Joanne Fluke Popular Books

Joanne Fluke Biography & Facts

Joanne Fischmann (née Gibson, born c. 1943 in Swanville, Minnesota) is an American writer, using the pen name Joanne Fluke. She is best known for her cozy mystery series surrounding a small-town baker, Hannah Swensen. Six movies for the Hallmark Channel have been created based on her Hannah Swensen series. Fluke is also known for making chocolate chip cookies for her readers. Fluke has written under the pseudonyms John Fischer, R.J. Fischer, Jo Gibson, Chris Hunter, Gina Jackson and Kathryn Kirkwood. Personal life Fluke was born to Cliff and Esther Gibson in c. 1943 in Swanville, Minnesota. She graduated from Swanville High School in 1960, attended St. Cloud State University and earned a B.A. in psychology, in 1973, from California State University, San Bernardino.Fluke has been baking since she was a child and comes from a long line of bakers.According to the author's website, "While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective’s assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short-order cook, a florist’s assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker."Fluke is married to television writer Ruel E. Fischmann and lives with her husband, children and stepchildren in southern California. Work In the 1980s, Fluke began writing young adult horror stories under the name Jo Gibson.Fluke began writing her cozy mystery series starring Hannah Swensen, an "amateur sleuth and baker", in 2000. The idea for the series came out of Fluke's desire to create a cookbook, and her editor's suggestion that she write a cozy mystery series. Fluke combined the two ideas by including recipes in the series. Hannah Swensen lives in a small Minnesota town, and Fluke feels that the stories are a welcome escape from reality. Library Journal writes that the depiction of the story in Cinnamon Roll Murder is so natural, it is difficult to remember that the characters are fictional. Booklist praised her plot-twists in Devil's Food Cake Murder. Her book, Wedding Cake Murder, sees Swensen getting married and solving a crime in the same story. Bibliography As Joanne Fluke Hannah Swensen series Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (2001) Strawberry Shortcake Murder (2002) Blueberry Muffin Murder (2002) Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (2003) Fudge Cupcake Murder (2004) Sugar Cookie Murder (2004) Peach Cobbler Murder (2005) Cherry Cheesecake Murder (2006) Key Lime Pie Murder (2007) Candy Cane Murder (October 2007) (novella) Carrot Cake Murder: A Hannah Swensen Mystery (2008) Cream Puff Murder (March 2009) Plum Pudding Murder (October 2009) Apple Turnover Murder (February 2010) Gingerbread Cookie Murder (October 2010) (novella) Devil's Food Cake Murder (February 2011) Cinnamon Roll Murder (February 2012) Red Velvet Cupcake Murder (February 2013) Joanne Fluke's Lake Eden Cookbook (September 2013) (includes short story and recipes) Blackberry Pie Murder (February 2014) Double Fudge Brownie Murder (February 2015) Wedding Cake Murder (February 2016) Christmas Caramel Murder (September 2016) Banana Cream Pie Murder (February 2017) Raspberry Danish Murder (February 2018) Christmas Cake Murder (September 2018) Chocolate Cream Pie Murder (February 2019) Coconut Layer Cake Murder (February 2020) Christmas Cupcake Murder (September 2020) Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder (February 2021) Caramel Pecan Roll Murder (February, 2022) Pink Lemonade Cake Murder (July, 2023)Other works The Stepchild (1980) The Other Child (1983; reprinted August 2014) Winter Chill (1984; reprinted August 2013) Cold Judgment (1985; reprinted October 2014) Vengeance is Mine (1986) Video Kill (1989; reprinted May 2013) Final Appeal (1989) Dead Giveaway (1990; reprinted April 2014) The Dead Girl (1993) Fatal Identity (1993) Deadly Memories (1995) Eyes (1996; reprinted November 2015) Sugar and Spice (2006) (A collaborative with Fern Michaels, Beverly Barton, and Shirley Jump) Wicked (2016)Under pseudonyms Fluke has been published under several pseudonyms, including Jo Gibson, Chris Hunter, John Fischer, R.J. Fischer, Kathryn Kirkwood and Gina Jackson.Teen Thrillers (as Jo Gibson) "Obsessed" (June 2014): combines "The Crush" (March 1994) and "The Crush II" (September 1994) "Twisted" (July 2014): combines "My Bloody Valentine" (January 1995), "The Seance" and "Slay Bells" (December 1994) "Afraid" (August 2014): combines "Dance of Death" (December 1996) and "The Dead Girl" (November 1993)Regency Romances (as Kathryn Kirkwood) A Match for Melissa A Season for Samantha A Husband for Holly A Valentine for Vanessa A Match for Mother (novella) A Townhouse for Tessa Winter Kittens (novella)References External links Official website Profile at Hugulu Interview on Real Milwaukee Interview on Real Milwaukee (video). Discover the Joanne Fluke popular books. Find the top 100 most popular Joanne Fluke books.

