Hannah Swensen Books In Order

Publication Order of Hannah Swensen Books

Hannah Swensen Biography:

How great would it be if you knew a person who could bake mouthwatering cakes and also solve murder mysteries with the same endowment?

In real life it might be next to impossible to come across such a person, unless you just got inspired to become one. But, there is one particularly such an interesting fictional character in a book series whose exciting life we can enjoy vicariously.

The book series we are talking about is the “Hannah Swensen mystery series”. Food and murder mysteries together make an amazingly exceptional combination. If you are an voracious reader and a food gourmet then here’s the perfect solution for you ,a book which indulges you in both the activities.

The proud author of Hannah Swensen series, Joanne Fluke, treats each book like her precious recipe. The genre of her book are being categorized as “Cozy mysteries”, owing to her own unique style of combining murder mystery with cooking and other domestic arts. She knows the art of amalgamation of a murder mystery, topped with a little humor, served with delightful recipes and a pinch of romance too

The protagonist of her book series, Hannah Swensen, is characterized as a established businesswoman who runs a popular bakery named “The Cookie Jar”, in the small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. She runs it along with her partner, Lisa and sister, Andrea. Hannah’s mother is convinced that she should get married and settle down while Hannah dodges all attempts by her mother. The otherwise quiet town is stirred up with an occasional murder, and that’s when the hidden sleuth in Hannah drives her to solve it.
She is an independent and hardworking lady, very lovable, and very relatable. She could be the inspiration for all the blooming young ladies out there or she could be the pillar for all the women who are making it on their own.

In any of the ways you perceive, the author-Joanne, has left no unturned to keep the readers connected with the book with every page you turn.

There are fifteen books published in the series till now. The number itself describes the huge popularity, demand and the craving of the readers.

The first in the series was “Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder “, published in the year 2000.The story begins with everything going as usual in the town and “The cookie jar” bakery gaining popularity at all levels.

The tinsel town is shocked when the bakery’s delivery boy is found dead with Hannah’s signature chocolate chip cookies scattered around him. The mystery becomes even more puzzling when a runaway teenager is found sleeping under the bakery’s Christmas tree. Who is the girl and where did she come from? Does she has any role to play in the shocking murder of the delivery boy? How does she know to bake the most delicious recipes that Hannah and her partners have ever tasted?

It becomes hard to live with so many troubles and questions on mind. Fearing of loss of reputation and a bad name for the bakery, Hannah jumps into the venture of finding the murderer and saving the hard earned popularity of her bakery.

Joanne’s first book was received very well. It was critically acclaimed and commercially a big success. The character of Hannah was cherished by both critics and readers equally. They loved Hannah for her simplicity and intelligence, and strong feminine presence. In a genre of writing which is pre-dominantly taken up by the tougher sex, introducing the character of Hannah was some challenge. It brought with herself fresh breath of air and a break from the otherwise stereotyped characters of murder mysteries. Though Hannah is portrayed as a strong lady with a tough side, she is also bestowed with a more feminine gentle side owing to her fondness for cooking, striking a perfect balance.

All the books in the series are a promising treat for the murder mystery lovers. It has all the twists and turns you could ever ask for. The funny and quirky characters, the serious brain churning investigation and the mouth-watering cakes, cookies and crunches. The author intelligently weaves the simple life of the beautiful baker Hannah and her knack for sleuthing the murder mysteries. There’s a little romance also flowing through the life our otherwise adventurous heroine when her two suitors try all attempts to win her heart.

Another of Joanne’s book is “Fudge Cupcake Murder” published in 2004.Life is good in the idyllic town with the bakery doing well and Hannah being wooed by two of her suitors Norman and Mike. There’s an upcoming local sheriff’s election, for which Hannah’s brother-in-law in also running, giving the current Sheriff a tough time and creating more waves than normal. The waves strike back hard like a Tsunami when the Sheriff is found dead in a dumpster holding Hannah’s cupcakes in his hands. All fingers point to Hannah’s family and Hannah could not help but investigate the murder mystery. To find out if Hannah could solve the mystery or became a victim herself to have to check out the book itself.

All her novels are equally appetizing and a treat for the readers. There is something new to be offers in each book of the series so the mysteries never get stale; they are freshly served like her recipes. The finest and simplest of the recipes have been chosen by the author to be mentioned in the books. Joanne stories and recipes sound truly convincing and straight from the heart as she herself belongs to a small town in Minnesota called Swanville. Her mother and grandmother were skillful cooks themselves and both were excellent at baking. In fact, some of the recipes which you come across the book are her mother’s.

The other books in the series include: “Strawberry Shortcake Murder” in 2001,”Blueberry Muffin Murder” in 2002,”Lemon Meringue Pie Murder” in the year 2003.The mysteries kept baking and in 2004 came “Sugar Cookie Murder “,Followed by “Peach Cobbler Murder” in 2005.The readers asked for more were delivered the “Cherry Cheesecake Murder” in 2006, and “Key Lime Pie Murder” in 2007.

Joanne continued with stories of baking and sleuthing and “Carrot Cake Murder” was released in 2008.Next on the list was “Cream Puff Murder” in 2009.In the same year “Plum Pudding Murder ” was also published.

In early 2010 came “Apple Turnover Murder” and later in the same year the reader’s got double treat with another book “Gingerbread Cookie Murder”.2011 saw the huge popularity and fame of the book “Devil’s Food Cake Murder”Joanne’s’ last year’s release was “Cinnamon Roll Murder “.Her latest book out being “Red Velvet Cupcake Murder” this year.

Obliged with the huge positive response from the readers, Joanne has also published a cookbook which is a exclusive compilation of what Joanne made Hannah cook for her bakery. If you gave your heart away to these recipes by just imagining them, you might like to check that out as well. So get set for the ultimate escapade to cracking a murder mystery with the finest culinary experience!!

4 Responses to “Hannah Swensen”

1. Zelma Peltier: 12 months ago

   i love cozy mysteries.

   Reply
2. Donna: 3 years ago

   The last time I checked in with Hannah, she had just found out she was pregnant, so I am trying to catch up on all the books after that but I can’t remember the title of the book where I left off. Help and Thank you

   Reply
   • Graeme: 3 years ago

     That would have been Chocolate Cream Pie Murder I believe.

     Reply
3. Shepler Donna: 5 years ago

   I would love to know — will there be more of Hannahs Murders ????

   Reply