As usual, Joanne Fluke wrote an amazing book! I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it, and I cannot wait for the next one. Great job!!!

Reading a Joanne Fluke book is always a pleasure. She keeps you guessing until the end and always makes sure you keep turning the pages trying to figure out "who done it" before the end. I always end up trying at least two or three of the recipes in her books and this one is no exception. whippersnapper cookies will be the first and who knows where we'll go from there.

This was kind of two mysteries for-the-price-of one. First, who killed P.K. and was he the intended target or was it Hannah's husband. Second, what happened to Hannah's husband. I have not read all these books in order, so Hannah being married was new to me. I need to go back and read some of the previous stories to catch up. I enjoyed this mystery. Nice escape. Hannah and her sister Michelle want to figure out what happened to P.K. Along the way Lonnie and Mike (both police officers and friends) and Norman (another friend) join in. Tempting recipes are included. The characters are fun and engaging. The murderer was a surprise.

I became obsessed with this series very fast. As the series progressed I was fully with this series. Then Banana Cream Pie Murder happened and I began to notice that there were more descriptions of the baked goods prep and Hannah’s inability to use a cell phone and it made me sad to see that we were losing the Murder mystery aspect of the series. I did not know if I could continue with the series but received an ARC of Raspberry Danish Murder.

As the story began I was hooked because of the ending of Banana Cream Pie Murder. Within a few pages there was a lengthy discussion about how to make a raspberry danish but then I had to start work. As the hours progressed I found myself missing my friends in Lake Eden. I think Joanne took some of the things that were wrong with Banana Cream Pie Murder and made them right with this one. There is a lot of story to tell. And just like the end of Banana Cream Pie Murder this book has he cliff hanger of all cliff hangers at the end!

I am still a little surprised by the characters everyone seems to be only nice almost to the point of what I call “Disney Nice.” It bothers me that everyone in Lake Eden is nice, kind and has impeccable manners. They would never harm or hurt a fly let alone say a swear word. I have never been to a town where every person was perfect and I do not believe that everyone is perfect all the time. But they are in Lake Eden. Plus could Michelle or Andrea or anyone have a bad cookie recipe? Hannah tries the cookie or brownie etc and they seem to only get better and better. Even professional chefs burn something or try a combination that doesn’t work. I guess I just want the characters to be more lifelike. Also how long with Hannah have a staff of at least 5 and pay more than 2. Also Sally giving Hannah a booth at the Holiday Convention for FREE and not taking a portion of PROFITS would never happen in real life. Too good to be true.

I was thrilled to review this book for the publisher and Net Galley as I have read the entire series and been a fan from the beginning. My opinions are my own.
This book returns to the formula Hannah fans adore as Hannah is once again busy with her business, trying new recipes and enjoying the company of both Mike and Norman. The recipes in this book are outstanding although as a vegan I would never eat like this ! Each cookie recipe is mouth watering.
Hannah is sill confused over the departure of her new husband and throughout this book is finding clues and appears to be reconciling that he will not return. She is grieving the loss of her new marriage but her business is busy and she is once again engaged in the day to day business. She agrees to sell cookies at a event and enjoys the company of Norman helping her. She and Norman seem to be closer in this book and perhaps hints at a future romance we readers are all waiting for. Mike is more in the background and acts in his official capacity which seems to work better for Hannah as she depends on Norman.
As a murder occurs and Hannah investigates, the clues add up for her missing husband and a surprise ending is a shock! This was a fast enjoyable return to Hannah's Cookie bakery and the Hannah we all loved before she married a cad. I look forward to the next in series to find out how she proceeds from her shocking ending. For people that love cookies this is the book to buy in hard copy for the fantastic recipes.

Newlywed Hannah is once again involved in trying to solve a murder. However, the more intriguing mystery is what happened to Hannah's husband, Ross? He seemed to disappear with no trace, leaving behind his car and keys. What few clues there are will have readers eager to figure out his disappearance.

I have read all twenty-two books in this series. It had become repetitive for awhile but has been refreshed with this new twist. There is a bit too much talk about food but the actual delicious sounding recipes included are a big plus.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Whenever I read a Hannah Swensen mystery I get hungry! This time around Hannah and her sister Michele are working at a gift fair selling cookies when a mystery unfolds. Norman, the dentist, always my favorite is along as well as Mike the cop. Sadly, Hannah, who was recently married is now dealing with the disappearance of her husband, Ross. I was entertained throughout the mystery, except for the many cookie breaks I had to take! Scrumptiously written.

Hannah Swanson is at it again. She is feeling like she is in limbo since her new husband Ross has disappeared. However, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and with owing a bakery the orders do not stop. After introducing a new menu item, Ross's assistant dies in a car crash before he has a chance to taste his danish. However, was he the intended target? P.K. was using Ross's car and sitting at his desk. Hannah must put aside her melancholy mood and solve this murder.
I really do enjoy this series. The last couple of books have been a little disappointing. I was glad to find that this book is back to the old Hannah stories. The mishaps and situations which Hannah finds herself in make the reader laugh and cry. Ms. Fluke has a way of writing that has the reader turning the page to see how Hannah and her friends will get out of this one. If you are looking for an easy but enjoyable read pick up one of this series. Guaranteed you will want to read them all. I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. The review was written strictly on my own with my own opinions.

3.5 Stars

It’s almost Thanksgiving and Hannah Swensen Barton is keeping busy running her bakery and coffee shop, The Cookie Jar. However, her heart is breaking because her new husband, Ross, left their Lake Eden, Minnesota condo two weeks earlier and she hasn’t heard from his since. She keeps hoping for a call, but the longer he’s stays away without contacting her, the more she worries he may have had an accident or met with foul play. Her friends and family are around to support her, but she doesn’t know what to do. Then, when a co-worker of Ross is murdered, Hannah decides to start investigating, and soon she begins to wonder if she ever really knew her husband at all.

It’s hard to believe Raspberry Danish Murder is the twenty-second in the Hannah Swensen mystery series. I have followed the series from the beginning, so am very familiar with all of the characters. New readers will easily catch on the story, but it won’t be as enjoyable without having the background about Hannah and Ross from reading the last couple books. The subject of Hannah and Ross is a touchy one for longtime fans of the series. Hannah went years being unable to decide between her two suitors, police detective Mike, and dentist, Norman. When Hannah finally decided to get married, readers were stunned when she chose old college boyfriend, Ross, out of the blue. The whole thing seemed rushed and out of character for Hannah, and I must admit feeling hopeful when I saw that in this book, Ross has disappeared.

This is a clean cozy and quick, easy read. Hannah is a kind and generous person who is still very good friends with her ex-boyfriends Mike and Norman, and each play a large role in the book. I enjoyed seeing her and her sister, Michelle, investigate the murder case and look for clues as to Ross’s whereabouts. This is a clean cozy and quick, easy read. I enjoyed the book more than the last couple of books in the series. However I was disappointed by the awkward, unnatural dialogue between the characters. Joanne Fluke is a talented and experienced writer, but dialogue seemed unpolished and stilted, especially in scenes between Hannah and Michelle and Hannah and Norman. Hannah is close to each of them, but their conversations seemed unrealistically formal.

In spite of the flaws, I enjoyed the story, and returning readers will want to read this latest installment in the series to see what happens next in Hannah’s life. The ending wasn’t what I expected, and the cliffhanger left me intrigued and eager to read the next book. Those who like to cook will be pleased by the inclusion of nearly 30 recipes for cookies, cakes, and other dishes that are mentioned in the story. Most are beyond my cooking abilities, but I may have to try the Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls and Cool Whip Fudge Frosting which sound delicious and appear to be easy to make. Fans of the series will want to keep up with Hannah and new readers who enjoy Sheila Connelly or Joanne Pence will like this series. Those who may have seen the Hannah Swensen Murder She Baked movies will enjoy reading the books that inspired the television version, but just be aware there are differences in the characters between the books and the movies.

~ Christine

I’m not sure how many books are in this series; however, I think that you can start anywhere because they work well as standalones.

I felt like I was getting in touch with old friends when I opened this book and started reading. One of the nice things is that I never feel overwhelmed with a huge quantity of characters right off the bat in this series. I like that there is a basic cast and then a few more people show up now and then. There is usually information about how they fit together which is a nice reminder for me and a welcome addition for those new to the series. For the most part, the characters are likeable; although, their conversations can come across a bit stilted as if they are talking to someone they just met and are trying to impress instead of family members who they should feel relaxed around. On the other hand, in a world where manners seem to be often forgotten and adding as much sex and cursing as possible appears to be the goal of most writers, it’s a pleasure to read a book where people are considerate of each other.

I Liked how the ending was neatly wrapped up, and even though I didn’t know who was responsible for the crime, the author added clues and as more information became available it was a fitting conclusion. Mike’s revelation was a shocker, and if you’ve followed the last few books, you’ll see what I mean.

I enjoy this series and definitely want to read the next one.

The most recent in the Hannah Swensen series and it had the same campy quirky mystery and recipes. I feel this book was back to the formula that I like of this series. The ending was not what I expected and makes me look forward to the next book in the series.

Hannah's husband Ross has disappeared shortly after coming home from their honeymoon and has left no clues as to where he has gone. When Ross's assistant P.K. dies after eating poisoned candy that was on Ross's desk it brings some confusion about who the candy was meant for. This plot allows Hannah, Michelle, Mike, and Norman to investigate P.K.'s death and ask questions about Ross without anyone in town knowing that Ross is actually missing and not out on assignment. While investigating Hannah starts to realize that she didn't know Ross as well as she thought she did when she starts learning things about him that contradict what he had told her about his past, which ties into the cliffhanger at the end.

The mystery is well written and had me going back and forth between a couple of characters to who would have killed P.K. right until the last chapter. The characters are well written and makes it seem like you are getting together with some old friends for a visit.

I got a copy of this book from netgalley and Kensington for my honest opinion.

Reading Hannah Swenson's latest adventure reminds me of sitting by a warm fire with a cup of hot chocolate with good friend, and after all these books her characters are all our friends. Hannah's new husband, Ross, disappeared without a trace 2 weeks ago. And it is looking like he planned to go,and maybe not come back. Getting busy investigating what's going on with him and the death of P.K. is how she keeps herself going. The recipes sound delicious and I will be trying out a couple of them. Not my favorite book in the series,but it is still pleasant to check in with old friends.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Where is Ross, Hannah’s husband?

As the Raspberry Danish Murder opens, Hannah’s new husband, Ross, has left town with no explanation. Has he left Hannah or has he been a victim of foul play? Ross’ assistant, P.K., is drugged with candy addressed to Ross. Was Ross or P.K. the intended victim?

Hannah’s whirlwind romance and marriage to Ross detailed in previous books in the series is briefly described here. However, this book can be read as a stand-alone.

Ross seems like an arrogant jerk who was always putting Hannah down. I am surely not alone in wishing Ross was found dead just to get him out of Hannah’s life. There are plenty of enigmatic clues before the surprising conclusion. And, of course, twenty-eight delicious recipes:

• Raspberry Danish
• Cherry Chocolate Bar Cookies
• Neverfail Fudge Frosting [microwavable]
• Pineapple Crunch Cookies
• Mixed Berry Muffins
• Chili-Cheese Omelet Squares
• Pineapple Raisin Whippersnapper Cookies
• Oatmeal Lemon Cookies
• Irish Potato Cookies
• Jambalaya
• Cheesy Garlic Crescent Rolls
• Ultimate Fudgy Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Cool Whip Fudge Frosting
• Upside Down Pear Coffee Cake
• Maple Crunch Cookies
• Sweet and Salty Strawberry Bar Cookies
• Chocolate Cashew Bar Cookies
• Milk Chocolate Fudge Frosting
• Chocolate Butterscotch Crunch Cookies
• John’s Hockey Playoff Pizza Dip
• Crunchy Salty Cheesy Prosciutto and Asparagus Rolls
• Almond Custard Pie
• Raspberry Jam Glaze
• Raisin and Almond Crunch Cookies
• Butterscotch Marshmallow Bar Cookies
• Piccadilly Cheese Mini Muffins
• Orange Marmalade Filled Oatmeal Muffins
• Chocolate Caramel Bar Cookies

This book is recommended for series fans. The recipes sound delicious as usual. Hopefully, Hannah will get her groove back in the next series entry. She is confused, depressed and self-deprecating throughout the Raspberry Danish Murder, which is not what I want in a quick cozy mystery read. Because of that sad tone, this book only receives 3 stars from me.

Thanks to the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Hannah's husband Ross has disappeared. She begins a baking spree. When her husband's assistant is murdered while driving his car, she and her sisters begin looking for clues. Fun series!

This is a difficult review to write as I have read all of The Hannah Swensen Mysteries and, for the most part, enjoyed most of them. The last book was an exception to that and sadly, this book isn’t much better. The series is feeling increasingly stale and this book is one of the weakest. I honestly believe that Ms Fluke might better serve Hannah and her readers if she took an extra year off between books, recharged her batteries and wrote the next book with renewed vigor. 

While the murder mystery itself started off intriguing—was it linked to Hannah’s husband Ross’s disappearance or was P.K. the intended victim all along?—the resolution of the mystery was abrupt, almost coming out of thin air,  and didn’t really tie in that well to the rest of the book. The focus of this book seemed to be just how many calories Hannah, Michelle and their friends could eat. I’m sorry, no one could eat as much as these people do and not gain weight. Two pieces of pie? Dessert with virtually every meal?  While the food and the featured recipes sound delicious, that’s not my primary focus for reading this series. 

The interaction of the characters has always provided a great deal of the charm in any Hannah Swensen mystery but several of the characters normally featured were nearly missing in this book. Lisa, Andrea and even the almost always annoying Delores, were given nothing more than cameos. Michelle and, to a lesser degree, Norman, were Hannah’s main counterparts. Mike, when present, was almost a caricature of his former self.     

I will continue to read the series, at least in the near future, because I am curious about what happens next. Like the last book, this book ended with a bit of a cliffhanger. 

Fans of this series will probably enjoy another visit to Lake Eden and I recommend it to them, though with the above reservations. I think a reader new to the series would be better served reading an earlier entry. 

I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions stated are solely my own.

I really liked this series when it started but stopped reading it a while back because there were too many murders and the characters felt stale to me. I've dipped in and out over the years. Thanks to an ARC from Netgalley, I went back to see what Hannah has been up to. I found myself clicking through pages on my kindle to find out what happened, not to enjoy the story. What's the deal with Ross? How big of a rat is he? Well, this time around it's his assistant who ends up dead. The same characters, as in all cozy, pop up again and again but don't worry, you don't need to have read all the books to know who's who. This just felt stale to me- like Fluke was gliding on her reputation and no one took the hard edit of her work. I did like the recipes. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I expect I'll be the odd person out on this.

For fans of the Hannah Swanson series I would give this book a 3star, otherwise it would be a 2star. We saw a glimmer of the old Hannah after 3 books featuring he who we will not name. In fact I didn't bother to even read the last book in the series and had given up on it until I saw this book to review. This book actually made me smile and I did enjoy it but, It wasn't perfect. The break down of the killer reveal at the end seemed awkward and unnecessary, especially as I had figured it out chapters before as soon as the character was introduced. There was way too much talk of weather, eating habits and not enough usage of the strong secondary characters that Joanne Fluke has created. There are so many fun people in Hannah's life why not describe their goings on instead of how Hannah has to plug in her cookie truck, or whether or not she should wear her snow boots to the restaurant. Short comings aside, it was a vast improved storyline then the past few Hannah mysteries and here's hoping that if the series ends with a return to the Hannah of old. If you have never read this series I would not recommend this book, instead start at the beginning or watch one of the Hallmark movies based on these books to see if you'd like it.

This Hannah Swensen book was a little different than the Joanne Fluke books I have read in the past; there are two major mysteries they are trying to solve. Who killed the victim, and why in the world did Hannah's new husband just disappear? Was he the intended victim? There are so many twists and turns in this book that I thought I had it pegged, but boy was I wrong. Lots of delicious treats and recipes are shared along the way, but the ending left me wanting more, wanting to know how, and why.

Hannah enlists the help of her usual friends and family members, to try and figure out why someone wanted to kill the KCOW head cameraman, and why Hannah's husband, Ross, has disappeared. The murder investigation keeps leading them to dead ends and the suspect list is only getting longer. Mike and Lonnie are unable to make any headway into where Ross has gone or why. Hannah keeps stumbling on new evidence, explainable, and her cat Moisha starts acting unusual too. To top it off, they must figure out where Ross has gone, who killed the cameraman, and come up with new and tasty recipes for the Holiday gift convention at the Lake Eden Inn.

Special thanks to #NetGalley and #JoanneFluke for allowing me an advanced review copy of this title. #RaspberryDanishMurder

On one hand, I liked this book more than the past few because Ross wasn't around. If you've read my reviews you know I don't like him. He was a poser and I kept thinking/waiting/hoping he was going to die. Admit it, non-recurring people in Hannah's life tend to die. But he hung on. In this story, someone tries to kill him and his assistant dies instead. Can't we ever get rid of Ross? Oh, but wait, Ross has disappeared and without a single note to Hannah. Does that seem right after all the falling over himself to push himself into her life? But the oddest part of the whole book is how Hannah doesn't seem worried about the actual fact that Ross is missing but more about why he left her. Can we please have back Hannah? I'm sorry I ever complained about her not picking between Norman and Mike.