Click on book to visit Amazon
A SCONE OF CONTENTION is the eleventh book in the Key West Food Critic Mystery series by Lucy Burdette. This newest installment finds newlywed Hayley Snow heading off to Scotland for her honeymoon. But instead of only her groom, Nathan, at her side, octogenarian Miss Gloria and Hayley’s new mother-in-law, also join them then they meet up with Nathan’s sister and husband. While it has nothing explicit with regards to honeymoon (no mention of feeldoe or anything erotic), it does give the reader opportunity to get to know more about Nathan’s family since they’ve been absent from the pages up until the previous book. I also enjoyed that the setting is in Scotland and it was a treat to sit back and enjoy the various sites Hayley and crew visit. The author’s strong descriptive voice makes the reader feel like they’re experiencing the sights, sounds, and especially tastes that Hayley is experiencing on the page. At times it felt a bit like a travelogue and food book instead of a mystery. However, once the murder takes place, the pacing picks up.
Hayley is quick to forge into the thick of things to solve the crime, despite not being on her home turf. With her new husband conscripted into a golf tournament, she, along with Miss Gloria, are on their own in trying to find answers. Maybe because Hayley was out of her usual element, her investigation seemed a bit more forceful than usual and she lacked her usual finesse. The subplot of finding out what happened to Hayley’s new sister-in-law, Vera, years before, and the current maelstrom surrounding Vera’s Scotland book project, adds another layer of intrigue. The heart stopping reveal came as a surprise to me and in the end, the various subplots are wrapped up nicely. While it’s fun to travel, it’s always wonderful to return home and I look forward to visiting with Hayley and the gang back in Key West in the next book!
Hayley is determined to eat her way through Scotland and does an admirable job in consuming a variety of local dishes. Of course, scones are at the top of the list with several varieties offered. Ms. Burdette has included recipes at the back of the book to tempt the hungry reader. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try her recipe for Banana Date Scones. I liked that, instead of using a lot of sugar, the scones rely on a banana and dates for extra sweetness. This rich and flaky pastry only needs a pat of creamy butter and a cup of tea for a delicious breakfast or snack!
Amazon Synopsis
Key Zest food critic Hayley Snow and her groom, police detective Nathan Bransford, chose Scotland for their long-delayed honeymoon, hoping to sightsee and enjoy some prize-winning scones. But their romantic duo swells to a crowd when they’re joined by Nathan’s family as well as octogenarian Miss Gloria.
Nathan’s sister Vera takes the women on a whirlwind tour of some of Scotland’s iconic mystic places as research for a looming book project. But the trip takes a deadly tartan turn when a dinner party guest falls ill and claims she was poisoned. And then the group watches in horror as a mysterious tourist tumbles to his death from the famous Falkirk Wheel, high above the Forth & Clyde canal.
Vera and her friends deny knowing the dead man, but after observing their reactions to the fall, Hayley is not convinced. With one person dead, a second possibly poisoned, and the tension among Vera’s friends as thick as farmhouse cheese, Hayley fears her long-awaited honeymoon might end with another murder.
Far away from home, surrounded by unfamiliar faces, eccentric characters, and a forbiddingly gorgeous setting, Hayley must call on all her savvy to keep a killer from striking again and then escaping Scot free.
A special thanks to Lucy Burdette for providing one lucky winner with a print copy of A SCONE OF CONTENTION! Giveaway is limited to U.S. residents. Contest ends Sunday, August 15 , 2021 at 11:59 pm PST. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
From Lucy Burdette: On one of our first days during our trip to Scotland, John and I got separated for a bit in the little town of Melrose And he came back with an incredible banana date scone that he'd found in a small bakery. Actually, it was only part of a small scone because he'd eaten the other half. I've been craving another ever since. I've tried to re-create them for you here. Halyley made these for Miss Gloria before they left on their trip.
- 1-5/8 cup flour
- 1/6 cup brown sugar (= 2 tbls + 2 tsp)
- 2-1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup sour cream (can also use whole milk plain yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 ripe banana
- 1/2 cup chopped dates
-
Preheat oven to 425 degrees (F).
