My First Key West Food Critic Mystery: The Mango Murders Review

Read time: 3 minutes

📢 Genre: Cozy Mystery
🎧 Listened in audio
📢 Narrated by Laura Jennings
⏱ Duration: 8 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Dreamscape Media & Crooked Lane Books

The Mango Murders is the fifteenth installment in the Lucy Burdette’s Key West Food Critic Mystery series. However, this is my first in the series, and I jumped head-first into sun-drenched Key West streets, quirky locals dishing out conch fritters, and a plot as layered as a key lime pie.

The mystery unfolds naturally, balancing simplicity with enough depth to keep you guessing. Hayley Snow, the ever-thorough amateur sleuth, draws you in with her sharp intuition and likable personality. Plus, the interplay of family dynamics, especially with Hayley’s mom catering the possibility of her mother-in-law joining the sleuthing, adds warmth and humor. Laura Jennings’ narration complements the story perfectly, bringing the quirky and warm characters to life.

What struck me most was how the book manages to stay fresh despite the series’ length. The story isn’t bogged down by prior plots, and yet it rewards series veterans with nods to past events. it strikes a sweet spot between cozy comfort and compelling mystery. I think I found a new series to binge!

Would I recommend it?

This ARC had me grinning through the gore-proof cozy mystery. Whether you are a seasoned fan of the Key West Food Critic series or a cozy mystery newbie, The Mango Murders delivers a satisfying blend of mystery, charm, and delicious food adventures.

★★★★

Book Blurb:

In The Mango Murders, food critic Hayley Snow is attending a lavish cocktail party on a Key West boat cruise, catered by her mother. The celebration goes awry when an explosion strikes the vessel, killing a local culinary entrepreneur. Hayley soon discovers it was no accident. Navigating island politics, fierce caterer competition, and personal vendettas, Hayley must unmask the culprit before they strike again in this vibrant and flavorful cozy mystery.

If you like this…

You may also like…

• Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery Series by Ellery Adams
  With a strong culinary focus and cozy town atmosphere, this series mixes baking and crime-solving, ideal for lovers of comforting reads with engaging mysteries.
• Tea Shop Mystery Series by Laura Childs
  This series blends Southern charm, tea culture, and murder mysteries with a warm amateur detective at the center of the plots.
• Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke
  This series features Hannah Swensen, a bakery owner in a small town who solves murders while baking delicious treats.
• Noodle Shop Mystery by Vivien Chien
  A culinary cozy mystery featuring fun food puns, amateur sleuthing, and delicious Asian cuisine, making it perfect for fans of food-themed mysteries with a fresh setting.
• Memphis Barbeque Mystery Series by Riley Adams
  Featuring a strong food theme around barbeque and a smart amateur sleuth, this adds rich flavor and suspense for lovers of culinary cozies.

Island whodunit or culinary curiosity?

Have you ever jumped into a series halfway through and felt right at home? I’d love to hear which first-time series experiences made you curious enough to keep reading, or start from the first book. Let’s chat in the comments.

Book Links:

Want to buy a book I’ve read and support an indie book store? Consider purchasing from bookshop.org

Bookshop.org link
Goodreads
Follow Lucy Burdette on her author page
Check out other books from Dreamscape Media