What do you think?
Rate this book
Key West Food Critic Mystery #16
A Delicious Deception
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.
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.
- GenresMysteryCozy MysteryCozy
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Lucy Burdette
21 books860 followersClinical psychologist Lucy Burdette writes the USA Today best-selling Key West food critic mysteries, a cozy, culinary mystery series starring food critic Hayley Snow, including #16, A DELICIOUS DECEPTION. A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS, won the Florida Book Award's gold medal for popular fiction. Both the 12th book in the series, A DISH TO DIE FOR, and the 10th, THE KEY LIME CRIME, won bronze medals for popular fiction from the Florida Book Awards. Lucy's first women's fiction title, THE INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS, came out in July 2023.
As Roberta Isleib, she wrote the golf lover's mystery series (SIX STROKES UNDER) and the advice column mysteries (DEADLY ADVICE.)
Lucy's books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards.
She is a past president of National Sisters in Crime and the Friends of the Key West Library.
As Roberta Isleib, she wrote the golf lover's mystery series (SIX STROKES UNDER) and the advice column mysteries (DEADLY ADVICE.)
Lucy's books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards.
She is a past president of National Sisters in Crime and the Friends of the Key West Library.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
January 26, 2026
Hayley (FMC) gets involved in a complicated police situation that includes a child kidnapping and a murder. Her pregnancy is VERY advanced, which makes things even harder; she keeps insisting on being the right person to solve the mystery (or mysteries).
I’ll start with the parts that I enjoy:
- I enjoyed a ton of the descriptions of food. I can see that this is the author’s “meat and potatoes” (pun intended!).
- I enjoyed the food quotes.
- I also appreciate the recipes.
Parts that need some work or make no sense for me:
- The police procedure: I don’t need it to be super accurate, but there are general knowledge rules that I feel authors must follow, for example, a civilian taking home a random kid whose parents disappear, we all know that’s a big no no.
- The amount of plots: We are already dealing with a heavily stressed pregnant lady who’s scared of what is coming with her baby (she claims it multiple times) on top of that we have close to 7 other issues that play around during the story, some had no place and add nothing: the home renovations, the “I miss my old neighborhood” complaints, the family member being sick, the love life of the boss, etc.
In conclusion, I’m giving it two stars, but I want to clarify that this is the only book I've read so far in the series. I could be missing some context or character growth. I didn’t give it a higher score because I also didn’t like the ending; the resolution of the mystery was highly anticlimactic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!
I’ll start with the parts that I enjoy:
- I enjoyed a ton of the descriptions of food. I can see that this is the author’s “meat and potatoes” (pun intended!).
- I enjoyed the food quotes.
- I also appreciate the recipes.
Parts that need some work or make no sense for me:
- The police procedure: I don’t need it to be super accurate, but there are general knowledge rules that I feel authors must follow, for example, a civilian taking home a random kid whose parents disappear, we all know that’s a big no no.
- The amount of plots: We are already dealing with a heavily stressed pregnant lady who’s scared of what is coming with her baby (she claims it multiple times) on top of that we have close to 7 other issues that play around during the story, some had no place and add nothing: the home renovations, the “I miss my old neighborhood” complaints, the family member being sick, the love life of the boss, etc.
In conclusion, I’m giving it two stars, but I want to clarify that this is the only book I've read so far in the series. I could be missing some context or character growth. I didn’t give it a higher score because I also didn’t like the ending; the resolution of the mystery was highly anticlimactic.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
#ADeliciousDeception #NetGalley is such a good story. I love this series, but this particular one is excellent.
Hayley is 8 months pregnant and uncomfortable. She's in the middle of renovating her home with husband Nathan.
Hayley is doing her best to stay safe, but when Darcy, a local deputy reaches out for a favor, Hayley agrees, after all, its a simple child visitation exchange.
Things go terribly wrong, and a very pregnant Hayley finds herself in the middle of family drama.
I like that Hayley knows her limits in the story, but if she didn't take a few risks, the story wouldn't be the same.
I can't wait to see what is next for Hayley and her family, and I'm excited to recommend this book to other readers.
Hayley is 8 months pregnant and uncomfortable. She's in the middle of renovating her home with husband Nathan.
Hayley is doing her best to stay safe, but when Darcy, a local deputy reaches out for a favor, Hayley agrees, after all, its a simple child visitation exchange.
Things go terribly wrong, and a very pregnant Hayley finds herself in the middle of family drama.
I like that Hayley knows her limits in the story, but if she didn't take a few risks, the story wouldn't be the same.
I can't wait to see what is next for Hayley and her family, and I'm excited to recommend this book to other readers.
March 20, 2026
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette follows Hayley Snow, who’s super pregnant and just looking for something to keep her busy when she agrees to help with what should be a simple custody exchange. But things go sideways fast—the mom disappears, the dad takes off, and Hayley is left with a scared little girl and a whole lot of questions.
What starts as a small favor turns into a full-blown mystery involving lies, secrets, and murder. As Hayley and Deputy Darcy Rogers try to figure out what’s really going on, it becomes clear this is way bigger—and more dangerous—than they expected.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for this advance copy.
A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette follows Hayley Snow, who’s super pregnant and just looking for something to keep her busy when she agrees to help with what should be a simple custody exchange. But things go sideways fast—the mom disappears, the dad takes off, and Hayley is left with a scared little girl and a whole lot of questions.
What starts as a small favor turns into a full-blown mystery involving lies, secrets, and murder. As Hayley and Deputy Darcy Rogers try to figure out what’s really going on, it becomes clear this is way bigger—and more dangerous—than they expected.
Thank you to net galley and the publisher for this advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Change is in the air for Hayley, a food reviewer, her detective husband, and their friends in Key West. To me, A delicious deception felt very different. She wasn't as busy reviewing fantastic restaurants as usual, which was disappointing. On a happier note, Hayley is very pregnant. In the middle of a new home renovation Hailey is again faced with a difficult murder to solve. With a missing mom, child and a murdered husband. I wondered how Hayley would do it but she did with a beautiful new baby in the end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this series. This was a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this series. This was a honest review.
July 25, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Hayley Snow is due to deliver very soon, and she and Nathan are equal parts nervous and excited about the baby’s arrival. The news of this little one has also brought some big changes. Their houseboat simply doesn’t have room for a newborn and everything that comes with one, so the search for a new home became a priority. Thankfully, that search was a real success. The house needs some work, but they found a place that feels perfect for their growing family—and it even has a two-bedroom guest house for Miss Gloria and her best friend, Annie Dubisson, a neighbor from Houseboat Row.
Hayley isn’t reviewing many restaurants right now, so she has a little more time on her hands. When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks for Hayley’s help with a child exchange at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location, Nathan isn’t thrilled when Hayley quickly agrees. Hayley assumes it will be a simple, quick favor. She picks up the mother, and they arrive early at the Sheriff’s Office, which is hosting an open house. Then the mom disappears into the crowd. When the father arrives with their daughter and realizes the child’s mother is missing, he rushes off, leaving the little girl with Hayley.
Deputy Rogers is caught in a difficult spot, so she and Hayley team up to look for answers. Instead, they find a dead body. With a murderer on the loose, Nathan wants Hayley to leave the investigation to the police. But worried about the little girl’s safety and the fate of her mother, Hayley can’t just walk away. She promises to be careful and to keep the baby on board in mind, knowing one wrong step could lead to tragedy.
