Ross Barton

## Books

* Cherry Cheesecake Murder
* Double Fudge Brownie Murder
* Wedding Cake Murder

**Ross Barton** is a special character in the Hannah Swensen Series.

## Bio

*This is Mr. Barton, the writer–producer of Crisis in Cherrywood.*
“*She’s here, but it’s not Linda anymore. Now it’s Lynne, Lynne Larchmont.*”
*The Ross she’d known at school had been content to sit back and wait for someone else’s suggestions. This older, more mature Ross had morphed into someone who led, not followed*.

Ross Bartonovich and Hannah were neighbors in college and spent a lot of time together, with Ross' then fiancée, Linda. Both Ross and Linda changed their names after college.

## Appearance

‘’Ross was a full four inches shorter than Mike, he had dark hair compared to Mike’s reddish blond, and he had a sophisticated, man-of-the-world look about him, while Mike looked rugged and capable’’…

## Chronology by Novel

Ross is mentioned in a few books after Cherry Cheesecake Murder and before Double Fudge Brownie Murder when he makes a re-appearance in the series.

### Cherry Cheesecake Murder

The movie production of “*Crisis in Cherrywood*” arrives at Lake Eden to film a few scenes. Ross Barton, the writer-producer of the indy film and Lynn Larchmont, the leading lady, are old college friends of Hannah where they were known as the “Three Musketeers”. Hannah is surprised at the changes in both of them and over whelmed when Ross sweeps her off of her feet.

### Double Fudge Brownie Murder

Delores, Doc, Andrea and Michelle all conspire a little match making with Hannah and Ross. Ross is invited to Los Vegas to stand up as Doc’s best man.

Ross sweeps Hannah off of her feet and she is madly in love by the end of the wedding. He arrives a week after their return to interview with KCOW Television for the position of their manager of original content. He is hired for the job after a week trial. When he is ready to fly back to California to pack up everything and return to Eden Lake by the end of the week, he proposes to Hannah at the airport.

Hannah immediately replies with a YES!

### Wedding Cake Murder

Hannah was entered in a National Dessert contest sponsored by the Food channel and Ross is going with her to New York for the first challenge.
And helps her to interview a few of the suspects while filming for KCOW-TV. P.K. Alesworth returns as his assistant.

### Banana Cream Pie Murder

After just a few weeks of marriage, Ross disappears, leaving his car, wallet, ID and loads of money behind.

### Raspberry Danish Murder

While Hannah is anxiously hoping for a phone call or anything from Ross, Mike is trying to find him.

When Ross’s assistant PK is murdered, they are not sure if the poison was meant for Ross or PK. Once PK’s murder is resolved Mike tells Hannah that they found Ross. He is in Wisconsin living with his wife.
Hannah is stunned to learn that they were never legally married.

### Chocolate Cream Pie Murder

Ross appears at the backdoor of The Cookie Jar early one morning when Hannah was alone. Ross scared Hannah with his threats so Mike assigned her a body guard. Russ continues calling Hannah and treating her to get some of the money out of the bank. He threatens the Bank Manager, Doug Greerson too. The way he is acting is as if he has s split personality and/or insane.

Ross is found shot to death in Hannah’s condo master bedroom by Mike. Tom Larchmont kills him because he felt that he was double-crossed by Ross. Hannah still has a lot of unanswered questions concerning Ross and his need for money.

## References

1. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Wedding Cake Murder: 19 (Hannah Swensen) (p. 187). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.