recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Drew Vavra

## Bio

**Drew Vavra** A member of Hannah's graduating class from Jordan High School.
A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Drew was hired to replace Boyd Watson. He is the new history teacher and head coach of the Lake Eden Gulls.

## Chronology by Novel

### Sugar Cookie Murder

He makes an appearance at the town banquet and becomes engaged to Laura Jorgensen
Janette Wallace

**Daughter**: Lily

## Bio

The boat works that Wally turned into a successful business had belonged to her father. Her father encouraged her to marry Wally and since she didn't see any reason not to, they were married.
She worked as a CPA going over the books for the business.
When their daughter was born she suffered from postpartum depression and was unable to care for their daughter, Lily. She became dependent on the anti-depression pills and was unable to function without them. She ended up spending years in and out of treatment facilities and programs before she was able to get off of them.
It wasn't until Lily was in Junior High that Janette was able to live at home full time again.

## Chronology by Novel

### Caramel Pecan Roll Murder

She just wanted to protect her daughter from marrying an alcoholic and womanizer, so she shot Sonny Bowman to prevent their marriage. In the end it becomes obvious that she was still an addict and dependent on her pills.
Homemade Sweetened Condensed Milk

Devil's Food Cake Murder

* 1 cup powdered milk (I used Carnation Nonfat Powdered Milk, but I’ve also used my local grocery store brand.)

### Directions

* In a blender, or using an electric mixer set on LOW, blend together the boiling water and butter.
* Add the sugar and let it run for a few seconds.
* Add the pure vanilla extract and let it run for several additional seconds.
* Shut off the blender or mixer, pour in the powdered milk, and then blend or mix on LOW until the resulting mixture is thick.
* Use immediately, or store in a covered container in the refrigerator. This homemade version of sweetened condensed milk will last for up to one week in the refrigerator.

**Yield**: This recipe makes the equivalent of one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk that can be used in pies, cakes, cookie bars and flans.

### Hannah’s Note

*My Grandma Ingrid made this up every Sunday morning and put it in the refrigerator to use in coffee for the whole week.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
German Chocolate Cupcakes

Christmas Cupcake Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

* 1 box chocolate cake mix, with or without pudding in the mix, the kind that makes a 9-inch by 13-inch cake or a 2-layer cake *(I used Duncan Hines Chocolate Fudge)*
* 5.1-ounce package of instant chocolate pudding *(I used Jell-O, the kind that makes 6 half-cup servings)*
* 12-ounce (by weight) bag of milk chocolate chips, chopped into smaller pieces

### Directions

* Prepare 2 cupcake pans, the kind that makes 12 cupcakes each, by lining them with cupcake papers.
	+ **Hannah’s 1st Note:** *I always use double cupcake papers when I make cupcakes.*
* Crack the eggs into the bowl of an electric mixer on LOW speed until they are a uniform color.
* Pour in the half-cup of vegetable oil and mix on LOW speed until it is combined with the eggs.
* Pour in the chocolate milk and mix on LOW speed.
* Measure out the cup of sour cream and use a rubber spatula to add that to your mixer bowl. Mix that in on LOW speed.
* When everything is well mixed, shut off the mixer and open the box of cake mix. (Don’t bother to read the directions on the box -- You won’t be using them in these cupcakes.)
* Sprinkle in approximately HALF of the dry cake mix and combine that with the liquid ingredients at LOW speed. Then sprinkle in the rest of the cake mix and mix it all together.
* When the cake mix has been thoroughly incorporated, open the box of instant chocolate pudding and sprinkle it into the bowl of your mixer. Mix that in on LOW speed.
* If you haven’t already done so, chop the milk chocolate chips into smaller pieces. This is most easily done by placing them in the bowl of a food processor and chopping them in an on-and-off motion with the steel blade.
* Add the chopped milk chocolate chips to the mixer bowl. Combine them with the other ingredients at LOW speed.
* Shut off the mixer, scrape down the sides of the bowl, and remove the bowl from the mixer.
* Give the bowl a final stir by hand with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon.
* Use a scoop or a mixing spoon to transfer the German Chocolate Cupcake batter to the pans you’ve prepared, filling each cupcake paper 3/4 full.
	+ **Hannah’s 2nd Note:** *These cupcakes are very dense and do not rise very much in the oven.*
* Bake your cupcakes at 350 degrees F. for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted a half-inch from the center comes out clean.
* Remove from the oven and let cool in the cupcake pans on cold stovetop burners or wire racks.
* Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting with the German Chocolate Cupcake Frosting.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Grilled Ham and Double Cheese Sandwiches

### Ingredients

* 2 slices of bread (*Michelle used seedless rye. You could use any kind of bread you prefer.*)
* softened butter to spread on the outside of the bread and to put in the frying pan or grill if you needed
* Thousand Island dressing
* 1 slice of American cheese
* 1 fairly thick slide of fully cooked ham
* 1 slice of Swiss cheese
* thin slices of sweet pickles, dill pickles, or sweet onion (optional)

### Directions

* Butter two slices of bread. Place one slice, buttered side down, on a piece of wax paper. Spread the bread with a thin layer of Thousand Island dressing. This layer of dressing should not be too thick or your sandwich will get too "gloppy" when you fry it. (Feel free to add "gloppy" to your list of cooking terms.)
* Place the slice of American cheese on top of the Thousand Island dressing you just spread.
* Cut a slice of ham to fit the size of your bread and lay it on top of the American cheese.
* Place thin slices of pickle or sweet onion on top of the ham if you decided to use them.
* Place the slice of Swish cheese on top.
* Spread the top slice of bread with a thin layer of Thousand Island dressing.
* Place the second slice of bread on top of the Swiss cheese, dressing side down.
* Spread softened butter on top of your sandwich.
* Make as many Grilled Ham and Double Cheese Sandwiches as you need for your guests.
* Depending on how many sandwiches you made, put a helping or two of butter on your griddle or in your frying pan. Then preheat it at MEDIUM HIGH heat.
* When the butter on the griddle or in the frying pan has melted and is preheated, fry your sandwiches, uncovered, until the bottom turns golden brown. (You can test this by lifting it with a spatula and peeking at the bottom.)
* When one side is golden brown, flip the sandwich over, add more butter to the pan or griddle if needed, and fry the other side until it's golden brown.
* Remove the sandwiches from the frying pan or griddle, cut them into pieces with a sharp knife, arrange the pieces on a plate, and serve immediately.
* This sandwich goes well with piping-hot mugs of soup or a generous helping of coleslaw.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Edna's Easy Celery Sauce

## Book Reference

Carrot Cake Murder

**Hannah's 1st Note: If you make your Salmon Cakes at the drop of a hat, the way I occasionally do, you won't have time to make the Dill Sauce. All Edna's Easy Celery Sauce requires is a can of cream of celery soup and some milk or cream.**

*Hannah's 2nd Note: The can of cream of celery soup should be in your pantry as a staple, along with a can of cream of mushroom soup, and a can of tomato soup, and a can of cream of chicken soup. They're a good base for any sauce you want to make on the fly.'*

## Ingredients

* One can of cream of celery soup, undiluted ***(10 to 11 ounces depending on brand name—used Campbell's).***
* Milk or cream to thin

## Directions

* Open the can. Dump it in a small microwaveable-safe bowl. Heat it in the microwave until it's piping hot. ***(Try 30 seconds and see if it's hot enough. If not, heat at 15-second increments until it is. Thin it with the milk or cream to sauce consistency.)***
* Drizzle the sauce over the Salmon Cakes, sprinkle on a little parsley or fresh dill if you happen to have it, and serve immediately.

**Hannah's 3rd Note: Edna tells me that you can also use undiluted cream of chicken soup (if you're using the chicken variation,) cream of mushroom soup, or cream or garlic soup. She also said something about cream of asparagus soup for Shrimp Cakes, but I haven't tried it.**

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Lucy Richards

## Books

Strawberry Shortcake Murder

**Lucy Richards** is a character in Strawberry Shortcake Murder.

Is a reporter for the Lake Eden Journal.
She lives rent free in the attic apartment of her great aunt, Vera Olsen.

### Appearance

She had short black hair, stylishly cut, and was wearing the expensive teal-colored winter coat that Hannah had seen in the window of Beau Monde Fashions.

### Chronology

In Strawberry Shortcake Murder, when Lucy is found shot to death, Hannah discovers that she has been blackmailing some of the residents of Lake Eden. With Andrea’s help Hannah breaks into her apartment and finds her secret stash of blackmail proof. She was murdered because when she followed Boyd home after the Bake-off, she saw that someone else was following him and she witnessed their confrontation. Instead of turning the pictures and information over to the Sheriff she attempted to black mail Mason and he shot her.
Lake Eden Hardware

This page may contain incomplete or uncertain information. You can help Hannah Swensen Mystery Wikia by filling out missing content, fixing grammar, leaving comments, or expanding the article. click here to get started.

## Trivia

* In one book it is mentioned that Lars Swensen started or bought it. In another book it mentions that Hanaha's Grandfather started it and her father, Lars took it over.
Fudge-Aroons

## Book Reference

Candy for Christmas

**Fudge-Aroons** is the eighth recipe featured in Candy for Christmas.

## General

Do not preheat oven—this dough must chill before baking.

## Directions

* Put the cup of chocolate chips and the cup of butter in a 4-cup bowl and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir until smooth and let the mixture cool while you do the next step.
* Combine the brown sugar and white sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the vanilla, salt, and baking soda. Mix in the two beaten eggs.
* Check the chocolate chip and butter mixture. If it's cool enough to touch, add it to the sugar mixture and stir thoroughly.
* Add the flour in half-cup increments, stirring after each addition.
* Cover your bowl and refrigerate it. This dough must chill for at least an hour. (Overnight is fine, too.)
* The coconut *("aroon")* filling must also chill. Mix it up now.
* In a food processor with the steel blade, zoop up the coconut with the sugar and flour. Pulse it several times so that the coconut flakes are no longer than a quarter inch.
* Cut the butter into four pieces and add them to your work bowl. Pulse again, until the mixture looks like coarse meal.
* Crack the eggs into a small bowl or a cup and whisk them up with a fork. Add them to your work bowl and pulse until they're incorporated into the mixture. *(If you don't have a food processor, you don't have to buy one to make this cookie—it 's just a little messier when the coconut flakes are longer To make this cookie without a food processor, just add all of the ingredients except the butter to a small bowl and stir them up. Then melt the butter and mix it in.)*
* Cover and chill the coconut mixture for at least an hour. *(Overnight is fine, too.)*
* When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.
* Form balls of chocolate dough, 1 inch in diameter, with your hands. Place them on a greased cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-sized sheet. Press them down with the heel of your impeccably clean hand.
* Form balls of coconut just a bit smaller than the chocolate balls you made. Place them on top of each squashed chocolate ball. Now squish those down.
* Make 12 more chocolate balls, the same size as the first ones, and put them on top of the squashed coconut balls. Press them down slightly to make little "sandwiches."
* Bake at 350 degrees E for 9 to 11 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the sheet for at least two minutes. When they're cool enough to remove, use a spatula to move them to a wire rack to complete cooling.

