Hannah Swensen continues to struggle with her new husband Ross' disappearance while she and Lisa (plus helpers, Michelle, Marge, Jack, Aunt Nancy, etc.) prepare for the upcoming holiday baking season, along with holding a cookie and coffee concession stand at Sally Louden's holiday craft fair.

This story felt a little lackadaisical with it's approach to solving the mystery. It felt like there was less investigation in this book and more the person (whether it is Hannah or Mike or whoever) just hearing the right story at the right time than actually figuring out whodunnit. Whodunnit is actually pretty easy to figure out (as the reader) if you're genre savvy enough. The solution/climax also seemed shoehorned in to the last 10% or so.

I also felt a distinct lack of characters I'm used to catching up with in the book. Or, at least a diminishing of those's characters' importance. I feel like there was much less of Delores and Andrea in the book than usual, especially so with Andrea. At least there's less than I would like.

This book also goes into some weird tangents, though it's totally within the logics of the story. And it felt, too, like there was less humor than has been present in other stories in this series.

However, all that said, this is still an enjoyable read and definitely recommend for Hannah fans. It's definitely good to be back in Lake Eden again.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and have voluntarily provided a review.

The latest Hannah Swensen mystery has Hannah confused and hurt by the sudden disappearance of her new husband Ross Barton. Trying to keep up appearances, she works diligently at the Cookie Jar devising new recipes helping others stock up for the coming holidays. When her husband's assistant borrows Ross' car and then dies in a car crash (later it was determined that he was poisoned by candy found on Ross' desk) Hannah wonders if Ross was the actual intended victim and sets out to find out how it happened. What she finds are more mysteries!

I've been a faithfully follower of Hannah from the beginning but it seems a bit odd that we have a new love interest, a fast wedding and then the groom disappears. Did the author regret not having Hannah chose Mike or Norman?

A typical Hannah mystery - enjoyable and a titillation for our taste buds!

I'm sad to say that this is the last Hannah Swensen book I will be reading. I've made it to 22 and that is an accomplishment, right? I feel like 80% of the book is food now. I love food, don't get me wrong, but there is little plot other than that. In the first book, there was only 7 recipes and this one has 29 recipes, if that tells you anything. The most interesting part to me in this installment was Moishe. I love Moishe.

SPOILERS AHEAD:
In this installment, Ross is still missing. He leaves behind some weird things that make it seem like he planned to leave. His assistant, P.K., then mysteriously dies in a car crash and it turns out he was drugged. The story follows Hannah trying to find out where Ross is while also investigating what happened to P.K. (and if the drugs were meant for Ross).

I feel like these stories are so unrealistic now. The police wouldn't be giving out information to a civilian. No matter how small town and close they are. And no one could HONESTLY be as clueless as Hannah when she approaches a killer, especially after doing it so many times. GIRL - GO TO THE POLICE AND STAY SAFE. Once again, different scenes in the book (that don't include food) are so spelled out that it hurts to read the story. Once upon a time, these were some of my favorite easy reads, but now I feel like my enjoyment of these characters is gone. Also...#TeamNorman

This is #22 in the Hannah Swenson series. I don't think I would have lasted this long if I didn't find the stories to be funny and cute. I am always impressed by Hannah's abilities to solve these murder mysteries. And who of us readers doesn't look forward to those new recipes!

I received this from Kensington via Netgalley.

I really love this series and it seems like it just gets better. I love the interactions with Hannah's family and friends more than the "mystery" of any particular book and this one doesn't disappoint. Hannah leans on her friends more and more as the mystery of her husband's disappearance drags on. There is finally an answer of sorts at the end of the book, but not the one I was expecting. I will definitely be waiting for the next installment to find out more!

Let me say that I loved this book and how much happier I was to see in Raspberry Danish Murder that Hannah seemed back to the character she was before. I felt she was different in the last book, not for the best, but this was a return to my old friend. With this mystery, Hannah's husband has disappeared and she is utilizing her sleuthing skills to find his whereabouts. We see Hannah also working with all her friends and family to assist her. If you are a fan of this series like me, you will be happy with this new addition. It brings back the feeling of the old Hannah. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for a chance to read this book as an ARC and recommend it to everyone I know!

Once again Joanne Fluke has peaked my interest with another fast-paced mystery involving my favorite Lake Eden Baker, Hannah Swensen Barton. This time not only does Hannah find the body of P.K., Ross’s assistant at the TV station where Ross works; Hannah must unravel why her newly-wed husband has up and disappeared without a trace.

