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Hannah Swensen #26
Christmas Cupcake Murder
A Festive & Delicious Christmas Cozy Mystery
Featuring over a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar—Hannah Swensen’s famous bakery, this festive new Christmas mystery from the Queen of Culinary Cozies is just the holiday treat you need this season!
As December turns Lake Eden into the North Pole, the heat is on in Hannah Swensen’s kitchen to honor two Christmas promises: baking irresistible holiday cupcakes and preventing murder!
While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michele’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .
The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life!
Featuring over a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar—Hannah Swensen’s famous bakery, this festive new Christmas mystery from the Queen of Culinary Cozies is just the holiday treat you need this season!
As December turns Lake Eden into the North Pole, the heat is on in Hannah Swensen’s kitchen to honor two Christmas promises: baking irresistible holiday cupcakes and preventing murder!
While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michele’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .
The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life!
368 pages, Hardcover
First published September 29, 2020
2001 people are currently reading
18769 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
138 books8,643 followersLike Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,486 reviews
October 13, 2020
I don't know why I keep doing this to myself. Maybe it's Gabriel Hogan and Cameron Mathison from the tv movies, maybe it's just that once I'm in a world, I don't like to leave it, but holy crap these books have gone seriously downhill.
So, the ghostwriter on this one was slightly less terrible than the one who did the last few books (or, it's the same one and they're starting to get better?), but it was still bad. I had to wonder if maybe it was just me, and I'm remembering wrong, so I went back and re-read the first book and yeah, it is absolutely not the same person writing these books and they were not anywhere near as bad as they've become 26 books later.
This book and the last few are just so freaking banal. Like a story needs more than we made food, we ate food, we cleaned up from eating food, we talked about food, oh and here's 40% filler of recipes. Even better there was actually a commercial with an ad in the middle of the book! WTF?
Also, I have a massive sweet tooth, and I couldn't even begin to eat anywhere near the amount of sweets and treats they eat in these books. Nine cookies in one sitting? After eating multiple cupcakes a few hours earlier? I'm sick just thinking about it. (Also, there is no metabolism that's gonna combat that kind of eating, when you don't do any other physical activity than standing around making more food)
And once again, there is no character development, very little focus on the whole mystery thing. I mean, call me crazy, but if murder is in the title, shouldn't there be, you know, a murder and an investigation and a solving of said murder? And when we finally did solve the mystery, it was again solved 'off screen' and a less than one page description. We had more time spent on how to add cherry juice to a chocolate frosting than we did with the resolution of the mystery. No spoilers, but that actually would have been really interesting, especially given the machinations of what happened, and how that was resolved. But no, we needed more time for an advertisement for Kraft and another recipe that uses boxed cake mix.
To the Ghostwriter: Show don't tell. It's a thing that makes your books better. Focus on developing the characters instead of just having them make and eat food. And for Pete's sake, have something actually happen that moves the story forward instead of people living their boring day to day lives.
So, the ghostwriter on this one was slightly less terrible than the one who did the last few books (or, it's the same one and they're starting to get better?), but it was still bad. I had to wonder if maybe it was just me, and I'm remembering wrong, so I went back and re-read the first book and yeah, it is absolutely not the same person writing these books and they were not anywhere near as bad as they've become 26 books later.
This book and the last few are just so freaking banal. Like a story needs more than we made food, we ate food, we cleaned up from eating food, we talked about food, oh and here's 40% filler of recipes. Even better there was actually a commercial with an ad in the middle of the book! WTF?
Also, I have a massive sweet tooth, and I couldn't even begin to eat anywhere near the amount of sweets and treats they eat in these books. Nine cookies in one sitting? After eating multiple cupcakes a few hours earlier? I'm sick just thinking about it. (Also, there is no metabolism that's gonna combat that kind of eating, when you don't do any other physical activity than standing around making more food)
And once again, there is no character development, very little focus on the whole mystery thing. I mean, call me crazy, but if murder is in the title, shouldn't there be, you know, a murder and an investigation and a solving of said murder? And when we finally did solve the mystery, it was again solved 'off screen' and a less than one page description. We had more time spent on how to add cherry juice to a chocolate frosting than we did with the resolution of the mystery. No spoilers, but that actually would have been really interesting, especially given the machinations of what happened, and how that was resolved. But no, we needed more time for an advertisement for Kraft and another recipe that uses boxed cake mix.
To the Ghostwriter: Show don't tell. It's a thing that makes your books better. Focus on developing the characters instead of just having them make and eat food. And for Pete's sake, have something actually happen that moves the story forward instead of people living their boring day to day lives.
July 17, 2024
This is a cozy mystery, and it is the 26st in the Hannah Swensen series. This book has cute short mystery, several recipes, and cute characters. I have to say the mystery is not the best. If you are looking for a cute fun book with recipes then this is the book for you. I receive an e-copy from Netgalley or Goodreads Giveaway, and I will post a honest review that is 100% my own opinion about the book.
August 20, 2020
Christmas Cupcake Murder is the 26th book in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series by Joanne Fluke. Yes, I've read all of the previous ones, including several short stories about Hannah's investigations in a collection with other authors. And... though this one comes out in about a month, the next one, #27, is already confirmed for early 2021 and I can't wait to read it! Why, you ask? Keep on reading...
In this caper, Fluke rolls us back a good decade to the year Hannah first opened her cookie store. We've done a trace back to history before, learning how and why Hannah chose to open a store, but this time, we look at what happened when a seemingly homeless man shows up asking for a cup of coffee and some work. Hannah, of course, helps him out... only to find him knocked unconscious several days later in the building that her mother eventually buys to open her antiques business. Talk about learning a lot in this book!
As usual, the story is less about the mystery and more about Hannah's life and her various family and friends. The books are about 250 pages, of which 100 are dedicated to recipes, and in the remaining 150, at least 75 pages focus solely on how to bake or what's happening around town with relationships and town business. So... the mysteries are always light. In this one, it's not who killed someone but who is this homeless man that has amnesia. We know he'll be connected to someone in Lake Eden, one of the many (250+) characters we've met in the past... and it's always a joy to revisit some old faves.
Warning... if you want a series with great mysteries, this will not be the right set of books for you. This is more about relaxing in a cozy town, getting to know hundreds of fun people over decades and ~30 books of food heaven. I like this aspect... and while I wish the murders and mysteries were about twice as complex, just to give us enough meat, I still enjoy them for what they are... and I can honestly say, once I'm done, I feel like I want to move there. I miss the people, and they sometimes feel all too real. So... in that respect, kudos to the author for creating such a magnificent sense of connection and longing.
When we do find out who the John Done / Joe Smith is, we also learn how to make German Chocolate Cupcakes, so it's a win all around.
In this caper, Fluke rolls us back a good decade to the year Hannah first opened her cookie store. We've done a trace back to history before, learning how and why Hannah chose to open a store, but this time, we look at what happened when a seemingly homeless man shows up asking for a cup of coffee and some work. Hannah, of course, helps him out... only to find him knocked unconscious several days later in the building that her mother eventually buys to open her antiques business. Talk about learning a lot in this book!
As usual, the story is less about the mystery and more about Hannah's life and her various family and friends. The books are about 250 pages, of which 100 are dedicated to recipes, and in the remaining 150, at least 75 pages focus solely on how to bake or what's happening around town with relationships and town business. So... the mysteries are always light. In this one, it's not who killed someone but who is this homeless man that has amnesia. We know he'll be connected to someone in Lake Eden, one of the many (250+) characters we've met in the past... and it's always a joy to revisit some old faves.
Warning... if you want a series with great mysteries, this will not be the right set of books for you. This is more about relaxing in a cozy town, getting to know hundreds of fun people over decades and ~30 books of food heaven. I like this aspect... and while I wish the murders and mysteries were about twice as complex, just to give us enough meat, I still enjoy them for what they are... and I can honestly say, once I'm done, I feel like I want to move there. I miss the people, and they sometimes feel all too real. So... in that respect, kudos to the author for creating such a magnificent sense of connection and longing.
When we do find out who the John Done / Joe Smith is, we also learn how to make German Chocolate Cupcakes, so it's a win all around.
October 9, 2020
Whew sorry for the late update here. This was quite a slog!
The intro states this takes place before Hannah solves her first missing persons mystery, and before her MOTHER Delores (Lori!) opens her furniture place. But the timeline seems muddled. In the early Hannah books before Delores/Mother opens her store Hannah has a flip phone not a smartphone, in this book Hannah seems to have a smartphone.
Also early on Hannah didn't know Mike very well and in this book she seems rather familiar with Mike, but not smitten with him like she was in the early books.
We are treated to lots of whining from Andrea who apparently wanted her child but has no interest in taking care of her baby. She asks three people in this book if they think that's wrong before being consoled by Doc that he always knew she liked kids but some people just can't care for babies. Ok Doc. Also how terrible must Grandma McCann feel for taking care of allllll the mommy duties for poor baby Tracey while Andrea is just out hanging out doing nonsense with Hannah? I'd be pissed. Justice for Grandma McCann.
