TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #27)

Spring has sprung in Lake Eden, Minnesota, but Hannah Swensen doesn’t have time to stop and smell the roses—not with hot cross buns to make, treats to bake, and a sister to exonerate!

Hannah’s up to her ears with Easter orders rushing in at The Cookie Jar, plus a festive meal to prepare for a dinner party at her mother’s penthouse. But everything comes crashing to a halt when Hannah receives a panicked call from her sister Andrea—Mayor Richard Bascomb has been murdered . . . and Andrea is the prime suspect.

Even with his reputation for being a bully, Mayor Bascomb—or “Ricky Ticky,” as Hannah’s mother likes to call him—had been unusually testy in the days leading up to his death, leaving Hannah to wonder if he knew he was in danger. Meanwhile, folks with a motive for mayoral murder are popping up in Lake Eden. Was it a beleaguered colleague? A political rival? A jealous wife? Or a scorned mistress?

As orders pile up at The Cookie Jar—and children line up for Easter egg hunts—Hannah must spring into investigation mode and identify the real killer . . . before another murder happens!

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

Release Date: February 23, 2021

Kensington Publishing Corporation

Hannah Swensen #27

Cozy Mystery

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder is the newest release in the Hannah Swensen series from Joanne Fluke. I know with each new installment in the series I'm going to get a mystery and lots of new recipes, and in the 27th book in the series, readers are given 31 new recipes to drool over, along with the mystery of who killed Mayor Richard Bascomb.

I really enjoyed Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder. Hannah Swensen is at her sleuthing best with the help of Norman and Andrea. I will say I didn't like Hannah's new inner voice battle, and I felt like Andrea seemed to be weaker than she ever has been before in other books. Both honestly distracted me from the story a good bit. I really do hope these character changes were a one-time thing, as it was so at odds with the characters from past books.

I honestly wasn't that surprised by someone killing Mayor Bascomb. The man had cheated on his wife for years, and wasn't really a very nice person. Even with Andrea being the main suspect, Hannah knows her sister can help her once again solve a murder in their hometown of Lake Eden. The fact that Andrea's husband is the sheriff and couldn't have anything to do with the investigation, and for once Mike seemed to want Hannah's help, was actually refreshing for me. I liked they planned to share what they each learned this time to save Andrea, rather than work against each other. As Hannah is still dealing with so much from the loss of Ross, I almost wonder if Mike and even Norman aren't being extra cautious with her right now, and I have to say overall I liked, but really hope Hannah is back to the strong woman she has always been in the past soon.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder was heavier on food and recipes than on mystery, but the mystery was part of the story for sure. I figured it out pretty early in the book, but like the path Hannah, Mike, and their friends took to find the killer. This is a cozy mystery book, so yes, the story overall is light, and that is part of the reason I keep coming back book after book. I love the community that exist in each cozy mystery series, and the Hannah Swensen books are no different. While I did have some reservations with some of the character changes in this book, it was still a good story overall and I look forward to my next visit to Lake Eden.

Rating: 4 Stars (B-)

CHRISTMAS CUPCAKE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #26)

As December turns Lake Eden into the North Pole, the heat is on in Hannah Swensen’s kitchen to honor two Christmas promises: baking irresistible holiday cupcakes and preventing murder!

While Hannah speeds through a lengthy holiday checklist, drama in town grows like Santa’s waistline on Christmas Eve. Her sister Andrea wants to stave off the blues by helping out at The Cookie Jar, Michele’s love life is becoming complicated, Lisa needs Hannah’s advice, and Delores has a Christmas secret she’s not willing to share. But nothing dampens the holiday mood more than the chilling mystery surrounding the man found near death in an abandoned storefront two doors down from Hannah’s bakery . . .

The befuddled John Doe can’t recall a thing about himself—except for his unusual knowledge of restoring antique furniture. With a smattering of clues and barely enough time to frost Christmas cookies, Hannah must solve a deadly puzzle that could leave her dashing through the snow for her life! 

Release Date: September 29, 2020

Kensington Publishing

Hannah Swensen Series #26

Cozy Mystery

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

Christmas Cupcake Murder was another fun cozy mystery in the Hannah Swensen series. As this story is set in the past, each of the favorite characters are in different places in the lives. I honestly enjoy getting to go back in time in Lake Eden to learn more about each of the characters.

