The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke

This is the first in a series about an amateur sleuth,  Hannah Swensen, who is a young single adult who owns a cookie shop in a small tourist town in Minnesota. One morning she finds the neighborhood milkman murdered in his truck, surrounded by some of her half eaten chocolate chip cookies.  When her police detective brother-in-law asks her to help him in his investigation she is only too willing to jump into the search.  Using her delicious cookies as the ready door into almost all social situations, Hannah keeps her eyes and ears open for any information that might lead to the murderer.  While she is watching others, someone is watching her and that person is hungry for more than just her famous pecan delights.

This was a delightfully light read, and Hannah is endearing because of her self deprecating manner and spunky personality. The inhabitants of the little town where she lives fit a variety of fun stereotypes.  Overall, the book kind of felt like Nancy Drew for grownups.  It is what publishers call a "cozy mystery," and I think it will be one of my favorite adult genres. I enjoyed it very much, especially since I was listening to it at the same time as the heavier historical fiction. It provided some needed comic relief. There are cookie recipes at the end of many chapters, which is an added little bit of fun. (2001, 336 p.)