Hannah is back with another mystery to solve. But, at least it isn't another murder. A homeless man comes to Hannah's back door looking for work in exchange for food and coffee and warmth. The next day, Hannah, her mother and their friend Carrie find the same young man near death. Once Doc has the man in the hospital and on the mend they find out he has no memory of who he is or where he's from. Determined to help him, Hannah discovers all and saves the man from the person who put him in the state of no memory after trying to kill him.

Christmas Cupcake Murder is another holiday edition of the Hannah Swenson series. I look forward to the Christmas book each year, as they tend to take place in the past. As usual, the recipes are amazing and make me want to skip my diet and start my Christmas baking now. White Chocolate Eggnog Cupcakse and Christmas Coconut Crunch Cookies will be making an appearance in my Christmas treat baskets this holiday season.

Mother (aka Delores) and Carrie have not opened their shop yet and Hannah puts the idea in their mind to look for a property to use to at least store and restore their antiques. While looking at a retail space they find the homeless man Hannah had previously fed, not doing well and near death. After being seen by Doc it is revealed the man who wishes to be called Joe is severely malnourished, suffering from some sort of head injury and has amnesia. Hannah sets off to help Joe remember who he is and find out where he comes from, with help from Norman, the ever hungry Mike and fellow Lake Edenites. Of course, Hannah still findstime to make delicious Christmas treats for The Cookie Jar and share meals with her family.

I really enjoy the Christmas books and going back in time with Hannah and her family and the other citizens of Lake Eden. The holiday recipes are always something to look forward to.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Joanne Fluke takes us back to the town of Lake Eden, Minnesota with the latest in her Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series. This book, the 26th in the series, goes back in time – before Hannah’s mother opened up her antique shop. One morning, a thin homeless man shows up at Hannah’s cookie shop looking for work. Later, he is found unconscious in an abandoned storefront. He is taken to the hospital where they discover that the man, whom they call Joe, is suffering from amnesia and a traumatic brain injury. Hannah and her friends work together to try to help Joe restore his memory and learn what has happened to him.

I have read all of the Hannah Swensen books. This latest is a quick read, shorter than most of the novels in the series. Set during the Christmas season, it is full of recipes and descriptions of Hannah baking some delicious treats. The mystery is not complex, however, it is always fun to revisit Lake Eden and the wonderful people who live there. Readers of the series will enjoy this latest addition.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me the opportunity to read an advanced review copy of this book.

I heard so much about Joanne Fluke and her cozy mysteries, I was very excited to read this book. I haven’t read any of the series, but I don’t think that matters, It’s a fast read and I love the recipes and the Hannah hints. Great! As for the storyline I thought it was a bit corny. Hannah a owner-baker of The Cookie Jar and part time mystery solver. With the help of family and friends, they try to help a homeless man with no memory of his past find his identity. They drink gallons of coffee and eat so many sweets that the story seems to be secondary. I must say I will try some of the recipes, not so sure if I would read another of her books..
 I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story.

Thank you Netgalley for the copy of Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke. I love this series and the tv movies. Hannah Swenson is at it again, baking up a storm, baking cupcakes and cookies, creating new recipes, and having dinner parties. She helps out a homeless man, it turns out he has amnesia, so Hannah tries to help him remember. An easy reading, I really enjoyed it.

Christmas Cupcake Murder, A Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes! by Joanne Fluke
Publisher: Kensington Books
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Release Date: September 29, 2020

I love the characters in this book. I love the small town feel to the story. I love the author's writing style and the pace of her writing. The recipes at the end of each chapter add a special touch.

I have to admit that I have not read all of the Hannah Swenson Mystery books and when I do read one, it is definitely not in order of the series. (I am working to change that, but for now, I read them as standalone novels). But that is also what is great about the books...they do not have to be read in order and can be picked up any point in the series.

