About The Book
It’s time for a savory soirée—but something sinister is stewing—in Raquel V. Reyes’s second delightful Caribbean Kitchen mystery, perfectly delicious for fans of Mia P. Manansala.
Fall festivities are underway in Coral Shores, Miami. Cuban-American cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith wakes up to find a corpse in her front yard. The body by the fake tombstone is the woman that was kicked out of the school’s Fall Festival the day before.
Miriam’s luck does not improve. Her passive-aggressive mother-in-law puts her in charge of the Women’s Club annual gala. But this year, it’s not canapes and waltzes. Miriam and her girlfriends-squad opt for fun and flavor. They want to spice it up with Caribbean food trucks and a calypso band. While making plans at the country club, they hear a volatile argument between the new head chef and the club’s manager. Not long after, the chef swan dives to his death at the bottom of the grand staircase.
Was it an accident? Or was it Beverly, the sous chef, who is furious after being passed over for the job? Or maybe it was his ex-girlfriend, Anastasia?
Add two possible poisonings to the mix and Miriam is worried the food truck fun is going to be a major crash. As the clock ticks down and the body count goes up, Miriam’s life is put in jeopardy. Will she connect the dots or die in the deep freeze? Foodies and mystery lovers alike will savor the denouement as the truth is laid bare in this simmering stew of rage, retribution, and murder.
My Thoughts
I haven't read the first book in this series, though I would love to, but I don't feel like I am missing part of the story. This is such a fun, high energy book. With Fall vibes emanating from each page, we have our main character Miriam Quiñones-Smith a star of the Miami. Cuban American cooking show. I loved the authentic feel for the area with many passages of the book being in Spanish and descriptions of the food's native to the area. Being that there is a food anthropologist we get a well-researched history of native foods (especially fruits) and information about different cultures. Thanks to her mother-in-law, Miriam is busy planning the Country Club’s annual gala, of course her mother-in-law hadn't asked her just volunteered her for it. If this isn't enough to keep this anthropologist busy, she also wakes up to find a body in her yard and is sleuthing to solve another murder. I loved this Foodie cozy mystery with its vibrant take on Cuban culture and food. Pub Date: 11 Oct 2022 I was given a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
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About The Author
RAQUEL V. REYES writes Latina protagonists. Her Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and Spanglish feature prominently in her work. Mango, Mambo, and Murder, the first in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series, won a LEFTY for Best Humorous Mystery and was nominated for an Agatha. The New York Times Book Review wrote, “it executes its mission—with panache.” Raquel’s short stories appear in various anthologies, including The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022. Find her across social media platforms as @LatinaSleuths and on her website LatinaSleuths.com
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