Hugs to Judy Q. for helping with Hannah’s e-mail at
[email protected] and searching for answers
to research questions.

Grateful hugs to my super friend, Trudi Nash, for
going on book tours with me, for keeping me on an
even keel, and for thinking of new and innovative
recipe ideas for us to try.

Thanks to food stylist and media guide extraordinaire
Lois Brown for her friendship and her talented
assistance.

Hugs to the Double D’s, Alicia, Fern, Leah, and
everyone on Team Swensen who helps to keep
Hannah’s Facebook presence alive and well.

Thank you to Dr. Rahhal, Dr. and Cathy Line,
Dr. Wallen. Dr. Koslowski, Drs. Ashley and Lee, and
Dr. Niemeyer (who reminds me of Doc Knight) for
putting up with my pesky Hannah-book-related
medical and dental questions. Norman and Doc Knight
would be lost without you!

Grateful thanks to all of the Hannah fans who share
their favorite family recipes with me, post on
Facebook, watch the Hannah movies, and
devour each and every book.
I hope you love reading Christmas Caramel Murder
just as much as I loved writing it.

Prologue

Prologue

The dining room at the Lake Eden Inn was festive with corn shocks, hay bales, pumpkins, and giant beer steins made of papier-mâché. It was clear that the owners, Sally and Dick Laughlin, were getting ready for their Oktoberfest celebration over the weekend.

It was Thursday night, and Hannah Swensen smiled at Ross Barton as she finished the last delicious bite of her dinner. “That was wonderful. Thank you, Ross.”

Sally, who was waiting on them personally, must have had a version of dessert radar because she approached just as soon as Hannah placed her flatware on the plate.

“I’ve got a new dessert for you to try,” Sally announced, motioning to the nearest busboy to clear their plates. When there was room to display it, she placed a large silver dessert tray on the table.

“Something for Oktoberfest?” Hannah asked her.

“No, for Christmas. I decided to feature chocolate and caramel, the way you did in the children’s gift bags last year. That’s why I’m featuring chocolate flan with caramel whipped cream.”

“I’ve never heard of caramel whipped cream before,” Hannah told her.

“It’s easy to make. I couldn’t find a recipe, but I followed your advice. We were talking about recipes and you said, ‘If you can’t find a recipe, make one up.’ So that’s exactly what I did.”

“And it worked?”

“Not the first time, and not the second time, either. But I revised it again, and the third time was the charm. I tried it out on Dick first, and he said he loves it. The only problem is, Dick has a sweet tooth and he loves everything I bake. I’d really like to try it out on you if you’ll promise to tell me exactly what you think.”