I haven't read the others in this series (yet!) but loved this as a stand alone and can't wait to go back and read more!

Death on the Menu is the second mystery in Lucy Burdette's Key West Food Critics series that features food critic Hayley Snow. Haley is attending a Cuban/American conference at the landmark Truman's Little White House. Her mother's new business just happens to be catering the event. During the dinner, Hemmingway's Nobel Prize gold medal for The Old Man and the Sea disappears , as well as one of the busboys. His body is later found stabbed to death. Haley has to investigate numerous suspects with little time to help solve the murder before the conference ends.

Will the murder and theft destoy her mother's new catering business? Is Haley ready for the next step in her relationship with Nathan, her police dective boyfriend? Who is buying the house boat docked next to Haley and Miss Gloria ( her octogenarian roommate)? Can Haley help uncover the murderer and the thief? This is a fast paced mystery in the unique setting of Key West with a great plot and a cast of intriguing characters. The book also includes delicious Cuban recipes. I highly recommend Death on the Menu for your next mystery read.

I received an advance copy in return for an honest review.

Death on the Menu by Lucy Burdette is the 8th book in the series featuring Hayley Snow, Key west food critic.
This story involves the Key west/ Havana conference and tension runs high when the famous noble prize medal belonging to Hemingway disappears. No sooner is the missing medal reported, that a dead body is found, and rumors that the missing medal and the murder are somehow connected.
Even though Hayley is warned against investigating, she cannot help herself and she tries to piece the mystery together.

This story wasn't as exciting for me and I was a bit disappointed. There were times that the story grew stale and it lacked the laugh out loud moments that I have come to love about this series.
My rating is more of a 3.75 star for this book.
I volunteered to read an ARC of this book offered by the publisher and NetGalley.

This is the 8th book in the Key West Food Critic mystery series, and I really enjoyed it. I've read all the books in this series and look forward to more. In this book, Haley continues in her job as a food writer for Key Zest magazine. Her mother is a caterer and Haley says she'll help out with the latest job, the Havana-KeyWest conference. It's a big contract and hopefully, it will lead to more business for Haley's mom if all goes well.

Haley's police officer boyfriend Nathan doesn't want Haley to have anything to do with the conference. He thinks it's risky - there have been threats and security will be tight. Unfortunately, Natan is proven correct when Hemingway's medal is stolen and one of the caterer's assistants is found murdered. Haley has to see justice done and wants to find the killer.

Great plot and interesting characters made this book an easy read. The recipes at the back were keepers too!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Haley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine is right in the middle of the Cuban-American Conference in Key West. The three day conference is to promote better Cuban-American relations and promises to be a high profile occasion. Haley's mother has gotten the catering contract for the event, and much to her boyfriend's (police detective Nathan) unhappiness, will be working the conference and in the thick of things. Only nobody expects things to be a stolen Nobel Peace Prize medal of Hemingway's or a murder. Yet Haley, her mom and step-dad, and roomie Miss Gloria are all smack dab in the middle of the worst break in Cuban-American relations possible.

The story was full of history and buildings that involve Hemingway, President Truman, and more recent presidents. The author does an excellent job telling you about the island and the architecture as well as history as the story unfolds. She also emphasizes Cuban cooking, since Haley is writing about that and her mother is cooking Cuban recipes for the conference. However for me, that was over done to the point that half-way through the book I had to take a break. Cuban overload. I have been to Key West and appreciate the Cuban influence, but not every food has to be Cuban! Too much of a good thing made it difficult to finish the book.

However the conclusion is exciting and surprises along the way make the reader hope the next book will take a different topic, because I still want to read the next book and see what happens!

I enjoy this series but wasn't as interested in this installment. I love the writing and all the characters no matter what the subject of the mystery.

Death on the Menu is a well written mystery. I loved the plot, characters and the setting. The author is new to me and I enjoyed her writing and will be reading more of her books. If you are a fan of mysteries this just might be the book for you.

