3.5 stars. Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest feedback.

This cozy series is hitting its stride in characterization and describing the beautiful Keys. It’s as though we are with her in exploring Key West and this time, Big Pine Key, for its unique sights and amazing restaurants. The mystery gets bogged down by many reflections on the suspects motivations and their potential parallels to Hemingway. Nonetheless, already looking forward to the next one in this charming series.

Hayley receives an email asking for her help with an old cold case. Intrigued, she agrees to meet with the woman. Before she knows it, Hayley finds herself smack dab in the middle of a new case.

Are the two related? Hayley thinks so and when the woman who asked for her help disappears, Hayley has to wonder if she’s been duped by a killer. Did Hayley walk into a killers web, or are the two cases separate and unrelated?

I adore this series. I mean, who doesn’t love Key West and a good mystery? But toss in the food and I keep coming back for more. It’s so well written that I can smell the salty and briny air as I’m reading.

This is only the third title I've read in this series, even though it's book 14. So I've just dipped in a couple of times.

The mystery itself and the resolution work, but I'll admit it's one of those times when I felt like there was perhaps too much driving and talking and not enough doing things.

Narrator and amateur sleuth Hayley is likeable and funny: "News of my see-through outfit would spread like a norovirus on a cruise ship." The secondary characters work, too. But the Hemingway focus didn't grab me, and the book seemed fine but not fantastic to me.

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another great one in this great series. Non stop action from the very start. And lots to keep one reading all day. Lol. Sure to be a top seller when it releases

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a review that is completely my thoughts and impressions.

This is the 14th entry in the Key West Food Critic series and I enjoyed my visit with Hayley Snow and her family and friends thoroughly. In this entry to the series, Hayley receives an email from a woman visiting the island supposedly to research a book she is writing on the toxic relationships between Earnest Hemingway and his four wives.. She reveals that she visited the Keys many years before as a young woman. She spent time living in a tent in a sort of commune. She had driven down from Michigan with an acquaintance who disappeared during their stay. She (Catherine) reported the woman missing, but felt the police never took her disappearance seriously. She wanted Hayley's help trying to learn what actually happened.
Hayley is married to police lieutenant detective Nathan Bransford and he is never happy when Hayley gets involved in these investigations but has come to accept her curiosity will not be tamed. Along with Nathan, Hayley's number one cohort is 80 something year old Miss Gloria, who is as curious as Hayley and twice as feisty. After a trip to Big Pine Key and a visit to the bar near where Catherine and the commune members used to hang out, Hayley and Catherine found a dead body as they traveled around Big Pine Key. Shortly after that discovery Catherine went missing. Was it because she was guilty or had the guilty party taken care of her and disposed of her body?
Hayley continues to poke around asking questions of of all the people still around from those many years before, all while eating at a variety of restaurants around the area to write up her column in Key Zest magazine. Twists, turns and lots of action ensue before all the questions are answered.
While I really like Hayley's blend of independent curiosity and her desire to keep her husband happy by staying out of these situations, I love Miss Gloria's spunkiness and creative approach to dealing with her sons' protectiveness, especially when it contributes to Hayley's safety!

A Poisonous Palate is the 14th book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries, but the first book of Lucy Burdette’s that I’ve read. Normally, I enjoy starting with the first book in a series, but couldn’t resist the opportunity to read this ARC and get to know both Ms. Burdette and her main character, Haley Snow. I’m officially hooked, and, while this book could be read as a standalone, have already gone back and started the 1st in the series, An Appetite for Murder. Ms. Burdette does a great job of bringing in characters from her other books, so I felt up to speed.

Haley is not a detective. She’s a food critic for the local Key West newspaper, but based on past experience, she gets drawn into helping others to solve crimes in their lives. In this case, it’s a woman named Catherine, who camped out in the Keys back in the 70s with other young, lost souls, and returns, ostensibly to get material for her book next book about Ernest Hemingway and his four wives. However, what she really wants is to find out what happened to her friend, Veronica, from those days, and suddenly disappeared one night from the campsite. Haley agrees to help, and almost immediately the two women discover that one of those campers has just been murdered. Shortly afterward, Catherine disappears! Let the fun begin!

