The Mango Murders and A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette

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

The Mango Murders

by Lucy Burdette

Series: Key West Food Critic Mystery #15
Published by Crooked Lane Books on August 12, 2025
Setting: Key West, Florida
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 299
Format: Audible Audiobook, ebook, Hardcover, Kindle, Paperback
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
Goodreads
Bookhype
BookBub
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Penquin Random House
Also in this series: A Deadly Feast, The Key Lime Crime, A Clue in the Crumbs, A Poisonous Palate

The turquoise waters of Key West are stained with pink in this explosive 15th installment of the Key West Food Critic mysteries from USA Today bestselling author Lucy Burdette.

Food critic Hayley Snow’s employer, Key Zest, is throwing the event of the season, a lavish cocktail party catered by Janet Snow, Hayley’s mother. As Hayley boards the luxurious cruise, she anticipates a smooth sailing soirée filled with shimmering cocktails, mouthwatering mango-infused delicacies, and new supporters for the e-zine. But as the boat sets sail, the festivities take a tragic turn when an explosion rocks the vessel, plunging the party guests into chaos.

In the days that follow, Hayley learns that a local culinary entrepreneur died in the explosion and it was no accident–someone on board had a deadly agenda. With the tropical city of Key West as her backdrop, Hayley navigates a web of secrets and lies. Her investigation takes her from the shadowy corners of island politics to fierce competition between high-end event caterers and personal vendettas.
With the clock ticking and the stakes higher than ever, Hayley must rely on her keen intuition to unmask a cunning culprit before they strike again.

The Mango Murders by Lucy Burdette is a fast-moving mystery filled with secrets and hurt feelings.

Will Hayley figure out which family member is in a killer’s sights?

Hayley & Family

Hayley’s work is throwing a party on a boat as part of their move into real news in the Keys. Janet and Hayley’s stepdad are catering the get-together. Let’s say it is a short-lived party when the boat blows up, and almost everyone is sent into the sea. Hayley manages to help with the rescues, but she is still traumatized.

Hayley’s Dad and stepmom are in town to help celebrate Gloria’s 80th birthday. Gloria’s kids from Michigan are also in town to celebrate. They also have a hidden agenda to take Gloria away from her houseboat in the Keys. Nathan’s family is also in town for the celebration. There is a bit of trouble in paradise between Nathan and Hayley. They are learning, though, that marriage takes more than just being in love.

The Mystery

The boat fire and explosion took a life. Although it takes time to figure out who actually died in the fire. Hayley, Danielle, and Palamina get to know each other better in the installment. The explosion seems at first to be an attack on their e-zine. At least that is how it looks until the captain of a different boat is found dead, too. It is believed that the deceased from the boat incident may be a local chef and competitor of Janet’s catering business. But can Hayley figure out what is going on when she is not feeling like herself?

Five Stars

My rating for The Mango Murders by Lucy Burdette is five stars. I enjoy spending time with Hayley and her family. The setting is fantastic. One of these days, I want to go there. Even if tourists aren’t welcome by everyone.

Ms. Burdette has included some mango-forward recipes. They are: Mango Daiquiri, Upside Down Mango Cake, Mango Scones with Cream Cheese Frosting, Janet Snow’s Tuna Noodle Casserole, and Hayley’s Grandmother’s Tuna Noodle Casserole.

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

A Delicious Deception

by Lucy Burdette

Series: Key West Food Critic Mystery #16
Series Rating:
Published by Crooked Lane Books on July 14, 2026
Setting: Key West, Florida
Genres: Cozy Culinary Mystery
Pages: 312
Format: ebook, Hardcover, Kindle, Paperback
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours, NetGalley
Goodreads
Bookhype
BookBub
Storygraph
Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Penquin Random House
Also in this series: A Deadly Feast, The Key Lime Crime, A Clue in the Crumbs, A Poisonous Palate

Mother-to-be Hayley Snow bites off more than she can chew in the sixteenth installment of Lucy Burdette’s USA Today bestselling Key West Food Critic mysteries.

When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks Hayley for a small favor, she can’t say no. Nine months pregnant and temporarily benched from her food critic duties, Hayley’s itching for a distraction and eager to help. All she has to do is tag along while a young woman picks up her daughter from her father at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location. Easy, right?

Wrong.

In the chaos of the Sheriff’s Office open house, the mother disappears. Then the father bolts, leaving Hayley with a terrified girl and the realization that something has gone terribly wrong. Hayley and Deputy Rogers head north up the Keys to search for answers.

When a body turns up, Hayley realizes this isn’t just a missing-persons case—it’s a race against time. With the little girl’s safety at risk, Hayley must trust her instincts—and her heart—to uncover the truth.

A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette is a troubling tale of how cruel people can be, even when their intentions are good.

Will Hayley save the little girl before she is gone forever?

Hayley and Family

Hayley is about ready to have a baby. Nathan is out of town attending to his father. Gloria, Anne, and Hayley are also dealing with recent changes and miss their lives on their houseboats. The new house isn’t finished yet, and the kitchen isn’t usable. This makes it really hard for Hayley during her pregnancy, but she has Gloria, Anne, and all the parents to help her out.

Janet, Gloria, and Anne throw an amazing Jack-and-Jill baby shower for Nathan and Hayley. They got wonderful gifts, even though Hayley really was so tired.

The Mystery

Deputy Darcy Rodgers talks Hayley into assisting with a child custody swap. Everything goes wrong at the swap, then Hayley gets involved with the child, Tamera, and the investigation. She ends up working with Deputy Darcy to figure out what is going on in the little girl’s life. However, there is more there than Hayley can imagine. Now with a death, a missing person, and a kidnapped child, Hayley really has her hands full.

Five Stars

My rating for A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette is five stars. I truly love joining Hayley and the gang in Key West. There are so many wonderful things happening, along with some truly tragic items, too. Welcome, Ariel!

The included recipes are Snickerdoodles, Shrimp and Fish Chowder, Cottage Oat Biscuits a la Jane Brody, Shrimp Fritters with Mango Salsa, Hayley’s Corn Pudding, Lemon-Lime Lavender Scones, and Lemon Lavender Icing.

Key West Food Critic Mysteries Series

Giveaway

Prize:2 WINNERS – 1 PAPERBACK THE MANGO MURDERS AND 1 HARDCOVER A DELICIOUS DECEPTION

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Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Lucy Burdette’s The Mango Murders and A Delicious Deception. Check out the other stops and giveaway if you have time.

Until the next time,

 

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• 2026 Cloak and Dagger JEN
• 2026 Craving the Cozies JEN
• 2026 Cruisin' thru the Cozies JEN
• 2026 Finish the Series RC JEN
• 2026 Goodreads RC JEN
• 2026 Medical Examiner Mystery RC JEN
• 2026 Six Shooter RC JEN

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