I received this ARC from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cozy mystery and I loved it.

Note that this is a part of a series, but you can read it as a standalone.

I will definitely be making the Banana Cream Pie recipe that was added at the end of the novel. I love that they added that.

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Peace and quiet are hard to find in bustling Key West, but Hayley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine, is taking the afternoon off for a tranquil lunch with a friend outside of town. When she comes home, she discovers her husband Nathan’s dog, Ziggy, has disappeared. She follows his barking, to find him furiously digging at a shallow grave with a man’s body in it. Davis Jager, a local birdwatcher, identifies him as GG Garcia, a rabble-rousing Key West local and developer. Garcia was famous for over-development on the fragile Keys, womanizing, and refusing to follow city rules—so it’s no wonder he had a few enemies.

When Davis is attacked in the parking lot of a local restaurant after talking to Hayley and her dear friend, the octogenarian Miss Gloria, Hayley is slowly but surely drawn into the case. Hayley’s mother, Janet, has been hired to cater GG’s memorial service reception at the local women’s club, using recipes from their vintage Key West cookbook—and Hayley and Miss Gloria sign on to work with her, hoping to cook up some clues by observing the mourners.

But the real clues come when Hayley begins to study the old cookbook, as whispers of old secrets come to life, dragging the past into the present—with murderous results. (Goodreads Synopsis)

I have read only one previous novel in Lucy Burdette’s Key West Food Critic mystery series, but I have to say that I liked this one better than it. The previous novel had introduced Nathan’s mother and sister with vague past references of the father. This novel introduces the father, and I have to say I didn’t care for Nathan’s attitude at all. Maybe I just don’t understand individuals who continue to hold grudges when it is clear someone is trying, but I just thought Nathan was openly refusing to give his father the benefit of the doubt. I was impressed by how Hayley handled the situation. She didn’t let her husband’s or his family’s views prejudice her against Skip.

Some of the dialog was still choppy, and I lost sense of what had actually happened. At moments, it seemed like the characters had a few seconds of conversation then they were done. It also appeared that pertinent and basically obvious questions weren’t asked when they should have been. Maybe it’s because I read and watch so many mysteries, but some things are exactly as they seem. Miss Gloria was surprising less involved in this novel as she had been in the previous one I read. Maybe because they were back in Key West and maybe because Nathan’s father was there, but I also would have expected more involvement from him. Miss Gloria, Nathan, and Skip all felt like “oh by the way” characters and less supporting ones.

The mystery seemed almost unsolvable, because there were no apparent witnesses and no connections. Everyone who was a suspect, and there was no shortage of suspects, appeared to have solid alibis. However, Hayley finds a clue that she wasn’t even aware she needed, and things started to fall into what I sort of expected. However, the ending did give a slight turn which I really liked. I was happy that there was only the one murder and satisfied with the ending.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars. I’m definitely going to be making the Banana Cream Pie recipe that Lucy Burdette added at the end of the novel. I enjoy novels that give something of a takeaway.

If I had realized this was a cozy mystery, I wouldn't have requested it from Net Galley. As I am not a big fan of cozy mysteries, it doesn't seem fair for me to rate it. However, I will be as objective as I can. Hayley is a food critic, married to a police officer. She has the unfortunate experience of finding a dead body on the beach, and against the wishes of her husband's department, she sets out to solve the mystery and find the killer. There was a good supply of suspects, since the victim was very unpopular and had made his share of enemies. I may have enjoyed it more had I read others in the series. So I give it four stars.

This book was fun to read. It had personable characters and a tenacious female protagonist. I highly recommend this book to other cozy mystery readers.

