Welcome to the 2025 Fun in Key West Book Club picks… a full year of stories, sunshine, suspense, quirky characters, and plenty of bookish escape. From island-inspired reads to page-turners that kept us talking, laughing, and occasionally reaching for a cocktail, these are the books we featured throughout the year. So whether you’re catching up on a title you missed, adding a few more to your TBR pile, or just taking a stroll down our literary memory lane, you’ll find all of our 2025 book club picks right here.
A Pirate Looks at Fifty — Jimmy Buffett
Time to hop aboard a seaplane, crank up the island playlist, and follow Jimmy Buffett on the ultimate wanderlust-packed birthday adventure.
In A Pirate Looks at Fifty, Jimmy takes us along as he turns the big 5-0 with the most Buffett-style celebration imaginable—flying himself around the Caribbean and Latin America, revisiting the places and people who shaped his music, his outlook, and his signature “why not?” way of living. This isn’t just a memoir; it’s a sun-soaked joyride through jungles, islands, and memories, told with that breezy humor and salty wisdom only Jimmy can deliver.
Expect aviation escapades, island-hopping mischief, heartfelt reflections, and enough tropical daydream fuel to make you immediately Google flight deals. If you love Key West lore, pirate-hearted adventure, and a reminder that life is way too short to stay on the mainland… this one’s pure magic.
Paired with: The 50-Year Pirate Punch — aged rum, pineapple juice, orange curaçao, fresh lime, and a splash of grenadine. Tropical, a little rebellious, and full of celebratory spirit—just like Jimmy at fifty.
The Mango Opera by Tom Corcoran
Get ready for a little murder, mystery, and mayhem—Key West style.
Meet Alex Rutledge, a laid-back freelance photographer whose island life takes a wild turn when a string of murders hits too close to home. Suddenly, he’s tangled up with the police, the feds, and a whole lot of shady characters who make paradise feel a little less… peaceful.
The Mango Opera is the first book in Tom Corcoran’s beloved Alex Rutledge series—and it’s packed with everything we love about island living: quirky locals, dive bars, tropical heat, and the kind of offbeat charm only Key West can deliver. It’s suspenseful, funny, and just a little gritty… like a perfectly shaken rum punch.
If you’ve been missing those classic island whodunits, this one’s your ticket back to the heart of old-school Key West storytelling.
Paired with: The Mango Mojito — white rum, fresh mango purée, mint, lime juice, and a splash of soda. Bright, juicy, and just a touch of trouble… exactly how we like our mysteries.
Fins and Flames by H.R. Gordon
Casey never expected to trade her buttoned-up legal career in Cincinnati for dive bars, boat docks, and the salty rhythm of island life. But one soul-crushing email too many sends her leaping headfirst into the sun-drenched streets of Key West.
As she adjusts to her new paradise, Casey finds herself caught between the fiery charm of musician Jake and the quiet, steady pull of tattoo artist Phillip. She isn’t looking for love—she’s looking for herself. But as the tides of desire and self-discovery rise, she learns that paradise isn’t just a place; it’s a feeling.
Inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s Fins, this cozy romance is a love letter to Key West and to anyone who’s ever needed to stop searching in order to truly be found.
Paired with: The Island Kiss — coconut rum, pineapple juice, cranberry juice, and a squeeze of lime. Tropical, sweet, and just a little tangy—perfect for sipping while you get swept away by Casey’s adventure.
Key West – A Smuggler’s Tale by Richard Conch Boy Gomez
Step back into the wild 1970s, when Key West was less cruise ships and more covert midnight runs. Paradise had a salty, smoky edge, and “square groupers” weren’t fish—they were floating fortunes. Packed with intrigue, island grit, and just the right splash of danger, this tale brings to life the era when smugglers, dreamers, and drifters all called the end of the road home.
Paired with: The Square Grouper — dark rum, fresh lime juice, and a splash of cola. Strong, a little rough around the edges, and perfectly suited for a night of secrets.
Murder Mystery Book Club by Danielle Collins
A cozy Florida Keys whodunnit where the book club isn’t just reading about murder—they’re practically living it. Between the charming B&B, a sassy parrot, and some very suspicious guests, this fast-paced mystery delivers quirky fun with a tropical twist.
Paired with: The Parrot Punch — pineapple juice, coconut rum, a splash of cranberry, and a slice of lime. Sweet, a little sassy, and just mysterious enough to keep you guessing.
An Appetite for Murder by Lucy Burdette
Dive into the sizzling streets of Key West where food, family, and murder mix in the most unexpected ways. When food critic Hayley Snow follows her heart (and her taste buds) to paradise, she ends up with more than just mouthwatering meals—there’s a dash of danger in every bite. Mystery, local flavor, and a heroine you can’t help but root for make this the perfect first course in the Key West Food Critic series.
Paired with: The Key Lime Martini — tart key lime juice, a splash of vanilla vodka, and a graham cracker–rimmed glass. Sweet, zesty, and just sharp enough to keep you guessing—exactly like Hayley’s adventures.
Florida Straits by Laurence Shames
A light, fast-paced Florida Keys crime caper — full of shady deals, quirky characters, and plenty of tropical trouble. Think Carl Hiaasen with a Key West twist… perfect for your beach bag!
Paired with: Rum Runner — dark rum, banana liqueur, blackberry liqueur, orange juice, and a splash of grenadine. Fruity, fun, and just the right amount of chaos — just like this book.
To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway
A Key West classic. Smuggling, survival, and struggling in paradise — Hemingway’s only novel set in the U.S. (and yes, it’s a little gritty).
Paired with: Hemingway Daiquiri – white rum, grapefruit juice, lime juice, maraschino liqueur. Strong, smart, and a little sharp — just like the man himself.
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The Cuban Affair by Nelson DeMille
Cuba. Conspiracies. Cocktails. This fast-paced adventure takes us from Key West to Havana with a brooding war vet, a mysterious woman, and a boat full of secrets.
Paired with: A Classic Mojito – rum, mint, lime, sugar, soda. Refreshing and oh-so-Cuban.
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The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
Three women. One hurricane. A powerful story set during the 1935 Labor Day Hurricane, blending history, heartache, and hope.
Paired with: Rum Punch – the tropical vacation in a glass. Light rum, dark rum, pineapple juice, orange
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Last Train to Paradise by Les Standiford
This nonfiction gem tells the true story of Henry Flagler’s legendary railroad to Key West — an engineering marvel that defied hurricanes, swamps, and skeptics.
Paired with: Red Sangria – wine, brandy, citrus, and fruit. A simple, sippable nod to timeless travel.
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Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
Murder. Corruption. And yes… a monkey. This offbeat Florida noir is equal parts laugh-out-loud and “wait, what just happened?”
Paired with: Banana Daiquiri – light rum, banana liqueur or banana, lime juice, and ice. Slightly chaotic. Totally fitting.
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