A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Clue in the Crumbs

by Lucy Burdette

Series: Key West Food Critic Mystery #13
Series Rating:
Published by Crooked Lane Books on August 8, 2023
Setting: Key West, Florida
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 304
Format: Kindle
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
BookBub
Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Books-A-Million
Also in this series: A Deadly Feast, The Key Lime Crime, A Poisonous Palate

Food critic Hayley Snow and her pal Miss Gloria are overjoyed to welcome Violet and Bettina Booth, aka the Scottish Scone Sisters, to Key West. The sisters will host The UK Bakes!--Key West Edition. But the same day they arrive, the bed and breakfast the sisters are staying in gets torched.

The contest begins the next morning featuring three local bakers. One is the inn owner’s wife, Rayna, who is not only the most talented chef of the group, but now a person of interest in the fire. The next night, a dogwalker discovers a body near the bed and breakfast. The victim appears to be Rayna’s husband and the murder weapon points directly to the Scottish Scone sisters.

But the show must go on. In between filming sessions, the three elderly ladies and Hayley must search for clues to the brutal murder in order to find out who wants to force them out of the kitchen. But as they draw closer to the answer, the threats from a murderer grow closer too. Are they now in danger of getting baked off?

A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette is a marvelously witty mystery filled with fabulous food and senior hijinks.

Will Hayley keep her wards safe and out of trouble while she figures out who killed Vincent?

Haley & the Ladies

Hayley Snow is our point of view and main sleuth. Gloria, Hayley’s neighbor, assisted her, along with Violet and Bettina from Scotland. I don’t know if help is correct since Hayley wasn’t responsible for the wrap-up. Hayley had her hands full with writing her columns, attending the taping of the television contest, keeping up with those ladies, and assisting her husband when he needed it.

I loved the energy and friendship between the Scottish ladies, Gloria and Hayley. There is genuine affection there. Hopefully, when I am their age, I will be just as agile. I think it was my favorite part.

The Mystery

A few things are happening in Key West leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. First, there is a fire at a local Bed and Breakfast. Bettina and Violet’s shipment with other custom-made bakeware and heirloom utensils seems lost. Then a man is murdered next to the Bed and Breakfast that was on fire. All of these things have a connection to the Scottish Sisters’ baking competition that is happening in Key West.

Ms. Burdette had me guessing for most of the book. I knew the culprit; well, I guessed early on. However, I couldn’t find a reasonable motive or the right opportunity.

Five Stars

My rating for A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette is five stars. I highly recommend this installment and the rest of the series. It is a great mystery, especially if you are also a foodie.

Some recipes included: Roasted Shrimp in Butter Sauce, Violet and Bettina’s Cinnamon Scones, Irish Soda Bread, Chocolate Loaf Cake with Vanilla Drizzle, and Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage for Saint Patrick’s Day. 

Key West Food Critic Mysteries Series

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette.

Until the next time,

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• Jenz 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
• Jenz 2023 Cloak and Dagger
• Jenz 2023 Craving the Cozies
• Jenz 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
• Jenz 2023 Goodreads RC
• Jenz 2023 Medical Examiner RC
• Jenz 2023 Six Shooter

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