The Hand That Rocks the Ladle

by Tamar Myers

Book Overview

The PennDutch inn has seen its fair share of murder. But when triplets turn out to be twins, innkeeper Magdalena Yoder must sift out a cradle robber.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451197550
• ISBN13: 9780451197559
• Release Date: March 2000
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 261 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Tamar Myers is one of the funniest authors around.

Ms. Myers has a great sense of humor and writes with a satirical twist. Be I can't want to read the next book as soon as I finish the one I'm on now. Very entertaining

Good early book of the Magdalena series

In general, I've liked the books of this series, with the exception of the latest volume. However, "The Hand That Rocks the Ladle," came out in 2000 and is perhaps the best of the lot. Perhaps the writer lost her muse or just couldn't think of more funny comments. The plot of "Hand That Rocks..." is scarcely worth mentioning, as others have done so and because Tamar Myers' plots are not why one reads her books. In short, the plots are silly and illogical. But who cares? Her characters and asides are quite enough. The characters here are a zany collection, from a religious nutcase who belongs to a church with too many names, to a retired Jewish heart surgeon who hopes to write murder mysteries. And of course there are Magdalena's wacky sister, an insectoid brother in law, the jealous wife of the proprietor of the WalMart for Amishmen, etc. And with all this, there is a good atmosphere and commentary on the Amish/Mennonite culture. For example: Why is it a sin to put rubber tires on a buggy? Why do Amish men have beards but not moustaches? Why are young Amish boys allowed a period of freedom to "sin," before committing to the faith? Above all, however, is the humor. Tamar Myers has the rare ability to make a reader laugh aloud without seeming to strain. Only a very few can do that.

You will rock with laughter!

Magdalena Yoder is the proprietress of the Penn-Dutch Inn in Hernia,Pennsylvania. Her cook Freni's daughter in law going to have triplets any day now. To everyone's surprise there are twin boys born, with no sign of a third baby. Freni ask Magdalena to find out what happened to the third baby. When one of the characters is murdered, Magdalena asks too many questions and almost becomes a victim herself. I like all the books in the Penn- Dutch series and this is one of the better ones. The humor is outstanding and there is so much of it, that I almost feel like I should go back and reread the book because I know I missed some of the jokes! Another thing I liked is that Magdalena's sister, Susannah, became more of a character and less of a cliché in this book. There were some nice moments between the two of them, where, they actually bonded. There is also a hilarious scene in a diner involving Susannah's dog, Snookums, that is laugh out loud funny. There is also a lot of information on the Amish and how they live in this book, more so then in the earlier books in the series. That was a nice addition and I hope she keeps it up in later books. If you enjoyed the other books in this series, you will love this one.

Magdalena rocks!

This time our favorite sleuth, Magdalena, is snooping in a different kind of mystery. Was there a third baby? If so, where did it go? What's going on over at the gorgeous doctor's house? And who is that mysterious celebrity hiding out in Room 6? Myers's writing is so effortlessly funny, I found myself laughing out loud more than once. I must say, in the genre of comic mysteries, Magdalena takes the cake! (And the pie -- Freni's Butterscotch Chiffon Pie, recipe on page 37.) The Pennsylvania-Dutch references give it a real sense of place. I believe the Penn-Dutch series began with "Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth," but you don't have to read the previous books to enjoy this one.

FUN TO READ!

I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'VE ENJOYED A BOOK SO MUCH! THE CHARACTERS WERE SO INTERESTING. I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND AMISH AND MENNONITES TO BE FACINATING. AND MAGDALENA YODER WAS HILARIOUS. I FOUND MYSELF LAUGHING OUT LOUD! THIS BOOK WAS BOTH FUN AND EASY TO READ. I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

A mystery that tickles the funny bone

In Hernia, Pennsylvania Magdalena Yoder owns and manages the famous Penn Dutch Inn. Though in the center of Amish-Mennonite country, Magdalena has catered to many of our nation's rich and famous. Rather well off due to her successful business, Magdalena is very devoted to her relative Freni and the woman's spouse Mose. The couple is excited that their daughter-in-law Barbara is pregnant with triplets.However, in the delivery room something unusual happens that changes Freni's elation to worry. Barbara gives birth to twin boys as witnessed by the delivery room doctor, the nurse, and Freni's son. The doctor insists the physician who claimed that Barbara was carrying triplets was simply wrong. Freni believes a third child was born and is now missing. She pleads with Magdalena, who has solved a mystery or two, to investigate. Neither one is aware that danger awaits the amateur detective.THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE LADLE, the eighth installment in the Magdalena Yoder culinary regional mysteries, retains the freshness and humor of the previous seven novels. Tamar Myers continues her mastery by painting an insightful look at the Amish and Mennonite cultures. In a religious way, the very human Magdalena remains as obnoxious, proud, and delightful as she has always been. The entertaining story line is engaging, but it is the captivating characters that serve up this scrumptious, low caloric but very delicious treat.Harriet Klausner