A Delicious Deception

Key West Food Critic Mystery #16

by Lucy Burdette

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.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#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.

[Maria Azmon · Rating 2 out of 5]

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!

[Charissa Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Laura Briars · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read from NetGalley and I’m so glad it was this one! It was such an enjoyable cosy mystery.
The story kept me engaged the whole way through and I really loved the Key West setting. It felt vibrant, warm and full of character, which made the mystery even more fun to follow.
One of my favourite little details was that many of the recipes mentioned throughout the story are actually included at the end of the book. I thought that was such a lovely touch and it made the reading experience feel even more immersive. It’s always fun when a book gives you something extra like that.
Overall this was a really enjoyable read with a great setting, an engaging mystery and the bonus of recipes you can try yourself afterwards. A perfect cosy mystery for anyone who enjoys food, atmosphere and a good whodunnit.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Bryna · Rating 3 out of 5]

** thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary DRC of this book

I love Key West, and that's why I enjoy this cozy series first and foremost, and this one was no different, aside from it being different – a kidnapping?! This was a tad more suspenseful in that our Hayley is newly married and pregnant, which also makes this one a tad more difficult for me to enjoy. I found the activities Hayley involved herself in a bit far-fetched and irresponsible, lol, but also, it's Hayley Snow to do just these things, so I guess I am on the fence a bit... That aside, I also didn't like how the book ended. It wrapped up a slightly dragging storyline too quickly, along with the birth of their daughter. I didn't like the circumstances the family was in. It doesn't mean I won't read the next one though; I do love escaping back to KW and am fond of the characters in this story, nonetheless :)

** thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary DRC of this book

[Linden · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happened to the Key West Food Critic series?

Hayley is 8+ months pregnant. Her husband leaves and heads to Miami to be with his estranged father during surgery? Hayley agrees to go with a woman she doesn't know during a custody handover? The woman disappears and Hayley brings the little girl to her friend's home, where someone kidnaps her. (And when we learn the kidnapper's identity, that's a bit difficult to believe.) The perpetually hungry Hayley decides to investigate and pesters people who actually talk to her even though she's just a busybody. She's so exhausted from this investigation she was not supposed to be involved in that she forgets her own baby shower and ignores her obstetrician's advice.

A plot that requires this much suspension of disbelief is insulting to the reader. At least recipes are still included. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Delicious Deception is the sixteenth book in Lucy Burdette’s Key West Food Critic Mystery series. What begins as a missing person case quickly turns into a murder investigation for pregnant Hayley Snow. This time, Hayley teams up with Deputy Darcy Rogers, the very person who lands her in this predicament.

Some of the life changes Hayley makes were not surprising, as they were hinted at in earlier books as plans for the future. However, one development truly caught me off guard. I especially loved how Hayley’s pregnancy played an active role in the investigation; it felt more realistic and ratcheted up the tension.

This installment delivers solid character growth alongside a compelling mystery, and I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Callie Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Good Deed . . .
“Very pregnant” Haley agrees to do a simple little favor, accompany a mother to exchange custody of her daughter from her father, simple, safe (right by police department) and a reason to get out of the construction mess at her new home. Then the mayhem begins, with more complications and trouble than anyone could have contemplated and solutions I did NOT expect. Thank goodness for helpful, loyal, and encouraging family and friends who work to keep Haley safe, fed, and. sometimes rested.
As a bonus, I got to read of the warmth of Key West while kept inside by snow and cold . . . and now want shrimp and. mangoes.

[Amber Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for this Arc!

Haley is in the late stages of pregnancy and becomes involved in a child kidnapping and murder. She attempts to assist the police with solving the case, claiming that she is the right person for the job.

I did find some issues with the discussions of police procedure. I often found that some things were unrealistic or just truly wouldn’t happen in the real world. I also struggled with how many different things were going on at once which made it very difficult to follow each and every one of them.

I really enjoyed the incorporation of the food quotes at the start of each chapter!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I enjoy this series, the characters, the food and especially the Key West restaurants and setting. The author has you traveling along from tropical spot to spot. I liked that Sherrif Deputy Darcy took on more of a role, and I look forward to hearing more about Miss Gloria’s new roommate. However, it seems incredulous that the police were this incompetent in their investigation, and it comes down to our heavily pregnant and distracted heroine to unravel the mystery. Nonetheless, looking forward to the next one.

[Sarah chittenden · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series and always look forward to the next installment. If you follow the series, Hailey is dealing with a lot of changes at one time, while dealing with her husband, Nathan, being away. When an acquaintance asks for Hailey's help with what should be an custody exchange, everything goes down hill and once again, Hailey is in the thick of it, trying to find the answers, while trying to stay safe. I highly recommend, A Delicious Deception, as well as, the whole series.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first by the author was a bit of a disappointment. I was hoping for more descriptions of Key West and delicious food -- two hallmarks of this beloved mystery writer's books.