This book has no murder, but there is a sort of mystery involved with a John/Joe Doe that Hannah becomes fixated on. He turns up with amnesia and of course Hannah has to help him remember basically everything about his life dontcha know. Good thing he has amnesia but has the ability to recall his mothers German chocolate cake with a (not so) special ingredient.
And let's talk about the recipes here. I swear in the earlier books (too lazy to go back and look) that the recipes were you know actual recipes. Lately nearly every single one in these books starts with a crappy cake mix. Those aren't recipes. You are buying a cake mix. Is Sandra Lee ghost writing these books??
Lets get down to my highlights.
1. Hannah mentions "risking permanent ear damage" by escorting Andrea and her friends to a "punk rock concert" in Minneapolis. Go Hannah! Wait no, she's reminiscing about when she agreed to do a favor for Mother and that favor turned out to be taking poor little Andrea to a "punk rock" concert in Minneapolis. Damn. I thought Hannah actually had a fun side for a minute.
2. In this book Hannah is directly talking to parts of her brain. But sometimes she can't help but speak out loud, oopsie poopsie! At one point Hannah thinks "She wants your cupcakes" - the suspicious part of Hannah's brain announced. I'm shocked to find here that Hannah has a part of her brain that isn't suspicious. It was poor Mother/Delores that wanted the cupcakes.
3. Delores/Mother totally disses Hannah's hair again. She straight up tells her "Doc explained it to me when you were a baby, but I confess I'm still a bit angry about the fact that you inherited your father's curly red hair" Damn Lori. Why you hating on your daughter like that? Red hair is a privilege not a badge of a loser. Well not always. Maybe in Hannah's case but still. We all knew Lorimother was a bad mom but damn. This is straight up abuse. She goes on to say how Andrea's blonde hair is perfect and Michelle's hair is a lovely shade of golden brown. She ends with "Sometimes I blame myself Hannah, but unruly red hair like yours doesn't run in my family at all" Are you sure Lorimother? Because I am a natural redhead and neither of my parents have red hair, its a very recessive gene on both sides. I'm proud of it. Poor Hannah responds with "I really don't mind having hair like Dad's. It was just the luck of the draw, I guess" I feel bad for her. Maybe she can go to the cut and curl or wash and go in town and get a nice frosty perm.
4. Discussing antiques Carrie (Lorimother's partner) mentions "They just don't make things like that anymore, everything now is mass produced" and Hannah retorts "I can understand that. I feel the same way about trying old recipes. Sometimes they're more work than using modern shortcuts, but they can be worth it" and then just mentions modern shortcuts like using a damn stand mixer. Girl all your recipes are from Duncan Hines or Ms. Betty Crocker. Thief.
5. The cookie truck. I swear in old books Hannah had to replace or buy a new cookie truck? Again maybe remembering wrong. But in this one Hannah talks about the cookie truck a lot.
6. Delori/mother chides poor Hannah to put on "suitable decorating clothing" which apparently does not involve jeans or a sweatshirt but slacks an a nice sweater and proper shoes. You know, proper Golden Girls vibes. Something you would wear to dinner not just on the lanai.
7. Hannah learns what a Jell-o shot is, despite going to college and parties.
8. When Hannah decides to look into the case of Joe Doe she is told by Norman to "go get a murder book Hannah" to which she replies "Why? Nobody's been murdered" I heard this come out in a sad voice. She is legit sad to not have a dead body. Still she grabs her steno pad. Whether from CostMart or the RedOwl no one knows.
9. Hannah relays to Mike how she hired Joe Doe to do some odd jobs because she could see he was hungry and cold and starving. She recounts having him "scrape off [my] windshield and brush the snow off [my] cookie truck" When Mike asks how much she paid him she says "Five dollars, I know thats a lot for what he did..." Dear God Hannah. How much are you charging for one cookie or cupcake (that you actually sell vs just you know giving away cookies or throwing them into the trash compactor that is Mike) that you can't fling the man a 20??
10. Poor Norman tells Mike "Your work is about as funny as gum disease." Mike responds "Now that is funny!" Mike, there is nothing funny about gingivitis.
11. Hannah is shocked to find the amnesia man Joe Doe knows what a bakers dozen means...clearly he is in the lead to win Lake Eden jeopardy.
12. Hannah calls Doc sexist for saying that three women together are more exhausting than a man and a woman. Doc s too shocked to respond. (Not really I may be exaggerating his response)
13. Hannah laments that she hopes she won't have to "feel like peanut butter again" and when Lisa asks wtf she means she says "Because Mother uses place cards... And she always sandwiches me between Mike and Norman" Those poor guys. Poor peanut butter Hannah.
14. Andrea formally calls Grandma McCann her nanny. How does Bill's salary pay this? Andrea later gets a job at the real estate office presumably from all her maxed out credit paying the nanny for staying home with her one child instead of you know staying home from a dinner party herself and (crazy talk) watching her own child.
15. Andrea forces poor Grandma McCann to do her darning when she buys a gift for Carrie at the mall from the clearance rack that is a cashmere sweater with a snag. Damn. Paying a nanny but shopping the clearance bins Andrea.
16. Hannah mentions not wanting to "drive back to the condo, baking (nut mix) in her oven, then driving back [here] to Mother's house" and then a few pages later after making the glorified Chex Mix she says she "had to make a lightning fast trip to her condo to feed Moishe and change clothes to something more appropriate than a jeans and a sweatshirt for Carrie's party" girl if you were going home to change into Lorimother's approved attire you could have just baked the damn nuts there.
17. Norman sexily uncorks champagne. Hannah is elated and exclaims "You did that so well!!!" I'm sure Norman is pleased but the only person drinking the champagne is DeloriMother.
18. Which brings me to all the guests showing up for the dinner party, drinking, talking, chatting, when Hannah heads into LoriMother's kitchen and offers to "heat up the chicken" (as we all know Delori only knows three recipes) and this chicken came from the Red Owl. How long has it just been sitting in the oven? Lorimother responds with "Yes dear, it's already in the oven. All you have to do is turn it on!" Lori is trying to poison everyone with counter chicken. Next book will be about that.
19. Janice from the Kiddie Korner is interrogated by Hannah who wants to know what kind of cookies preschoolers and toddlers like. She also teaches Janice about kool-aid pickles. Janice responds with oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies being their faves. Hannah asks "Do they prefer milk or semisweet chocolate?" Now when was the last time you asked a toddler if they prefer milk or semisweet? After asking Hannah declares she's never made milk chocolate oatmeal cookies before. Hold the phone. Such a new and exciting recipe.
20. Hannah teaches Andrea to convert celsius to "What's that other thing???" It's Fahrenheit Andrea. and it's what they use in Minnesota.
21. Norman assumes Hannah is as dumb as she acts and makes a call for her. "I'll call. Just as soon as she answers I;ll hand the phone to you." Driving Miss Hannah just sits and waits for butler Norman to announce her call to Irma's great aunt.
22. After the big finale Mike announces that he and the Sheriff from another town locked the perp in a cell and ran back to join in at a party/reception. Poor Mike. I'm pretty sure he has a tapeworm.
Phew. I mean this wasn't a bad read but it sure was confusing at times based on the timeline and items from other books. I think someone is trying to clean up the series but not taking into account what happened in the early books.
The intro states this takes place before Hannah solves her first missing persons mystery, and before her MOTHER Delores (Lori!) opens her furniture place. But the timeline seems muddled. In the early Hannah books before Delores/Mother opens her store Hannah has a flip phone not a smartphone, in this book Hannah seems to have a smartphone.
Also early on Hannah didn't know Mike very well and in this book she seems rather familiar with Mike, but not smitten with him like she was in the early books.
We are treated to lots of whining from Andrea who apparently wanted her child but has no interest in taking care of her baby. She asks three people in this book if they think that's wrong before being consoled by Doc that he always knew she liked kids but some people just can't care for babies. Ok Doc. Also how terrible must Grandma McCann feel for taking care of allllll the mommy duties for poor baby Tracey while Andrea is just out hanging out doing nonsense with Hannah? I'd be pissed. Justice for Grandma McCann.
This book has no murder, but there is a sort of mystery involved with a John/Joe Doe that Hannah becomes fixated on. He turns up with amnesia and of course Hannah has to help him remember basically everything about his life dontcha know. Good thing he has amnesia but has the ability to recall his mothers German chocolate cake with a (not so) special ingredient.
And let's talk about the recipes here. I swear in the earlier books (too lazy to go back and look) that the recipes were you know actual recipes. Lately nearly every single one in these books starts with a crappy cake mix. Those aren't recipes. You are buying a cake mix. Is Sandra Lee ghost writing these books??
Lets get down to my highlights.
1. Hannah mentions "risking permanent ear damage" by escorting Andrea and her friends to a "punk rock concert" in Minneapolis. Go Hannah! Wait no, she's reminiscing about when she agreed to do a favor for Mother and that favor turned out to be taking poor little Andrea to a "punk rock" concert in Minneapolis. Damn. I thought Hannah actually had a fun side for a minute.
2. In this book Hannah is directly talking to parts of her brain. But sometimes she can't help but speak out loud, oopsie poopsie! At one point Hannah thinks "She wants your cupcakes" - the suspicious part of Hannah's brain announced. I'm shocked to find here that Hannah has a part of her brain that isn't suspicious. It was poor Mother/Delores that wanted the cupcakes.
