National bestselling author Lucy Burdette’s tenth Key West Food Critic mystery is piping hot with pie-enthusiasts and murder suspects.When a fierce rivalry between key lime pie bakers leads to a pastry chef’s murder, food critic Hayley Snow is fit to be pied. During the week between Christmas and New Year’s, the year-round population of Key West, Florida, faces a tsunami of tourists and … of tourists and snowbirds. It doesn’t help that outrageously wealthy key lime pie aficionado David Sloan has persuaded the city to host his pie-baking contest. Every pie purveyor on the island is out to win the coveted Key Lime Key to the City and Key Zest food critic Hayley Snow is on the scene to report it.
Meanwhile, Hayley’s home life is turning more tart than sweet. Hayley’s new hubby, police detective Nathan Bransford, announces that her intimidating mother-in-law is bearing down on the island for a surprise visit. Hayley offers to escort Nathan’s crusty mom on the iconic Conch Train Tour of the island’s holiday lights, but it becomes a recipe for disaster when they find a corpse among the glittering palm trees and fantastic flamingos. The victim–Au Citron Vert’s controversial new pastry chef–was a frontrunner in Sloan’s contest.
It’s bad enough that Hayley’s too-curious mother-in-law is cooking up trouble. Now, the murderer is out to take a slice out of Hayley. Can she handle the heat of a killer’s kitchen?
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THE KEY LIME CRIME by Lucy Burdette
The Tenth Key West Food Critic Mystery
The week between Christmas and the New Year is Key West’s busiest time. Locals try to capitalize by holding special events, such as the search for the best Key Lime Pie, as more rowdy tourists than ever arrive en masse. It’s not only the streets that are crowded. Since construction on their new houseboat isn’t complete, newlyweds Hayley and Nathan are squeezing in with Miss Gloria and each of their pets. Nathan’s announcement that his mother, whom Hayley has yet to meet, is arriving for an unexpected visit is the icing on the already tilting cake. While Hayley’s mother-in-law seems slightly aloof and not at all interested in Hayley, her foodie lifestyle, or food in general, she becomes very interested and involved after she and Hayley discover a dead body. Could the murder be due to a culinary feud? While Nathan urges Hayley to stay out of it, his mother encourages Hayley to investigate. Will Hayley be able to please them both? More importantly, will she be able to avoid becoming the murderer’s next target?
Ulterior motives and secrets are to be found in the tenth Key West Food Critic Mystery as Hayley deals with her new mother-in-law, a too busy new husband, and a murdered pastry chef in the wild and wacky too crowded town that is Key West. I love how Hayley tries to win over her new mother-in-law, but that she doesn’t try too hard. Hayley remains true to herself, and her job and family, as she tries to add Helen to the mix. I really enjoyed the look into Nathan’s backstory, and with it a better understanding of his motivation. You can’t help but love Miss Gloria and I welcome the addition of T-Bone, although with six cats of my own, I still shudder over the introduction process she and Hayley used.
As always, Key West is a character unto itself. As unique as the people that inhabit it, I’d love to visit and soak up the ambiance, eating a variety of Key Lime pies…but after reading this book I would never visit during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve!
THE KEY LIME CRIME is a complex mystery wrapped up in familial adjustments. It’s a whirlwind tour of Key West during its busiest time of year that touches on serious issues without becoming overburdened. In short, it’s a fun, fast paced mystery filled with multilayered characters and lots of key lime pie.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a copy of this book in the hopes I would review it.
I can’t believe I haven’t read the Key West Food Critic Mystery books yet! It must be another case of so many books so little time. Even though The Key Lime Crime is the tenth book in this series, I was able to pick it up and savor it with no prior knowledge. So, if you’re in the same boat, don’t worry! You’ll enjoy this cozy mystery too!
The Key Lime Crime may just get you in the mood for the holiday season; however, you probably won’t want to spend the week before New Year’s Day in Key West. If the number of people that flood Key West is like it is in this book (and I have the feeling it is), it’s just way too peopley there for me! If I lived in a houseboat there year-round like Hayley, I’d probably hide out with my pets and snacks during the crazy busy time!
