I've long been a fan of the Hannah Swensen mysteries but felt they'd lost some of their appeal in the last few. This one brought a bit of that back for me. If you're looking for a lighthearted mystery series, this is a great one to read and an excellent addition to the books. I am also excited to try out some of the recipes!

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Cupcake Murder is the twenty-sixth book in Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mystery series. This is a quick and easy read with lots of recipes and baking descriptions and can be read as a standalone.

Hannah Swensen and her partner, Lisa Beeseman, own The Cookie Jar, a bakery and coffee shop, in Lake Eden, Minnesota. In this installment, Hannah and her friends and family try to help a homeless man who has amnesia.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

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.

While its tough to go back in time, the Christmas Cupcake Murder is a delightful little addition to the Cookie Jar series...

I always look forward to Joanne Fluke's next Hannah Swensen novel. I enjoyed the flashback to Hannah Swenson's past. I have always recommended this series to anyone that enjoys a good cozy mystery. The recipes are an added bonus and this one didn't fail to add some new recipes to my list of ones to try. Thanks for another great read!

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

Anytime a reader can visit Hannah and company, they are in for more than treats coming out of the cookie jar! This read was a bit hard to get into at first, but, stick with it, and soon you are lost in the story. The recipes are always a nice addition, but, they are too wordy and seem to take over so much of the book.

I love this series and this installment was not disappointing. It was a light read and I loved visiting with all of the characters again. The recipes look scrumptious and I can’t wait to try some of them.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I always enjoy the latest Hannah Swenson installment, but this was not one of my favorite in the series. Maybe because it is a one-off and not chronological with where the last novel left off.

This is the perfect holiday story, curl up with coffee and cookies and you'll fit right in with the gang in Lake Eden!
I especially liked this holiday story because of the homeless man that Hannah found and his character throughout the story. In between solving his confusion of who he is and where his family might need, Hannah keeps baking more cookies and all kinds of yummy cupcakes
The chocolate cherry cupcakes sounded amazing and I was left with wanting a small knit community like the one Hannah has and being able to bake worth a hoot. Smooth and fast cozy.

A festive read, just in time for the holidays. The Christmas Cupcake Murder takes you back in time with Hannah Swensen solving her first missing persons mystery. This is before her mother has remarried…before she even has the antiques storefront…and Hannah is called upon to help an amnesiac John Doe figure out who he is and where he’s from. There are only a few clues for her to follow, but Hannah pulls out all the stops, even at this busy time of the year for the bakeshop, to help find out who he is and reunite him with his loved ones in time for the holidays.

Filled with plenty of recipes and Hannah’s Tips, it’s great to go back in time in Lake Eden with the Swensen gang. And solving a mystery without a murder works perfectly well.

This is a great read for fans of Ms. Fluke’s Hannah Swensen mysteries…or a great introduction for those new to her series.

Can't help it love anything Joanne Fluke. Oddly I have never tried one of the recipes. Thanks Netgalley.

One of my favorite cozy mystery authors and series! This book was well written and contained many elements of books from the series that make it unique and fun, but I was a little disappointed in the end. First of all, I really wanted to see Hannah finally make a decision about her future and who she was going to spend it with, not go back in time and stall the series. Second, I felt like Hannah was always stuck in the kitchen baking cookies instead of spending time interacting with family, friends, and the community like she usually does. And third, Hannah never was in a risky situation where Mike came to save the day. I was grateful, however, that there weren't any cat races in this book! Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to anyone who loves reading cozy mysteries.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

The trip into the past was interesting, but it would have been nice to know this at the get-go like in a forward or at least the book description on different places. I read in someone else's review that this was definitely happening some time ago, I guessed around when Mike arrived at town, so at least that told me I wasn't crazy or in some type of parallel universe lol.

There seemed to be a lot lot more of what I call the just normal happenings of Lake Eden which seemed to drag along more than a usual murder mystery. There was no actual murder, but toward the end I could see where it was somewhat appropriate to have the word in the title. I liked the idea of a John Doe type guy's story being the mystery, but I really think it could have been told a lot quicker, although the book would have been tons shorter. The sleuth in me wants to try and figure out which books this would fall between now. It's definitely after book one, since we know Mike's the new detective.

I really liked the character of Joe as the John Doe wanted to be called. He was such a neat guy, and I do love how he got a happy ending. The recipes as always were very drool-worthy! But this just didn't seem like it was up to the author's usual standards. A lot of the newer books in the series haven't had the same voice or feel as the older Hannahs, almost like it wasn't the same author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

The Hannah Swenson murder mystery series have always been some of my go-to cozies, and I especially love the holiday ones, so I was beyond excited to get an eARC from Netgalley & Kensington Books!

I adore how these books always have recipes thrown in, perfect for all the baking we do at Christmastime - just gives me all the warm fuzzy feelings every time I pick up one of these Joanna Fluke titles. In this particular title, I always love that the books are more about that small-town feeling, with a little mystery thrown in. A sweet treat you definitely need to add to your holiday want to read list!

I’ve enjoyed many of the books in the Hannah Swenson series by Joanne Fluke. This story steps back quite awhile in the series timeline, and is a prequel to the first books in the series. (I’m glad the author mentions this at the very beginning of the book, otherwise it might be confusing to regular readers of the series.)

This story is a little bit different than that of some of the books and has a Christmas season theme. In this book, Hannah is helping a patient in the hospital, Joe, recover his memory. I liked Joe’s character and that kept me interested in reading his story. There’s quite a twist towards the end of the story that sets up a memorable ending.

There are more than 20 recipes included in the book, and reading them made me want to bake cupcakes all day. All in all, this is a light, fun book to read during the holiday season.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

A delicious addition to the Hannah Swenson series.

This takes place early in the series. We learn a bit more about side characters in this book like Doc and Carrie, Norman's mom.

I enjoyed that it centered around a man with amnesia rather than a murder. It was refreshing to read how a town came together and was kind and wanted to help the man find himself.

As always there are many recipes I want to try and bake. I've had to stop myself from jumping up and starting one now. It's almost midnight as I write this and I have lots to do tomorrow so I need sleep. Cookies or cupcakes...

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

Joanne Fluke adds to her Hannah Swensen mystery series with Christmas Cupcake Murder. Readers familiar with the series will find more of the same in terms of Hannah's personal life and her being involved in discovering a mystery. The thing that sets it apart is that it takes place before the time period of the previous most recent story.

The mystery has a bit of a different twist as well, but saying much more would be considered plot spoiling. Readers might be disappointed to find that the decision that Hannah needs to make is not advanced any in this book, because it takes place in the past.

Overall, this book feels just a little bit lighter than some of the others and a bit like Joanne Fluke threw it together just to put out another book and so she did not have to address the looming end of the Mike, Norman, Hannah situation. Don't start this book as your first book in the Hannah Swensen series.

Joanne Fluke can always be counted on for an entertaining read and a palate cleanser when you are reading serial killer mystery or intense thriller. Hannah Swenson's last adventure can barely be counted as a mystery but more a visit with friends with delicious recipes. Sometimes that is all you want or need.

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.