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A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery #4
Dominoes, Danzón, and Death
Latina sleuth and culinary master Miriam Quiñones-Smith is cooking up a storm in the fourth installment of the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series.
It’s been three years since food anthropologist and cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith had her last brush with death. Her Spanglish culinary show, Abuela Approved, is topping the charts. Her parents are back in Miami and living with her in Coral Shores. And her kids are great. But when bones start popping up in unexpected places, Miriam’s idyllic life is threatened.
Her husband Robert’s much-delayed hotel project screeches to a halt when human bones are unearthed. Tribal representatives, forensic archaeologists, and a pompous professor rain down on the possibly ancient site. Then a fake skeleton with the name 'Smith' etched into it is found floating in the bay with an ominous note. Is it a threat to Miriam’s husband or her inlaws? And when Miriam’s boss Delvis is seen going off on a tour guide who marched through the crew-only area on set and is later found dead, Delvis is declared the main suspect.
To protect her family and friends, Miriam must dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight.
It’s been three years since food anthropologist and cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith had her last brush with death. Her Spanglish culinary show, Abuela Approved, is topping the charts. Her parents are back in Miami and living with her in Coral Shores. And her kids are great. But when bones start popping up in unexpected places, Miriam’s idyllic life is threatened.
Her husband Robert’s much-delayed hotel project screeches to a halt when human bones are unearthed. Tribal representatives, forensic archaeologists, and a pompous professor rain down on the possibly ancient site. Then a fake skeleton with the name 'Smith' etched into it is found floating in the bay with an ominous note. Is it a threat to Miriam’s husband or her inlaws? And when Miriam’s boss Delvis is seen going off on a tour guide who marched through the crew-only area on set and is later found dead, Delvis is declared the main suspect.
To protect her family and friends, Miriam must dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2024
21 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Raquel V. Reyes
15 books314 followersRAQUEL V. REYES writes Latina protagonists. Her Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and Spanglish feature prominently in her work. Mango, Mambo, and Murder, the first in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series, won a LEFTY for Best Humorous Mystery and an International Latino Book Award. It was nominated for an Agatha Award and optioned for film. Raquel’s short stories appear in various anthologies, including The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
November 20, 2024
This review was first posted on Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/do...
3.5 stars
This is the fourth book in the 'Caribbean Kitchen' cozy mystery series, featuring Miriam Quiñones-Smith, a Cuban-American food anthropologist and amateur sleuth. Miriam hosts two Caribbean culinary shows, a Spanish version called 'Cocina Caribeña' on the morning program UnMundo, and an English version called 'Abuela Approved' on YouTube.
Miriam and her husband Robert Smith live in the Coral Gables enclave of Miami, Florida and have a six-year-old son Manny - who loves to cook, and an almost three-year-old daughter Sirena - who adores seafood.
The Smiths have a lovely home, which they now share with Miriam's parents, who previously managed a hotel resort in the Dominican Republic.
A good part of the book is about Miriam's colorful family, friends, and co-workers, which adds extra fun to the narrative.
The Smiths are happy in Coral Gables, the major downside being that they reside near Robert's mother Marjory - a snobby racist who looks down on Latinx people, including her daughter-in-law. Robert has finally read his mother the riot act, but Marjory still has a hard time being civil to Miriam.
In the past, Miriam has helped the Miami police solve crimes, and Detective Frank Pullman likes to call her Jessica Fletcher, Veronica Mars, or Velma, sobriquets some of Miriam's friends have picked up. To this, Miriam responds, "I am more Jessica than Veronica or Velma. Bodies just show up in my vicinity. I don't go looking for them."
In this story, Miriam's sleuthing instincts kick in when human bones are found at a building site. Miriam's husband Robert, an environmental engineer, is overseeing construction of a boutique hotel at the edge of Coral Gables golf course when bones and a pottery shard are uncovered at the location. The remains are thought to be a Tequesta Indian, in which case the bones must be returned to the tribe, but not before Miami police investigate the age of the bones and the circumstances of the interment.
