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Order of Joanne Fluke Books
If Agatha Christie and Betty Crocker ever decided to bake up a crime series together, the result might just be Joanne Fluke—America’s sugar-dusted queen of culinary cozy mysteries. Best known for her long-running Hannah Swensen series, Fluke didn’t just make mystery delicious—she made murder charming, warm, and laced with cinnamon rolls.
A Midwestern Mind with a Murderous Muse
Joanne Fischl, the woman behind the pen name Joanne Fluke, was born on c. 1943 in the heart of America—Minnesota, a place she would lovingly immortalize through her fictional town of Lake Eden. Though her exact date of birth has been shrouded in a bit of Midwestern mystery (fitting, isn’t it?), what we do know is that Fluke came into the world during a post-war era ripe with reinvention—something she herself would become a master of.
She studied psychology at St. Cloud State University and later dabbled in literature, writing, and the culinary arts—a cocktail of talents that would eventually blend into her signature brand. It wasn’t just books she knew how to cook up; Fluke once held jobs as a teacher, psychologist’s assistant, musician, and even a computer consultant. But it was the keyboard of her typewriter, not the piano, that sang the loudest.
The Sweet Rise to Bestseller Status
Before carving her niche in cozy mystery, Fluke published under various pseudonyms in multiple genres—romance, horror, even westerns. Yes, before cookies and corpses became her calling card, she wrote for the gritty world of paperbacks in the ‘80s. But the real magic happened in 2000 when she introduced readers to Hannah Swensen, a baker-sleuth with a knack for stumbling upon dead bodies alongside her raspberry Danish.
With Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder, Fluke kicked off a culinary revolution in mystery fiction. What made her stories stand out wasn’t just the puzzles—it was the recipes. Yes, real, actual, you-can-make-this-in-your-kitchen recipes baked right into the plot. The perfect balance of whodunnit and “what’s for dessert?”
The Woman Behind the Apron
Despite the cozy trappings, Fluke’s life was anything but one-note. Her background in psychology adds subtle depth to her characters—Hannah Swensen isn’t just a crime-solver; she’s a woman constantly caught between love, obligation, and small-town expectations. And that’s where Fluke truly shines: she doesn't just write murder mysteries, she writes life—messy, flawed, sugary-sweet life with a crime or two to shake up the routine.
Her novels echo with themes of independence, resilience, and reinvention, wrapped in the safety of a coffee shop and a familiar streetlamp. Whether it’s a suspiciously fresh pie or a cryptic note scrawled in flour, Fluke keeps readers turning pages with the same urgency you feel when your cookies are starting to burn in the oven.
Still Stirring the Pot
As of today, Joanne Fluke is very much alive, still stirring the pot of Lake Eden drama, and continuing to delight fans with Hannah’s ongoing adventures. The series now boasts over 30 titles, several of which have been adapted into popular Hallmark Movies & Mysteries films. Through it all, Fluke maintains her secret ingredient: an irresistible mix of warmth and wickedness.
Her work has created a literary safe space for readers who want a side of sweetness with their suspense. But make no mistake—behind the comfort food lies a sharp, sardonic wit. In many ways, Joanne Fluke is the grandmother you wish you had… if your grandmother just happened to have a suspicious number of missing neighbors.
A Literary Legacy That’s Still Rising
Joanne Fluke is not just an author—she's an experience. Her blend of culinary delight and small-town darkness changed the landscape of cozy crime fiction. She has opened doors for new writers, inspired hundreds of recipes, and reminded us that even in the warmest kitchens, secrets can simmer just beneath the surface.
So, pour yourself a cup of coffee, preheat your oven, and dive into the warm, deadly world of Hannah Swensen. Just remember—when Joanne Fluke is in the kitchen, no one is ever truly safe... especially the next-door neighbor.
Publication Order of Series Books
Publication Order of The Hannah Swensen Mystery
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder | 2000 | Amazon |
| Strawberry Shortcake Murder | 2001 | Amazon |
| Blueberry Muffin Murder | 2001 | Amazon |
| Lemon Meringue Pie Murder | 2003 | Amazon |
| Fudge Cupcake Murder | 2004 | Amazon |
| Sugar Cookie Murder | 2004 | Amazon |
| Peach Cobbler Murder | 2005 | Amazon |
| Cherry Cheesecake Murder | 2006 | Amazon |
| Key Lime Pie Murder | 2007 | Amazon |
| Carrot Cake Murder | 2008 | Amazon |
| Cream Puff Murder | 2009 | Amazon |
| Plum Pudding Murder | 2009 | Amazon |
| Apple Turnover Murder | 2010 | Amazon |
| Devil's Food Cake Murder | 2011 | Amazon |
| Cinnamon Roll Murder | 2012 | Amazon |
| Red Velvet Cupcake Murder | 2013 | Amazon |
| Blackberry Pie Murder | 2014 | Amazon |
| Double Fudge Brownie Murder | 2015 | Amazon |
| Wedding Cake Murder | 2016 | Amazon |
| Christmas Caramel Murder | 2016 | Amazon |
| Banana Cream Pie Murder | 2017 | Amazon |
| Raspberry Danish Murder | 2019 | Amazon |
| Christmas Cake Murder | 2019 | Amazon |
| Chocolate Cream Pie Murder | 2019 | Amazon |
| Coconut Layer Cake Murder | 2020 | Amazon |
| Christmas Cupcake Murder | 2020 | Amazon |
| Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder | 2021 | Amazon |
| Christmas Dessert Murder | 2021 | Amazon |
| Caramel Pecan Roll Murder | 2022 | Amazon |
| Pink Lemonade Cake Murder | 2023 | Amazon |
| Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder | 2025 | Amazon |
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
| Title | Year | Amazon Links |
|---|---|---|
| A Townhouse for Tessa (Written as Kathryn Kirkwood) | 2001 | Amazon |
| A Valentine For Vanessa (Written as Kathryn Kirkwood) | 2000 | Amazon |
| Caitlyn's Cowboy (as Gina Jackson) | 1999 | Amazon |
| A Husband For Holly (Written as Kathryn Kirkwood) | 1999 | Amazon |
| A Season For Samantha | 1999 | Amazon |
| Eyes | 1996 | Amazon |
| Deadly Memories | 1995 | Amazon |
| Fatal Identity | 1993 | Amazon |
| Dead Giveaway | 1989 | Amazon |
| Final Appeal | 1989 | Amazon |
| Video Kill | 1989 | Amazon |
| A Match For Melissa (with Kathryn Kirkwood) | 1988 | Amazon |
| Vengeance is Mine | 1986 | Amazon |
| Cold Judgment | 1985 | Amazon |
| Winter Chill | 1984 | Amazon |
| The Other Child | 1983 | Amazon |
| The Stepchild | 1980 | Amazon |