Murder by Lime Book Review

This Murder by Lime book review explores a tropical bakery mystery that blends sun-soaked charm with surprisingly high emotional stakes. Centered around family loyalty, small-business stress, and a zesty twist of danger, this installment adds depth to its beach-town setting while keeping the pacing brisk and engaging. With sweet treats, shifting suspicions, and a determined mother at its heart, this story offers both comfort and just enough intensity to keep the pages turning.

Murder by Lime - Summer Prescott

Series: Key Lime Cozy Mysteries
Vibes: Beach-town charm, foodie comfort, maternal protectiveness, light suspense, tropical coziness

Murder by Lime Book Review

This Murder by Lime book review is for readers craving a fast-paced foodie cozy with beach-town charm and strong maternal stakes. Set in a warm, tropical town filled with key lime treats and quirky neighbors, this fourth installment in the Key Lime Cozy Mysteries series delivers both comforting bakery vibes and edge-of-your-seat tension.

While it can technically be read as a standalone, I definitely appreciated it more having read the earlier books. The returning characters — especially the neighbor dynamics — added extra flavor that made the story feel richer and more layered. From the very first chapter, this one hooked me.

The Sleuth:
Protective, Witty, and Mom-First Determined

Marilyn Hayes is a sleuth driven by love before logic. She is protective, nurturing, witty, and — when it comes to her daughter — undeniably stubborn.

In this installment, she is absolutely mom first, sleuth second. When her daughter Tiara becomes implicated in a murder, Marilyn’s maternal instincts take over immediately. Even though Tiara is an adult trying to carve out her independence, Marilyn’s protective nature hits hard and feels incredibly real. That emotional authenticity grounds the entire mystery.

There are moments where Marilyn is tempted to make reckless decisions in her determination to protect her daughter. However, the detective working the case helps curb her impulsiveness, which keeps the investigation balanced. Her involvement feels natural — she isn’t meddling for the thrill of it. She’s fighting for her family.

What I especially appreciated was how clearly Marilyn’s thoughts and feelings are expressed. Her internal dialogue makes her relatable, especially for readers who understand that “mom mode” doesn’t switch off just because your child grows up.

The Setting:
Beachy Bakery Charm with a Zesty Twist

The setting is warm, tropical, and inviting. It genuinely made me want to put my feet in the sand with a fun non-alcoholic drink and a slice of key lime pie. The beach-town atmosphere adds a breezy lightness to the story — at least at first.

SubLime Sweets plays a central role, and the lime shortage isn’t just a throwaway detail. It’s the undertone driving the entire plot. The global lime supply issue feels surprisingly clever and unique, creating tension that naturally leads into the mystery.

Unlike some small-town cozies where the entire community rallies (or gossips loudly), this mystery feels more contained. The key players are Marilyn, Tiara, the other employee Kelcie, the detective, and Carlos — the main lime supplier. That tighter focus keeps the story moving quickly and prevents the suspect pool from feeling overwhelming.

And yes — the foodie atmosphere is strong. This book will absolutely make you crave pie. Possibly pizza too.

Side Characters:
Quirky Neighbors and Emotional Depth

The supporting cast adds personality and humor without distracting from the central tension.

Tiara is portrayed as a grown woman who is still somewhat naïve about life but trying hard to be independent. That tension between growth and vulnerability adds emotional weight to the story. The mother-daughter dynamic is one of the strongest aspects of this book and gives the mystery real stakes.

Then there’s Tim — the creepy neighbor who desperately wants Marilyn to hire him as a baker. He adds that perfect touch of quirky (and slightly uncomfortable) small-town energy. Recurring characters like him help make the world feel lived-in.

The detective also stands out as a grounding presence, especially when Marilyn’s protective instincts threaten to override caution.

The Mystery:
Comfortably Cozy with a High-Stakes Finish

For most of the book, the mystery feels firmly in cozy territory. Violence is mostly off-page, and the tone stays light despite serious circumstances.

However, things escalate toward the end.

Just when it feels like everything has wrapped up, the tension spikes again — including a kidnapping and not one but two water-based chases. Those scenes add a surprising burst of action that pushes the story beyond a simple bakery whodunit.

I did guess the killer at one point — then doubted myself — and ultimately circled back to my original suspicion. The motive felt satisfying and justified, and the pacing stayed strong throughout.

This is one of those cozies that starts comforting and ends intense, in the best possible way.

Vibes Check:
Foodie Fun with Maternal Stakes

The strongest vibes in this book include:

• Foodie cozy
• Beach-town charm
• Maternal protectiveness
• Light suspense

It begins as a curl-up-with-pie kind of cozy and slowly transitions into a “stay up late because I have to know what happens” read. That shift keeps it exciting without losing its comforting foundation.

Who Will Enjoy This Book Most?

Murder by Lime is perfect for readers who love:

• Bakery and foodie cozies
• Beach-town settings
• Quick, satisfying mysteries
• Stories centered around mothers and grown daughters
• Light suspense with emotional stakes

New cozy readers will especially enjoy this one because it’s accessible, fast-moving, and engaging. At the same time, it works well as a fun filler read for established cozy fans looking for something quick and flavorful.

My Final Thoughts:
Murder by Lime Book Review

Murder by Lime is a five-star cozy that balances sweetness and suspense beautifully. It’s fast, fun, and emotionally grounded.

I finished this book feeling satisfied and justified — like everything landed exactly where it should. It’s the kind of beach read that makes you want dessert and a hot cup of coffee or tea while you turn the pages.

If you’re in the mood for a quick, sun-soaked mystery with heart, humor, and a side of pie, this one absolutely delivers.

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Enjoyed My Murder by Lime Book Review? If so,
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