With Robert's encouragement, Miriam takes an interest in the bones, and she meets Dr. Gregory Vander Bell, an anthropologist who heads Miami's Grove College museum, which has a large collection of Tequesta artifacts;
Dr. Alice Cypress, from the Tribal Historical Preservation Office;
and Dr. Victoria Bustinza, a forensic archaeologist.
When it turns out the golf course bones aren't ancient, but belong to a twentysomething Indian man murdered two to three decades ago, Miriam helps the police uncover the killer. The novel also features two subplots. In one, Miriam's director at UnMundo, Delvis Ferrer, gets into an altercation with a pushy tourist, who's later found murdered. The police suspect Delvis, and Miriam is determined to clear her boss's name. In another storyline, someone is threatening the life of Robert's father, Judge Smith, who's made some unpopular rulings on the bench. Robert's mother Marjory comes down from her high horse to ask Miriam to investigate.
Besides being a good mystery, the book is liberally sprinkled with Caribbean folklore and Spanglish. For instance, Miriam's investigations are assisted by Oyá, the Yoruba orisha (god) of graveyards and the wind. Miriam's dad builds a shrine to Oyá in the backyard, where Miriam leaves spicy dishes like black-eyed pea soup with sweet potato and coconut milk. Miriam then beseeches the orisha, "Oyá, por favor, acepta esta comida en gratitud por tu guía y tu protección." In return, Oyá guides Miriam's amateur sleuthing.
The novel is enhanced by the inclusion of snippets about Florida history, West Indian culture, and Caribbean foods, which are a mélange of African, Spanish, Mexican, and indigenous cuisine. At the end, the book has recipes for Frita Cubana (Cuban hamburger); Bocaditos (appetizer sandwiches); Tortilla Española (quiche); Palmeras (cookies); and Cuban Natilla (custard).
Frita Cubana
Bocaditos
Tortilla Española
Palmeras
Cuban Natilla
I'm a fan of this multicultural series, and look forward to Miriam's next adventure.
Thanks to Netgalley, Raquel V. Reyes, and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 14, 2024
Fourth in the series and I have not read the earlier ones. I did not find this a problem in following the characters or the plot of this book.
Miriam is a food anthropologist and star of a cooking show. The story takes place in Coral Shores, Miami and much is made of the Latina culture and language. Spanglish was a new word to me and it was fun at first to read so many Spanish words in the text but I did get tired of it in the end, and found out it took me out of the narrative.
The mystery developed very slowly and it was not until 75% of the way through the book that I really became involved and started to properly enjoy it. Then the ending was rather weak. I can see how lots of people will enjoy this series but it is not really for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Miriam is a food anthropologist and star of a cooking show. The story takes place in Coral Shores, Miami and much is made of the Latina culture and language. Spanglish was a new word to me and it was fun at first to read so many Spanish words in the text but I did get tired of it in the end, and found out it took me out of the narrative.
The mystery developed very slowly and it was not until 75% of the way through the book that I really became involved and started to properly enjoy it. Then the ending was rather weak. I can see how lots of people will enjoy this series but it is not really for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 18, 2024
(3.75 stars, rounded up)
The fourth book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series revolves around a discovery of bones at the local country club in Miami, during a construction project. Of course all work stopped so they could be investigated. I found the information about the original native population of south Florida fascinating - just enough information to entice me to read a bit more about them! We also get a lovely introduction to Calle Ocho, the famous “little Havana” neighborhood in Miami. Miriam Quiñones Smith is still doing her “Abuela Approved” tv segments, focusing on Caribbean specialties and one segment is filmed in that area. There is a tour guide (a pretty obnoxious one) who has been murdered at a historic art deco movie theater in that neighborhood. On top of all this, Robert’s father is a judge and is getting threatening notes. Are these things connected in any way?
Miriam gets involved in the investigations because her boss Delvis is a suspect in the tour guide’s murder, and Miriam’s husband Robert is the one in charge of the golf course project. Her background in anthropology (especially foodways) also comes in handy here. Miriam’s parents have moved in with her and her husband, and help with the two children, but it makes for a very busy household!
I appreciated that we got to see a little bit of a softer side to Miriam’s snooty mother-in-law in this story. I’m hoping for further thawing of that relationship in future volumes.
As aways, there’s lots of talk about and descriptions of food, so don’t be surprised if you get hungry while reading this! If you enjoy reading about the various ethnic foods, don’t miss the recipes at the end of the book.