-
Mix all the dry ingredients (up through the salt) together well.
-
Cut in the cold butter until it's the size of small peas.
-
Mash the banana well, and stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Mix well. Add the dates and stir in.
-
Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.
-
Knead the dough briefly, and shape it into a circle on a floured surface. Flatten the circle and cut it into 6 pieces.
-
Bake on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 10 - 12 minutes.
-
Serve with butter and jam if you like.
-
Before chopping the dates, spritz the knife with non-stick cooking spray. Reapply as necessary.
Pin to Pinterest:
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have never visited Scotland but would love to someday.
Never went there
No, but I think it would be fun to visit.
My dream trip is a trip to Scotland, Ireland, and London.
I’ve never been to Scotland, but I would LOVE to travel there, Israel and Ireland some day. The recipe looks delicious! I love scones!
I’ve never traveled outside the United States. At my age, I’ll be content with reading about such places – which I admit I love doing.
I traveled there in my late 20’s, such a beautiful place. Thanks for this amazing giveaway.
It’s on my bucket list.
I visited Edinburgh for a study abroad trip for a couple days.
YES! About 20 years ago we were vacationing in England, took a train to Perth and drove to Pitlochry, where we stayed for a week. We explored the surrounding area, it was amazing! I have wanted to go back ever since. Gorgeous!!
Yes, I have been to Scotland, and it is amazing and beautiful. I know I’ll be really aching to go back after reading this book!
I have not travelled to Scotland yet but would love to. Thanks for sharing about the book and recipe.
No, I’ve never traveled to Scotland but I’d like to.
No I have not traveled to Scotland and now it is too late for me to do so as I am in my late 60’s. When I was younger I was trying to just get thru life as was in a few abusive foster homes. I really didn’t know what was going on as we lived in a rural area and there was no tv or anything like that not even a newspaper so at 17 I finally got to go live with my grandma and I had to get used to living a different way in Ca. Sounds weird but that happens to a lot of kids in foster care.
I haven’t made it to Scotland yet, but it is on my bucket list.
This is a delightful book. I was lucky enough to get an advance copy to read.
I have never been to Scotland. I think it would be a wonderful place to visit!
Thank you for your recipe and giveaway.
No, I have not
I have never visited. 🙁
No, I have not.
I’ve visited Scotland and absolutely fell in love with it! I can’t wait to read this title and hopefully get to revisit some of the places there. Thanks for the chance!?
I haven’t but would love to!
no. but it is one of the few places i would really love to go.
I have never visited Scotland.
I have never visited Scotland, but would love to see it someday
I have never been to Scotland, nor have I ever traveled outside of the Unite States. Thank you for this chance!
No I haven’t and at my age 70 I probably won’t visit Scotland. But love visiting in the books!☺
Never been to Scotland but would love to someday.
Never been to Scotland but I’d sure like to.
I’ve never been to Scotland but I would love to go one day.
No, I’ve never been to Scotland but it is on my bucket list. Thank you for the giveaway!
I have never been to Scotland.
I’ve written about Scotland but have never been there. It’s one place I really want to go. And those scones look delicious!!
No I have not but I would love to some day.
I have never visited Scotland but we have talked about it as my husband has dreams of golfing there.
I never have visited Scotland. My daughter did a few years ago and absolutely loved it.
My husband and I traveled to Scotland in the 90s and I’d go back in a heartbeat! We took the sleeper train from London to Edinburgh and spent some time in the city. We then went up to St. Andrews to check out the ruins and, of course, the golf course! So. Beautiful. And wild! The wind off the North Sea, the blustery weather, and the green, green grass everywhere made it seem more of a fairy tale than real life!
I haven’t traveled to Scotland as of yet, but would love to go there.
Sounds good, but unfortunately I’ve never been there!
No never been to Scotland
I’ve been to England but haven’t made it to Scotland yet. I’m only 81 so there’s still time.
I have visited Scotland, beautiful country with lots of castles.
Only in my dreams! I would love to go. I recently did ancestry and found out I have Scottish heritage.
I’ve never been to Scotland. It sounds wonderful though.