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Mango, Mambo, and Murder
(2021)(The first book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series)
A novel by Raquel V Reyes
2022 Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery Novel
2021 Agatha Award for Best First Novel (nominee)
A Cuban-American cooking show star becomes a seasoned sleuth in this first savory Caribbean Kitchen cozy mystery for fans of Joanne Fluke and Jenn McKinlay.
“A breath of fresh air” (BookPage): Features a diverse cast of characters, frothy intrigue, and mouthwatering Latinx recipes!
Food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith's move from New York to Coral Shores, Miami, puts her academic career on hold to stay at home with her young son. Adding to her funk is an opinionated mother-in-law and a husband rekindling a friendship with his ex. Gracias to her best friend, Alma, she gets a short-term job as a Caribbean cooking expert on a Spanish-language morning TV show. But when the newly minted star attends a Women's Club luncheon, a socialite sitting at her table suddenly falls face-first into the chicken salad, never to nibble again.
When a second woman dies soon after, suspicions coalesce around a controversial Cuban herbalist, Dr. Fuentes—especially after the morning show's host collapses while interviewing him. Detective Pullman is not happy to find Miriam at every turn. After he catches her breaking into the doctor’s apothecary, he enlists her help as eyes and ears to the places he can't access, namely the Spanish-speaking community and the tawny Coral Shores social scene.
As the ingredients to the deadly scheme begin blending together, Miriam is on the verge of learning how and why the women died. But her snooping may turn out to be a recipe for her own murder.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
“A breath of fresh air” (BookPage): Features a diverse cast of characters, frothy intrigue, and mouthwatering Latinx recipes!
Food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith's move from New York to Coral Shores, Miami, puts her academic career on hold to stay at home with her young son. Adding to her funk is an opinionated mother-in-law and a husband rekindling a friendship with his ex. Gracias to her best friend, Alma, she gets a short-term job as a Caribbean cooking expert on a Spanish-language morning TV show. But when the newly minted star attends a Women's Club luncheon, a socialite sitting at her table suddenly falls face-first into the chicken salad, never to nibble again.
When a second woman dies soon after, suspicions coalesce around a controversial Cuban herbalist, Dr. Fuentes—especially after the morning show's host collapses while interviewing him. Detective Pullman is not happy to find Miriam at every turn. After he catches her breaking into the doctor’s apothecary, he enlists her help as eyes and ears to the places he can't access, namely the Spanish-speaking community and the tawny Coral Shores social scene.
As the ingredients to the deadly scheme begin blending together, Miriam is on the verge of learning how and why the women died. But her snooping may turn out to be a recipe for her own murder.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Praise for this book
"Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a delicious glimpse into Caribbean culture and cuisine, with a satisfying mystery, but don’t start reading if you’re hungry or in the middle of cooking. You may find that you’ve burned breakfast and are searching the Internet for Caribbean takeout. Don’t ask how I know this." - V M Burns
"Featuring an appealing, whip-smart sleuth, and rich with the Latin culture and cuisine of south Florida, Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a delicious page-turner of a mystery. Me encantó. I loved it." - Ellen Byron
"This mouthwatering Miami mystery will have you hungry for more adventures from the fierce working mom and food anthropologist sleuth." - Jennifer J Chow
"Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a spicy mystery rich with Caribbean food and an enchanting Cuban-American sleuth. A delightfully flavorful series debut from author Raquel V. Reyes." - Debra H Goldstein
"Raquel V. Reyes' Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a flavorful blend of culture, crime, and Caribbean cuisine. Reyes' novel is a tasty addition to the culinary cozy canon." - Alexia Gordon
"Five Mangoes! I loved Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes. The mystery had plenty of twists and turns, and the entire story was about family and food...I can’t wait for the next book in the Caribbean Kitchen mysteries." - Traci Hall
"Raquel V. Reyes’s zesty debut Mango, Mambo, and Murder whet my appetite for more from the opening scene with her interesting cast of characters and oh, so satisfying ending." - Sherry Harris
