New York Times BestsellerUSA Today BestsellerPublishers Weekly BestsellerBakery owner Hannah Swensen is leaving Lake Eden to help a friend in sunny California. But an unexpected phone call swiftly brings her back to a cold Minnesota winter . . . and murder . . . When Hannah learns that her sister Michelle’s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, is the prime suspect in a murder case, she flies … learns that her sister Michelle’s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, is the prime suspect in a murder case, she flies straight home from a Los Angeles movie sound stage to frigid Minnesota. But proving Lonnie’s innocence will be harder than figuring out what went wrong with a recipe, especially with Lonnie’s hazy memory of the night in question. Hannah doesn’t know what to believe. Before everything comes crashing down on Lonnie like a heaping slice of coconut layer cake, it’ll be up to Hannah to rack up enough clues to toast a flaky killer . . .
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Coconut Later Cake Murder is the 25th book in the Hannah Swensen cozy mystery series by Joanne Fluke. I’ve read all the books in order, and when the latest showed up at both my library (I got my lending request in the day it was made available) and on NetGalley, I had to grab a copy. While the series is much lighter and getting a little too formulaic, I adore the characters. It always feels like ‘going home’ when I spend an hour or two with Hannah and the Lake Eden residents. And when I say an hour or two, I mean it… as the books are generally on the shorter side and are at least 1/3 recipes, so it’s a fast read.
In this caper, Hannah is recovering from the death of her marriage… death because she was tricked into it by a former friend, and things went awry quite quickly. At the end of the last book was a shocker, but this time, things are back to normal. Unfortunately, while Hannah’s on a vacation to somehow get away from all the stress, her sister Michelle calls her back home to solve a murder. Michelle’s boyfriend, Lonnie, is the main suspect. We know he couldn’t have done it. Yet… we never met these new characters in the mystery before. What’s going on?
The books follow the same pattern as previous ones, which can be fun. A third is recipes, a third is general town news about our fave characters, and a third is the mystery. Most of these characters (the victim and the other suspects) were new or not big in the series, so it wasn’t as immersive as I would’ve liked. Instead, I enjoyed all Hannah’s time with Mike, Norman, Michelle, Andrea, Dolores, and the supporting characters. I liked Lynn, who’s been in the books before. She was front and center this time, which made for a good segue in the Los Angeles trip.
So… fans of the series will get what they normally get in these books. But… the one difference I saw was the hint that Hannah might be ready to choose between Mike and Norman. They both had equal time with her, yet in the last few pages, something seemed different in how she thought about one of them. Maybe I’m reading into it, because that’s the direction I want her to go in… see for yourself! Thanks for another fun book.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the twenty-fifth A Hannah Swensen Mystery. I have read all the books in this series and there is a marked difference between Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder and Coconut Layer Cake Murder. The mystery is not the primary focus of the story. It seems that most of the book is devoted to cooking, baking, eating, and chatting. More than half of the book is devoted to recipes. I have stuck with the series this long, and I am not about to quit. After the cliffhanger left in the last book, I wanted to know what was happening with Hannah. I like how close Hannah is to her family and friends. Delores, Michelle, Doc Knight, Andrea, Bill, Norman, Mike, Lonnie and all the regulars are back. Lonnie is accused of murdering an old high school classmate and he needs Hannah’s help if he is to prove he is innocent. Mike is Lonnie’s partner so that bans him from investigating and Lonnie’s brother is also off the case. The lone detective left is Bill, Andrea’s husband, who lacks experience solving murders. This time (believe it or not) Hannah’s nosiness is encouraged. Lonnie’s fuzzy memory, though, causes some problems. Hannah zips around town in her cookie truck asking questions, dispensing cookies, and searching for clues. With help from family and friends, Hannah pieces together the clues and identifies the killer. Readers will have no problem solving this whodunit before the reveal. The story proceeds in a unique manner for cozy mysteries that was a nice change of pace, but I would not want too often. I know that Hannah needs to recover from what happened with Ross, but I believe it is time for her to decide between Mike and Norman (my pick is Mike). When A Hannah Swensen Mystery series ends (it is inevitable), I hope Joanne Fluke starts a new cozy mystery series. Coconut Layer Cake Murder is a light, feel good story firm friends, mouthwatering meals, a vital vacation, scrumptious cookies, and a busy baker.
Another enjoyable entry in Mrs. Fluke’s Lake Eden baking mysteries. Hannah is dealing with the situation from the ending of the previous book (understandable) and, doctor’s and stepfather’s orders, she actually goes on vacation in this book to California (with Delores) to help her friend Lynne pack before her move to Lake Eden. Well, that is, until she gets a panicked call from Michelle, begging her to home and help Lonnie. For once, Hannah didn’t discover the body! But Lonnie did, and he’s suspect numero uno. And I actually found this a more believable motivator for Hannah to be involved in the case. I’m not sure why, but I did. But this is different, too, because we got less inside info on the case because Lonnie (duh), Mike (as Lonnie’s supervisor), and Rick Murphy (as Lonnie’s partner) are all off the case and Bill’s working it with a new hire.