3. Delores/Mother totally disses Hannah's hair again. She straight up tells her "Doc explained it to me when you were a baby, but I confess I'm still a bit angry about the fact that you inherited your father's curly red hair" Damn Lori. Why you hating on your daughter like that? Red hair is a privilege not a badge of a loser. Well not always. Maybe in Hannah's case but still. We all knew Lorimother was a bad mom but damn. This is straight up abuse. She goes on to say how Andrea's blonde hair is perfect and Michelle's hair is a lovely shade of golden brown. She ends with "Sometimes I blame myself Hannah, but unruly red hair like yours doesn't run in my family at all" Are you sure Lorimother? Because I am a natural redhead and neither of my parents have red hair, its a very recessive gene on both sides. I'm proud of it. Poor Hannah responds with "I really don't mind having hair like Dad's. It was just the luck of the draw, I guess" I feel bad for her. Maybe she can go to the cut and curl or wash and go in town and get a nice frosty perm.
4. Discussing antiques Carrie (Lorimother's partner) mentions "They just don't make things like that anymore, everything now is mass produced" and Hannah retorts "I can understand that. I feel the same way about trying old recipes. Sometimes they're more work than using modern shortcuts, but they can be worth it" and then just mentions modern shortcuts like using a damn stand mixer. Girl all your recipes are from Duncan Hines or Ms. Betty Crocker. Thief.
5. The cookie truck. I swear in old books Hannah had to replace or buy a new cookie truck? Again maybe remembering wrong. But in this one Hannah talks about the cookie truck a lot.
6. Delori/mother chides poor Hannah to put on "suitable decorating clothing" which apparently does not involve jeans or a sweatshirt but slacks an a nice sweater and proper shoes. You know, proper Golden Girls vibes. Something you would wear to dinner not just on the lanai.
7. Hannah learns what a Jell-o shot is, despite going to college and parties.
8. When Hannah decides to look into the case of Joe Doe she is told by Norman to "go get a murder book Hannah" to which she replies "Why? Nobody's been murdered" I heard this come out in a sad voice. She is legit sad to not have a dead body. Still she grabs her steno pad. Whether from CostMart or the RedOwl no one knows.
9. Hannah relays to Mike how she hired Joe Doe to do some odd jobs because she could see he was hungry and cold and starving. She recounts having him "scrape off [my] windshield and brush the snow off [my] cookie truck" When Mike asks how much she paid him she says "Five dollars, I know thats a lot for what he did..." Dear God Hannah. How much are you charging for one cookie or cupcake (that you actually sell vs just you know giving away cookies or throwing them into the trash compactor that is Mike) that you can't fling the man a 20??
10. Poor Norman tells Mike "Your work is about as funny as gum disease." Mike responds "Now that is funny!" Mike, there is nothing funny about gingivitis.
11. Hannah is shocked to find the amnesia man Joe Doe knows what a bakers dozen means...clearly he is in the lead to win Lake Eden jeopardy.
12. Hannah calls Doc sexist for saying that three women together are more exhausting than a man and a woman. Doc s too shocked to respond. (Not really I may be exaggerating his response)
13. Hannah laments that she hopes she won't have to "feel like peanut butter again" and when Lisa asks wtf she means she says "Because Mother uses place cards... And she always sandwiches me between Mike and Norman" Those poor guys. Poor peanut butter Hannah.
14. Andrea formally calls Grandma McCann her nanny. How does Bill's salary pay this? Andrea later gets a job at the real estate office presumably from all her maxed out credit paying the nanny for staying home with her one child instead of you know staying home from a dinner party herself and (crazy talk) watching her own child.
15. Andrea forces poor Grandma McCann to do her darning when she buys a gift for Carrie at the mall from the clearance rack that is a cashmere sweater with a snag. Damn. Paying a nanny but shopping the clearance bins Andrea.
16. Hannah mentions not wanting to "drive back to the condo, baking (nut mix) in her oven, then driving back [here] to Mother's house" and then a few pages later after making the glorified Chex Mix she says she "had to make a lightning fast trip to her condo to feed Moishe and change clothes to something more appropriate than a jeans and a sweatshirt for Carrie's party" girl if you were going home to change into Lorimother's approved attire you could have just baked the damn nuts there.
17. Norman sexily uncorks champagne. Hannah is elated and exclaims "You did that so well!!!" I'm sure Norman is pleased but the only person drinking the champagne is DeloriMother.
18. Which brings me to all the guests showing up for the dinner party, drinking, talking, chatting, when Hannah heads into LoriMother's kitchen and offers to "heat up the chicken" (as we all know Delori only knows three recipes) and this chicken came from the Red Owl. How long has it just been sitting in the oven? Lorimother responds with "Yes dear, it's already in the oven. All you have to do is turn it on!" Lori is trying to poison everyone with counter chicken. Next book will be about that.
19. Janice from the Kiddie Korner is interrogated by Hannah who wants to know what kind of cookies preschoolers and toddlers like. She also teaches Janice about kool-aid pickles. Janice responds with oatmeal cookies and chocolate chip cookies being their faves. Hannah asks "Do they prefer milk or semisweet chocolate?" Now when was the last time you asked a toddler if they prefer milk or semisweet? After asking Hannah declares she's never made milk chocolate oatmeal cookies before. Hold the phone. Such a new and exciting recipe.
20. Hannah teaches Andrea to convert celsius to "What's that other thing???" It's Fahrenheit Andrea. and it's what they use in Minnesota.
21. Norman assumes Hannah is as dumb as she acts and makes a call for her. "I'll call. Just as soon as she answers I;ll hand the phone to you." Driving Miss Hannah just sits and waits for butler Norman to announce her call to Irma's great aunt.
22. After the big finale Mike announces that he and the Sheriff from another town locked the perp in a cell and ran back to join in at a party/reception. Poor Mike. I'm pretty sure he has a tapeworm.
Phew. I mean this wasn't a bad read but it sure was confusing at times based on the timeline and items from other books. I think someone is trying to clean up the series but not taking into account what happened in the early books.
February 21, 2024
This 26th book in the Hannan Swensen series is a flashback to the baker's early days as owner of 'The Cookie Jar' bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota.
In this story Hannah and her friends and family try to help a homeless man with amnesia. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Hannah Swensen is always at her bakery, 'The Cookie Jar', before the crack of dawn - to prepare the goodies that will be sold during the morning rush. It's Christmas season, and Hannah is inspired to create new delectables for the festive time of year.
Hannah's morning preparations are interrupted by a knock on the shop's back door, where Hannah finds a homeless man who's cold and hungry.
The man asks for food in exchange for work, and Hannah immediately seats him at the work station and joins him for coffee and German chocolate cupcakes. It turns out the unfortunate fellow can't remember his name or much about himself, but he's polite and non-threatening, and Hannah feels compelled to help him.
As the story unfolds the 'John Doe' ends up in the hospital, suffering from an infection, malnutrition, and exposure to the cold.
Doc Knight determines that the amnesiac suffered a blow to the head, possibly due to foul play, and this makes Hannah and her crew even more anxious to discover his identity.
Hannah's helpers include her mother Delores;
sister Andrea;
dentist friend Norman;
detective friend Mike;
and other people in town.
Various members of the group frequently get together for breakfast; lunch; dinner; or more often just coffee and cookies.....and discuss clues they've gleaned about John Doe. (These folks eat sweets all day. No real person could consume this many desserts and cookies and cupcakes and be healthy.)
Slowly the amnesiac remembers that his mother liked to bake and make parties; that he lived near a lake; that he knows how to restore furniture; etc. The crew uses these hints to try to get John Doe back home where he belongs....hopefully without endangering his life. It's fun to see Hannah put together the evidence and solve the mystery of John Doe's identity.
Hannah bakes and cooks all through the book, and recipes are included.
The story is thin but if you like a slight tale with lots of delicious snacks, you'll enjoy this book.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author (Joanne Fluke), and the publisher (Kensington Books) for a copy of the book.
Recipes in the book include:
German Chocolate Cupcakes
Pink Peppermint Cookies
White Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakes
Christmas Baked Brie
Blue Apple Pie
Santa Hat Pancakes
Cocktail Munchie Mix
Holiday Cheer Cherry Cupcakes
English Eggnog
Pineapple White Chocolate Bar Cookies
Chocolate Surprise Cupcakes
Vegas Cookies
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
October 10, 2020
There is no murder in "Christmas Cupcake Murder." A slew of other crimes--or, at least, breaches of ethics--occur or are alluded to, including: cruelty to geese and a violation of the Migratory Bird Act of 1918, unauthorized use of a computer by a police officer, several potential HIPAA violations, and a discriminatory hospital visitation policy. Because this tale occurs prior to the events of the recent novels, it is worth mentioning that Doc Knight and Delores are not yet a couple, so his familiar treatment of her at the hospital might be construed as sexual harassment. Doc Knight: secret predator? Plot twist for installment #27!
Although there is no murder in "Christmas Cupcake Murder," mysteries abound. Why can't Hannah, despite apparent lucidity and several years of pet ownership, discern Moishe's morning activities from the stirrings of a potential predator? What about the song "When I'm 64" sends Norman's mother careening into a pit of existential despair? Do people really eat rainbow pickles?
