Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is a very cute novella length novel stuffed to the brim with recipes. Hannah opens the back door one morning to find a very nice looking, but cold, man who offered to do work if she would feed him. It started a conversation about German Chocolate Cake and ended up with her giving him $5 to clean off her truck and plug in her car. She really though not more about it until she, her mother, and her mother's partner, Carrie were looking at a possible storefront in which to store and refinish their antiques. There they discovered a rumpled pile of clothing, in the middle of which was the man. They get him to the hospital where they found he was cold, dehydrated, and had a knot on his head, but could remember nothing. This was more than Hannah could stand and she started collecting clues immediately. There really was no murder, just an attempted one as well as a man who can't remember who he is. It made kind of a nice change of pace.

This is a true cozy mystery because we know nearly all the characters. We have known them all for years and we have come to love them. Hannah is the intrepid baker, always willing to investigate and always willing to develop a new recipe. Since it is nearly Christmas, she is full of ideas and has not shortage of people willing to try out her samples. Mike, the detective, and Norman, the dentist, are also willing volunteers. Mike is a bottomless pit and will eat anywhere, any time. Sister, Andrea and mother, Delores are part of the crew surrounding Hannah, always will to get drawn into a mystery. It's really quite refreshing to read a book containing so many characters one already knows. It was great there was not murder. Murder and cozy seem opposed, although more cozies have at least one murder. All it all it was an entertaining read, a good way to spend an afternoon. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of Christmas Cupcake Murder by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #christmascupcakemurder

Like Christmas Cake Murder from a few years back, this Christmas themed mystery takes us back to a magical time, pre-Ross. I may have not loved the Norman-Mike-Hannah triangle, but anything is better than the hot mess express that was Ross. Plus, this latest visit to Lake Eden is packed with recipes for delicious-sounding treats like sugarplum cookies and a load of yummy cupcakes!

While Christmas Cake Murder took us back to Hannah setting up her bakery, The Cookie Jar, Christmas Cupcake Murder takes us back to Delores setting up her antique shop. It all starts with a very full, structurally compromised shed and a stranger who knows a lot about furniture restoration but cannot remember his own name. How John Doe (or Joe Smith) ends up in Lake Eden is a mystery, one that may have life and death consequences.

I very much enjoyed this holiday centered story, especially the ending. I just wished it was slightly better paced as the end felt very abrupt and other parts in the middle dragged a bit. The story may feel a little rinse-and-repeat, but I’m invested in the Swensens and will be taking a big bite out of Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder in the Spring.

A fun, quick read. I'm not sure exactly where it falls in the series timeline, but it seems to be towards the beginning. Regardless, it's an enjoyable Christmas story with a light mystery. And lots of yummy recipes.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the latest in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series and is the perfect Christmas read! This time we go back in time.
When a stranger shows up in the cookie shop looking for odd jobs, Hannah finds it strange but gives him a couple small jobs. The next time she sees him, he is found in a shop her mother is looking at to buy. He is barely alive and has no memory. Once he is admitted to the hospital, Hannah starts asking questions and Lake Eden is all about helping "Joe" get his memory back and finding out who tried to kill him.
This is an easy read story I did not want to put down. The story has you rooting for :Joe". You also get plenty of yummy sounding recipes.
I was given an ARC by Kensington and NetGalley for an honest review.

If you take this one out of the Hannah Swensen canon, it works ok and is probably a fine standalone and can certainly be read out of order if you're not caught up on the series. In the timeline of the series it's very confusing though, and seems to rewrite history a little bit. It's set significantly before the events of the most recent books, however, it's more technologically advanced than Hannah and her family/friends were at the beginning of the series. I can't tell if it is supposed to be set before the first book or if it's just vaguely earlier, but if it's the former than there are things that just don't make sense, and if it's the latter, where exactly are we in the timeline?? As is typical with the holiday editions of these books, it's extra light on plot, but it's still a fun and easy visit with Hannah and associates.

This 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.