## Hannah'sNotes

If you have any coconut mixture left over, form coconut balls, 12 to a baking sheet, put a milk chocolate chip on top of each ball and press it down slightly, and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10 minutes.

*Norman wants me to make these cookies even chewier—he says it'll provide more revenue for his dental clinic. (He's kidding...I think)*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Hannah's Whipped Crème Fraîche

Wedding Cake Murder

***(This will hold for several hours. Make it ahead of time and refrigerate it.)***

## Ingredients

* 2 cups heavy whipping cream
* 1/2 cup white ***(granulated)*** sugar
* 1/2 cup sour cream ***(you can substitute unflavored yogurt, but it won't hold as well and you'll have to do it at the last minute)***
* 1/2 cup brown sugar ***(to sprinkle on top after you cut your pie into pieces)***

## Directions

* Whip the cream with the white sugar until it holds a firm peak. Test for this by shutting off the mixer, and "dotting" the surface with your spatula. Once you have firm peaks, gently fold in the sour cream. You can do this by hand or by using the slowest speed on the mixer.
* Transfer the mixture to a covered bowl and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve your Easy Lemon Pie.
* To serve your pie, but it into 6 generous pieces or 8 smaller slices and put each slide on a pretty dessert plate
* Top each slice with a generous dollop or two of Hannah's Whipped Crème Fraîche.
* Sprinkle the top of the Whipped Crème Fraîche with brown sugar.

**Hannah's 3rd Note: If you want to get really fancy, cut a paper-thin slice of lemon, dip it in granulated sugar, and put it on top of each slice of pie.**
Lady Hermoine's (Hannah's) Chocolate Sunshine Cake

Sugar Cookie Murder

Preheat oven to 325°F, rack in the middle position.

* Grease *(or oil, or spray with non-stick cooking spray)* the inside of a Bundt pan. Dust with flour, or cocoa, knocking out the excess.
* Put the chocolate and the orange juice concentrate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it for one minute on HIGH. Stir it and then heat it on HIGH for another minute. Stir until the chocolate has melted. Set the bowl aside to cool. *(You can also do this in the top of a double boiler.)*
* The following steps are a lot easier if you use an electric mixer: Combine the butter and sugar, and mix until fluffy. Mix in the baking powder, salt, and orange extract. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition.
* Add half of the flour to the bowl. Mix thoroughly. Mix in the milk, and then add the rest of the flour.
* When the chocolate mixture is cool enough to touch, add it to your bowl. Mix thoroughly. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula and then add the nuts. Give a final mix.
* Let the batter rest for several minutes, and then pour it into the carefully prepared Bundt pan.
* Bake at 325°F for 60 to 70 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted in the center of the ring comes out clean.
* Remove to a wire rack and let cool for 25 minutes. Loosen the cake around the outside and inside edges with a sharp knife and tip it out onto the wire rack.
* Let the cake cool completely and then glaze. *(Or, if you don't feel like making a glaze, just dust the cool cake with confectioner's sugar.)*

#### Chocolate Glaze

* Combine in a microwave-safe bowl. *(I use a one-quart glass measuring cup.)* Microwave on HIGH for one minute. Stir until chocolate chips are melted. If the glaze is too thick, add a little more cream. If the glaze is too thin, add a few more chips.
* Drizzle the hot glaze over the crest of the cake and let it drip down the sides.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Lisa's Pieces

Sugar Cookie Murder

Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.

* 1 cup chopped pitted dates *(you can buy chopped dates, or sprinkle whole pitted dates with a bit of flour and then chop them in a food processor.)*
* 1 1/2 cups white *(granulated)* sugar
* 2 beaten eggs *(just whip them up with a fork)*
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans *(measure after you chop them)*
* 1 cup milk chocolate chips
* 3 1/2 cups flour *(no need to sift)*

### Directions

* Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.
* Put the semi-sweet chocolate chips, butter and coffee in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until they're melted. *(Approximately 2 minutes on high.)* The chips may maintain their shapes, so stir until they're smooth. Add the chopped dates, mix them in, and set the bowl aside.
* Measure the sugar into a large mixing bowl, and stir in the beaten eggs. Add the vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
* Add the melted chocolate mixture to your bowl and then mix in the chopped nuts and the milk chocolate chips. Add the flour in half-cup increments, mixing after each addition.
* Let the dough sit for ten minutes or so, then drop dough by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet, twelve cookies to a standard sheet. Flatten the dough balls slightly on the sheet with the heel of your impeccably clean hand *(If the dough is too sticky, chill it for a few minutes.)*
* Bake at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies sit on the cookie sheet for a minute or two and then transfer to a wire rack to completely cooling.

Yield: Approximately 8 dozen cookies, depending on cookie size.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Jordan High School

## Book Reference

Mentioned in almost all of the Novels.

**Jordan High School** situated in Lake Eden and mentioned throughout the Hannah Swensen Mystery series.

Jorden High is part of the Lake Eden Combined School Complex. Named after the first Mayor Ezekiel Jordan. The principle is Ken Purvis.

## Chronology

### Strawberry Shortcake Murder

The first annual Hartland Flour Dessert Bake-Off was held in the schools auditorium.

### Blueberry Muffin Murder

Some of the senior students were mentioned as minor characters who participated in the Lake Eden Winter Carnival serving food at the refreshment booths in Blueberry Muffin Murder:

* Linda Nelson - Senior student; Mrs. Baxter’s best student homemaker
* Renee - Senior student
* Shelly Merkeson - Senior who dates senior Keith Hauge
* Barry Withers- Senior student Speed skater
* Calvin Janowski - Family won best snowman contest (Hannah’s family came in 2nd)
* Chris - College kid worked the front desk for Sally at the Inn
* Craig Kimball - Senior student; outgoing helpful student
* Keith Hauge - Senior who dates senior student Shelly Merkeson
Minty Melts

Cream Puff Murder

Do not preheat oven yet. Dough must chill before baking.

**Hannah's Note**: In the original recipe, these cookies are partially dipped in chocolate. If I don't feel like dipping and drying all those cookies, I take a little shortcut you might want to try someday. Right before I mix the flour into the cookie dough, I add as 12-ounce (2 cups) package of miniature chocolate chips. (If they don't have the mini-chips in your store, you can use regular and chop them up in smaller pieces with a knife or in a food processor.) Once the flour is mixed in, chill the dough and bake according to the original directions. Another trick we use at The Cookie Jar is to make half of the batch pink and the rest green for a pretty mix of cookies on the platter.

### Directions

* Do not preheat oven yet. Dough must chill before baking.
* Melt the butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add the sugar and stir. Let it cool slightly. Then add the beaten eggs, baking soda, salt, and peppermint extract, stirring after each addition.
* Add the red food coloring, stir it in, and then check the color of the dough. It should be bright pink. If the color's too pale, add another drop or two of food coloring and stir it in thoroughly.
* Add flour in one-cup increments, stirring after each one. The dough will be quite stiff.
* Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours. *(Overnight is fine too.)*
* Preheat the oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.
* Place the ½ cup of white sugar in a small bowl.
* Spray two cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. Or use parchment paper to line the two cookie sheets.
* Roll the chilled dough into walnut-sized balls. Roll the balls in the sugar so that the whole ball is coated.
* Place the dough balls on the cookie sheet, 12 to a standard-size sheet. Press the balls down just a little with a metal spatula *(or the palm of your impeccably clean hand)* so they won't roll off when you carry them to the oven.
* Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. They'll flatten out the rest of the way all by themselves.
* Let the cookies cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet, and then move them to a wire rack to finish cooling. Once the cookies are cool, transfer them to sheets of wax paper and prepare to dip them in chocolate.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Frosted Ginger Cookies

Plum Pudding Murder

## Ingredients

* ¾ cup softened butter ***(1 and ½ sticks)***
* 1 cup white ***(granulated)*** sugar
* 1 large beaten egg ***(just whip it up in a glass with a fork)***
* 3 Tablespoons molasses\*\*\*
	+ \*\*\*If you spray your Tablespoon measure with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray, the molasses will slide right out without sticking.
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 and ½ teaspoons ground ginger
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon ground cloves ***(see Hannah's Note)***

**Hannah's Note: If you plan to give any of these cookies to Delores, please leave out the cloves. She doesn't like cloves.**

* ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 2 cups flour ***(pack it down when you measure it)***
* ¼ to ½ cup white ***(granulated)*** sugar for rolling dough balls

**The Glaze (after baking)**

* 1 cup powdered ***(confectioners)*** sugar
* 1 teaspoon lemon juice

## Directions

* Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the middle position.
* In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the butter and the sugar. Beat the mixture until it's light and fluffy.
* Mix in the beaten egg. Add the molasses and stir until the mixture is a uniform color.
* Add the baking soda and the salt, and stir well.
* Sprinkle in the ground ginger, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg. Stir until they’re thoroughly mixed in.
* Stir in one cup of flour, mix it all up, and then mix in the second cup of flour.
* Measure out ¼ cup of white sugar and place in a shallow bowl. You'll use this bowl to coat the dough balls with sugar. When the sugar gets low, add more as needed.
* Break off pieces of dough and roll into one-inch balls. Roll the dough balls in the sugar and place on a cookie sheet that has been greased or sprayed with Pam ***(or another nonstick cooking spray.)*** Place the dough balls in four rows with three in each row to make 12 per cookie sheet. Press them down just slightly so they won't roll off on the way to the oven.
* Bake the ginger cookies at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes on the cookie sheet and then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
* When the cookies are cool, make the glaze.

**The Glaze**

* Combine the powdered sugar with the lemon juice. If it’s too thick to drizzle, stir in a bit more lemon juice. If it’s too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. When it's just right, drizzle the tops of the cooled cookies with the glaze.
* Let the glaze dry before you store the cookies in a cookie jar. The glaze should be dry in 20 to 30 minutes.

Yield: 6 to 7 dozen nicely spiced cookies, depending on cookie size.
Eden Lake

## Book Reference

Referenced in several novels,Carrot Cake MurderCaramel Pecan Roll Murder

The lake that tourists flock to every summer is called "Eden Lake". The town was named after the lake.

There are many, many summer cabins and a few year round homes near the lake.

*Good fishing wasn’t all Eden Lake had to offer. With its picturesque shores and sandy beaches, it was also a popular family vacation spot. Summer cabin rentals were in high demand, and the lucky locals who owned them used the profits to pay their mortgages and fatten their savings accounts for the lean winter months*.