I was so excited to get my hands on this book because life was about to change in big ways for Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria. Yes, Hayley’s restaurant reviews take a back seat this time, but her boss, Palomina, still makes an appearance, and it is a very interesting one. Of course, Hayley wouldn’t be Hayley if she didn’t end up tangled in a mystery. She does take some risks, but her baby is always on her mind. Nathan is away for much of the book, spending time in Miami with his father, who is dealing with medical issues. Miss Gloria and her friend Annie are nearby in the guest cottage, and Hayley’s mom is on call to help with anything she needs. They also plan an amazing baby shower for her. Ms. Burdette’s characters continue to feel wonderfully true to life. I have been invested in them for 16 books now, and every visit still feels fresh.
A simple child exchange takes a drastic turn. First, Hayley becomes concerned when Reba Dunbar, Tamara’s mom, goes missing. Then Tamara’s dad, Mack, dashes away just as quickly. Clearly, there is much more going on with this family than Hayley first realized. What has Deputy Rogers kept from her? When a body is found outside Reba’s home, everything changes. Could Reba be a killer? Was the body meant as a message? Hayley uses her sharp observation skills and questions a few neighbors, but she knows she has to be careful. Deputy Rogers knows there will be serious consequences if anything happens to Hayley or the baby. The story takes another sharp twist when Tamara is taken from a place Hayley was sure would be safe. At that point, Hayley is on an even more urgent mission. I was so happy when all the clues fell into place and Hayley called the police to handle the takedown. She was nearby, but she stayed safe.
A Delicious Deception has a slightly different tone than some of the earlier books, with more emphasis on family, but I loved it just as much as the rest of the series. Ms. Burdette has created characters who have grown in such natural, believable ways. She delivers an excellent mystery while also weaving in a major, emotional turning point in their lives. There is drama, murder, secrets, late-pregnancy feelings and hormones, a sick father-in-law, home renovations, a fun baby shower, and friends and family ready to tackle whatever comes their way. And in the end, a beautiful baby!
I am looking forward to seeing how Hayley handles motherhood alongside her food critic job and the mysteries she always seems to get pulled into. I know it may be tricky, but I trust Lucy Burdette to make it work.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Hayley Snow is due to deliver very soon, and she and Nathan are equal parts nervous and excited about the baby’s arrival. The news of this little one has also brought some big changes. Their houseboat simply doesn’t have room for a newborn and everything that comes with one, so the search for a new home became a priority. Thankfully, that search was a real success. The house needs some work, but they found a place that feels perfect for their growing family—and it even has a two-bedroom guest house for Miss Gloria and her best friend, Annie Dubisson, a neighbor from Houseboat Row.
Hayley isn’t reviewing many restaurants right now, so she has a little more time on her hands. When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks for Hayley’s help with a child exchange at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location, Nathan isn’t thrilled when Hayley quickly agrees. Hayley assumes it will be a simple, quick favor. She picks up the mother, and they arrive early at the Sheriff’s Office, which is hosting an open house. Then the mom disappears into the crowd. When the father arrives with their daughter and realizes the child’s mother is missing, he rushes off, leaving the little girl with Hayley.
Deputy Rogers is caught in a difficult spot, so she and Hayley team up to look for answers. Instead, they find a dead body. With a murderer on the loose, Nathan wants Hayley to leave the investigation to the police. But worried about the little girl’s safety and the fate of her mother, Hayley can’t just walk away. She promises to be careful and to keep the baby on board in mind, knowing one wrong step could lead to tragedy.
I was so excited to get my hands on this book because life was about to change in big ways for Hayley, Nathan, and Miss Gloria. Yes, Hayley’s restaurant reviews take a back seat this time, but her boss, Palomina, still makes an appearance, and it is a very interesting one. Of course, Hayley wouldn’t be Hayley if she didn’t end up tangled in a mystery. She does take some risks, but her baby is always on her mind. Nathan is away for much of the book, spending time in Miami with his father, who is dealing with medical issues. Miss Gloria and her friend Annie are nearby in the guest cottage, and Hayley’s mom is on call to help with anything she needs. They also plan an amazing baby shower for her. Ms. Burdette’s characters continue to feel wonderfully true to life. I have been invested in them for 16 books now, and every visit still feels fresh.
A simple child exchange takes a drastic turn. First, Hayley becomes concerned when Reba Dunbar, Tamara’s mom, goes missing. Then Tamara’s dad, Mack, dashes away just as quickly. Clearly, there is much more going on with this family than Hayley first realized. What has Deputy Rogers kept from her? When a body is found outside Reba’s home, everything changes. Could Reba be a killer? Was the body meant as a message? Hayley uses her sharp observation skills and questions a few neighbors, but she knows she has to be careful. Deputy Rogers knows there will be serious consequences if anything happens to Hayley or the baby. The story takes another sharp twist when Tamara is taken from a place Hayley was sure would be safe. At that point, Hayley is on an even more urgent mission. I was so happy when all the clues fell into place and Hayley called the police to handle the takedown. She was nearby, but she stayed safe.
A Delicious Deception has a slightly different tone than some of the earlier books, with more emphasis on family, but I loved it just as much as the rest of the series. Ms. Burdette has created characters who have grown in such natural, believable ways. She delivers an excellent mystery while also weaving in a major, emotional turning point in their lives. There is drama, murder, secrets, late-pregnancy feelings and hormones, a sick father-in-law, home renovations, a fun baby shower, and friends and family ready to tackle whatever comes their way. And in the end, a beautiful baby!
I am looking forward to seeing how Hayley handles motherhood alongside her food critic job and the mysteries she always seems to get pulled into. I know it may be tricky, but I trust Lucy Burdette to make it work.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
August 9, 2026
As this was the first book in the series I have read, I did feel like I was missing some background information and a few concepts that had likely been introduced in earlier installments. However, despite not having read the previous books, I still found plenty to enjoy in this story. The plot was filled with action and kept me engaged from beginning to end. There was always something happening, which made it easy to stay invested in the story and eager to see what would happen next. The characters were another highlight, feeling warm, welcoming, and likable. Even as a newcomer to the series, I quickly found myself connecting with them and enjoying their interactions. One thing I particularly loved was the way the food was described throughout the book. The dishes sounded absolutely divine, and more than once I found myself wishing I could sample them for myself. The descriptions had my stomach grumbling and added an extra layer of charm to the reading experience.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2026
This one felt completely different from previous ones in the series, and it was a breath of fresh air. Sure, Hayley is pregnant and is working with the Sheriff’s Office instead of the Key West Police, so that can cause some changes, but we get to explore all over the Keys and meet so many new people. Some parts made no sense (being pregnant and getting involved in the whole custody dispute to begin with) but it made for a very interesting read. There was so much going on in this one (I could have done without the many pages ode to houseboat row), but it all came together in the end. Looking forward to more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the review copy.
May 5, 2026
"A Delicious Deception (A Key West Food Critic Mystery Book 16)" by Lucy Burdette feels like a good final book for the series. It's probably not, even though its core characters' stories feel played out. Mother-to-be Hayley Snow gets pulled into her Sheriff friend's custody exchange program to help a desperate mother calmly pick up her daughter from her piece of work ex. Unfortunately, things don't go to plan.
First the mother disappears, then the father and finally the daughter goes missing. All while Hayley's Sheriff friend is in hot water for the situation and should have known better than to involve a known armchair sleuth that could pop out a baby literally any minute. Honestly, Hayley is far too reckless at this point in her pregnancy and with a key piece in her support system too far away to help her.
