Hannah Swensen and her entourage are back in true Cookie Jar, Lake Eden, Minnesota form.
Norman, Mike, Michelle and Lonnie join Moishe in befriending Hannah through good times and bad, through baking and investigating.
When Ross Barton's assistant P.K. dies from eating poisoned candy sent to Ross' office, not knowing who the candy was meant for means two investigations. Mike welcomes Hannah's help this time while the search for Ross continues.
Each chapter ends with recipes and it seems that there are more recipes than story but the recipes look delicious and the story is a fun, easy read.
Nice to have our old Hannah back!

Hannah Swensen, owner of a cookie bakery in a small Midwestern town, spent quite a few books in this series trying to decide between two swains: Mike and Norman. Then she had a whirlwind romance and married a third guy. At the opening of this book, he has disappeared. Mike and Norman, having become her best friends, help her investigate murders, even though Mike is himself a police detective.

None of this is explained in the book even though it's integral to the plot, so this might not be a good book to start the series with.

It might not be a good starting point anyway, because there is very little action in this installment of the series. Eating and gossiping make up a good 90% of the story line. Fortunately, Hannah has a lot of free help in her business from kind family members, so she is able to keep things going while she pumps her neighbors for information. She also solves the mystery, largely by dint of stumbling accidentally on damaging details and springing accusations on people. .

Fans of the series will certainly want to read this book -- it's a bit of a cliffhanger, so you'll need it to avoid confusion in the next book. It also contains a lot of recipes and updates on the adventures of continuing characters.

So, not the best in the series, but a friendly, cozy story with likeable characters and a tough to crack case.

This is my favorite cozy series, but the introduction of Ross had me frustrated (team Norman!). I feel like this installment brought me back to what I love about these books. Ross is missing and Norman and Mike are more involved in the storyline than they have been recently. There are a lot of great recipes and the ending has me wishing the next book was coming out ASAP! A must read for all Hannah fans.

I am of the camp that hasn't really enjoyed the last few books, as I think Ross was a big mistake, and I thought the actual mysteries and Hannah's independence were somewhat lacking in the last books. However, I think that some of that returned with this installment of the series. I felt like it went very quickly - it almost seemed like the book was shorter - but the mystery was enjoyable, and there were some good scenes with Mike, Norman, Michelle and Andrea here. And great cookies! Reading these books always makes me want to go to Sally's Inn for dinner and eat lots of cookies!

3.5 stars but rounded up because this book is what it is and it ticks enough boxes!
So, after making her choice between her two long running beaus and running off and marrying someone else entirely (go figure), Hannah now has to lie in the bed she has made when husband Ross is still missing after vanishing without trace several months since.
Still, Thanksgiving is coming and so she does what she does best and throws herself into her work, baking up a storm for both her shop and a stall she has been offered at a fair. Meanwhile, she finds the keys to Ross's car and lends it to PK, Ross's assistant who duly crashes it shortly after leaving Hannah's armed with samples of her new recipe. With foul play suspected there are several questions need answered; was it the pastry did for him or was the car sabotaged? And, if the car, was he the intended victim or does it all go back to our errant husband Ross. Obviously Hannah will investigate but this time, it's a little too lose to home.
I have read and, mostly, enjoyed all the books in this series. Yes, OK, I am still a little irked with the whole Ross thing but then again, Hannah couldn't choose between the two so really, how could the author. If she put her with one she would invariably lose fans of team the other! Anyway, it is what it is! Yes they are a bit formulaic and all that, cliched at times too but, you know what? That's actually sometimes very comfortable. Sometimes I just want to read something without having to think too hard. A nice, easy, but satisfying, read that keeps me occupied for a few hours and isn't too taxing. And that's exactly what you get from these books. Oh and you also get hungry as there are so many mouthwatering cookies, cakes and indeed savouries to be found both within the story and also in recipe form at the end of most chapters.
The writing doesn't feel as polished as maybe it once was either. As Ms Fluke is somewhat advancing in years, this is somewhat understandable, especially if she is having help. These books have always been on the cosy side but I feel that the last few books have been a little more dumbed down than usual. This might only be my observation as I did binge the first 15 or so books quite quickly until I caught up and then went on to read as published so this pattern may have skewed my perception somewhat.
Anyway, all in all, a mostly satisfying read with a conclusion that has left me very interested in seeing where Hannah goes next. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Raspberry Danish Murder is the 22nd installment in Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mystery series. The characters are well developed and the storyline is well plotted. The book flowed at a steady pace and the mysteries were interesting and kept me guessing until the reveal. The reveal surprised me, but I was disappointed that once again, the story ended in a huge cliffhanger.

