Christmas Caramel Murder
Hannah’s Christmas books are always my favorites. I enjoy all of the Christmas recipes, and I’m definitely going to try some of these. The mystery was awesome! I couldn't put it down!

Christmas Cake Murder.
I read this book a few years and enjoyed it just as much the second time! It went back in time to when everyone was younger and Hannah was just starting the bakery. I enjoy reading about the characters at different times in their lives. Essie’s story was so good! I was in tears by the end. Don’t hesitate to buy this book!

Christmas Dessert Murder brings together two previously published Christmas stories in the Hannah Swenson series.
#20 Christmas Caramel Murder - is a flashback retelling of events to Ross. The book comes in between the wedding and honeymoon books. It’s an interesting story with new recipes. It was 3 stars the first time I read it when it came out
#23 Christmas Cake Murder - is a story from the past of a younger Hannah Swenson and her interaction with an older woman Essie Granger. The mystery is part of Essie’s past that becomes the present. There are some lovely recipes in this one too. I gave the book 4 stars when I read it the first time.
The first time is precisely the problem with this book. These are previously released books that most fans of Hannah Swenson would already have read. I’m not against revisiting past books but as a fan I’m always eager for new material. It feels like the author is trying to keep present before readers but is struggling to bring on a new story with a series that has been going for 27 books.
I would only recommend a purchase of this book for readers who haven’t already read these stories before.

Christmas Dessert Murder is the 28th book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. It is a holiday omnibus from Joanne Fluke containing mysteries set in Hannah Swensen’s Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota: Christmas Caramel Murder (book 20) and Christmas Cake Murder (book 23).

I thoroughly enjoyed both of these fun tales. Some might be upset that Christmas Dessert Murder is not a shiny new story to read but I was delighted as, for me, it was two books for one neither of which I'd previously read. I'm looking forward to reading more in the collection and also book 29, Caramel Pecan Roll Murder.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

This is an anthology of two previously published Hannah Swenson books. Please check your bookcase before purchasing this one!!

Book one in this anthology, Christmas Caramel Murder, is one of my least favorite, but that's just my opinion. Kind of a different look at a Santa Claus murder, since this time it's his Mrs.! Not difficult to follow, but then cozies are kind of like that. Enjoyable all the same, and the recipes never disappoint!

Book two, Christmas Cake Murder is one of my favorites! This is kind of a mystery within a mystery. Hannah is young and wondering what to do with her life. This book gives you a bit more about Hannah's background and how she begins her bakery empire! This mystery was a little more involved and a ton of fun. The recipes...the high points of this book too!

I've been a Joanne Fluke/Hannah Swenson fan since her first book! I got it as a birthday present and was hooked.

I love the recipes that are included and in these books they're always so yummy. I have tried MANY of them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Kensington Books, for a free review copy. The review is my own.

Christmas Dessert Murder
Joanne Fluke
October 26, 2021

Joanne Fluke is republishing a Christmas edition of her holiday writings of Hannah Swensen mysteries. The first is titled Christmas Caramel Murder, #20 in Hannah´s adventures. Originally published in 2016, it revolves around Hannah and LIsa´s busy times at the Cookie Jar. Aside from baking they are doing their usual orders for local residents and businesses. Again this year they will be supplying the treats for the Santa Celebration. Featured among the famous characters is Mayor Bascomb. He has recently hired Phyliss Bates as an assistant in his mayoral office. When his wife,Stephanie got word of this she laid it on the line to him. Consequently Phyliss was transferred to Herb Beesman´s office in the town hall. Fluke´s characters never keep much of a secret in Lake Eden. Her placement in his office made Lisa, Herb´s wife very unhappy. We find the usual humorous take on the pre-holiday happenings.
The second Fluke selection is Christmas Cake Murder. Although this book is 23rd in the series it features the Swenson family after the death of Lars, husband to Delores and father to the girls. We find Hannah back living at home trying to pull her mother out of complete desolation. She was not eating, crying, and sleeping most of the afternoon away. Hannah called on Delores´s long time friends, Grandma Knudson and Annie Winters to coerce her back to her usual pleasant self. This all takes place before Hannah opened The Cookie Jar. This book was originally published in September of 2018. The story has an historical edge to it concerning the writings of Essie Kalick, a long time helper at the children's home. She's been a volunteer for many events and a friend to many in Lake Eden. Her story revolves around the Christmas Ball, an event that supports the home each year. Essie had hoped to convince folks that another celebration would offer support. Recently however, her health problems prohibited her from beginning such a task. Of course, Delores took charge.
Joanne Fluke´s Christmas Dessert Murder is due to be published on October 26, 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation. I appreciate Kensington allowing me to read and review this latest Fluke novel. I had read the books when they first came on the scene but reading them again was a fun remembrance of Hannah and her cohorts adventures. The usual array of recipes are available at the end of each chapter. This is a fun holiday read for her admirers. Those not familiar with Joanne Fluke, looking for a comfort seasonal mystery, should pick this one up as well. Enjoy!