First the mother disappears, then the father and finally the daughter goes missing. All while Hayley's Sheriff friend is in hot water for the situation and should have known better than to involve a known armchair sleuth that could pop out a baby literally any minute. Honestly, Hayley is far too reckless at this point in her pregnancy and with a key piece in her support system too far away to help her.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this book courtesy of Netgalley for the purpose of a fair and honest review.
Overview: Hayley Snow Bransford is getting tired of being pregnant. She waddles more than walks, and lets her fears of the upcoming birth carry her away. Add to that the fact that the new house is still missing its kitchen and they are still getting used to Hayley's older friends living in the cottage out back. Lucky for Hayley, Deputy Darcy Rogers has a favor to ask. There's a young mother who needs to pick up her daughter from her estranged husband at the Sherrif's Department. When the mother disappears, and the father found dead, Darcy and Hayley are flung into another mystery. To add even higher stakes to the case, the five-year-old girl has been kidnapped. Who killed Mack? Who has Tamara? And just where is Reba? Let's find out.
Dislikes: Poor Darcy. She cared so much for a college friend, and she really got taken advantage of. Neither Louise nor Reba cared about what could happen to Darcy, or the risks to her job.
Likes: Reba did have a good neighbor in her life.
Hayley had a whole team making sure that she was fed, trying to keep her taking it easy, and filling in when Nathan was busy.
Speaking of Nathan, he and Hayley brought out the best in each other.
The baby shower was fun. It showed just how many people cared for the Bransford family.
Conclusion: This was a fun book. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, or the Key West Food Critic series, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Overview: Hayley Snow Bransford is getting tired of being pregnant. She waddles more than walks, and lets her fears of the upcoming birth carry her away. Add to that the fact that the new house is still missing its kitchen and they are still getting used to Hayley's older friends living in the cottage out back. Lucky for Hayley, Deputy Darcy Rogers has a favor to ask. There's a young mother who needs to pick up her daughter from her estranged husband at the Sherrif's Department. When the mother disappears, and the father found dead, Darcy and Hayley are flung into another mystery. To add even higher stakes to the case, the five-year-old girl has been kidnapped. Who killed Mack? Who has Tamara? And just where is Reba? Let's find out.
Dislikes: Poor Darcy. She cared so much for a college friend, and she really got taken advantage of. Neither Louise nor Reba cared about what could happen to Darcy, or the risks to her job.
Likes: Reba did have a good neighbor in her life.
Hayley had a whole team making sure that she was fed, trying to keep her taking it easy, and filling in when Nathan was busy.
Speaking of Nathan, he and Hayley brought out the best in each other.
The baby shower was fun. It showed just how many people cared for the Bransford family.
Conclusion: This was a fun book. If you are a fan of cozy mysteries, or the Key West Food Critic series, then this book is for you. Enjoy the read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was provided with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I have enjoyed this series immensely and am always looking forward to the next installment. Unfortunately this one didn't quite stack up. It took a turn from the usual fare of mystery murder and food into a darker realm that was focused almost solely on a kidnapping and Haley's state of "very pregnant."
I missed all of the food and restaurant scenes and this particular mystery/murder at hand felt much more serious than usual. I will continue with the series but this was not one of my favorites by far.
I have enjoyed this series immensely and am always looking forward to the next installment. Unfortunately this one didn't quite stack up. It took a turn from the usual fare of mystery murder and food into a darker realm that was focused almost solely on a kidnapping and Haley's state of "very pregnant."
I missed all of the food and restaurant scenes and this particular mystery/murder at hand felt much more serious than usual. I will continue with the series but this was not one of my favorites by far.
August 7, 2026
Hayley Snow is at the end of her pregnancy and that does not stop her from investigating a murder and kidnapping and missing person. Complete with old ladies helping along the way it is an easy read but enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“We have grieving to do together but we can give thanks at the same time. Isn’t that what life throws at us sometimes? Just when you think you can’t possibly bear the pain, something beautiful and amazing like this little girl comes along. I promise that your love for her will smooth off the raw edges left by losing your dad.”
“To the mysteries of the universe. May we appreciate and trust that the answers will come for all our questions when the time is right.”
Haley and Nathan have bought a house that has a guest cottage. Miss Gloria and her best friend Annie have moved with Haley and Nathan and are now living in the guest cottage on the property.
Haley is very pregnant, Deputy Darcy has asked her to help a young mother with a visitation exchange. Nathan feels it would be easy and safe.
Well, the mother has disappeared and the father is found murdered.
Haley has jumped right into getting involved in an active investigation. Waddling around where ever she goes. Friendships, family bonds, chaos and plenty of humor with Miss Gloria.
Can’t wait to see Haley and Nathan dive into parenthood.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.
“To the mysteries of the universe. May we appreciate and trust that the answers will come for all our questions when the time is right.”
Haley and Nathan have bought a house that has a guest cottage. Miss Gloria and her best friend Annie have moved with Haley and Nathan and are now living in the guest cottage on the property.
Haley is very pregnant, Deputy Darcy has asked her to help a young mother with a visitation exchange. Nathan feels it would be easy and safe.
Well, the mother has disappeared and the father is found murdered.
Haley has jumped right into getting involved in an active investigation. Waddling around where ever she goes. Friendships, family bonds, chaos and plenty of humor with Miss Gloria.
Can’t wait to see Haley and Nathan dive into parenthood.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.
June 28, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Lucy Burdette for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Delicious Deception coming out July 14, 2026. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I haven’t read all the books in the series, but I really love cozy food mysteries! It was a really fun book. I loved the characters and the setting. I would definitely read more in this series.
I haven’t read all the books in the series, but I really love cozy food mysteries! It was a really fun book. I loved the characters and the setting. I would definitely read more in this series.
June 5, 2026
I really enjoyed this installment of the series! The author did something different with the kidnapping but kept it light, which I appreciated. Hayley definitely had a lot going on in this book with home renovations, helping Darcy, and her husband having to be gone unexpectedly -all while being 9 months pregnant. There was less food talk in this one that I missed from previous books. As always, I look forward to seeing what Gloria's character is up to -her dialogue is some of my favorite.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In the next book in the Key West Food Critic mystery series, A DELICIOUS DECEPTION by Lucy Burdette, Hayley Snow is the protagonist. She and her husband, Nathan, are expecting a baby. Haley is very pregnant. She and Nathan have moved to a house with a guest cottage, where Miss Gloria and Gloria’s best friend (Cory) now live. Haley agrees with the local police to care for a girl (five-year-old Tamara). The girl’s mother, Reba, goes missing. What happens to Reba? What will happen to Tamara? Will Haley deliver her baby? I have lots of questions.
It is good to return to Haley‘s world. I enjoy reading about characters that have appeared in other novels in the series. I like the quotes at the beginnings of chapters, especially those from sources I’m familiar with. I don’t seem to be drawn to the Key West setting as much as usual. I look forward to the next book in the series. I especially want to find out what happens next for Haley and her husband, Nathan. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of A DELICIOUS DECEPTION.
