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Key West Food Critic Mystery #2

Death in Four Courses

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The annual Key West Loves Literature seminar is drawing the biggest names in food writing from all over the country, and Haley Snow is there to catch a few fresh morsels of insider gossip. Superstar restaurant critic Jonah Barrows has already ruffled a few foodie feathers with his recent tell-all memoir, and as keynote speaker, he promises more of the same jaw-dropping honesty.

But when Hayley discovers Jonah's body in a nearby dipping pool, the cocktail-hour buzz takes a sour turn, and Hayley finds herself at the center of attention—especially with the police. Now it's up to her to catch the killer before she comes to her own bitter finish.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 4, 2012

202 people are currently reading
1152 people want to read

About the author

Lucy Burdette

24 books830 followers
Lucy Burdette is the author of the Key West food critic mysteries. Her first thriller, UNSAFE HAVEN, is out from Severn House this month. As Roberta Isleib, she has also written the golf lovers mystery series and the advice column mysteries. Her books and stories have been nominated for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She is the president of the Friends of the Key West Library.

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5 stars
419 (23%)
4 stars
738 (40%)
3 stars
562 (30%)
2 stars
81 (4%)
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17 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews
Profile Image for Anne  (Booklady) Molinarolo.
620 reviews189 followers
July 12, 2017
Death in Four Courses is the second installment in the Key West Food Critic Mystery Series and I devoured it in one afternoon. Haley Snow is happily working for "Key Zest" Magazine as it's newest Food Critic. She should be on Cloud 9, but the magazine's owner, the sister of the dead woman from the debut novel, is looking for any excuse to fire Hayley. And her mother, Janet Snow, has just arrived to attend the Key West Literary Festival with her. No pressure, then. Hayley will get morsels of gossip and hopefully an exclusive interview with one of the giants in the Food writing industry...hopefully. And there are the mandatory restaurant review.

Everything seems to be going well until Hayley finds the Festival's Key Note Speaker in a small decorative pond, not breathing. When the KWPD zeroes in on one of her best friends, both Hayley and her mother start sniffing around to out the real killer.

I love Hayley who is pleasantly similar to her mother. I can still see them tooling around on the Island on their scooters. The city and Island are again a character in the novel, and I fell in love yet again with the Island I often visited when I lived in Fort Lauderdale. Hayley still jabbers away when she gets nervous and her weight still bothers her, but she's grown as a character. I'll definitely read the next in the series!
Profile Image for Sara.
195 reviews7 followers
June 17, 2013
I didn't relate as well with the characters in this second installment of the Key West Food series. Though I still love hearing about all the local things to do in Key West. Small mentions like the oldest house that get overlooked is so true. It was nice and refreshing. Am still debating on reading the next addition to this series.
Profile Image for Linda.
2,317 reviews58 followers
August 5, 2019
I’m glad I finally got back to this series! Hayley is a fun character and I like her friends and family as well. The conference setting was fun and provided lots of suspects. Lots of yummy sounding food and recipes provided at the end of the book.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
17 reviews2 followers
October 25, 2015
"Everything is for sale in Key West - for the right price". Hayley Snow is a local food critic in Key West for the magazine Key Zest, and she is barely hanging on to her job after the events in the second book of the series, Topped Chef. Her mother, a fabulous chef of the past, has decided to join her for her first food seminar which adds an element of anxiety to prove herself to not only her job, but also her mother.

This novel takes us through twists and turns and a few homicides of key persons at the seminar, in which Hayley becomes an initial person of interest, and later an "unofficial" investigator as one of her best friends is arrested for the murder. We are also given a taste of the mysterious Detective Nate Bransford and their newly budding interest in one another.

The title alone of this book made me hungry, and there was no lack of amazing food throughout the book. The detailed description of the courses that were either prepared or eaten made my imagination want to take a trip to Key West. I appreciate some of the key recipes being featured in the back of the book!