I'm so grateful to Joanne Fluke, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I always love visiting Lake Eden in Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mystery series, and Christmas Cupcake Murder is no exception. I particularly love the entries that take place around Christmas, and this book has the added fun of providing all kinds of cozy nostalgia because it's set when Hannah first opens The Cookie Jar. The mystery here is that a homeless stranger Hannah helps one morning is later found nearly dead in an abandoned building. The man, who goes by Joe, has amnesia, and Hannah is determined to help him remember who he is.

As usual, the main focus is on Hannah and her life in Lake Eden (with quite a lot of baking thrown in) and not so much on the mystery. I loved all of Hannah's morning get togethers with her friends and family in The Cookie Jar's kitchen while they sip coffee and test the baked goods while discussing the mystery surrounding Joe, not to mention the intimate dinner parties. Of course the mystery is eventually solved in the last few pages in a satisfyingly cozy way. Definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted holiday read.

I first want to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I am a huge Joanne Fluke fan after being recommended her books by a woman who works at my local Barnes and Nobles. She handed me Blueberry Muffin Murder and I soon realized I was reading it out of order and started madly reading until I caught up. And then I said to myself "we only get one a year... why did you do that?" Well this year is a special year because we get a novella that is based early on in the series (not sure exactly when because they refer to her solving murders but the prequel says that its before she started solving murders). Carrie and Dolores haven't opened their stores yet and MIchelle (who is one of my favorite characters!) is still away at school. This book starts with a homeless man knocking on Hannah's back door looking for work. Fast forward to when Hannah, Dolores and Carrie find the same homeless man unconscious in the store they were looking at. When the man comes to, he has amnesia. This starts off a holiday baked good themed mysterious for the group to solve. The book went way too fast but I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I love the Hannah Swenswen series books by Joanne Fluke. Hard to believe this was the 26th book in the series. Catching up with Hannah, her family friends is like catching up with a close friend. This is another prequel to events in book 1, but of course this didn't take away from anything. Hannah is still baking and cooking up a storm at the Cookie Jar in Lake Eden Minnesota.

And the recipes? Jam packed with some very delicious recipes like always. I want to attempt the cupcake recipe at the beginning of the book. Highly recommended series and recipes. If you haven't read a Hannah Swensen book, you should start at the beginning and fall in love with her character! I can't wait until book 27!

Thanks to Netgalley, Joanne Fluke and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 9/29/20

I didn't know where Joanne Fluke could go with the endless is it Mike or Norman A Hannah Swensen Mystery series. I was delightfully surprised to find that with the clever technique of going back in time that I was treated to a wonderful Christmas story in 'Christmas Cupcake Murder'. It was fun to go back to a simpler time without so much angst and enjoy the characters as they develop. The mystery of 'Joe' had just the right touch and showcased many opportunities for characters of Lake Eden to exhibit their innate kindness. I felt like the ending was perhaps a bit abrupt, but that was followed by delightful recipes which I am anxious to try. I'd highly recommend this to those of us who are devoted fans, as well as to newcomers who can get in near the beginning.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I love a good Christmas cozy mystery and this was awesome. Perfect for both fans of the series and those who re looking for a fun entry point.

Thank you a for allowing me to read and review Christmas Cupcake Murder. Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson’s series always makes me feel as though I have returned to Lake Eden and I am having a reunion with some very close friends. Many recipes and light on the mystery, but an enjoyable read.

I have read ever one of the Hannah Swensen mysteries. This was a treat because it occurred before the love triangle who will Hannah pick story. It told the story of a minor character and had a great ending. As always, lots of recipes and a Midwestern charm. I will recommend this to my cozy mystery readers!

Who is John Doe? And why is someone trying to murder him? Christmas Cupcake Murder is a sweet treat for the Christmas Season. Hannah Swenson is at it again, trying to solve a mystery and keep a man safe. She is also baking lots of delicious cupcakes and cookies. Recipes are included at the end of each chapter. I enjoyed the puzzle that led to the revelation of who John Doe is and the interaction of all the quirky characters. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kindle Copy for Review from Net Galley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It’s a busy time for Hannah as she deals with extra baking for the holidays and her sister helping out at the Cookie Jar to stave off the blues and Michele’s love life becomes complicated.