This series is one of my all time favorites! Love the character Hayley Snow! A fun cozy that grabs your attention and keeps it to the end. This is one that you race to read while dreading that you will finish the book. This series is one that I read, reread and enjoy again and again! Thanks #netgalley and #Crookedlanebooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

The story begins with food critic and amateur sleuth Hayley Snow walking her dog Ziggy on a Key West beach. They find the decomposing body of a well known Key West man, which is the beginnings of a very suspenseful read.
Told In a first person format “ A Dish To Die For” By Lucy Burdette has cohesive characters, and a smooth engaging storyline.
A fun read !!
4 Stars
I received this ARC from Netgalley for a honest review

Finally, a book that grabbed my attention and held it steady! When the pandemic started, I read three and four books a day while stuck at home. But as isolation continued, so did my ability to stick with a story.
I’ve read all the books in this series, and they are so real, and so good, and I was thrilled to read this one.
No spoilers in this review, but just good enjoyable characters, storyline, and recipes to die for!

A DISH TO DIE FOR by Lucy Burdette

Just looking for a quiet spot to relax, picnic, and let the dogs run a bit, a respite from the craziness that can overtake life in Key West, Hayley surely didn’t expect Nathan’s spunky little mini-pin to lead her to a dead body. The case is complicated by too many suspects, perhaps easier to list who DIDN’T want this bully dead. To add to the angst, Hayley’s prickly father-in-law is in town, her mother needs help catering a funeral, and Hayley still has writing deadlines to meet. So much to do, and still she manages to feed people delicious food!
How does the vintage Key West cookbook fit in? You’ll see, and also might pick up some ideas for your own fabulous meals. I’d love one of “Pat Kennedy’s Homemade Pigs in a Blanket” right this minute, maybe on the deck of a houseboat, with a mojito?
The book will publish in August, but while you wait, you could catch up on the delightful Key West series and/or read an “appetizer” story “Married Seeking Married” in THIS TIME FOR SURE.

I love this series. It's one of my go-to series when I need something light and fun to read. This one didn't disappoint! I'm particularly enjoying Haley and Nathan's new marriage.

Hayley is a food critic in Key West, lives on a houseboat and married to a police detective. And, yes, in her spare time, she solves murders. Full of Key West details and history as well as great food, enjoy!

Hayley Snow and her friend Eric Altman are looking for a stress-free walk on the beach with their dogs. What they find is a dead body partially covered in sand. Although the murder happens outside of Hayley's husband Nathan's jurisdiction he is involved in the investigation. As usual he only wants Hayley involves as a witness. Fat chance.
This is not the best time for him to be investigating a crime because an outside appraiser is hired to review the Key West Police Department's .policies and procedures. The appraiser is none other than Nathan's estranged father and former police officer Skip Bransford.. When Hayley meets him she knows where her husband gets his tense attitude - like father, like son.
During her investigation Hayley uncovers a treasure trove of vintage Key West recipes. Another sterling performance by author Lucy Burdette. Love the Key West setting and the food, oh the food.

ARC Kindle Copy from Review from Net Galley and Crooked Lane Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

A missing dog leads to a dead body for food critic Haley. She will dig up more than a dead body as she searches for answers. She will search for answers as to who wanted the unscrupulous real estate developer dead.

A quaint addition in the series that will have you wanting more.

Live on the water vicariously through this story of a food critic who hets involved with a murder mystery. The book provides intrigue, food ideas and recipes wrapped up in the quirky lives of the people in Key West.

Hayley Snow is not only a food critic in Key West but after her husband’s dog finds a dead body on the beach she becomes a crime solver as well. I quickly realized that this book is one in a series as there were quite of few references to past events. That said, it did not take away from this novel and was easily read as a stand alone book. I enjoyed the various relationships that Hayley shared with others in the book and how she was able to relate to her father-in-law with whom she just met. It was also refreshing to see how her father-in-law and husband were able to move forward from past hurts.

