Joanne Fluke

Name: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder
Author: Joanne Fluke

American · 1 series

Amateur sleuth Culinary mystery Small town mystery

By The Editorial Team · Last reviewed April 2026

Who is Joanne Fluke?

Joanne Fluke is the pen name behind the Hannah Swensen Mystery series, which has made her the undisputed queen of culinary cosy mystery. The series began in 2000 with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and has grown to over 28 books — a remarkable run that shows no sign of stopping.

Hannah Swensen runs The Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota, a small town where the murder rate is improbably high and Hannah’s instinct for solving crimes is equally improbable. What makes the books distinctive is not just the mysteries but the recipes. Every novel includes several baking recipes that readers actually make. The Cookie Jar’s brownies, bars, and holiday cookies have become a beloved part of the reading experience — there are fans who read the books specifically for the food.

The romantic subplot is one of the most debated in the genre. Hannah is caught between two men: Detective Mike Kingston, the charming cop who keeps showing up at crime scenes, and Norman Rhodes, the steadier, quieter dentist who seems to understand her better. The Mike vs Norman debate has occupied fan forums for decades. Fluke has taken her time resolving it, which is either maddening or brilliant depending on who you ask.

The Lake Eden community itself is drawn with warmth and consistency. Characters recur across dozens of books, the seasons shape each installment, and the holiday-themed titles — Fudge Cupcake Murder, Cream Puff Murder, Strawberry Shortcake Murder — signal the cosy comfort readers are signing up for.

Quick facts

Debut: Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2000)
Over 28 books in the Hannah Swensen series
Every novel includes original baking recipes
Hannah’s love triangle (Mike vs Norman) is a major fan discussion
USA Today and New York Times bestselling author
Based in Minnesota, which shapes the series’ setting

What order should I read Joanne Fluke’s books?

Start from the beginning with Hannah Swensen Mystery book one. The overarching romantic arc and Lake Eden’s ensemble cast develop across the full series, and reading in order gives you the slow burn that the later books rely on. Many readers also track the recipes chronologically, building a personal cookbook alongside the mysteries.

Hannah Swensen Mystery

1
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2000)
Hannah Swensen opens The Cookie Jar bakery in Lake Eden and finds a delivery driver dead behind her shop — her first unwilling step into amateur detection.
2
Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2001)
A coaching scandal at Lake Eden's school turns lethal, and Hannah must untangle professional rivalries alongside a strawberry dessert competition.
3
Blueberry Muffin Murder (2002)
A visiting food writer is found dead in a local cookbook author's kitchen, and Hannah's own recipes are suddenly suspect.
4
Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003)
A mysterious woman found wandering near Lake Eden holds secrets someone would kill to protect.
5
Fudge Cupcake Murder (2004)
The Lake Eden sheriff's re-election campaign is derailed when a body turns up and suspicion falls close to home.
6
Sugar Cookie Murder (2004)
A holiday cookie exchange at The Cookie Jar becomes the backdrop for a murder that tests Hannah's closest friendships.
7
Peach Cobbler Murder (2005)
A new competing bakery opens in Lake Eden and its glamorous owner is dead within weeks, leaving Hannah to investigate a rival she barely knew.
8
Cherry Cheesecake Murder (2006)
A film crew descends on Lake Eden and a cast member is killed on location, turning Hannah's hometown into a crime scene.
9
Key Lime Pie Murder (2007)
The county fair returns to Lake Eden and so does murder, with a carnival worker found dead and Hannah the only one asking the right questions.
10
Carrot Cake Murder (2008)
A Lake Eden family reunion is shattered when a long-lost relative is found dead, bringing buried grudges to the surface.
11
Cream Puff Murder (2009)
A body discovered at the local gym forces Hannah to investigate a world of fitness rivalries and personal secrets.
12
Plum Pudding Murder (2009)
A Christmas tree lot in Lake Eden becomes the site of a murder, and Hannah must solve the case before the holidays are ruined for everyone.
13
Apple Turnover Murder (2010)
A beloved Lake Eden resident is killed and Hannah uncovers long-hidden secrets that reach back generations.
14
Devil's Food Cake Murder (2011)
A minister new to Lake Eden is found dead in his church, and Hannah must navigate a congregation full of suspects.
15
Gingerbread Cookie Murder (2011)
A holiday novella featuring Hannah's favourite Christmas recipes and a seasonal mystery in Lake Eden.

If you enjoy Joanne Fluke, try...

Amanda Flower — Culinary cosy mysteries with small-town charm
Darynda Jones — Humorous American cosy crime