Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette

Being landlocked in Kansas makes this Florida girl wish there was some sand beneath my feet for sure! Maybe that is why I adored the setting of Fatal Reservations, part six in the Key West Food Critic mystery series by Lucy Burdette.

From the back of the book:

In the latest Key West Food Critic mystery, Hayley Snow’s beat is reviewing restaurants for Key Zest magazine. But she sets aside her knife and fork when a dear friend is accused of murder…

Hayley Snow looks forward to reviewing For Goodness Sake, a new floating restaurant that promises a fresh take on Japanese delicacies like flambéed grouper with locally sourced seaweed. But nearby land-based restaurateurs would rather see their buoyant competition sink.

Sent to a City Commission meeting to cover the controversy, Hayley witnesses another uproar. The quirky performers of the daily Sunset Celebration are struggling to hold onto their performance space. The fight for Mallory Square has renewed old rivalries between Hayley’s Tarot-card reading friend Lorenzo and a flaming-fork-juggling nemesis, Bart Frontgate—but things take a deadly turn when Bart is found murdered.

If Lorenzo could read his own cards, he might draw The Hanged Man. He can only hope that Hayley draws Justice as she tries to clear him of murder…

My thoughts:

This story has a lot to love, from beautiful settings to interesting characters. I am a beach baby so the setting felt just like home and it was really neat to hear about the workings of street performers. Haley has a most awesome job as a food critic. Imagine how wonderful it must be to get paid to eat good food! 

Of course all isn't perfect and there is a murder to solve. I like the extra layers with all of the town politics and how neatly everything unfolded. It was like a perfect dance where every step comes naturally. This was my first read from this series and now I am hooked. You'll want to grab a copy today so you can eat up this great mystery too. Speaking of eat up... there are recipes in the back of the book too and they sound divine. 

Take some time to browse the other great mysteries available from Berkley Prime Crime. While you are there, you can sign up for the newsletter so you never miss a new release. I must warn you though, after browsing my wish list is longer than I could probably read. You can also connect with them on Twitter where can happen across a fun giveaway as well. 

Disclosure: I may receive products in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I personally believe will be good for my readers.