Best Seller Joanne Fluke Books of 2024

  • A Parfait Crime synopsis, comments

    A Parfait Crime

    Maya Corrigan

    A granddaughtergrandfather sleuthing duo take on a perplexing new case in the latest culinary cozy mystery, sure to appeal to fans of Diane Mott, Joanne Fluke, and Katherine Hall P...

  • Cinnamon Roll Murder synopsis, comments

    Cinnamon Roll Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    New York Times Bestseller: A baker in smalltown Minnesota finds the heat is on after a musician is murdered…   When bakery owner Hannah Swensen hears that the Cinnamon Roll Si...

  • Four Leaf Cleaver synopsis, comments

    Four Leaf Cleaver

    Maddie Day

    The eleventh installment in Maddie Day’s deliciously popular Country Store cozy mysteries . . . It’s Saint Patrick’s Day in  South Lick, Indiana, but a holiday cooking co...

  • Peach Cobbler Murder synopsis, comments

    Peach Cobbler Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    With The Cookie Jar, Hannah Swensen has a mouthwatering monopoly on the bakery business of Lake Eden, Minnesota. But when a rival store opens, tensions begin to bubble. . .As she s...

  • The Diva Spices It Up synopsis, comments

    The Diva Spices It Up

    Krista Davis

    After a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, Old Town’s favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, Sophie Winston, whips up an impromptu investigation in the new Domestic ...

  • Deadly Memories synopsis, comments

    Deadly Memories

    Joanne Fluke

    A woman loses years of memories after a traumatic accidentand begins to suspect it was no accidentin a thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author . . .  ...

  • Fudge Cupcake Murder synopsis, comments

    Fudge Cupcake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Bakery owner Hannah Swensen just can’t keep her hands out of the batter when murder stirs things up in Lake Eden, Minnesota, leaving the sheriff dead, a deputy accused, and a kille...

  • Double Shot Death synopsis, comments

    Double Shot Death

    Emmeline Duncan

    Sage Caplin is taking her Portland coffee cart on the road to a sustainable music festival, but murder is an unwanted special guest . . . At Campathon, an annual ecofriendly festiv...

  • Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie synopsis, comments

    Death by Chocolate Marshmallow Pie

    Sarah Graves

    From the bestselling author of the Home Repair is Homicide novels comes the latest in this “sharp, smart, and witty” (Crimespree) series set in a charming, reallife Maine fishing v...

  • Banana Cream Pie Murder synopsis, comments

    Banana Cream Pie Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    New York Times Bestseller: After a glorious honeymoon, baker Hannah Swensen must deal with a ghastly homicide…   A romantic sevenday cruise is the perfect start to bakery owne...

  • Batter Off Dead synopsis, comments

    Batter Off Dead

    Maddie Day

    In South Lick, Indiana, fine foods and classic cookware can be found at Robbie Jordan’s Pans ’N Pancakes. Unfortunately, her country store also seems to stock up on murder . . . &#...

  • Death by Smoothie synopsis, comments

    Death by Smoothie

    Laura Levine

    Freelance writer and long‑time Ben & Jerry’s addict Jaine Austen uncovers murderers on the mean streets of Beverly Hills, with a little help from her snarky cat, Prozac, in thi...

  • Here Comes the Fudge synopsis, comments

    Here Comes the Fudge

    Nancy CoCo

    USA Today bestselling authorFudge shop owner Allie McMurphy never expected her maid of honor duties to include clearing the groom of murder . . .  THE BODY OF A CRIME   I...

