You know how some stories just feel like a warm blanket on a Tuesday night? That’s exactly what Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden has become for millions of readers. But honestly, if you’re trying to dive into the hannah swensen book series in order, things get messy fast. It’s not just about counting from one to thirty; it’s about navigating the novellas, the "point five" releases, and that weird period where the publication dates don't exactly match the internal timeline.
I’ve spent way too much time in The Cookie Jar (mentally, at least) and realized that most "complete" lists you find online are actually missing the tiny connective tissues that make the series work. If you skip the 2007 novella Candy Cane Murder, for instance, you’re basically walking into the next book with a blindfold on regarding certain character shifts.
The Lake Eden Roadmap: Getting the Order Right
Starting with Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder back in 2000 was a vibe. It set the stage: Hannah is a ginger-haired, cookie-baking, amateur sleuth who somehow finds a dead body every time she preps a batch of dough. But the series has evolved. We’re now looking at over 30 installments if you count the short stories and the massive Lake Eden Cookbook.
Here is the actual sequence you need to follow if you want the character arcs—especially that agonizingly slow love triangle—to make any sense.
🔗 Read more: Blink-182 Mark Hoppus: What Most People Get Wrong About His 2026 Comeback
The Foundation (Books 1-10)
The early 2000s were the golden era for the "punny" titles.
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2000) – The one that started it all. Ron LaSalle dies, and Hannah's life changes forever.
- Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2001) – This is where the Hartland Flour Dessert Bake-Off happens.
- Blueberry Muffin Murder (2001) – Winter Carnival time.
- Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003) – Norman (our favorite dentist) finds a body in a house he’s renovating.
- Fudge Cupcake Murder (2004) – Sheriff Grant ends up in a dumpster. It's gritty for a cozy, sorta.
- Sugar Cookie Murder (2004) – A Christmas buffet gone wrong.
- Peach Cobbler Murder (2005) – The rivalry with Shawna Lee Quinn reaches a boiling point.
- Cherry Cheesecake Murder (2006) – Hollywood comes to Lake Eden. Literally.
- Sugar and Spice (2006) – This is an anthology. You only really need Fluke’s story here to stay on track.
- Key Lime Pie Murder (2007) – The county fair backdrop is classic Fluke.
- Candy Cane Murder (2007) – Don't skip this novella. It happens right after the carnival.
- Carrot Cake Murder (2008) – A family reunion leads to, you guessed it, a corpse.
The Middle Years and the Love Triangle Peak
By the time we hit the 2010s, the "Mike vs. Norman" debate was peak fandom drama. You’ve probably got your favorite, but Hannah... well, she takes her time.
11. Cream Puff Murder (2009)
12. Plum Pudding Murder (2009)
13. Apple Turnover Murder (2010)
- Gingerbread Cookie Murder (2010) – Another essential holiday novella.
- Devil’s Food Cake Murder (2011)
- Cinnamon Roll Murder (2012) – This one involves a jazz festival and a tour bus crash.
- Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (2013) – Hannah is actually a suspect here, which was a nice change of pace.
- Blackberry Pie Murder (2014) – This is the infamous "car accident" book.
- Double Fudge Brownie Murder (2015) – The direct fallout from the previous book’s trial.
The Ross Era and Beyond (Books 19-30)
This is where things got controversial. When Ross Barton entered the picture in Wedding Cake Murder, the fanbase basically split in half.
19. Wedding Cake Murder (2016) – The big "I do" (or does she?).
20. Christmas Caramel Murder (2016)
21. Banana Cream Pie Murder (2017) – The honeymoon ends in a literal murder.
22. Raspberry Danish Murder (2018) – Ross goes missing. The plot thickens.
23. Christmas Cake Murder (2018) – A prequel! This actually goes back to how the Cookie Jar started.
24. Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (2019)
25. Coconut Layer Cake Murder (2020)
26. Christmas Cupcake Murder (2020)
27. Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder (2021)
28. Caramel Pecan Roll Murder (2022)
29. Pink Lemonade Cake Murder (2023)
30. Pumpkin Chiffon Pie Murder (2024/2025) – The status of this one has been a bit "limbo-ish" lately, but it’s the next logical step in the hannah swensen book series in order.
💡 You might also like: Why Grand Funk’s Bad Time is Secretly the Best Pop Song of the 1970s
What Everyone Gets Wrong About the Timeline
People often think you can just jump in anywhere. You can’t. Well, you can, but you’ll be super confused why Hannah is suddenly living in a different condo or why her mother, Delores, is suddenly a pro-level Regency romance novelist.
The biggest misconception? That the Hallmark movies follow the books. They don't. At all. In the movies, Mike and Norman's personalities are blended or swapped, and the "Ross" plotline is handled totally differently. If you’re a fan of the Murder, She Baked films, the book order is actually even more important because the character growth (and Hannah's weight-loss subplots in the early books) are much more prominent on the page.
Also, Moishe. You can't just ignore the cat. Moishe’s "arc" from a stray to a 25-pound king of the household happens incrementally over the first five books.
📖 Related: Why La Mera Mera Radio is Actually Dominating Local Airwaves Right Now
Why the Order Still Matters in 2026
We’re deep into this series now. Joanne Fluke has created a universe where the recipes are as much a part of the story as the clues. If you read them out of order, you might find a recipe for a cookie that Hannah "invented" in a book you haven't read yet. It ruins the immersion.
Plus, the secondary characters like Andrea and Bill have kids who age in real-time. If you jump from book 2 to book 22, Andrea’s kids will have seemingly teleported from infancy to adulthood. It's jarring.
Your Next Steps for Lake Eden Mastery
If you're serious about finishing the hannah swensen book series in order, don't just buy the newest one because it's on the "New Releases" shelf.
- Start with the "Big Three": Chocolate Chip, Strawberry Shortcake, and Blueberry Muffin. If you aren't hooked by the end of the Winter Carnival in book three, the series might not be for you.
- Track the Novellas: Keep a specific eye out for the anthologies like Candy Cane Murder and Gingerbread Cookie Murder. These aren't "filler"—they contain actual plot developments.
- The Cookbook Strategy: Grab Joanne Fluke’s Lake Eden Cookbook. It’s not just recipes; it has anecdotes that fill in the gaps between the early novels.
The best way to experience Lake Eden is slowly. Much like Hannah’s coffee, it’s better when you don’t rush the brew. Pick up the first one, preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and get started.