Hannah’s brother-in-law Bill has just been promoted to detective (although the paperwork still needs to be finished), but immediately tells Hannah that he will need her help in solving this case. He reminds her that as a business owner she will be in a position to overhear many things, things that might be potential clues. At first, Hannah is reluctant, but after climbing into her first Dumpster to retrieve a possible clue, she is hooked.

Hannah neatly works through a list or suspects, crossing each off as she learns their alibis and reasons for secretive behavior. She keeps Bill informed of her progress, but refuses to reveal the identity of the woman who was with Ron shortly before his murder and, unbelievably, Bill agrees to this.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, the first book in a projected series, is an enjoyable, fast read, although Bill’s willingness to let Hannah play such a big part in the investigation is a bit mind-boggling He even muses several times that she shouldn’t be involved and that it is probably too dangerous, but does nothing to stop her from confronting suspects on her own.

Joanne Fluke has created fun characters and the sort of people you would expect to find in a small town. Hannah has a wry sense of humor (she feeds her cat ice cream out of a $50 antique dessert dish her mother gave her) and a true sense of family and community. Her sister, Andrea, is a little uneven as she first appears as a high-powered career woman with little time for her daughter (whom she has requested call her Andrea instead of Mommy) and then has an unseen epiphany and becomes an attentive sister, eager to help the investigation, and a model mother.

A quick, one-night read, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder has set a strong foundation for a promising series. Hannah is even left with two possible love interests, including the usual detective. Seven yummy sounding recipes for the cookies Hannah has made round out this pleasant addition to the culinary cozy genre.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry