Tropical fruit is the best in smoothies and this Papaya based smoothie is wonderful. Combined with mint and lime and just enough sweetening, it will be a favorite with everyone. The Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series has family drama, spouse drama, workplace drama, and a cozy mystery that has your rooting for the protagonist. A great first installment to this series.
This is book #1 of the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series. Miriam Quinones-Smith is a food anthropologist, wife, mom, and best friend. She has both strong supporters and a few antagonists (her mother-in-law for starters). Miriam is an intelligent, strong woman who has many skills that include deciphering clues to solve murder mysteries.
Mango, Mambo, and Murder by Raquel V. Reyes
Papaya Smoothie
from a cozy mystery:
Mango, Mambo, and Murder
by Raquel Reyes
Book Outline and Tone:
Miriam Quinones-Smith has moved from New York to Miami where her influential in-laws family lives. While Miriam is Cuban-American, her husband and family are part of the rich white culture of the Coral Shores area of Miami. Even though Miriam grew up in Miami, she now feels like a fish out of water. She wants to make sure her son, Manny, grows up bilingual, so she speaks to him in Spanish while her husband speaks to him in English. While this is a great way to continue important cultural values, her mother-in-law is openly against anything that doesn’t fit her idea of a proper culture.
As if moving to a new area and in-law problems are not enough, Miriam wants to continue to work, but as a food anthropologist and the local university not hiring she feels frustrated. Good fortune on her side she practically stumbles into a tv cooking spot to fill in for a chef on maternity leave. Her appearance becomes an instant success and the producers want to create an entire show starring her, and so the show Abuela Approved begins.
Author Raquel V. Reyes has created a world with endless possibilities for a cozy mystery series. In this first installment of the series, Miriam helps to solve the murder mystery of a socialite and establishes a relationship with a local detective. I am delighted to have found this series. I am certain there will be great adventures.
The Best Quote:
“[Detective] Pullman stopped mid-stride when he saw me. Anger boiled in me, and before I could stop myself, I was in the hall with my hands on my hips,
‘What are you doing here?’ I said.
‘Hello, Ms. Quinones,’ he replied cooly. ‘I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?’
‘I work here.’
‘Interesting.’ He turned to leave. The receptionist resumed her guide role.
‘Here to arrest another innocent person?’
Pullman stopped and looked at me. ‘Innocent like your friend?’
We glared at each other. It was a blinking contest, and I wasn’t going to lose.”
Point of View:
The novel is told in first person point of view from protagonist Miriam’s perspective.
The Author: Raquel V. Reyes
Author Raquel V. Reyes calls on her own Cuban-American heritage when writing this series. She uses Spanglish dialogue and recipes in all of her books. Her website is full of information about her, recipes, book club discussion questions, appearance schedule and a place to sign up for her newsletter. Mango, Mambo, and Murder is being made into a series by an Amazon production company Gato Grande. The series will be titled Miami Spice. Reyes will undoubtedly post about this production on her social media. She uses the handle @LatinaSleuths on Facebook and Instagram. Her website lists a large number of awards her writing has earned her. Currently the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series has four books, but I am sure there will be more to come.
What is not to like?:
I really enjoyed every bit of this novel. I listened to the audiobook and truly enjoyed the Spanish. After spending countless days on Duolingo, my Spanish is still elementary, but hearing some Spanish mixed in with the English will be a great way to boost comprehension. So that means that I don’t think there will be anything not to like about his series!
The verdict:
If you know a little Spanish or are trying to pick up the language, this series is perfect for immersive reading. Listen to the audiobook and follow along with a print copy. Miriam doesn’t use a lot of Spanish, but there are plenty of times that she speaks to her best friend Alma or her son Manny for you to continue to improve your understanding of Spanish.
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Papaya Smoothie
Assemble the Ingredients
Remove the seeds from the papaya. Cut the fruit into chunks, discarding the thick skin.
Use half the fruit now, and freeze the other half for later use.
Into the blender put the ice,
fruit, water, and condensed milk.
Julienne the mint,
and zest the lime; then squeeze half the lime into the mixture.
Blend until smooth.
Garnish with a ring of lime and a small sprig of mint.
Papaya Smoothie (Batida de fruta bomba/Papaya Smoothie)
Ingredients
- ½ ripe papaya, cubed (about 2 c.)
- 6-8 ice cubes
- 1 lime (for zesting and juice)
- 4 Tbsp condensed milk
- ¼ cup water
- 5 mint leaves
Instructions
- Remove the seeds from the papaya. Cut the fruit into chunks, discarding the thick skin.
- Into the blender put the ice, fruit, water, and condensed milk.
- Julienne the mint,
- Zest the lime; then squeeze half the lime into the mixture.
- Blend until smooth.
What would I do differently next time?
Nothing, this was absolutely delicious!
Here are some other fantastic breakfast recipes to enjoy with your Papaya Smoothie
Double Blueberry Pancakes from Fatal Reservations by Lucy Burdette
Orange Scones from Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day
Apple Bacon Egg Bake from Death of a Bacon Heiress by Lee Hollis
Eggnog Oatmeal and Eggless Nog from Christmas Cocoa and a Corpse by Maddie Day