It is good to return to Haley‘s world. I enjoy reading about characters that have appeared in other novels in the series. I like the quotes at the beginnings of chapters, especially those from sources I’m familiar with. I don’t seem to be drawn to the Key West setting as much as usual. I look forward to the next book in the series. I especially want to find out what happens next for Haley and her husband, Nathan. Thank you, Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of A DELICIOUS DECEPTION.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I would like to speak directly to the decision-making committee inside A Delicious Deception, because the audacity? Immaculate. Hayley Snow is nine months pregnant. NINE. She can probably hear colors at this point. And yet the universe, Deputy Darcy Rogers, and frankly Hayley herself all collectively decide, yes, let’s throw her into a custody exchange that immediately combusts into a missing mom, a dead dad, and a kidnapped child. Casual. Totally fine.
Jumping back into this series felt like running into a friend who used to just drink margaritas with you on a boat and is now like, “I own property, I’m renovating, I’m married, I’m about to give birth, and also I accidentally got involved in a felony.” Growth, but make it chaotic.
Hayley is already living in a half-finished house, waddling through construction dust like a determined penguin, while Nathan is out of town dealing with his father’s serious health crisis. Emotionally? Not a chill time. So obviously when Darcy shows up asking for a “small favor,” Hayley says yes, because she has never once in her life met a boundary she didn’t politely step over.
And the favor goes wrong so fast it practically pulls a hamstring. The mother disappears. The father vanishes and later turns up dead. And Hayley is left holding this terrified little girl like the world’s worst, most high-stakes babysitting gig. What starts as a quick errand turns into a full-blown investigation involving lies, secrets, and a whole lot of people making deeply questionable life choices.
Here’s the thing though, the emotional core? It hits. Harder than I expected. Because it’s not just a mystery for Hayley this time. She’s about to become a mother herself, and suddenly this missing child situation isn’t just a puzzle, it’s personal in a way that sits heavy. There’s this constant undercurrent of fear and empathy that sneaks in between the chaos, and I actually loved that. It gave the story some real weight instead of just cozy vibes and shrimp descriptions.
Speaking of which… I missed the food. I’m not going to lie to you. This is like going to a concert and the artist is like, “Tonight, I will not be performing my hits.” Hayley being off her food critic game because of the pregnancy makes total sense, but I felt it. The descriptions are still there, just… less indulgent. I wanted one more over-the-top meal moment where I’m emotionally invested in a plate of pasta.
Now let’s address the chaos buffet, because this book said, “One plotline? I don’t know her.” We’ve got the kidnapping, the murder, the missing mom, Darcy’s career on the line, Nathan’s family emergency, the house renovations, Hayley’s pregnancy, and the general existential dread of adulthood. It’s a lot. Sometimes it feels like the story is trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle. Do I admire it? Yes. Did it occasionally wobble? Also yes.
And listen… I love Hayley. I do. But the woman is making choices. The kind of choices where you’re reading and physically leaning forward like, “Girl. Be serious.” The idea that a very pregnant civilian is this involved in an active investigation requires you to just… spiritually agree not to question it too hard. Because if you do, the whole thing starts to unravel like a cheap sweater. But also, this is her brand. She commits. Recklessly. Consistently.
What kept me in it was the people. Miss Gloria still feels like a national treasure. The found family energy is strong. Even when the plot gets a little wild or the pacing drags before suddenly sprinting to the finish line, I was still invested in how these characters show up for each other. There’s warmth here, even when everything else is on fire.
By the end, I was equal parts satisfied, stressed, and slightly concerned for Hayley’s blood pressure. It wraps up in a way that feels a little too neat considering how messy everything got, but I was still along for the ride. This series just has that “I’ll complain but I’m not leaving” energy, and apparently I am part of the problem.
This lands at a very comfortable 3.5 stars. A little chaotic, a little uneven, but emotionally grounded and still weirdly charming. I will absolutely be back, because clearly I support women’s rights and wrongs, especially when those wrongs involve solving crimes while nine months pregnant.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Every Single Adult Who Thought This Was a Good Plan
Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for handing me this ARC and trusting me not to spiral publicly about a nine-months-pregnant amateur detective… I have, unfortunately, done exactly that.
Jumping back into this series felt like running into a friend who used to just drink margaritas with you on a boat and is now like, “I own property, I’m renovating, I’m married, I’m about to give birth, and also I accidentally got involved in a felony.” Growth, but make it chaotic.
Hayley is already living in a half-finished house, waddling through construction dust like a determined penguin, while Nathan is out of town dealing with his father’s serious health crisis. Emotionally? Not a chill time. So obviously when Darcy shows up asking for a “small favor,” Hayley says yes, because she has never once in her life met a boundary she didn’t politely step over.
And the favor goes wrong so fast it practically pulls a hamstring. The mother disappears. The father vanishes and later turns up dead. And Hayley is left holding this terrified little girl like the world’s worst, most high-stakes babysitting gig. What starts as a quick errand turns into a full-blown investigation involving lies, secrets, and a whole lot of people making deeply questionable life choices.
Here’s the thing though, the emotional core? It hits. Harder than I expected. Because it’s not just a mystery for Hayley this time. She’s about to become a mother herself, and suddenly this missing child situation isn’t just a puzzle, it’s personal in a way that sits heavy. There’s this constant undercurrent of fear and empathy that sneaks in between the chaos, and I actually loved that. It gave the story some real weight instead of just cozy vibes and shrimp descriptions.
Speaking of which… I missed the food. I’m not going to lie to you. This is like going to a concert and the artist is like, “Tonight, I will not be performing my hits.” Hayley being off her food critic game because of the pregnancy makes total sense, but I felt it. The descriptions are still there, just… less indulgent. I wanted one more over-the-top meal moment where I’m emotionally invested in a plate of pasta.
Now let’s address the chaos buffet, because this book said, “One plotline? I don’t know her.” We’ve got the kidnapping, the murder, the missing mom, Darcy’s career on the line, Nathan’s family emergency, the house renovations, Hayley’s pregnancy, and the general existential dread of adulthood. It’s a lot. Sometimes it feels like the story is trying to juggle flaming swords while riding a unicycle. Do I admire it? Yes. Did it occasionally wobble? Also yes.
And listen… I love Hayley. I do. But the woman is making choices. The kind of choices where you’re reading and physically leaning forward like, “Girl. Be serious.” The idea that a very pregnant civilian is this involved in an active investigation requires you to just… spiritually agree not to question it too hard. Because if you do, the whole thing starts to unravel like a cheap sweater. But also, this is her brand. She commits. Recklessly. Consistently.
What kept me in it was the people. Miss Gloria still feels like a national treasure. The found family energy is strong. Even when the plot gets a little wild or the pacing drags before suddenly sprinting to the finish line, I was still invested in how these characters show up for each other. There’s warmth here, even when everything else is on fire.
By the end, I was equal parts satisfied, stressed, and slightly concerned for Hayley’s blood pressure. It wraps up in a way that feels a little too neat considering how messy everything got, but I was still along for the ride. This series just has that “I’ll complain but I’m not leaving” energy, and apparently I am part of the problem.
This lands at a very comfortable 3.5 stars. A little chaotic, a little uneven, but emotionally grounded and still weirdly charming. I will absolutely be back, because clearly I support women’s rights and wrongs, especially when those wrongs involve solving crimes while nine months pregnant.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Side-Eye Every Single Adult Who Thought This Was a Good Plan
Huge thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for handing me this ARC and trusting me not to spiral publicly about a nine-months-pregnant amateur detective… I have, unfortunately, done exactly that.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Delicious Deception is Lucy Burdette’s 16th book in this wonderful Key West Food Critic culinary cozy mystery series, and from the first page I felt like I was back in Key West and reuniting with the main character, food critic (and amateur sleuth) Haley Snow, along with her husband, Deputy Chief of Police Nathan, her BFF, Connie, the delightful octogenarians Miss Gloria and her BFF, Annie Dubisson, Haley’s mom and step-dad, her boss, Palamina, co-worker Danielle, members of the Key West Police and Sheriffs Departments, and of course, cats Evinrude, T-Bone, and Sparky, and Nathan’s pup, Ziggy.
For me, this engaging and well-written series has it all: an immersive description of Key West (including actual neighborhoods, stores, historical buildings, and even where the characters dine in real Key West restaurants), intrigue, tension, twists, family and marriage dynamics, friendships, and mouthwatering descriptions of food (including recipes at the back of the book). One unique touch I love is how each chapter begins with a food-related literary quote that sets the stage for the chapter.
The story opens with Hayley, nearly nine months pregnant, adjusting to no longer living on a houseboat on Houseboat Row, and renovating the home she and Nathan bought “on land” that also includes a two-bedroom cottage where Miss Gloria and Mrs. Dubisson now live. Hayley, while still the food critic at Key Zest Magazine, is not happy being sidelined as she prepares for her maternity leave. When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks her for a favor, Hayley is itching for something to do and agrees. Deputy Rogers wants Hayley to accompany a young woman, Reba, to a custody exchange at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location to ensure that there are no issues when Reba’s estranged husband, Mack, drops off their five-year-old daughter, Tamara. The drop-off goes awry when Reba disappears, and Mack turns up murdered. Despite being so close to giving birth, and under the vehement objections of Nathan, who is out of town on his own family matters for much of the story, Hayley, now focused on protecting Tamara, finding Reba, and solving Mack’s murder, continues to investigate.
Ms. Burdette is a master of plot, multi-dimensional characters, and realistic dialogue and situations, and keeps the story moving along at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep me going and guessing until the very end. I’ve read every book in this delicious series, and missed more of food critic and amazing home cook Hayley, because of the imminent birth of her baby and the house renovation, but absolutely loved (and teared up at) the Thanksgiving conclusion. There’s a couple of “Easter eggs” at the end that already have me impatiently waiting for Book #17! Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.
For me, this engaging and well-written series has it all: an immersive description of Key West (including actual neighborhoods, stores, historical buildings, and even where the characters dine in real Key West restaurants), intrigue, tension, twists, family and marriage dynamics, friendships, and mouthwatering descriptions of food (including recipes at the back of the book). One unique touch I love is how each chapter begins with a food-related literary quote that sets the stage for the chapter.
The story opens with Hayley, nearly nine months pregnant, adjusting to no longer living on a houseboat on Houseboat Row, and renovating the home she and Nathan bought “on land” that also includes a two-bedroom cottage where Miss Gloria and Mrs. Dubisson now live. Hayley, while still the food critic at Key Zest Magazine, is not happy being sidelined as she prepares for her maternity leave. When Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers asks her for a favor, Hayley is itching for something to do and agrees. Deputy Rogers wants Hayley to accompany a young woman, Reba, to a custody exchange at Monroe County’s safe custody exchange location to ensure that there are no issues when Reba’s estranged husband, Mack, drops off their five-year-old daughter, Tamara. The drop-off goes awry when Reba disappears, and Mack turns up murdered. Despite being so close to giving birth, and under the vehement objections of Nathan, who is out of town on his own family matters for much of the story, Hayley, now focused on protecting Tamara, finding Reba, and solving Mack’s murder, continues to investigate.
Ms. Burdette is a master of plot, multi-dimensional characters, and realistic dialogue and situations, and keeps the story moving along at a steady pace, with enough twists and turns to keep me going and guessing until the very end. I’ve read every book in this delicious series, and missed more of food critic and amazing home cook Hayley, because of the imminent birth of her baby and the house renovation, but absolutely loved (and teared up at) the Thanksgiving conclusion. There’s a couple of “Easter eggs” at the end that already have me impatiently waiting for Book #17! Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC. My review is my unbiased opinion.
July 14, 2026
A Delicious Deception is the sixteenth book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette and this series has a special place in my heart. I'll be honest and tell you that I have not read all of the books in the series, I started reading them with the eighth book, Death on the Menu but I was instantly hooked. While visiting my mom in Florida I was reading one of the books and my mom showed an interest, so I left it for her to read. She has been gone for four and a half years so when I read one of these books, I feel like she is looking over my shoulder.
Anyway..... let's get to this newest book. In A Delicious Deception there are a lot of changes occurring. Main character Hayley and her husband, Nathan, are expecting their first baby so they have moved out of their houseboat and into a house with a guest cottage in the back. Their neighbor and good friend, Miss Gloria and her best friend Annie, who both lived in houseboats are now living in the guest cottage.
Hayley should be concentrating on getting ready for the baby but when Deputy Darcy from the Sheriff's Office comes calling for help, she cannot say no. After all, this should be an easy assist. She is going to be picking up a woman, Reba, and taking her to a safe location to do a custody exchange with the husband. Reba and her husband, Mack, do not get along and instead of fight in front of their daughter, Tamara, they have agreed to allow a third party to be there for the exchange,
Unfortunately, before the exchange Reba goes to the bathroom and never returns. Then after looking for her and not finding her, Hayley goes to meet Mack, and he seems very nervous and leaves abruptly ..... with Hayley standing there with Tamara.
Deputy Darcy gets in trouble with her bosses and taken off the case, so Hayley takes Tamara to a friend of hers for a brief playdate, but Tamara is taken by someone pretending to be with child services.
Meanwhile Nathan gets called away when his father is taken to the hospital and having emergency surgery.
So, Hayley, who is extremely pregnant, is on the case mainly alone. Yes, she has Miss Gloria and Annie helping her, but she needs Nathan's levelheadedness because we know she is stubborn and doesn't know when to quit.
A Delicious Deception, with all its new changes, is a great read. No matter what book in this series you pick up, you will be hooked immediately !!!
Anyway..... let's get to this newest book. In A Delicious Deception there are a lot of changes occurring. Main character Hayley and her husband, Nathan, are expecting their first baby so they have moved out of their houseboat and into a house with a guest cottage in the back. Their neighbor and good friend, Miss Gloria and her best friend Annie, who both lived in houseboats are now living in the guest cottage.
Hayley should be concentrating on getting ready for the baby but when Deputy Darcy from the Sheriff's Office comes calling for help, she cannot say no. After all, this should be an easy assist. She is going to be picking up a woman, Reba, and taking her to a safe location to do a custody exchange with the husband. Reba and her husband, Mack, do not get along and instead of fight in front of their daughter, Tamara, they have agreed to allow a third party to be there for the exchange,
Unfortunately, before the exchange Reba goes to the bathroom and never returns. Then after looking for her and not finding her, Hayley goes to meet Mack, and he seems very nervous and leaves abruptly ..... with Hayley standing there with Tamara.
Deputy Darcy gets in trouble with her bosses and taken off the case, so Hayley takes Tamara to a friend of hers for a brief playdate, but Tamara is taken by someone pretending to be with child services.
Meanwhile Nathan gets called away when his father is taken to the hospital and having emergency surgery.
So, Hayley, who is extremely pregnant, is on the case mainly alone. Yes, she has Miss Gloria and Annie helping her, but she needs Nathan's levelheadedness because we know she is stubborn and doesn't know when to quit.
