Good pool read, but not exactly riveting

Death on the Menu by Lucy Burdette is A Key West Food Critic Mystery. Hayley Snow is helping her mother cater a three-day event at the Harry Truman Little White House in Key West, Florida. Catering the Cuban/American conference is a coup for her fledgling business. Nathan Bransford, Hayley’s boyfriend, would prefer if Hayley bowed out since it is a controversial event and protestors will be present. On the first day of the event, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal for Old Man and the Sea on loan from Cuba disappears. It is the first time the medal has ever left Cuba and the Cuban delegates are outraged. Despite searches of the house and staff, they are unable to locate it. That night as the flan is being served, Gabriel is found stabbed to death in the kitchen closet. Gabriel’s family asks Hayley to investigate his death and get justice for the family by finding his killer. Despite Nathan’s objections, Hayley plunges into the case. Miss Gloria and Hayley are worried about the houseboat for sale next to them. The last tenants were party hearty types that continually disturbed the residents of Houseboat Row. Plus, Hayley has articles to write for Key Zest magazine and little time to sample the local Cuban cuisine for her critique. Hayley is in for a busy weekend in Death on the Menu.

Death on the Menu contains good writing and engaging characters. Lucy Burdette does a wonderful job at world building. She includes various shops and sites in Key West. Her descriptions bring the area alive. I do not recommend reading Death on the Menu without having read An Appetite for Murder which will give you an introduction to Hayley, her friends, her job, and the area. I liked the inclusion of Key West history and information about Ernest Hemingway (adds to the world building). There are some lovely cozy moments in the story along with tasty food descriptions. I am a fan of Miss Gloria and I envy the pair living on a houseboat (except when a hurricane is approaching). I like Miss Gloria’s love of sequins (it is cute) and Hayley’s love of high top tennis shoes (I adore my Converse and have them in different colors/prints). While I am not a fan of Nathan, he does do something at the end that puts him a better light. I did feel that Death on the Menu is a slow starter and the pace throughout the book was slow. The mystery was interesting, but I wish it had been more of a challenge to identify the guilty party. I felt that some details were missing from the story (what is the mother’s name and the name of her catering business for example). There are recipes included at the end. They include Cuban roast pork, black bean soup, mojito cake and flan. I thought the ending was sweet, romantic and upbeat. Join Hayley Snow on her latest sleuthing adventure in Death on the Menu.

DEATH ON THE MENU, the long-anticipated eighth book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette, lived up to my expectations and even surpassed them! I am a huge fan of history and different cultures, so when I found out that Ms. Burdette combined a cozy mystery with an influence of the relations between the U.S. and Cuba, I knew I needed to read it. Never heavy-handed or dreary, the author brings the Cuban culture and food to life in her setting. I appreciated the way she explored the land-mined affairs between two countries, who are barely 90 miles apart, by creating social situations for the dignitaries and politicians to interact with. She effectively interjects the protagonist, Hayley Snow, into the mix by having her mother cater the events. When things go oh so wrong, Hayley is there to step up and help her mother and friends out. I could see the scenes, smell and taste the food, and feel the danger through the descriptive language used. The addition of several Cuban-flavored recipes at the back of the book all sound amazing and add to the appeal of the book!

I also greatly enjoyed the bits and pieces of history woven in on the life and legend of Ernest Hemingway, which adds to the flavor of the Key West tropical setting. Ms. Burdette uses Hemingway’s Nobel Prize gold medal for The Old Man and the Sea, which is discovered stolen from its case. This is the catalyst that starts the plot off and from there, murder and intriguing subplots are woven in and my interest was captured from the beginning to the very last page. Hayley is a marvelous protagonist. Her personality and self-esteem has grown tremendously from the beginning of this series and I feel like she’s finally come into her own. Her relationship with her feisty octogenarian roommate is adorable and the interaction between these two strong females lights up the pages. I am so excited that this series is continuing and can’t wait to read the next installment!

I received an arc of the book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Once in a while I enjoy a good cozy mystery. I am a bit all over the place with the Key West Food Critic Mystery series...I read #10 then #12 and I just backtracked to #8. A normal person would probably best enjoy reading this series in order lol...BUT I am far from normal and it did not bother me! In fact, I enjoyed going back into time and honestly, I love this series so much because I absolutely love Key West.