One of the features of "Eden Lake" is the waterlily garden. Most of the residents have no idea who planted it, it has been the location where Hannah has confronted the murderer in two different books, Carrot Cake Murder and Caramel Pecan Roll Murder.

## Fishing

*Eden Lake was known for its record walleyes and most metropolitan families with a fisherman in residence were lured by the promise of trophy fish*.

## Waterlily Garden

In Caramel Pecan Roll Murder Hannah finally discovers how the waterlily garden came about. Wally Wallace *chose ten of his favorite Minnesota fishing lakes and had them planted right after Lily was born'*.

## References

1. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Blueberry Muffin Murder (Hannah Swensen series Book 3) (p. 12). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.
2. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder (Hannah Swensen series Book 4) (p. 87). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.
3. ↑ Fluke, Joanne. Caramel Pecan Roll Murder: A Delicious Culinary Cozy Mystery (A Hannah Swensen Mystery Book 25) (p. 294). Kensington Books. Kindle Edition.
Mason Kimball

**Son**: Craig Kimball

## Books

Chocolate Chip Cookie MurderStrawberry Shortcake Murder

**Mason Kimball** is a character in Strawberry Shortcake Murder.

## Biography

Mason is a Lake Eden resident and a producer for KCOW. He oversees the KCOW coverage for the Hartland Flour Dessert Bake-Off

## Chronology

In Strawberry Shortcake Murder, he is actively involved with the Televised coverage the “Dessert Bake-Off”. Once Hannah figures out that the reason for Boyd’s murder was because of steroid usage at the high school, Mason decides that she is getting to close and attempts to murder her, too stop her from finding out that it was he killed Boyd and Lucy.

Mike and Bill arrive in time to take him in to custody for the murder of Boyd and Lucy.
Miniature Lemon Cheesecakes

Caramel Pecan Roll Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

#### Hannah’s 1st Note:

*Make sure you use brick cream cheese, the kind that comes in a rectangular package. Don’t use whipped cream cheese or low-fat, or Neufchatel.*

#### Hannah’s 2nd Note:

*If you’re using your leftover Lemon Curd from the Lemon Danish recipe, you may not have enough Lemon Curd to fill all 24 miniature muffin cups. If you run out of Lemon Curd, get out a jar of strawberry jam, seedless raspberry jam, or any other kind of berry jam, and use that on the tops of the other miniature cheesecakes.*

### Directions

#### Prepare Your Pans

* Start with filling two (2) muffin pans (the kind of pan that makes 12 muffins each) with paper cupcake liners. There is no need to spray the inside of the muffin cups with Pam or any other nonstick food spray.
* Put one vanilla wafer cookie in the bottom of each cupcake paper, flat side down.

#### Hannah’s 3rd Note:

*You can mix the filling by hand, but it’s easier with an electric mixer.*

#### To Make the Filling:

* Using LOW speed, mix the softened cream cheese with the white sugar until it’s thoroughly blended.
* With the mixer still running on LOW speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Continue to mix until everything is well-blended and of a uniform color.
* Mix in the lemon juice and the vanilla extract. eat until the resulting mixture is light and fluffy. Shut off the mixer, scrape down the insides of the bowl, and take the bowl out of the mixer.
* Spoon the cheesecake batter into the muffin tins, dividing it as equally as you can. When you’re through, each cupcake paper should be between half and two-thirds full. (They’re going to look skimpy, but they’ll be fine once they’re baked and you put on the Lemon Curd or jam topping.)

#### To Bake the Cheesecake Filling:

* Put both cupcake pans in the preheated oven and bake the cheesecake filling at 350 degrees F. for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top of the filling has set and has a satiny-looking finish. (The center may sink a bit, but that’s okay—the topping will cover that.)
* Take the muffin pans out of the oven and set them on cold stovetop burners or wire racks.
* Cool your Miniature Lemon Cheesecakes until they reach room temperature.

#### To Add the Lemon Topping:

* When the cheesecakes have cooled, take the leftover Lemon Curd out of the refrigerator and give it a stir with a spoon from your silverware drawer. Then add topping to bring the muffin cups to about ¾ full.
* When, and if, you run out of Lemon Curd, fill the remaining muffin cups with berry jam.
* Refrigerate your Miniature Lemon (or Berry) Cheesecakes in the muffin tins for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.

#### To Serve:

* Take your cheesecakes out of the refrigerator and carefully remove them, still in their cupcake papers. Place them on a pretty platter for an elegant dessert. Make sure to have hot, strong coffee and icy cold glasses of milk available.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Eleanor Olson's Oatmeal Cookies

**Eleanor Olson's Oatmeal Cookies** is the tenth recipe featured in Cinnamon Roll Murder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

## Ingredients

* 1 cup ***(2 sticks, 8 ounces, 1/2 pound)***  salted butter, softened
* 1 cup brown sugar ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 1 cup white ***(granulated)*** sugar
* 2 eggs, beaten ***(just whip them up in a glass with a fork)***
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1 and 1/2 cups flour ***(pack it down in the cup when you measure it)***
* 3 cups quick-cooking oatmeal ***(I used Quaker Quick 1-Minute)***
* 1/2 cup chopped nuts ***(optional) (Eleanor used walnuts)***
* 1/2 cup raisins or another small, fairly soft sweet treat ***(optional)***

