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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Onward with my cozy mystery series quest! Back to Lake Eden to see what is next for Hannah.
What I liked about “Coconut Layer Cake Murder”:
Cliffhanger resolution – We waste no time in finding out what’s what on the big question at the end of “Chocolate Cream Pie Murder”. I appreciate it not being drawn out.
Hannah’s internal musings – I particularly enjoyed being privy to her thoughts this time around.
Stayed true to character – I know this is a cheesy series, but there is a time and place for an easy read. Easy both in that it doesn’t take much brain power and that the subject matter is easy on the emotions.
What I didn’t care for:
The format of the mystery – I know that after so many books, some people might want things changed up but this one didn’t work for me. It unfolded awkwardly and I never could fully engage with it.
The mystery itself – It just felt uncompelling to me. I was far more interested in the goings-on of Hannah’s personal life, once she got back to Lake Eden. I could have done without the brief trip to begin.
All in all, this wasn’t my favorite Hannah mystery, but the book itself wasn’t terrible and the non-mystery content somewhat redeemed it. And with that, I have officially reached my goal to get current on all my in-progress cozy mystery series. The most recent Hannah adventure has been released, but with a really long waiting list, I won’t get my turn with it before the year ends. I am curious to see where the next one takes Hannah, especially on a personal level.
Unfortunately for me, this series is becoming predictable and, at times, boring. I’ve read each book in the series but will now move on to other authors.
I had trouble getting through this one. Her books seem to have less meat to the story with each book.
Another good Hannah Swenson ok.
I love following the antics of the characters that live in Eden Prairie. Very charming!
Enjoyed it.
Great read
Normally I love this author’s books but just couldn’t get into this particular one. It didn’t grab my attention like her work normally does.
I have read all the books in this series and I have to say they are getting way too predictable. So much of the books are taken up with such long recipes! It’s getting quite annoying, not enough storyline. Maybe it’s time to wind up the series!
A great read!
I always like her books, and I read quite a few. Hope she keeps them coming!
Not much plot and a whole lot of recipes.
Will read any book written by this author
Hannah and her mother are off to visit a friend in California. They leave cold and snowy Lake Eden, MN for warm and sunny California. After receiving an emergency phone call Hannah finds herself back on a plane and heading home.
Her sister’s boyfriend has found himself in the middle of a murder investigation, and this time he is not the detective. As soon as Hannah arrives home she begins to work on solving the murder.
This is the 25th book in the Hannah Swensen series. While I’m glad the Hannah/Mike/Norman triangle ended with Hannah’s marriage to Ross, the tension seems to be starting up again. I hope I’m wrong. I enjoyed reading this book. It was nice to see Hannah leave town, even if it was only for a few days. It was interesting to see Hannah conduct an investigation without seeming to interfere with the police investigation. In fact, the only way we know any investigation is going on is the fact that Andrea copies the police and coroners reports. I like the regular characters in this series. I do feel bad that Mike and food are synonymous. That has been true since nearly the beginning. I recommend this book. It can stand alone, but I am one who needs to read a series in order.
Coconut Layer Cake Murder is a light fun book. It is a quick easy read. I like the characters and was interested in where this series continues. This mystery is interesting however I would have liked the book to have more time spent investigating the murder. While I like the food and cooking that is included in the story, I found that this book spent most of the time talking about food rather than the mystery. Overall it is a fun book.
I have read every book in this series in order from the start. This is #25. I love to read series and heaven help me I love food so I keep reading these. Really about all I got out of this one was hungry. I can”t help but feel like I know all these characters after all this time so I don’t want to give up on them but….. I really feel like some of the comments are so “duh” I’m wondering who the audience really is. Also – are these characters 300 pounds??? They are not described that way but, geez! There is at least a pound of butter in every recipe! Thank heaven I listen to these books while I am walking!! Maybe we could have a “healthy” story once? Just a thought.
Sounds like Hannah is really starting to feel maternal….Who’s going to be daddy???
Joanne Fluke has created some of my best book friends. You will leave your own problems behind while reading this series. Who can’t love a book that gives you so many yummy recipes.
There is so much that is problematic about this book – while I am glad to be over the whole Ross debacle [mostly anyway], it is like Hannah has seriously lost her mind and is acting like she is 12. WHO acts that way on an airplane? WHO acts like they’ve never heard of LA or that its a huge city? WHO says thank you while thinking in their mind that they are doing it just as they were taught [WTHECK was that about? It happens several times in the book and I just ended up shaking my head as my eyes were already sprained from all the rolling they did]? And I have even mentioned how EASY this murder was to solve [though I wasn’t 100% sure about the why, I figured it had to be that. And I had this figured out as soon as Lonnie told his story. Seriously].
Sigh.
I was asked several times while reading this [and exclaiming over and over just how ridiculous it was], WHY was I reading it and the answer is simple. I really love every character in these books. All of them. Except Hannah. And Delores [though her marriage has softened her some and she is easier to take now]. So I read them to see what ALL the characters except Hannah are up to. Hannah, quite simply, makes me crazy. She does the DUMBEST things. And truly doesn’t learn from them. It is so infuriating. And I SWEAR TO GOD IF SHE DOES NOT PICK NORMAN AND PICK HIM SOON I WILL LOSE MY EVERLOVING MIND. [#teamnormanforever] The end of this book gives me hope that this may happen soon. I may throw a party when it does. Seriously.
I may or may not keep reading these – she has another one coming out this year and I have been contemplating giving the series just one more chance. I do love Lake Eden [even if the author writes it as everyone who comes from a small town is a freaking moron] and the people that live there. So we will see. It isn’t like they are hard reads you know? [Sigh].
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another good book in this series. Hannah and her mother are off to California to help their friend, Lynne pack to move to Eden Lake. Hannah receives a frantic call from her youngest sister, Michelle, after a young woman is murdered and Michelle’s boyfriend, Lonnie, is the prime suspect. Hannah, Michelle, Andrea, Norman, and Mike all set out to find the real killer. We also find out some more mysterious things about Ross. This book was intriguing and had some great recipes. Looking forward to Hannah’s next adventure and hopefully finding out the truth behind Ross. Also, Team Norman and hoping someday Hannah and Norman end up together!
This is a nice long series and Joan Fluke developed the characters very well. I can’t wait to read the next on in her series. This is funny, romantic and just plain old fun to read.