A subplot about a man with amnesia adds some interest to this story about a baker's multiple catering and social events. If you, like me, continue to read this series despite its increasing absurdity, get this book into your impeccably clean hands.
Although there is no murder in "Christmas Cupcake Murder," mysteries abound. Why can't Hannah, despite apparent lucidity and several years of pet ownership, discern Moishe's morning activities from the stirrings of a potential predator? What about the song "When I'm 64" sends Norman's mother careening into a pit of existential despair? Do people really eat rainbow pickles?
A subplot about a man with amnesia adds some interest to this story about a baker's multiple catering and social events. If you, like me, continue to read this series despite its increasing absurdity, get this book into your impeccably clean hands.
October 13, 2020
Really gone downhill
I used to really enjoy the books in this series, however, the last few have really gone downhill. It’s as though someone different is writing them, perhaps a child. The dialogue is very clipped, and the details are very mundane. We spend pages and pages reading about every little ingredient for every little thing they are going to put in their mouth. There are more chapters talking about the ingredients of their food than there are about the plot of the mystery. This could have been a 30 page short story.
I used to really enjoy the books in this series, however, the last few have really gone downhill. It’s as though someone different is writing them, perhaps a child. The dialogue is very clipped, and the details are very mundane. We spend pages and pages reading about every little ingredient for every little thing they are going to put in their mouth. There are more chapters talking about the ingredients of their food than there are about the plot of the mystery. This could have been a 30 page short story.
December 3, 2021
I think I can safely speak for many former fans of this series when I ask, "What in the fresh hell was this?"
I'm so glad I'm no longer spending my money on these books. Very thankful for libraries.
There was no murder in Christmas Cupcake Murder. The timelines are completely off. There were typos galore--lines of dialogue attributed to the wrong characters, etc.--and now Hannah's bakery uses boxed cake mix and Jello instant pudding in all the recipes? What kind of bakery is this?
This was a particular lowlight:
"Vegas Cookies. That's what you should call them."
"Why Vegas Cookies?" Hannah asked, clearly puzzled (btw, this was supposed to be in Hannah's point of view, so now we've switched narration styles).
"It's a pun on the ingredients, Hannah. Cashew Chips In," Andrea said, her lips turning up in a grin that Hannah could only categorize as devilish.
Then, when Hannah agrees to this hideous name (for a recipe that is exactly like an earlier recipe, but with cashews added), "Andrea's smile was like the sun coming out on a rainy, dreary day."
And then, "she smiled as she heard a burst of raucous laughter coming from the coffee shop. Andrea had obviously told everyone her pun."
In what universe is "Cashew Chips In" worth a "burst of raucous laughter"?
Other reviewers have complained about the amount of recipes (thank you, Kraft, for sponsoring this book. I guess Kensington wasn't paying enough), but I preferred that to the endless conversations about the different ways everyone knocks on the back door, which we seem to get in every damn book now. Or Hannah rushing to get more food because she recognizes Mike's knock, har de har har. At least we didn't have Michelle trying out her cousin's friend's sister's roommate's breakfast recipe on Hannah every morning . Oh, and on Mike, because he has food radar, we know that's him because of his authoritative knock, har de har har.
Be spellbound as the same conversation gets repeated multiple times to different characters. Be riveted as Hannah once again assumes that we can bake cookies, but we can't figure out how to wash our hands or our dishes if she didn't remind us Every. Single. Time. Be confused as this non-story suddenly turns into some bastardized version of The Graduate. What the hell was that? And why aren't adult women allowed to drink buttered rum, or to have more than "one glass" of wine? Why does every grown woman have to pretend they've never had sex or gotten drunk? Is this some weird Minnesotan cult? Not to mention the ginger shame. Good ol' Mother is actually SORRY for Hannah and shames her because she doesn't have beautiful blonde hair like Andrea.
Some readers have blamed the steep decline in the quality of these books on ghost writers, but ghost writers HAVE to be good. They work on contract, and only survive by being great writers. I'm willing to bet this is the work of a writer who doesn't care about this series anymore, and editors who are asleep at the wheel.
Sorry for ranting, but this was truly awful. How anyone could have given this five stars is beyond me. Was it all the descriptions of Hannah creaming two kinds of sugar with her beloved salted butter? Was it the heated debates about Mike's knock versus Norman's knock? Was it the lack of a murder in a book with "murder" in the title? Or are all the five-star reviews from Kraft and Nestle employees? Inquiring minds want to know.
I'm so glad I'm no longer spending my money on these books. Very thankful for libraries.
There was no murder in Christmas Cupcake Murder. The timelines are completely off. There were typos galore--lines of dialogue attributed to the wrong characters, etc.--and now Hannah's bakery uses boxed cake mix and Jello instant pudding in all the recipes? What kind of bakery is this?
This was a particular lowlight:
"Vegas Cookies. That's what you should call them."
"Why Vegas Cookies?" Hannah asked, clearly puzzled (btw, this was supposed to be in Hannah's point of view, so now we've switched narration styles).
"It's a pun on the ingredients, Hannah. Cashew Chips In," Andrea said, her lips turning up in a grin that Hannah could only categorize as devilish.
Then, when Hannah agrees to this hideous name (for a recipe that is exactly like an earlier recipe, but with cashews added), "Andrea's smile was like the sun coming out on a rainy, dreary day."
And then, "she smiled as she heard a burst of raucous laughter coming from the coffee shop. Andrea had obviously told everyone her pun."
In what universe is "Cashew Chips In" worth a "burst of raucous laughter"?
Other reviewers have complained about the amount of recipes (thank you, Kraft, for sponsoring this book. I guess Kensington wasn't paying enough), but I preferred that to the endless conversations about the different ways everyone knocks on the back door, which we seem to get in every damn book now. Or Hannah rushing to get more food because she recognizes Mike's knock, har de har har. At least we didn't have Michelle trying out her cousin's friend's sister's roommate's breakfast recipe on Hannah every morning . Oh, and on Mike, because he has food radar, we know that's him because of his authoritative knock, har de har har.
Be spellbound as the same conversation gets repeated multiple times to different characters. Be riveted as Hannah once again assumes that we can bake cookies, but we can't figure out how to wash our hands or our dishes if she didn't remind us Every. Single. Time. Be confused as this non-story suddenly turns into some bastardized version of The Graduate. What the hell was that? And why aren't adult women allowed to drink buttered rum, or to have more than "one glass" of wine? Why does every grown woman have to pretend they've never had sex or gotten drunk? Is this some weird Minnesotan cult? Not to mention the ginger shame. Good ol' Mother is actually SORRY for Hannah and shames her because she doesn't have beautiful blonde hair like Andrea.
Some readers have blamed the steep decline in the quality of these books on ghost writers, but ghost writers HAVE to be good. They work on contract, and only survive by being great writers. I'm willing to bet this is the work of a writer who doesn't care about this series anymore, and editors who are asleep at the wheel.
Sorry for ranting, but this was truly awful. How anyone could have given this five stars is beyond me. Was it all the descriptions of Hannah creaming two kinds of sugar with her beloved salted butter? Was it the heated debates about Mike's knock versus Norman's knock? Was it the lack of a murder in a book with "murder" in the title? Or are all the five-star reviews from Kraft and Nestle employees? Inquiring minds want to know.
September 7, 2020
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and Kensington Books in return for an honest review. The release date for this book is 29 Sept 2020
I do love Joanne Fluke’s cozy mysteries. Since I’ve been on a diet they have been harder for me to read though. Christmas Cupcake Murder is full of great food and great recipes. It is quite a sweet story with a very happy ending. The book does focus around great Christmas recipes and anyone who has a sweet tooth is gonna love this book. All in all, it was a fun read even if it did leave me with hunger pains
I do love Joanne Fluke’s cozy mysteries. Since I’ve been on a diet they have been harder for me to read though. Christmas Cupcake Murder is full of great food and great recipes. It is quite a sweet story with a very happy ending. The book does focus around great Christmas recipes and anyone who has a sweet tooth is gonna love this book. All in all, it was a fun read even if it did leave me with hunger pains
August 13, 2025
This is a cozy mystery, and it is the 26st in the Hannah Swensen series. This book has cute short mystery, several recipes, and cute characters. I have to say the mystery is not the best. If you are looking for a cute fun book with recipes then this is the book for you. I receive an e-copy from Netgalley or Goodreads Giveaway, and I will post a honest review that is 100% my own opinion about the book.
October 9, 2020
Kick me, kick me, kick me! I said I would never read another Hannah Swensen and I went back on my word. First, there was no murder. Second, it is another prequel because the series painted themselves into a corner and are not ready for Hannah to grow up and pick someone to marry and move on.
Read
September 29, 2020This is exactly what I expect from the Hannah Swensen series: short, light, repetitive, and almost-juvenile-like writing.
I like the festive cover and all the descriptions of food. I really like how I can plow through one of these books in a day. But I have a lot of issues with this one. For one, there's no "murder." Secondly, Hannah just seems so stupid. How can you NOT have an inkling (and not even know what "inklings" mean?) about what a Jell-O shot is? Even if you don't drink??