A Delicious Deception, with all its new changes, is a great read. No matter what book in this series you pick up, you will be hooked immediately !!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Burdette has taken a major leap with the setting of Book 16 in the Key West Food Critic series. We are still in Key West, and the main characters are all here, but my, there are changes! At the end of The Mango Murders, Nathan and Hayley leave Houseboat Row. This is done for the best of reasons: Hayley is pregnant. However, they do not leave Miss Gloria behind. She and her long-time friend, Annie, move into a cottage located on the new property.
Now in the present day, things are in total turmoil. The renovations are stalled, Hayley is eight and a half months pregnant, there is no kitchen for her to cook away her stress, and once again, she is involved in a crime. This time, what started as a simple favor for Deputy Darcy Rogers (whom we first met in Book 12) has turned Nathan into—to put it mildly—a very rude rabbit. Nathan has always been protective of his people, but now he has become almost overbearing. When Hayley agrees to help Darcy with what should have been a standard morning activity, the event goes sideways very quickly, and Hayley finds another body. Nathan is livid and stays livid; any sympathetic feelings he had for Darcy are toast.
Speaking of toast, Hayley really has only three repeating thoughts throughout this book: 1. I am pregnant and scared. 2. I am voraciously hungry. and 3. I should not get involved with this crime, but I will.
Because of this, I deeply missed the descriptions of her cooking and her interactions while eating in restaurants. While the meals she does find are well described, Hayley is usually either suffering from heartburn or completely overstuffed—a rather unexpected state for a food critic (who, as she constantly reminds us, is pregnant).
This major shift in both setting and family dynamics has given Burdette a chance to inject new life into the series. While many cozy mysteries tend to wrap up when a child is born, I hope Burdette will continue to lead the reader in this new direction, beautifully combining strong family bonding with increased traditional suspense.
Full disclosure I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity
Now in the present day, things are in total turmoil. The renovations are stalled, Hayley is eight and a half months pregnant, there is no kitchen for her to cook away her stress, and once again, she is involved in a crime. This time, what started as a simple favor for Deputy Darcy Rogers (whom we first met in Book 12) has turned Nathan into—to put it mildly—a very rude rabbit. Nathan has always been protective of his people, but now he has become almost overbearing. When Hayley agrees to help Darcy with what should have been a standard morning activity, the event goes sideways very quickly, and Hayley finds another body. Nathan is livid and stays livid; any sympathetic feelings he had for Darcy are toast.
Speaking of toast, Hayley really has only three repeating thoughts throughout this book: 1. I am pregnant and scared. 2. I am voraciously hungry. and 3. I should not get involved with this crime, but I will.
Because of this, I deeply missed the descriptions of her cooking and her interactions while eating in restaurants. While the meals she does find are well described, Hayley is usually either suffering from heartburn or completely overstuffed—a rather unexpected state for a food critic (who, as she constantly reminds us, is pregnant).
This major shift in both setting and family dynamics has given Burdette a chance to inject new life into the series. While many cozy mysteries tend to wrap up when a child is born, I hope Burdette will continue to lead the reader in this new direction, beautifully combining strong family bonding with increased traditional suspense.
Full disclosure I received this ARC from netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you for this opportunity
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This one might be a good read for someone who is prone to agree to doing favor after favor for others without thinking. Hayley is very pregnant and agrees to do what appears an easy favor for Deputy Darcy Rogers. She winds up finding herself in the middle of not just a child custody issue but murder and an abducted child. Let's just say, while she does acknowledge her limits at times, she ultimately is so exhausted from it all and the daily life of living in the middle of a construction zone in her new home that she forgets about her own baby shower. Yep, that's tired. To add another complication, husband Nathan has to leave home to go to Miami where his father is to undergo surgery and isn't on hand. True, she has good friends Miss Gloria and Annie Dubisson, both also former house boat residents, now living in a small cottage in her backyard.
And....well, that's just the beginning though I won't spoil the plot any further. Let's just say it involves not just the aforementioned child custody issues, abduction, and murder, but probable drug dealers, lots of family drama and some odd police procedure. Nope, phew, not Nathan. Didn't seem to be as much carefree food talk this go-round as usual, nor do we get as much of a virtual tour of Key West, so hopefully Hayley will be back to her usual food critic/addict new book. She's definitely not going without food, however. After all, she's got that old cliche of an excuse of eating for two. There are food related quotes from various sources at the start of each chapter, though, so you don't have to go cold turkey for food mentions.
Bottom line, although for some reason I couldn't quite connect to the story line, especially when the murder was sort of shoved into the shadows in favor of finding the missing child, but overall it was an easy, enjoyable read. The ending was a bit abrupt, too, hence a 3.5 star rounded up, although the changes to Hayley and Nathan's life at the end of the book hint of some fun scenes in Key West in the future. Fortunately, they seem to have their usual full support team behind them, probably eager to offer their services for....oops, not saying, though bet you can guess. Grin.
And....well, that's just the beginning though I won't spoil the plot any further. Let's just say it involves not just the aforementioned child custody issues, abduction, and murder, but probable drug dealers, lots of family drama and some odd police procedure. Nope, phew, not Nathan. Didn't seem to be as much carefree food talk this go-round as usual, nor do we get as much of a virtual tour of Key West, so hopefully Hayley will be back to her usual food critic/addict new book. She's definitely not going without food, however. After all, she's got that old cliche of an excuse of eating for two. There are food related quotes from various sources at the start of each chapter, though, so you don't have to go cold turkey for food mentions.
Bottom line, although for some reason I couldn't quite connect to the story line, especially when the murder was sort of shoved into the shadows in favor of finding the missing child, but overall it was an easy, enjoyable read. The ending was a bit abrupt, too, hence a 3.5 star rounded up, although the changes to Hayley and Nathan's life at the end of the book hint of some fun scenes in Key West in the future. Fortunately, they seem to have their usual full support team behind them, probably eager to offer their services for....oops, not saying, though bet you can guess. Grin.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hayley Snow and Nathan Bransford are experiencing big changes, with more to come. Big change number one is the driver of the rest of change not just for Hayley and Nathan but all of their family and friends. Hayley in 9 months pregnant. In anticipation of the need for more room they have moved off of Houseboat Row into a house they are in the middle of remodeling, Miss Gloria and Annie have moved along with them into a small cottage on their new property.
The story opens with Sheriff's Deputy Darcy Rodgers asking for Hayley's help with a child exchange. Nathan is opposed, but Hayley prevails in her desire to help and the story takes off. We have a dead body (of course!), a kidnapping, a missing mother and Nathan's father having a heart procedure in Miami so Nathan can be there to support him.
This book is packed with action, but not much in the way of food reviewing and the tension with her boss, Palomina is greatly reduced, love might be involved. I did miss the restaurant chasing, but think life will have to morph a bit for Hayley, to accommodate the needs of a little one. We do get some lovely descriptions of tasty sounding dishes and the author does give us several recipes at the end of the book that I can see myself trying out.
We do get to see all of Hayley and Nathan's family and friends, even if not always in the usual spots, Hayley does not take us to Duval Square this time around, Lorenzo shows up at her baby shower and for Thanksgiving dinner. Even Nathan's mother and sister Vera make an appearance.