Christmas Dessert Murder

By: Joanne Fluke

Kensington Books

Kensington

Mystery & Thriller

Publish Date 26 October 2021

#ChristmasDessertMurder#NetGalley

50 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to first thank NetGalley and Kensington for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Good Reads Synopsis:

The perfect stocking stuffer for fans of culinary capers, this holiday omnibus from New York Times bestselling author Joanne Fluke featuring two classic mysteries set in Hannah Swensen’s Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota: Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder.

It’s Christmas in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and there’s no better way to enjoy the holidays than by cozying up to two Hannah Swensen yuletide mysteries with a plateful of goodies from The Cookie Jar bakery…

CHRISTMAS CARAMEL MURDER
Hannah and her good pal Lisa have agreed to provide all the goodies for the town’s annual production of A Christmas Carol. But before anyone can say “Bah, humbug!” the actress playing Mrs. Claus exits stage left for good. As murder suspects pile up faster than snowdrifts in a blizzard, it might take a visit from ghosts of Christmas past to wrap up this mystery in time for the holidays…

CHRISTMAS CAKE MURDER
Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle of Lake Eden when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes, Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. It’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake…

Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!

I gave this book 4 stars. I didn’t realize that this book was a bind-up of two books. I had already read the first book and really enjoyed but had read the second the book. I own both books.

The first book is Christmas Caramel Murder. This book is about the annual production of The Christmas Carol, that Hannah and her friend Lisa agree to provide all the refreshment’s for. Every year there is a Christmas light tour of the town. This year one of the displays looks odd because there is a Santa Claus lying on the ground in the front yard. What happen to this Santa and who killed Santa? They want to find the murderer before the big day but the clues are not leading anywhere. Can they find the murderer before the big day? You will have to read the book to find out.

The second book is The Christmas Cake Murder. This book starts out with Hannah coming home from college because her dad has passed away. This threw me off a little because it seems like it sound be the first book in this series instead of the twenty-third book. I really enjoyed this one because it gave a lot of information on why Hannah came back home. Hannah wanted to become a Professor and teach but she was finding out that she really didn’t want to go back because of a relationship break-up. This gave so much background information that is only hinted at in the other books. I loved it. Also this book has a different mystery in it. They are reading some notebooks that a very dear friend of the town wrote and they are enjoying it. Since this friend is in the hospital because of a broken hip they are recreating an event she has been describing. To get more information on this event they are on the hunt for details this is when they came across the notebooks. As the event comes together with the whole town getting together everyone is excited. Thins happen at this event and you have to read the book to uncover them. It is a sweet story and one you should read.

I have always liked reading her books and have actually tried some of the recipes. I highly recommend that you do the same.

Joanna Fluke is one of the queens of cozy culinary mysteries. This book contains two of her previously published works; Christmas Carmel Murder (#20, pub. 2016) and Christmas Cake Murder (#23, pub. 2018). I've never read the series so the second book was a great place for me to start. It is a prequel to the series and it starts with Hannah Swensen coming home for her fathers funeral. Her mom is depressed and grandma and sisters come up with a plan to get her thinking of others and out of the house. It shows the beginning of her planning The Cookie Jar as her career. Cozy mysteries are fun, light, and clean. (A few in this series have been made into Hallmark movies.) The plots in these two were interesting and the first contained a surprising twist. I think half the fun of long series like these is staying up with the characters over the long haul and that was missing for me as a new reader. Also I felt some of the information was given to me multiple times and the dialogue was simplistic. I enjoyed my read and someday may go back and start at the beginning. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC in exchange for a review.

what a fun book! im new to the cozy mystery genre and from what I've read, Joanne Fluke seems to be a great author to start with. I would highly recommend if you are looking for a fun, cozy, murdery (which isn't a word but im sticking with it lol), and festive book for the upcoming season! (thank you net galley for providing me with an e-arc for an honest review)

I am an avid Hannah Swenson follower and was a little disappointed this was a republish of two of the previous books. When I requested it from Netgalley, the description was not posted and I missed the smaller print on the cover telling me it was two previous books.