Hannah Swensen Barton is the owner of The Cookie Jar, a bakery and coffee shop, in Lake Eden, Minnesota and her new husband, Ross Barton, has been missing for two weeks. He took his condominium key, but left the others, so she is hopeful he intends to return. Michelle, her youngest sister who is staying with her, finds the keys to Ross’ car in her dresser drawer, and Hannah thinks this means Ross wants Michelle to drive his car while he’s gone. Ross’ assistant, P.K.’s car is in the shop and Michelle lends the car to him. Ross had temporarily moved into Ross’ office at KCOW-TV and ate some candy he found in the desk. While on the phone with Hannah and Michelle, he loses control and the car and ends up in a ditch. P.K. dies and it’s determined the candy he’d consumed had been poisoned. The Lake Eden police start to investigate to find out who poisoned the candy and determine if Ross might have been the intended victim. Hannah decides to investigate too, and learns Ross not only deposited a large amount of money into her bank account, gave her access to his bank accounts, safety deposit box, and a key to a storage facility, but also discovers that there are a lot of discrepancies in the things Ross told her about his past and his family.

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

I was not sure about this book, when I started it. I had been so disappointed in the Wedding Cake Murder that I was afraid this series list it mojo. I am happy to say this book was a fantastic read and Hannah is back to her old self. I loved that the murder was different than in the past and I was drawn into the world of Hannah Swensen and stayed up to late reading. I won't spoil anything that happens with Ross, Hannah's husband but wowzer. I recommend this book and look forward to the next

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance digital review copy.

Apart from the surprise ending, Raspberry Danish Murder, number 22 in the Hannah Swensen Mystery series, is not much better than its disappointing predecessor.

For me, there was too much eating and drinking coffee in this one. The murder investigation and the mystery of the disappearance of Hannah’s husband, Ross, took a poor second place to the recipes and the baked goods.

There was a lack of the personalities and fun which used to make these books so enjoyable. The writing was often formulaic, repetitive and full of statements of the obvious, padding- out the text. Much of the dialogue was mundane and did little to further the plot, which was not very substantial anyway. The interplay between Hannah, Delores and the other sisters and between Hannah, Mike and Norman has largely disappeared with the advent of Ross whose shadow has blighted the series for me.

I shall read the next…Who could not, given an ending like this?!

This books picks up shortly after the events of Banana Cream Pie Murder , and Hannah is feeling pretty miserable after Ross's sudden and still unexplained disappearance. Of course, there is also a murder to solve and it feels pretty personal to Hannah as it's unclear whether the intended victim was Ross or his assistant, P.K.

Overall I felt like the story was solid and enjoyable in this book, though there are some aspects of this series that are starting to grate. I'm unclear exactly what year- what decade?- it is in Lake Eden at this point. As one example, they have cell phones, yet the basic concepts of recycling are apparently novel. I actually really loved the cliffhanger this book ended on- it's a little more juicy than some other stories that have featured in these books, I didn't see it coming, and I feel assured there is more to come from Hannah.

Raspberry Danish Murder was another delicious addition to Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I have enjoyed reading most of the books in this serial. It is a constant in my line up of cozy murder mysteries. I can count on Hannah, Norman, Mike, and the all the rest of the cast of characters to show up and help solve the crime. The tasty treats are always a lovely addition to the book. The setting of Lake Eden makes me want to live in a small town in Minnesota. This story had two mysteries, one was completely solved by the finish, the other was left open-ended. I liked this twist and how it keeps the reader wanting more. I cannot wait for the next addition to the series.

I thought I have enjoyed this author's books before, so I was anxious to read her new one. But, try as I may, I just can't get into this book. There is just too much talk about food and not enough plot. I received an ARC from Netgalley.com for a review.

Wow...Raspberry Danish Murder was not what I expected, but it was a good read. Hannah Swensen has the best elements of a mystery character. She is fiesty, sweet, and just outright too curious for her own good. So most of her mysteries have been where she just fell into them. This one is different. Her own new husband is missing and his assistant dies. So as they try to figure out if these two are connected Hannah and her quirky cast of extended family and friends are all on board to help. Hannah gives readers a sympathic character in this one. We feel bad for our heroine because her "happy ending" is becoming more of a "nightmare". Number twenty-two is not the last one in this series. It leaves the ending open for a next one. Enjoy the mystery and be happy that Hannah is back to the basics. #RaspberyDanishMurder #Netgalley
By the way, I wish the recipes were listed in the back of the book instead of each chapter. It was a bit distracting, but I do enjoy them.

This is the 22nd book Hannah Swensen series. I have read many of these, but not all. Apparently, I haven't read the most recent one because Hannah is married!

We learn immediately (on page 1) that Hannah's honeymoon is over. Her husband Ross has disappeared, having been gone for two weeks. He left all his keys except the one to Hannah's condo, there have been no phone calls and no clue to his whereabouts or why he left in the first place. By page 3, when Hannah is comparing herself to the other Swensen women and generally feeling bad about herself for not wearing the right clothes or enough make-up or being thin enough, I pretty much wished for Ross's death. Ross's assistant P.K. just said that Ross got a phone call and told him he had to leave for a "family emergency." Anyway, P.K. calls Hannah and Michelle and they subsequently witness most of his death. Apparently, P.K. had eaten poisoned candy from Ross's desk (which he had been using in his absence). So the problem becomes who was the intended victim - Ross or P.K.? And is Ross missing or worse?