  • The Dangers of Candy Canes synopsis, comments

    The Dangers of Candy Canes

    Laura Levine

    In this holidaythemed cozy mystery from the acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist, freelance writer and long‑time Ben & Jerry’s addict Jaine Austen discovers neighbors can be...

  • Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake synopsis, comments

    Death by Chocolate Chip Cupcake

    Sarah Graves

    From the bestselling author of the Home Repair is Homicide novels comes the latest in this “sharp, smart, and witty” (Crimespree) series set in a charming, reallife Maine fishing v...

  • Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket synopsis, comments

    Murder Buys a One-Way Ticket

    Laura Levine

    Freelance writer and long‑time Ben & Jerry’s addict Jaine Austen uncovers murderers on the mean streets of Beverly Hills, with a little help from her snarky cat, Prozac, in thi...

  • Fatal Identity synopsis, comments

    Fatal Identity

    Joanne Fluke

    A woman steps into the shoes of her murdered twin sister, and her glamorous new life brings more than she bargained for, from the New York Times–bestselling author.   Except f...

  • The Stepchild synopsis, comments

    The Stepchild

    Joanne Fluke

    A college student is haunted by dreams of the past that could get her into trouble in this psychological thriller by the New York Times bestselling author. Kathi Ellison is an Engl...

  • Bake Offed synopsis, comments

    Bake Offed

    Maya Corrigan

    Managing a fitness club café and collaborating on recipes with her grandfather are Val Deniston’s usual specialties, only she’s about to set sail into another murder casethis time ...

  • The Corpse in the Gazebo synopsis, comments

    The Corpse in the Gazebo

    Debra Sennefelder

    Food blogging is turning Hope Early into a household name. But the dead body down the block makes her a #1 suspect . . .   It seems everyone loves Hope’s blog these days, and ...

  • Sugar Cookie Murder synopsis, comments

    Sugar Cookie Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    The holidays are the icing on the cake for bakery owner Hannah Swensen. Surrounded by her loved ones, she has all the ingredients for a perfect Christmasuntil murder is added to th...

  • The Other Child synopsis, comments

    The Other Child

    Joanne Fluke

    A family moves into a new homebut a former occupant has not departedin this terrifying tale by the New York Timesbestselling author.Where innocence dies… Expectant parents Karen an...

  • Murder Gets a Makeover synopsis, comments

    Murder Gets a Makeover

    Laura Levine

    The latest in acclaimed TV comedy writer and novelist Laura Levine’s witty, lighthearted mystery series featuring Hollywoodbased freelance writer Jaine Austen and her snarky cat, P...

  • Christmas Dessert Murder synopsis, comments

    Christmas Dessert Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    It’s Christmas in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and there’s no better way to enjoy the holidays than by cozying up to two Hannah Swensen yuletide mysteries with a plateful of goodies from ...

  • Wicked synopsis, comments

    Wicked

    Joanne Fluke

     In a remote country house, a writers’ group turns into a workshop for a killer, from the New York Times–bestselling author.   When Eve Carrington is chosen to participat...

  • Caramel Pecan Roll Murder synopsis, comments

    Caramel Pecan Roll Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    In this scrumptious new read in the blockbuster series packed with delightful recipes from a beloved New York Times bestselling author, baker Hannah Swensen is tempted by a highpro...

  • Eyes synopsis, comments

    Eyes

    Joanne Fluke

    A grieving widow becomes a killer in this psychological thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author of Deadly Memories.A mildmannered car salesman . . . A woma...

  • Sugar And Spice synopsis, comments

    Sugar And Spice

    Beverly Barton, Shirley Jump, Fern Michaels & Joanne Fluke

    Tis the season when anything can happen . . . when passion sparks brightest . . . and miracles and magic can turn any heart toward love . . . The Christmas Stocking, Fern MichaelsP...

  • The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies synopsis, comments

    The Dangers of Gingerbread Cookies

    Laura Levine

    A delightful holiday cozy mystery which originally appeared in the collection, Gingerbread Cookie Murder, is made available as an ebook single for the very first time! Jaine Austen...

  • Pink Lemonade Cake Murder synopsis, comments

    Pink Lemonade Cake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Fans of deliciously charming, pageturning whodunits rejoice! The beloved New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Culinary Mystery is back with a mouthwatering new Hannah...

  • Deep Fried Death synopsis, comments

    Deep Fried Death

    Maddie Day

    The latest installment in Maddie Day’s deliciously popular Country Store cozy mysteries is sure to appeal to fans of Jenn McKinlay, Ellery Adams, Leslies Meier, and Joanne Fluke. M...

  • Deep Fried Revenge synopsis, comments

    Deep Fried Revenge

    Lynn Cahoon

    Angie Turner is all prepped to face Boise’s culinary best when she enters her restaurant, The County Seat, into a big State Fair challenge. Instead, she gets dunked into a new murd...

  • Claret and Present Danger synopsis, comments

    Claret and Present Danger

    Sarah Fox

    In this thrilling mystery by USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox, deadly happenings stick around like red wine stains on white tunics when the Renaissance faire visits Shady Cre...

  • Irish Coffee Murder synopsis, comments

    Irish Coffee Murder

    Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis & Barbara Ross

    You don’t need to be Irish to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day in Maine, where the chilly March weather offers the perfect excuse to curl up with an Irish coffee…But in these St. Patty’sthe...

  • Gingerbread Cookie Murder synopsis, comments

    Gingerbread Cookie Murder

    Joanne Fluke, Leslie Meier & Laura Levine

    New York Timesbestselling authors: This merry collection of holiday mysteries is “a yuletide whodunit treat” (Publishers Weekly).   This collection of three novellas by muchlo...

  • Christmas Cupcake Murder synopsis, comments

    Christmas Cupcake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Beloved New York Times bestselling author and Queen of the Culinary Mystery Joanne Fluke delivers the next mouthwatering Hannah Swensen Holiday Mystery, as December turns Lake Eden...

  • A Dish to Die for synopsis, comments

    A Dish to Die for

    Lucy Burdette

    National bestselling author Lucy Burdette returns to Key West for another delectable dish of secrets, intrigue, and murder. Peace and quiet are hard to find in bustling Key West, s...

  • Dead Giveaway synopsis, comments

    Dead Giveaway

    Joanne Fluke

    In the Nevada mountains, an avalanche traps the residents of a luxury building indoorswhile a killer walks among themfrom the New York Times–bestselling author.  One By One&#x...

  • Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves synopsis, comments

    Mrs. Claus and the Evil Elves

    Liz Ireland

    Jessica Fletcher meets Tim Burton in this creative and witty cozy mystery series from Liz Ireland, filled with unconventional characters, yearround Christmas cheer, and a unique he...

  • Key Lime Pie Murder synopsis, comments

    Key Lime Pie Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    It promises to be a busy week for Hannah Swensen. Not only is she whipping up treats for the chamber of commerce booth at the TriCounty fair, she's also judging the baking con...

  • Cold Judgment synopsis, comments

    Cold Judgment

    Joanne Fluke

    A dying doctor believes he must kill eight dangerous patients in this psychological thriller by the New York Times–bestselling author of Winter Chill. The Perfect Cure On the surfa...

  • Carrot Cake Murder synopsis, comments

    Carrot Cake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Summertime has finally arrived in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and Hannah Swensen, owner of The Cookie Jar bakery, is looking forward to warm, lazy days, eating ice cream, and sharing pic...

  • Wedding Cake Murder synopsis, comments

    Wedding Cake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Hannah Swensen’s getting marriedbut first she has to solve the murder of a notorious celebrity chefin this entry in the New York Timesbestselling series.   Folks in Lake Eden,...

  • Red Velvet Cupcake Murder synopsis, comments

    Red Velvet Cupcake Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    “If your reading habits alternate between curling up with a good mystery or with a good cookbook, you ought to know about Joanne Fluke.”Charlotte Observer   This summer has be...

  • Christmas Caramel Murder synopsis, comments

    Christmas Caramel Murder

    Joanne Fluke

    Bah, homicide! A mystery in the New York Timesbestselling series with a heroine “irresistible as a cookie fresh from the oven” (Publishers Weekly).   Christmas normally descen...

  • Video Kill synopsis, comments

    Video Kill

    Joanne Fluke

    Lights. . .Camera. . .With painstaking care, he "casts" his victims, each woman resembling an Alfred Hitchcock star, each killing echoing six of the legendary director's films. The...