The dialogue is snappy and the situations, especially the dialogue among the characters, are realistic. The characters are multi-dimensional. I especially liked Haley’s husband Nathan, her parents, and her very feisty octogenarian neighbor, Miss Gloria. However, Ms. Burdette doesn’t shy away from the other characters who still carry their past traumas, history, and memories, sometimes not positive or healthy.

Never having been to the Keys, I also enjoyed the setting and Ms. Burdette’s detailed descriptions. She also uses the names of actual places, including restaurants, and that makes it even more real to me. Yes, the food descriptions are heavenly, and I got a kick out of how she starts each chapter with a food quote. There was never a lag in the pacing—which meant I stayed up later than I normally do to “see what happens next!” I honestly didn’t figure out “who done it” until it was revealed! I’m thrilled to have discovered such a terrific author and a new culinary cozy series! Thank you, NetGalley and Lucy Burdette, for the opportunity to read this very entertaining book. More, please!!

I have come late to the party with this series….this is the first I have read but it will not be the last.
Having lived in Miami for 29 years, I am quite familiar with Key West and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about familiar places.

While the book is set in real time, the events go back to the 70’s when the Keys culture was quite different. There are many characters involved…each one unique with a place in the scenario.

It comes down to a “cold case” involving the disappearance of a young woman…what is seemingly an impossible situation quickly becomes puzzle pieces that fall into place. I have to say that I was surprised at the solution.

The supporting cast are engaging in their own quirky ways…I was quite charmed.

Yet another fun installment in the Key West Food Critic mystery series. Throughout these books the characters continue to develop and become more lovable as the series progresses. I also appreciate that even if a character isn't a central theme to the book they are brought around in thr background to remind you of the usual constellation of people around key west.

This storyline wasn't my favorite of the series however it had all the usual elements of fun, murder, mystery and food. I will continue with the series when the next one comes out!

The next installment of the Key West Food Critic mysteries series - A Poisonous Palate was one of the best cozy mysteries I've read by this author.

She does an excellent job in weaving a whodunit that leaves you guessing until the very end.

Great location, fantastic storyline, and well-crafted characters make this a must read!

The Author crafts a diverse cast of characters, each with their own quirks and motivations. From the charming but enigmatic chef to the ambitious restaurateurs and eccentric locals, every character adds depth and intrigue to the story. Hayley Snow shines as a relatable and resourceful protagonist, whose passion for food is only matched by her determination to seek the truth.

In "A Poisonous Palate," Lucy Burdette serves up a delectable blend of mystery and culinary delights that is sure to leave readers craving for more. With its engaging plot, vibrant characters, and mouthwatering descriptions, this novel is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and food-themed fiction. Whether you're a foodie or a mystery enthusiast, "A Poisonous Palate" is guaranteed to satisfy your appetite for a captivating read.

A Poisonous Palate is the 14th book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries. It takes place in Key West, FL. Hayley Snow is the main character in this series. She is a food critic for a magazine. She is married to Nathan Bransford a police lieutenant at the Key West police department.
They live on a houseboat in Key West Houseboat Row. Miss Gloria is an elderly woman who lives next door. Hayley gets an email from Catherine Davitt about her missing friend, Veronica (Ronnie) who disappeared many years ago. She meets with her and decides to help her.

Catherine wants to go to Big Pine where she had been there in a camp in the Mangroves when in her 20's. Both Catherine and Veronica went to FL to escape their families. Hayley and Catherine go to the No Name Pub where they want to ask questions. The waitress, Ginny. was part of the people at the camp when Catherine was there. She tells them that Arthur Combs is now a veterinarin, Ned Newman still owns the run down Ned and Nora Motel and Suzanne is now a cook at a local restaurant. They decide to go to the motel to speak to Ned and find him dead with a knife in his chest. They call the police and Darcy Rogers arrives. Hayley has had run-ins with Darcy before. After they are interviewed Hayley takes Catherine back to her home where Miss Gloria tells them that she knows Ryan Lopez, the policeman who Catherine had spoken to when she reported Veronica's disappearance and plans to speak to him.