With a new baby on-board it will be fun to see how she manages her investigating (according to Nathan, read that as interfering!). Miss Gloria and Annie will be around to babysit as will Mom, Janet and best friend, Connie, but I see Hayley as a hands-on kind of parent. What kind of changes are still ahead makes for lots of anticipation for the next adventure for our intrepid Key West food critic.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The story opens with Sheriff's Deputy Darcy Rodgers asking for Hayley's help with a child exchange. Nathan is opposed, but Hayley prevails in her desire to help and the story takes off. We have a dead body (of course!), a kidnapping, a missing mother and Nathan's father having a heart procedure in Miami so Nathan can be there to support him.
This book is packed with action, but not much in the way of food reviewing and the tension with her boss, Palomina is greatly reduced, love might be involved. I did miss the restaurant chasing, but think life will have to morph a bit for Hayley, to accommodate the needs of a little one. We do get some lovely descriptions of tasty sounding dishes and the author does give us several recipes at the end of the book that I can see myself trying out.
We do get to see all of Hayley and Nathan's family and friends, even if not always in the usual spots, Hayley does not take us to Duval Square this time around, Lorenzo shows up at her baby shower and for Thanksgiving dinner. Even Nathan's mother and sister Vera make an appearance.
With a new baby on-board it will be fun to see how she manages her investigating (according to Nathan, read that as interfering!). Miss Gloria and Annie will be around to babysit as will Mom, Janet and best friend, Connie, but I see Hayley as a hands-on kind of parent. What kind of changes are still ahead makes for lots of anticipation for the next adventure for our intrepid Key West food critic.
My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishing for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5/5 stars: This is Burdette's sixteenth entry in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series which is a Literary Culinary Cozy Mystery set in Key West, Florida. Following a food writer and critic, who's nine months pregnant, finds herself turning sleuth after a safe custody exchange, that she agrees to chaperon as a favor, goes sideways leaving her in charge of the terrified five-year-old girl after both parents go missing. As she assists the authorities with their search, she discovers the child's father murdered under the mother's trailer. Now it’s a race against time with the little girl’s safety at risk. She'll have to trust her instincts – and her heart – to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
With plenty of twists and turns, Burdette has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Burdette's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• For Animal Lovers: there are three sassy cats and an adorable little dog.
• Features great culinary literary quotes chapter headings, food descriptions throughout that will leave you hungry and includes several oh so delicious sounding recipes.
While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, An Appetite for Murder.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Burdette has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Burdette's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a great secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• For Animal Lovers: there are three sassy cats and an adorable little dog.
• Features great culinary literary quotes chapter headings, food descriptions throughout that will leave you hungry and includes several oh so delicious sounding recipes.
While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, An Appetite for Murder.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
July 20, 2026
A DELICIOUS DECEPTION is the sixteenth book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette. This newest release packs a lot onto the pages with protagonist Hayley Snow close to giving birth... like practically it could happen at any minute! Thrown into the mix is getting settled into a new house amidst major house renovations. All of that should have deterred her from getting involved in even a simple request from a sheriff’s deputy to aid in a custody transfer of a young child. However, her strong desire to help those in need had Hayley leaping into action. In my opinion, there’s a delicate balance when a mother-to-be investigates and places herself in danger instead of focusing on staying safe. The author does a marvelous job of building tension while still keeping Hayley’s safety first and foremost. Sure, Hayley investigates, but her actions are reasonable. I also appreciated how the theme of motherhood and how far you’d go to protect your child played into the mystery. With Hayley’s impending childbirth, I felt like she was more empathetic toward the plight of the missing child and her parents. It gave a sense of urgency to the storyline, which kept me engrossed and turning pages.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the supporting characters, with Miss Gloria topping the list. This eighty-something woman steals each scene she inhabits, providing spunk and some humor. The author has created memorable characters you would love to spend time with, and in fact, it feels like visiting old friends each time a new book is released. Then there is the setting of Key West: the food, the culture, and the entertaining characters who live or visit the locale. Ms. Burdette’s strong descriptive writing brings it all to life and makes me want to book a trip to experience it all in person.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the supporting characters, with Miss Gloria topping the list. This eighty-something woman steals each scene she inhabits, providing spunk and some humor. The author has created memorable characters you would love to spend time with, and in fact, it feels like visiting old friends each time a new book is released. Then there is the setting of Key West: the food, the culture, and the entertaining characters who live or visit the locale. Ms. Burdette’s strong descriptive writing brings it all to life and makes me want to book a trip to experience it all in person.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 17, 2026
A Delicious Deception by Lucy Burdette takes us back to the Florida keys where Nathan and Hayley are expecting their first child, any day now, actually. With that in mind they had bought a house, well mostly a house. A fixer-upper, but in a great neighborhood and with a cottage in the backyard for Miss Gloria and Annie Dubisson, who had now emigrated from their own houseboats. Hayley was still eating, regularly, so writing her reviews for Key Zest was still manageable. Then, a woman they both knew from the sheriff’s department came to ask for a favor. Simple, just escort a woman to pick up her daughter from the girl’s father. The exchange would take place in the sheriff’s parking lot and Darcy would be there watching. Nathan said no, but Hayley saw no harm and so… Well, things didn’t go as planned. Reba, the young woman, disappeared on Haley. The girl’s father was short tempered and unpleasant and left, leaving Haley with a small girl, Tamara. Well, that had not gone well. Then, while looking for Reba with Darcy, Haley found Mack, the father, dead, under their trailer. Nathan was not going to be happy.
Lots going on in this very cozy mystery. Hayley is a good, caring character, who surrounds herself with interesting people, all of whom love Key West. Turns out this was an off-the-books operation, and Darcy was now suspended. She spilled the whole story but now not only Reba was missing, but so was Tamara. It was an enticing mystery. Also, very sad in so many ways. This is the definition of a cozy mystery: friends, family, great setting, good sub-plots, interesting situation. Excellent read.
I was invited to read A Delicious Deception by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #LucyBurdette #ADeliciousDeception
Lots going on in this very cozy mystery. Hayley is a good, caring character, who surrounds herself with interesting people, all of whom love Key West. Turns out this was an off-the-books operation, and Darcy was now suspended. She spilled the whole story but now not only Reba was missing, but so was Tamara. It was an enticing mystery. Also, very sad in so many ways. This is the definition of a cozy mystery: friends, family, great setting, good sub-plots, interesting situation. Excellent read.
I was invited to read A Delicious Deception by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #LucyBurdette #ADeliciousDeception
July 20, 2026
I have been a fan of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries since reading book #1, AN APPETITE FOR MURDER, and I think this book is the best. I love the more mature version of Hayley that we see in this story, and I also like what seems to me to be the author’s more serious approach to the mystery.
I admire the way author Lucy Burdette has shown her character’s growth over the course of the series. Fans who have followed Hayley Snow from the beginning, have watched her develop from a somewhat naïve and impulsive young woman, into an assertive, thoughtful adult. In A DELICIOUS DECEPTION, nine-month pregnant Hayley has just enough time and energy before the baby arrives to solve a mystery that she has become embroiled in after doing a favor for her frenemy, Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers. Furious that Darcy lied to her about the nature of the custody exchange she had drawn her into, and desperate to help locate the missing mother and her missing daughter, Hayley takes charge of what she will and won’t be a party to in the ensuing investigation. With Nathan out of town seeing his father through a tough medical procedure, Hayley, as smart as ever at figuring things out, also demonstrates her strength and resolve. That is just plain good to see.