Since I took the book, I re-read them. What I liked is that they centered on a Christmas theme. Both stories were entertaining. I really never liked Ross and was happy that the first book is a really short story which recounts a story that had happened the year prior. The story is still a good one.

What I missed from the previous books was an index of recipes correlated with page numbers for each book.

I was given an Advanced Reader’s Copy by Netgalley and am not required to leave a positive review.

Ms Fluke is a queen of the cozies. I love all of the Hannah Swensen books and this Christmas release of 2 earlier novellas is no exception. Well written and full of festive sprit, if you love a Christmas cozy these are a must read. I feel like I am visiting with Hannah, Delores, Andrea and Michelle every time I read them. The recipes in these stories always sound delicious and I think I may have to attempt the Honey Apple Crisp and Gingerbread Pancakes as they sound wonderful.

Thank you NetGalley , Joanne Fluke and Kensington Books for the ARC of Christmas Dessert Murder. This is my personal review.
I adore and devour every book that Joanne Fluke has written. This is two of her books in one. Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder.
These two stories are a great way to begin the holiday season reading. Hannah Swenson can bake up a great treat and solve a murder at the same time.
Every book has fantastic recipes in them, and this just adds to the joy of reading this series.
Thank you, Joanne Fluke, for bringing these two wonderful tales back to us.

Two festive mysteries with mouth watering recipes. For those of you that have read the whole series these are old books being published again. Christmas Caramel Murder copyright is 2016 and Christmas Cake murder 2018 and they are together in this one book. There has not been much progress since the Ross debacle and I hope the next book advances the story of Hannah and her life in Lake Eden.

Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder were published previously as the twentieth and twenty-third installments in Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen series. The characters are well developed, the setting charming, and the mysteries interesting.

Christmas Caramel Murder begins with Hannah and her new husband, Ross, dining at the Lake Eden Inn where the owners, Sally and Dick Laughlin, are getting ready for their annual Oktoberfest celebration, and Sally asks Hannah’s opinion about a new dessert Sally is testing. The subject of Hannah’s business partner’s, Lisa, chocolate caramels comes into play, and Hannah’s husband, Ross, who has never tasted caramels, asks if they will be making them again this Christmas make them. Hannah is hesitant, saying that they were bad luck since she found some of them at a murder scene the previous year. Ross asks to hear what happened, and Hannah proceeds to explain what happened. Lisa had told Hannah that her husband, Herb, had been working late every night and that she was concerned that he might be having an affair with his high school flame, Phyllis Bates, who had recently returned to Lake Eden, Minnesota. Herb had played Santa for the past four years, and he and Mrs. Claus passed out gift bags with candy and cookies to the children in the audience after the Lake Eden Players had performed their annual Christmas play. Needless to say, when Mayor Bascomb arbitrarily gives the role of Mrs. Claus to Phyllis, Lisa is upset, but she’s devastated when she sees Mrs. Claus kiss Santa in a completely inappropriate manner during the play’s rehearsal. Hannah has an uncanny penchant for finding murder victims, so it’s no surprise when she finds a body buried in the snow, and when the victim turns out to be Phyllis, both Lisa and Herb end up on the suspect list. Hannah is determined to find an alibi for her friend and Lisa’s husband Herb and find the real murderer. Hannah’s father comes to her as a ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to show her clues to look for.

