Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar in Lake Eden, Minnesota, has a knack for finding trouble—usually in the form of a dead body. This time, it’s the unfortunate demise of local donut shop owner, Arnold Fritter, found slumped over a batch of his famous glazed creations. Arnold’s sudden death shocks the small town, especially with the discovery of a half-eaten, poisoned donut nearby. With suspicion swirling like powdered sugar, Hannah finds herself once more embroiled in a murder investigation.
The police, led by Detective Mike Kingston, are initially baffled. Arnold, known for his cheerful disposition and delicious donuts, seemed to have no enemies. But as Hannah begins her own investigation, she uncovers a layer of secrets beneath the town’s sugary facade. Arnold’s seemingly simple life was more complicated than anyone imagined. Unpaid debts, secret recipes, and a rumored rivalry with a competing bakery all rise to the surface, adding a bitter taste to the investigation.
Hannah’s inquiries lead her to a cast of quirky characters, each with their own potential motives. There’s Denise, Arnold’s ambitious assistant, who dreamed of opening her own bakery. Then there’s Carl, the disgruntled owner of the rival donut shop, whose business had suffered since Arnold’s arrival. And let’s not forget Mrs. Fritter, Arnold’s seemingly grieving widow, who inherits the donut shop and a hefty insurance policy. As Hannah delves deeper, she uncovers a web of jealousy, resentment, and long-held grudges, all simmering beneath the surface of Lake Eden’s charming exterior.
The investigation intensifies as Hannah discovers a series of cryptic notes left in Arnold’s office. The notes, written in a code involving donut flavors and baking times, suggest a secret affair and a possible blackmail scheme. Hannah, with her keen eye for detail and her love of all things sweet, sets about deciphering the coded messages, hoping to uncover the truth behind Arnold’s untimely demise.
Meanwhile, Hannah’s personal life adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Her long-standing romantic entanglement with Mike Kingston heats up, while her relationship with Norman Rhodes, the town’s dentist, remains steady and comforting. Torn between two very different men, Hannah finds solace in her baking, using her kitchen as a sanctuary from the escalating drama.
As Hannah pieces together the clues, she realizes that the killer is closer than she thinks. The coded messages point to someone within Arnold’s inner circle, someone who harbored a deep-seated resentment towards the donut shop owner. With the help of her sister, Michelle, and her mother, Delores, Hannah sets a trap to expose the killer, using a batch of specially made donuts as bait.
The climax arrives during the annual Lake Eden bake-off, where the tensions and secrets finally boil over. In a dramatic confrontation, Hannah reveals the killer’s identity, exposing the motive and the method behind Arnold’s poisoning. The truth, like a perfectly baked donut, is both surprising and satisfying, leaving Hannah and the town of Lake Eden with a sense of closure.
The case of the poisoned donut is closed, but life in Lake Eden continues to be a mix of sweet treats and unexpected twists. Hannah, with her love of baking and her knack for solving mysteries, is ready to face whatever challenges come her way, one delicious cookie (or donut) at a time.
In this thrilling installment of the Hannah Swensen series, Joanne Fluke delivers a delectable blend of mystery, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. The story keeps readers guessing until the very end, with a satisfying resolution that ties up all the loose ends. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and anyone who appreciates a good whodunit with a dash of sweetness.
