Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke

 

Book Summary

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke has Hannah Swensen busily creating holiday-themed cookies and cupcakes for The Cookie Jar.  She is whipping up German chocolate cupcakes when she hears a knock at the back door.  Hannah finds a homeless man who offers to work in exchange for coffee and a treat.  Hannah, of course, is happy to feed the polite man and asks him to return the next day.  Later that day, Hannah is checking out a storefront with her mother, Delores and Carrie.  They need a place to store and refinish to the number of antiques they both own.  They find the homeless man collapsed inside.  Doc Knight finds him malnourished, suffering from amnesia, and has a hard blow to the back of his head.  It seems someone had tried to harm Joe Smith as he prefer to be called.  He does remember how to refinish furniture.  Hannah needs to piece together the clues so she can reunite Joe with his family for Christmas while keeping The Cookie Jar stocked with sweet treats.  

My Thoughts

Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the 26^th A Hannah Swensen Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  Christmas Cupcake Murder takes readers back in time to Hannah’s first holiday season at The Cookie Jar.  She is coming up with new creations each day to offer her customers.  Cooking, baking, eating, chatting, and holiday cheer are in abundance.  Delores, Mike, Carrie, Norman, Andrea, Bill, Doc Knight, and Moishe are all in present along with other regulars.  Christmas Cupcake Murder is easy to read and puts you in the mood for the holiday season.  The mystery portion is light.  Hannah, Carrie, and Delores find a man collapsed in a vacant storefront.  Joe Smith has amnesia and a bad blow to the head.  He can remember bits and pieces which Hannah uses to help her reunite Joe with his family before the holidays.  I do wish the mystery was a bit meatier.  But I did enjoy my visit to Lake Eden.  It is such a cozy town with friendly residents. It is cold, but there is plenty of holiday cheer.  It was nice checking in with our favorite characters and learning more about them.  We get to learn more about Lars Swensen, Hannah’s father as well as how Delores came to open an antique shop.  There is humor sprinkled throughout the story.  Moishe’s antics will have you smiling.  There are over a dozen recipes including one for German Chocolate Cupcakes and Sugar Plum Cupcakes.  Christmas Cupcake Murder is a lighthearted tale with scrummy cupcakes, a curious cat, and a mysterious man with memory matters plus family, friends, fine food, and festive fun.  

Christmas Cupcake Murder is available from Amazon* plus other major retailers.  You can find the other A Hannah Swensen Mystery novels here.  The next A Hannah Swensen Mystery is Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder which publishes on February 23, 2021.  Thank you for reading my latest book review.  I am featuring Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day next time.  It is the 8th A Country Store Mystery.  I do hope that you have a sweet day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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