Some weeks I can’t ignore the fact that people consider my new hometown, Key West, as their personal playground. Adult rated, I must add. The Fantasy Fest celebration leading up to Halloween with its gigantic parade is one of those weeks—people get crazy down here. And it’s hot as Hades, too: Hot enough to fry two eggs with a side of bacon on the pavement as my adorable octogenarian roommate Miss Gloria likes to say. She also says don’t waste your time worrying about the big storm hanging out below Cuba. . .not easy, but I’m going to try!
My dear friend Danielle has been crowned the queen of Fantasy Fest this year, 
and that means I need to support her – I can’t crawl into the bunk on my houseboat and emerge when those 90,000 outsiders finally leave the island. She’s worked so hard to raise money for charity—and ended up blowing her competition out of the water. Not literally, of course, but from the way that woman is acting, you might think so.
Since it’s impossible to pretend normal life can proceed this week, I will fortify myself with cafe con leche and glazed donuts and write a round-up about fabulous takeout food on the island. No one in her right mind would actually try to eat in a restaurant packed with all these zany visitors.
I’ve got one more item on my to-do list: I need to keep my mother from flipping out about her upcoming wedding to sweet Sam. I swear, if she lets this guy get away, it could be cause for matricide!
Killer Takeout is the seventh book in the Key West Food Critic mystery series, published by Obsidian, April 2016.
It’s Fantasy Fest at Key West, and food critic Hayley Snow is ready to celebrate. But a killer seems intent on crashing the party. . .
Every year, Key West’s weeklong Mardi Gras–style festival has tourists and locals alike lining up for costumed revelry and delicious eats. Key Zest magazine has assigned Hayley to write a piece on the fest’s grab-and-go food, so she’s planning on hitting up the mobile eateries while checking out the party preparations.
Hayley’s office mate, Danielle, recently elected Queen of Fantasy Fest, is also buzzing between festivities and fundraisers. But when her former royal rival gets taken out, Hayley needs to put down her party hat and her pen and figure out who served up a side of murder—before Danielle gets crowned a killer.
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Praise for the National Bestselling Series
“Lucy Burdette writes evocatively about Key West and food . . . [a] charming series.”—New York Times Bestselling Author Diane Mott Davidson
About the author
Lucy Burdette (aka Roberta Isleib) is the author of 15 mysteries, including Killer Takeout, the latest in the Key West series featuring food critic Hayley Snow and her houseboat roommate, Miss Gloria. 
Her books and stories have been short-listed for Agatha, Anthony, and Macavity awards. She’s a past president of Sisters in Crime. In the throes of a mid-life crisis, Lucy realized that the work of the detective in a mystery has quite a bit in common with long-term psychotherapy: Start with a problem, follow the threads looking for clues, and gradually fill in the big picture. So her career move from clinical psychologist to mystery writer turned out to be a natural progression. Like her food critic character in the Key West series, she is passionate about food. [Photo by Carol Tedesco]
Visit Lucy at www.lucyburdette.com, on Facebook, @lucyburdette, Instagram and Pinterest.
Giveaway: Leave comment below for your chance to win a print copy of Killer Takeout. US entries only, please. The giveaway will end April 18, 2016 at 12 AM EST. Good luck everyone!
All comments are welcomed.
One of my favorite series!!!
Thank you for the giveaway……
Looking forward to reading this latest book . I enjoy mysteries based around a town’s festival. Haley likes glazed donuts which are also a favorite of mine.
This is a great series and this one sounds like a hoot!
I’ve been to Florida many times but have never made it to Key West. Setting the book there has helped me to increase my knowledge of this area so when I finally do make it there. Thanks for the giveaway and for including this book on your blog. robeader53@yahoo.com
I just might have to put Key West on my bucket list.
Killer Takeout sounds like a fun read. Thank you for this chance!
I am going to be in Key West this month and the Island Book store is holding my copy so excited to read this in Key West
I love this series so a must read for anyone.
Can’t wait to get my hands on this one. The only series I have read completely. Had the privilege of hearing this author speak at the KW library when I was in town in January. She was a true inspiration.
