Murder of the Red Velvet Cupcake by Joanne Fluke – Dessert Book Review, Hoax and Death Mystery
The housewarming party at the newly renovated Albion Hotel in Lake Eden, Minnesota is the scene of the crime in Hannah Swensen’s latest prank, Joannne Fluke’s “Red Velvet Cupcake Murder.”
Townspeople gather in early June to celebrate at the Red Velvet Lounge. Hannah and her business partner, Lisa Herman Beeseman, own The Cookie Jar, the popular village coffee shop. They prepare desserts for the event, including their delicious Red Velvet surprise cupcakes.
In the middle of the gala, Hannah’s sister and city realtor, Andrea, promotes the hotel’s available condos and the opulent penthouse, which has its own elevator and a spectacular view of Lake Eden; and a huge tropical garden and Jacuzzi.
The attic, in the process of final renovation, awaits the delivery and installation of its huge heated dome. Safety trestles prevent attic visitors from getting too close to the edge of the building.
Party girl, Barbara Connelly, enthusiastically walks through the attic to locate her residence from the top of the hotel.
Soon, revelers see Barbara’s body whiz past the hotel lounge windows and finally land face down in the rose bushes. Barbara is rushed to Lake Eden Memorial Hospital for care.
At 4 am, Hannah receives a stunned call that will soon be disconnected from a woman believed to be Barbara yelling, “She tried to kill me!” And Hannah is going to solve another Lake Eden mystery.
Who wants Barbara Connelly dead? And because?
When Hannah questions Barbara at the hospital, she is convinced that her brother is the culprit.
But how could he be when she’s an only child?
Complicating matters is Barbara’s request to see her father, who, along with her mother, died years ago.
Minneapolis money man Roger Dalworth paid for the Albion Hotel renovations. He attends the grand opening with his new girlfriend, the dentist Doctor Bev. He is also in town visiting his wealthy father, Warren Dalworth, who is terminally ill.
The city is abuzz because Doctor Bev, a well-known gold digger, once lived on Lake Eden; and twice she became a fiancée of Norman Rhodes, Hannah’s current romantic interest.
Dr. Bev blatantly boasts of her latest conquest in Roger Dalworth; and proudly displays his tokens of love, including a new red Maserati convertible.
On a later trip to visit Hannah in the hospital, Hannah’s route takes her past Miller’s Pond. There he discovers a submerged car and instinctively nothing to check for passengers.
Amazed, Hannah realizes that it is Doctor Bev’s sports car; and that she’s still behind the wheel. Hannah laboriously carries Doctor Bev ashore; however, his attempts to save her are unsuccessful.
Detective Mike Kingston, who also vies for Hannah’s affections, must confront her in an official and awkward way when he names Hannah as the prime suspect in Doctor Bev’s death.
Dr. Bev had ordered Hannah’s red velvet surprise cupcakes brought into view of the attic dome that was being placed that afternoon. Toxicology tests showed that he died before crashing into the pond due to a powerful tranquilizer. The contents of her stomach consisted only of coffee creamer, artificial sweetener, and Hannah’s cupcakes.
In lore, crowds gather at The Cookie Jar to hear Lisa entertain them with exciting details of the latest crime Hannah is determined to solve. There is only room to stand because Hannah is the prime suspect.
Soon, Hannah is confronted by the person who tried to kill Barbara; and the exciting conclusion begins.
Fluke’s narrative includes a small-town chat that reflects world wisdom, along lines like, “When you get used to seeing something, you take it for granted until it’s no longer there”; and its exclusive recipes too.
His impeccable writing allows new readers to quickly bond with the residents of Lake Eden; and piques an interest in experiencing the mysteries of his previous murders. “Red Velvet Cupcake Murder” is a treat for both the mind and the mouth.
If you like reading fictional, small town murder mysteries supplemented with tasty recipes, check out the Ann B. Ross book series. Miss Julia is the main character who lives in Abbotsville, North Carolina. Visit: Http://www.MissJulia.com.