A Clue in the Crumbs: A Key West Food Critic Mystery
By Lucy Burdette
Crooked Lane Books
August 2023

Review by Cynthia Chow

It was on their much-delayed honeymoon to Scotland that Key West Food Critic Hayley Snow and her husband Nathan Bransford first met the senior sibling baking duo Violet and Bettina Booth. After winning their season of The UK Bakes! Scone Edition television baking competition, the sisters have embarked on an American tour promoting the show while also looking for contestants for an American version. The sisters are a little concerned to have only three Key West contenders, especially since one of them seems hesitant about competing at all. When Rayna Humboldt does arrive, her stellar baking skills are immediately overshadowed by an overbearing husband who refuses to allow her to participate. So when Hayley’s policeman husband alerts her that a body has been found near the site of a fire, it’s almost a relief to learn that it was not Rayna but her husband who was left with a literal knife in his back.

Things don’t look too good for Violet and Bettina though, as it turns out that one of their heirloom knives and a specialty-branded baking pan were used as weapons to take out the abrasive bed-and-breakfast owner. And even though Nathan and Hayley have finally moved into their dream houseboat, her former roommate Miss Gloria is still a neighbor and more than ready to resume their amateur detecting team status. Hayley has a personal reason for being invested in the fate of the cooking program, as her own mother and stepfather have subbed in as a baking team when it looked as though the competition was getting a little unimpressive. So when she’s not watching the bread and quick-bake cook-offs Hayley and Miss Gloria will be delving into the lives of the competitors and the Sisters’ production team, some of whom are definitely not who they appear to be.

While the pseudonymous author is a standout at crafting complex and very fun mysteries, fans of Top Chef and the Great British Bake-Off will adore every new stage of the cooking competition. Especially appealing are the epicurean-themed quotes at the beginning of each chapter, taken from works of food gods like critic Frank Bruni, the famously infamous Anthony Bourdain, and of course Julia Child. Equally impressive are the descriptions of the Key West setting, making it an enviable destination for its eclectic cuisine and equally unique population. Series crossover tarot card reader Lorenzo once again appears to provide Hayley with sage life and investigation advice, with his reading of her and the case calming her and helping her to move forward. This 13th in the series continues to entertainingly provide readers with recipes, fun dialogue, and a deadly cooking competition. This is a novel of baking competitions and murder mystery that definitely deserves a Paul Hollywood handshake.

A Clue in the Crumbs by Lucy Burdette takes us back to Lucy in Key West. Hayley is a writer, restaurant and good reviews, mostly, who is married to a hot police detective and lives on a houseboat. If that is not enough, her sidekick is eighty-year-old, Miss Gloria. Today they are expecting visitors from Scotland: the Scone Sisters, who are beginning a US tour and filming of a new baking program right here in Key West. They have no sooner arrived than Miss Gloria hears over her police scanner that there is a fire downtown: strangely it is the bed and breakfast in which the sisters were scheduled to stay. When they “innocently” drove by they noticed a pile of burning paper/cloth piled up against the wall of the B&B. They could smell gasoline. The next day filming began and the contestants were disappointing. A lovely young woman who was a musician, not a baker, and a crotchety older man who had zero baking skills. Lucy immediately called her mother and Sam to enter to enter in and put some balance into the show. On the second day a woman, named Rayna joined the bakers and she had, not only a wonderful personality, but was an excellent baker. Things were looking up until Rayna’s husband came and dragged her out of the filming. He was obviously a little controlling.

Hayley is a cute character. Partner her with Miss Gloria, who is nothing but personality and Burdette has created a duo of dynamic characters who are more than entertaining, as well as clever. Well written. It was especially poignant when her sons arrived to drag her off to a retirement home. We watched her wilt. Excellent bit of writing. The mystery was convoluted, to say the least. Lots of people who weren’t exactly what they seemed. One character who was underused in this story was Lorenzo, Lucy’s tarot-reading friend. All in all, it was a good read. Very entertaining as Hayley zips around Key West on her motorized scooter.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Clue in the Crumbs by Crooked Lane Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #LucyBurdette #AClueInTheCrumbs

The Scottish sisters readers met in A Scone of Contention are a main feature in A Clue in the Crumbs. Violet and Bettina come to Key West to kick off baking competitions across America.
Gloria, Violet and Bettina are a potent combination that Hayley attempts to both keep up with and rein in as necessary.
The murder was an interesting situation. The author put the pieces of this puzzle together very carefully.
I was entertained and charmed by A Clue in the Crumbs. Hayley may be the main character but Miss Gloria is a force to be reckoned with.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.

"A Clue in the Crumbs" the 13th instalment in the "A Key West Food Critic" Mystery series by Lucy Burdette. This is one of my favourite foodie cozy mystery series.

I really enjoyed this story and hanging out with Haley, Miss Gloria, and the Scone Sisters! I must say I really do love octogenarian Miss Gloria and now Violet and Bettina.

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and I liked trying to figure out who killed the overbearing B&B owner. 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.

I had the hardest time connecting with this book. I never got hooked. I probably should have given up but I forced myself to finish this book. I did enjoy the glimpses of Key West it brought back memories. This wasn't my cup of tea.