Christmas Cake Murder takes readers back to before Hannah opened her bakery, The Cookie Jar. Hannah Swensen’s father, Lars, recently passed away, and her mother, Delores, is taking long naps, eating very little, and says she’s too tired to do anything. Michelle, the youngest, is still in high school. Andrea, the middle daughter, is married to Deputy Sheriff Bill Todd and is expecting their first child. Hannah, the oldest and in college, returned to Lake Eden, Minnesota, for the funeral and is helping her mother and sisters cope with their loss. After unsuccessful attempts by the sisters to get Delores involved with their lives, two of Delores’ friends, Grandma Knudson and Annie Winters, come up with a project she won’t want to do but will feel obligated to take on. Essie Granger, a beloved town resident, has fallen on hard times, not eating properly and living in squalor in two rooms in the old Albion Hotel building, without electricity or running water. She’s currently recovering from a broken hip, and Doc Knight placed her in the hospital’s hospice ward. Essie told Grandma Knudson and Annie that she wished she could go back in time and experience the splendor of the hotel’s first Christmas Ball and Christmas Cake Parade again, and they asked Delores to spearhead the event. She agrees, but only if Hannah will help bake the cakes for the parade. When Hannah and Delores go to the hotel to pick up some of Essie’s things, they find some old notebooks containing what they believe is a story Essie was writing. Hannah reads the story to Delores, Michelle, and Michelle’s friend, Lisa Herman, and they all enjoy what turned out to be a real mystery from the past. Hannah, who thought she wanted to be a college professor, changes her mind and decides not to go back to college to get her doctorate. She told Michelle and Lisa her dream job would be to own a bakery and coffee shop. Delores suggests that Hannah take the remainder of her college and rent a recently vacated bakery on Main Street. Delores does a fantastic job recreating the event and encouraging everyone to help, and Michelle and Lisa help Hannah with the baking. The Christmas Ball begins wonderfully, but mayhem breaks out during the Christmas Cake Parade.

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

Christmas Dessert Murder by Joanne Fluke was a comfort read. I knew there would be a murder, some fantastic recipes, family interaction and lots of baking. Unfortunately, most of these books follow the same pattern. This particular book is actually too small novellas. The second one was considerably more enjoyable than the first. The first book was titled Christmas Caramel Murder. You probably figured out there was a murder and it involved some of Hannah's caramel candy. Well not exactly Hannah's candy but you get the idea. The ending on this one was a little bit of a surprise. Usually it's fairly simple to figure out but this one had a little bit of a twist to it. The second book was by far more enjoyable. Christmas Cake Murder takes us back to the days before Hannah opened the Cookie Jar. The book is basically a story within a story. We meet the Swenson family after the death of Hannah's father. From there we learn how each sister followed her career path thanks to their meddling mother. But there's also a story within that. Or maybe I should say two stories within that one. One story involves a favorite local named Essie. Essie wants to see her memory of a Christmas ball come back to life before she passes away. The Christmas ball was a tradition in her younger days. While Essie is recovering in the hospital Hannah finds notebooks of a story. Is it Essie's story or just something made up? As Joanne Fluke ties all the ends together into a pretty Christmas bow the story wraps up with a surprise ending. I'm still only giving the book three stars. Half of each book seems to be recipes. And the stories are becoming very predictable, the conversation stilted and the characters flat..
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This book is a fun and festive combo of two previous Joanne Fluke books: Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder. Both are holiday tales complete with yummy themed desserts you'll want to bake and an exciting who-done-it murder tale to cozy up to. Highly recommend this edition as you get two books in one, which also makes it perfect for gifting this holiday season!

Two brief Christmas stories in the popular Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series by Joanne Fluke. Set in Lake Eden, Minnesota and filled with recipes and small town murder!

Christmas Dessert Murder
by Joanne Fluke
Pub Date: October 26, 2021
Kensington Publisher

I delight in this series and many of the readers at the library also enjoy them. I have to say I was a bit disappointed to not get a new Hannah holiday treat. I don't necessarily dislike reprints, but if I was going to choose two earlier Hannah stories, it wouldn't have been these two. Just not my favorites...

This book includes: Christmas Caramel Murder (Book #20, published in 2016) and Christmas Cake Murder (Book #23, published in 2018).

