The key lime crime A Key West food critic mystery

Key West food critic Hayley Snow has her hands full. It's the week between Christmas and New Year's, and the town is flooded with tourists. Hayley is assigned to write about a pie-baking contest devoted to the area's signature dessert, key-lime pie. The contest will be hosted by well-known key-lime-pie expert David Sloan, who gets a pie in the face after he disqualifies Claudette Parker's unique entry during a precontest event. Meanwhile, Hayley is stressed by a visit from her mother-in-law, Helen, who declined to attend Hayley's wedding. It isn't long, however, before Helen becomes Hayley's sleuthing partner after the pair find Claudette's dead body. Naturally ignoring the demand of Hayley's husband, police detective Nathan, that she stay out of the case, Hayley--along with Helen and Hayley's octogenerian friend Miss Gloria --dives right in. The well-described Key West setting nicely complements the foodie frame in this satisfying cozy, which is a natural for fans of Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen mysteries.

Burdette's toothsome 10th Key West Food Critic mystery (after 2019's A Deadly Feast) finds food critic Hayley Snow covering a key lime pie contest for Key Zest magazine. The island is full of revelers the week between Christmas and New Year's, which means that Hayley's new husband, cop Nathan Bransford, barely has time to sleep. It's the worst possible time for Nathan's mother, Helen Bransford, to visit, especially since Hayley is left to entertain her food-averse new mother-in-law on her own. Things take a deadly turn when Hayley and Helen discover one of the pastry chef contestants, Claudette Parker, lying dead on her front porch, dressed in a Santa outfit. Nathan cautions Hayley not to get involved, but Helen has her own reasons to investigate Claudette's murder, and turns out to have some pretty impressive sleuthing skills herself. Charming characters, an appealing setting, and mouthwatering bonus recipes make this a perfect choice for foodie cozy lovers. Agent: Paige Wheeler, CMA Literary. (July)