Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes

Chad loves cooking and is always trying new recipes in the kitchen so I knew we would get a recipe or two that we could try out. Her being Cuban and talking about the food and history drew me in. Not to mention, my boo, Chad, is half Cuban. It may be fiction, but it is also rooted in real life. I feel like not enough people talk about how fiction food writing is important to the overall food landscape. Why this book : I’m a huge fan of fiction and food. It includes 4 recipes of some of the dishes at the end of the book. While getting to know people in Coral Shores, a murder takes place, with Miriam’s best friend being accused of the murder! Miriam uses her knowledge of food and history to help her friend in need while also navigating life where her husband is reconnecting with an old flame, being a stay-at-home mom, and getting a short-term job as a Caribbean cooking expert for a Spanish speaking tv show. Miriam reconnects with her best friend from high school, Alma, a fellow Cuban, who is the town’s real estate agent. Robert’s overbearing mother likes to make life uncomfortable and borderline racist when it comes to understanding the Cuban/Latin/Hispanic culture, which makes life more difficult for Miriam. Robert’s family lives in a suburb outside of Miami, Coral Shores, (also a Sundown town).

Story Overview : Miriam Quinones-Smith, a food anthropologist, just returned to Florida with her white husband, Robert, and their 4-year-old son, Manny. It is important in the culinary cozy world as we are finally seeing more Black, Brown, and other people of color sharing stories that resonate with people who look like us. This book will be released in October of 2021. The first book I’m reviewing is Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. It also allows us to see how we change and develop over time based on the books and ideas we are drawn to reading. I believe we should take the time to delve into the who, what, when, and why to show how that book ended up helping us tell a story. When we decide to pick up a book and read it, we are creating a relationship.

Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes