Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Clue in the Crumbs is the latest book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series. It's always pleasant to see what Hayley and Gloria are up to. This time, they are visited by Bettina and Violet Booth, Scottish sisters who bake wonderful scones. The sisters participate in a baking contest, but things get complicated as someone gets murdered and the Booth sisters are the prime suspects. Of course, Hayley and Gloria investigate in order to find out who the real murderer is. A Clue in the Crumbs is highly enjoyable, from the fun main characters, the nice settings and the solid storyline. And the recipes as well!

A Clue in the Crumbs
(Key West Food Critic 13)
Lucy Burdette



Violet & Bettina is baaack!

If you read A Scone of Contention, book 11 then you will remember the scone-baking sister duo. For those who didn’t here’s a quick catch-up. Violet’s son was murdered and it was up to Hayley and Ms. Gloria, to help solve the crime before Hayley’s honeymoon ended.

This book actually starts with Hayley contemplating her boss’ request for negative local commentary.
While doing so she hears the fire alarms in town ringing. After getting Ziggy she heads over to Miss Gloria’s to get the scoop. Nathan definitely won’t be able to pick up Bettina and Violet at the airport, so the ladies hop in the Buick, and off they go. The Scone sisters receive a text that it’s actually their bed and breakfast that’s burning! Miss Gloria quickly solves the lodging problem by offering her houseboat. After a good night's sleep, everyone wakes up ready to tackle the day. Oh, what a day it turns out to be!

Hayley simply can’t keep up with the three older women. I felt this was more of a reminder about not counting out our elders just because of their age. More as an aid to the ending than because of a genuine inability on Hayley’s part. I enjoyed this book, a fair amount. I suspected the correct killer fairly early in the book but still enjoyed reading to the conclusion. Something I really dislike is Miss Gloria’s sons, maybe this is purposefully done on the author's part. I really don’t know because she always tries to make happy at the end and it tends to aggravate me. (shrug) 3.5 Stars

It’s always good to go back to Key West. What a delight our Scottish visitors, Violet and Bettina are. It was so much fun to hang out with them for a while. I wish I had their baking skills! There are recipes included at the back of the book. Their relationship with each other is so awesome and entertaining. I always enjoy hanging out with Miss Gloria and Haley. This is a great story line with wonderful characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

The Scottish Scone Sisters have come to Key West and Hayley Snow couldn't be happier. They have come to host The UK Bakes for the Key West edition. Things start off horribly for the sisters when the first thing to happen when.they get to town is their lodging is set on fire. The show must go on though and the three bakers who are a part of the event are ready together started the next day. When one of the contestants husband is found dead and the sisters are the main suspects Hayley jumps right in. Making sure that the show gets finished as well as investigating is Hayley's main objective. When she starts to make headway in figuring out who the killer is she realizes she has.put herself in danger. Will Hayley be able to name the murderer before she ends up as the next victim?

Another fun entry in the Hayley Snow Food Critic mysteries series. The delightful Scottish Scone Sisters, Violet and Bettina Booth, make a reappearance. They are visiting Miss Gloria and Hayley in Key West to host a baking contest. As always something happens – arson, theft, murder – and no matter what friends or family say, Hayley is off and running to solve the crime, of course with Miss Gloria at her side. All your favorite characters are back, Hayley is as much of a treat as ever, and it’s a good mystery with lots of clues, twists and turns, delicious food and a satisfying ending.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of A Clue in the Crumbs. Great read. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

The Scone Sisters, friends of Hayley, arrive in Key West to host The UK Bakes--Key West Addition tv cooking competition. But the action isn't limited to the kitchen or the set when there is a fire at the B&B they are staying at and one of the competitors is a suspect of arson. When a body shows up and the murder weapon points to the Scone Sisters, Hayley & company must find the real culprit.

Fun. I love the Scone Sisters. They add some spice to the story. Decent mystery, good characters and some recipes I want to try out. All the ingredients for a perfect recipe of mystery!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

A Clue in the Crumbs is yet another winner in the deliciously cozy Key West Food Critic series by author Lucy Burdette - and this particular story brings the Scone sisters to Key West all the way from their native Scotland! When Bettina and Violet make Key West the first stop on their UK Bakes! American tour, their pals Miss Gloria and Hayley are glad to help in any way they can. But when a contestant's husband is murdered and then their agent disappears, the ladies (plus Nathan!) decide they need to investigate. A fun and fast read, and a great addition to the series! A+++

A Clue in the Crumbs is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic series.

Hayley Snow lives in Key West, Florida and works for Key West Style, for an e-magazine as a food critic. She is married to Nathan Bransford, a police detective. They live on Houseboat Row. Gloria is her neighbor who lives next to her. Hayle and Gloria are friends, but Haley also keeps an eye on her.

Haley and Gloria are on their way to the airport to pick up Violet and Bettina Booth, the Scone Sisters from Scotland. They are coming to the U.S. to promote their show UK Bakes Key West edition. Martha Hubbard is the local chef heading the contest for the show.

The B&B where they are planning on staying has had a fire Gloria invites them to stay with her. The next day they go and meet the contestants who will be competing in the show. Rayna Humboldt, Harry Sweeting and Martina Bevis. This sets the stage for a murder and for Haley and Gloria to get in the middle of it all.

This is a cozy mystery which was fun to read. I enjoyed the characters and the great relationship between Haley and Gloria.

Hayley and Miss Gloria are hosting the Scone Sisters who have come to Key West to bring their TV show to America. When one of the bakers in their competition has a series of unfortunate things happen, all four women are on the case! I loved this story of the four women working together. I especially enjoyed the scone sisters being in this book. Great story and interesting plot line. I loved how the sleuths and the reader overlook the most likely killer.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review.