I'm a dedicated reader of this series. I will keep reading each new book until there aren't any more.
Thanks to Kensington Publishers, Net Galley and Joanne Fluke for the ARC.
4 star

Christmas Dessert Murder (Hannah Swensen, #20 & 23): CHRISTMAS CARAMEL MURDER / CHRISTMAS CAKE MURDER
by Joanne Fluke
Two prior stories in this box set.
.....
Christmas Caramel Murder by Joanne Fluke
Love the authors work and treasure recipes throughout each book.
This one starts out with Hannah and Ross-her new husband and after having a meal at the Inn he asks her about last Christmas event where the caramel candy didn't quite work out well.
She then explains to him over the course of the rest of the night what happened. Started out with Lisa and Hannah and Lisa has agreed they will need to make more as the candy company is out of business.
As Lisa informs Hannah of her spouses late night work she worries his new assistant who he had dated in high school was going to be Mrs. Santa Claus this year as Herb was Santa himself. They catch a rehearsal as they are in the neighborhood and just as she feared Gloria is up to her old tricks.
They buckle down and discuss it while they experiment and make treats only to find out later that Phyllis is now dead...
The characters in the book that are always in the books are present here: Norman, Mike, Herb, Lisa and her sisters and mother. Even a guest appearance from her father as a ghost of Christmas helps solve this one.
Recipes are to die for!
I received this book from The Kensington Books in exchange for my honest review
..
Christmas Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Have read most all of other books in the series, can be read as standalone also.
This one starts out when Hannah is just in college and they've lost their dad. Delores, their mom is taking it bad spending a lot of time in bed, napping.
One day her friends come up with a suggestion that might help get her going again. Only she'd be able to handle the huge event.
She accepts and we learn about how it all came together and what she has to do to make the event a huge accomplishment.
What I like also is that Essie has notebooks of stories she had written and it's played out by other characters. Love getting two stories in one book.
Love hearing how the cookie shop started-had no idea after 25 books.
Like hearing of the regular day when their dad was alive and how he'd spill food on his clean shirt-reminds me so much of my husband also.
There are many components to the Christmas Ball and a cake parade is one of them, sounds so yummy and colorful.
Loved learning new things: spray Pam in spoon before measuring molasses! it won't stick!
Quite the mystery surrounding Essie, glad it got solved! Conversion tables at the end of the book.
Recipes included after every other chapter that relate to the topics in those chapters.
Received this review copy from Kensington Books via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#ChristmasCakeMurder #NetGalley

Loved this set of two Christmas books.
Received this review copy from Kensington Books via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#ChristmasDessertMurder #NetGalley.

This is an 'anthology' of 2 previously-published novels - Christmas Caramel Murder and Christmas Cake Murder. I had not read the Christmas Cake Murder, which was a delightful look into the origins of The Cookie Jar. Readers not understanding that this is 2 previous works, just bundled will be disappointed if they have read both. I will say that the bundt cake recipes in the Christmas Cake Murder looked yummy and I enjoyed the 'story within a story' that centered on the youth home.

I was so excited to finally read a cozy mystery by Joanne Fluke but much to my dismay, I was left with a sour taste in my mouth. Christmas Dessert Murder features Hannah Swensen in Lake Eden, Minnesota is combination of two previously published books in novella form, Hannah, a baker and owner of The Cookie Jar, is a known as an amateur sleuth working alongside the police to solve a murder. She just always happens to find the dead body first.

The first story, Christmas Caramel Murder had all the elements of a good cozy mystery with a the murder of a woman known to be the mistress of the mayor yet also after Hannah’s friends husband and plenty of suspects with motives, one who was Hannah’s friend Lisa. Hannah sets off to find an alibi for her friend and Lisa’s husband Bert and to find the real murderer. To help Hannah solve the mystery, her father comes to her as a ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to show her clues to look for. I found this to be too much.

The second story, Christmas Cake Murder allows the reader to see how Hannah came to be a baker and own her own baker following the death of her father. Although there is no real murder for her to solve in this story, there is a great tale written by Essie whom Hannah and her mother are trying to help by throwing a Christmas Ball.

Not much content in either story and too much telling rather than showing. Lots of dialogue that is mundane. While it was interesting and tempting to see all the recipes included, having them placed after every chapter takes away from the flow of the story and to me is a distraction. I would rather have them placed at the end of the book. Not familiar with Joanne Fluke’s style of writing, perhaps I will have to try another of her stories to see.
However, for today, this Christmas story brought no joy, just ho hum. I don’t want to be a Grinch but I was disappointed in this book.

Many thanks to #netgalley #joannefluke #Christmasdessertmurder for the opportunity to read and write an honest review.