by Joanne Fluke
Part of Hannah Swensen
First published 2020
Hannah Swensen races through her December preparations in Lake Eden as the town transforms into a winter wonderland. Her holiday to-do list grows longer by the day: baking festive cupcakes for Christmas orders, managing family drama, and keeping The Cookie Jar running smoothly. Her sister Andrea battles seasonal depression by working at the bakery, while Michele navigates romantic complications and Lisa seeks Hannah's guidance. Their mother Delores guards a Christmas secret she refuses to reveal. The holiday chaos takes a dark turn when someone discovers a man unconscious in an empty store just two doors from Hannah's bakery. The stranger remembers nothing about his identity or past, except his expertise with antique furniture restoration. With minimal clues and Christmas orders demanding her attention, Hannah must uncover the truth behind this John Doe's mysterious appearance. The investigation threatens to put her in mortal danger just as the holiday season reaches its peak.
Genres: mystery, contemporary, cozy-mystery, holiday, family-drama
Vibes: community-focused, cozy, festive, lighthearted-mystery, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, found-family, mystery-investigation
Setting: Lake Eden
Period: December, Christmas, Holiday Season
368 pages · Hardcover · Kensington
Content warnings: death