Christmas Cupcake Murder is book number 26 in the Hannah Swenson series And my first Christmas book (of many to come) for the season this year 😁 As the Christmas season approaches and winter descends on the quaint sweet little town of Lake Eden, another mystery falls into Hannah's lap. The title is a bit misleading with the word murder because there's no actual murder that takes place but certainly an attempted murder did! Hannah and her tight knit family and friends come together to solve the mystery of the mystery man who can't recall a thing about himself except for his talent of restoring antique furniture. Hannah comes up with the most unique way to finally put together the pieces of this puzzle while creating a plethora of delicious sounding recipes that are included in the book ☺️ A happy ending and a happy holiday season is in store for all ❤️

Hannah Swenson is finally back! This book is set somewhere in the middle of the timeline from the rest of the series - not a prequel, but a memory of Christmases past. For the first time in several books, I finally feel that Joanne Fluke has her writing mojo back. Sometime predictable, but well-written, the usual characters are back for a Christmastime caper. I was so happy to read this a realize that I could enjoy another Hannah Swenson book. again. Thank you Ms Fluke for bringing back the writing and the characters we have all loved for years!

A "flashback" entry in this long-running series, full of whodunits and recipes, is a good entry, but since it is set in the past, there is no forward movement in it. A fun look at the beginnings of Hannah's bakery/coffee shop and her mother's antique shop.

Hannah Swensen is happy to accompany her mother and her mother’s friend to look at some rental property where they can store their antiques. As the three women check out the space’s features, they make a surprising discovery. A young man is on the floor, near death, and Hannah recognizes him. She had served the homeless man, who was looking for odd jobs to make money, earlier that morning in her shop. They make sure he gets medical attention immediately but when he wakes, he doesn’t remember who he is or why he was in Lake Eden. Hannah had immediately liked the young man and decides to solve the mystery about his identity and help him get his life back.

This book is part of the long-running Hannah Swensen series, but is a flashback to when Hannah’s shop The Cookie Jar had been open for two years. She is already casually dating Mike and Norman, but since both relationships are in the early stages, the book doesn’t have the romance drama of the most recent books in the series. Hannah is a good, sweet person and is sometimes taken advantage of by her overbearing mother, Delores. In later books, Delores mellows some, but she’s still pretty pushy in this story. I like Hannah’s relationship with her sisters and friends, though. I enjoyed the investigation into the man’s past and how Hannah finds and puts together the clues she finds. Everybody pitches in to help “Joe Smith” in this story and it’s great seeing everyone work together. There are a few surprises in what they learn which makes the ending even better.

Most culinary mysteries have recipes, but this series has started to go overboard. There are about twenty-five recipes throughout the book and in addition, much of the book’s narrative is Hannah talking about dishes she’s preparing or recipes she wants to try. As long as you know going into the book that it will be light on mystery, you won’t be disappointed. This book has even less mystery than usual and taking away the food-related portions is really more of a novella in terms of plot. However, it is an entertaining holiday story that fans of the author will enjoy as well as anyone looking for a quick, light read for Christmas.

~ Christine

If one were to choose an adjective to describe the Hannah Swensen series, that word would be 'wholesome'. Set in the fictional rural town of Lake Eden MN, Hannah and her community live lives surrounded by family and much love; with the occasional murder. Fluke was one of the pioneers of the culinary cozy mystery sub-genre. Her series is so well liked, that Hallmark has based several
television movies on her books. The main hook for the series has always been the romantic triangle between Norman, Mike and Hannah. As a reader of all the mysteries, I am firmly on team Norman.
At the end of book 25, it looked like Hannah had made a significant decision.

Once again, Fluke has kept the tension unresolved as she choose to share a prequel with her fans.
One suspects there might be some grumbling in the ranks. The mystery is interesting. An amnesiac is found almost dead from malnutrition in an empty storefront. He can not remember any part of his previous life at first. However he does have task memory, and is able to show knowledge of furniture restoration. Hannah's great heart has reached out to this person, and she is determined to help him.

As we have moved back in time, some of Hannah's attitudes are also out of date. She is still a bit of a doormat when it comes to her mother. Delores is not the happy woman found in the later books. Here she is just beginning to start her antique business with her best friend. Other characters also
are a bit rougher. I found Mike to be all appetite and without much charm. It seemed odd to see Tracy as an infant and Andrea floundering as a new parent.

The recipes are included at the end of the chapters. Many readers follow Fluke for the recipes alone. They do look easy, and do might find a place at the holiday table. The cooking methods remain the same, as do the cooking tips provided by Hannah. One might suggest to the copy editor that a reader only needs to be told to beat the eggs with a fork once per book, not every time eggs are used.