A dead body is found in an abandon storefront near her bakery that will keep her busy as she gets involved once again. She also has to deal with a mysterious Jon Doe who does not remember anything but is good at restoring antique furniture.

It is an enjoyable holiday cozy. If you don’t enjoy the story you can always try the numerous cookies recipes that are included.

Like a Hallmark Christmas Movie with recipes!
The story is less mystery and more about the main character Hannah and her life in a small cozy town, baking and cooking (100 pages of recipes) and just a general, overall sweet getaway.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

#26 in the Hannah Swensen - it takes us back to the early days of The Cookie Jar, Hannah opens the bakery door to a young man who is looking for work in exchange for food. She later finds him unconscious in the store her Mother Delores and friend Carrie want to use as storage for their antiques, The young man has amnesia, so Hannah and her friends band together to identify him. A quick read with recipes.

I do wish the recipes were placed at the end of the book rather than at the end of each chapter.

This was a good cozy story but it felt like a novella. It's another prequel in the series. There wasn't the twists and turns I loved about these stories. With an abundance of recipes and the familiar camaraderie of the characters, the pages flew by and it was an easy read. I received an advanced reader's copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

A light, fluffy mystery. A good read. The characters were warm and fully fleshed out. The plot was inviting and cute. Not super-serious until the end but a light, fun mystery. This book was totally worth a read as a prequel to the series. I enjoyed and couldn’t guess the ending. Truly fun and worth a read.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corp. for the opportunity to read the "Christmas Cupcake Murder" by Joanne Fluke in exchange for my honest opinion. This was book #26 in the Hannah Swensen series.

While this story included all the characters that we are used to: Hannah Swensen (owner of The Cookie Jar), her mother Dolores Swensen, Winnetka County Sheriff Department's Chief Detective Mike Kingston, dentist Norman Rhodes and his mother Carrie - this was a very different story to the ones that we usually see in the series. My favourite character is still Moishe the cat who provides a lot of excitement in this story. Hannah, Dolores and Carrie find a "body" in an empty building that they are hoping to rent to store their antiques in. Hannah immediately recognizes him as the incredibly polite young man who came into her shop offering to work in exchange for some food and a chance to warm up.

This is a fun book for the Christmas season but the only problem was that there were many mistakes that made the reading choppy and parts of it were impossible to figure out, especially if you wanted to try out some of the recipes.

Page 23 - "Where you do think you stored those decorations?" is a very awkward sentence.

Page 45 - "Wait" Delores grabbed Hannah's arm. "I thought I saw something over there." "Over where?" Carrie asked her.... "It must have been my imagination," Carrie admitted, and Hannah heard ... - I had to read it several times to understand that the character of Delores and Carrie were mixed up in the sentence.

Page 65 - "The recipe for Cinful Sugar Cookies is give on page XX." - there is no such page in the book.

Page 86 - "(that consists of four 1/45 minute segments)" - instruction doesn't make sense.

Page 105 - "12-ounce (by weight) bag of white chocolate or vanilla baking chips (1/41/4-ounce package will do)" - again the 1/41/4 instruction doesn't make sense.

Page 137 - 1/$ cup, 1/$ tsp, 1/$ peeled apples, 1 can blueberry 1/$ pie filling - none of these measurements make sense.

Page 148 - "and it was a thoroughly profession job" - professional would make more sense.

Page 185 - "and she going to marry Jake!" - she is going to - would make more sense.

Page 189 - again lists the "(1/41/4-ounce package will do)" - measurement is hard to follow.

Index of Recipes lists all recipes as follows "page 00" or page "000" - there are no such pages in the book.