**Hannah's 1st Note: The optional fruit or sweet treats are raisins, any dried fruit chopped into pieces, small bites of fruit like pineapple or apple, or small soft candies like M&M's, Milk Duds, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or any other flavored chips. Lisa and I even used Sugar Babies once - they're chocolate-covered caramel nuggets - and everyone was crazy about them. You can also use larger candies if you push one in the center of each cookie. Here, as in so many recipes, you are only limited by the selection your store has to offer and your own imagination.**

**Hannah's 2nd Note: These cookies are very quick and easy to make with an electric mixer. Of course you can also mix them by hand.**

## Directions

* Mix the softened butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on HIGH speed until they're light and fluffy.
* Add the beaten eggs and mix them in  on MEDIUM speed.
* Turn the mixer down to LOW speed and add the vanilla extract, the salt, and the baking soda. Mix well.
* Add the flour in half-cup increments, beating on MEDIUM speed after each addition.
* With the mixer on LOW speed, add the oatmeal. Then add the optional nuts, and/or the optional fruit or sweet treat.
* Scrape down the sides of the bowl, take the bowl out of the mixer, and give the cookie dough a final stir by hand. Let it sit, uncovered, on the counter while you prepare your cookie sheets.
* Spray your cookie sheets with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, you can line them with parchment paper and spray that lightly with cooking spray.
* Get out a tablespoon from your silverware drawer. Wet it under the faucet so that the dough won't stick to it, and scoop up a rounded Tablespoon of dough. Drop it in mounds on the cookie sheet, 12 mounds to a standard-size sheet.
* Bake the Eleanor Olson's Oatmeal Cookies at 350 degrees F. for 9 to 11 minutes, or until they're nice and golden on top. ***(Mine took 10 minutes.)***

Yield: Approximately 3 dozen chewy, satisfying oatmeal cookies.
Loretta Richardson

**Daughters**: Jennifer Richardson, Carly Richardson

## Bio

When daughter Jennifer was 14 she ran away from home and no one heard anything from her until she abruptly reappears during Blackberry Pie Murder. At the time Jennifer ran away, Carly was 4 years old. About six months after Jennifer leaves home, Loretta's husband and the girls father, Committed suicide. Loretta took the insurance money and bought into Trudi’s Fabrics as a full partner.

## Chronology by Novel

### Blackberry Pie Murder

When Jennifer reappears, she tells Loretta the truth, but in reality, she isn't the real Jennifer. Loretta'a daughter died on the streets of Minneapolis after being badly beaten by Keith Branson and "Lady Die" the girls pimps. The girl taking her place is called Honey and was Jennifer's friend that hid and nursed her after being beaten. Honey wanted out of the life plus she knew that Keith and Lady Die would be looking for her and probably kill her too, so she ran to Lake Eden. Jennifer had told her so much about her family and the town that she could fool most people. After Loretta heard Jennifer's story she invited her to stay with them, but they didn't tell Carly the truth.
Jane's Mini Cherry Cheesecakes

Picture from The Spruce Eats

Cherry Cheesecake Murder

Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the center position.

	+ \*\*\*Use brick cream cheese, the kind that comes in a rectangular package. Don't use whipped cream cheese unless you want to experiment—whipped cream cheese, or low-fat, or Neufchatel might work, but I don't know that for sure.
* 1/4 cup white (granulated) sugar
* 2 eggs
* 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 24 vanilla wafer cookies
* 24 cupcake liners (48 if you're like me and you like to use double papers)
* 1 can cherry pie filling, chilled (21 ounces net weight)

### Directions

* Preheat oven to 350°F, rack in the center position.
* Line two muffin pans (the kind of pan that makes 12 muffins each) with paper cupcake liners. Put one vanilla wafer cookie the bottom of each cupcake paper, flat side down.
* Chill the unopened can of cherry pie filling in the refrigerator while you make the mini cheesecakes.

*You can do all of this by hand, but it's easier with an electric mixer on slow to medium speed*.

* Mix the softened cream cheese with the white sugar until it's thoroughly blended. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Then mix in the lemon juice and vanilla, and beat until light and fluffy.
* Spoon the cheesecake batter into the muffin tins, dividing it as equally as you can. When you're through, each cupcake paper should be between half and two thirds full. (They're going to look skimpy, but they'll be fine once they're baked and you put on the cherry topping.)
* Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the top has set and has a satin finish. (The center may sink a bit, but that's okay—the topping will cover that.)
* Cool the mini cheesecakes in the pans on wire racks.
* When the cheesecakes are cool, open the can of cherry pie filling and place three cherries on top of every mini cheesecake. Divide the cherry juice equally among the 24 mini cheesecakes.
* Refrigerate in the muffin tins for at least 4 hours before serving. (Overnight is even better.) Then take them out of the tins, carefully remove the cupcake papers, and place them on a silver platter for an elegant dessert at a finger food party.

## Hannah's Note

*I made these with Comstock Dark Cherry Pie Filling and came up 4 cherries short. Lisa's can of regular cherry pie filling had 72 cherries, 3 for each of her Mini Cherry Cheesecakes.*

*If you prefer, you can use fresh fruits glazed with melted jelly instead of the canned cherry pie filling. You can also use any other pie filling you like.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Misdemeanor Mushrooms

## Book Reference

Sugar Cookie Murder

Preheat oven to 325°F, rack in the middle position.

