Mango, Mambo, And Murder

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Description

Cuban-American cooking show star Miriam Quinones-Smith becomes a seasoned sleuth in Raquel V. Reyes's Caribbean Kitchen Mystery debut, a savory treat for fans of Joanne Fluke and Jenn McKinlay. Food anthropologist Miriam Quinones-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.

Reviews

Winner, 2022 Lefty Award, Best Humorous Mystery Novel
Winner, 2022 International Latino Book Awards, Best Novel-Mystery English

Praise for Mango, Mambo, and Murder
Raquel V. Reyess series debut, MANGO, MAMBO, AND MURDER, furthers my belief that the cozy mystery has become one of the most diverse, and most vibrant, in contemporary crime fiction.
The New York Times

"A vibrant, diverse, LGBTQ-inclusive cast and Raquel Reyess deft balance of sensitive topics and frothy intrigue make this a standout."
BookRiot

"I love the mix of Latinx food...the womens friendships...and all the Spanglish which was music to my ears."
BookRiot

"Mystery fans will instantly be pulled into this one."
Reader's Digest

"Mango, Mambo, and Murder has everything you look for in a cozy mystery but also feels like a breath of fresh air . . . Dig into this inviting, suspenseful feast for the senses."
BookPage, starred review

[A] refreshing debut and series launch . . . [with] well-defined characters and [a] vibrant social scene. Mouthwatering recipes round out the volume.
Publishers Weekly

It is refreshing to see the diversity of this story.
New York Journal of Books

The character-driven debut introduces a fresh protagonist.
Library Journal, starred review

This action packed mystery dazzles . . . entrances, delights, and excites readers to keep turning pages. Kudos to the author.
Midwest Book Review

[Reyes] leaves readers anxious for a return.
Deadly Pleasures

This is the perfect Fall read . . . I cant recommend this one enough.
The Nerdy Girl Express

What a fun book that had me completely immersed in all aspects in this light and fresh whodunit. This well-written drama comes alive with the visually descriptive narrative from the engaging bilingual dialogue to a lovable cast of characters, and to a setting befitting the title.
Dru's Book Musings

"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 encant. I loved it."
Ellen Byron, USA Today bestselling author of the Cajun Country Mysteries

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, award winning author of the Sarah Blair mysteries

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, author of the Gethsemane Brown mysteries

This mouthwatering Miami mystery will have you hungry for more adventures from the fierce working mom and food anthropologist sleuth.
Jennifer J. Chow, Lefty Award-Nominated Author of the Sassy Cat Mysteries

Mango, Mambo, and Murder is a delicious glimpse into Caribbean culture and cuisine, with a satisfying mystery, but dont start reading if youre hungry or in the middle of cooking. You may find that youve burned breakfast and are searching the Internet for Caribbean takeout. Dont ask how I know this.
V. M. Burns, author of the Agatha Award-nominated Mystery Bookshop series

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, author of the Coffee Shop mysteries

Filled with colorful characters, mouth-watering food and twists and turns, its 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, author of the Dinner Club mysteries

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 cant wait for the next book in the Caribbean Kitchen mysteries."
Traci Hall, author of the Scottish Shire mystery series

"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, multi-award-winning author of the Last Ditch Motel series

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, author of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery Series

A delicious culinary cozy that serves up both mouthwatering Caribbean food and a fun, family-centered mystery. Im looking forward to food anthropologist Miriam Quiones-Smiths next adventure.
Gigi Pandian, award-winning author of the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries

Raquel V. Reyess 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, author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale mysteries

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, author of the best-selling Kebab Kitchen mysteries

Author Bio

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. It was nominated for an Agatha Award and optioned for film. 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