Scan barcode
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I love that right off the bat, Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking weaves in elements from the first book. It's not a completely new story because there's still fallout to contend with from Miriam's first foray into sleuthing. It gives the series a nice interconnected feel instead of an episodic one. The book also doesn't settle on a single dastardly deed. Rather, Miriam has the misfortune of stumbling into a web of events with several interested parties who could be murderers. Using several friendly sources and her own cleverness, Miriam feels the pressure to figure out who might be a danger in her neighborhood and keep her friends and family safe.
Miriam's a protagonist I want to be friends with even though I have no relevant skills for the impressive squad she puts together in this book. I love the feeling of community-- Miriam has strong friendships that give her people to call on in need, and she does the same for them. I also love all the Spanish and food anthropology tidbits in the book. The food descriptions made me hungry, and the provided sociocultural context made me thoughtful.
For those who were like me rooting against Miriam's mother-in-law in book one, rest assured that a satisfying standoff is coming your way in this sequel. I was less impressed with the ways her husband continues to be a pain in the butt, but he did have some solid co-parenting moments.
This cozy mystery has a lot going on-- a vibrant cast of characters, complicated crime(s), and important personal moments in Miriam's life. For those who want a socially aware, inclusive entry in the genre, this is a great read.
Miriam's a protagonist I want to be friends with even though I have no relevant skills for the impressive squad she puts together in this book. I love the feeling of community-- Miriam has strong friendships that give her people to call on in need, and she does the same for them. I also love all the Spanish and food anthropology tidbits in the book. The food descriptions made me hungry, and the provided sociocultural context made me thoughtful.
For those who were like me rooting against Miriam's mother-in-law in book one, rest assured that a satisfying standoff is coming your way in this sequel. I was less impressed with the ways her husband continues to be a pain in the butt, but he did have some solid co-parenting moments.
This cozy mystery has a lot going on-- a vibrant cast of characters, complicated crime(s), and important personal moments in Miriam's life. For those who want a socially aware, inclusive entry in the genre, this is a great read.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
Sometimes you just really need a feel-good cozy mystery book. Bonus if it's filled with diverse, likable characters and TONS of seasonal Fall vibes.
I hadn’t read the first book in this series yet but it gave me all the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series vibes I've come to love and crave by Mia P Manansala.
Full of great recipes, relatable characters and a likable amateur sleuth. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!
If you haven't yet discovered this Cuban American mom amateur detective series set in Miami, Florida you are missing out!! Plus Frankie Corzo does an EXCELLENT job narrating the audiobook!!
I hadn’t read the first book in this series yet but it gave me all the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series vibes I've come to love and crave by Mia P Manansala.
Full of great recipes, relatable characters and a likable amateur sleuth. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!!
If you haven't yet discovered this Cuban American mom amateur detective series set in Miami, Florida you are missing out!! Plus Frankie Corzo does an EXCELLENT job narrating the audiobook!!
jklbookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This cozy food mystery series has a lot going for it - an interesting setting in the Miami area and several likeable characters, for example. It misses just a little bit in a few ways, though - the plot is just a little too complicated with so many victims, there's just a little too much Spanish dialogue, there's a little too much description of the details of cooking (although I like the recipes at the back, and want to try the Caldo Gallego), and at times Miriam, the main character, is just a little bit too uncomfortably nosy, and the other characters are not quite complex enough to be real. Still, it has a likeable vibe, and the series holds a lot of promise.
This cozy food mystery series has a lot going for it - an interesting setting in the Miami area and several likeable characters, for example. It misses just a little bit in a few ways, though - the plot is just a little too complicated with so many victims, there's just a little too much Spanish dialogue, there's a little too much description of the details of cooking (although I like the recipes at the back, and want to try the Caldo Gallego), and at times Miriam, the main character, is just a little bit too uncomfortably nosy, and the other characters are not quite complex enough to be real. Still, it has a likeable vibe, and the series holds a lot of promise.
ysfincolor's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first book, but this one didn’t shine as much for me. As before, I enjoyed reading about a Miriam and getting to know her. All the delicious food and the fact that more cultures were brought into the mix were both a delight. I think this will be an enjoyable book for cozy lovers who appreciate a larger focus on the MC’s personal life than the sleuthing.
There is a lot of Spanish in the book and this might be an unpopular opinion, but I really enjoyed it and found it added to the theme and tone of the book and the authenticity of what the MC stood for (even though I do not speak any Spanish myself
There is a lot of Spanish in the book and this might be an unpopular opinion, but I really enjoyed it and found it added to the theme and tone of the book and the authenticity of what the MC stood for (even though I do not speak any Spanish myself
ralla95's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
harvestingbooks's review
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bexellency's review
3.0
Fun. Much more tied in to book 1 than I expected; would have preferred a more separate, stand alone, new story.
saucyknits's review against another edition
4.0
3.5⭐️I think the write does an excellent job translating the Spanish/weaving it in such a way that there’s little redundancy. There are some words that are not translated, but there are context clues aplenty, so I’m very glad she didn’t dumb it down.
Looking forward to the next one!
Looking forward to the next one!