KILLER TAKEOUT

By Lucy Burdette

Every October tourists flock to Key West, Florida, for Fantasy Fest, a week-long, totally over-the-top celebration. Which is saying a lot, because Key West is party central all year. But this Mardi Gras-style combination of non-stop parties and parades has tourists and locals alike lining up for costumed (and non-costumed) revelry.

In “Killer Takeout,” the seventh in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series penned by Lucy Burdette (Roberta Isleib), Haley Snow, food critic for Key Zest magazine, is assigned to write a feature story on Key West’s many grab-and-go food eateries. She can’t wait to begin her mouth-watering “research.” Not wanting to miss out on the action herself, Haley’s geriatric housemate, Miss Gloria, convinces Haley that they should both volunteer to be parade ambassadors, patrolling the city’s sidewalks during some of the events.

Part of the fun of Fantasy Fest is the election of a Queen, King, and their court, and Haley’s Key Zest officemate and dear friend, Danielle, is hoping to be selected as Queen. As Miss Gloria and Haley are being trained in their ambassador duties, word arrives that there’s a catfight going on between two Fantasy Fest Queen contestants. Yep, you guessed it. One of them is Danielle, who has just been crowned Queen, and the other is her sore loser rival, part-time resident, Caryn Druckman.

When Caryn dies during the Fantasy Festival’s zombie parade, Danielle is Suspect Number One, followed by her doting mother and equally doting aunt, who will do almost anything to be sure Danielle gets to keep her rhinestone crown.

As if Haley’s not stressed enough, she also has to organize the Key West wedding of her mom and long-time boyfriend, Sam, as well as prepare for Hurricane Margaret, which is threatening to make landfall.

“Killer Takeout” is a delightful addition to a satisfying series. But with all the food references, as well as the yummy recipes at the end, readers are advised not to read it when hungry!