This book was a real gift! It was so much fun to go back to the beginning with Hannah and all of the Lake Eden crowd. This time there is a homeless man who has amnesia who Hannah befriends. He has been hurt and is almost dead when Hannah and her mom and Carrie find him in a storefront. Off to the hospital he goes and the search is on to discover who he is and where he comes from. Lots of lovely recipes and tons of coffee later we have answers just in time for the holidays. Lovely story.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.

I was disappointed in this book.

I enjoy the Murder She Baked Hallmark movies so I thought a Christmas themed novel would be fun.
This book had none of that charm. 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.

I get that this is supposed to be a prequel of sorts but Hannah just comes off as pretty dumb and not very astute or 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.

This book falls somewhere within the Hannah Swensen series before Doc Knight and Delores start dating but after Andrea and Bill have had Tracey. The mystery involves a man who has lost his memory and collapses from lack of nourishment.
There are loads of recipes, which all sound fun to try. Joanne Fluke always gives copious instructions to help you through the recipe.
This was a lovely story and has a happy ending. I think I like mysteries that don't involve a murder but are more like a puzzle.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an opportunity to review a pre-release copy of the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am a longtime reader of this series, and Christmas Cupcake Murder did not disappoint. I really enjoy when we go back in time for a Christmas themed book, it's almost like the author shares a memory from the characters we have come to know so well with time. The mystery surrounding the homeless man was really engaging, and I kept on reading as I wanted to know who he was, and what had happened to him. For those who are less familiar with the series, Christmas Cupcake Murder can be fully enjoyed, as it does not refer to events from previous books. It is a good book to put readers in a Holidays mood.

This a sweet little story of a homeless man who has TBI (traumatic brain injury) and how the crew not only help him recover but search for his old home. I really enjoyed the story; however, this book is set in some odd time frame. By halfway through I was wondering if I had TBI as the characters relationships were at different time frames, there’s only one grandchild but already a nanny. Mike and Norman are already friends which was certainly not true early in the series. The characters have smart phone and it’s supposed to be 2001 or so.

The book is best read as what it is - a novella about a homeless man and have no regard for the returning characters relationships. Recipes as usual are great.

As always, Joanne Fluke has thrown another one out of the ballpark!!! I have been a die-hard fan from book #1 of this series. The characters are funny, loving, devoted to family, and get into trouble at every turn. This is a must read book with exceptional locution. Grab some cookies and a cup of tea and join Hannah for a book full of shenanigans. Enjoy! 📚

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

This is a great series and one I’ve got friends and family to read. Characters are relatable and funny and help keep the story line going. My mom and I have saved recipes for cookies to try every holiday season, she make a new type each year. We even make sure to going to the authors book signings before COVID hit.

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 26th A Hannah Swensen Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series. Christmas Cupcake Murder takes readers back in time to Hannah’s first holiday season at The Cookie Jar. She is coming up with new creations each day to offer her customers. Cooking, baking, eating, chatting, and holiday cheer are in abundance. Delores, Mike, Carrie, Norman, Andrea, Bill, Doc Knight, and Moishe are all in present along with other regulars. Christmas Cupcake Murder is easy to read and puts you in the mood for the holiday season. The mystery portion is light. Hannah, Carrie, and Delores find a man collapsed in a vacant storefront. Joe Smith has amnesia and a bad blow to the head. He can remember bits and pieces which Hannah uses to help her reunite Joe with his family before the holidays. I do wish the mystery was a bit meatier. But I did enjoy my visit to Lake Eden. It is such a cozy town with friendly residents. It is cold, but there is plenty of holiday cheer. It was nice checking in with our favorite characters and learning more about them. We get to learn more about Lars Swensen, Hannah’s father as well as how Delores came to open an antique shop. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story. Moishe’s antics will have you smiling. There are over a dozen recipes including one for German Chocolate Cupcakes and Sugar Plum Cupcakes. Christmas Cupcake Murder is a lighthearted tale with scrummy cupcakes, a curious cat, and a mysterious man with memory matters plus family, friends, fine food, and festive fun.

This was a fun mystery story and I liked many of the characters and the small town setting!

An apparently homeless man knocked on Hannah's bakery's door one morning asking for work. That evening, she ends up finding him nearly dead and he's rushed to the hospital. Once we wakes up, he can't remember anything about his past. Hannah's on the case, trying to figure it out, while also keeping up with all the baking and meddling family members that happen during small town Christmases.

It was a fun mystery for sure and I liked trying to figure it out with Hannah. The thing that really got to me in this book was the writing. The author explained what airlocks are and how they work (you know, when there are 2 doors in an entrance) as if authors have never heard of them and told us that Minnesotans wear sunglasses in the winter, unlike the rest of the country, because of the snow. This kind of overexplaining occurred throughout the book and got really frustrating to read. I also enjoyed the recipes scattered throughout, but the usage of store-bought bakery items (like boxed cake mix), while helpful to the home baker, felt very inauthentic for Hannah, a bakery owner.

I love Hannah Swanson and the list of characters in this series. Hannah and her family and friends always bring a smile to my face. Her stories make me turn the pages to find out what happens next. Lately, Ms. Fluke has been writing more stories which take place back in time. While I enjoy this trip into Hannah's history, I look forward to the next story written in the present day. Hannah is just opening her cookie shop when they find a half frozen man. John Doe doesn't remember much about his life but with the help of Hannah and cohorts he soon is on the way to recovery. Each book in the series could be read as a stand alone but once you read one you will want to go back and read the others. Each story is a quick and fun read filled with mystery and recipes. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

I loved this book!! Great story!! Love this series!! Can't wait for the next book to release!! I love moshe the cat he is so funny!! Revied this book from kensington books from netgally!!

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

I have reviewed this book for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted the evening before the release date.

"Christmas Cupcake Murder" by Joanne Fluke
Kensington
September 29, 2020
10-1496729123
368 pages
Cozy Mystery


As the Christmas season and the dead of winter commences in Lake Eden, MN, Hannah Swensen is busy making goodies at her shop, The Cookie Jar. When a homeless man knocks on her back door, looking half-frozen and asking if she has any work he can do, stating he is not looking for money, but would love to have something to eat, Hannah feels bad for him. She welcomes him inside offering him a cup of hot coffee and her latest concoction, a German chocolate cupcake. She notices how emaciated he appears as well as that sad look on his face when he mentions his mother's German chocolate cake had been their family's official birthday treat, Hannah draws him out asking questions about himself, but he has no recollection of who he is.

While he offers to clean the snow off her vehicle, Hannah delves through her lost-and-found items and produces a warm sweater and scarf for him along with giving him five dollars and more cupcakes. After he departs, she continues baking, but she can't get him out of her mind and tries to think of ways to help him.

Soon she is interrupted by her mother, Delores, who only comes to the store when in need of something. Because this is Hannah's busiest time of year, she groans inwardly. Luckily, her mom's request is for Hannah to find some Christmas decorations, so she and her best friend, Carrie can decorate the hospital for the holiday. Upon spotting Hannah's cupcakes, she inquires if she will be able to sell all she's made, making Hannah suspect she'll guilt her into donating some to the hospital. So, she offers six dozen of her newest culinary delight, saying she will even deliver them.

Hannah's bakery seems to be the place for social gatherings for not only does Delores often arrive, helping herself to coffee and goodies, but also, Carrie, Mike, the local police officer, Hannah's friend, Norman, and her sisters, Andrea and Michelle who all come for gossip and sweets. With all the socializing and eating taking place, one wonders if Hannah makes any profits from her work for she doesn't mention having customers but indicates she gets many catering jobs.

Delores and Carrie are considering renting store space two doors down from Hannah's shop, for all their antiques. When the three go to check it out, they discover some discarded scraps of cloth in the abandoned building:

"Hannah was grinning as she walked over to the pile of rags. It was clear that Carrie was still nervous about marauding rodents. As she approached the pile, she realized that the rags were covering something large and bulky. Did the owner leave some piece of equipment behind when they left Lake Eden? 'There's something under here,' she reported. 'Hold on a second and I'll take a look.'

"'Bu . . . but . . . but be careful, Hannah,' Delores warned, quite unnecessarily. 'You don't know what's under there!'

"The rags were tucked around something, and Hannah managed to pull one corner free. She couldn't loosen it without using both hands, and that meant that she couldn't hold her phone flashlight. 'Shine your flashlight over here, Carrie,' she instructed. 'I'll need both hands to see what's here.'

"Carrie aimed the light at the pile of rags, Hannah put her cell phone down on the floor and pulled on the largest piece. It was a remnant of a blanket, and it was tucked around something large. 'I got it,' she said, pulling the edge loose and flipping it back.

"'What is it?' Carrie asked her.

"'It's . . .' Hannah stopped speaking and swallowed hard. 'It's someone's leg.'"

Further investigation shows it is the homeless man who was looking for odd jobs at Hannah's bakery. Hannah, noticing him moving calls Doc at the hospital where he is taken. The three women head there and wait for Doc's diagnosis. Doc reports the man is suffering from starvation and close to collapsing, so he plans to keep him overnight to run tests and get him back on his feet. They all speculate as to who he could be and decide to do some sleuthing to try to find out his identity.

As the patient, whom they call Joe, is ruled out from having a traumatic brain injury recovers, Hannah and her friends and family make it their mission to learn more about him. Picking up bits and pieces he imparts, his identity is still unknown. Joe rebounds nicely after hearty meals and bed rest, all the while trying to regain his memory. Soon, with his comments and research, they believe they know where he had been living. But what happened to him to end up where he is?

This cozy mystery is written very simply though more is the telling of the situation than showing, which slows the plot making it difficult and somewhat boring to comprehend. The saving grace to the novel is the many delightful and mouth-watering recipes the author includes. Perusing these sweet treats is sure to have the reader salivating without even consuming a morsel!

A few thoughts and a little acceptance as I read the 26th book in the Hannah Swensen series. Because yes, I have read them all. Liked some more than others, ate more desserts while reading a few more than others, and feel like I could walk through Lake Eden and recognize everyone! So my thoughts. First, this story goes back in time to before Lisa is married, Norman has a cat, and Delores has opened her antique store. I wonder if Ms. Fluke is struggling deciding what to do with Hannah's love life and is avoiding it with these nostalgic trips. Me too, Ms. Fluke, me too. Second, I have given up thinking that these stories are going to be written in a manner other than a very simple straight-forward style. Sure the narration is going to explain how Hannah makes garlic bread and everyone is the epitome of Minnesota Nice. I've decided this is a sweet break from the world around us. Third, pertaining to this book but maybe a view of the overall series, when I saw the recipe for the cupcakes with cherries in them, I immediately remembered the chocolate covered cherry cookies from a previous book. Oh yes! I can't remember what I wore yesterday but I remember those cookies! (I made them. I ate them. I made some more. And can we get a book that is just a compilation of all the recipes in all the books? Please?) So as I continued reading, I mentally changed the recipe to include chocolate. Funny thing! Hannah must have had the same idea floating around in her head because a few days later we get chocolate and cherry cupcakes! So, my third thing. Yes, Hannah seems to send all her time, when not tracking down criminals, designing new recipes. It seems overwhelming and I feel bad for her customers who find a favorite and it never comes again because Hannah has 1,200 newer cookies to sell. But, I can now understand how easy it is to continue to alter and modify recipes to keep coming up with new ones. (I still think I'm going to try my variation.) So with this new understanding an appreciation, I really enjoyed my return trip to Lake Eden. It is like a warm trip home without the stress of dealing with your own relatives. Just cookies, lots of food, lots of laughs, all interrupted by a few murders.