[Emma Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hayley is entering the last stretch of her pregnancy and is asked by the police to help with a custody arrangement when the father in the case is found dead.

Let me preface this by saying this is the 16th book in the series and I haven't read any of the others. Still, there were a few key things I look for in cosies that were nowhere to be found here.

First, there are no descriptions of Key West whatsoever. I personally love cosy mysteries because it's a built-in excuse to do some literary tourism - you are given a chance to visit towns which are often charming, even quaint, and have a real sense of the community feel of a place. This had none of that, I still have no idea what's in Key West, which is a shame - I usually finish cosy mysteries wanting to immediately plan a new trip. Key West looks completely gorgeous too, I'm so sad I didn't read anything about it.

I also love it when cosy mysteries have tons of descriptions of whatever niche hobby they are about. Hayley is heavily pregnant so she's not working as a food critic in this book, which probably explains why there are all of two paragraphs dedicated to some of her thoughts about two restaurants. There is very little food in this, I was expecting lots of descriptions of restaurants, the food industry, even cooking. There are a couple of scenes about that and even a few recipes at the end but it wasn't nearly enough. The heroine being pregnant so off work in this is probably why this isn't a good book to start the series with - I'm sure food is more of a topic in other books.

The mystery itself was adequately explained but the subject matter - drugs, child kidnapping, custody battles - was too heavy for me with nothing to counterbalance it. How anyone could think that a pregnant woman is a perfectly logical choice (the police chooses her of all people, poor Hayley just wanted to rest) to investigate these deadly and extremely dangerous situations baffles me. One of the characters also deals with the death of a parent, which I think warrants its own content warning. This is was frankly a bit bleak for a cosy mystery. Even the baby shower that the heroine almost misses didn't make this any more cheerful. The ending is bittersweet, it was so heavy.

The best thing about this book was absolutely the food quotes at the beginning of each chapter, they were excellent and hilarious. Here are a few -

'A balanced diet is a cookie in each hand' - Barbara Johnson

'You can be miserable before you have a cookie, and you can be miserable after you eat a cookie, but you can't be miserable while you are eating a cookie.' - Ina Garten

'It is not a sign of weakness to feed strangers, it is a sign of strength.'

'Maybe worrying so much about what you eat is worse than actually eating what you're so worried about.'

'When he began to eat pie, he wished he had eaten nothing else' - Laura Ingalls Wilder in Farmer Boy

'The smell of that buttered toast simply spoke to Toad, and with no uncertain voice; talked of warm kitchens, of breakfasts on bright frosty mornings, of cozy parlour firesides on winter evenings, when one's ramble was over and slippered feet were propped on the fender; of the purring of contented cats, and the twitter of sleepy canaries.' - Kenneth Grahame in The Wind in the Willows

'When I am cooking, there is nothing else.'

The three stars reflect my experience with this particular book but again, I haven't read any of the others and it would be unfair to judge the whole series based on this one, it's a very specific book with a specific timeling in the characters' lives and it doesn't seem to me like it's anything like the others. I'd be curious to read the first few books in the series to see if they've got more of a sense of place, more food, and are cosier.

My endless thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A Delicious Deception" the 16th instalment in the "A Key West Food Critic" Mystery series by Lucy Burdette. This is one of my favourite foodie cozy mystery series. Mother-to-be Hayley Snow bites off more than she can chew this time...

I really enjoyed this story and hanging out with Haley, and her octogenarian sidekick Miss Gloria. This time Haley is working with Deputy Rogers who she has a leery relationship with but hoping they can work through their differences.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted and I kept second-guessing myself on whodunnit right to the very end. I recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hayley is asked by Darcy Rogers to escort a woman to a custody exchange as both parents distrust police and each other. The woman goes missing and the man leaves the little girl in Hayley's care. Later the man ends up dead, with his missing estranged wife as suspect number one.
This one felt a little different. There wasn't as much food talk and here's where I confess that I've never had a snickerdoodle in my life. Hayley is close to giving birth, Darcy has deceived her, Nathan is in Miami, and everyone is adjusting to their recent move. The story was good. I read it almost in one shot wanting to find out how everything works out. I guessed early on as to what was going on with Tamara but didn't figure out who the killer was. And yay! we get to meet Baby Bransford!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven’t read any other books in this series and did miss concepts and a few references to previous books, but still found the book hard to put down. This genre was not my usual but I found it grabbed me and I did not solve the mysteries/ murder until the end. Great characters.
Received this as an ARC and leave this review willingly.