Hayley and Miss Gloria go back to Big Pine to speak to him. He talks to them but they both feel that he knows more than he is saying. He had been the one who went to the camp and closed and demolished the grounds. The next day Hayley and Miss Gloria go to the hotel to pick up Catherine who is staying but find she is not there. She has disappeared.

This is where th story takes off with Hayley trying to find out what happened to Catherine and Veronica. There is so much going on that it would be hard to put all on paper. I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the surprising end.

I have read another book in this series and enjoyed it as well as this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for this ARC.

Hayley is sent a letter asking for her help in finding out what happened to a young woman years ago. Out on the keys there was a hippy commune, with the usual drugs and free sex, and with the help of deduction and talking with a few members still around the clues fit into place. Enjoyed this one and would highly recommend it. Good recipes at the end too.

Our fearless food critic and sleuth, Hayley Snow, is back!

Hayley has received an email from a self-help author, asking for her help in a decades old disappearance. Catherine Davitt is in Key West to research her next book about toxic love, based on Hemingway and his women.

Hayley agrees to meet her and is sort of bulldozed into carting the older lady around to sites looking for people from the 70’s. And she is bossy and a bit rude, but our Hayley puts up with her. Until they find a newly dead body. And Catherine knew him.

Things get really muddled since Catherine is a little sparse with the truth. Soon Gloria and Hayley are wondering if she killed her friend!

Getting the truth out of these people is harder than shucking oysters!

This was such a good mystery! And of course, well, the food. I honestly had to stop and make falafel in the middle!


Netgalley/ Crooked Lane Books August 06, 2024

Loved reading this book. 1 of my favorite authors. I suggest reading thid series. Looking forward to mire books in this series.

A Poisonous Palate is the latest Key West Food Critic Mystery from author, Lucy Burdette.

Catherine, a writer interested in the life of Ernest Hemingway, his life, and his wives, travels to Key West to conduct research and write a book on the famous author. She has a second motive, however. Some forty years ago, her friend, Veronica, disappeared from the area and was never heard from, again.

Contacting food critic, Haley Snow, known for her ability to solve crimes, the two set out to uncover the decades-old mystery. They search the Keys for witnesses who might remember Veronica’s disappearance and could provide clues. Their quest soon takes a dangerous turn when one person-of-interest turns up dead and Catherine, also, disappears!

The scenery and characters are written to perfection. The storyline is well crafted, and the ending will take the reader by surprise.

I haven’t read all the Key West Food Critic Mysteries, but this latest one will not disappoint. This installment can be read as a stand-alone but, I guarantee you’ll want to read all the books in the series after you’ve read The Poisonous Palate.

I had the honor of receiving an advanced reader copy from NetGalley, however my opinions are strictly unbiased.
Highly recommended to all readers of cozy mysteries and especially to fans of Lucy Burdette’s writing. I know I am!

A woman named Catherine Davitt reaches out to Hayley Snow asking her to look into the case of her missing friend Veronica whom she traveled with some forty years ago.

According to Catherine, they were traveling from Michigan to the Florida Keys when she disappeared.
All efforts made by the police to locate Catherine’s friend’s whereabouts were futile.

According to Catherine, she even hired a PI who had to halt his investigation because he wasn’t making any progress.

Now Catherine is back on a research trip. She’s writing a book about toxic love and Hemmingway’s wives.

So Catherine and Haley start interviewing Big Key residents who were around at the time of Veronica’s disappearance.

One such resident is Ned Newman, a motel owner who hung around with Catherine and her friends. Although he came across as somewhat creepy.