Also hardly anyone seemed to know what a TBI was. Norman with his constant ginger ale seemed to be the smartest one of the crew.
I'm not quite sure why we as readers were told at least TWICE that Hannah's purse was "saddlebag-sized." A lot of this story seemed to be characters repeating themselves and explaining things to the other characters. There was a LOT of eating cookies and drinking coffee.
If you take this book for what it is -- a short and sweet Christmas mystery -- it's not bad. Thanks, Netgalley, for this arc.
I like the festive cover and all the descriptions of food. I really like how I can plow through one of these books in a day. But I have a lot of issues with this one. For one, there's no "murder." Secondly, Hannah just seems so stupid. How can you NOT have an inkling (and not even know what "inklings" mean?) about what a Jell-O shot is? Even if you don't drink??
Also hardly anyone seemed to know what a TBI was. Norman with his constant ginger ale seemed to be the smartest one of the crew.
I'm not quite sure why we as readers were told at least TWICE that Hannah's purse was "saddlebag-sized." A lot of this story seemed to be characters repeating themselves and explaining things to the other characters. There was a LOT of eating cookies and drinking coffee.
If you take this book for what it is -- a short and sweet Christmas mystery -- it's not bad. Thanks, Netgalley, for this arc.
August 4, 2020
I get really excited when the annual Christmas Hannah Swenson story comes out....or a new book in the series! I have been visiting Hannah & the crew in Lake Eden, MN since the first book in this series was published in 2000! While not the first culinary cozy series, this one is definitely my favorite....and one of the first!
A couple of the most recent books in the series were disappointing (changes in writing quality, bizarre plot choices....things just seemed off), but I am happy to say that things in Lake Eden appear to be coming back to their usual feel and quality. Although certain side plots (long time fans of this series know which side plot I am referring to) still has yet to be resolved. Hannah will make a decision someday. I hope....it's been 20 years...get on with it already, Hannah! lol And none of that stupid R-like stuff again!
This story is sweet and fun to read! Hannah bakes holiday cookies and cupcakes....and the gang discovers a homeless man who has lost his memory and needs help. So, while Hannah does not find a dead body laying about this time, there is still an enjoyable mystery. Who is Joe? And why can't he remember who he is or how he came to Lake Eden?
This story is the usual Christmas holiday filler story.....Joanne Fluke publishes a Christmas Hannah story each year. It's a shorter read than the novels in this series, but a very enjoyable holiday treat! The recipes included between chapters are varied.....everything from colorful pickles to cherry frosted cupcakes! Mmmmmmmm! And the recipes include cute little comments from Hannah and the gang.
I was VERY happy to see that the next novel -- Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder -- is coming out in February 2021!!!! (I think I gained 3 lbs just reading the title though!) I wonder if The Decision will be made? or hinted at? Or discussed? Or.....anything???? I have a few months to ponder on that.....
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Even this one: Hannah, make up your mind already!**
A couple of the most recent books in the series were disappointing (changes in writing quality, bizarre plot choices....things just seemed off), but I am happy to say that things in Lake Eden appear to be coming back to their usual feel and quality. Although certain side plots (long time fans of this series know which side plot I am referring to) still has yet to be resolved. Hannah will make a decision someday. I hope....it's been 20 years...get on with it already, Hannah! lol And none of that stupid R-like stuff again!
This story is sweet and fun to read! Hannah bakes holiday cookies and cupcakes....and the gang discovers a homeless man who has lost his memory and needs help. So, while Hannah does not find a dead body laying about this time, there is still an enjoyable mystery. Who is Joe? And why can't he remember who he is or how he came to Lake Eden?
This story is the usual Christmas holiday filler story.....Joanne Fluke publishes a Christmas Hannah story each year. It's a shorter read than the novels in this series, but a very enjoyable holiday treat! The recipes included between chapters are varied.....everything from colorful pickles to cherry frosted cupcakes! Mmmmmmmm! And the recipes include cute little comments from Hannah and the gang.
I was VERY happy to see that the next novel -- Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder -- is coming out in February 2021!!!! (I think I gained 3 lbs just reading the title though!) I wonder if The Decision will be made? or hinted at? Or discussed? Or.....anything???? I have a few months to ponder on that.....
**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. Even this one: Hannah, make up your mind already!**
October 3, 2020
Christmas Cupcake Murder is the 26th book in the Hannah Swensen series. Like the last few books, Joanne Fluke has been heavy on the recipe side and light on the actual story. With recipes between chapters, no recipe index and reading the book on Kindle, it is difficult to tell how much is devoted to the recipes but I'd guess at least 35% is actual recipes with an additional 10% or so devoted to talking about making any given recipe. The remaining 55% seemed to contain a lot of very simplified and repetitive writing with overly detailed recollections from the Swensen women. In other words, this is a bloated novella with a mini cookbook.
Just before Chapter 1, Ms. Fluke informs us that this story took place before Delores and Carrie opened their antiques store. While I was reading the book, I realized that one of the Lake Eden citizens mentioned in this book died in a very early book. Even so, the exact placement of this book is hard to pinpoint. Hannah use of a cell phone was almost non existent in the early books and it was her niece Tracey who actually taught her to use the phone - yet in this book Tracey is still a baby. Doc is already referring to Delores as "Lori" yet they didn't start seeing each other till much later in the series. Vague seems to be the mantra for this book.
I suspect it was somewhat easier to go back in time to tell an older story rather than deal with the ongoing debacle of the whole "Ross" story that we've been subjected to in the more recent books.
From Chapter 1 on, I was once again reminded of how manipulative Delores is when it comes to getting Hannah to do extra work for her. Not to mention how critical she is of her oldest daughter when it comes to her unruly red hair (which she got from her beloved dad) and her lack of fashion sense. I wish Delores could just learn to be more respectful of her daughter's time and who she is inside and out.
Throughout the book, Hannah's inner rational and suspicious mind discussions are included way too often, are overdone and boring.
Once again FAR too many recipes! Out of curiosity, I tried to keep a list of how many recipes were included. My count was 27 (6 of which were frostings). Even "IF" you did want to make any of these calorie laden "treats", there is no index for them. If you don't bookmark the recipe when you see it - good luck finding it! This past summer, Ms. Fluke was asked during an interview on NPR why she puts the recipes between chapters rather than at the end like most other authors do. Her response? Because some people like to stop and bake between chapters!
Seriously??? I suspect the true reason for adding them between chapters (without an index) is so that people don't realize just how little of the book is actually devoted to the story.
Speaking of the recipes ... what does Ms. Fluke have against using canola oil? Canola oil is considered lower in saturated fat and healthier than vegetable oil. I highly doubt she'd be able to taste the difference in the finished product. Brand names for recipe ingredients are often listed so you have to wonder if she is being paid for product placement or receiving free products to promote. I also still wonder why she writes the recipes in such explicit detail. Does she really think her readers are that clueless when it comes to baking or is this just one more way to up the overall word content for the book?
As for the plot of this book? It could have been an interesting story. Instead the climax and ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall story was thin at best and could easily have been told in an actual novella rather than padding the story and inserting so many recipes.
Sorry, but this series has gotten too predictable and stale.
Just before Chapter 1, Ms. Fluke informs us that this story took place before Delores and Carrie opened their antiques store. While I was reading the book, I realized that one of the Lake Eden citizens mentioned in this book died in a very early book. Even so, the exact placement of this book is hard to pinpoint. Hannah use of a cell phone was almost non existent in the early books and it was her niece Tracey who actually taught her to use the phone - yet in this book Tracey is still a baby. Doc is already referring to Delores as "Lori" yet they didn't start seeing each other till much later in the series. Vague seems to be the mantra for this book.
I suspect it was somewhat easier to go back in time to tell an older story rather than deal with the ongoing debacle of the whole "Ross" story that we've been subjected to in the more recent books.
From Chapter 1 on, I was once again reminded of how manipulative Delores is when it comes to getting Hannah to do extra work for her. Not to mention how critical she is of her oldest daughter when it comes to her unruly red hair (which she got from her beloved dad) and her lack of fashion sense. I wish Delores could just learn to be more respectful of her daughter's time and who she is inside and out.
Throughout the book, Hannah's inner rational and suspicious mind discussions are included way too often, are overdone and boring.
Once again FAR too many recipes! Out of curiosity, I tried to keep a list of how many recipes were included. My count was 27 (6 of which were frostings). Even "IF" you did want to make any of these calorie laden "treats", there is no index for them. If you don't bookmark the recipe when you see it - good luck finding it! This past summer, Ms. Fluke was asked during an interview on NPR why she puts the recipes between chapters rather than at the end like most other authors do. Her response? Because some people like to stop and bake between chapters!
Seriously??? I suspect the true reason for adding them between chapters (without an index) is so that people don't realize just how little of the book is actually devoted to the story.
Speaking of the recipes ... what does Ms. Fluke have against using canola oil? Canola oil is considered lower in saturated fat and healthier than vegetable oil. I highly doubt she'd be able to taste the difference in the finished product. Brand names for recipe ingredients are often listed so you have to wonder if she is being paid for product placement or receiving free products to promote. I also still wonder why she writes the recipes in such explicit detail. Does she really think her readers are that clueless when it comes to baking or is this just one more way to up the overall word content for the book?
