Jam-packed with recipes from her beloved Hannah Swensen Mystery series, Fluke's most recent work is simply superb. Delores Swenson's 4th Annual Christmas Cookie Exchange luncheon is coming up, and her daughter Hannah, part owner of popular Lake Eden, Minnesota bakery and coffee house The Cookie Jar, is busy putting the last minute touches on her catering menu. While preparing the food, her phone rings with friends and luncheon guests requesting copies of Hannah's recipes. Everyone in town, it seems, believes she makes the best of everything and wants to learn her secrets. At the last moment, Hannah decides to make a quick recipe book for everyone at the party. Fluke uses her experience to guide readers through an afternoon with the gals, comparing notes on their favorite Hannah Swensen recipes and telling stories about friends--Andrea, a disaster in the kitchen; Winnie, who learned the true size of a cocktail the hard way; and Gladys, who, despite her best efforts, can't escape the Minnesota cold for a California dream. As the women skim through the cookbook together, their stories and the recipes meld with stunning ease. "Hannah's Notes" appear in each recipe, lending personality to simple instructions. Newcomers and longtime fans of Fluke will find plenty to enjoy in this latest dispatch from Lake Eden. The characters are incredibly lovable and the community quickly welcomes readers into a world of friends, fun, and of course food. (Oct.) Copyright 2012 Reed Business Information. -- Publishers Weekly