When Catherine and Hayley stop by Ned’s motel to speak with him, they find him stabbed to death with a pair of scissors. Soon after Catherine goes missing

Thank you to Lucy Burdette, NetGalley, and Crooked Lane Books for the arc of this book

A Poisonous Palate is the 14th book in the Key West Food critic series. Hayley agrees to help writer Catherine Davitt look into a 40 year old cold case of Catherine's missing friend Veronica. They stop to question a motel owner and find him stabbed to death in his office. Then Catherine also goes missing and Hayley continues the investigation on her own, with some help from her elderly friend Miss Gloria. I have read all the books in this delightful series, and this one did not disappoint. It had a great plot, was fast paced, and kept me up reading well into the night! I enjoy the writing style of this author and the likeable and well fleshed out characters, especially spunky Miss Gloria.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of A POISONOUS PALATE (Book 14 of the Key West Food Critic mystery series) by Lucy Burdette in exchange for an honest review. Self-help book author Catherine Davitt connects with Haley Snow and asks her to help her find out what happened to a friend Veronica who disappeared from Big Pine Key in the late 1970s. As Haley and Catherine begin to locate and interview the people who were part of their small camping community back in the day, they find one of the fringe members stabbed to death. Shortly thereafter, Catherine disappears, so Hayley, believing the disappearances and murder are all connected, continues the investigation without Catherine. As Hayley’s quest takes her outside of Key West, her detective husband is outside of the investigation and can only stand by, watch, and hope Hayley doesn’t get hurt.

I enjoyed the book and the series. This book switches between Catherine’s and Hayley’s POVs. I recommend the book to fans of the series and to fans of cozy murder mysteries, featuring Florida, Keys, food, restaurants, cold cases, displaced people, youth finding themselves, and secrets.

#APoisonousPalate #NetGalley

A POISONOUS PALATE by Lucy Burdette

“Wherever you go, there you are.” One of my students liked to write this on the blackboard, a reminder that we carry our character and many of our problems with us. It fits A POISONOUS PALATE with its repetition of hurtful patterns of behavior, old connections, buried secrets, and remains of the ‘70s hippy, flower children commune. (I spent the ‘70s in Minnesota, and Key West would have been quite tempting in January).
Looking into an unsolved mysterious disappearance awakens old problems and traumas, and stirs up new troubles. Haley is unwilling to stay out of it, and her insatiable curiosity, described as being like a “dog with a new bone,” is perhaps a dangerous curse but more likely a potential blessing, especially with the impressive team of family and friends assisting. Special praise to Miss Gloria. What a treasure! I love her more every book. I loved the surprising ending also.
The tie to Hemingway? Rather the opposite, sorry if that offends any fans, but what a mess his life was.
Personal dilemma for this reader: the descriptions of food sparked my appetite, but I didn’t want to stop reading to fix food. The solution might be to prepare some ready-to-eat meals in advance. ;-)
I was halfway through a somewhat tedious book when I received the link to this book. I tried to persist, but decided it was kinder to “table” that book. I just couldn’t wait, and it really wasn’t fair to that book to try to read when my mind was wanting to go see what Haley was up to in Key West . . . the literary version of “Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.”

Pub. date is 8/6, so you have time to catch up in the series or reread if you desire.

A cold case disappearance in the Florida Keys and a little Ernest Hemingway!

The Plot: Food critic Hayley Snow investigates the cold case disappearance of a beautiful young woman from a hippie commune in the late 1970s. A modern-day murder and a second disappearance point to a killer who is still out for blood.

The Highlights:

–Likable, down-to-earth characters
–An sunny, warm, and attractive setting in the Florida Keys
–Appetizing descriptions of food
–Good pacing
–A well-constructed mystery that kept me guessing
–Biographical references to author Ernest Hemingway, his home in the Keys, and his four troubled marriages
–Psychological insights into the characters, their histories, and their motives

Misgivings: There was one scene that involved a tarot card reading that I found silly in comparison to the rest of the book, but this is just a personal preference.

Overall Takeaway: This is the first book I've read this series and I really enjoyed it. As mentioned above, the book had many characteristics that kept me reading and engaged until the end. I look forward to reading more in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane books, and author Lucy Burdette for an advanced copy of this lovely book.