*This recipe is from Bill Jessup, Charlie Jessup's cousin, and he's a detective. Charlie says he calls these "Misdemeanor Mushrooms" because they're so good they ought to be illegal.*

### Ingredients

* 2 pounds pork sausage
* 3 cloves of finely chopped garlic
* 2 Tablespoons ground sage
* 8-ounce package cream cheese
* 1 Tablespoon parsley
* 1 ounce Marsala wine *(optional)*
* 1 pound medium to large mushrooms
* Parmesan cheese *(to sprinkle)*

### Directions

* Preheat oven to 325°F, rack in the middle position.
* In a large, non-stick skillet, combine sausage, garlic and sage. Sauté until sausage is browned and garlic is translucent. Drain fat from skillet and add softened, cubed cream cheese and parsley. Simmer for 10 minutes, stir in the wine *(if you want to use it)*, remove from heat, and cover.
* Wash mushrooms. Remove stems and set caps aside. Chop the stems very fine and stir into the sausage/cheese mixture. Brush caps with melted butter and arrange cap-down on a non-stick baking sheet. *(Bill says if you shave just a bit from the bottom of the cap to make them flat, they'll sit on the pan a lot better.)* Fill each cap with a heaping mound of warm sausage mixture and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake in a 325°F oven for 15 minutes.

Yield: Serves 15 to 20 people as an appetizer *(unless Charlie is there and makes a whole meal out of them.)*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Essie Granger

## Books

Christmas Cupcake Murder

**Essie Granger**, an elderly local in hospice care in Christmas Cake Murder. Hannah become involved Essie’s old notebooks and the tale of a woman escaping danger on the streets of New York.

## Bio

Years ago, Essie attended the first annual Christmas Ball, held at the New Albion Hotel built by Alton Granger when the news that the new Highway would be put in right outside of Lake Eden.

Essie and Alton married and ran the hotel until shortly after his death.

While the hotel was open, every Saturday afternoon, Essie would invite the children of the town to come for “Story Hour” and she would read to them. All parents were welcome to drop their children off for a few hours, free of charge. Essie never had children of her own, but she loved to be surrounded by them. The Lake Eden Children’s Home would buss the children over to the hotel.

Some of the teens would stop by after school and spend time with her while they studied and did their homework.

### Christmas Cake Murder‎

Essie continued to live there long after the hotel closed down but without water or electricity. Annie Winters, the director of the children’s home paid a visit on Essie and discovered that she had fallen and broke her hip. She was rushed to the hospital and operated on. Doc Knight kept her in the hospice wing as she wasn’t able to live alone while she recovered.

Delores’ husband, Lars had recently passed away and Delores was withdrawing from life and her friends. Grandma Knudson and Anne Winters stopped by to enlist her help with Essie. This shook Delores out of her lethargy long enough to engage with her daughters and friends once again.

The night of the “Christmas Ball” tragedy strikes and Essie is found, many years after she went into hiding. Hannah puts together the clues and discovers that the story that they found in Essie’s rooms was really a true story about how she came to be living in Lake Eden and about the daughter that she had to give up for adoption to protect her.

Essie survives her cousin’s attempt to kill her and is reunited with her daughter, Antonia ”Annie” Winters.
Kiss My Grits Cookies

Lake Eden's Cookbook

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F., rack in the middle position.

**Hannah's 1st Note:**  *These are simple to make if you use an electric mixer.*

### Directions

* Measure out one cup of white, granulated sugar and place it in the bottom of a large mixing bowl or in the bowl of your electric mixer.
* Soften 1 cup of salted butter and add it to your mixing bowl.
* Beat the sugar and the butter until the mixture is light and fluffy.
* Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
* Add the salt and the Tablespoon of vanilla extract. Mix them in thoroughly.
* Mix in 3/4 cup dry, instant grits.
* Add 2 cups of all-purpose flour one cup at a time, beating after each addition.
* Chop the coconut a little finer with the steel blade in your food processor or with a sharp knife on a cutting board. *(I've heard some people say that they like the taste of coconut, but don't like the way it sticks between their teeth. Chopping it finer solves that problem.)*
* Prepare your cookie sheets by greasing them, spraying them with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray, or lining them with parchment paper. All three methods will work. *(I lined mine with parchment paper.)*
* Drop the dough by teaspoonfuls onto the cookie sheets, 12 cookies to a standard-size sheet.
* Press a Hershey's Kiss chocolate candy into the top of each cookie, the point up. If there are any left over, the baker probably needs a dose of chocolate about now.
* Bake your Kiss My Grits Cookies at 350 degrees F. for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they begin to turn slightly golden around the edges. *(Mine took 13 minutes.)*
* Cool the cookies on the cookie sheets for 2 minutes and then remove them to a wire rack to cool completely. *(If you used parchment paper, just pull the paper over to the rack and leave the cookie on the paper until they're cool.)*

**Yield:** Makes 4 to 5 dozen scrumptious cookies everyone will like.

**Hannah's 2nd Note:** *You might want to hold off telling the kids that they're eating grits until they take their third or fourth cookie.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Mayor Richard Bascomb

**Brother**: Robert Bascomb**Sister**: Victoria Bascomb

## Books

He is mentioned in just about every Novel* Apple Turnover Murder
* Banana Cream Pie Murder
* Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

**Mayor Richard Bascomb** is the mayor of Lake Eden.

## Bio

He is married to Stephanie.

Hannah’s parents lived next door to the Bascomb's residence. Delores babysat the mayor as a kid and nick-named him Ricky-Tickey and she never lets him forget it.

