A novel with so many delicious recipes must be reviewed again! Set in Key West, this novel brings images of tropical location to your mind and yummy recipes for you and your family. Hayley has to juggle a visit from her mom, her friend as a primary suspect, a man she thought was interested in her, and keeping her boss happy with her reviews.
If you are looking for cozy mystery series where you will enjoy living vicariously with a food critic in a tropical climate, then this is it!
Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette
Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes by Lucy Burdette
Book Review
Murder Mystery Books🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
Book Review Outline and Tone:
One of the best parts of reading is to live vicariously through great characters. Hayley Snow is one of those characters that it is fun to imagine being her. She is relatable enough with her daily work and life struggles and fun enough to imagine sampling food and writing about it. In this novel, the reader meets Hayley’s mom. They have a very realistic relationship. Hayley loves her mom, but still has issues from her childhood.
Hayley’s mom is visiting from New Jersey to attend a convention where cookbook authors share their knowledge and inspire their fans. At the opening panel discussion, one author is a bit too honest about his feelings in regards to other authors and food critics. When Hayley finds him dead in a decorative fountain after the speech, the mystery begins.
Hayley’s good friend Eric quickly becomes the primary suspect. Hayley spends the novel juggling her investigation, reviewing the conference for her job, trying to figure out if Bransford is interested in her, and keeping her mom entertained.
Strengths of this novel include the relatable characters and the fantastic pacing. Events unfold in a way that keeps me reading and I’m sure you will enjoy it too.bn
The author:
Like so many cozy mystery authors, Lucy Burdette is a pen name for Roberta Isleib; she is a clinical psychologist and author of three book series. She has written 12 books in the Key West Food Critic series and book 13 is due to be released in 2023. She is also the author of a Golf Mystery Series and the Advice Column Mysteries. Many of her books have been on the short lists for awards and The Key Lime Crime won a bronze medal in the Florida Book Awards. She is active on many social platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. She also has an active Pinterest account. On Goodreads, she does a great job answering questions. Be sure to reach out to her on some platform to let her know you enjoyed her book.
What is not to like?:
Will they? Won’t they? Can they just be honest with each other? I’m looking forward to the resolution with Hayley and Bransford.
The verdict:
Hayley Snow is living the life! A food critic in Key West, FL. I recommend this series and I recommend a trip to Key West!
Books to Read 📕📗📘📙
Book Club Books Recommendation: A fun read and lots of guessing for whodonit
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Ravishing Strawberry Rhubarb Cake with Streusel Topping
from a cozy mystery:
Death in Four Courses by Lucy Burdette
Assemble the Ingredients
Easy dessert to make: 5/5 on the Easy as Pie scale 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream the butter and sugar, and add the egg.
You will be mixing this by hand. I recommend you use a bowl with a gripping bottom. Also use a firm spatula. .
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
Sift together flour and baking soda and add this to the creamed mixture with the milk and vanilla. Anytime I have to measure liquids, I love
Fold in the rhubarb and strawberries.
Pour into a greased 9-by-11-inch pan.
Assemble topping ingredients.
Blend topping ingredients until pea-sized with a pastry blender and sprinkle on top of the cake.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.
Look at this fabulous, ravishing cake!
Dessert Recipes 🍰🍰🍰🍰🍰
Ravishing Strawberry Rhubarb Cake with Streusel Topping
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 cups sifted flour
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups rhubarb, chopped
- 1 cup strawberries, chopped
For the topping
- ¼ cup butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp flour
- 4 Tbsp rolled oats
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- Cream the butter and sugar, and add the egg.
- Sift together flour and baking soda and add this to the creamed mixture.
- Add the milk and vanilla.
- Fold in the rhubarb and strawberries.
- Pour into a greased 9-by-11-inch pan.
- Blend topping ingredients until pea-sized with a pastry blender and sprinkle on top of the cake.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes.
What would I do differently next time?
I do enjoy a good streusel topping. Next time I might make more toppings to add to the top of the cake.
So delicious 😋😋😋😋
Will I make it again?: Yes! With even more streusel😋😋😋😋
Lemon Tart from Death of a Cupcake Queen by Lee Hollis
Cherry Cola Sheet Cake from Cherry Cola Book Club by Ashton Lee
