Christmas Cupcake Murder

A Hannah Swensen Mystery, Book 26

By: Joanne Fluke

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

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 a person who attempted murder from succeeding the second time around!

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!

Features more than a dozen cookie and dessert recipes from The Cookie Jar!

©2020 H.L. Swensen, Inc (P)2020 Recorded Books

Disappointed

I waited so long for a new book, and I was disappointed that we went back in time again. No story progression. I felt so cheated. And like others said, the recipes were too much. At least one took half a chapter!

Perhaps the Editor Should Check Continuity!

This is another "slice of life" in the land of Lake Eden. The characters are thoroughly enjoyable and carry the lackluster plot along. Trying to place it in context chronologically, I found the suggestion made about when the story happened had some major holes. The selection of the location for the second hand shop is completely misaligned with the details given in "The Blueberry Muffin" mystery, and the relationships with Norman and Mike are a little out of sync. On the other hand, what bad can come from Hannah's cookie shop? The narrator absolutely has the characters down and it is relaxing to listen to the story unfold.

Really wanted to love it.

I've read them all and I was thrilled to see a new Hannah Swenson cozy! Unfortunately my opinion is that there was very little story and way too many recipes. Toward the end I couldn't stand to listen to them and would just fast forward. There was also an excerpt about a dream where Hannah wakes up with her cat sitting on her face and it seems to take FOREVER for her to wake up and realize it's the cat. I found it to be way too long and annoying.

I have really enjoyed prior books and a few recipes are great. I read for the characters and the story however and when the recipe reading goes on for five - ten minutes my interest is lost. It seems like the past few books have included more and longer recipes which I didn't like but this one just passed the line for me.

Christmas Cupcake Murder

The story was great! I didn't like the narrator reading each recipe it was so distracting! I found myself tuning it out. It would have been better to skip those recipes!

Completely Ridiculous Ending

The only thing that made this book bearable was the professional reading.
I wasted hours I can’t get back WAITING and WAITING for something to happen. Then the ending was rushed and completely implausible. The plot and conclusion seemed to be borrowed from every B movie of the 1930s.
Do not waste your time. I have never left a review before but this was the most far fetched and contrived mystery I have EVER read.

cute story

I really enjoyed this story. I like how the plot was different than all the other Joann Fluke books I have read. Some parts were cliche but overall it's a good read.

Just Ok

The story was good but a little thin. It started slow but picked up toward the end. I wish she would go back to the story about Ross and the failed marriage.

Not their best work

Disappointed by ending (cut off quickly) & narration (voices not distinguished like other books in series)

Is it a Story, or a cook book?

Story was good, but the recipes were annoying, at the end of each chapter. Should of been at the end of book.

FunFilled Small Town Mysteries

Enjoying every story!!! Like living in a rural countryside in lieu of big city. Thanks