I have been a fan of cozy mysteries for years and this one did not disappoint and I will be looking for more from the author. I loved the fact that the crime was not easily predicable and that it was also not far fetched. It kept me engrossed and was reading into the wee hours of the night. I could relate with the characters and felt as though I was a part of the community. I would recommend this book to my reader friends and I rate it a 5/5.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

#netgalley #adishtodiefor

I have been reading this book series by Lucy Burdette since the beginning. A dish to die for returns her to Key west and the pandemic is behind us in her 📕 story and l much preferred the storyline being in Florida. It’s calming reading a book where I know what to expect and the same regular characters and solving a murder. Lucy Burdette’s new novel does not disappoint and is like a warm hug 🤗. Bravo Lucy👏📕🇨🇦❤️

foodie, family, family-dynamics, Florida-keys, law-enforcement, amateur-sleuth, murder, murder-investigation, recipes****

Key West food critic Hayley Snow has been married a couple of years, but this is the first time meeting her *new* father-in-law. To top it off, he's ex-military now police, and she's just found a recently deceased body. A great whodunit by an adept writer!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Hailey and Nathan are back from their honeymoon and life in Key West is recovering from very real losses due to the pandemic. Life should be good, but Hailey stumbles across yet another dead body (well, actually Nathan's dog does). And when that isn't complicated enough, Nathan's father arrives in town to supervise the police department's accreditation review. Hailey is actually invited IN to the murder investigation, which is very complicated indeed. This story weaves a lot of Key West history into its pages - When Hailey's mom caters the funeral, Hailey discovers an old box and the pictures it contains lead to more questions. Armed with two copies of the Key West Woman's Club Cookbook, Hailey reflects on the changes that have come to the island, while she wrestles for a solution to the murder. This is a great installment to the Key West food critic mysteries. It's good to have Hailey and Nathan back on the rock.

I hadn't heard of this author previously, but was attracted by the title and cover. It was clear once I started to read it that this was one in a series, as there were several references to previous occurrences. However, it was perfectly readable as a standalone book.

The synopsis is about a food critic for a local publication based in Key West, and she is married to a police officer. It is apparant that she is a bit of a sleuth in her own right who seems to accidentally get involved as a witness to crimes, in this case by finding a murdered body on the beach when walking her dog. A little like a modern day Miss Marple.

I persevered to the end, although I didn't really warm to any of the characters,, and I found myself wishing the end would come quickly. It wasn't the sort of thriller I typically enjoy; a bit too 'twee' for me and I prefer a more gritty story and stronger characters.

Fur babies. Local cuisine and its history. A murder to be solved- what could be cozier?
A Dish to Die For is exactly what you would expect from a cozy mystery.

When Ziggy the dog starts furiously digging on the beach in Key West, food critic Hayley Snow desperately tries to remove him from his treasure - only to find a dead body buried in the sand. The victim, GG Garcia, was not well liked in the community for his pushy and greedy hand in the area's housing development, so his death is not a shock to locals. But it does leave the police with a number of people who could be responsible for it. Snow finds herself drawn into solving the mystery of his murder with her police officer husband, Nathan, and caterer mother who is hired for Garcia's funeral. Hayley finds herself going undercover to learn from possible suspects while diving deeper into the local history of Key West to solve the crime.

Even if you have never visited Key West, you can certainly envision it through Burdette's descriptive setting and a few of the characters Hayley meets along the way. If this is your first time picking up a book from the series (as it was for me) you won’t have any problem following the story, but you may not be super invested in Snow’s personal journey and character development. Either way, I recommend picking up this mystery if you’re looking for a Key West escape!

Set in a post-Covid world, food critic Hayley Snow must solve the murder of the latest body she's stumbled upon, while dealing with meeting her father-in-law for the first time.

I've read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them all. However, this was one of my least favorite ones (still enjoyable, just not as much as a lot of others). I didn't find the mystery as compelling, and I thought there wasn't as much restaurant review/tie-in that I loved in previous books! Covid was also only really addressed in the first few paragraphs, which felt almost unnecessary since it didn't really factor in much throughout the rest of the book.

That being said, I did enjoy getting more dynamic with Nathan's family and unraveling that more! Plus looks like there will be new adventures ahead for Hayley.