Mango, Mambo, and Murder

by Raquel V. Reyes

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781643857855
Publisher:	CROOKED LANE BOOKS
Publication date:	10/12/2021
Series:	A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery
Sold by:	Penguin Random House Publisher Services
Format:	eBook
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	12,986
File size:	1 MB

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. 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

Editorial Reviews

08/09/2021

Cuban American Miriam Quiñones-Smith, the spunky, resilient narrator of Reyes’s refreshing debut and series launch, wants nothing more than to finally finish her PhD in food anthropology. That prospect remains remote, however, since she moved from New York to Coral Shores, “a 1950s time-warped village within the city of Miami,” for her husband’s work and she decided to stay at home with her small son. Miriam is saved from the drudgery of her new life by an offer to contribute her Caribbean food expertise to a Spanish-language morning TV show. Things are starting to look up for Miriam, until a socialite drops dead at a women’s club lunch she attends. Another suspicious death follows. When Miriam’s best friend and partner-in-crime, Alma, is framed for one of what turn out to be murders, Miriam determines to find the truth. The judicious use of Spanish phrases helps bring the reader closer to these well-defined characters and their vibrant social scene. Mouthwatering recipes round out the volume. Hopefully, Miriam and friends will be back soon. Agent: Saritza Hernández, Andrea Brown Literary. (Oct.)

Publishers Weekly

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. Reyes’s 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 Reyes’s deft balance of sensitive topics and frothy intrigue make this a standout."
—BookRiot

"I love the mix of Latinx food...the women’s 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 can’t 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 encantó. 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 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, 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, 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, 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 can’t 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. I’m looking forward to food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith’s next adventure.”
—Gigi Pandian, award-winning author of the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries

“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, 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

From the Publisher

“A vibrant, diverse, LGBTQ-inclusive cast and Raquel Reyes’s deft balance of sensitive topics and frothy intrigue make this a standout.”

BookRiot

“Mystery fans will instantly be pulled into this one.”

Reader’s Digest

“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.”

New York Times

★ 10/01/2021

DEBUT Miriam Quinones-Smith's heart isn't into the move to Coral Springs, FL, a 1950s time-warped village within Miami. She hoped to be a professor, teaching food anthropology in New York City. Instead, she's a stay-at-home mother with her delightful son Manuelito. Her husband is off to work, golf, or maybe even an affair with his former girlfriend. Her mother-in-law disapproves of Miriam because she's Cuban American. Her best friend Alma is her savior, dragging her to networking events including the Women's Club Luncheon. There, Sunny Weatherman face-plants into the chicken salad. Everyone attributes her death to extreme diet and exercise fads. But Miriam noticed she mixed something into her drink before dying. When a yoga instructor also dies, and Alma is arrested, Miriam turns amateur sleuth. She's no longer bored. Instead, she's juggling a TV segment about Caribbean food for a Spanish network, taking care of her son, and prying into society life in Coral Springs to help the investigating police detective. VERDICT The character-driven debut introduces a fresh protagonist, a Cuban American woman trying to maintain her culinary heritage and Spanish language while attempting to find friends and a killer.—Lesa Holstine, Evansville Vanderburgh P.L., IN

Library Journal

A nimble performance from narrator Frankie Corzo elevates this cozy culinary mystery. Shortly after moving—reluctantly from New York City to the bougie Coral Shores of Miami—food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith finds herself uncomfortably close to a murder at the country club. Though naturally curious, Miriam doesn't turn detective until her best friend is implicated in the crime. Through Corzo's animated narration, listeners will immediately warm to smart, impulsive Cuban-American Miriam, rooting for her as she investigates—and displays her knowledge of mouthwatering Caribbean cuisine. Switching smoothly between English and Spanish, Corzo also provides distinctive voices for the expansive cast, who range from Miriam's judgmental mother-in-law to her endearing young son. This diverting series opener is one to savor. R.A.H. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2021 - AudioFile

2021-06-29
A food anthropologist discovers that even a bland repast can be deadly.

Miriam Quiñones-Smith finds herself at loose ends when she leaves her job teaching about Caribbean food culture in New York to relocate with her husband to Miami. Although she grew up in nearby Hialeah, snobby, sterile Coral Shores is nothing like the bustling Cuban enclave of her youth. Aside from her mother-in-law, Marjory, who misses no opportunity to put Miriam down for speaking to her son in Spanish, her only contact in her new home is her old schoolmate Alma Diaz, a busy realtor who focuses on events like the Women’s Club luncheon, where she can network with prospective clients. Miriam finds Alma’s lunch mates as unappealing as the food. They seem unmoved even when Sunny Weatherman keels over dead at their table without finishing her chicken salad. Suddenly Miriam faces three demands on her time. First, she’s tapped for a series of guest appearances on UnMundo’s cooking show, La Tacita. Second, she needs to find out why her husband, Robert, has become distant and evasive, coming home late enough to miss her spectacular sancocho stew. And third, she needs to investigate Sunny’s death, especially once the police focus increasingly on Alma as their main suspect. Miriam is intrepid, sticking to her investigation as closely as she sticks to her plan to keep her son bilingual.

Reyes' no-nonsense heroine livens up a mediocre mystery.

Kirkus Reviews