In March of this year, I finally tried my first Joanne Fluke Hannah Swensen (Cookie Jar) mystery. I liked it so much that I actually recommended Fluke as my pick for the monthly mystery book recommendation entry. While it has been (more than) several months since I last read about Hannah and the rest of Lake Eden’s towns’ people, I am currently feeling very Cozy reading about the town’s Winter Carnival.
For those of you who read Fluke’s series, you will probably remember that the Winter Carnival takes place in the third book of the series. Why, you may ask, has it taken me so long to read these mysteries if I enjoy them so much?
This all gets back to my seasonal mysteries hang-up. For some reason, I just don’t enjoy reading about a winter carnival that takes place up in Minnesota during a San Antonio 100° summer day. Those two things just don’t mesh for me. That’s a problem that I encounter from time to time when I really like an author, but I know the next book in the series takes place in a certain type of weather/season.
So after I read Strawberry Shortcake Murder (the second in the series) I took a rather long break before reading the third in the series, Blueberry Muffin Murder, since I knew I would want to read it during one of our infrequent cold snaps, which is exactly what we are experiencing right now.
I have spoken a lot about how much I enjoy reading seasonal Cozy Mystery books during their appropriate seasons. This sort of thing often leads to me feeling like I’m not able to read a book until the “correct time of year.” It’s a major drag when I really like an author, but it’s what I do.
So, while I may not have to put on a winter coat, a scarf, and mittens, at least I am wearing my jacket these days. Perfect weather in San Antonio for a Winter Carnival.
I know I should have done this a week ago, but I am wondering if any of you can think of a Thanksgiving mystery that you think the rest of us should absolutely know about. I did this at Halloween time (