Key West Food Critic Mysteries Books in Order

How to Read the Key West Food Critic Mysteries in Order

For the best experience, the Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette (the pen name of clinical psychologist Roberta Isleib) should be read in publication order. Because the books follow a linear timeline with significant character growth, relationship progression, and career changes for protagonist Hayley Snow, reading them out of sequence will spoil major life milestones.

Here is the complete, up-to-date reading order for the main series:

1. An Appetite for Murder (2012) – Hayley Snow first arrives in Key West, tries out for a food critic job at Key Zest magazine, and gets framed for the murder of her rival.
2. Death in Four Courses (2012) – Hayley lands the Key Zest job, attends a high-profile culinary conference, and tackles a murder mystery involving celebrity chefs.
3. Topped Chef (2013) – Hayley is selected to judge a reality television cooking show, but the competition heats up when a fellow judge is found dead.
4. Murder with Ganache (2014) – Hayley’s stepbrother goes missing and a body is found at a local chocolate shop, drawing Hayley deep into the island's sweet underbelly.
5. Death with All the Trimmings (2014) – A festive Christmas-themed mystery where Hayley investigates the death of a local restaurateur's helper amidst the holiday rush.
6. Fatal Reservations (2015) – When a luxury houseboat goes up in flames during a private dinner party, Hayley must fish out the killer.
7. Killer Takeout (2016) – Hayley works during Key West's chaotic Fantasy Fest, where she uncovers a conspiracy surrounding food truck vendors.
8. Death on the Menu (2018) – The tension rises when Hayley helps her octogenarian friend Miss Gloria search for a missing man, only to discover a corpse at a local restaurant.
9. A Deadly Feast (2019) – Set around Thanksgiving, Hayley plans a dinner for family and friends, but a local developer's death spoils the holiday spirit.
10. The Key Lime Crime (2020) – A fierce key lime pie-baking contest turns lethal, putting Hayley’s taste buds and detective skills to the ultimate test.
11. A Scone of Contention (2021) – Hayley and her detective husband, Nathan Bransford, take their delayed honeymoon to Scotland, where a local murder disrupts their vacation.
12. A Dish to Die For (2022) – Back in Key West, Hayley helps Miss Gloria look into a death linked to the island's historic preservation community.
13. A Clue in the Crumbs (2023) – A bakery-centric mystery involving a cookie contest and a deadly rivalry among local bakers.
14. A Poisonous Palate (2024) – Hayley investigates suspicious poisonings in the local culinary community as she manages a changing media landscape.
15. The Mango Murders (2025) – A promotional cruise hosted by Key Zest turns fatal after an onboard explosion kills a local food entrepreneur.
16. A Delicious Deception (Expected July 2026) – A heavily pregnant Hayley is sidelined from her regular food critic duties but gets pulled into a search for a missing mother across the Florida Keys.

Where Should Readers Start?

You should absolutely start with the first book, An Appetite for Murder. This book lays the foundation for Hayley’s arrival in Key West, her struggles to build a career in food writing, and her initial interactions with recurring characters. Over the course of the series, Hayley matures, navigates a complex relationship with detective Nathan Bransford, and builds a deep, multi-generational network of friends on the island. Skipping ahead will cause you to miss key developments, including her marriage and eventual pregnancy.

Chronological Context and Order Caveats

While the publication order matches the chronological storyline perfectly, there is one major geographical exception: A Scone of Contention (Book 11). Although the book begins and ends in Key West, the bulk of the action takes place in Scotland during Hayley and Nathan's honeymoon. This shift provides a temporary change of scenery from the usual tropical Florida climate, though the core cozy mystery structure remains intact.

Spin-offs, Co-authored Books, and Side Stories

Lucy Burdette has not written any official spin-offs or direct crossovers for the Key West Food Critic Mysteries. However, fans of her writing style may want to explore the books published under her real name, Roberta Isleib. Under her birth name, she has written two other distinct mystery series: the Golf Lover's Mysteries (featuring professional golfer Cassie Burdette) and the Advice Column Mysteries (featuring clinical psychologist Dr. Rebecca Butterman). These series feature a slightly different tone but showcase the same psychological depth and tight plotting as her Key West novels.

What to Know Before You Start

The Key West Food Critic Mysteries are quintessential cozy mysteries. They feature a relatable amateur sleuth, a colorful cast of eccentric locals, and detailed descriptions of the Key West setting, including real geographical landmarks like Duval Street and the Truman Little White House. Crucially, each book includes a collection of recipes at the end, letting readers recreate the dishes Hayley eats during her investigations. If you enjoy a mix of light suspense, strong community ties, and mouth-watering culinary descriptions, this series is the perfect escape.