Even though there were way too many tourists in Key West in this book, I loved the setting! Living in a houseboat in the Florida Keys would be marvelous….oh, I forgot about hurricanes. In my pretend world, there aren’t any hurricanes. The houseboats have white fairy lights strung up and down the docks and boats. I’d love to wake to the salty smell the ocean. Bliss.
I enjoyed the characters in The Key Lime Crime so much! Miss Gloria is my favorite. Actually in most cozy mysteries, the elderly are my favorites, and that’s because I was always Grandma’s girl. She spoiled me like crazy, and we had so much fun together. Miss Gloria reminds me of her. Grandma was still very independent until she was in her 90s. I love that Miss Gloria is so involved in the community and with Hayley. Hayley’s mother-in-law will grow on you throughout the book, and I’m hoping she shows up in more books.
The murder mystery is quite perplexing. Several local characters have means, motive, and opportunity. Then, you have all of those visitors to watch out for! Even though Hayley’s policeman husband instructs her (and his mom!) to not get involved, of course they do! Whodunit? How many pets can you fit into a houseboat? Which key lime pie is the most delicious? Find out in the delightful cozy mystery book, The Key Lime Crime.
Hayley, Key West food critic, is set for the pre-New Year’s Eve Key Lime Pie festival and contest. As an added bonus her new mother-in-law, Helen, has decided to visit for the week. Hayley and her husband are living on Gloria’s houseboat while theirs in being renovated. So, Helen is staying with Hayley’s mom. When a promising chef is murdered, Hayley and Helen become involved in the investigation.
I enjoyed this book and the development of the relationship between Helen and Hayley.
What a joy to be back in Key West with Hayley Snow again. Wait, I mean Hayley Snow Bradford, now a married woman. She is still getting used to having a hubby and all that entails, and I must admit I’m still getting used to the idea of Hayley being married, too, of Nathan being a permanent part of her life. Not because I don’t like Nathan or don’t think Hayley should have married him, but because I kind of wanted to keep Hayley all to myself.
I’ve loved this girl from the first book, and enjoyed taking this (so far) 10-book journey with her as her character has deepened and matured, as she’s grown from girl to woman, while still being the spunky, spicy, inquisitive, fierce, loyal, lovable Hayley we first met all those years ago when she followed her boyfriend to Florida. Aren’t you glad she decided to stay?
As if it’s not enough that it’s the week between Christmas and New Year’s, a wild, wacky time in Key West and the usual demands of her job, Nathan announces his mother has decided to come for a visit, and will be staying with them. I was on pins and needles with Hayley meeting Nathan’s mother Helen for the first time. She doesn’t exactly exude sunshine and warmth. It’s obvious they both love Nathan, but do they have anything else in common? Thank goodness Hayley’s mother and her husband Sam come to her rescue and invite Helen to stay with them.
Of course Hayley finds a corpse and must must must solve this crime, so once again she’s in the thick of things with a killer on the loose, this time with Nathan’s mom in tow. In addition to the usual danger and clues all over the place, there is yummy food (the Key Lime pie tasting made my mouth water), the always-clever quotes at the beginning of each chapter, and the much-loved assortment of Hayley’s oh so interesting family and friends assisting or trying to dissuade her from her investigation. Miss Gloria was once again front and center, the closeness with Hayley and her mom just continues to grow, and while there wasn’t quite as much interaction with her Key West crew as in some previous books, Helen provided more than enough intrigue and entertainment. And Nathan is turning out to be a pretty good husband.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an advance copy of Key Lime Crime. Author Lucy Burdette makes Key West come alive, and spending time with Hayley and the rest of the gang is like coming home. All opinions are my own. I loved this book, I love the series, and I recommend it without hesitation.
The Key Lime Crime by Lucy Burdette was an intriguing cozy, which centered around key lime pie and a mother-in-law, a small part of the Key West Food Critic series. Hayley Snow is the food critic in question and it is the week before New Year’s which means the key is a nightmare, traffic and crowd-wise. Just then her new mother-in-law decides to visit. Yes, that’s right. The one who didn’t show up to her and her policeman husband, Nathan’s wedding. Their houseboat is being renovated so they are staying with Hayley’s long-time friend, Miss Georgia, an eighty-something ball of energy. That wasn’t so bad except Miss Georgia had a cat and Haley and Nathan had a cat and a dog. No place to put the mother-in-law. Hayley’s mom and stepdad stepped up and offered their place, despite the fact it was their busiest week ever, running a catering business as they did. It was also the week of David Sloan’s Best Key Lime Pie Extravaganza, which of course she had to cover. As it turns out, Nathan was too busy at work to help much so babysitting his mother fell into Hayley’s lap, as well. Lots of antics, including a murder, to occupy their time.
