Hannah Swensen is back to solve a murder and do some baking in Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke as she brings some recipes too. This time she is leaving Lake Eden and will be taking on the mystery with a friend that needs help in California. She can’t help from far away and being there is the best step. If you haven’t read any of the Hannah Swensen books this one really doesn’t stand alone. Some story lines from previous books have been resolved before this book and it might leave readers wondering what happened between characters. The newest book is a good story, yet I suggest reading others first. Also, I think the mysteries are good, but the recipes are great!

I think I have jumped the gun and started reading this before if finished 18 to 23, but I was looking for Mike or Norman (Her romance rivals to make a move and marry Hannah, but that’s another story). Hannah is on vacation in LA and is called back to Lake Eden to solve her sister’s boyfriend case, he is accused of murder. A woman who he was in a bar (what are you doing in a bar with another woman and helping her home to find her the next day dead and you don’t remember.) You know the plot, you know Hannah is going to find the killer and you know how it will end, but you just love the characters from Lake Eden. Keep writing Ms. Fluke, even if there is no one left to murder.

When Hannah Swensen takes a trip to California with her mother to help a friend pack up and move back to Lake Eden, she isn’t expecting to get the phone call that sends her racing home from the warm and sunny west coast to frigid Minnesota.

Detective Lonnie Murphy, her sister’s boyfriend and Hannah’s friend, has been accused of murder. And the evidence is stacked up against him. Lonnie was out at a bar and helped a very impaired woman get home safely, but he remembers nothing after he got her home and helped her to her bedroom…until he wakes up the next morning, checks on her and discovers her dead.

Hannah and friends are soon hard at work trying to unravel the mystery and prove Lonnie’s innocence in the woman’s murder.

It’s very good to have Hannah back on the case with a new mystery to solve. Even as she works on clearing Lonnie, some hints are revealed about Ross’ puzzling background. Hannah is beginning to rebuild her life in Coconut Layer Cake Murder, even as the mytery around Lonnie unfolds.

I love Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series. The mysteries are always engaging and I love to reconnect with the people from Lake Eden. This latest installment doesn't disappoint. Hannah has to help clear her sister's boyfriend and sheriff's detective Lonnie of a murder he didn't commit. The path through the book is familiar to readers of the series and can, for the most part, be read as a stand alone. You'd miss out on a lot of the backstory though. (I skipped a few books in the series and was at a loss for some of the storyline, but it didn't affect solving the mystery).

The solution is a satisfying one, but there aren't a whole lot of twists and turns. Should be another favorite for fans of the series. For those who haven't met Hannah yet, I'd suggest starting at the beginning so you can really become familiar with the interrelated arcs of the characters. I'll definitely keep reading (but I'm going to have to go back and catch up some).

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Typical Hannah Swenson fun, with great recipes and good humor.. if you like the other books in this series, this one is sure to please. A light, fun read.

I just love this series and always look forward to each new book. It’s a wonderful break from reality to spend a couple of hours with Hannah and everyone else. This book was a great read, similar formula to the rest of the series, but enjoyable nonetheless. I recommend it. :)

Oh Hannah, how I feel we are such good friends. I have read every Hannah Swenson book available and although there was a book or a two in the series that missed the mark- Coconut Layer Cake Murder did not. Hannah is who I want to be when I grow up :)

Everyone things that Hannah needs a vacation after the previous issues regarding Ross and her "marriage" disallusion. She heads to California with Delores to help a friend who getting ready to move but before she can finish her vacation, she is called back to Lake Eden to help Michelle and her boyfriend, Lonnie.

The mystery was pretty light, basically we are seeing Hannah progress along her recovery from the disaster with Ross and rebuilding relations with Mike and Norman.
I really wish that the Movie series was a bit more like the books because the characters of Michelle, Norman, Lonnie are getting shortchanged.

I didn't really feel like I could enjoy this one. Not sure if it was my mood or the writing. I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington for this opportunity!

Coconut Layer Cake Murder is the latest installment by one if my favorite cozy mystery author Joanne Fluke. I am never disappointed by Hannah and her friends. The story was interesting and held my complete attention. The characters are old friends by now, and I enjoyed their escapades in this book. Like I said, I am a fan, and I anxiously await the next Hannah Swensen mystery.

I've read a lot of the Hannah Swensen mysteries, but missed #24. And that was a huge problem for me reading this book.

This is most definitely NOT a stand alone. Gosh, maybe none of them are - but since I've been reading them in order, I wouldn't realize how hard it is to miss one. What happened to Ross? What would be so upsetting about her bedroom in the condo?

I kept wondering about those things and so couldn't concentrate on the mystery of who killed the murdered person.

Once again however, I did feel that the story was somewhat light. It seems that Ms. Fluke can't fill a book with a story line and needs to fill the space between the covers with recipes and endless instructions - "I used this brand, but this will do if you don't have that"

While I have enjoyed her books in the past, I think that they are getting a bit tedious and it is more enjoyable to read new authors who have a fresh story line and approach.

In the previous book, Chocolate Cream Pie Murder, the trilogy of the Ross/Hannah dynamic was resolved. Now Fluke has given us some new things to ponder. Is Hannah expecting? Which male friend will she choose. I am still on Team Norman, and for me things are looking good.