Many of the previous books in this series have been set during holidays in Key West, with much of the action centered around the island’s traditions and partying nature. While some readers might miss that aspect of the series in this story, I loved the underlying sobriety and serious feeling of this book. In some ways, this story is just a bit less cozy. Nevertheless, with plenty of suspects and a couple of good mysteries solved, the author neatly ties it all together before Hayley finally brings her baby into the world.
I admire the way author Lucy Burdette has shown her character’s growth over the course of the series. Fans who have followed Hayley Snow from the beginning, have watched her develop from a somewhat naïve and impulsive young woman, into an assertive, thoughtful adult. In A DELICIOUS DECEPTION, nine-month pregnant Hayley has just enough time and energy before the baby arrives to solve a mystery that she has become embroiled in after doing a favor for her frenemy, Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers. Furious that Darcy lied to her about the nature of the custody exchange she had drawn her into, and desperate to help locate the missing mother and her missing daughter, Hayley takes charge of what she will and won’t be a party to in the ensuing investigation. With Nathan out of town seeing his father through a tough medical procedure, Hayley, as smart as ever at figuring things out, also demonstrates her strength and resolve. That is just plain good to see.
Many of the previous books in this series have been set during holidays in Key West, with much of the action centered around the island’s traditions and partying nature. While some readers might miss that aspect of the series in this story, I loved the underlying sobriety and serious feeling of this book. In some ways, this story is just a bit less cozy. Nevertheless, with plenty of suspects and a couple of good mysteries solved, the author neatly ties it all together before Hayley finally brings her baby into the world.
July 14, 2026
Let’s just call what happens what it was: hormone overload near the end of a pregnancy. Against the advice of her law enforcement officer, Nathan, Haley agrees to take a mother to a neutral sight for a child exchange with her husband. The mother is very nervous and, in hopes of calming her, Haley decides it would be a good idea to visit the zoo next door to the police station where the exchange is scheduled to take place in the parking lot. Really! What could possibly happen in only a few minutes at the zoo. They are late in returning to the meeting site and they realize the husband has already left. Haley decides on her own to follow up to the disappearance of the father and discovers a body. It’s almost like a “who’s on first routine” as then the mother goes missing and later the little girl goes missing. Hailey needs comfort and finds it with her fellow food group workers. And her appetite is unhinged. I do feel sorry for her in her after birth recovery and shedding some of those pounds like the rest of us faced. The food descriptions were great and I think I gained a pound or two by just reading this book. Despite all her delicate state and her husband out of town checking up on his father who has been hospitalized, Haley comes through with her solving the mystery. While different from her career as food critic this was a good read. Thanks to author Lucy Burdette, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a digital ARC of this book: this is my honest reflection of this book.
July 15, 2026
Hayley Snow is eight months pregnant and in the middle of some very serious house renovations. Deputy Darcy Rogers asks her as a favor to help her with a child visitation exchange. She is to drive Reba Dunbar to a designated location where she can pick up her daughter Tamara from her ex Mack. But when Hayley arrives to the pick-up location, Reba goes to the restroom and doesn't come back. Mack drops of Tamara with Hayley and immediately leaves. As the terrified Tamara is in Hayley's custody, the seach for Reba begins. When Mack also goes missing, Reba goes from victim to suspect.
Poor Hayley, she really got tied up with this family and their very dangerous drama. I enjoyed Hayley as a character and her struggles with her pregnancy. Her neighbors Annie Dubisson and Miss Gloria really stepped up to help her. Though her husband was going through a very hard time with his father, he never dropped the ball with her. My favorite part was reading about Hayley's insatiable appetite and the delicious meals she had while actively searching for the missing members of that family. I liked the pacing because it allowed me to get to know the characters and how they all blended together.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Poor Hayley, she really got tied up with this family and their very dangerous drama. I enjoyed Hayley as a character and her struggles with her pregnancy. Her neighbors Annie Dubisson and Miss Gloria really stepped up to help her. Though her husband was going through a very hard time with his father, he never dropped the ball with her. My favorite part was reading about Hayley's insatiable appetite and the delicious meals she had while actively searching for the missing members of that family. I liked the pacing because it allowed me to get to know the characters and how they all blended together.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Hayley Snow was used to living on her beloved houseboat, being busy, and helping the local police department whenever she could. She's not used to being almost nine months pregnant, living in a house full of contractors, and feeling like a grumpy pumpkin! So when Sheriff’s Deputy Darcy Rogers unexpectedly asks for her help she can't resist! Unfortunately, the safe custody exchange she is involved in goes tragically wrong, and Hayley knows she can't just sit back, she has to help sort things out. But with her baby about to make an entrance does she even have time to work out what happened?
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was such a fun read, Hayley was definitely at the waddling stage and I enjoyed reading about her experiences very much. Miss Gloria was once again on top form and even though their location has changed slightly the mystery and the everyday lives of the main protagonists are still as entertaining as ever. There are also yummy sounding recipes at the end of the book. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. This was such a fun read, Hayley was definitely at the waddling stage and I enjoyed reading about her experiences very much. Miss Gloria was once again on top form and even though their location has changed slightly the mystery and the everyday lives of the main protagonists are still as entertaining as ever. There are also yummy sounding recipes at the end of the book. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As the book opens, Hayley and Miss Gloria are struggling with all the changes that have occurred in the past few months. The new house is a mess and the contractor is nowhere to be found. They are missing their houseboats. Hayley is hugely pregnant. Nathan goes to Miami to help his dad while Skip gets some medical tests done.
Darcy Rogers from the Sheriff’s Office asks Hayley to assist with a child exchange between parents. Things go wrong, and it becomes clear that Darcy didn’t divulge the whole story.
Nathan’s return is delayed allowing Hayley to get involved in unraveling the mystery.
Be aware that the fate of the child is unknown for a good chunk of the book. This isn’t a thriller, so things are expected to work out, but it takes a while to get there.
I enjoyed reading the book. As the story goes along there are some good eats and recipes at the end sound yummy.
We do get to meet Hayley and Nathan’s baby at the end. I think you’ll enjoy A Delicious Deception. To understand the main characters you may want to have read other books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the book
Darcy Rogers from the Sheriff’s Office asks Hayley to assist with a child exchange between parents. Things go wrong, and it becomes clear that Darcy didn’t divulge the whole story.
Nathan’s return is delayed allowing Hayley to get involved in unraveling the mystery.
Be aware that the fate of the child is unknown for a good chunk of the book. This isn’t a thriller, so things are expected to work out, but it takes a while to get there.
I enjoyed reading the book. As the story goes along there are some good eats and recipes at the end sound yummy.
We do get to meet Hayley and Nathan’s baby at the end. I think you’ll enjoy A Delicious Deception. To understand the main characters you may want to have read other books in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the book
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I love a food related cozy mystery. Good food, good recipes, what more can you ask for? Being that Hayley was hugely pregnant, there was not a lot of food critic part of the story and she couldn’t cook because their new house is undergoing a lot of renovations. There were a lot of great food descriptions at various restaurants. Hayley gets involved in this murder because Darcy asks her to participate in a custody exchange. Everything goes sideways, the father gets murdered and the mystery ensues. I did have a bit of a hard time believing that anyone would ask a woman who is 9 months pregnant to even do something like this, anything can happen in fiction. I did really like Hayley and the rest of the characters. I loved the ending. While this is the 16th book in the series and I have not read any of the previous 15, I jumped right into the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. I am going to start reading the series from the beginning. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews