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 … 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 . . .
Features Over a Dozen Cookie and Dessert Recipes from The Cookie Jar!
“Series fans will enjoy learning how the Cookie Jar bakery came to be.”
—Publishers Weekly
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I did not finish this book. It was too slow! And the dialogues were artificial “Mother” this and “dear” that too frequently! Even the few recipes I reviewed were disappointing.
I love the easy reading and the recipes are to die for. I want to open my own Cookie Jar Bake Shop.
Excellent read
This book took me backwards to where Hannah first rented the bakery. But I love all the characters and wish I’d been able to attend the spectacular Christmas Ball. The story has different twists and turns than most Joanne Fluke books but our old friends are present in all their glory.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.
Some inconsistency with previous books
What a great feat story and you get a story in a story! There are also some fantastic recipes that I plan to try. This is the first book I’ve read a book by Joanne Fluke but I can guarantee you it will not be my last. Thank you Joanne for writing such a great book!
Like all the Hannah Swenson books, I loved this one. The funny situations that pop up every now and then, keep you turning pages. I love cozy mysteries and Joanne fluke writes some of the very best.
I love this series. Light reading and lovable characters.
Too many characters going every which way. No continuity of plot. Didn’t finish.
A good cozy read.
Love all her books! They are funny and entertaining
Glad to have Hannah’s back story.
Predictable; I‘m through with this series.
always a good read
Prequel to the other books. Leads up to how she got her bakery and what her life was like when she was younger. Good read. Looking forward to the next book in the series.
This is the best Hannah Swenson murder mystery to date. I like that it goes back to the beginning of Hannah’s story & tells how she came to own The Cookie Jar.
I have loved all of Joanne Flukes books I have read, never a dull one yet
I have been reading this series for years. I love all the characters & it is very entertaining.
I enjoyed the short story within the book more than anything. I’ve enjoyed all of Joanne’s books but was disappointed in this one. Was glad I used our library for this reading. I felt like this book was written because she had to – so much blah blah dialogue that I just browsed over. I will continue to read this author as I enjoyed her other books.