This installment in the Hannah Swensen mystery series is a flashback from years prior, as many of the Christmas books are. This time, though, it isn't a murder Hannah needs to solve, but a case of amnesia. With the usual amount of mouth-watering recipes scattered in between chapters, this book is another good Hannah book.

Joanne Fluke’s Christmas Cupcake Murder is a throwback to a much earlier time in the Hannah Swenson Cookie Jar series. In some ways, this book is almost like going back in time to high school instead of a high school reunion; everyone is younger and events that have played out over many of the previous 20+ books have not yet happened. The book itself is very lightweight, probably almost a novella if the recipes were removed, and a bit repetitive. The central mystery involves helping an amnesiac man regain his memory. How Hannah and friends do that is mildly entertaining. The ending felt a bit rushed but I think people will be happy with the result.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions stated are solely my own.

Hannah solves the case of Joe Smith. A man that turned up in Lake Eden with a head injury and no memory. The gang works together to find his family. This one was a great mystery without a murder. It goes back to the time Hannah’s mother Delores and her friend Carrie open their own antique store. This one also had some great recipes I can’t wait to try.
#ChristmasCupcakeMurder #NetGalley

Although this is a prequel to the series, it is amazing! Welcome back to Lake Eden where familiar characters give a background to how it all started. A mystery man appears in the community and Hannah is determined to help him regain his memory! With the help of All the usual Lake Eden residents that include Norman and Mike they hope to make this Christmas season a merry one for “Joe Smith”. The new cupcake and cookie recipes don’t disappoint either!

Love this author and series . It feels like I read this one a few years ago. But still enjoyed Hannah and her family helping her investigate and trying to help someone out. Can't wait for the next book in the series

This story goes back in time a bit, before Hannah Swensen had ever solved a missing person case, before her mother (Delores) opened the antique shop she now owns with her best friend Carrie, and Hannah's sister Michelle is still away at college. When a stranger knocks on the door of Hannah's bakery and asks if he could do any odd jobs in exchange for something to eat, she immediately filled him up with sweets and coffee. But later, when she stumbles across his nearly comatose body in an empty storefront, she calls 9-1-1 and gets him admitted to the hospital, where they discover that he has amnesia. She enlists her sister Andrea, her mom, Doc, and her friends Mike and Norman to help her track down his identity.
This was a fun quick read, with a good mystery. There were lots of Christmas-themed recipes throughout the book that are sure to put you in the holiday spirit and there is sure to be something in there to tempt your taste buds.

It you have been sticking with this series, enjoy new recipes, and value the community and characters that have been developed- you will enjoy this new addition. Even though it goes back in time, I enjoyed the prequel foreshadowing of Hannah's mother and Doc Knight's relationship. This is not a murder mystery, but a missing person and possible attempted murder mystery. A disheveled and starving stranger shows up- with no memory about who he is. He has a head injury that appears to be deliberately inflicted. The most endearing part of this book is the way the community comes together to assist this stranger- not in a pitying way, but in a way that I wished all communities worked. Have we lost this sense of community- when there is a need and people have a way to help- they just do it? Not for glory or accolades- but out of just helping one's fellow man (human). In the midst of the insanity of this year- it was refreshing to step back into what seems like yesteryear and I just enjoyed reading about a community helping one another and seeing the bonds of family and community work together. This is not a riveting mystery and yes, there is still the formula of Moishe's antics, the bottomless cups of coffee, endless food descriptions, etc. If you don't enjoy that, then don't gripe about these books. This is a clean cut cozy mystery series that is not going to put you an the edge of your seat, but rather make you feel like you are sitting down with an old friend. Hannah is a prude- there will never be salacious sex scenes etc. That is not this series, so don't expect that to change. I just want the next book to have Hannah select Norman and get on with that season of her life. I am in the strong- "PICK NORMAN!!" camp. As always, the recipes are wonderful. To the publisher- it is time for cookbook number 2- with pictures!! or better yet- one giant cookbook from the series. Perfect gift for all the moms and grandmas that read and enjoy this series. It will make you a ton of money. It would be great to have readers send you pictures of what recipes they made with a description.

It's the Christmas season and Hannah Svensson is very busy doing what she does best, making cookies and cupcakes. A homeless man comes in the store looking for work and Hannah gives him food and some work telling hiim to come back the next day and she will find some more work for him. Later that night, alongside her mother Delores and her friend Carrie, she discovers the man seriously ill and gets him to hospital. As he recovers it is discovered that he is suffering memory loss due to a knock on the head, which may or may not have been malicious. Hannah decides to help him find out who he is and where he comes from with the help of her family and friends> This is punctuated with plenty of cookies and cupcakes.
A quick cosy read and chock a block with the recipes for the the cakes and cookies that Hannah cooks.

What a wonderful story. I figured this is between books 4 and 5 in the sequencing of the stories as it is before Bill becomes Sheriff. I also am ecstatic that the stories are back to the old writing style. I felt I was at home in Lake Eden at Christmas time. The gang worked well together.

I remember back in 2003 and 2004 most people did not have cells. They were beginning to go mainstream but I believe Hannah was using a land line the first few books. That was really the only inconsistency I saw.

I thought the story of Joe Smith was well done. Ms. Fluke writes in such a way that I can’t help feeling for the characters.
I was so glad when the reveal happens. Those involved got what was coming to them. I am glad it ends in an uplifting sentiment for the holidays.
There are quite few recipes throughout the book. Many have cream cheese frosting but if need be a simple buttercream can be substituted. I am looking forward to giving many of them a try.

Bravo and thanks to Ms. Fluke for this holiday gem.

I was given an advanced copy and am not required to leave a positive review.

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.

First of all I'd like to thank NetGalley, Kensington and Ms. Fluke for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Christmas Cupcake Murder is the 26th installment in the series. This story is totally unlike the other Hannah Swenson books in that it is out of order in time and second because there really isn't a murder but Hannah still has her "murder book". Amazing what Ms. Fluke can come up with. I've read every book in the series from the beginning of time and can't imagine what reading would be like without Hannah. Can't wait for number 27.

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 wish someone would create a cozy mystery book box that gives you a cozy mystery and all the supplies you need to do whatever baking or crafting the cozy heroine gets up to the mystery. Because if I could get a bakery box to go with a Joanne Fluke book I could binge read it while sitting next to a dozen sugar-plum or eggnog cupcakes (and maybe do some indulgent eating as well).

Unfortunately, the Joanne Fluke book and baked goods box doesn't exist (yet?), so I had to make do with an ARC of her latest Christmas mystery and a napkin full of dinosaur shaped sugar cookies I stole from my toddler while he was taking his nap.

In Christmas Cupcake Murder Hannah Swensen meets a homeless man outside her bakery and after bringing him inside for a hot cup of coffee and warm German Chocolate cupcake, she feels a bit responsible for him as he heads back out into the cold. When she finds the same man nearly frozen inside an old warehouse she's inspecting with her mother, Hannah knows she has to find out who he is and what he's doing in Lake Eden. The only hitch is that he doesn't remember anything about how he got there…or even what his own name is.

This is a quick Christmas cozy that you can easily fit in to your holiday prepping while bread is rising or cookies are baking, and it's filled with unique and delicious sounding cupcakes that will give you all the inspiration you need to bake desserts well into the new year. They mystery itself is uncomplicated and as it unfolds a tad predictable, but Fluke still manages to mix-up a story that keeps the pages turning and leaves you satisfied with a sweet holiday ending.

If it's not Christmas without a few good cozies, this is one to pre-order. (And get a hard copy, because no one wants icing fingerprints on their kindle.)

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