It’s the week before the New Year and Key West is buzzing with local events aplenty. Food critic and Key Zest reporter Hayley Snow is covering the newly added key lime extravaganza hosted by David Sloan, which will feature key lime pies from all the hottest restaurants and bakeries in Key West. The competition is heated, but no one expected the murder of one of the competitors. The time of the year plus the murder have Hayley’s husband and police detective, Nathan Bransford, busier than ever. Much to both of their surprise, Nathan’s mom (who didn’t attend their recent wedding) decides to visit and now Hayley is also escorting her mother-in-law around town. Will Hayley and her mother-in-law avoid danger when they are in the thick of things?

THE KEY LIME CRIME is the 10th book in the Key West Food Critic series and one of the few in the series that works best if you’ve read at least one other book in the series and are familiar with the relationship between Hayley and Nathan. It can still be read as a standalone story, but new readers may question the strength of their relationship as Nathan isn’t present during large portions of the story. Instead, we spend a lot of time with his mom, Helen, and learning about his family history. What we learn, however, is very enlightening and adds so much to his character development!

I love the emotional depth of the storyline in THE KEY LIME CRIME. We dig into Nathan’s past as well as getting to know his seemingly standoffish mother, Helen. Hayley’s reactions and anxiety over it all are very relatable and add to the overall plot. Watching Hayley and Helen learn to work together as they slowly build a relationship is enjoyable, even as we worry right along with Hayley about what Helen is truly thinking. Fortunately, Gloria’s steadfast friendship is always there as Gloria offers Hayley just the right amount of emotional support when she needs it.

I’m suffering Key West withdrawals as we always make a trip there once a year and this year are unable to do so (thanks, COVID) so THE KEY LIME CRIME is a true blessing right now! Lucy Burdette takes readers on a tour of the best key lime pies in Key West and my mouth is still watering from all the scrumptious delights she describes! How I miss roaming the streets of Duval and Fleming, while seeing the Cuban Coffee Queen, the Truman Annex, and Mallory Square! I also love that Lucy Burdette includes a few new restaurants for me to try on my next visit while adding in tidbits about Key West history. I love the mentions of the Green Parrot, Sloppy Joe’s, Captain Tony’s, and Pepe’s as it was like a tiny taste of paradise. And yes, I’ve added Blue Heaven and Turtle Kraals on my list of places to visit next time I’m in Key West!

THE KEY LIME CRIME is the perfect antidote to anyone missing travel right now! Not only does Lucy Burdette offer up one heck of a good storyline, but she also takes us on a delectable and mouth-watering tour of Key West. True Conchs will notice she inserts real-life folks into her novel, adding the perfect dose of realism. I have to give a shout out to Lucy Burdette for including Hayley’s work with Metropolitan Community Church to help feed those who may be food insecure, as this only makes me love Hayley, Lucy Burdette, and the Key West Food Critic series even more! If you love tasty food, excellent character development, and a darned good mystery, then THE KEY LIME CRIME is the perfect read for you!