Thank you so much to Crooked Lane Books for the E-ARC! What a fun read! Out today (08.08.23) so grab your copy now!!

This book was so cute! I really loved the light humor in the characters and took a liking to the Scottish ladies. On the other hand, this one was not particularly for me. I felt like it was a little dragged out and sluggish in some parts and rushed at the very end. I also guessed the murderer but that’s okay!

I didn’t feel super invested in the characters, but overall the book was super cute and a really easy read for anyone looking for a fun & cozy mystery!

The Scottish Scone sisters have arrived in Key West to host a baking contest. Key West is just the first stage for this contest. The only problem is their agent is missing along with their luggage, their B&B has caught fire, and a man is found murdered with probably their knife. Will Hayley be able to solve this mystery before the cooking show falls apart? If you can’t visit Key West, this is the next best thing.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Clue in the Crumbs is the latest book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series. It's always pleasant to see what Hayley and Gloria are up to. This time, they are visited by Bettina and Violet Booth, Scottish sisters who bake wonderful scones. The sisters participate in a baking contest, but things get complicated as someone gets murdered and the Booth sisters are the prime suspects. Of course, Hayley and Gloria investigate in order to find out who the real murderer is. A Clue in the Crumbs is highly enjoyable, from the fun main characters, the nice settings and the solid storyline. And the recipes as well!

A Clue in the Crumbs
(Key West Food Critic 13)
Lucy Burdette



Violet & Bettina is baaack!

If you read A Scone of Contention, book 11 then you will remember the scone-baking sister duo. For those who didn’t here’s a quick catch-up. Violet’s son was murdered and it was up to Hayley and Ms. Gloria, to help solve the crime before Hayley’s honeymoon ended.

This book actually starts with Hayley contemplating her boss’ request for negative local commentary.
While doing so she hears the fire alarms in town ringing. After getting Ziggy she heads over to Miss Gloria’s to get the scoop. Nathan definitely won’t be able to pick up Bettina and Violet at the airport, so the ladies hop in the Buick, and off they go. The Scone sisters receive a text that it’s actually their bed and breakfast that’s burning! Miss Gloria quickly solves the lodging problem by offering her houseboat. After a good night's sleep, everyone wakes up ready to tackle the day. Oh, what a day it turns out to be!

Hayley simply can’t keep up with the three older women. I felt this was more of a reminder about not counting out our elders just because of their age. More as an aid to the ending than because of a genuine inability on Hayley’s part. I enjoyed this book, a fair amount. I suspected the correct killer fairly early in the book but still enjoyed reading to the conclusion. Something I really dislike is Miss Gloria’s sons, maybe this is purposefully done on the author's part. I really don’t know because she always tries to make happy at the end and it tends to aggravate me. (shrug) 3.5 Stars

It’s always good to go back to Key West. What a delight our Scottish visitors, Violet and Bettina are. It was so much fun to hang out with them for a while. I wish I had their baking skills! There are recipes included at the back of the book. Their relationship with each other is so awesome and entertaining. I always enjoy hanging out with Miss Gloria and Haley. This is a great story line with wonderful characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

The Scottish Scone Sisters have come to Key West and Hayley Snow couldn't be happier. They have come to host The UK Bakes for the Key West edition. Things start off horribly for the sisters when the first thing to happen when.they get to town is their lodging is set on fire. The show must go on though and the three bakers who are a part of the event are ready together started the next day. When one of the contestants husband is found dead and the sisters are the main suspects Hayley jumps right in. Making sure that the show gets finished as well as investigating is Hayley's main objective. When she starts to make headway in figuring out who the killer is she realizes she has.put herself in danger. Will Hayley be able to name the murderer before she ends up as the next victim?

Another fun entry in the Hayley Snow Food Critic mysteries series. The delightful Scottish Scone Sisters, Violet and Bettina Booth, make a reappearance. They are visiting Miss Gloria and Hayley in Key West to host a baking contest. As always something happens – arson, theft, murder – and no matter what friends or family say, Hayley is off and running to solve the crime, of course with Miss Gloria at her side. All your favorite characters are back, Hayley is as much of a treat as ever, and it’s a good mystery with lots of clues, twists and turns, delicious food and a satisfying ending.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of A Clue in the Crumbs. Great read. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

The Scone Sisters, friends of Hayley, arrive in Key West to host The UK Bakes--Key West Addition tv cooking competition. But the action isn't limited to the kitchen or the set when there is a fire at the B&B they are staying at and one of the competitors is a suspect of arson. When a body shows up and the murder weapon points to the Scone Sisters, Hayley & company must find the real culprit.

Fun. I love the Scone Sisters. They add some spice to the story. Decent mystery, good characters and some recipes I want to try out. All the ingredients for a perfect recipe of mystery!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest opinion.