"Mango, Mambo, and Murder introduces a Cuban-American mom turned sleuth, a humorous cast of characters, and an intriguing mystery that will keep you turning the pages while craving Caribbean food. A great debut by Raquel V. Reyes!" - Tina Kashian
"With Mango, Mambo, and Murder, Raquel Reyes has set the gold standard for Miami mysteries. This book is simply delicious! I couldn't put this down. The author's writing is wonderfully conversational and a joy to read. I can't wait for more adventures with Miriam! What a fun, refreshing new book in the cozy mystery genre." - Tamara Lush
"Reyes's debut is as bright as the Miami sun and as satisfying as a big pot of sancocho, with a kick like a shot of Cuban coffee." - Catriona McPherson
"Grab yourself a cafecito and settle in to read MANGO, MAMBO, AND MURDER, Raquel V. Reyes's refreshing and delicious spin on the cozy mystery genre. She deftly weaves the importance of food, family, and culture in her delicious Caribbean-tinged debut, while also producing an engaging mystery and a protagonist with the coolest job ever. This series is now on my insta-buy list, and I can't wait to see what our beloved food anthropologist turned cooking show host cooks up next!" - Mia P Manansala
"A delicious culinary cozy that serves up both mouthwatering Caribbean food and a fun, family-centered mystery. I’m looking forward to food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith’s next adventure." - Gigi Pandian
"Filled with colorful characters, mouth-watering food and twists and turns, it’s a mystery to savor. Raquel V. Reyes mixes the flavors of the local Caribbean community along with the ingredients for some taste-tempting dishes, adding a sprinkling of prime suspects in this delightful mystery." - Linda Wiken
"Featuring an appealing, whip-smart sleuth, and rich with the Latin culture and cuisine of south Florida, Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a delicious page-turner of a mystery. Me encantó. I loved it." - Ellen Byron
"This mouthwatering Miami mystery will have you hungry for more adventures from the fierce working mom and food anthropologist sleuth." - Jennifer J Chow
"Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a spicy mystery rich with Caribbean food and an enchanting Cuban-American sleuth. A delightfully flavorful series debut from author Raquel V. Reyes." - Debra H Goldstein
"Raquel V. Reyes' Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a flavorful blend of culture, crime, and Caribbean cuisine. Reyes' novel is a tasty addition to the culinary cozy canon." - Alexia Gordon
"Five Mangoes! I loved Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes. The mystery had plenty of twists and turns, and the entire story was about family and food...I can’t wait for the next book in the Caribbean Kitchen mysteries." - Traci Hall
"Raquel V. Reyes’s zesty debut Mango, Mambo, and Murder whet my appetite for more from the opening scene with her interesting cast of characters and oh, so satisfying ending." - Sherry Harris
"Mango, Mambo, and Murder introduces a Cuban-American mom turned sleuth, a humorous cast of characters, and an intriguing mystery that will keep you turning the pages while craving Caribbean food. A great debut by Raquel V. Reyes!" - Tina Kashian
"With Mango, Mambo, and Murder, Raquel Reyes has set the gold standard for Miami mysteries. This book is simply delicious! I couldn't put this down. The author's writing is wonderfully conversational and a joy to read. I can't wait for more adventures with Miriam! What a fun, refreshing new book in the cozy mystery genre." - Tamara Lush
"Reyes's debut is as bright as the Miami sun and as satisfying as a big pot of sancocho, with a kick like a shot of Cuban coffee." - Catriona McPherson
"Grab yourself a cafecito and settle in to read MANGO, MAMBO, AND MURDER, Raquel V. Reyes's refreshing and delicious spin on the cozy mystery genre. She deftly weaves the importance of food, family, and culture in her delicious Caribbean-tinged debut, while also producing an engaging mystery and a protagonist with the coolest job ever. This series is now on my insta-buy list, and I can't wait to see what our beloved food anthropologist turned cooking show host cooks up next!" - Mia P Manansala
"A delicious culinary cozy that serves up both mouthwatering Caribbean food and a fun, family-centered mystery. I’m looking forward to food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith’s next adventure." - Gigi Pandian
"Filled with colorful characters, mouth-watering food and twists and turns, it’s a mystery to savor. Raquel V. Reyes mixes the flavors of the local Caribbean community along with the ingredients for some taste-tempting dishes, adding a sprinkling of prime suspects in this delightful mystery." - Linda Wiken
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