What a fun series. This is the first I have read, but it won’t be the last. Hayley is a perky, intelligent, and curious young woman, head over heels in love with her husband but totally insecure in the face of her mother-in-law. To keep traffic at bay she rides around Key West on a scooter, and is surprise when her polished mother-in-law climbs right on behind her. She is not supposed to be investigating (like most cozy mystery sleuths) but can’t resist and her mother-in-law is right there. It was interesting to watch their relationship develop over the course of the book. Miss Georgia is a terrifically entertaining character, as only someone her age can be. The murder mystery is a good one, with information unfolding in an interesting and personal way, leading to solving the crime. It is a thoroughly entertaining book. I recommend it.
I was invited to read an ARC of The Key Lime Crime by Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thekeylimecrime
An absolutely delightful cozy! I love the setting of Key West and the timing of Christmas/New Year’s was a bonus. I haven’t read others in this series so didn’t know what to expect but really enjoyed it. The mystery was very good with lots of suspects and red herrings. The characters were great. Varied personalities with lots to love. The food descriptions were divine and really made you want to go to Key West immediately to try some pie and all of the restaurants. Loved the animals too. Really good story!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
Being in isolation for the duration my reading has been kicked up to uber maximum level. What a treat to have the 10th Key West Food Critic mystery to let me escape to Key West at Christmas time. The newlywed Haley Snow has a whole lot to juggle these days. It’s tourist season in Key West and, as a writer for Key Zest magazine, she has her hands full with the Key Lime pie contest. As I have a real weakness for that delectable creation, I was drawn into the mystery from the description of the plot. The competition is intense and it soon produces a corpse. Too bad the ones to discover the body are Hayley and her new mother-in-law, a woman she has only just recently met. Oops. Awkward to say the least. I like her mother-in-law, Helen and hope she makes a repeat appearance.
The mystery was complex and kept me guessing, something that I have come to depend on from this series. The characters were multifaceted and the writing style flowed smoothly. It was a very nice armchair trip to the Florida Keys.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane Books and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was a fun cozy. I don’t think I have read others in this series, but I would like to. Hayley is a food critic and writes for a local foodie magazine in the Florida Keys. She has been asked to cover the an event to find the best Key Lime Pie in their community. On top of this, it is the week between Christmas and New Years and the little island is full to overflowing with tourists and her new mother-in-law decides to come for a visit. Talk about stress. To add to all this, one of the competitors at the Key Lime event is murdered.
This story makes me want to visit Key West. Also the characters are fun. Imagine living on a small houseboat with you new husband, your 80-year-old roommate, 2 cats, and a dog. Lots of suspects, and mystery within a mystery. What’s not to love.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and offer my honest option on this book.m
No better way to spend a rainy day than on the couch with Haley Snow, Miss Gloria, Nathan and their families and friends. Another trip back to Key West, Florida. News Years is approaching and Key West is as crowded with tourists as it can be.
Haley and Nathan get an unexpected visitor, Nathan’s mother Helen Bransford. No room for her on the houseboat as already crowded with Haley, Nathan, Miss Gloria and all their pets. Bed and Breakfasts are all booked so Haley’s mom offers for Helen to stay with them.
When a murder takes place an unexpected partner is helping Haley poke around for answers, as they taste test Key Lime pies along the way. Although the police are not happy about it.
An enjoyable series, with characters I have grown to love. A fantastic setting and food to make you hungry.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.
Another fantastic addition to one of my favorite series! I love the cast of characters. Haley and Nathan are trying to get acclimated to married life which is no easy feat with everything going on in their lives. Hayley finally gets to meet her mother-in-law, and she’s beyond nervous, hoping she will like her. Chaos and mayhem ensues, with people and pets. This book does not disappoint. I couldn’t put it down, and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
I love the adventures you experience whenever you read about Haley and Miss Gloria. The food prepared, eaten, and described will have your mouth watering. Once again Haley and Miss Gloria find themselves in the middle of a murder mystery. But this time, Haley’s new mother-in-law has come for a visit and jumps into the adventure with both feet.