Fluke opens with Hannah and her mother traveling to Los Angeles to help her friend, successful actress Lynne Larchmont pack her items. Larchmont is relocating to Lake Eden. Fluke brings a delightful secondary character to her cast. Hannah is in Los Angeles under medical directive. She is suffering from high level stress. Her body is signalling her brain. Her brain is not listening.

Hannah and Delores are flying high as Lynne introduces them to the entertainment industry in Los Angeles. Dolores even takes part in a commercial. All is not well in Lake Eden though, Hannah's vacation is abruptly aborted when Michelle calls to sobbingly tell her Lonnie, sweet Lonnie has been accused of murder. Much worst Lonnie does not remember what happened. Hannah returns to Lake Eden. The mystery begins.

The format for Coconut Layer Cake remains the same. Recipes mentioned in the chapter are included at the end of the chapter. Cooking directions imply the recipes are being used in Lake Eden i.e Michelle says ___. Mike would eat ___" Of note, Flukes wording has become a bit old fashioned ex. "stewardess" instead of "Flight Attendant". The characters continue to think and act with "Minnesota nice"..

For many, Fluke is the doyenne of the cozy mystery genre. I agree the Lake Eden series still has legs.. I am still voting for Team Norman

We asked for another helping of Hannah Swensen and her supporting cast and Joanne Fluke gave it to us! A delicious story of how our chief baker must assist in the investigation of a murder, but this time the police actually want her help. The recipe for a great story always starts with Joanne Fluke. She stirs in a dozen or so characters then cracks a few clues and adds the cherry on top to give us another episode of our favorite amateur. 5 stars again!!!!

Another excellent edition to a wonderful series! Full of twists and turns that leaves you wanting more and enjoying each moment until the end when the killer is caught!

I received Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke as an ARC from NetGalley. I have read all of Joanne Fluke's books and she is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. Her novels feature Hannah Swensen and her family & friends in their small town of Lake Eden, Minnesota. In the latest addition, Hannah's sister Michelle's boyfriend, Lonnie, is the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Lonnie is on the police force so he cannot be part of the investigation along with other law enforcement who are too close to him. Hannah is asked by the police to investigate the murder. Just like her previous novels, there are lots of recipes and Hannah always solves the mystery. Another fun read!

This is another good book in this popular series. Hannah’s working on solving another perplexing mystery and there are several twists and turns until she confronts the killer. Things are happening in her personal life, too, and that adds extra interest to the story. As always, the recipes look so good. This story has a little bit of a different angle than some, and that made it interesting. Fans of this series will like this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This was a typical Hannah Swensen story with one difference. A murder occurs and Hannah starts to investigate at the request of the law enforcement.

There were also many are similarities to other books in the series. The mystery had some twists and turns, there were lots of recipes, many meals, and Hannah is still keeping Mike's and Norman's hopes alive.

It's a quick and easy read when one skips the recipes. A perfect way to spend a lazy afternoon.

Hannah is all worn out after coping with the death of her husband Ross, whose lies and deceit don’t seem to end, so she travels off to CA to be with a college friend who is going to be moving to Hannah’s town. But soon after her arrival, there is a murder in town and Hannah is needed back to help, as a member of the police force is the primary suspect!

Like other books in this series, there are the standard number of new or redesigned cookie recipes, the banter between Hannah, Norman, and Mike, and the simplistic conversations involving the majority of characters. That stated, the plot for the murder is different and had some good twists while Hannah does her sleuthing. The end of the book too, has a dream sequence that implies Hannah’s future, so I think it is set up for the final book in the series.

Definitely read the Hannah series in order, as this one won’t make sense without context from earlier novels.

As usual, Joanne Fluke has written another "delicious" murder mystery. Hannah Swenson is at it again....her sister's boyfriend Lonnie is a suspect in a murder and Hannah has been asked to use her sleuthing skills to solve the mystery. This book, like her others, is filled with delicious recipes that I can't wait to try! Fluke's recipes alone are worth the read. Add to that the mystery she has "whipped" up and you have another cozy mystery that you just want to sit down and savor. Can't wait for her next delicious mystery!!!

Coconut Layer Cake Murder 4/5 Coconut Sweets...Engaging Fun & Recipes Galore!

I am quite the fan of the Hallmark version of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swenson Mystery series, but it is refreshing to see this twenty-fifth book is just enough different and further into their lives from the television version, Murder, She Baked, to be new and engaging. Hannah’s had some tests done, and no, nothing’s wrong that a nice vacation would fix. But, it doesn’t last long when she receives a frantic call from her sister, returning home due to her sister’s boyfriend Detective Lonnie Murphy’s connection to the death of a young woman. “Help Lonnie!” Problem? He has limited memory of the night. Brilliantly entertaining and recipes that have a delightful narrative beyond ingredients and directions. I haven’t read the series in order, so some of the references lacked background to keep me fully in the know, but still the drama was intriguing, misdirection clever, and final reveal was a pleasant surprise! The characters are well-developed, but I guess I’d like a few more surprises in the reactions and responses, and a bit more realism...Hannah is actually encouraged to investigate? And there were some incidents connected to Hannah’s too-dependent dynamic with her mother and small details that seem unrealistic. As a cookbook fan, the one unique element of Fluke’s series that I love is the manner and length of the recipes incorporated into the book with excellent suggestions and Hannah’s Notes; I can almost hear Alison Sweeney’s voice. And of course, there is Hannah’s Coconut Layer Cake...it includes my favorite Coconut Rum!