by Sandra Murphy
Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Coconut Layer Cake Murder, and links to purchase it.
Hannah Swensen hasn’t been feeling well lately. Doc, her stepfather, prescribes a vacation to relieve stress. Oddly, he’s sending Hannah’s mother along. Delores is a major stressor in anyone’s life. Apparently, Doc’s prescription will help him relax, too.
The trip to Brentwood, California, goes more smoothly than Hannah anticipated. Delores is starstruck enough to be distracted from her usual criticisms as they help Hannah’s college friend move to Lake Eden after her recent divorce. It’s a nice change to leave snow and ice behind for warm California weather.
On the fifth day, Hannah gets a panicked phone call from her youngest sister, Michelle, asking her to come home on the next flight. There’s been a murder and Lonnie, a deputy and Michelle’s boyfriend, is the prime suspect.
For once, Bill, the chief of police and Hannah’s brother-in-law, welcomes Hannah’s help in solving the case. Mike has to recuse himself because Lonnie is his partner. Others face the same problem, leaving only Bill and a new hire to investigate. They can use some added help. 
Hannah’s not so sure about how much she’s helping. It seems she’s finding each suspect’s alibi, which is a good thing for them. Unfortunately, it narrows the list of possibilities and leaves Lonnie as one of the few choices. Mike, Norman, Hannah, and Andrea, Hannah’s middle sister, manage to chase down clues without tampering with witnesses or evidence, to lead to a satisfying conclusion.
This is the twenty-eighth book in the popular series. At the end of the last book Hannah had some health concerns which are answered by the second page. She still faces residual feelings and fears due to her last relationship. After being unable to decide between Norman and Mike, she opted for a third choice with disastrous results.
As always, the book is full of recipes as Hannah tries out new ideas for cookies plus cooking for their crime solving meetings. The twenty-five recipes cover one hundred pages. Look for coconut layer cake and frosting, minestrone soup, corned beef and pepper jack quiche, chocolate cake in a mug, pear and apple pie, and butterscotch and pretzel cookies, to name just a few. There’s also a recipe for chocolate peanut butter toffee made with club crackers that caught my attention as easy to make and tasty.
Fluke has also written a dozen suspense novels. Find an excerpt for Cold Judgement at the back of the book.
To enter to win a copy of Coconut Layer Cake Murder, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “coconut,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 4, 2020. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.
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Love this series and would enjoy this book and the delectable recipes.
I love the Hannah Swenson series! Moishe is my spirit animal!
When are the movies coming back?
Count me in for the drawing!
The book sounds delicious, Thanks for your great generosity.
I can’t wait to see what happens to Hannah next. Thanks for the giveaway.
I would love to read this book!
I’d love to read this! legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
I really want to read this book. Having recipes in it is wonderful. Thank you for the chance it sounds like fun to read.
One of my favorite series!
Love all the books in this series. I want to own them all.I have read them all so far and some of them two or more times.love them.?
Thank you for these wonderful books. Always look forward to reading them, and of course the recipes.
This book sounds like something the Earth needs right. Iw. I’ve always loved Hannah, her shop, and most of all, her cat! Some of my best cookie recipes have come from this series. Can’t wait to read it!
I love this book series! Thank you for the contest.
I have been reading this series for years. I love Hannah’s adventures and this one sounds like another keeper!
I would love to win a copy of Joann fluke’s new book!
Love Joanne Fluke her books are the best would love to win a copy!
I love this series and would love to win this book. Thank you so much for this chance. pgenest57(at)aol(dot)com
Love Joanne Fluke.
Sounds like a delightful read and I would love to win a copy of this book. As always, I enjoy the reviews and short stories on KRL.
Claire
Love her series, and have lots of free time to read right now!!
This is one of my favorite series. I can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the chance.
Tighefab42atgmaildotcom
Sure would love to win this book! I’ve been waiting to read the Coconut Laye Cake Murder for so long! And since coconut cake is my favorite cake I am excited to try Hannah’s recipe!
I just finished the Raspberry Danish Murder and the Chocolate Cream Pie Murder. I can’t wait to see what happens!!!!
I have loved this series since Joanne’s first book. She weaves mid-western goodness and hospitality with murder so well. Her recipes are fantastic…i have copied many that have become favorites of our family.
I so love Joanna Flukes books…would love to win a copy..signed would even be better!! I am working my way thru her book series right now!! Thanks for the chance
Love and Cookie’s
Dana
Love series and enjoy the recipes too.
This is a favorite series of mine as well as coconut cake being a favorite dessert. I am anxious to see Hannah’s recipe!
LUV
I love this series! I have read every book in this series except this one. Joanne Fluke is my favorite author. Thanks for the chance!
I can’t wait to read this book. Waiting on the paperback copy to come out! How many more books are going to be in the series?
Love this series. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of this newest addition.
This is one of my favorite authos. Thanks for a chance to win a copy of the book.
I love Hannah. Cannot wait to read this book Have read all the other and watched the movies. Prefer the books. Love trying the recipes.
I’m so excited to read this book! It will be the perfect way to spend time while we are stuck at home thanks to everything closing. Hannah Swenson books are my favorite!!
Grear series. Please enter me
I have read all Joanne’s Hannah Swenson books and some of her others too. I can hardly wait until the next one comes out. They are wonderfully & tastefully written.
this series is always fun and interesting.
Looking forward to the next installment.
thanks. txmlhl(at)yahoo(dot)com
It sounds amazing! ^_^ I love the series on the Hallmark channel! <3
I absolutely love your books I was a fan right away and I cannot wait to be able to read this.
Totally LOVE Joanne Fluke’s books and all the recipes inside them! ???
Oops! I tried to leave three hearts, but it didn’t work.
Also, just in case….My address is 172 Hammocks Dr, Fairport, NY 1445. The rules say to leave to leave this. So, I hope this doesn’t get published. Thanks!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a cake flavored totally with coconut. I’d like to try it though, and I’d love to win the book. Thanks for the chance. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com
Absolutely my favorite series of all time! My family loves the easy cheesy biscuits from the Plum Pudding mystery.
I love these books! Looking forward to reading the newest installment!!
One of my favorite series. Looking forward to reading. Thanks for the chance.
diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
I would love to win the latest installment of one of my favorite book series. I can’t wait to find out what happens. Thank you for the chance to win.
I’ve been hearing a lot about this one, would love to get a copy! tWarner419@aol.com
Love the Hannah Swenson series and would love to have this book. Thanks for the great giveaway m.j
Chocolate peanut butter toffee sounds delicious. Can’t wait to read this book and see the recipes. Thank you for the chance
I’ve been a big fan of Joanne Fluke’s and her character, Hannah Swenson for many years. Hannah is a well rounded character who is family oriented and true to her friends. It would be wonderful to have her as a friend. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
Looking forward to this installment! NO ONE has the great recipes like this series. The more the merrier!!!!
Oneponychick66@hotmail.com
I have so many books in the Hannah series! Looking forward to her next adventure.
coconut
Would love to win the latest book in this series!
Can you imagine 28 BOOKS 🙂
This sounds like the story line could go several different ways.
Hmmmm very interesting..
A lot of things occurring ..
Nom?nom?nom?nom?lots of delicious recipes.
I really Joanna Fluke enjoy books ?.
Blessings to ALL
We have a winner!