A wedding in Key West leads to murder, mysteries, and great recipes. Hayley’s best friends are getting married and that brings several family members down to the island. Can there possibly be wedded bliss when mopey teenagers and long lost parental figures show up?
This is book #4 of the Key West Food Critic series by Lucy Burdette. In this novel, the reader learns more about Hayley’s family. Her parents, step parents, step brother all play key roles in creating and solving mysteries in this cozy mystery. The author also shares fantastic recipes like the Perfect Pimento Cheese I have reviewed below.
Murder with Ganache by Lucy Burdette
Cozy Mystery Novel with Recipes
Book Review
Murder Mystery Books🔪🔪🔪🔪🔪
Book Review Outline and Tone:
Hayley’s parents are both in town for a wedding. Let me rephrase that, Haley’s parents, her step parents and a step brother are all in town for the same wedding. If this situation happened in my life, I would be juggling my time between the two sides of my family. But for Hayley, the are all doing things like dining out together. Good for them. I can’t imagine it! Remember in the movie Ghostbusters when while trying to trap their first ghost, Igor tells them “Don’t let the streams cross!” That is how I have always felt about my divorced parents, don’t let their paths cross! Now truth be told, they don’t harbor animosity with each other and now that they are retired in the same town, they have even gone out to lunch with each other to catch up. So perhaps it is just me, I’m the one who is uncomfortable when they are together. So kudos for Hayley to keep it together for so many different activities in this novel with all of her parents present.
Hayley is a great friend and a great food critic, but her skills in both are tested in this novel. When her step brother goes missing and Connie calls off the wedding, Hayley tries to fix it all. Then her boss begins to pile on assignments that she can’t possibly manage while in crisis with her personal life. Ms. Burdette does a wonderful job capturing the reader who by now in the series both likes Hayley and wants to see her succeed. The likability of the main character is one of the reasons this series is such a hit. Another reason is the recipe
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?:
The resolution seems to happen so fast. I was listening to the audiobook and had to rewind (is that still the correct term if the audio is digital?) to listen again and make sure I wasn’t missing something.
The verdict:
I love this series for living vicariously through the main character. A food critic in Key West might just be my dream job. Even if that isn’t your dream job, I’m certain you will enjoy this cozy mystery.
Book Club Recommendation: 5/5 Books 📚📚📚📚📚
Read It!
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Perfect Pimento Cheese
Assemble the Ingredients
Easy to make dessert: 4.5/5 on the Easy as Pie scale 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧
Slice the white parts of a bunch of scallions and sautéed in small amount of butter until lightly browned.
Grate the cheese. White cheddar is best, but absolutely don’t buy the pre-shredded type of cheese. Combine in a large bowl with Greek cream cheese.
Beat until well mixed. (Hayley [and I] used an electric mixer.)
Add the red peppers and scallions, mix well with a strong silicone spatula like .
Add the mayo. If the mixture isn’t the right texture for spreading, add more mayonnaise, plus hot sauce to taste.
Chill. It looks fantastic!
Good Grips, no slip when mixing. Each bowl has a spout for easy pouring. Dishwasher safe.
Serve pretty bowl and serve with crackers and celery or use in sandwiches. (This recipe is based on one shared by my niece’s father, chef Harry Williams.)
Bonus Recipe! Perfect Pimento Cheese Air Fried Sandwich.
Get some crusty rolls like Ciabatta bread. Spread the Pimento Cheese on Both sides and air fry until melted, about 4 minutes at 375 degrees.
Now for the secret to the Perfect Pimento Cheese Sandwich
Add 2-4 slices of crispy bacon on one side and 4 dill pickles on the other side.
I love these Doux South Angry Cukes pickles!
Fold together the 2 sides of the sandwich and prepare yourself for the ultimate delicious, melty, cheesy, savory, sandwich!
Taste: 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lucy's Perfect Pimento Cheese from a cozy mystery novel
Ingredients
- 6 cups shredded sharp white cheddar (don't buy pre-shredded cheese, if you can help it)
- 4 oz Greek cream cheese (this is half cream cheese and half Greek yogurt-more protein, less fat)
- 7 to 8 oz roasted red peppers in oil, chopped
- 1 bunch scallions, cleaned and chopped-mostly white parts, sautéed in tiny amount of butter
- ½ cup mayonnaise, more if needed (Hayley used Hellmann's)
- dash Tabasco sauce, to taste
Instructions
- sauté chopped scallions in tiny amount of butter
- chop roasted red peppers
- grate the cheese
- combine in a large bowl with cream cheese, beat until well mixed. (Hayley used an electric mixer.)
- add the red peppers and scallions, mix well
- add the mayo
- if the mixture isn't the right texture for spreading, add more mayonnaise
- add hot sauce to taste
- chill in a bowl then serve with crackers and celery or use in sandwiches
What would I do differently next time?
Nothing, not a single things. This is fabulous!
Will I make it again?: Absolutely Yes! 😋😋😋😋😋
Many of the recipes I review are sweet desserts, here are a few savory dishes to try.
Grits with Cheese from When the Grits Hit the Fan by Maddie Day.
Hot Mama Frittata from Bedeviled Eggs by Laura Childs.
Cheesy Biscuits from Flipped for Murder by Maddie Day.