As usual Hannah is whipping up another mind-blowing, lip-smacking recipe, this time for Raspberry Danish, of course there is one found in the car with P.K. at the scene of his murder. Good thing Mike, the local detective and former boyfriend knows our sweet-baker/crime solver Hannah would never harm anyone. When it comes up in the investigation P.K. was driving missing hubby Ross’s car and he has been using his desk at work, it in everyone’s mind that perhaps Hannah’s missing hubby’s disappearance could involve foul play. This could well be the one time our sugar-coated sleuth will be caught off guard when Mike breaks the news of his own investigation into Ross’s disappearance.

Joann Fluke is a superb writer, and if her recipes scattered through-out her books are any indication, she must also be a fantastic baker! I love how each one is broken down into simple directions so that even an amateur can turn out scrumptious treats! I have read all of Hannah’s adventures, but I will have to say the ending to this one had me pondering it over and over. Needless to say, I absolutely cannot wait to see how Hannah works through this conundrum she has been left with, but I am sure Mike, Norman, Michelle and of course sweet Moishe will help her get through it.

After reading some of the other reader’s reviews, I’ve noticed lots of dissatisfaction with the way Hannah was being portrayed in this book. I, myself feel Hannah was showing vulnerability from her newly-wed husband walking out on her without an explanation. I find it refreshing when a character has a little change-up from the norm, it helped me identify with her loss and her feelings of self-doubt. Thank you, Joann for sharing this rarely seen side of our heroine!

***Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest opinion! ***

This is #22 in the Hannah Swensen series and it's still as fresh and fun to read as book 1. Hannah and her sister are busy at the cookie jar getting ready for Thanksgiving and the big Christmas Craft fair where they will have a booth of coffee and deserts. Reading previous books will certainly help keep characters and relationships straight but Ms. Fluke does a good job of introducing the back story of Hannah's missing husband and Lake Eden's small town routine. Of course there is a murder to solve and a bombshell at the end to make the wait for the next book excruciating. This is an excellent addition to the series. I received a free ARC from the publisher/author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Clearly Joanne Fluke is concerned about her readership following or she would NOT leave them with another cliffhanger. There is nothing I dislike more in a book [with the exception of poor writing, which this book also has in spades] series than a cliffhanger. They are unnecessary if you are writing quality books that people want to read.

I used to like these books. I used to like Hannah. She was a strong, independent woman who owned her own business and her own life and she made little apologies for that. She was a role model and a character that you could look up to. Not any more. She has become this whiny, clingy, wishy-washy cookie maker who also thinks that she is way smarter than the police and that they will never be able to solve a murder without her interference, which always ends up with her in grave danger. In the beginning, she helped solve the murders and often was involved because she stumbled onto something and that is why she ended up in danger; now she seems to actively seek it out.

I had the "bad guy" and the "why" figured out by the end. What I didn't have figured out was the whole "Ross" angle - THAT was a bit mind-blowing and the reveal made the last few chapters the best of the book. But to leave it as a cliff-hanger was totally unnecessary. Another chapter could have explained some of it and then we could have moved on to the next book. Now I will not know because I will not be reading any more of these. I just cannot stand the poor writing, the condescending tone to the reader [did she really need to explain to the reader what the number 5 meant on the answering machine and in a way that was like she was telling a 3 year old?], and the shift of Hannah's character from someone who could be admired to someone that is just meh and whiny. It has been a real disappointment to see the decline of these books and this character.

Tried to read it, but the story seemed off, like finding a chocolate chip cookie that turned out to be oatmeal raisin.

What happened?! I am a big fan of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mystery series. They usually offer a light, entertaining tale with a few yummy recipes thrown in. I have even baked some of her cookie recipes and they are unfailingly delicious. This novel, Raspberry Danish Murder, is an unpleasant exception.
Hannah is her usual sweet self but the content in this book makes me wonder if it is even written by Joanne Fluke. It is so rudimentary. The entire plot could be summed up in just one paragraph. Fluke fills the pages of the book with inconsequential details, trivial conversations, immaterial descriptions of Hannah's cat's behaviour and 29, yes! 29! recipes. These page filling tricks combined with the simple prose and unsophisticated story line will leave Fluke's legions of fans extremely disappointed.
Don't read this book.