Joanne Fluke gives her readers their annual Christmas mystery with Christmas Cupcake Murder. Generally, the Christmas mystery is a shorter story than her full-length books that come out in late winter/early spring. Christmas Cupcake Murder is definitely filled with lots of yummy recipes, but the mystery was much lighter than usual. I enjoy getting to spend time with so many of my favorite characters, but will say I felt like the timeline didn't quite fit based upon previous books. While it wasn't my favorite book in the series by far, I did enjoy the book overall. 

The Hannah Swensen books were some of the first cozy mysteries I found and fell in love with when they were first published, and I still enjoy the books with each new release. While I didn't feel that Christmas Cupcake Murder was the strongest book in the series, I look forward to where Ms. Fluke takes her readers with future books.

Rating: 3 Stars (B-)

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #24)

Not even Lake Eden’s nosiest residents suspected Hannah Swensen would go from idealistic newlywed to betrayed wife in a matter of weeks. But as a deadly mystery unfolds in town, the proof is in the pudding . . .

 
When The Cookie Jar becomes the setting of a star-studded TV special about movies filmed in Minnesota, Hannah hopes to shine the spotlight on her bakery—not the unsavory scandal swirling around her personal life. But that’s practically impossible with a disturbing visit from the shifty character she once believed was her one and only love, a group of bodyguards following her every move, and a murder victim in her bedroom. Now, swapping the crime scene in her condo for her mother Delores’s penthouse, Hannah and an old flame team up to solve a case that’s messier than an upended chocolate cream pie. As suspects emerge and secrets hit close to home, Hannah must serve a hefty helping of justice to an unnamed killer prowling around Lake Eden . . . before someone takes a slice out of her!

Release Date: February 26, 2019

Kensington

Hannah Swensen #24

Cozy Mystery

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

The Hannah Swensen series of books is one of my favorite cozy mystery series ever. I found these books right after the first book was released and count down the next release as soon as I finish reading the current book. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder was definitely a wonderful addition to the entire series.

I had to play catch up last year and read/listened to about 6 books in the series back to back to back, so I have to admit Ross took me a bit by surprise when he came back into Hannah's life. I've wanted Hannah to have the love of her life for so long, I missed so many clues about Ross. I love how close Hannah is to both Norman and Mike, yet have never felt like either would be her happily ever after as they each didn't have issue with her dating the other from the beginning. I wanted Ross to be the real deal even once we found out he wasn't. I really hated that he ended up being such a tool when Hannah deserves the best. 

I will say that Chocolate Cream Pie Murder was a bit different from other books in the series. Usually we have Hannah and her crew working from almost the first chapter on solving a murder. This time we had Hannah having to deal with telling everyone in Lake Eden that her "husband" Ross really was still married so her marriage wasn't legal. Coming from a small town, I absolutely loved that Hannah made the announcement at her church and everyone there had her back. My heart truly did break for Hannah as she was going through all of this, and I hurt for her more once Ross started calling and harassing her. I loved how fast-paced this book was and while I was thrown off a bit for who was being all the stuff with Ross, I was right about a couple other things in the book...especially the cliffhanger statement at the end. I have to say it makes me wonder where Ms. Fluke will take this series with the next book.

While Chocolate Cream Pie Murder didn't follow the usually formula with murders and Hannah solving everything with her sisters, I did enjoy this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B)

CHRISTMAS CAKE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #23)

It’s Christmas many years ago, and topping young Hannah Swensen’s wish list is becoming the go-to baker in Lake Eden, Minnesota. But as Hannah finds out, revisiting holiday memories can be 
murder . . .
 
With her dream of opening The Cookie Jar taking shape, Hannah’s life matches the hectic December hustle and bustle in Lake Eden—especially when she agrees to help recreate a spectacular Christmas Ball from the past in honor of Essie Granger, an elderly local in hospice care. But instead of poring over decadent dessert recipes for the merry festivities, she instantly becomes enthralled by Essie’s old notebooks and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York. Hannah’s surprised by Essie’s secret talent for penning crime fiction. She’s even more surprised when the story turns real. As Hannah prepares to run a bakery and move out of her mother’s house, it’ll be a true miracle if she can prevent another Yuletide disaster by solving a mystery as dense as a Christmas fruitcake . . .

Release Date: September 23, 2018

Kensington

Hannah Swensen #23

Mystery

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza's Review:

The Hannah Swensen series of mysteries is one of my favorites series ever. I've always wonder how Hannah ended up opening her store The Cookie Jar and am happy to say with Christmas Cake Murder, we finally get all the answers.

I love the entire Swensen clan and loved going back to the beginning to see where it all started. We saw so many of my favorite characters in this flashback story of Hannah's life. As it takes place right after her father's death, it could have been a very emotional read, yet Joanne Fluke's voice brought so much humor along the way to the story. It was still very emotional to see Mrs. Swensen begin to step back into the land of the living, as she had been mired in grief for so very long. I loved seeing her daughters come together to help find ways to get her moving and out of the house and give her a purpose to live again. Of course not to be outdone by her daughters, she not only starts living again, but wants to help make each of her daughter's lives better along the way.

I loved seeing Mrs. Swensen step up to help make Lake Eden resident Essie's dreams come true by recreating the Christmas Ball. Of course she need each of her daughters help to make it a reality, as well as Michelle's best friend Lisa. I loved when Hannah found the story Essie had written; she shared it with her family in bits and pieces. I quickly realized there was way more to the story than it being just a work of fiction, but was happy to be surprised about some of the facts in the story. Once again we were given a wonderful mystery that pulled in Hannah and her family to solve. 

Christmas Cake Murder was a wonderful addition to the Hannah Swensen mystery series. Readers were given the complete background to how Hannah was able to start her business. I loved getting so see a younger Hannah to see how much she has grown as a person over the course of the series. I highly recommend the entire series of books to fans of cozy mysteries and while I generally don't believe in reading books out of order, if you wanted to read Christmas Cake Murder first, it would be a great way to get a feel for some of the characters in the series.

Rating: 4 Stars (B+)

WEDDING CAKE MURDER (HANNAH SWENSEN #19)

Everyone in Lake Eden, Minnesota, may have had their doubts, but at long last, Hannah Swensen is getting married! 

Hannah is thrilled to be marrying Ross Barton, her college crush. And her excitement only grows when she learns he’ll be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. She’s especially nervous about facing Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But before he can tear into Hannah’s layer cake, she finds him stabbed to death on the show’s kitchen set. Out of the oven, as the saying goes, and into the bright lights of Broadway, as Hannah tries to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…

Release Date: February 23, 2016

Kensington

Hannah Swensen #19

Review copy provided by publisher

Liza’s Review:

I've been a fan of the Hannah Swensen’s books from the very beginning. While I did miss reading the last 2 books, I was able to easily pick up the series and keep up with no problems. I do plan on going back to read the books I missed, as I really love the characters in this series.

I really enjoyed Wedding Cake Murder. I got to spend time with all my favorite characters while getting to see Hannah prepare to get married and compete in a dessert chef contest. Of course, no Hannah Swensen novel is complete until we have at least one murder and the Swensen sisters work together to solve the crime.

Hannah has always been my favorite character from this series, but I love her sisters Andrea and Michelle as well. I love how each sister's mind works a little bit differently, but they can work so well together to solve murders. I also love that the police always know that Hannah and her friends and family are on the case just like them and actually look to Hannah for help with the investigations.

Since I had missed the last 2 books, I was a little surprised to see Hannah was getting married to someone other than Mike or Norman. I'm still not really sure how I feel about Ross other than to say I don't think we know enough about him at this time. Maybe because I like Mike and Norman so much, flaws and all, I wasn't ready for another man to be in Hannah's life, but I still think there is something we are missing about Ross. I’ll really be watching him in the next book to see if anything is revealed.

I'm still a fan of the Hannah Swensen books and absolutely love all the recipes that are included in each book. I do wish all the recipes were listed in one section at the back of the book rather than at the end of the chapters, but I can always skip ahead pretty easily while reading. With Wedding Cake Murder many changes happened that could effect upcoming books and I look forward to seeing where the author takes her fans.