Fluke is a wonderful writer when she is on the top of her game. This book reads as a place holder.
Recommended only for those who want to read the complete series.

Full disclosure: I received this ARC from netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity.

This review appeared in the October 1, 2020 issue of Booklist..

As a big fan of Joanne Fluke's cozy mystery series featuring cookie baker Hannah Swenson and her family in Lake Eden, Minnesota, I was thrilled to review her latest mystery, Christmas Cupcake Murder. Although part of the series, this book takes place before Hannah solves her first missing person's case and before her mother, Delores, opens an antique store with her friend, Carrie Rhodes.

When Hannah finds an injured man on the floor of a vacant building that her mother is renting to house her antiques, she learns that he’s had a blow to the head that’s rendered him with memory loss. Determined to help the man, who seems to identify with the name “Joe” and is experienced with furniture repair and restoration, Hannah begins a search to find his family. When “Joe” befriends Freddie, the intellectually disabled man who helps at the hospital, he recalls that he has a brother with a similar condition. As Hannah follows further clues about “Joe,” she discovers that someone attempted to murder him. The mystery is finally solved by locating a recipe in a library book.

At the end of nearly every chapter of this fun story are delicious holiday recipes. There is also a handy index at the back. Don't miss this charming cozy mystery that will also satisfy your sweet tooth.

This was a cute book in the Hannah Swenson series. This takes place in the past. Michelle is still at college and Tracey is still a baby. It is Christmastime and a homeless man enters The Cookie Jar and Hannah feeds him and gives him coffee. She later finds him passed out in a storefront that her mother and Carrie are looking to rent. They call the paramedics and he is taken to the hospital. When he wakes he has no recollection of who he is or where he came from. Hannah and her family try to piece together clues from the little bit he does remember so he can be reunited with his family. I really enjoyed this book. It is the perfect read for the holidays.

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.

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.

This is a quick read, and unlike the title infers, there is no murder involved! I kept waiting for one, but the story moved along involving a gravely injured man, who has lost his memory.

Hannah and her sister, along with Mike and Norman, work at uncovering the identity of the mystery man. There are a lot of recipes featured, which are provided at the end of many chapters. I would have preferred they were listed at the end, to be less distracting between chapters. I would say 3.5 stars.

I received a free ARC eBook from Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinions.

I was happy to get the opportunity to read this book. I'm a long time fan of this series and I enjoyed this book immensely. This book actually takes place a while ago. This is the first missing persons case Hannah ever solved. The book is full of great recipes and holiday cheer and I highly recommend it.

A throwback to Hannah's first few years in her bakery. You'll see the usual cast of characters, but younger and not quite so well seasoned. As usual, it's not long before Hannah has a mystery wrapped up in a criminal's assault on a man Hannah feels she must care for until he can remember his prior life. Thankfully, the bakery crew's adventures set everything right before the holidays are ruined.

Joanne Fluke is well known for her wonderful cozy mysteries. She is a favorite author and I never bother to read the jacket synopsis before adding her new titles to my TBR stack. No need, I'm guaranteed a great story with enough twists to keep me guessing plus many great recipes. I've tried many of her recipes in the past and now I have some new holiday themed selections to try. An entertaining read...just like sitting down for a chat with old friends.

This delightful addition to the Hannah Swensen series was different. We are taken back to before the time when Hannah has just opened her store, has not started finding dead bodies, and provides lots of delicious recipes. I hope to try some of the recipes soon. They had my stomach growling and my mouth watering!

This was a great mystery. I love the characters in this series and John Doe, a homeless man, has your heart breaking as he tries to gain back his memory. This is just a good wholesome book that has you cheering Hannah on as she works to try to help John.

Thank you to NetGalley and Fleming H. Revell Company for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

This book is another flashback to the early days of Hannah opening The Cookie Jar. It is implied to be the first year, yet Hannah knows how cupcake sales usually go this time of year in her bakery. so that can't be the case. I also am not sure why Hannah was making all those cupcakes in this book. (I mean, obviously to tie-in with the title of the book but there was no in-story reason that I could find and Hannah just seemed to switch from cookies to cupcakes for no reason at all.) Some of the recipes sound yummy though, especially the cinnamon frosting, might have to incorporate that into my birthday cake this year. And Hannah's recipe for Cocktail Munchie Mix is very close to a recipe my family makes that we call Nuts & Bolts. Hannah has a few different ingredients though and I may make a batch like hers this year, too, just to compare.

Also, Hannah helps out a homeless man by giving him food and work while he recovers and remembers where he lives. Okay, so I guess he's not homeless but he has amnesia and doesn't remember where he lives. Hannah, Delores, and Carrie find him in the vacant storefront that eventually becomes Granny's Attic, nearly frozen to death. Doc admits him to the hospital while Hannah tries to solve the mystery of John Doe and get him back to his family.

