Devil's Food Cake Murder (2011) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit

Write a ridiculously simplified synopsis.

Characters edit see section history

• Grandma Knudson: is Reverend Bob Knudson's grandmother. A feisty woman who helps Hannah in this novel.
• Reverend Matthew: a family friend of the Knudsons.
• Norman Rhodes: One of Hannah's boyfriends; a dentist. In other books he is described as older than her (about 15 years, I think). is Lake Eden's kind, humorous, and fun to be around dentist at the Rhodes Dental Clinic, following in his father's own career footsteps. Norman is in his early forties, and probably not considered as attractive when compared to Detective Mike Kingston. Norman's mother is Carrie Rhodes, one of Hannah's mother Delores's closest friends, and together, Carrie and Delores rambunctiously play matchmaker for Norman and Hannah. But what Hannah loves about Norman is his comfortableness, and how approachable he is when Hannah needs to talk to him. Hannah thinks of him as a big cuddly teddy bear. Norman is also often very eager to help Hannah out in an investigation, and he is immensely protective over her. Norman's biggest hobby---which has sometimes proven quite useful in Hannah's murder sleuthing---is taking photographs, and developing the negatives in his own darkroom.
• Hannah Swensen: Cookie maker and amateur detective, torn between two loves.
• Delores Swensen: The mother of Hannah Swensen, Andrea Todd, and Michelle Swensen, Delores is a widow. She is now pushing sixty years, but no one would ever be able to tell, for, according to Hannah, she "still looks great in a bikini." Similar to Andrea, Delores reads fashion magazines and likes to keep up with the times of fashion and makeup. Delores's matchmaking antics, usually by telephone, towards her oldest and still unmarried daughter often agitate Hannah. Delores positively despises being forced to admit her age to anyone, and simply refuses to do so.
• Paul: Reverend Matthew's cousin, a criminal who provides the twists in the story.
• Michelle Swensen: The youngest of the three Swensen sisters, Michelle is as of right now attending Macalester College, away from Lake Eden. Michelle seems to be somewhere in between the personalities of Hannah and Andrea; Michelle is knowledgeable well enough in fashion to have a clothes conversation with Andrea, but she also contains some of Hannah's less girly traits, as well. When Michelle first came back form college for two weeks during a summer for the 4th of July celebration, she began a tight friendship with Lisa Herman, because of their closeness in ages. Michelle is in an exclusive, very secretive, and sometimes long-distance relationship with Lake Eden local Lonnie Murphy. Because of college, Michelle is not often featured. But when she is, however, Michelle is equally readily eager to help Hannah investigate a murder.
• Andrea Todd: is Hannah's younger sister, in a very happy marriage to Detective Bill Todd. Andrea is a few years younger than her sister, and has a great body and shiny blonde hair. Andrea has two daughters, Tracey and Bethany. The complete opposite of Hannah, Andrea cares an enormous deal about fashion and the current "in" clothes. Andrea and Hannah's sisterly relationship had been a bit strained, but after they worked together to solve Ron LaSalle's murder the two become much closer. Whenever Hannah starts on solving a murder mystery, Andrea is always very eager to help in any way she can.
• Lisa: Hannah's business partner in the Cookie Jar. Is married to Herb Beeseman, a traffic cop. She's young (around 20 or a few years older) and she was offered a college scholarship but stayed home to take care of her dad who has early-onset Alzheimer's. At the beginning of the series she was Hannah's sole employee, but later became her business partner since she has great business ideas. Loves to embellish stories of Hannah finding the b odies.
• Mike Kingston: Mike Kingston is a handsome detective from the Winnetka County Police, who recently moved to Lake Eden from Minneapolis after his pregnant wife, a nurse, was killed in a drive-by shooting. He is also Hannah's love interest, and, like Norman, he is very protective of Hannah. Because of his protectiveness Mike often attempts to advise Hannah to not investigate a new murder mystery, simply for her own safety. Although Mike is fully aware that Hannah will not listen to him, he warns her anyways. Many women in Lake Eden would like to have Mike as their boyfriend or husband. What Hannah loves most about Mike is how he makes her heart beat fast whenever he is around.Give him the flick Hannah, too shallow for Hannah.
• Alice Vogel: Add a description of this character.
• Moishe: Hannah's cat, always adds something to the subplot, a clever cat.
• Lenny Peske
• Claire: Owner of the dress shop next to Hannah's bakery and the wife of Reverend Bob Knudson.
• Bob
• Jacob
• Sally: is the owner of Lake Eden Inn.
• Hugh Kohler
• Marguerite
• Bill: Andrea's husband
• Doctor Beverly Thorndike: Norman's ex-fiancee, a schemer will she keep Norman from Hannah's love?
• Pam
• Doc Knight: is the medical examiner for Lake Eden.
• Marge: Is Lisa's mother - in - law.
• Carrie: Hannah's mother's business partner at the antique shop and Norman's mother.
• Adam
• Trixie
• Corrine
• Tracey: Bill and Andrea's daughter, Hannah and Michelle's niece, Delores' granddaughter
• Matthew Walters
• Pete Nunke: is the owner of the bird.
• Bertie: Owns the Beaty shop in Lake Eden.
• Bud Hauge
• Bonnie
• Lonnie

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Lake Eden
• Minnesota
• Jordan High
• Hawaii
• Minneapolis

First Sentence edit see section history

Series & Lists edit see section history

Preceded by Apple Turnover Murder, and followed by Cinnamon Roll Murder.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Joanne Fluke (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
• Dewey: 813.54

Notes for Parents edit see section history

Good starter set of mysteries for avid, young teen readers

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Mystery & Thrillers › Mystery › Women Sleuths
• Books › Literature & Fiction

Links to Supplemental Material edit see section history

• Murder She Baked: Joanne Fluke's official site. Release dates for upcoming books, etc.

More Books Like This edit see section history