A Clue in the Crumbs is yet another winner in the deliciously cozy Key West Food Critic series by author Lucy Burdette - and this particular story brings the Scone sisters to Key West all the way from their native Scotland! When Bettina and Violet make Key West the first stop on their UK Bakes! American tour, their pals Miss Gloria and Hayley are glad to help in any way they can. But when a contestant's husband is murdered and then their agent disappears, the ladies (plus Nathan!) decide they need to investigate. A fun and fast read, and a great addition to the series! A+++

A Clue in the Crumbs is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic series.

Hayley Snow lives in Key West, Florida and works for Key West Style, for an e-magazine as a food critic. She is married to Nathan Bransford, a police detective. They live on Houseboat Row. Gloria is her neighbor who lives next to her. Hayle and Gloria are friends, but Haley also keeps an eye on her.

Haley and Gloria are on their way to the airport to pick up Violet and Bettina Booth, the Scone Sisters from Scotland. They are coming to the U.S. to promote their show UK Bakes Key West edition. Martha Hubbard is the local chef heading the contest for the show.

The B&B where they are planning on staying has had a fire Gloria invites them to stay with her. The next day they go and meet the contestants who will be competing in the show. Rayna Humboldt, Harry Sweeting and Martina Bevis. This sets the stage for a murder and for Haley and Gloria to get in the middle of it all.

This is a cozy mystery which was fun to read. I enjoyed the characters and the great relationship between Haley and Gloria.

Hayley and Miss Gloria are hosting the Scone Sisters who have come to Key West to bring their TV show to America. When one of the bakers in their competition has a series of unfortunate things happen, all four women are on the case! I loved this story of the four women working together. I especially enjoyed the scone sisters being in this book. Great story and interesting plot line. I loved how the sleuths and the reader overlook the most likely killer.
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review.

That Miss Gloria’s something else! She’s always been my fave of Hayley’s friends and in the last few books, she’s gotten even more of a presence which I absolutely love! Put her together with Bettina and Violet from Scotland and you’ve got a pretty awesome senior sleuthing trio. Those ladies even after a long flight from Scotland never stopped going and definitely kept Hayley on the move as well.

I eventually suspected whodunit but none of the exact details. The Scone Sisters’ agent was an odd character but he ended up with quite the tale to tell after he’d vanished right after the murder. The showdown was a crazy one, but everyone ended up back at Hayley’s for food, friendship and a little debriefing about the case. I wouldn’t mind seeing the Scone Sisters visit again, only maybe next time not have a baking contest, just some good old tourism mayhem! I’m sure there’d still be plenty for those ladies to see and do. Don’t miss this latest installment when it releases August 8, 2023.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Crooked Lane via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

The Scone sisters from Scotland are visiting Key West to tape a baking show. Haley and her husband Nathan met the Scone sisters while on their home in Scotland.
When a body is discovered Haley, Miss Gloria and the sisters start sleuthing to find the killer.
A fun read, mystery, great description of food, cooking, including recipes. Always a fun trip back to Key West.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read this book.

5/5 stars: It's a joy to catch up on the sleuthing adventures of Burdette's Florida food writer and critic Hayley Snow, her detective husband and her octogenarian best pal, Gloria. Burdette's characters are incredibly likable. Gloria is a gem and it was great seeing Violet and Bettina again (they first appeared in A Scone of Contention, when Hayley and friends traveled to Scotland). Burdette's mystery perfectly blends the right balance of clues, red herrings and suspects that will leave you guessing the whodunit 'til the last page. Oh and you will not want to miss out on the deliciously yummy recipes included. This is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic series, so be sure to pick up An Appetite For Murder, book one.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

A CLUE IN THE CRUMBS is the thirteenth book in the Key West Food Critic Mysteries by Lucy Burdette. From the inviting cover that makes you want to jump right in to sample the yummy goodies, to the premise of a TV reality baking show featuring the utterly charming Scottish Scone Sister, I was hooked from the very start. The setting of tropical Key West is described in such splendid detail, with bits of history thrown in, that I felt like I was on vacation myself. I love how the author brought the two Scottish characters featured in her last book, to Key West. They fit right in with protagonist Hayley Snow, and her sidekick, octogenarian Miss Gloria. Ms. Burdette’s characters are what make this series so beloved, and this newest release didn’t disappoint. The core characters are people you’d like to call friends and jump in to assist others when the need arises. This book can easily be read as a standalone, with just enough backstory provided without dragging down the plot.

The mystery itself was multilayered and kept me on my toes as I followed along in the investigation with Hayley and her pals. From a fire that comes close to destroying a local B&B, to the owner of said B&B threatening his talented chef wife competing on the show, to his body being discovered, there are many suspects to consider. Along with that, where did the Scone Sisters’ culinary equipment disappear to and how did their unique knife end up being the murder weapon? And why is their agent ghosting them? And who is sabotaging the baking show? I just adore how Hayley, Miss Gloria, and the Scone Sisters put their heads together to hunt down clues and track down suspects. Together, they make a formidable team. With a thrilling reveal that includes a tiki boat, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what happens next. Ms. Burdette has written another terrific addition to her charming series that has me waiting, impatiently, for the next book!

Between entertaining their Scottish guests and the baking show competition, there is yummy food mentioned throughout the story. The author has thoughtfully included several recipes at the back of the book for the home cook to try.