larry Jaeger’s Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot,” a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. But then Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office … Now, with so many suspects to investigate and the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah''s running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge who doesn''t want her to see the New Year … Includes Hannah’s favorite Christmas dinner recipes!

It’s Christmas many years ago, and topping young Hannah Swensen’s wish list is becoming the go-to baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota. But as Hannah finds out, revisiting holiday memories can be murder . . . With her dream of opening The Cookie Jar taking shape, Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle in Lake Eden—especially when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball from the past in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes for the merry festivities, she instantly becomes enthralled by Essie’s old notebooks—and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York . . . Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. As Hannah prepares to run a bakery and move out of her mother’s house, it’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake . . . Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar! “Series fans will enjoy learning how the Cookie Jar bakery came to be.” —Publishers Weekly

Thanksgiving has a way of thawing the frostiest hearts in Lake Eden. But that won’t be happening for newlywed Hannah Swensen Barton—not after her husband suddenly disappears . . . Hannah has felt as bitter as November in Minnesota since Ross vanished without a trace and left their marriage in limbo. Still, she throws herself into a baking frenzy for the sake of pumpkin pie and Thanksgiving-themed treats while endless holiday orders pour into The Cookie Jar. Hannah even introduces a raspberry Danish pastry to the menu, and P.K., her husband’s assistant at KCOW-TV, will be one of the first to sample it. But instead of taking a bite, P.K., who is driving Ross’s car and using his desk at work, is murdered. Was someone plotting against P.K. all along or did Ross dodge a deadly dose of sweet revenge? Hannah will have to quickly sift through a cornucopia of clues and suspects to stop a killer from bringing another murder to the table. Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

The holidays are the icing on the cake for bakery owner Hannah Swensen. Surrounded by her loved ones, she has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmas—until murder is added to the mix . . . When it comes to holidays, Minnesotans rise to the occasion—and the little town of Lake Eden is baking up a storm with Hannah leading the way. The annual Christmas Buffet is the final test of the recipes Hannah has collected for the Lake Eden Holiday Buffet Cookbook. The recently divorced Martin Dubinski arrives at the buffet with his new Vegas showgirl wife—all wrapped up in glitter and fur. His ex-wife, however, seems as cool as chilled eggnog. And when Hannah’s mother’s antique Christmas cake knife disappears, its discovery in the décolletage of the new—and now late—Mrs. Dubinski puts the festivities on ice. With everyone stranded at the community center by a blizzard, Hannah puts her investigative skills to the test, using the ingredients at hand: half the town of Lake Eden—and a killer. Now, as the snowdrifts get higher, it’s up to Hannah to dig out all the clues—and make sure that this white Christmas doesn’t bring any more deadly tidings . . . “Wacky and delightful characters, plus tempting recipes from appetizers to desserts, make this lighthearted offering sure to please the palate of any cozy fan.” —Publishers Weekly “Fluke’s talent for spinning a mesmerizing tale carries on in this sixth book, and its holiday recipes are an added treat for readers.” —Times News Record INCLUDES OVER 50 ORIGINAL RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY!

"First Kensington trade paperback printing: October 2004"--Title page verso.

A college student is haunted by dreams of the past that could get her into trouble in this psychological thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Kathi Ellison is an English literature major at the University of California in Berkeley, living with her boyfriend off-campus. She is also the daughter of a candidate for the U.S. Senate, a role that could affect her life should her father win the election. But before she can consider her future, Kathi must first come to terms with her past. A car accident when she was four-years-old killed her mother and left her in a coma for several days. The migraines and nightmares that plagued her as a child have recently returned with a vengeance, leaving her mind full of visions that feel more like memories. Memories that are not her own. Memories of a frightened and traumatized child named Sheri Walker. Memories linked to her mother’s death that her stepmother doesn’t want her to remember . . . For lighter mysteries, don’t miss Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series!

New York Times Bestseller: After a glorious honeymoon, baker Hannah Swensen must deal with a ghastly homicide… A romantic seven-day cruise is the perfect start to bakery owner Hannah Swensen’s marriage. However, with a murder mystery heating up back in Minnesota, it seems the newlywed’s homecoming won’t be as sweet as anticipated. Hannah’s eager to settle down in Lake Eden and turn domestic daydreams into reality. But then her mother’s neighbor is discovered murdered in the condo downstairs. Victoria Bascomb, once a renowned stage actress, was active in the theater community during her brief appearance in town, and made throngs of enemies along the way. Did a random intruder murder the woman as police claim, or was a deadlier scheme at play? As Hannah peels through countless suspects and some new troubles of her own, solving this crime—and living to tell about it—might prove trickier than mixing up the ultimate banana cream pie . . . Features over a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar! “If your reading habits alternate between curling up with a good mystery or with a good cookbook, you ought to know about Joanne Fluke.”—Charlotte Observer

Bah, homicide! A mystery in the New York Times-bestselling series with a heroine “irresistible as a cookie fresh from the oven” (Publishers Weekly). Christmas normally descends on Lake Eden, Minnesota, as gently as reindeer alighting on a rooftop—but this yuletide season, the only thing coming down Hannah Swensen’s chimney is a case of murder. Hannah and her pal Lisa have agreed to provide the goodies for the town’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. But before anyone can say “Bah, humbug!” a Santa-sized sackful of trouble ensues. Like the fact that Lisa’s husband will be playing Mr. Claus to his ex-girlfriend Phyllis Bates’ Mrs. Claus. Or that before the curtains even go up Phyllis is found dead in the snow—wearing a costume that the real Mrs. Claus would put on the naughty list. Soon, the suspects pile up faster than snowdrifts while a merry murderer remains on the loose. With clues hard to find, it might take a visit from ghosts of Christmas past to wrap up this mystery in time for the holidays… Includes a dozen holiday recipes from The Cookie Jar!