As for the plot of this book? It could have been an interesting story. Instead the climax and ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall story was thin at best and could easily have been told in an actual novella rather than padding the story and inserting so many recipes.
Sorry, but this series has gotten too predictable and stale.
September 21, 2020
3.5 stars
The best thing about Hannah Swenson novels is the lovely recipes in it. This one is chock full of wonderful holiday cupcake recipes including a sugar plum. an eggnog and a cherry surprise all perfect for the Christmas season. I like these recipes because they are so accessible and let you use cake boxes and instant puddings. They all seemed so yummy.
I don't know how Hannah survives. First of all I can't wrap my mind around a cookie store in a small town making enough money to support two people. Then Hannah gives away cookies and cupcakes right and left. She gives dozens to the hospital and passes them out freely to people who knock at her back door in the morning. How does she make money?
This is a prequel back before she was solving murders or before her mother had her antiques store. It is a sweet story about a homeless man who knocks at Hannah's back door and gets free cupcakes (German Chocolate) and it turn out he is in bad medical shape and has amnesia. As he recoups in the hospital, Hannah vows to find his home.
This is a heart warming story perfect for the Christmas time. I liked it very much and it's one of my favorite Hannah stories. If you are looking for a Christmas story then you won't go wrong with this one. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
The best thing about Hannah Swenson novels is the lovely recipes in it. This one is chock full of wonderful holiday cupcake recipes including a sugar plum. an eggnog and a cherry surprise all perfect for the Christmas season. I like these recipes because they are so accessible and let you use cake boxes and instant puddings. They all seemed so yummy.
I don't know how Hannah survives. First of all I can't wrap my mind around a cookie store in a small town making enough money to support two people. Then Hannah gives away cookies and cupcakes right and left. She gives dozens to the hospital and passes them out freely to people who knock at her back door in the morning. How does she make money?
This is a prequel back before she was solving murders or before her mother had her antiques store. It is a sweet story about a homeless man who knocks at Hannah's back door and gets free cupcakes (German Chocolate) and it turn out he is in bad medical shape and has amnesia. As he recoups in the hospital, Hannah vows to find his home.
This is a heart warming story perfect for the Christmas time. I liked it very much and it's one of my favorite Hannah stories. If you are looking for a Christmas story then you won't go wrong with this one. Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.
October 2, 2020
I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley.
I really do like this cozy mystery series, but this latest installment is sheer fluff. It is nothing but nonstop eating and drinking. Cupcakes for breakfast even! There isn't even a real mystery, just a case of self-resolving amnesia with no real need for detective skills. The ending was absolutely ridiculous, even for this genre. The book does include recipes for the multitude of calorie loaded dishes referenced in each and every chapter if you're into that. For me, I think I would have to go the gym three times a day if I ate like the characters in this book so I'll pass. If you want a book to completely tune out to, this one may just do it for you. You will not, however, find any type of mystery to occupy your mind if you're looking for a good puzzler.
I really do like this cozy mystery series, but this latest installment is sheer fluff. It is nothing but nonstop eating and drinking. Cupcakes for breakfast even! There isn't even a real mystery, just a case of self-resolving amnesia with no real need for detective skills. The ending was absolutely ridiculous, even for this genre. The book does include recipes for the multitude of calorie loaded dishes referenced in each and every chapter if you're into that. For me, I think I would have to go the gym three times a day if I ate like the characters in this book so I'll pass. If you want a book to completely tune out to, this one may just do it for you. You will not, however, find any type of mystery to occupy your mind if you're looking for a good puzzler.
September 13, 2020
If you read any of my previous reviews of this series, you will know that I have a serious love/hate relationship with them [and the author and how she writes]. The last few books have definitely been in the "hate" [and not really hate, but not definitely not love. More of a MEH kind of thing] category and this one right in the middle of that group. There were parts [very few though] that I liked and there were parts [most of the book actually] that I didn't like. There is so much that I didn't like, it is difficult to write anything without mentioning a few of them [and I tried. I sat looking at this review box for a good 10 minutes trying to figure out how to write one that didn't bring up all the elephants in the room. It is impossible]. I know people love these books and write glowing reviews of them. There are times I wish I could be one of them.
1.
2. I am tired of the "let's go back in time to Hannah's past" trope. Can we not just stay in the here and now and get her life back on track and get her married to Norman and have her solve murders? ;-) I am not a fan of the characters from the past - I like them now. As they have grown and matured and have been fleshed out. I had forgotten how much I did not like Andrea in the beginning of the books because she is such a great character now. This book brought all that back and it wasn't a trip down memory lane that was needed. And this one WAS confusing. I kept forgetting it was in the "past" and it just is unneeded. I hope that this is the last one she does in this style.
3. We the readers are 1. not stupid, and 2. not 2nd graders. Please stop writing like we are. I think this is my biggest complaint with the more recent books. I can deal with the weird timelines and storylines and improbable murder solving and the never-ending "WHO WILL SHE PICK". It is the writing that bugs me the most. She writes like her readers [and fans] are morons. Or that they are in grade school. WHILE being morons. It is insulting - to the fans and readers that have stayed with her for so long and to the new people coming in to these books. People who read cozies do so because they love the genre and more than likely read MANY of the different series out there. If we are reading one, it is because we like them or like the writing. This author makes it difficult to do either. I have stayed because I love the characters [with the exception of Hannah] and the stories have been decent enough to keep me going. But if this trope of writing like we are morons continues, I think I will have to finally call it quits. It is like she really doesn't care about her readers anymore and it is both insulting and extremely disappointing.
The recipes were amazing in this book. I sent a ton to my friend and she is so excited to make them all [I, alas, cannot have any of her goodies. I just sit and drool]. That was a huge plus in this book; I will say I love the creativity in the book[s] in recipe department. Her books never fail to offer up at least ONE recipe that I love and share.
4. The end. Really? T H E D R A M A. Even though I really liked this story [just not the regression of the characters - this story would have been magnificent in present time]; the idea of someone with amnesia trying to find themselves was really original and it was fun to watch that unfold, the end was just a little [okay, a lot] too dramatic ["WHAT Lassie? Timmie is in the WELL?? WHAT WILL WE DO" <--yes, it is THAT dramatic].
Since I have learned there is another book in the works I am hoping that we are going back to present day and that Hannah has moved on from her disappointment and we get back to business as usual. That would be refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
1.
2. I am tired of the "let's go back in time to Hannah's past" trope. Can we not just stay in the here and now and get her life back on track and get her married to Norman and have her solve murders? ;-) I am not a fan of the characters from the past - I like them now. As they have grown and matured and have been fleshed out. I had forgotten how much I did not like Andrea in the beginning of the books because she is such a great character now. This book brought all that back and it wasn't a trip down memory lane that was needed. And this one WAS confusing. I kept forgetting it was in the "past" and it just is unneeded. I hope that this is the last one she does in this style.
3. We the readers are 1. not stupid, and 2. not 2nd graders. Please stop writing like we are. I think this is my biggest complaint with the more recent books. I can deal with the weird timelines and storylines and improbable murder solving and the never-ending "WHO WILL SHE PICK". It is the writing that bugs me the most. She writes like her readers [and fans] are morons. Or that they are in grade school. WHILE being morons. It is insulting - to the fans and readers that have stayed with her for so long and to the new people coming in to these books. People who read cozies do so because they love the genre and more than likely read MANY of the different series out there. If we are reading one, it is because we like them or like the writing. This author makes it difficult to do either. I have stayed because I love the characters [with the exception of Hannah] and the stories have been decent enough to keep me going. But if this trope of writing like we are morons continues, I think I will have to finally call it quits. It is like she really doesn't care about her readers anymore and it is both insulting and extremely disappointing.
The recipes were amazing in this book. I sent a ton to my friend and she is so excited to make them all [I, alas, cannot have any of her goodies. I just sit and drool]. That was a huge plus in this book; I will say I love the creativity in the book[s] in recipe department. Her books never fail to offer up at least ONE recipe that I love and share.
4. The end. Really? T H E D R A M A. Even though I really liked this story [just not the regression of the characters - this story would have been magnificent in present time]; the idea of someone with amnesia trying to find themselves was really original and it was fun to watch that unfold, the end was just a little [okay, a lot] too dramatic ["WHAT Lassie? Timmie is in the WELL?? WHAT WILL WE DO" <--yes, it is THAT dramatic].
Since I have learned there is another book in the works I am hoping that we are going back to present day and that Hannah has moved on from her disappointment and we get back to business as usual. That would be refreshing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2025
First off, there is no connection between the title and the story (eye roll). There is Christmas, Christmas parties, cupcakes, cookies (oodles of them) but no murder in sight! The story is more about figuring out the identity of John Doe with some cues. There is hardly any storyline except for food, food and food. The book has too many recipes and in my opinion the recipes are used as a filler because of the non existent story. I don't know who in the world can eat so many cookies and cupcakes throughout the day and not be obese or diabetic.
By the time all the food talk is done, we come to the end of the book and the identity of John Doe is figured in last couple pages. It was so rushed and even that mystery was hardly a mystery. There is no depth to any character and their development is horrendous. There is not much to talk about the story or book. Not sure why I put myself through this.
