Order of Hannah Swensen Books
The Hannah Swensen Mysteries are a series of cozy mystery novels by American novelist Joanne Fluke. Hannah runs a bakery called The Cookie Jar and solves murders when she is not baking. While the books are mysteries, they also contain a fair amount of comedy and romance as well. You can also find recipes inside the books.
The Hannah Swensen series began in 2000 with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. Each novel in the series features a different dessert in the title. The series is ongoing. Below is a list of Joanne Fluke’s Hanah Swensen books in order of when they were originally released (which is also their chronological order):
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Publication Order of Hannah Swensen Books
If You Like Hannah Swensen Books, You’ll Love…
Hannah Swenson Synopses: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke is the first Hannah Swenson Mystery. While running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden, Minnesota’s most popular bakery, Hannah Swenson already has a lot on her plate trying to avoid her mother trying to get her hitched. But Hannah’s life can’t get any worse when the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, Ron LaSalle, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah’s famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies all over him. She sets out to find a killer, determined not to let her cookies get a bad name.
Who would kill the most punctual delivery man Hannah ever had, and why would they do so? The head coach of the high school football team tops the list. While she was accompanying the milkman, his wife was doing what exactly? Could the owner of Cozy Cow Dairy, Max Turner, have kept a secret from his top employee? Hannah uncovers more suspects the more she investigates. Why has Benton Woodley, Lake Eden’s most famous prodigal son, recently returned? What about the enigmatic Mr. Harris, who appeared to be interested in purchasing the dairy property but then vanished? Hannah is beginning to have a very bad feeling about this murder. And Hannah’s sweet life may be destroyed if she does not watch her back.
Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke is book 2 in the Hannah Swenson series. Bakery owner Hannah Swensen is thrilled to serve as the head judge when Hartland Flour’s president selects Lake Eden, Minnesota, for their inaugural Dessert Bake-Off. However, Lake Eden’s sweet rise to fame quickly turns very sour when a fellow judge, Coach Boyd Watson, is discovered facedown in Hannah’s renowned strawberry shortcake. Watson had been found cold to the touch.
In addition to perfecting her Chocolate Crunchies and Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie, Hannah is looking into the coach’s private life, uncovering a plethora of suspects. Or is it possible that one of the contestants was fatally ticked off by Watson’s harsh criticism during the judging? Someone is making a murderous recipe, and Hannah is on the “necessary ingredients” list, so the stakes are rising faster than dough.
The Blueberry Muffin Murder is the third Hannah Swenson book from author Joanne Fluke. Hannah Swensen will be especially busy at her shop, The Cookie Jar, for Lake Eden, Minnesota’s annual Winter Carnival, which is currently in the planning stages. It’s a pity that the honor of designing the official Winter Carnival cake went to well-known lifestyle guru Connie Mac; Hannah thought it was a half-baked idea. She thinks that Connie Mac’s positive image on cable television is a cover for something more negative.
When the limousine driven by Connie Mac arrives in town, Hannah’s suspicions are confirmed. It turns out that America’s “Cooking Sweetheart” is overbearing, belligerent, and downright controlling. When Hannah arrives at The Cookie Jar, she discovers that the Winter Carnival cake has been destroyed and that Connie Mac has passed away in her pantry after eating one of Hannah’s famous blueberry muffins.
The Cookie Jar’s kitchen crime scene has been closed off by the police before Hannah knows it. Without an oven, she bakes, and the Carnival is right around the corner. Her only option is to devise a strategy to save her business, which involves locating the killer herself…
The latest book by Joanne Fluke is Chocolate Cream Pie. I really enjoy her books.
Do you have to read the books in order??
Just finished Blackberry Pie Murder, I think. The e-book from the library left me hanging waiting for a real ending to this book. Either it’s a problem with e-books or the story just quit before the last chapter or two. Is there more?
As a writer and as an extremely well educated individual, I’m not sure where the folks posting are coming from. This is one of my favorite series. The author has taught at many levels and writes other books outside the series that are more serious. I would like Hannah to make a choice and move forward with the rest of her life but although Jonathan Kellerman is my favorite series writer, she is my favorite cozy.
Agree totally with your assessment. My husband also has enjoyed all of her books.
the gingerbread cookie murder is not on this list
And the Candy Cane Murder is missing…
I believe gingerbread cookie murder and candy cane murder are novellas. they were published in anthologies with other authors. the book list in wedding cake murder has them in order of release though. Candy Cane would be book 9.5 and Gingerbread Cookie would be book 14.5. Hope this helps
I had to stop reading this series. Hannah became overbearing and condescending, and the triangle became VERY tedious. I stopped at Key Lime, and then went & read the reviews for the rest only to find out she still hadn’t chosen between the sexist, whose name I can’t recall, and Norman the dentist. Give me a break.
Is there a similar series you would recommend to any fellow readers who might feel the same way?
I keep looking, but yet to find one of the food mystery series that fits the bill. The ones of that type I’ve read seem to be written by indie writers who have never heard of proof-reading. Seems the best two mystery series I’ve found so-far feature animals……The Cat Who series, by Lilian Jackson Braun and The Mrs. Murphy mysteries, written by Rita Mae Brown and her cat Sneaky Pie. Yep she gives the cat co-author billing, as writer of the part of the book written from the animals’ point of view.
Oh, but I forgot…..The Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson is fantastic. If someone had told me I would love a series that is basically a modern western, I would still be laughing. But, I got hooked on the TV show, and then decided to read the books, since the author is like myself, a native West Virginian, (even though he now lives in Wyoming). They are SO much better than the show. Very well written and has such a respectful portrayal of Native Spirituality. Since I’m an Indian, that tends to be a deal-breaker for me, but this series is wonderful. Henry Standing Bear may be a fictional character, but he is my hero. 🙂
The Cat Who series is charming, but the last two or three books seemed a chore for Braun; a lot of loose ends weren’t tied up. In all fairness, she was was working on yet another book in the series when she died shortly before her 98th birthday.
The Mrs. Murphy series gets off to a slow start–too much back story–but from book two it picks up, particularly when the animals talk among themselves. Unfortunately, as the series continues, Brown tends to pontificate and those of you who are writers will be annoyed by her occasional amateur goofs, such as slipping into the omniscient point of view and explaining things that could be better done by dialogue.
check out author Jessica Beck .donut shop mysteries or Cleo Coyle coffee house mysteries, this one gives great recipes .
she chose a 3rd person
Do I have to read the hannah swensen books in order from book 1?
I haven’t read the series, but I imagine it doesn’t matter. This type of mystery series is usually more episodic.
They should be read in order for the best experience. The back story is both important and relevant.
It doesn’t matter. My husband and I have read all, in no particular order. She gives a little background in each, but not so much that it will bore or distract from the “current” story line.
for the murder mystery no00but there is a back sotry about Hannah & yes you should read them in order or the back story will not flow correctly
Love this series. Can’t wait for the next book
The Hannah Swensen series are fantastic. Anxious to see the next novel !!! Please continue writing more of these novels.
I was hoping for a new character to follow, but the two books I have listened to so far are poorly written.