Death in four courses

The second title in this series (after An Appetite for Murder, 2012) finds Hayley Snow still on shaky ground in her new restaurant-critic job with Key Zest magazine, as at least one person would like to see her fired. Her mother is visiting from New Jersey, and they attend the famous Key West literary conference, which features food writing. Then the keynote speaker is found dead at the opening reception. As Hayley starts interviewing the famous writers at the conference, she learns that the victim threatened to ruin several reputations. Her friend Eric is abruptly arrested for the murder, much to everyone's shock, for no one realized he even knew the victim. Then Hayley and her mother find another author dead in what looks to be a suicide. This enjoyable mystery series, with its attractive tropical setting, is also seasoned by the appealing characters and meals. The novel, done in the style of the Joanne Fluke series, is sure to attract food-fiction fans and will also appeal to Key West readers, although the combination of the two here is unique.--Alessio, Amy Copyright 2010 Booklist

Near the start of Burdette's yummy sequel to An Appetite for Murder, Key West, Fla., food critic Hayley Snow brings her mother, down from New Jersey for a visit, to a weekend food-writing conference she's covering for the style magazine Key Zest. At the opening ceremony, the keynote speaker, culinary wunderkind Jonah Barrows, denounces "the bizarre and the inedible" (e.g., "musk ox sprinkled with elderberries and served on twigs") and vows to follow a policy of "utter transparency" in restaurant reviewing. This sort of honesty doesn't go down so well with at least one of the conference participants, as shortly thereafter Hayley notices Jonah's body floating beneath the water lilies of an ornamental pool. Outspoken Mom provides tart commentary as Hayley once again turns sleuth. Anyone who's ever overpaid for a pretentious restaurant meal will relish this witty cozy. Agent: Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary Management. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.