A Killer Rivalry. . . When Eve Carrington is chosen to participate in an exclusive writers workshop, she knows it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. For one month, she will live, write, and share her work with nine other aspiring authors. The top three will get a chance to be published. But when the building they're staying in isn't ready and Eve sees the old mansion they'll be moved into, she starts having second thoughts. Not only is the mansion isolated but the deadlines are tight, the pressure intense, and the competition incredibly fierce. Her biggest rival, Angela, is writing a murder mystery based on the workshop and its participants. It's a brilliant idea. Until life begins to imitate art--and death begins to knock out the competition . . .

Minnesota police chief and a madman face off, and one woman may be caught in the middle in this novel from a New York Times–bestselling author. As a family clinic administrator, Michele Layton has seen her share of suffering. But never anything like this. Not here in St. Cloud, Minnesota. A local activist has been found murdered, his body frozen like a statue and placed in a Winter Carnival ice sculpture display. Next a vicious hate crime puts a man in the ICU. And locked away in the Holy Rest mental ward, a deranged man of the cloth prays for more sinners to be punished—and waits for a sign from above. These seemingly random acts lead police chief Steve Radke to Michele, who could be the next pawn in a madman’s chess game of life and death, good versus evil . . .

By Reason Of Insanity. . . Ten years ago, a jury found Michael Hart guilty of murdering his wife. Confined to a state hospital for the criminally insane, Michael has never stopped insisting on his innocence--even though his memories of the trial are murky and his nights are plagued by bad dreams and sleepwalking. After years of being tormented by doctors who believe he is guilty, Michael finally gets his chance to prove them wrong--by escaping. Hiding in a safehouse, Michael must rely on two allies to find an alibi. One is a beautiful woman who believes his story and is willing to gamble her life to help him. The other is Michael''s brother, an attorney at law who''s at risk of losing everything. But all the evidence in the world won''t be enough to overturn twelve guilty verdicts. . . Not when the members of Michael''s jury begin to get brutally murdered. One. . .by one. . .by one. . .

A woman steps into the shoes of her murdered twin sister, and her glamorous new life brings more than she bargained for, from the New York Times–bestselling author. Except for their gorgeous faces, identical twins Mercedes and Marcie Calder are nothing alike. Mercedes is a movie star in LA with a sexy husband, two beautiful children, and an exciting, glamorous lifestyle; Marcie is an art teacher in Minnesota with a shy disposition and a quiet life alone. But when Mercedes is found dead—mysteriously drowned in her swimming pool—Marcie is the only person who can step into her shoes and finish her latest movie. On a Hollywood sound stage, she will take on her sister’s greatest role. In her Beverly Hills mansion, she will play mother to her children. In her sister’s bed, she will make love to her husband. But there is one part of Mercedes’ life that Marcie isn’t prepared for—until it’s too late. A deranged psychopath is hiding in the wings. Watching her every move. Waiting for his chance to kill . . . and kill again.

Where Innocence Dies. . . Expectant parents Karen and Mike Houston are excited about restoring their old rambling Victorian mansion to its former glory. With its endless maze of rooms, hallways, and hiding places, it''s a wonderful place for their nine-year-old daughter Leslie to play and explore. Unfortunately, they didn''t listen to the stories about the house''s dark history. They didn''t believe the rumors about the evil that lived there. . . .The Nightmare Begins. It begins with a whisper. A child''s voice beckoning from the rose garden. Crying out in the night. It lures little Leslie to a crumbling storm door. Down a flight of broken stairs. It calls to their unborn child. It wants something from each of them. Something in their very hearts and souls. Tonight, the house will reveal its secret. Tonight, the other child will come out to play. . .

Lights. . .Camera. . . With painstaking care, he "casts" his victims, each woman resembling an Alfred Hitchcock star, each killing echoing six of the legendary director''s films. The only clue he leaves behind is a gruesome video of his handiwork. But the Video Killer shoots the death scenes as he believes they should have been done--with total realism. . . Kill! A former actress, Allison Rocca knows her husband, Tony, a screenwriter, has been extra busy lately. And news reporter Katy knows her ex, Chief Detective Sam Ladera, is desperately hunting the Video Killer. Still, each woman senses something unusual about the men''s behavior. But as they attempt to find the truth, they unwittingly draw closer to the lens of a calculating madman searching for his next leading lady. . .

In her debut mystery, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, intrepid amateur sleuth and bakery owner Hannah Swensen proved that when it comes to crime, nothing is sweeter than a woman who knows how to really mix it up. Now, the flame-haired, tart-talking (and baking) heroine is back, judging a contest where the competition is really murder. Strawberry Shortcake Murder When the president of Hartland Flour chooses cozy Lake Eden, Minnesota, as the spot for their first annual Dessert Bake-Off, Hannah is thrilled to serve as the head judge. But when a fellow judge, Coach Boyd Watson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in Hannah''s celebrated strawberry shortcake, Lake Eden''s sweet ride to fame turns very sour indeed. Between perfecting her Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie and Chocolate Crunchies, Hannah''s snooping into the coach''s private life and not coming up short on suspects. And could Watson''s harsh criticism during the judging have given one of the contestants a license to kill? The stakes are rising faster than dough, and Hannah will have to be very careful, because somebody is cooking up a recipe for murder. . .with Hannah landing on the "necessary ingredients" list. "Another delicious adventure. . .a superior cozy sure to leave readers satisfied. . .but hungry for more." --Publishers Weekly Includes seven delicious recipes!