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, 12/21/2013" Wrapped up the murder way at the end . . . but good lead in to the next story. An easy, delightful story. "
— Annette, 12/13/2013" I'm getting a kick out of this book mostly because I love the recipe writing style. It's very detailed and wordy, perhaps folksy? The story itself is fine, nothing spectacular, but worth bothering with for the recipes. I will definitely read more of Ms. Fluke's mysteries. "
— Weavereve, 11/28/2013" I love JoAnne Fluke's books. Mysteries with a dose of humor, quick relaxing read, and compatible with my comfort level (no offensive language or lewdness). "
— Shelley, 11/21/2013" The books in this series are always a fun, clean read. The only downside is that they make me want to eat cookies . . . "
— Shauna, 11/11/2013" There are so many recipes in this book that I want to try! Fluke's flair for combining baking with murder is still going strong. This one kept me guessing right up to the end. "
— Tina, 9/30/2013" It was ok. It was very predictable and it seemed to drag on at times. "
— Maddie, 9/13/2013" This book was filled with holiday recipes. I was hoping for a little more action. It was an enjoyable read. Is Hannah ever going to make up her mind on the two men she has in her life?? The answer is simple - ditch the cop. "
— Claudia, 7/25/2013" I have been listening to this series and enjoy the stories, this particular story had more recipes than any other it felt like. Not my favorite. I do wish she would choose between Norman and Mike already!! "
— Gabby, 5/29/2013" Too many recipes and Hannah needs to choose Norman and get married! "
— Renee, 5/26/2013" I just really enjoy Joanne Fluke books. Another good addition to the Hannah Swensen series. "
— Judi, 5/15/2013" Christmas Murder Mystery....should've thought this one through a bit more before reading this as my "Christmas season read". :/ Not to mention, it was a little predictable, I thought. "
— Carey, 2/10/2013" Fun, great recipes "
— Wendy, 12/27/2012" what can I say another great one in this series. None of the books have failed me yet. "
— Shannon, 8/13/2012" I like Ms. Fluke books - she has a great story and she has receipts. I love to cook and I like to solve for the murderer. "
— Bobbie, 5/10/2012" Gah - I kept fast forwarding through it because the narrative was so slow! Seriously, it was disc 4 before anything related to the murder happened! who does that? Also, there was more information about the cookie recipes than about anything else. Gack. "
— Cat, 12/2/2011" Pretty good story. I like the cat. "
— Eyre, 7/15/2011" Too much description of the cooking and food and not enough about the crime! "
— Charisa, 6/29/2011" Another fantastic Hannah novel! This time, a local businessman is murdered and his estranged wife is under suspicion. It's up to Hannah to clear the woman's name. This one has a great cliffhanger ending! It's making me pick up the next one immediately. "
— Heather, 6/17/2011" Hannah Swensen is always up to some sort of trouble - thank goodness she shares her recipes as well as her adventures. Some of them are totally scrumptious! "
— Tracy, 5/17/2011" Plum Pudding is romance and mystery rolled into one, the bases for a great read. "
— Norma, 5/3/2011" I loved the ending, and oh boy, what a small world. On to the next book! "
— February, 4/21/2011" A cute little story. I love Hannah so much!! "
— Heidi, 4/1/2011" easy to read, easier to 'figure out' HOWEVER the 4 stars are for the mouth-watering that happened as i read this book!! was a good way to pass the time! "
— Mich, 3/30/2011" Another good mystery with a few twists. We must not have many residents of Lake Eden left by now! "
— Jan, 3/27/2011" I really liked this 12th book in the series. The love triangle that has been such a big deal wasn't an issue in this book, and I enjoyed having Norman around much and Mike in the background. "
— Shala, 3/20/2011" Another fun mystery... I can't help myself. After I finish listening to these novels I have to go check the books out so I can get some of the recipes. "
— Taunya, 3/2/2011" Not the best writing or dialogue but i like the recipes and the cold Minnesota setting :) "
— Joy, 2/18/2011" This was a fun book and I loved the recipes it provided! "
— Donnica, 2/6/2011" Larry Jaeger is running a Christmas tree lot with some shady business practices when he is shot. Hannah of course is on the mystery!<br/>There are more recipes in this one than usual! "
— Kristen, 1/27/2011" I haven't found one of her books that wasn't captivating. I enjoyed this one as well. The stories might not be totally "mysterious" but they are fun to read which is one of the reasons I like to read - to be entertained. These books in this series do just that. "
— Karen, 1/17/2011" Had to read something light after the last book I read ;) These books are getting pretty cheesy, but I think the recipes keep me hooked. I just wish the main character would get married already or decide to stay single...anything but keeping two guys strung along :P "
— Charise, 1/14/2011Joanne 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.