I enjoyed this visit to Lake Eden and eagerly await the next book in the series.

It has been a long time since I have dipped into a Hannah Swensen novel. I enjoyed the Christmas Cupcake Murder was a bit of a step back into time and allowed me to see these wonderful characters beginning to come into their own and getting to know them all over again.

Lake Eden, Minnesota is all in gear for the festivities that come along with the Christmas season. The baking is a foot at The Cookie Jar while a homeless man, suffering from memory loss stumbles upon Hannah’s bakery step willing to work in exchange for food. Hannah does what she does best, Offers a cozy environment, a sweet treat, something warm to drink and a bit of conversation and companionship. Days later while inspecting a building that could possibly become an antique shop, Hannah and her mother stumble upon the same homeless man in dire straits. They spring into action getting “John Doe” The help he needs and begin to unravel the mystery of who he is and where he’s from.

Christmas Cupcake Murder was a fun and entertaining read allowing me to get reacquainted with these characters. The story shows the beginnings of the good characteristics and qualities that readers have come to love within these characters. When it came to finding John Doe’s past , It was like a needle in the haystack yet they never gave up, persisted and slowly were able to put the pieces in place. Honestly the mystery was an OK part of the story, I really loved the family drama between Hannah, her mother and her sisters, all the delectable recipes that I am trying to figure out a way to make gluten-free and Revisiting a small cozy town that I haven’t been to in a while. revisiting a small Coseytown that I haven’t been to in a while. If you’re looking for something pretty high on mystery this unfortunately is not going to be the right for you but if you’re a long time fan of this author and series It was one of those little treats the authors like to drop us every once in a while.

I love stories about Hannah, Mike, Norman, Doc, Delores, Andrea and crew. These are fun characters who go together so well. I think I gained 10 pounds just reading about all the deliciousness that Hannah was making. You can find these recipes scattered throughout the book. If you have some Christmas baking to do, you might want to check these out. The story is great. They all band together to help someone they don’t even know. Wouldn’t it be great if more folks did that? Joe is a likeable character and they don’t stop till they figure out his story and where he belongs. That’s some nice Christmas spirit. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

This is not true prequel in my opinion. This story takes place several years before the current mysteries. It centers around a homeless man who is suffering from amnesia. He is homeless in the middle of the grueling winter weather. As usual she feels she must investigate because of her relationship with the homeless man having feed him and finding him when he is suffering malnutrition and exposure effects,

When the towns beloved Doc determines that the head injury to the gentleman was foul play Hannah is even more determined to find out not only his identity but who wishes him harm.

I love revisiting Lake Eden, Minnesota. The characters seem like old friends. It was a bit strange revisiting the characters that had grown. Such as her sister, Andrea. In the stories she has become much more confident and even becomes a business women selling real-estate. The friendship of Dolores, Hannah's mother and Norman's Mom Carrie is evident and we discover how they decide to open up the antique store together.

I enjoyed this story in the series. I like how the characters can be seen maturing and becoming more free standing within the story. I have read several reviews of this authors stories that complain that they feel formulated. I see no issue with this. Any genre of fiction has a formulized element so that it fits the definition of
the works.

It is a quick easy read that had a family Christmas feel to it, I recommend it to any one looking for a good book.

This was a fun addition to the series with the usual wonderful receipes many perfect for Christmas baking. I loved reading about the earlier time of the Cookie Bakery during the holidays and how Hannah evolved her business with the support of her ever present family who support her. The charcters are charming and I look forward to the next in series. The author is to be commended for continuing this long running series beloved by cozy fans. I hope the author will give Hannah her happy ending with Norman and end the torture of her readers ! We love Hannah and want her to have her happy ending after all. A very charming addition to this series .

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Lake Eden heats up as Hannah Swenson is once again in the center of a Christmas mystery.

Hannah is working her way through the new Christmas cookie and cupcake recipes when a stranger visits her shop. Little does she know, this chance encounter will set up the entire premise of the story.

While touring a building for her mother's budding antique hobby, they discover the same man barely hanging on and rush to get him to care. The rest of the book is jammed full of recipes and Hannah's unraveling of the mystery. Whos is this man? Why is he here? Where did he come from?

I love how in this book the man is ALIVE and she is able to work to solve a mystery in a different way. It was a nice change. Also, the book was literally STUFFED with recipes. A little too many for my taste, but it definitely added to the Christmas element!

If baking and mysteries are your forte, this is the book for you!

I love this series , love that this one was a bit different then her normal storylines , where Hannah normally finds a murdered victim , sets off to find the killer. I liked that in this case she finds what appears to be a homeless man in need of medical attention and she sets off to find out his true identity .Of course the yummy new recipes included we get to try out as well.