This would be a great book to add to my cozy challenge list. Thanks for a chance to win a copy.
My last trip was to Miami–I haven’t made it to Key West yet, but love reading about it. Looking forward to this book.
This is such a fun series! Love Haley and her quirky friends. Including food fest, travelogue, humor,, sadness , intrigue all in one place!
I enjoy this series and Haley’s recipes. I envy her living on a houseboat. Then on top of that, she HAS to eat at restaurants for her job! It’s a tough life, eh?! 😉 Thanks Dru for today’s feature, and thanks to Lucy for the opportunity to win a copy of “Killer Takeout” …a book I will read as soon as possible! 🙂
I have finished the new book. It is another great read!
You are totally there in Key West in the midst of all that..insanity.
And a threatening hurricane? Too real for a south Floridian!
After visiting Key West, I read the first Haley Snow book. What a great location and a great series!!
Anytime there’s a character named Hayley with that particular spelling, I’m hooked, since it’s the middle name (and spelling!) of one of my kids. And when you add food into the story, well, it’s simply a must-read. Looking forward to it!
I love this series and can’t wait to read this book.
So can’t wait to get my hands on this! What’s better than a mystery, a little romance and food! Haven’t got my copy yet, so fingers crossed!
Love the series. I’m looking forward to reading Killer Takeout.
Thanks for this feature and giveaway. Wonderful series.
thanks so much for inviting Hayley back! xox
I love your books!
I so enjoy Roberta Isleib’s mysteries – several series. This is a great series and I so enjoy Hayley and her friends and family. Can’t wait to read this one.
Reading it now and loving it. Except that so many places in Key West are new or changed their names, it can be confusing!
Thank you so much for the review and I just can’t wait to read this. When I lived in the bay area the taco truck was our fav and so cheap. Love cozies!
Can’t wait to read “Killer Takeout”. Would like to visit Key West thru the pages of the book.
I have yet to read one of our books so would welcome the chance to do so.
I would live to win a copy of Killer Takeout, sounds like a fun read. Thank you.
Have always wanted to visit Key West. Now I deliberated about this festival week.
7th book in the series, where have I been? lol sounds like a great read, hope I win
I love Key West. Haven’t been there in a few years but it’s one of my favorite places to visit. Of course food is a big part of a vacation place. Throw in a murder mystery and who wouldn’t love to read about it. Can’t wait to read this one!
I visit Key West every time I read of your books!!
I haven’t been to Key West since the 50s but love going there now through this fun series! Thanks, Lucy!
Thanks Dru Ann for the low down on this most recent installment of Lucy’s series! I’ve enjoyed all in this series & hope to read this one soon.
I have just added this to my TBR list. brichardson0056@yahoo.com
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Killer Takeout”, sounds like another great cozy!
wfnren at aol dot com
Food and Murder count me in.
Thank you very much for the giveaway opportunity!!!
Looking forward to reading the latest Key West Food Critic mystery.
I love this series. Can’t wait to read Killer Takeout. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
would like to read this story..thank you for the chance to win a free treasure
Can’t wait to read the “Killer Takeout”. This is a great series and I need to add this one to the rest of my Key West Collection.
Awesome author, awesome series and a great sounding book. Hope I win the giveaway.
Looks like a Awesome book 👍👍 Loved Key West spend a week there, ( came back pregnant with with my twins 🙂 Thank you for a chance to win a great book 💟
I love this series, and Key West is a wonderful destination. Thanks for this opportunity.
I am currently reading this delightful Key West tale on my Kindle. I’d love to have a copy to share with friends. This is one if me favorite series.
I would so like to vacation in Key West—but only in the winter when the temps are tolerable.
Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
Looks like another great installment in a series I really enjoy!
I love this series….ready to read this one!
I already have this on my TBR list, but I’d rather win it! 🙂
I have been wanting to read this series
love this series!
Thank you for the chance to win this cozy mystery. Sounds like a great read.
Would love to add to my reading pile. One day I will visit Key West.