Richard is notaries for being a womanizer and on the sleezy side. he is often referred to as the "Teflon Mayor" as he managers to get out of any and all blame. And there is a long list of people that would like to see him dead.

## Chronology by Novel

### Apple Turnover Murder

The Mayor and Mrs. Bascomb stop into The Cookie Jar to enlist Hannah's and Lisa's last minute help with the Combined Charities Fund Raiser.

### [Banana Cream Pie Murder]]

The Mayor's sister, Victoria Bascomb, is murdered and he is a suspect. When it is learned that she was getting ready to cut him out of her will he becomes the number one suspect, until an iron clad alibi says he couldn't have killed her.

### Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder

Mayor Bascomb is furious with Sheriff Todd for arresting his nephew, Bruce, for driving under the influence. Bill didn’t have a chose as Bruce was pulled over by the state police and given a breath test. Mayor Bascomb swears that Bill will never be elected again for anything in the county.

Andrea Todd talks to the Mayor and tries to persuade him differently but he just yells at her and calls her stupid and whinny. She hauls off and slaps him and then leaves. But later, she decides to take him a piece of cheesecake as an apology and attempt once again to charm him, but she finds him dead.
Milk Chocolate Fudge Frosting

## Book Reference

* The Twelve Desserts of Christmas
* Double Fudge Brownie Murder
* Raspberry Danish Murder

Used for Bon-Bon Brownies, Chocolate Cashew Bar Cookies, -----,

## Ingredients

* 2 Tablespoons ***(1 ounce)*** salted butter
* 2 cups milk chocolate chips ***(I used Nestle Milk Chocolate Chips, the 11.5-ounce package)***
* 1 can ***(14 ounces)*** sweetened condensed milk ***(NOT evaporated milk—I used Eagle Brand)***

## Directions

* Place the butter in the bottom of a microwave-safe bowl. ***(I used a quart Pyrex measuring cup)***
* Place the milk chocolate chips on top of the butter.
* Pour in the 14-ounce can of sweetened, condensed milk.
* Heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Then remove from the microwave and stir with a heat-resistant rubber spatula.
* Return the bowl to the microwave and heat for another minute.
* Let the bowl sit in the microwave for 1 minute and then take it out ***(careful—it may be hot to the touch!)*** and set it on the counter. Attempt to stir it smooth with the heat-resistant spatula.
* If you can stir the mixture smooth, you're done. If you can't stir it smooth, return the bowl to the microwave and heat on HIGH in 30-second increments followed by 1 minute standing time, until you can stir it smooth.

* Spread the frosting on the Bon-Bon Brownies, mounding it up nicely in the middle.

* To frost your Chocolate Cashew Bar Cookies, simply pour the frosting over the top of your pan and use the heat-resistant rubber spatula to smooth the frosting into the corners.

* Give the microwave-safe bowl to your favorite person to scrape clean. ***(If you're alone when you're baking these bar cookies feel free to enjoy the frosting that's clinging to the sides of the bowl all by yourself.)***

## Hannah’s Note

*You can also make this recipe on the stovetop if you prefer. Simply heat the ingredients in a saucepan over MEDIUM-LOW heat, stirring constantly until the chips are melted. Then pull it to a cold burner, let it cool for one minute, and proceed to frost your bar cookies.*

*This frosting recipe is also enough for a 9-inch by 13-inch cake.*

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.
Hot German Potato Salad with Bratwurst

## Book Reference

Sugar Cookie Murder

*This is Trudi Schumann's recipe. She says to tell you that "hot" means heated, not spicy. If you want to do it spicier, use a spicier sausage and that should do it.*

### Ingredients

* 4 large potatoes *(or 6 medium)*
* 6 slices of bacon, diced
* 1/4 cup flour
* 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 2 teaspoons dry mustard
* 2 teaspoons black pepper
* 2/3 cup vinegar *(white, red wine, or even balsamic)*
* 2/3 cup water
* 2 teaspoons celery seed
* 2 teaspoons onion powder
* 2 teaspoons garlic powder
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 6 to 10 large bratwurst *(or dinner franks, or Polish sausage, whatever)*

### Directions

* Grease *(or spray with non-stick cooking spray)* the inside of a 4-quart slow cooker.
* Wash the potatoes, pierce them with a knife, and cook them on HIGH in a microwave for 15 minutes. You should be able to pierce the cooked potatoes with a fork, but the inside should be just a little too raw to eat at this point. *(You can do this step the night before and refrigerate the potatoes.)*
* Let the potatoes cool, peel them and slice them. Put them in the bottom of the greased crock-pot.
* Chop up the bacon and put it in a one-quart microwave-safe measuring cup. Microwave it on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring midway through. Fish out the bacon with a slotted spoon and add it to the potatoes in the crock-pot. Pour off all but approximately 2 Tablespoons of the bacon grease.
* Mix the reserved bacon fat, flour, brown sugar, salt, water, dry mustard, black pepper, vinegar, celery seed, onion powder, and garlic powder in the same container you used to microwave the bacon. Stir it thoroughly and heat for one minute in the microwave on HIGH. Add chopped onion, stir it around and heat for an additional minute on HIGH.
* Add this to the potatoes and bacon in the crock-pot. Cook for one hour on LOW.
* Stir the warm potato salad, top it with the bratwurst you've pierced with a fork *(so they won't explode)*, and cover.
* Turn the crock-pot to HIGH and cook for an additional hour or two, or until the potato salad and the bratwurst are hot.

## Conversion Charts

See Baking Conversion Chart for non-USA baking conversions.