I really enjoy 'traveling' to new places through books, but I am also drawn to titles set in familiar locations(so basically I just love to read books full of location details). I've spent quite a bit of time in the Florida Keys, although lately, my life is revolving around more work and less play. When I saw Death on the Menu(Key West Food Critic Mystery #8), I saw my opportunity to revisit one of my favorite places without having to miss work. I was excited to get acquainted with Hayley Snow, the main character who is a food critic, works for her mother's catering company, is a good friend and apparently, an amateur sleuth( quite a well-rounded resume).
I haven't read any of the prior books in the series but felt this worked as a standalone. Nothing that happened made me feel lost or confused, so this book stood fine on its own merit. Hayley is working an event her mother's company is catering for representatives from Havana and Key West. The idea is to build a better relationship between the two cities which is admirable though far from universally supported. First, a valuable medal on loan from Cuba goes missing, then a body is discovered and it appears this conference is destined to fail. Can Hayley do what the police cannot and figure out if these two incidents are related as well as the killer's identity? No spoilers here, but if you like a mystery set in a great location with likable characters and quite a bit of food knowledge( and some recipes) this is a quick read that kept me guessing whodunit and why. Hayley is a fully developed and well-written character who definitely has a mind of her own. Her roommate Miss Gloria is exactly the type of ' older lady' I would like to be if I live to an advanced age. A good cozy mystery that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys this type of book.
Thank you, Lucy Burdette, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the complimentary digital ARC. You have a new fan of this series.

If you like a dash of real history in your cozy mysteries, this is the book to get. Burdette has spent a good amount of time in Key West and it has shown in the previous 7 books, but it really shines in this one. You learn a bit about Hemingway's time there and his life in general plus the history Cuba has with the closest American land to it. The political aspect, while realistic, doesn't overwhelm the story.

Since Haley's mom (and step father) have moved to Key West, Haley spends more time with her in this book, the reasons why are authenticate and move the plot along. I also like how Burdette really brings an extra twist of feeling to the relationship Haley has with her octogenarian roommate. It's always been clear that they liked each other, but it's enhanced here. Less time (almost none) was spent at her job or with her co-workers which I didn't miss.

The one thing I questioned while reading is Haley's relationship with her ex. I thought in the last book they had worked out their issues during their quality "closet time". Maybe not as much as I recalled. Not a big deal.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I think this is one of the best books I have ever read. I just love all the talk about key west and the food. I love how Lucy got an invite to a 3 day event in the White House while she was there a few things and people go missing so now she has to put on her detective cap. I will say I got the bad person wrong all the time. And I loved how you had me guessing till the end. I say this is one of the best series I have read.

Normally I love this series but this one wasn't that great for me. The storyline was slow and kind of boring. I love Miss Gloria though and I appreciate how much she's included.

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 busy 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 Hailey 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?!

I found this book to be very enjoyable. You can really tell the author loved Key West & knows it well or has done tons of research. It felt like being there except you can't taste the food for real.. I love Miss Gloria, I want to be her when I get old. The mystery was well done & the ending was perfect. #DeathOnTheMenu #NetGalley

Love this series! What's not to love.... Key West, food and a smart heroine. Hayley Snow has a full plate. Besides her regular job as food critic for Key Zest magazine and her agreement to help her mother's big catering gig, she finds herself in the middle of the investigation of another murder. Lots of Key West history, charm and characters liven the book. Plus the descriptions of the food will make your mouth water.

I had not read this series previously but it was a quick cozy read. I love the Marci Gras inspired plot. The characters were fun and likeable.

I was so excited to see this series back and in action! This book found me right back at home with all of the characters that I held near and dear. Still funny, still crazy, still utterly charming! The setting was written to perfection, the mystery itself was perfect, I loved the backstory and the history. I am so happy this series is back and better than ever!

The mystery was smart and satisfying and there is a sweet surprise at the end of this delightful cozy mystery. Hayley Snow is a food critic for a magazine in Key West, FL., who often finds herself in over her head. Her boyfriend is a detective who finds himself often exasperated with all the mayhem she manages to get herself into. This eighth installment of A Key West Food Critic Mystery series finds Hayley attending a prominent three-day catering gig during a Cuban/American conference to assist her mom with her budding catering business. But when an invaluable object is stolen and a member of the catering staff goes missing and is suspected of the swiping, Hayley’s sleuthing goes into overdrive. If you like headstrong and unshakable main characters, this series is for you!

It's been a while since the last book came out and I've been waiting to see what happened with Haley and the gang. This book did not disappoint! Loved the mystery and the whole storyline was fantastic! Loved the history of Cuba/Key West relations and the Hemingway aspect. Makes me want to read some of his books! Cannot wait to see what's next for Haley and her crew!! Highly recommend!