When you add in all the crazy antics, pets, the key lime pie competition, humor, friendship, and mystery, you will be entertained from the first to the last page.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lucy Burdette’s THE KEY LIME CRIME is splendid! The crime is only part of the story, as family and friends have equal importance in the plot, and the food adds so much “local flavor.” (The cheese puff recipe looks almost easy enough for me).
Macabre murder, malicious vandalism, assault with pie . . . and a new mother-in-law for Haley. I did come to like Helen, but my favorite new character is T-Bone, the delightful and most helpful kitten, rescued by Miss Gloria. (Is she really going to go on their honeymoon in the next book? If she does, who will care for all those pets? Time will tell. 😉
A student once coined a slogan, “Drop Pies, not Bombs.” We decided the pies would need parachutes to arrive in delicious condition and would be perfect overtures for peace. I’ll add Key Lime Pie to the “must have” varieties.
I loved the insights into Cooking with Love and the cooking school, not quite so in love with the idea of croissant corsages. The quotes at the beginning of the chapters are insightful, but my favorite, timely offering is Haley’s “We should fight to the bitter end or die trying.” Never, ever give up. <3
The Key Lime Crime is the tenth in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries. Haley Snow, newlywed to Nathan Bransford, and food critic for Key Zest Magazine has been assigned to attend the Key Lime Extravaganza hosted by David Sloan. It is the week between Christmas and New Years and Key West is bulging at the seams with tourists. One unexpected visitor is Helen Bransford, Nathan’s mother and Hayley’s mother-in-law. Helen didn’t attend Nathan and Haley’s wedding so Haley is on the edge to try and put her best foot forward. While their houseboat is under construction they are living in a houseboat with Miss Gloria, a frisky dog and three cats, Hayley knows there is no room for Helen. All the Bed and Breakfasts are booked it is her mother’s suggestion to have Helen stay with them in their guestroom. Nathan being a Key West detective, planned to take off a couple days while his mother is there but when Claudette Parker of the Au Citron Vert is found dead and dressed in a Santa suit on her front porch Nathan is pulled into working the investigation. Traveling around Key West on the back of Haley’s scooter, Helen is pulled into helping Haley try to determine who is responsible.
Each of the characters in this book are well developed. I love Miss Gloria since she is an older individual who has a weak spot for animals and food.
foodie, family-dynamics, friendship, law-enforcement, murder, Florida Keys, situational-humor, recipes*****
As if being a newlywed wasn’t enough, there’s the unfinished houseboat repairs, a surprise visit by the groom’s mother, and to top it off somebody murdered a contentious baker who’s rather new to the island. Hayley had only met the self important baker the day before when a faux pas turned into a real mess at a contest aimed at food critics, but now she’s one who discovered the body and had to notify her police detective husband. Well, she couldn’t just let the police do all the sleuthing now could she? This time she shares the sleuthing not only with her fantastic octogenarian neighbor, but the new mother in law as well. Lots of twists and red herrings, I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
Light cozy mystery set in Key West. Recommended for fans of the series, though I think it can be read as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own. #cozymystery
Haley Snow’s recent marriage to Nathaniel hasn’t changed her a bit! She’s still flitting about the island like a hummingbird, darting from here to there. Her full schedule becomes over-stuffed when her new (and unmet) mother-in-law, Helen, comes to town for the week between Christmas and New Years. I doubt Helen could have picked a busier time, but she goes along with Haley’s plans while Haley researches and writes articles about food. The Key Lime Pie contest is during this time, and both Haley and Miss Gloria indulge, willingly. It seems Helen is the opposite of a foodie, and is opposed to all things Key Lime…until murder enters the picture. The it’s Key Lime confections full speed ahead as Helen and Haley seek to find who murdered a local baker.
Guaranteed to make you crave a Key Lime pie or treat as you try to keep up with Haley and Helen. New characters and old favorites mix together to make the island, the holidays, and the food fun for readers who have or haven’t read every book. It will leave you wanting pie and more of Haley and Key West! Most enjoyable!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for allowing me to read and review.