Mango, Mambo, and Murder: A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery

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.)