Scan barcode
bookishtrina's review against another edition
3.0
Christmas Cake Murder is the latest in the Hannah Swenson series. It’s a quick, cozy read with a good plot and likeable characters. It goes back in time to when Hannah first opened The Cookie Jar. Christmas Cake Murder reads like a prequel to the entire series.
I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Synopsis from Publisher/NetGalley.com
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 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 . . .
I received an advanced review copy (ARC) of this book from the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Synopsis from Publisher/NetGalley.com
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 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 . . .
andreac713's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
disabledreamer's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
jazzrizz's review against another edition
3.0
Flashback book to right after Hannah's father dies.
This was actually a fun read. Essie, the owner of the hotel is placed in rehab/hospice ... finding she's been living in squalor ... drags Deloris out of mourning her husband, and is put in charge of recreating the Christmas Ball w/ Christmas Cake parade Essie had at the height of the hotel. When getting items Essie might want in rehab, they stumble on notebooks with a story. After asking permission from Essie ... Hannah has a read-out-loud with Deloris, Michelle & Lisa (who are still in high school). They realize the book isn't finished, and Essie assures them it's fiction ...
It was a great trip into the past to see how Andrea ended up selling houses. How Hannah got the Cookie Jar, and other facts about Lake Eden.
This was actually a fun read. Essie, the owner of the hotel is placed in rehab/hospice ... finding she's been living in squalor ... drags Deloris out of mourning her husband, and is put in charge of recreating the Christmas Ball w/ Christmas Cake parade Essie had at the height of the hotel. When getting items Essie might want in rehab, they stumble on notebooks with a story. After asking permission from Essie ... Hannah has a read-out-loud with Deloris, Michelle & Lisa (who are still in high school). They realize the book isn't finished, and Essie assures them it's fiction ...
Spoiler
which turns out to be a true story about Essie>.It was a great trip into the past to see how Andrea ended up selling houses. How Hannah got the Cookie Jar, and other facts about Lake Eden.
alexisgarcia's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was very slow but very wholesome. overall a cute and cozy holiday read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
keeley's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
canra's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75