The book was well written as I did not feel out of place for starting on book 3 and not book 1. Anyone with a love for food, mystery or cozy mystery novels will thoroughly enjoy this book. I look forward to enjoying the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Heidi Prockish.
473 reviews17 followers
August 9, 2022
There is just something about this series that sucks me in and keeps me hungry for more. I loved seeing Haley with her mom throughout this book. I have a great relationship with my mom and it was so fun to relate to Haley in that way. With multiple careers on the line, two murders, and a close friend as the number one suspect, Haley and her mom team up to hunt down the killer! Really good story and I am looking forward to book 3 😁.
Profile Image for Bridget.
1,184 reviews17 followers
July 25, 2016
Hayley Snow is thrilled with her new job as a food writer for Key Zest magazine. When a literary conference comes to Key West, she knows some of the most famous food writers will be in attendance. She buys herself tickets, as well as treating her mother to the conference as well, and giving her a chance to visit.

On the first night of the conference, Hayley finds the body of Jonah Barrows, the keynote speaker and one of the most well-known authors there. Next, one of her dear friends, who is not even attending the conference, is arrested for the murder. So now it's up to Hayley and her mother to figure out just who is responsible among the other attendees.

This series is entertaining. Hayley is someone who is excited about her job, but also insecure about her abilities, and worried that the woman who is co-owner of the magazine (and who does not like Hayley) is going to have her fired at any minute. There are also some really interesting descriptions of Key West and places there, which is also fun to read (as someone who has never visited).

I'll look for another one of this series.
Profile Image for Donna.
301 reviews
February 5, 2018
This is the 2nd book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery and it was just as good as the first one. Haley goes to a literary conference where food writing authors are participants. Hayley's mom comes to visit and to go to the conference also. Everything is going great until Hayley discovers the restaurant critic and keynote speaker Jonah Barrows' body in a dipping pool and when her best friend, Eric is arrested for the murder Hayley and her mom decided to do their own sleuthing. The characters are all well-developed and she added a couple of new characters (though probably not permanent) to this book. The one thing I like about this series is there are always several suspects and you really don't know until the end who the killer is. Keeps you on your toes. Great writing, fantastic description of the Key West area and especially the local people. Highly recommended series. I'm ready for book 3.
Profile Image for Donna.
1,183 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2022
Key West location may as well be an extra character in this delightful series. Food and critics mix in this mystery set at a literary festival. One of the writers is quickly murdered and the main character finds him. She investigates along with her mother who is visiting for the festival. While investigating there is a second murder. The end is quite good I couldn't figure out who had done it.
1,088 reviews
March 28, 2019
I read it I am glad it is done but will not read another. Everything I loved about the first book is still her because I feel like I am reading the same book just a different setting and another dead body.


Hayley stumbles across the dead body and once again she is a suspect. Her mother is introduced into this book, why I don't know. The couple who appeared so solid in the first book, is ripped apart by a secret that wasnt even that big when revealed.

I finished this book for a challenge otherwise it would be a DNF, but the series is a DNF
Profile Image for Patrizia.
1,942 reviews42 followers
May 9, 2023
Ma sì, aggiungo mezza stella. Questo mi è piaciuto più del primo, sebbene un paio di volte avrei voluto dare uno scrollone alla protagonista. Sinceramente non apprezzo la sua credulità nei tarocchi, ma cercherò di chiudere un occhio.
Profile Image for Kayt18.
416 reviews
October 26, 2015
I love this series - A Key West Food Critic Mystery. And I dont even like Florida or the sun, but author Lucy Burdette almost makes Key West sound like a place I would enjoy living in. The food sure does sound good. Main character Hayley Snow is fun, intelligent, witty and definitely someone I would love to be friends with. In this installment, number 2 in the series, the annual Key West Literary conference is bringing in all the heavy hitters in the food writing world. Hayley is so excited to be going in her work capacity as new food critic for the Key West magazine. And her mother has flown done to join her.
Things are going ok when Hayley finds the body of superstar Jonah Barrows in a pool at the dinner get together. And yep he is not breathing. It really turns bad when one of her dear friends becomes the prime suspect. The friendships and family relationships are wonderful to read. This book is populated with quirky and entertaining characters. The writing is excellent as well.
Even if you have never read a book in this series you will thoroughly enjoy Death in Four Courses. Funny and intelligent, this is a wonderful cozy series and this installment is super. The mystery is intriguing and keeps you guessing. Author Lucy Burdette is a fabulous writer and I think you will be delighted reading this book.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Ronna.
514 reviews62 followers
August 7, 2014
Hayley Snow is enjoying her new job as the food critic for "Key Zest" magazine in Key West, Florida. Her new assignment sounds exciting because she's going to attend a literary conference of food writers. She's excited and a little apprehensive because her mom's coming from New Jersey to attend with her. But when the popular controversial guest speaker winds up dead in a decorative pool, her mom's "help" causes it's own problems, and once again, Hayley gets caught up in a stew of deadly suspects.

Chapter headings of quotes authors have used about food are fascinating. The characters continue to grow more interesting as we learn more and more about them in this second Key West Food Critic mystery. The inner workings of cookbook authors adds another dimension to this story with clues that send the reader in many directions. Might as well make one of the tasty recipes included in the book, like the Hot Fudge Pie, because the food descriptions will send you seeking something equally luscious to snack upon while you read this foodie mystery.
Profile Image for Mark Baker.
2,394 reviews204 followers
July 3, 2014
Key West's annual literary conference is focusing on food this year, something that excites Hayley since she is now covering food for a local magazine. However, when she finds the keynote speaker floating face down in a reflection pool, her weekend gets crowded with sleuthing as well as food.

I really did enjoy this book. The characters are great and the plot is complex enough I didn't have a clue what was happening until Hayley did. My only complaint is the relationship between Hayley and her mother, who is visiting during the book. It's realistic, but at times the way they interacted drove me crazy. I love how they grew as a result of spending the time around each other, however, so it was a great sub-plot in the end.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
709 reviews39 followers
January 27, 2019
Book 2 in the Key West food critic series. The series continues to delight with yet another murder, and Hayley finds the body. Her good friend Eric is implicated. And mom is visiting....what else can go wrong?

The series continues to build characters in installment 2, and we also continue to work on a possible romantic interest with the police detective. All in all, well done. Recipes at the end, and the chocolate pie looks super!
Profile Image for Julesy.
536 reviews52 followers
July 21, 2023
First off, this book was just not that interesting, quite boring, and I struggled to get through it. I liked the first book pretty much so I figured I would persevere to see if it improved, then ... a racist excerpt. Miss King may have looked Oriental, but she’s as American as you or me.

Ms. Burdette, please get some awareness. The character Miss King was Asian-American and thus looked Asian, NOT Oriental. Objects are oriental, such as rugs, vases, etc. 🤬 UGH!!! This offended me so much so I now do not want to read another book by this author. I don't care whether these books take place in lovely Key West. It's now ruined for me.
Profile Image for Amy Marie.
926 reviews327 followers
July 14, 2022
I didn't like this one as much as the first one. The characters were still colorful and I liked how Hayley's relationship with her mom grew throughout this book. However, this book had a couple of tired stereotypes in it which I didn't love and the character was less proactive than I would like. Still planning on reading the third book in the series and making up my mind about the series based on that! The local color and writing snippets were fun as always. Loved the mystery too!
Profile Image for Mary.
245 reviews
October 10, 2018
Lucy Burdette's Key West Food Critic Mysteries. If I keep reading these, and I know I will, my bikini days are over. (well, okay, so they were over 3 kids and 5 grandkids ago ~ but you get the drift) I'll make the sacrifice, after all, calories fuel the brain. Major plus when it comes to solving mysteries.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Profile Image for yare.
264 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2023
2.5 stars; the way i JOKINGLY guessed the murderer was the best part of this book honestly.

