In Christmas Cupcake Murder we are transported to a time before Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. So this book can be read even if you have never read another Hannah Swensen book. Hannah, one morning while getting her baking done for the day hears an unrecognizable knock at her back door. She encounters a stranger, who seems to to underfed and frozen. She invites him in for a cup of coffee and some cookies. She asks him to brush off her truck and gives him money asking him to come back the next day and she will find some odd jobs for him to do then. Turns out the mysterious stranger has amnesia and is significantly malnourished. Hannah's German Chocolate Cupcakes are the catalyst that start to jog John Doe's memory-who prefers to be called Joe Smith instead. What follows is many different cup cake recipes, Hannah dealing with her mother's antics, and small town life in Lake Eden.
I did not have high hopes for this book. I have been disappointed by several of the Joanne Fluke's recent books. This one has its faults, Delores saying "dear" every sentence when talking to Hannah, Hannah saying "mother" just as often. I find the dialogue completely un-relatable and unnatural most of the time--but that has been a theme for me throughout the series, I tend to skip words to make it more readable. That being said this was a cute book, for the holiday season. It was a quick read full of holiday cheer.

I really love this series, especially the holiday themed books. This one is set back in time, before any of the Mike/Norman/Ross drama so don’t expect any progress on that point. We learn how Hannah’s mom came to open her own antique store and there is a mystery revolving around a new man in town who is hurt and has amnesia. Holiday recipes feature throughout, Mike and Norman are both around and the holiday setting makes for a story that any Hannah Swenson fan will enjoy reading.

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.

I'm new to the world of Joanne Fluke and I understand this book was a prequel of sorts.

I enjoyed the book but the mystery centers around a homeless man who comes into Hanna's bakery asking to do small jobs in exchange for something to eat. A few days later, Hannah finds him in a serious medical state in an abandoned building her mother and friend are looking into leasing. and has him rushed to the hospital

The mystery resolves around trying to identify the young man and he has suffered a traumatic head injury and has amnesia. Hannah and her friends and relatives all try to get "Joe" to remember things and take notes of the memories he does have. The ending seems a bit rushed to me and a bit off as well. But it is a cute holiday story. and I enjoyed meeting Hannah's friends and family in Lake Eden, Minnesota.

I'm not a baker but I enjoyed the discussions around coming up with cookies and cupcakes ideas and the author also provides the recipes with quite detailed instructions. I look forward to reading more of the author's books and maybe trying some of her recipes!

I received an ARC from Kensington but the opinions expressed are my own.

This was a quick and fun read. The story takes place long before Hannah started solving murders so you kind of learn how she got her start and a bit more about her friends and family. If you are a fan of this series, which I am, this book does not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy for review.

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.

Christmas Cupcake Murder
A Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes!
by Joanne Fluke
Kensington Books
Kensington
Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 29 Sep 2020 | Archive Date 28 Sep 2020

Everyone needs some Joanne Fluke in their lives. This is the 26th book series and I am still loving them. Great recipes as well as a good mystery. I will recommend this to our Hannah Swenson followers.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Book for the ARC.
Christmas came early to me!

5 star

In typical Hannah Swensen style, the readers are given a great storyline and a bunch of wonderful sounding recipes that i myself cannot wait to try. However what is different about this the 26th book in the series is the loose definition of murder. While there is no dead body there was still a heart warming family inspired tale that will please everyone who picks up the book. I just love this series.

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!**

As a long time fan of this sweet series, I enjoyed reading this prequel to the actual series.
Hannah hasn’t gotten totally into her sleuthing, Lisa isn’t married to Herb, and Delores still hasn’t opened her antique store with her friend, Carrie.

When a stranger knocks on the bakery door, Hannah finds herself swept up in another mystery, and of course the book is filled with mouthwatering recipes.

This is a fast paced, light holiday mystery.

I enjoyed this very much - it was my first book by Joanne Fluke and it won't be my last. Fun story, great details, interesting mystery to solve. I gave this a mention in my Christmas in July post for Frolic. Link below.

Thank you NetGalley for my arc. Another Hannah Swenson mystery. I always enjoy a story about Hannah and her pals. This story centers around a mystery man who literally lands in Hannah's kitchen, needing a bite to eat. he doesn't remember his name or his history and Hannah and the gang work together to help him find out who he is. It was a good quick read.

Christmas Cupcake Murder was a quick, easy ready and a prequel to the Hannah Swenson books. The story follows the same format as all previous books. I enjoyed the recipes and the special notes throughout. I was provided an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley and this is my honest review.

A cute Christmas treat without much meat to it. I've read a lot of books in this series and consider Fluke to be the godmother or the cozy mystery world. She's been around forever and usually hits home runs every time. However, this book was not like her others. The character's voices and personalities are different than they normally are and there are a few strange techniques used in the narrative. There is a huge cheese factor in this one as well. Everyone is completely dorky and the most innocent jokes or puns get huge laughs. It just wasn't up to the normal quality of a Joanne Fluke book. I don't feel like I've visited Lake Eden this time. That said, it's a sweet book for the holidays and will help put you in the festive spirit.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I was so thrilled when I got the chance to read Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke in advance. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read this book for a fair and honest review.
Reading Hannah Swenson cozy makes me feel like I'm at home with Hannah and the gang. This book is actually set before Hannah started solving so many murders and there was not a murder in it! After discovering a John Doe with her Mother and Carrie while touring a space for the antique store, Hannah wants to help him find out who he is and where he is from. Along the way, she is getting ready for Christmas and baking up a storm. Of course, there are amazing recipes and I can't wait to try some of them out. I enjoyed this one as much as ever and can't wait for another trip back to Lake Eden.

Another charming cozy mystery about Hannah Swensen. i was a little confused on this one as it seemed a bit out of order with the current series but went with it as I always enjoy a story about Hannah and her pals. This story centers around a mystery man who literally lands in Hannah's kitchen, needing a bite to eat. he doesn't remember his name or his history and Hannah and the gang work together to help him find out who he is.

Christmas Cheer Turns Sinister.....
The new Hannah Swensen Mystery brings December festivities and Christmas cheer but Lake Eden turns sinister when a man is discovered near to death and Hannah finds herself with a deadly mystery to solve. With a likeable protagonist in Hannah, a colourful cast of supporting characters this is a fun mystery and a worthy addition to this long running series.

Another great addition to the Hannah Swensen series. This one covers the first time Hannah solves a missing persons case. It happens fairly early in the series, before her mom and Norman's mom open their antiques shop.

The recipes sound good too, and I want to make one of them soon because I think my husband will really like it!

As always an entertaining read - the recipes look delicious and truthfully that's what attracts me to these books. the stories are nice, not terribly bloody or gory and always solved genteelly, but the food! I love the suggestions which offer alternative ingredients. A fun, uplifting read that will make you hungry.

The Christmas Cupcake Murder is (Hannah Swensen, #26) and I have read 25 of them. Since Hannah has been married and done wrong, I was ready to see where that would take her ( hopefully into Norman’s arms) but instead this books takes us back to the early years. If you are a Hallmark Christmas Movie fan then this is the book for you. It has a holiday spirit, wonderful recipes, interesting characters, and a really good mystery. The plot is light and sweet and unlike the others in the series there is no murder. This Christmas time cozy mystery is about a nice guy who has lost his memory and the whole gang pitches in to help him regain it. As always I enjoyed my time with Hannah and this group of characters, although I did miss Hannah’s little sister who is one of my favorites, and I look forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you Kensington Books via NetGalley for my copy.
#ChristmasCupcakeMurder #NetGalley