Death on the Menu

Food critic Hayley Snow investigates a murder that takes place during a prestigious Cuban-American conference at Key West's Truman Little White House. As a food reporter working to ensure the conference's culinary offerings spotlight authentic Cuban cuisine, Hayley becomes entangled in the mystery when a conference worker is found dead. The investigation forces Hayley to navigate political tensions between Cuban and American delegates while also managing family dynamics, as her new mother-in-law is the catering chef for the event. She must work to solve the crime while protecting her family and preserving the cultural significance of the conference. Cultural identity and food heritage emerge as central elements in this cozy mystery that connects past and present through Cuban-American relations in Key West. The story illuminates the role of cuisine in preserving history and building bridges between communities.

Readers found this eighth book in the Key West Food Critic series offered a lighter cozy mystery with detailed descriptions of Cuban food and culture. Positives: - Rich details about Key West's Cuban heritage and cuisine - Strong sense of place and local atmosphere - Balanced mix of mystery, food writing, and romance - Educational elements about US-Cuba relations Negatives: - Plot moves slowly in middle sections - Some found the political elements distracted from the mystery - Several readers noted predictable story resolution Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Notable Reader Comments: "The food descriptions made me hungry but the pacing dragged" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect beach read with substance" - Amazon reviewer "Learned a lot about Cuban-American history while being entertained" - Amazon reviewer "Mystery was too straightforward compared to earlier books in series" - Goodreads reviewer

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A Deadly Feast by Deborah Brown A restaurant reviewer stumbles upon a murder during Miami's annual seafood festival and works with local law enforcement to uncover connections between the culinary world and organized crime.

The Sunday Brunch Club by Juliet Ashton The death of a renowned chef at a popular brunch spot leads a food writer to investigate connections between the victim and the city's competitive restaurant scene.

🍽️ Author Lucy Burdette has written multiple culinary mystery series, with Death on the Menu being part of her "Key West Food Critic Mystery" series featuring protagonist Hayley Snow. 🏝️ The book weaves real Key West history into its plot, including the 1961 Operation Pedro Pan, which brought thousands of Cuban children to the United States. 🏛️ The story takes place during a real-life event: the Havana/Key West Cultural Exchange, highlighting the historical connection between these two island cities. 📚 Lucy Burdette is actually a pen name for clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib, who has served as president of Sisters in Crime, a organization supporting women crime writers. 🦞 The author includes authentic Key West and Cuban recipes in the book, including Cuban Coffee, Havana Moon Cupcakes, and Key Lime Pie, allowing readers to taste the flavors described in the story.