it was fine, wasn't gripping the edge of my seat or anything. what irked me the most is what pushed the plot throughout the entire book. like girl, can't you just mind your business?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
11 reviews2 followers
October 31, 2015

Lucy Burdette has found a way to set her writing apart from the other mysteries crowding the “cozy” field. Death in Four Courses is the second in a series of books but the first one that I've read. Not only is her protagonist Hayley unique, dressed in her yellow silk “work shirt” with palm trees liberally sprinkled on it and working as a food critic for "Key Zest" … but Ms. Burdette's style of writing also brought surprises in each chapter. When she described another food critic’s foray into the Los Angeles scene as a “tsunami of foodie controversy” … I knew I would love this book.

And love it I did …

And, with the same critic dead within the first few chapters, I had something I could "sink my teeth into" ... and I don't mean the excellent fudge pie for which there is a recipe at the end of the book. I was swept along by the intrigue ... but I also found myself sidetracked, in a good way, by the relationship of Hayley and her mother. With both a 90 year old mother and a daughter ... I could feel myself in both of their shoes. Their conversations were real ... and helped fill in some blanks for me about Hayley. Her other characters were equally well drawn: Miss Gloria and Hayley's possible new love interest. And while I hadn't been to Key West for decades but I think I could go back ... based on the book's description.

As a long time mystery reader, I often can figure out the "whodunnit" and if I can't ... I feel like there weren't any clues. In the case of Death in Four Courses ... I didn't have A clue but when I went back to re-read some passages, I see that the clues were there. Well done, Ms. Burdette. But the highest form of praise that I have for this book is that I’ve already ordered book one of the series An Appetite for Murder and am waiting anxiously for its arrival.

I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Stacie Amelotte.
55 reviews25 followers
May 9, 2016
“If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu.”

This is such a fun culinary cozy series. Reading this book was like a mini-vacation. Hayley Snow is a novice food critic for a local Key West magazine. Haley’s adventure includes eating fabulous food, writing about eating fabulous food, and of course, solving crimes and this time she is also juggling entertaining her mom, Janet who is visiting from New Jersey. This mother/daughter duo attends the annual Key West Literary Conference. Both are anxious to meet cookbook authors and food critics admire and they experience some “fan girl” moments. Haley soon finds herself swimming with foodie sharks when she discovers one of the conference participants murdered. When a friend of Haley’s is arrested, the mother/daughter duo becomes quickly entangled in both Haley’s personal and professional life. I enjoy how the author explores Haley’s character as she puts down roots in Key West and furthers her career as a food critic. Ms. Burdette holds so much potential in this series. It is fun to see the development of characters and I look forward to seeing what the future holds. I love the fabulous food, the detailed setting of Key West, the yummy recipes. This is a great series that and I look forward to my next Key West escape.
Profile Image for Darkand.
313 reviews26 followers
October 31, 2015
Having lived in North Lauderdale for three years, South Florida and the Keys are near and dear to my heart so when I found out there was a foodie cozy mystery series set in Key West, I was ecstatic! Needless to say, I savored each and every page. The main character Hayley had to travel to many familiar (to me) places on the island during the course of this fascinating story. I realize that this is the second book in this series so now I must backtrack to the first one but, the author did a good job of keeping the reader informed enough about Hayley's backstory without drowning you in the previous storyline. I enjoyed most of the characters although I will admit to not taking an instant liking to Hayley's current love interest but, time will tell if he shapes up enough to get into my good graces. The actual mystery was nicely plotted and definitely kept me guessing till the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed this cozy (albeit murderous) little trip down memory lane, and I am looking forward to my next foray into Hayley's Key West!

