Q&A with Lucy Burdette, author of Key Lime Crime

KEY LIME CRIME, tenth in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series, by Lucy Burdette comes out August 11. Readers love this fun series because it is like having a local guide — one who just happens to stumble over a murder or two. We had a quick chat with Lucy, who some of you probably know as Roberta, about writing about food, Key West as a setting, and the new addition to her family.

You’ll have the opportunity to ask Lucy other questions during our virtual event with her in conversation with author Deborah Crombie (A Bitter Feast) on Tuesday, Aug 18 at 6PM EDT. Register for the event: Live with Lucy Burdette.

And if you need to catch up on installments 1-9 of the Key West Food Critic Mysteries before jumping into KEY LIME CRIME, we can help with that.

Q: Okay, first things first: You adopted a new puppy recently? Please tell us about her. Have you settled on a name?

Lucy and puppy, Lottie

A: Yes we did! She’s a nine week old Havanese and after four nights of being in charge of puppy duty, I am wondering if I lost my mind deciding I need a puppy. She is super cute and joyful, which I could use in these grim times, and she’s going to be a great friend. Havanese are the national dog of Cuba, so John suggested the name Carlotta a.k.a. Lottie to honor her heritage. I was leaning toward Miss Jane Marple or Vera to honor women mystery writers, but happy to have John invested LOL.

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you end up in Key West? How did you go from clinical psychologist to mystery writer?

A bonus picture of T-bone, who is not thrilled with the puppy, but is mollified by being pictured on the front of KEY LIME CRIME.

A: I grew up in New Jersey, wandered around for a few years, and then got my PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Florida. I’ve lived in Connecticut since then, which is where I met John. When he retired from his business in 2007, we took a trip around Florida looking for places to retire for his Top Retirements blog/website. I suggested a week in Key West since he had never been. We both fell in love and have not looked back. As for moving from clinical psychologist to mystery writer, oddly enough, it was a pretty natural transition. In both cases, my job is to look at the presenting problem (either a crime or unhappiness), and follow the clues to find the solution.

Q: What’s the most fun/interesting thing about writing a series set in Key West?

A: Everything’s fun about writing Key West! There are so many unusual characters on our island, both full-time and visitors. And all the conflict between the different factions means that I can find plot ideas every time I read the Key West Citizen or the Keys Weekly or Konk Life. I love including real places and people as part of the book. Many of my readers are serious Key West fans and love reading about the island while they are not visiting. In the new book, chef/entrepreneur/writer David Sloan becomes a big character. He was fun to write because there was so much material! And he’s a very good sport.

Q: How do you come up with the recipes showcased in the books? What’s been your go-to recipe while sheltering-at-home?

A: Since Hayley Snow, the main character of the series, is a food critic, the recipes are connected to what she’s eating and reviewing. Some of them are my versions of what I’ve actually eaten in Key West restaurants, such as Baby’s House Salad from Clemente’s Pizza, or the strawberry cream pie with chocolate crust from Seven Fish. And I’ve been making a lot of Scottish dishes for the book I’m writing now. My favorite recipe this spring was a tomato cheese pie with cornmeal crust. I can hardly wait to try that again.

5) What are you reading and recommending these days?

Oh this is hard because my attention span is shot. I’m struggling through STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING for a book group talking about racism in our country. And three of my blog sisters from Jungle Red Writers have books out this summer that I’m really looking forward to: PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA by Jenn Mckinlay, THE LAST MRS. SUMMERS by Rhys Bowen, and  THE FIRST TO LIE by Hank Ryan. I have a big stack beside my bed and hope my reading gets back to normal soon.