My rating 1.5* rounded to 2
By the time all the food talk is done, we come to the end of the book and the identity of John Doe is figured in last couple pages. It was so rushed and even that mystery was hardly a mystery. There is no depth to any character and their development is horrendous. There is not much to talk about the story or book. Not sure why I put myself through this.
My rating 1.5* rounded to 2
December 11, 2020
What murder?! There’s murder in the title but there was no murder. The first three pages of chapter 10 are about Hannah waking up with her cat on her face. Three pages! On a final note, I would enjoy these books a lot more if they took place 60 years ago. It would make the blatantly misogynistic language easier to take.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
Christmas Cupcake Murder is the 26th book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I picked up this series with Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (book 24) and I also thoroughly enjoyed book 25, Coconut Layer Cake Murder.
In Christmas Cupcake Murder Hannah Swensen, the owner of 'The Cookie Jar', is busy working through her neverending Christmas list with the help of her sister Andrea. When a man is found in an abandoned shopfront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery in the freezing temperatures, very close to death, Hannah is disturbed as she had recently helped him out, serving him coffee and German chocolate cupcakes when he had knocked at her door asking for refreshments in exchange for work. The man has no idea of his identity, although he appears to know a thing or two about restoring antique furniture.
This compelling story was not about murder, though it was an extremely intriguing festive tale. Who is the homeless amnesiac, (named Joe Doe, not wishing to be referred to as John) and how is he linked to Lake Eden? Christmas Cupcake Murder was a wonderful Christmas holiday tale that included a variety of recipes, mainly focused on cupcakes with a Christmas season theme and I'm particularly keen to try the chocolate surprise cupcakes and sugar plum cupcakes! Unravelling the mystery of Joe Doe was aided by the Lake Eden crowd. I enjoyed the comfortable pace and the icing on the cake for me was that this novel is a prequel. This story is set before events in book #1, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, when Hannah’s mum, Delores, and Carrie (Delores' friend) had yet to have their own antique shop. A lot of cupcake eating takes place and family and friends regularly get together for hot drinks, with numerous comedic scenes. I am so pleased that the next novel Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder will be available in early 2021.
A highly recommended five star read and a fabulous festive story that will be of interest to many cozy readers.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
In Christmas Cupcake Murder Hannah Swensen, the owner of 'The Cookie Jar', is busy working through her neverending Christmas list with the help of her sister Andrea. When a man is found in an abandoned shopfront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery in the freezing temperatures, very close to death, Hannah is disturbed as she had recently helped him out, serving him coffee and German chocolate cupcakes when he had knocked at her door asking for refreshments in exchange for work. The man has no idea of his identity, although he appears to know a thing or two about restoring antique furniture.
This compelling story was not about murder, though it was an extremely intriguing festive tale. Who is the homeless amnesiac, (named Joe Doe, not wishing to be referred to as John) and how is he linked to Lake Eden? Christmas Cupcake Murder was a wonderful Christmas holiday tale that included a variety of recipes, mainly focused on cupcakes with a Christmas season theme and I'm particularly keen to try the chocolate surprise cupcakes and sugar plum cupcakes! Unravelling the mystery of Joe Doe was aided by the Lake Eden crowd. I enjoyed the comfortable pace and the icing on the cake for me was that this novel is a prequel. This story is set before events in book #1, Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, when Hannah’s mum, Delores, and Carrie (Delores' friend) had yet to have their own antique shop. A lot of cupcake eating takes place and family and friends regularly get together for hot drinks, with numerous comedic scenes. I am so pleased that the next novel Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder will be available in early 2021.
A highly recommended five star read and a fabulous festive story that will be of interest to many cozy readers.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
November 19, 2020
As December turns Lake Eden into the North Pole, the heat is on in Hannah Swensen’s kitchen to honor two Christmas promises: baking irresistible holiday cupcakes and preventing a person who attempted murder from succeeding the second time around!
While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michele’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .
The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life!
This was a very good book if you like hallmark movies this would definitely be a book you would love it’s a very good wholesome book and I will be buying more in this series and the recipes are an amazing bonus.
PSA, have some cake, cupcakes or cookies because you will be craving them as you read this book or better yet use one of the recipes in here I definitely want to try the chocolate surprise cupcakes
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
This was a fun book to read. Highly recommend!!!!
While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michele’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .
The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life!
This was a very good book if you like hallmark movies this would definitely be a book you would love it’s a very good wholesome book and I will be buying more in this series and the recipes are an amazing bonus.
PSA, have some cake, cupcakes or cookies because you will be craving them as you read this book or better yet use one of the recipes in here I definitely want to try the chocolate surprise cupcakes
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
This was a fun book to read. Highly recommend!!!!
September 21, 2020
I’m a longtime fan of Hannah and her crew. Although I’ve had issues with the series of late, I keep returning to see how it progresses and how it finally ends. This story is out of order, but it’s hard to place exactly where it would fall in the series.
The premise of helping someone with amnesia recover his memories and find his family was a good one, especially In a holiday setting. But the actual story was overtaken by so much minutiae. I skimmed several chapters of in depth cookie descriptions, detailed accounts of what everyone was eating and drinking and how much, and quite a few unnecessary explanations. And the ending went the other direction... it was a bit sudden and far fetched, and I would have liked a bit more info on how it came about.
Unfortunately this feels like an installment that can be skipped. Diehard Swensen fans will still want to check it out. I’m hoping that the next book continues with the character and relationship development that we saw so much of in the previous book. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.
The premise of helping someone with amnesia recover his memories and find his family was a good one, especially In a holiday setting. But the actual story was overtaken by so much minutiae. I skimmed several chapters of in depth cookie descriptions, detailed accounts of what everyone was eating and drinking and how much, and quite a few unnecessary explanations. And the ending went the other direction... it was a bit sudden and far fetched, and I would have liked a bit more info on how it came about.
Unfortunately this feels like an installment that can be skipped. Diehard Swensen fans will still want to check it out. I’m hoping that the next book continues with the character and relationship development that we saw so much of in the previous book. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.
November 16, 2020
How can you call it the Christmas Cupcake Murder if there is no murder?!!! There's barely a story. It's just the same canned conversations - before I give you 5 pages for one recipe, let me detail step-by-step how Hannah does it in the Cookie Jar with her friends. There is no editing done anymore - Janice complains that the kids haven't been able to use the playground all week and then two weeks must pass while she's in the Cookie Jar because now it's three weeks that they haven't been able to use it. Also, Carrie is turning 64 but doesn't want to admit it so they celebrate the 34th anniversary of her 20th birthday. Must be the new math. I'm done with this series. I barely even made it through skimming this one.
February 10, 2024
If you are a fan of this series you will enjoy reading this book. In this storyline we revisit Hannah from the first year she opened her bakery. The mystery interesting and well plotted and kept me guessing who the culprit was. The storyline following Hannah and her relationships is as big if not at times bigger the mystery. I don’t really like Hannah is kinda a pushover and does not really stand up for herself. This book contains recipes which are placed throughout the book at the end of chapters. I would prefer this recipes be placed at the end of the book.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.
November 7, 2020
Hannah has been around for a very long time and is the main character in the "A Hannah Swensen Mystery" series as well as the star of the holiday book Christmas Cupcake Murder. A sweet story that will have readers drooling over the delectable concoctions and inspiring flavors.
When Hannah finds a homeless man at her door, she has to help. Realizing that he is hungry, cold and needs to get out of the elements, she brings him inside The Cookie Jar and sets to work filling his stomach while taking the edge off the winter chill. Many cupcakes and lots of coffee later, she promises him more food and work the next day. He happily goes off with a bag of goodies and a smile. But the next time she see's him; he is crumpled in a heap in an empty building. Before long, the homeless man they call Joe is resting at the hospital. Hannah and friends have a new mystery to solve. Who is this stranger, and why can't he remember his name or anything else about himself?
There is no murder in this Christmas holiday book, and it makes for a nice change this year when so much misery is rampant throughout the world. The only mystery is figuring out who Joe is and how he ended up in Eden Lake with severe head trauma and no memory. Throughout the story, Hannah, her friends, and family start getting bits of information that lead them to Joe's identity. After a few weeks and many cupcakes, Joe's memories are returning, and they dash off to find his family home. In a last-minute save, Joe stops a wedding, restores his memories, and brings the villain out of hiding.
Christmas Cupcake Murder is sweet in more ways than just the wonderful recipes and delightful descriptions of Hannah's mouthwatering cupcakes and cookies. It's not the type of book that is filled with tons of action, nor does it dig too profoundly into death and drama, but it has just enough to move the story along and keep readers entertained and happy. Not to mention their stomachs rumbling with each new dessert recipe. The relationship dynamic between Hannah, Mike, and Norman plays little part in this book, and for this, I am grateful. This is a story filled with hope during the holiday season. Readers will delight in the feel-good moments that make cozy mysteries popular and easy to love.
