Sunday, August 7, 2022

A Dish to Die For - A Review

 Review


A DISH TO DIE FOR by Lucy Burdette
The Twelfth Key West Food Critic Mystery 

Known for trying to appease everybody, Haley Snow is working on boundaries. Her resolve to say no is challenged by her father-in-law's visit and the dead body she and Ziggy uncovered. Literally uncovered, when a trip to the beach to relax turned anything but. Vowing to keep out of the investigation, Haley's interest can't help but be piqued when she starts to hear about the victim-a man actively opposing the wishes of almost everyone in Key West. Will Hayley be able to keep her distance from the murder or will she once again be drawn in?

A DISH TO DIE FOR looks at the role women have played and continue to play in Key West. A vintage cookbook published by the Woman's Club in 1949 sheds light on the role of women as well as the food of the time, both having aspects today's women may find slightly appalling.

I enjoyed getting to know Nathan's father and seeing how the various relationships in the series react and adapt. The mystery kept me captivated while descriptions of food had me salivating. I can picture Hayley on her scooter and enjoy visiting the Florida Keys from my nicely air conditioned home up North.

An additional benefit of reading the Key West Food Critic Mystery series is getting to know Key West, from the Little White House to the Woman's Club to Mallory Square and beyond. This twelfth mystery actually takes us beyond, off the rock, seeing communities a little farther off the tourist path that is Key West. Showing the problems as well as the beauty, we get a glimpse into the lives of "regular people". We also get a look at the grittier, less appealing side of the Keys.

A DISH TO DIE FOR is a delectable mystery made more compelling by its subtle commentary on important issues facing the world today.

No comments:

Post a Comment