It felt like there was less investigation in this book, which was weird, because Hannah was the only one (we see) investigating. The ending felt a bit tacked on, because I hadn’t figured it out before a certain point in the book that I normally would have by then. And if I just hadn’t figured it out that would be fine. But I couldn’t because of a piece of investigating was not done earlier, when I would have done it if I’d been in charge of the investigation. And I’m glad Lynne is coming because I like her and I’m looking forward to getting to know her better. All in all, a very enjoyable trip to revisit my old friends in Minnesota.
I’ve read all but 2 books in this series. I’ve enjoyed each book in the series. Most times I don’t want to put it down reading into the late night hours. I would recommend reading the first book in the series and continuing forward as sometimes you have to understand the characters
Oh my, I do need to get caught up on this series. The last book I read was #8 and I knew she got married but have no idea how things got so crazy. I am so impressed with how mature Hannah’s sister, Michelle, has become.
I enjoyed this book as I liked it was a simple murder but took a bit to figure out. We saw the murder and investigation through Hannah’s eyes as well as others. About the same time it dawned on Hannah who the killer was, it did to me as well. That made for great reading for me.
The love triangle still appears to be there but was no way distracting. You just understand that there are two men who really care and love Hannah. I’m not much on love triangles in my stories but I come to expect it in the Hannah Swenson series. My favorite pick is still Norman. Unfortunate name but a great guy. He seems genuine and that is what Hannah needs.
You can read this as a standalone but it will get you thinking about what you have missed. You will find yourself running out and buying the series.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This book starts out with other works by the author and acknowledgements.
Hannah finds out what’s wrong with her from the blood test done in the last book and the doctor writes her a prescription.
She and her mother head to CA to help her friend pack up her house and move to MN as she’s bought a mansion there.
Hannah and Lynne had gone to college in their younger years and have stayed in contact with one another. Lynne had made her money from being an actress and staring in commercials.
Just what the doctor ordered, rest and relaxation…
So fun to hear about the industry of making shows and movies. Love the trip around town with the butler/chauffeur.
Events occur that leaves Delores starring in a commercial with Lynne and they have so much fun with it…
Michelle, her sister calls with an emergency, a death has occurred and Loonie is devastated, his classmate has died and he’s the first suspect.
Just Hannah will return home to help with the investigation leaving Delores in CA to help Lynne.
While work is being done at her condo, to erase traces of Ross living there she settles in at Norman’s guest room and attends the meeting of the friends who are trying to find out who had killed Loonie’s friend.
Loonie is able to give them a lot of information about what happened to Darcy and they have their work cut out for them to prove he’s innocent. Surprise of finding her ex’s items in storage…
Love information on baking secrets and tips. Irish blessings are a treasure to find! So many involved and you never would’ve thought who found Hannah on her last day alive.
Recipes index at the end. Recipes throughout the book. Baking conversion charts included. Other books highlighted at the end, Cold Judgement.
I received this review copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#CoconutLayerCakeMurder #NetGalley
I love Joanne Fluke’s books and her characters in them. This book has such yummy recipes in it, I feel I may have gained 10 pounds just thinking about the deliciousness. Hannah has a lot of pressure on her in this story with half of the forced knocked off the case. Will she be able to pull it off? It was fun to follow her thought process and of course to see how her friends would help her out. All this while still baking and cooking. I wish I had Mike’s metabolism. Wow, that guy can put some food away. It’s hilarious how they know him so well. I enjoyed my time with Hannah, Norman, Michelle, Lonnie, Andrea, Bill, Mike, Delores, Doc, and of course Cuddles and Moishe. I can’t wait to hang out with them again. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is a cozy mystery of the first order, liberally sprinkled throughout with sweet recipes already tried and true. Hannah is still recovering from her cheating husbands death and has just seen her doctor/stepfather to confirm her pregnancy. Turns out there is nothing to confirm. His diagnosis is stress. His prescription is a vacation with her mother, his wife. Not sure he isn’t the one getting the vacation. They are off to LA to help Hannah’s good friend pack for her return to Lake Eden. She’s bought a townhouse and she’s almost ready to roll. After just a couple of days of rest and relaxation she is recalled to Lake Eden because of a murder, well really, the accused murder, Boone, a member of the local police force and her younger sister’s boyfriend. Much of the force has been told to back off because of proximity to the accused so it is up to her and her brother-in-law, the sheriff, to figure the whole mess out.
Cozy mysteries are cozy because the murders are not gruesome and the reader knows most of the people in the book so it is like going home. This is just that. The gang’s all here and they all agree: no way did Boone kill anyone. True, her was there at the bar the night before; he did take her home after she got into a fight with her boyfriend and he took off; he did pass out on her couch and discover her body the next morning, but what does any of that prove? Hannah’s right here with all the help she needs, including several people who aren’t supposed to be helping at all. Does she solve the crime? Need you ask? Cozy mystery at its best. I recommend it.
I received a free ARC of Coconut Layer Cake Murder from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #nergalley #coconutlayercakemurder
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is book twenty five in the Hannah Swensen series.
Michelle, Hannah’s younger sister, needs her help in clearing her boyfriend, Lonnie, for a murder. Lonnie is on the Lake Eden police force so Mike is not allowed to be the case.
Hannah knows Lonnie is innocent and sets out to find out who is framing him and why. All the signs point toward Lonnie making him the perfect suspect..
There are plenty of plot twists that have you guessing to the end. You also get humor and some yummy sounding recipes.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I’ve read this series from the very first book and I truly believe each one gets better than the last. I feel like I’m part of the Lake Eden community when I sit down to read; coming home to visit friends and family and, of course, help solve a murder! These books are extremely well written with fabulous characters. I highly recommend this book to everyone! Enjoy!
Hannah Swensen needs some time away from Lake Eden and the cold Minnesota weather. Hannah goes to sunny California to help a friend move back to Lake Eden. Hannah’s trip is cut short when her sister’s boyfriend, Detective Lonnie Murphy, becomes the number one suspect in a murder. With a shortage of detectives to investigate this murder, Hannah and her family and friends’ investigation may be Lonnie’s best chance of clearing his name.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder picks up where Chocolate Cream Murder leaves off. You can still enjoy the mystery as a stand-alone, however, I believe you will enjoy the book much better if you read a least the previous three books first. The issues most Hannah fans had with the series few books ago seem to have been straightened out. Even though she is still reeling with what happened to personally in the recent past, Hannah is back to her old self when it comes to helping those closest to her. The mystery is a bit on the shorter side with fewer suspects but still well-written. It seems there are more recipes included through-out the book than in past books. This doesn’t really bother me that much but the placement does. I know each recipe is included in the book when it is introduced, however, I still wish they were included at the back of the book instead of at the end of the chapter. This is just my personal preference and did not keep me from enjoying the book. I recommend this book to fans of the series and to cozy mystery fans.
I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.
While Hannah is used to helping the local PD with mysterious deaths in the past, this is the first time she needs to work solely on her own in order to help solve the mystery but also clear the name of a loved one. Hannah needs to cut her vacation in CA short when her sister Michelle needs help back in Lake Eden. Her boyfriend Lonnie is the lead suspect in a murder of one of his friends. Through her wonderful sleuth abilities and enjoyable recipes that I will need to try on my own, she solves the mystery. Another great addition to the series.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke is the latest installment featuring my all-time favorite female sleuth extraordinaire: Hannah Swensen. This time Lonnie takes center stage as the prime suspect in a murder case and it is up to Hannah and her family and friends of Lake Eden to exonerate Lonnie and find the killer.
I enjoyed this mystery and it threw a few curve balls into the mix so that I was not sure of the culprit until the end. I liked the flow and pace of the plot and best of all: I loved the subplots!!!!! I can’t talk more about both of them, but boy am I now excited to see where this goes. I feel like things are heating up again.
I have always loved Hannah Swensen and have read every one of the books in this series. This one did not disappoint!!!!
I have also already tried out the Meaty Minestrone soup recipe (although removing the Meaty part) and it is delicious. I can’t wait to try out the new version of Andrea’s whippersnapper cookies that were described in this book. It sounds right up my alley.
5/5 stars enthusiastically
A great beach read. Fluke is a great author. All her books are worth the read!
As someone who has read all of the books in this series, I really love Hannah and her cohorts. But the conversations they have are too basic and are silly. If you read, “They’ll love your…” (whatever creation Hannah has just made) once, you’ll read it 100 times in the book. Really?! We all know Hannah … and Lisa … and now Hannah’s sister, Michelle … are wonder ful cooks.
The saving grace for this book was that the mystery was really good and had you guessing until the end. I love the recipes and look forward to making them in the future.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
I love the cozy mystery type,book
You can’t beat a Hannah Swenson cozy mystery for some fast, fun reading, This one keeps you guessing up to the end.
This cozy mystery novel is the 25th book in the Hannah Swensen series. I really enjoyed reading the novel and all the recipes. I rate this book a 5 out of 5.
Great recipes in all her books.
What a great who done it, and it comes complete with so many yummy recipes! There are so many suspects that you are sure the whole town is guilty! I love reading Joanne’s books, they are always fun to read! Thanks for the great book!