The story was interesting, and included 28 total recipes (a couple of which now reside on my recipe cards). Overall, I thought it was good. And the end was a HUGE shock.

I do have one comment - I hardly ever drink coffee, but seriously - how much coffee can these people drink?

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke #RaspberryDanishMurder #NetGalley
Have read the other books in the series and know I am going to like this one.
Starts out with Hannah and Michelle as they head to work. Ross has not returned and she has not had any phone calls from him.
Recipes appear during the book. Love learning which products I can substitute for. Love all the notes along the way.
People come in while they are baking and it's easy to keep track of them and their careers. PK is Ross' assistant and he needs a ride while his is being repaired. They let him borrow Ross's car.
Like reuniting with the local folks, catching up with what they are doing nowadays.
Mike the cop and Norman the dentist, once contenders to be Hannah's husband are all just friends and help her with mysteries that land in her lap.
The girls answer a call from PK as he's speeding and inchherent, drugged or drunk as he drives off the road.
After calling Mike they also head out to the accident scene. Hannah learns a lot more talking to others there...
She really does not know her husband much at all as surprises are coming from all directions. Mike is collecting information about PK while Andrea is on the trail to find out more about Ross.
Details they uncover lead to other clues. Seems a lot of people but if you've followed this series from day one it's easy to keep track of who is who. Enjoyed this read kept you going, page after page.
Excerpt from Winter Chill is included. So many recipes, what a treasure!
I received this review book from Kensington Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

Joanne Fluke has done it again. With great recipes and a storyline that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat this book was awesome. Quirky Hannah Swenson and her group of cohorts are in the middle of yet another murder mystery. This one with a twist as Hannah’s husband is also part of the mystery. The real question is whether they are trying to solve one mysterious death or two. As we learn the results the reader’s are left with more questions as the truth is revealed as to her husbands disappearance. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to find out what Hannah is going to do.

I'm just so grateful that 'Raspberry Danish Murder' seems back to the Hannah that I loved from the beginning of the series. All of the other characters were delightful, the mystery was engaging and the cliffhanger was alright by me. Now I just can't wait to find out what happens next, and that is the mark of a great story!

I really liked aspects of this story. What I didn't enjoy was that after every chapter there were pages on pages of recipes that had some of the most ridiculous names. I felt that really broke up the momentum when reading. Also I have not read any of the other books but I was wondering is Hannah a baker/detective? Did I miss something there? What had the possibility to be a good book fell short for me.

This is the 22nd book in the Hannah Swenson series. It is near the end of November and Hannah, Lisa and the gang are preparing for the holiday. Hannah is stilled dealing with Ross's disappearance. Ross's assistant is suddenly poisoned and it is questionable if he was the intended target or if Hannah's husband Ross was. Hannah is invested in finding out the truth and hopefully finding Ross in the process. As the investigation goes on, Hannah discovers some discrepancies in the things Ross told her about his personal life, which ties in to the cliffhanger at the end of the book.

I have always enjoyed the Hannah Swenson series. They were the first cozy mysteries that I read and will always be special to me, As much as I love this series the last few books were starting to annoy me. However , I felt this book returned the characters to the ones that I loved and in my opinion hopefully fixing the plot line of Hannah's husband. The mystery was well written and kept me guessing until the end. The book was left on a cliffhanger so I am anxious to find out what happens next.

I received this book from net galley in exchange for review.

I found this book an enjoyable addition to the Hannah Swensen series. The previous book had left off with a cliff hanger, and I was quite interested in finding out what happened. If you haven't read The Banana Cream Pie Murder, I would recommend reading that one first so as not to be confused or lost. This book also leaves you with a small bombshell, so I will be waiting anxiously for the next installment also. I did find the plot a little slow at points, however, those parts where not much seems to happen do end up being relevant. For those unfamiliar with the series, it revolves around Hannah Swenson, who owns a cookie shop in Lake Eden, Minnesota. The book also includes recipes if you would like to try the treats the characters mention. Don't read this book on a empty stomach though, it will make you hungry! Hannah, along with some help from friends and family, have become well known for helping to solve murders that occur in their town. This installment is no different; a young man is killed and Hannah and her "team' must help figure out what happened, and even if the victim was the intended target. The characters are likeable and as some one from someplace that is in many ways the opposite of Lake Eden, I find the setting charming. I also appreciate that for a murder mystery, it is quite gentle. It is not particularly gory or descriptive of the murder, so it is good for those who like cozy mysteries.

I have been reading Hannah Swensen books since the series began. While the series isn't anything great in the literary world, I have enjoyed it very much. However, I don't like ridiculous cliffhangers. Oh well!

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes cozies but it is a series and builds on itself so you need to start at the beginning.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.