Joanne Fluke Books In Order Of Release

If you’re craving cozy mysteries packed with small-town charm, clever sleuthing, and mouthwatering recipes, Joanne Fluke is the author you’ve been searching for. Her most beloved series follows Hannah Swensen, a red-haired baker in the fictional Minnesota town of Lake Eden who runs The Cookie Jar café — and somehow always ends up solving murders between batches of cookies and pies.

These books blend light suspense, humor, family drama, and plenty of baking inspiration (every novel includes tested recipes!). Fans love curling up with a cup of coffee, a sweet treat, and one of Fluke’s page-turners. Whether you’re new to the series or catching up, here’s everything you need to read Joanne Fluke books in order.

Why Start with the Hannah Swensen Series?

The Hannah Swensen Mysteries (also called the Lake Eden series) is Joanne Fluke’s flagship collection and the reason she’s a New York Times bestselling author. It kicked off in 2000 and has grown into over 30 delightful entries.

Reading in publication order is highly recommended — it follows Hannah’s life, relationships, and the town’s quirky events naturally. The stories are mostly standalone mysteries, but ongoing character arcs (like Hannah’s love life and family) make chronological order more rewarding.

Joanne Fluke Books in Order: The Ultimate Guide to the Hannah Swensen Mysteries

Hannah Swensen Mysteries in Publication Order

Here’s the complete list (as of late 2025):

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2000) — Where it all begins! Hannah discovers a body and starts sleuthing.
2. Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2001)
3. Blueberry Muffin Murder (2002)
4. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003)
5. Fudge Cupcake Murder (2004)
6. Sugar Cookie Murder (2005)
7. Peach Cobbler Murder (2005)
8. Cherry Cheesecake Murder (2006)
9. Key Lime Pie Murder (2007)
10. Carrot Cake Murder (2008)
11. Cream Puff Murder (2009)
12. Plum Pudding Murder (2009)
13. Apple Turnover Murder (2010)
14. Devil’s Food Cake Murder (2011)
15. Cinnamon Roll Murder (2011)
16. Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (2013)
17. Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook (2013) — A companion with recipes from the series plus extras (not a novel, but perfect for fans)
18. Banana Cream Pie Murder (2016)
19. Wedding Cake Murder (2016)
20. Christmas Caramel Murder (2016) — Novella
21. Blackberry Pie Murder (2014) — Note: Some lists place this earlier; it fits here chronologically
22. Coconut Layer Cake Murder (2020)
23. Christmas Sweets (2019) — Anthology with Fluke contribution
24. Christmas Cupcake Murder (2020)
25. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (2019)
26. Christmas Dessert Murder (2021) — Reprints earlier Christmas novellas
27. Caramel Pecan Roll Murder (2022)
28. Pink Lemonade Cake Murder (2023)
29. Christmas Mittens (2023) — Anthology 30+ Later entries — The series continues with holiday-themed and seasonal mysteries, including anniversary editions like the Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder 25th Anniversary Edition (April 2025).

Note: A title called Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder was anticipated around 2025 but appears delayed, canceled, or unconfirmed based on current publisher and author updates. The core series remains strong up through 2023’s releases, with occasional holiday specials and anthologies.

Other Joanne Fluke Books and Series

While the Hannah Swensen mysteries dominate her bibliography, Fluke has written under pseudonyms and in other genres:

• Suspense/Thrillers (as Jo Gibson or others): Early works like The Stepchild (1980), Winter Chill, and young adult/horror titles.
• Regency Romances (as Kathryn Kirkwood): Titles like A Match for Melissa, A Season for Samantha, and more from the late 1990s–early 2000s.
• Standalones and Anthologies: Collaborations like Candy Cane Murder (with Leslie Meier and Laura Levine).

For most readers, though, the Hannah Swensen world is the sweet spot — literally!

List Of Joanne Fluke Books in Order

Here is the complete list of the Hannah Swensen Mysteries series by Joanne Fluke (the primary and most popular series), presented in publication order (which is also the recommended reading order). This includes full novels, novellas, and related companion books. As of December 26, 2025, the latest main release is Pink Lemonade Cake Murder (2023), with Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder released in late 2025 (around October/November) as the newest installment. The 25th Anniversary Edition of the first book also appeared in 2025.

The series is ongoing, but no additional new titles beyond Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder have been released or confirmed by the end of 2025.

Tips for Enjoying Joanne Fluke Books

• Bake along: Each mystery includes 8–12 recipes. Try the signature cookies or pies — they’re a fun way to immerse yourself.
• Watch the adaptations: Hallmark’s “Murder, She Baked” films (starring Alison Sweeney) cover early books and capture the cozy vibe.
• Perfect for cozy mystery fans: If you love Joanne Fluke, check out similar authors like Laura Levine, Leslie Meier, or Diane Mott Davidson for more recipe-filled whodunits.

Whether you’re baking cookies or binge-reading on a snowy day, Joanne Fluke’s books deliver comfort, clever twists, and just the right amount of suspense. Start with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder — you might never look at your kitchen the same way again!

Have you read the series? Which Hannah Swensen mystery is your favorite? Drop a comment below — I’d love to hear! Happy reading (and baking)! 🍪