When Hannah finds a homeless man at her door, she has to help. Realizing that he is hungry, cold and needs to get out of the elements, she brings him inside The Cookie Jar and sets to work filling his stomach while taking the edge off the winter chill. Many cupcakes and lots of coffee later, she promises him more food and work the next day. He happily goes off with a bag of goodies and a smile. But the next time she see's him; he is crumpled in a heap in an empty building. Before long, the homeless man they call Joe is resting at the hospital. Hannah and friends have a new mystery to solve. Who is this stranger, and why can't he remember his name or anything else about himself?
There is no murder in this Christmas holiday book, and it makes for a nice change this year when so much misery is rampant throughout the world. The only mystery is figuring out who Joe is and how he ended up in Eden Lake with severe head trauma and no memory. Throughout the story, Hannah, her friends, and family start getting bits of information that lead them to Joe's identity. After a few weeks and many cupcakes, Joe's memories are returning, and they dash off to find his family home. In a last-minute save, Joe stops a wedding, restores his memories, and brings the villain out of hiding.
Christmas Cupcake Murder is sweet in more ways than just the wonderful recipes and delightful descriptions of Hannah's mouthwatering cupcakes and cookies. It's not the type of book that is filled with tons of action, nor does it dig too profoundly into death and drama, but it has just enough to move the story along and keep readers entertained and happy. Not to mention their stomachs rumbling with each new dessert recipe. The relationship dynamic between Hannah, Mike, and Norman plays little part in this book, and for this, I am grateful. This is a story filled with hope during the holiday season. Readers will delight in the feel-good moments that make cozy mysteries popular and easy to love.
November 16, 2020
So I succumbed to the temptation again - hoping against hope that THIS book would be different. It would be good. And once again I was disappointed.
The book was not as insipid as some of the previous Hannah Swensen books, but the characters are still as obtuse and clueless as ever. Andrea had to have the word "inkling" explained to her. Mike spends his time mansplaining everything to the little women. Norman pats Hannah on the hand to console her. Hannah spends way too much time worrying about her weight.
The dream of freezing on an ice floe might have been ok for a couple of paragraphs, but c'mon two and a half pages? We all knew what was happening and we just wanted to get through it.
There's the episode where the preschoolers are going to have a picnic in the community center because it's too cold outside to play (This is unusual in Minnesota?) They didn't want to have messy cookies because the tykes might make a mess on the green carpet there. So what does Hannah say she'll bring besides the cookies? Rainbow pickles? Pickles that are made with Kool-Aid. Besides being gross, has she ever seen what Kool-Aid does to carpets? Has she ever watched little ones eat where they put their food anywhere except on their plate. Yeah, disaster awaits there.
There's the issue with Hannah and her cell phone. In past books, she was a bumbling idiot trying to figure out her cell phone. This story takes place in the early days of the Swensen series, and she is wielding that cell phone like a pro. Amnesia?
Discussions about the weather often play prominently in these books. Here, Hannah and Joe discuss when it will warm and decide that they need to wait for a month before it will warm up. The book takes place in early December. I suggest in Minnesota that they wait for more than a month....
And let's not forget the title - SPOILER ALERT! There is no murder. Why is it called the Christmas Cupcake Murder when there is no murder?
Now let's go to the recipes, shall we? The author continues her love affair with salted butter - patooie! She also insists that you should melt your butter before mixing with the sugars. I don't know what it's like in California, but here in the Rockies if you do that, you wind up with your cookies spreading all over the cookie sheet into one gigantic blob. Typos in the ingredient list "chocate?" make me wonder how well the recipes have been proofed. Most of the recipes are riffs on the cupcake recipe, so what appear to be multiple recipes should really be classified as variations. And she is using this book as a great big ad placement for Kraft Foods! In fact, one of the recipes was prepared by Kraft and inserted into the book. One recipe this time, three or four next? Almost all of the recipes make reference to a certain Kraft food as being preferable. Omigosh. I don't want to be reading books that are ads for multinational food conglomerates!
The book was not as insipid as some of the previous Hannah Swensen books, but the characters are still as obtuse and clueless as ever. Andrea had to have the word "inkling" explained to her. Mike spends his time mansplaining everything to the little women. Norman pats Hannah on the hand to console her. Hannah spends way too much time worrying about her weight.
The dream of freezing on an ice floe might have been ok for a couple of paragraphs, but c'mon two and a half pages? We all knew what was happening and we just wanted to get through it.
There's the episode where the preschoolers are going to have a picnic in the community center because it's too cold outside to play (This is unusual in Minnesota?) They didn't want to have messy cookies because the tykes might make a mess on the green carpet there. So what does Hannah say she'll bring besides the cookies? Rainbow pickles? Pickles that are made with Kool-Aid. Besides being gross, has she ever seen what Kool-Aid does to carpets? Has she ever watched little ones eat where they put their food anywhere except on their plate. Yeah, disaster awaits there.
There's the issue with Hannah and her cell phone. In past books, she was a bumbling idiot trying to figure out her cell phone. This story takes place in the early days of the Swensen series, and she is wielding that cell phone like a pro. Amnesia?
Discussions about the weather often play prominently in these books. Here, Hannah and Joe discuss when it will warm and decide that they need to wait for a month before it will warm up. The book takes place in early December. I suggest in Minnesota that they wait for more than a month....
And let's not forget the title - SPOILER ALERT! There is no murder. Why is it called the Christmas Cupcake Murder when there is no murder?
Now let's go to the recipes, shall we? The author continues her love affair with salted butter - patooie! She also insists that you should melt your butter before mixing with the sugars. I don't know what it's like in California, but here in the Rockies if you do that, you wind up with your cookies spreading all over the cookie sheet into one gigantic blob. Typos in the ingredient list "chocate?" make me wonder how well the recipes have been proofed. Most of the recipes are riffs on the cupcake recipe, so what appear to be multiple recipes should really be classified as variations. And she is using this book as a great big ad placement for Kraft Foods! In fact, one of the recipes was prepared by Kraft and inserted into the book. One recipe this time, three or four next? Almost all of the recipes make reference to a certain Kraft food as being preferable. Omigosh. I don't want to be reading books that are ads for multinational food conglomerates!
June 9, 2025
I was disappointed in this book. I enjoy the Murder She Baked Hallmark movies so I thought a Christmas-themed Hannah Swensen novel would be a fun read. This book had none of the charm I was hoping for. The plot was disjointed, the descriptions overly repetitive (we get it, Hannah's mother doesn't like how she dresses) and I didn't really care who the John Doe guy was after awhile.
This is supposed to be a prequel of sorts but Hannah just comes off as pretty dumb and not very observant. How does she not know about an empty storefront 3 doors away from her bakery?
As a cozy mystery fan and experienced baker, it pains me to say there were too many recipes in this book. Why not release a cookbook with a short story in the back instead? I also question the success of these recipes given that the instructions specifically tell you to "pack the flour" into a measuring cup.
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
This is supposed to be a prequel of sorts but Hannah just comes off as pretty dumb and not very observant. How does she not know about an empty storefront 3 doors away from her bakery?
As a cozy mystery fan and experienced baker, it pains me to say there were too many recipes in this book. Why not release a cookbook with a short story in the back instead? I also question the success of these recipes given that the instructions specifically tell you to "pack the flour" into a measuring cup.
Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy.
December 29, 2021
The many things that I disliked about this book are too numerous. It seemed like it was written to meet a deadline. It was more grating than usual. It seemed like Hannah was the kindergarten teacher instructing a class. We don't need five minutes of different kinds of sandpaper. I listened to it which heighten my annoyance. I felt like I was listening to a teacher. I definitely wouldn't recommend this particular book, although I plan on reading future books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2020
Lake Eden seems to be the most dangerous small town in MN--so many murders, and Hannah Swenson, owner of the Cookie Jar Bakery, is always involved. Fortunately, this book only involved attempted murder and amnesia.. There are a lot of recipes included, most of which involve cake mixes and copious amounts of butter. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.
December 4, 2020
There is a stranger in Lake Eden, and no one knows who he is – including the man himself. Hannah and her mother find him one day mostly starved, and get him to the hospital. When he is revived, he doesn’t remember his name, but asks to be called Joe Smith instead of John Doe. Hannah makes it her mission to find out who he really is. Can she help him recover his memory?
This book takes us back in time to the early days of the series, and it is fun to see some of those relationships knowing what has happened to the characters since then. The plot is definitely different for a cozy, but I liked it for the variety. Unfortunately, the plot is drowned out by talk of food. I skimmed parts of the book, and I didn’t miss any part of the plot. The plot does get stronger as the book goes along, and I liked the way the story finished. This series always has an abundance of recipes, and this book is no exception with twenty new treats to try, including seven cupcakes. If you are a fan of the series and set your expectations accordingly, you’ll be fine. But otherwise, there is no need to read this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
This book takes us back in time to the early days of the series, and it is fun to see some of those relationships knowing what has happened to the characters since then. The plot is definitely different for a cozy, but I liked it for the variety. Unfortunately, the plot is drowned out by talk of food. I skimmed parts of the book, and I didn’t miss any part of the plot. The plot does get stronger as the book goes along, and I liked the way the story finished. This series always has an abundance of recipes, and this book is no exception with twenty new treats to try, including seven cupcakes. If you are a fan of the series and set your expectations accordingly, you’ll be fine. But otherwise, there is no need to read this book.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
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