I've only been to Key West once but it is one of those places I immediately fell in love with. When I read the Key West series, I can vividly envision the places they are at and when comments are made like... the chickens/roosters roam the streets like bosses, I laugh because it is so true! In this particular novel, main character Haley Snow, is helping her mom at a prestigious catered event. The evenings event take a turn when Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal for The Old Man and the Sea, is discovered stolen from its case and one of the busboys is found murdered.

Despite her career as being a Food Critic, Haley and her curiosity jump in to try and solve the murder case.

Overall, despite there being a murder, it is a light read. Easy to follow, great character development and the end and wraps up nicely as most well written cozy mysteries do! I wonder which number will I read next when the urge to read a cozy mystery arises? lol

Four solid stars!

I keep zipping through these cozy mysteries about Key West and food, two of my favorite things. This time, Hayley Snow is helping her mother cater a conference of Cubans and Key West folk to discuss trade, travel etc. Set at the Little White House in Truman Annex, one of the catering staff is stabbed and stuffed in a closet. These are quick reads with great recipes in the back.

DEATH ON THE MENU by Lucy Burdette
The Eighth Key West Food Critic Mystery

Key West is abuzz with excitement as the Harry S. Truman Little White House hosts a Havana/Key West Conference. Hayley Snow is thrilled to help her mom whose newly founded catering company was chosen to cater the event. Unfortunately, the buzz is not all positive and the island is on high alert with increased security. Hayley is determined to help her mom succeed despite warnings from her boyfriend, Detective Nathan Bransford to stay away from the conference. As the conference begins tensions that are already running high spike when Ernest Hemingway's Nobel Prize medal goes missing. Will the delicious food calm the crowd or is death on the menu?

I'm delighted to be back in Key West. Lucy Burdette's evocative prose makes me feel that I am actually on the key and part of the action. I can sense the tension, feel the ocean air, and see the sights. If only I could taste the food!

In DEATH ON THE MENU Lucy Burdette looks into the difficult reality of US relations with Cuba, illustrating various opinions and beliefs without judgement. The cultural and political issues are a part of the mystery and add substance to the plot without detracting from it. The other prime component that truly adds depth is character development and relationships. As the series progresses we see the characters change and grow. This eighth Key West Food Critic has Hayley pursuing serious introspection as she tries to mirror her own relationship to those of her family and friends.

DEATH ON THE MENU is a delicious addition to the Key West Food Critic Mystery series filled with cultural relevance and delectable food.

FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.

In this book we got to spend time in the Little White House. These books are mini travel guides to an insider's Key West. This time the mystery felt incidental to everything else going on. I still find Nathan a shadowy, poorly defined character.

Spoiler

Now that he and Hayley are engaged, maybe we will get to know him.

Hayley Snow is a food critic living in Key West, FL. In addition to her responsibilities to Key Zest Magazine, she has agreed to help her mother's catering company when she lands a big gig - the Havana/Key West Conference. The conference, whose purpose is to bridge the gap between the two cities, promises to be a spectacular event - just what her mother's fledgling business needs to boost her bookings. But right off the start, the Havana dignitaries and Key West council members are arguing among themselves. Then Hemingway's Nobel prize gold medal, which left Cuba for the sole purpose of being displayed during the conference, goes missing. The Cuban VIPs become more enraged, as the search for the medal commences. The opening party commences a few hours later with big names - Jimmy Buffett, Barack Obama, and Diana Nyad. As dessert is about to be served, a scream erupts from the kitchen when Maria, one of the cooks, finds her brother stabbed in the closet. The party's over and Hayley has another murder to solve. And a few articles to write. And more catering to do.

While I haven't read all of the Key West Food Critic mysteries, I do enjoy them. This is a solid, entertaining series. This book had a lot more of the history of Key West than some of the others, which may or may not be appeal to some. Overall, the mystery was interesting, and there was a lovely little surprise at the end. Plus I just got what appears to be a good Black Bean Soup recipe out of the back. What more can one ask for?!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.