That Miss Gloria’s something else! She’s always been my fave of Hayley’s friends and in the last few books, she’s gotten even more of a presence which I absolutely love! Put her together with Bettina and Violet from Scotland and you’ve got a pretty awesome senior sleuthing trio. Those ladies even after a long flight from Scotland never stopped going and definitely kept Hayley on the move as well.

I eventually suspected whodunit but none of the exact details. The Scone Sisters’ agent was an odd character but he ended up with quite the tale to tell after he’d vanished right after the murder. The showdown was a crazy one, but everyone ended up back at Hayley’s for food, friendship and a little debriefing about the case. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Scone Sisters visit again, only maybe next time not have a baking contest, just some good old tourism mayhem! I’m sure there’d still be plenty for those ladies to see and do. Don’t miss this latest installment when it releases August 8, 2023.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

The Scone sisters from Scotland are visiting Key West to tape a baking show. Haley and her husband Nathan met the Scone sisters while on their home in Scotland.
When a body is discovered Haley, Miss Gloria and the sisters start sleuthing to find the killer.
A fun read, mystery, great description of food, cooking, including recipes. Always a fun trip back to Key West.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.

5/5 stars: It's a joy to catch up on the sleuthing adventures of Burdette's Florida food writer and critic Hayley Snow, her detective husband and her octogenarian best pal, Gloria. Burdette's characters are incredibly likable. Gloria is a gem and it was great seeing Violet and Bettina again (they first appeared in A Scone of Contention, when Hayley and friends traveled to Scotland). Burdette's mystery perfectly blends the right balance of clues, red herrings and suspects that will leave you guessing the whodunit 'til the last page. Oh and you will not want to miss out on the deliciously yummy recipes included. This is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic series, so be sure to pick up An Appetite For Murder, book one.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette. From the inviting cover that makes you want to jump right in to sample the yummy goodies, to the premise of a TV reality baking show featuring the utterly charming Scottish Scone Sister, I was hooked from the very start. The setting of tropical Key West is described in such splendid detail, with bits of history thrown in, that I felt like I was on vacation myself. I love how the author brought the two Scottish characters featured in her last book, to Key West. They fit right in with protagonist Hayley Snow, and her sidekick, octogenarian Miss Gloria. Ms. Burdette’s characters are what make this series so beloved, and this newest release didn’t disappoint. The core characters are people you’d like to call friends and jump in to assist others when the need arises. This book can easily be read as a standalone, with just enough backstory provided without dragging down the plot.

The mystery itself was multilayered and kept me on my toes as I followed along in the investigation with Hayley and her pals. From a fire that comes close to destroying a local B&B, to the owner of said B&B threatening his talented chef wife competing on the show, to his body being discovered, there are many suspects to consider. Along with that, where did the Scone Sisters’ culinary equipment disappear to and how did their unique knife end up being the murder weapon? And why is their agent ghosting them? And who is sabotaging the baking show? I just adore how Hayley, Miss Gloria, and the Scone Sisters put their heads together to hunt down clues and track down suspects. Together, they make a formidable team. With a thrilling reveal that includes a tiki boat, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. Ms. Burdette has written another terrific addition to her charming series that has me waiting, impatiently, for the next book!

Between entertaining their Scottish guests and the baking show competition, there is yummy food mentioned throughout the story. The author has thoughtfully included several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try.

Another delightful visit to Key West. The characters are charming and varied. The murder mystery kept me guessing. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary.

Hayley Snow and Miss Gloria eagerly await the visit of Violet and Bettina Booth, aka the Scottish Scone Sisters, to Key West. The unlikely hosts of the popular UK Bakes! TV show have arrived to film the first US episode but things go wrong from the beginning. Their B&B is damaged by an unknown arsonist so the sisters take refuge on Miss Gloria's boat. The 3 local bakers competing in the contest are a strange bunch. The B&B owner's wife Rayna is the most talented contestant but she is also a person of interest in the fire. When a dogwalker find the body of Rayna's husband Victor with a distinctive knife in his back, the Scone Sisters become prime suspects.

As the competition continues, Hayley is determined to identify the real culprit while also showing the sisters the dining highlights of Key West. This was another enjoyable entry in the long-running Key West Food Critic mystery series.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.

Another clear winner from Burdette. My summer is not complete without a new installment of my favorite mystery series: the Key West Food Critic. We're back on the sunny rock that is Key West. Cats, houseboats, quirky characters and plenty of amazing food. Not to mention, murder.

My second visit to Hayley Snow and her home on a houseboat in Key West. In this episode Hayley and Gloria are assisting two friends from Scotland who are visiting America and presenting a Bake Off show. Of course nothing ever goes smoothly, a body is discovered, and the four women work together to try and discover the murderer.

I enjoyed the mystery and guessed the culprit long before our team of sleuths did. I liked reading about life on a houseboat and in Key West in general. And of course my mouth watered at the beautiful restaurant meals and some of the bake off items, all lovingly described by the author who must be a foodaholic herself.

An excellent series and I must get around to reading the earlier books which I missed.

I love Lucy Burdette so much that I just reread all of her Key West novels. All of the characters are well-developed. It’s been a pleasure to watch them grow.. From Hailey to Ms.Gloria and Lorenzo, there’s someone for everyone. With a return twist of some special sisters from Scotland,, this in a novel to get lost in.

Fantastic read as always. I love Hayley and Miss Gloria so much (her sons not so much). Love Nathan the Scone sisters. Excited to try the recipes in the book! This was a fun book that kept me guessing. Always love a great story with Hayley and the gang!

Another winning book in this Key West cozy series. We get the Scottish sisters visiting in Key West, more Gloria and more murder. This mystery had a bit of a tangled web that I found interesting and kept my attention throughout. And again, there are so many references to food with recipes at the end to try out.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the arc.