The Cookie Jar's busiest time of the year also happens to be the most wonderful time...for Christmas cookies, Hannah's own special plum pudding - and romance! Holiday orders are high, and Hannah's slated to provide dessert at the Reverend Knudsen's upcoming nuptials. She's busy as can be and loving it. She also gets a kick out of 'Lunatic Larry Jaeger's Crazy Elf Christmas Tree Lot', a kitschy carnival taking place smack-dab in the middle of the village green. Larry thinks he's crazy like a fox with his wild business schemes, but this time, the entrepreneur may have bitten off more than he can chew. Rumour has it that Larry's in the red - an idea that takes a sinister turn when Hannah discovers the man himself dead as a doornail in his own office...It seems quite a few people would have liked to fill Larry's stocking with coal and then bash him with it - including his bitter ex-wife, his ex-partner's daughter, a woman he was wooing, and the Crazy Elf Tree lot's extremely exasperated investors...Now, with so many suspects to investigate and the twelve days of Christmas ticking away, Hannah's running out of time to nab a murderous Scrooge who doesn't want her to see the New Year.
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"Somehow Hannah finds another dead body. This Minnesota murder is at a Christmas Tree lot that is selling Hannah's cookies. All through the book there are recipes for the mouth watering cookies that she bakes for her shop. The story also has a back story of the two men that Hannah is dating and a small mystery about Norman's mother. I really like this type of light reading."
— Arlene (4 out of 5 stars)
“A clever whodunit with pastry recipe dividends.”
— Barnes & Noble" I was disapointed in this book because as soon as the character who turned out to be the murderer was introduced, it was very obvious that they would end up being the murderer. It became even more obvious when a background story in to the victim's past was revealed and the correlation was made with the names. The series is starting to get a little predictable but still enjoyable for the stories of just the characters if you take out the mystery. "
— Ali, 2/20/2014" Only for fans of Hannah Swensen because I didn't think this was as good as others in the series. I found it rather predictable. "
— Cameling, 2/8/2014" Ckvl bk Cute story of course with new people in town gueswho is getting murdered (Star Trek Red shirt syndrome) but good story i like the blend of characters except Hannah still dating both Norman and Mike sigh make a decision already "
— Dale, 2/1/2014" I like to read Christmas themed books this time of year, and willingly set aside some standards to read books from series I would not otherwise choose to read. However, I can't imagine how this one was published. Hannah has to be the most annoying character in current fiction. She even makes the recipes annoying with all her side comments. She has a business partner who not only continually holds down the fort while she runs around sticking her nose in other people's business, she actually encourages her to rest on her rare appearances in the shop because she "looks beat'. Hannah is dating two men who put up with the situation despite the fact there is no physical relationship. Not only do they put up with it, they all hang out together at her condo drinking pot after pot of coffee and eating sugar laden sweets while they cuddle up with her cat. Seriously? The dialogue is painful- every time a new recipe is trialed (and there are many) each character in turn offers an opinion. Always positive, of course. The plot is thin, which would be okay in this type of light reading if there were other redeemable elements like interesting characters or a heartwarming holiday feel to it. "
— Mary, 1/28/2014" I enjoyed this book. I like all her books. A few less recipes would be nice. "
— Joyce, 1/15/2014" I am really enjoying this cozy series. I have read them a bit out of order, but they are enjoyable without reading them sequentially. "
— Christine, 1/13/2014" Loved it! Full of delicious recipes as always...plan on trying out several this week!!! "
— Monica, 1/8/2014" Cozy mysteries set around a cookie bakery. "
— Vicky, 12/29/2013" I really enjoy Hannah's adventures, however, I have had enough of Moishe! The cat would be outta here if he did that to my Christmas tree! "
— Chris, 12/26/2013" I think this woman needs to take some writing courses. The only good thing I can find is the recipes in it in my opinion "
— Priscilla, 12/25/2013" I've read almost all the books in this series. It's a light who done it mystery. This time about a tree lot salesman who gets murdered. "
— Lorie, 12/21/2013Joanne Fluke is the New York Times bestselling author of more than forty novels and is best known for her Hannah Swensen cozy mysteries. She was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 2023. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a public school teacher, a psychologist, a screenwriter, and a private detectives assistant.
Suzanne Toren, award-winning narrator, has over thirty years of experience in narration. She was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. She has won the American Foundation for the Blind’s Scourby Award for Narrator of the Year, AudioFile magazine named her the 2009 Best Voice in Nonfiction & Culture, and she is the recipient of multiple Earphones Awards. She performs on and off Broadway and in regional theaters and has appeared on Law & Order and in various soap operas.