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A review by kimdavishb
Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking by Raquel V. Reyes
5.0
CALYPSO CORPSES AND COOKING is the second book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mysteries by Raquel V. Reyes. While a lot of cozy mysteries can be read as a standalone, this book incorporates events that occurred in the first book that are integral to the plot. Having read the first book, it didn’t take me long to become engrossed in this complex, multi-murder mystery spiced up with Caribbean food and Halloween hijinks. I greatly enjoy the protagonist, Miriam Quiñones-Smith. She’s a feisty, take-charge kind of woman, and the repartee she shares with close friends and family brings wit and humor to the story. I was relieved that she finally stood up to her overbearing, offensive mother-in-law in this installment and I hope the snobby woman gets her comeuppance in the future or else has a change of heart.
Aside from the mother-in-law, the characters are engaging and let the reader experience the Cuban-American community and food—and oh the delicious foods mentioned! Be prepared to drool! My only little quibble is the amount of Spanish Miriam speaks throughout the book, without the benefit of obvious meaning or translations. It pulled me from the story as I struggled with my long-forgotten Spanish lessons during school to figure out what was being said. That aside, the mystery is well-plotted with a fast pace. With suspects galore and action that kept me turning pages, I was captivated as the scenes unfolded. I look forward to the next book in this delicious series!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Aside from the mother-in-law, the characters are engaging and let the reader experience the Cuban-American community and food—and oh the delicious foods mentioned! Be prepared to drool! My only little quibble is the amount of Spanish Miriam speaks throughout the book, without the benefit of obvious meaning or translations. It pulled me from the story as I struggled with my long-forgotten Spanish lessons during school to figure out what was being said. That aside, the mystery is well-plotted with a fast pace. With suspects galore and action that kept me turning pages, I was captivated as the scenes unfolded. I look forward to the next book in this delicious series!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.