Hannah is back in the midst of a murder investigation when PK, Ross’ assistant, is killed while she and Michelle watch in horror during a video chat. Not only is Hannah worried about Ross who just disappeared, but now she is trying to figure out who sent poisoned candy to Ross which is what killed PK. Joanne Fluke never fails to disappoint with her whodunit mysteries as well as the delicious recipes included on almost every chapter.

I tried very hard to like this book. So many recipes, so many cookies, I know that is her schtick, but it was overkill for me. The only thing that kept my interest was the mystery about where her new husband went. Maybe I will give the next one another chance.

I found myself liking this book more than I have been with previous installments in the series. This book felt close to how the series first used to be like and I’m hoping that continues.

This is one of the few books I've started and didn't/couldn't finish. It just wasn't good. The only positive I have is that the recipes (of which there were far too many) did sound good.

I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

In this 22nd Hannah Swenson book, Hannah's new husband is missing, and she is trying to figure out where he is while hiding the fact that she doesn't know where he is. Add in the upcoming Thanksgiving holidays, her busy cookie shop, and her commitment to an upcoming craft show, and Hannah has her plate full.

I am always ambiguous about these books. I always want to read them, but then I get annoyed by them. This one was better than some. She has quit explaining every joke, but there was a whole bit about recognizing people by their knocks. Also, she spent a lot more time trying to solve the murder than worrying about her husband, all the while spending lots of time with her old beaus, Mike and Norman. Honestly, she seemed more concerned about her cat being tired than her husband being gone without a trace.

The mystery was interesting, and I mostly do like the characters. The book ended on a cliffhanger, so I will be drawn into the next one. I think that is her greatest talent, drawing readers in whether they want to be or not.

I have read all the previous books in Ms Fluke's Hannah Swensen series so I was very excited to read this one. The Raspberry Danish Murder picks up right where Banana Cream Pie Murder left off with Hannah's husband missing. No spoiler alerts here but Hannah gets some surprising news about her new husband throughout this book. Of course there is another murder mystery sprinkled along in this book as well. Another fun thing about these books is that they all come with recipes that are featured in the story. But that isn't the best part of the recipes. They come with step by step details and even Hannah's special hints. Even an inexperienced baker could whip up some of Hannah's delicious cookies at home. Several years ago I did introduce some of my students to Ms Fluke's books. One of the reasons was that the books are well written but also you don't have to censure for language or things that would be inappropriate for teen audiences. We wrote to Ms Fluke and she replied. When an author takes her time to reply to students that is an author you will support and follow.

Rather interesting characters, but elementary and lackluster writing. In some places the writing is so bad as to be the sort found in chapter books—
"We have a custard for dessert."
"Did you hear they have a custard for dessert?"
"I think I will order the custard for dessert."
(To other character at table)
"Did you know they have a custard for dessert?"
Waitress: "We have an almond custard for dessert."
"An almond custard. How unique."
"A very smooth custard."
"A smooth, almond custard. Yes. I will take the almond custard for dessert."

Repetitive conversation of that sort isn't just elementary, it's unrealistic...no one talks that way! And you really don't have to figure out someone to attribute the quote to when you use a cliche. "My great-aunt used to say..." To her own sister? It's her great-aunt, too.

Also the emotional responses to things are way unrealistic, and the clues are often entirely by chance. It's a fun and fast-paced read, though! Some of the included recipes look really promising, and Imll be trying them out. Perhaps I'll find a new favorite.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free review copy.

Hannah Swenson Barton works at a family owned bakery in Lake Eden, Minn. She is a newlywed but her husband, Ross, has disappeared. Searching for clues, she finds out he has put money into her accounts. Wondering if he intends to return, she is then shocked when his assistant is murdered. Hannah is driven to solve the murder and find her husband. This book was a well written mystery and a bonus for readers who love candy and have a sweet tooth. The book did contain 29 recepies which is a little much for me. I would rather more prose. However, I did enjoy the book. Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book.

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke is the latest book in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I read this book mainly due to the fact that the last one ended as a cliffhanger. I am disappointed with the direction of this series. Hannah married someone she barely knew and has turned into a shadow of her former self. She is no longer a strong cozy mystery character. While this book has a mystery, it is not the focus. The focus instead is on drinking coffee constantly and baking new cookies. A new cookie is baked every day, and I wonder just how large the cookie shop is to hold all of these varieties of cookies. I did get some resolution to the last cliffhanger and there is most likely enough to draw me into another book. I keep reading in hopes that the series will get back to what it used to be.