Let’s face it, I have a concentration problem.
My head, which at Christmas-time should be full of magical sugar plums dancing, is instead full of how in the world I am going to manage my mother (whom I love dearly) plunking herself in Key West for the entire winter season. Thank goodness she landed a catering position which will keep her hands and her mouth busy.
I’m also thinking about the biggest assignment I’ve had in my short career as a food critic. Edel Waugh, one of New York City’s shining restaurant stars, just announced her opening for the brand-new restaurant Bistro on the Bight. 
New restaurants on our island are a big deal. We love to eat and we love to eat good food. If you go on Yelp or Trip Advisor—places where amateurs review restaurants—and I could say a lot more about that—you have to fight through hundreds of listings to get from one end of our restaurant list to the other. A chef coming from New York to Key West would want to be number one. Not number two or three or four, number one. Whatever it takes to get the job done, Edel is going to do it. And since she invited me into her kitchen, I am skipping over whatever else I have in my date book and going. [Photo credit by Jay DeFehr]
So instead of circling around Old Town Key West with my adorable houseboat roommate Miss Gloria, noticing the 
fabulous displays of Christmas lights, and deciding in our minds which rate as first, second, and third prize winners, I will be attending the pre-opening night dinner at Edel’s restaurant. Including a tour of the kitchen and a last-minute invite to join the staff supper. There’s even a rumor that the restaurant critic from the New York Times may be coming. Be still my hungry heart!
Honestly, the last thing on my mind is another murder.
About DEATH WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS:
It may be Christmastime, but thoughts of peace on earth, good will toward men, don’t seem to extend to the restaurant business. Food critic Hayley Snow has been assigned to interview Edel Waugh, chef/owner of Key West’s hottest new restaurant. But off the record, Edel reveals that there’s been sabotage in the kitchen and asks Hayley to investigate. Things heat up fast when the restaurant is set on fire—and a body is discovered in the charred wreckage. Is someone out to destroy the chef’s business—or actually kill her? Amid holiday festivities like the lighted boat parade, and visiting relatives who stir up mixed emotions, Hayley needs to smoke out an arsonist and a killer before they turn up the heat again…on her!
You can spend more time with Hayley in Death With All The Trimmings, the fifth book in the “Key West Food Critic” mystery series, published by Obsidian. The first book in the series is An Appetite For Murder.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on December 15 for the chance to win a copy of DEATH WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
Meet the author
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) is the author of 13 mysteries, including Death With All The Trimmings, the fifth book in the Key West series featuring food critic Hayley Snow. Lucy’s books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She’s a past president of Sisters in Crime.
Website | Jungle Red Writers | Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook
I enjoy Key West Food Critic mysteries. Wonderful way to enjoy food without worrying about calories – hmmm, maybe a murder or two. Thanks for the giveaway chance.
Death With All The Trimmings sounds like a great book and fun read. Please enter me in the contest.
mywhims(at)myway(dot)com
Thank you
One of my favorite series. Key West is a wonderful place to spend the Holidays.
A perfect book to enjoy and relax with during the busy holiday season. No matter how frantic things get for me it won’t be anywhere near what is sounds like Hayley is going to experience in this story!
I like the idea behind this book. I want to read it. I appreciate your giveaway. Thank you. I have never been to Key West so I can live vicariously through the book
You can think about how warm it is in Key West if you read this book. I would love to get into this series,
Sounds very interesting. I will have to pick it up! Thank you for the chance!
Lucy (Roberta) is on my short list of favorite authors. She is a sweet, generous lady who will take time out of a busy schedule to meet up with a star struck traveler from a cruise ship docked in her town of Key West. Her books about Haley Snow, island food critic, take us to very real places most tourists will usually miss. All the while Haley is getting into danger and solving a mystery.
Lovely!
Time to play catch up with another series!
Nice giveaway. Need to read the first book but this would be a great new chance at a new series. 🙂 Thanks ahead of time.
I’m anxious to read another Hayley adventure!
Just by looking at the awesome cover of this book with the palm tree and cute kitty, I can tell this is going to be another terrific book to read. It also will make me feel warm reading about sunny warm Key West while it is so bitterly cold here in New Jersey. Totally excited about this new book by this really super awesome author.
Sounds like an interesting mother-daughter relationship. Love those!
What a fun book, thank you for the chance to win
Sounds like fun, I’d love to read this
With a chef for a stepson, I know how hectic the restaurant world can be. That you for the giveaway!
this would be awesome to win!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Thank you so much Dru, for inviting Hayley and me back to your blog! and thank you everyone for the very kind words. we hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and a stocking stuffed with mysterie!
Thanks, Dru and Hayley/Lucy/Roberta! This is a great series and I’m looking forward to reading “Death with All the Trimmings”.
This sounds really good! Thank you for the chance to win it!
I would love to spend Christmas time at Key West. Thank you so much for this chance to win this book.
Another great series! Thanks for the chance!
Would love to visit Key West with Hayley at the holidays! Thanks!
I haven’t started this series yet, but I do have them waiting for me on my bookshelf. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love cozies! especially this time of year! Thank you for the chance 😉
I’ve never been to Key West so hopefully this is the next best thing. Thanks for the giveaway.
This is a new series to me, but that’s fine! I’ll just work my way back to the first one. It sounds exciting and a great read!
Sounds like a great read.
This book sounds like a “must read”! Thank you for the contest!
thanks to all of you for entering the drawing–and good luck! Key West is a very fun place to spend the holidays… xo Lucy
It’s freezing here today. Wish I could spend Christmas In Key West!
Love this series and can’t wait to read this book.
sounds great, thank you for the chance 🙂
Another book drawing of which I am hoping to be the lucky recipient📖 Reading is my all time favorite pastime😍📚 I look forward to reading this book🎅🎄⛄️🎁
Sounds like a fun book. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to dive into this book.
Love this series, thanks for the chance to win.
Key West and food–what a great combination!
Looks like a lovely book. Food and Key West. Hmmmm
It sounds like a great story. I love that it takes place during Christmas. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Christmas in Key West—what a wonderful idea—could I possibly convince the hubby to have Christmas without snow?
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
If it’s by Lucy Burdette, count me in!
I can’t wait to read
This sounds interesting. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Death With All The Trimmings.
Sounds like another winner in this great series.
I think it would be so much fun to spend the Christmas holidays in Key West. I love this series. I hope I win a copy of this holiday book.
Would love to read this
Love these books with some food focus and I enjoy this author.
this series sounds interesting. I will be adding it to my TBR list. Thanks Dru for always giving us such great books to read. I will never have enough time to read them all.
LOVE this series and can’t wait to read about Haley’s latest adventures!
Please enter me. I love the sound of this.
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Readimg 2nd book now!!!
Love this series, but behind on my reading! Thanks!
This book sounds great
Wow, sounds yummy. I can’t wait to read this series. I really hope I win this one.
I love this series
Please enter my name for this new series (to me)!
Sounds like a great book. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance to win.
All your talking about food has me starving. I need to stop and fix me something to eat, but I want to finish here first.
Food and murder that is the ticket.
This is a series I enjoy.
Love the Key West food critic series! Thanks for the post & giveaway.
I like this author. Would love to win this
Can’t wait to get this book. Thanks for the chance to win it.
Pick me. Thanks!
Thank you for a chance to win.
Such a wonderful cover.
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the chance to win.
I would love to read your books. Thank you
Thank you for this chance to win your great book! I’m excited to start reading your books!
I was just in Key West on a cruise and love the series. Congrats on the new book.
I love these books!
Love it! Thanks for chance.
Sounds good
Love this series, and can’t wait to read this book
contest is closed.