FTC Note: I won a copy of this book through the Facebook group called The Cozy Mystery Review Crew. No compensation for my review was given.
Profile Image for Jennifer Gallagher.
460 reviews17 followers
October 27, 2015
Full Disclosure: I won a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

I think Hayley Snow is adorable. She has this idyllic life in Key West, working as a food critic for local restaurants, living on a house boat, zipping around on her little scooter. Her only problem is being in the wrong place at the wrong time!

The second installment of the Key West Food Critic mysteries centers around the Key West Literary Conference - which this year is all about food. The keynote speaker is found dead - by Hayley, of course - with no shortage of suspects. Then, another food writer is found dead - again, by Hayley - and the pressure is on to find the killer (and Hayley's missing mother!) while not ruffling the feathers of her potential paramour, Detective Bransford.

I was surprised by the identity of the killer and glad that one of my favorite characters was exonerated. I'm looking forward to seeing where Hayley and Nate's romance goes! The other thing that I love about this series are the recipes in the back! I look forward to making the Rhubarb Cake!
Profile Image for Bert.
137 reviews11 followers
August 4, 2013
I find it hard to get past what a pushover Hayley is in her personal and professional life, given that the number one thing that creates an amateur sleuth is their ridiculous doggedness in the arena of solving-crimes-when-they-shouldn't. She lets her mother push her around in a way that is totally inappropriate at a work event, even if it sometimes has good results for her. Also related: the amount of excuses Hayley makes for her boyfriend when he behaves like a child at their date is totally stupid given that she fails to include the only excuse that actually makes sense (don't bring your mum on a first date is all I'm saying, Hayley, even if it's doubling as a work outing).

Anyway Hayley's primary method of crime solving is to flap her hands around uselessly and babble, but so far it's gotten her through two books so who am I to judge.
Profile Image for Tina.
4 reviews
Read
November 4, 2015
Great culinary cozy! I am thrilled this wonderful series has made its way onto my "to be read" list. This is the second book in the Key West Food Critic series. Hayley Snow is the food critic and lead character. In this installment in the series Hayley and her mom are attending a food seminar. Unfortunately, the keynote speaker is murdered and Hayley is the one who discovers the body. Hayley begins to do some sleuthing to help solve the case as well as clear the name of one of her friends. As a newbie to this series I felt that this book was very well written and I can't wait to read the rest in the series. Fabulous recipes are included too!!

I was given this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Profile Image for Crystal.
495 reviews30 followers
October 23, 2015
Great read. This was a wonderful cozy mystery set in Key West. Hayley Snow, the main character, is a foodie and a new food critic who seems to have a knack for finding herself in the middle of murder investigations. I felt the book was very well written and truly enjoyed the characters. It had me guessing who did it until the end. Be prepared, since Hayley is a foodie there was a lot of food references so as I was reading I became very hungry! :)

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun cozy mystery. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I was gifted a copy of this book for my honest review.
Profile Image for Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs.
1,959 reviews38 followers
May 21, 2024
Another delicious mystery

You know I’m invested as a reader when I dive right into the next book. This was just as good as the first.

Hayley’s mom comes down New Jersey to attend a food convention with Hayley. Unfortunately things turn deadly and Hayley finds her job in jeopardy. Dive in for a great mystery with lots of yummy food.

Cozy mysteries with recipes always make me happy. I am thinking of making the hot fudge pie this weekend.
1 review1 follower
November 5, 2015
Fun,enjoyable read!! I liked getting to know the main character, Hayley who is a food critic in Key West and her friends. Death in Four Courses the 2nd in the series was about Hayley and her Mom going to a literary conference in food writing and their escapades. Just made me want to read book one and the rest in the series!!
Profile Image for Amanda McGill.
1,408 reviews56 followers
July 26, 2016
I didn't like this novel as much as the first novel in the series, which is saying something since I only gave the first novel 2 stars.

I didn't like the characters at all. The main character, Hayley, annoyed me and the secondary characters were boring and flat.

I won't be reading the rest of the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 219 reviews

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