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.
Ann says
I like to read seasonal books during that particular season too. By the way I just found out that for British mysteries, Acorn TV offer a free months subscription (like Netflix). Worth looking into.
Ann
Susan* says
I’ve only read one or two of Fluke’s books, but they’re definitely worth a look.
Another good read featuring a winter carnival – or at least the preparations for one – is Linda Wisdom’s “Hex in High Heels”.
Part of her comic supernatural mystery series, which I recommend only if you like supernaturals – and have a sense of humour. (That last is a must! Witches, werewolves, and sentient, ‘carnivorous’, bunny slippers…)
Anybody else recommend any Winter Carnival mysteries?
Tessa says
Oh Susan*….. “Hex in High Heels” sounds like fun. Thank you.
Tessa~
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susan*, I wish I enjoyed paranormal series… there are so many to pick and choose from…
reginav says
Danna, I wonder if that is why I read certain mysteries at times.Sometimes if I am down or not feeling very good, I enjoy reading what i call “escapist” or frothy mysteries. They will involve lifestyles i know I will never lead but they can be amusing and just plain fun.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Regina, a few years ago it seemed like every new-to-me author I tried, I simply didn’t like. I finally determined that it must have been the mood I was in, and decided to try the authors again. It worked!
Tessa says
Understood. About wanting to read books, in season!!! And I think it’s a perfectly natural wish. So there. -giggggles-
Tessa~
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tessa, although I enjoy my seasonal holidays at their respective holiday times of the year, it sure creates a backlog with their authors’ mysteries.
Marianne says
Glad you are enjoying Hannah and her adventures. I love the cookbook but swore I wouldn’t buy one – too fattening!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marianne, I hear you on the “too fattening” >>> Sometimes reading a culinary mystery is a real distraction…
MJ says
Since Joanne Fluke probably got the idea for that story from the ‘real’ Winter Carnival in St. Paul (about an hour away from the fictional Lake Eden), I can conjure up memories of what it REALLY was like. B-R-R-R-R-R! As a former St. Paulite (born and raised), I remember marching during my high school years in the Winter Carnival parade. Do you know what a Minnesota January is really like? We marched in sub freezing, often sub-zero (-10 to -20 degrees), weather in short skirts, none the less. However, we did double up on the tights.
Winter Carnival activities brings back a lot of positive memories also. Each year a medallion ‘treasure’ was hidden somewhere in the city on public land. If you found the medallion, you won a monetary prize. Clever clues were printed daily in morning in the paper. A lot of people would go out at 4 or 5:00 am and get the paper just to read the clue and hopefully find the treasure. Wow! What a way to sell papers! My mother and I and several other moms in the neighborhood and their kids would all go out ‘treasure hunting’ (usually after school). We never found the treasure, but sure came close several times. There were also the Vulcans who were a major part of the festivities, but it would take too long to explain them. Suffice it to say, they were feared.
Ah-h-h-h, the memories you just brought back, Danna, as did Joanne Fluke when I read the Blueberry Muffin Murder. Many of her books are winter based (with blizzards and snowy/hazardous roads) because they usually are released late February/early March.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
MJ, I used to visit my grandmother in Northwood, Iowa (just south of the Minnesota/Iowa border) and can still remember (fondly) how cold it was. Of course, I would just show up for two weeks at a time, so didn’t have to do anything like march in a parade. That would have been B-R-R-R-R-R!
I’m surprised the newspapers aren’t using those types of incentives these days to get their circulation numbers back to where they once were. Treasure hunting: What a neat idea. And, what great memories…
Moonlight says
Sometimes, during a miserable hot spell, I’ll choose to re-read a book that includes descriptions of cold, snowy weather. Somehow, it just makes the hot spell just a little less miserable for me.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Moonlight, I haven’t tried the switching of seasonal books. I think that if I did, it would just make our San Antonio hot and humid days all the worse for me. (I’m sort of an Eeyore at heart!)