Miriam once again really tried NOT to act as an amateur sleuth. I love her relationship with the local detective, Pullman. He teasingly refers to her as either Veronica (i.e., Veronica Mars) or Jessica (i.e., Jessica Fletcher) or Velma (as in Scooby Doo).
Warning: there is a lot of Spanish sprinkled throughout this book. Even if you know absolutely no Spanish, you will mostly get the meaning through context. Some of it is directly translated (i.e., repeated, but in English), but some of it is not. I listened to the audiobook version for the most part and Frankie Corzo did a beautiful job with all the voices and accents, but unfortunately for this English speaker with a smattering of Spanish, the Spanish was unintelligible to me, so I had to get the meaning by context or by the English translation which frequently followed. At least when reading, I could more easily make out the Spanish words and understand a lot of them, but on the audio, I missed a lot of the actual Spanish words.
While this is the fourth book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series, I think it would work as a standalone. The author provides enough backstory information for new readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
The fourth book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series revolves around a discovery of bones at the local country club in Miami, during a construction project. Of course all work stopped so they could be investigated. I found the information about the original native population of south Florida fascinating - just enough information to entice me to read a bit more about them! We also get a lovely introduction to Calle Ocho, the famous “little Havana” neighborhood in Miami. Miriam Quiñones Smith is still doing her “Abuela Approved” tv segments, focusing on Caribbean specialties and one segment is filmed in that area. There is a tour guide (a pretty obnoxious one) who has been murdered at a historic art deco movie theater in that neighborhood. On top of all this, Robert’s father is a judge and is getting threatening notes. Are these things connected in any way?
Miriam gets involved in the investigations because her boss Delvis is a suspect in the tour guide’s murder, and Miriam’s husband Robert is the one in charge of the golf course project. Her background in anthropology (especially foodways) also comes in handy here. Miriam’s parents have moved in with her and her husband, and help with the two children, but it makes for a very busy household!
I appreciated that we got to see a little bit of a softer side to Miriam’s snooty mother-in-law in this story. I’m hoping for further thawing of that relationship in future volumes.
As aways, there’s lots of talk about and descriptions of food, so don’t be surprised if you get hungry while reading this! If you enjoy reading about the various ethnic foods, don’t miss the recipes at the end of the book.
Miriam once again really tried NOT to act as an amateur sleuth. I love her relationship with the local detective, Pullman. He teasingly refers to her as either Veronica (i.e., Veronica Mars) or Jessica (i.e., Jessica Fletcher) or Velma (as in Scooby Doo).
Warning: there is a lot of Spanish sprinkled throughout this book. Even if you know absolutely no Spanish, you will mostly get the meaning through context. Some of it is directly translated (i.e., repeated, but in English), but some of it is not. I listened to the audiobook version for the most part and Frankie Corzo did a beautiful job with all the voices and accents, but unfortunately for this English speaker with a smattering of Spanish, the Spanish was unintelligible to me, so I had to get the meaning by context or by the English translation which frequently followed. At least when reading, I could more easily make out the Spanish words and understand a lot of them, but on the audio, I missed a lot of the actual Spanish words.
While this is the fourth book in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series, I think it would work as a standalone. The author provides enough backstory information for new readers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book and to Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.
September 12, 2024
Miriam's parents are now living with her family in the Miami area. Her mother in law Marjory is still an obnoxious snob. Her colleague Delvis is suspected of murder after having a public argument with the victim, and husband Robert's construction project is being held up due to the discovery on bones on the site. Miriam is the star of a cooking show called Abuela Approved, and recipes are included. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 17, 2024
"Dominoes, Danzón, and Death (A Caribbean Kitchen Mystery #4)" by Raquel V. Reyes is best read on your own or waiting for the official audiobook. Don't let your virtual assistant/text to speech software read it to you. Well, unless you have it set to read Spanish. I understood it just fine but, man, were the pronunciations funny sometimes. I do enjoy these because my level of Spanish fluency is Spanglish and comprehension more than spoken. So, these really help me pick up my personal comprehension speed.
The mystery, well mysteries, of this one had a bit less direct investigation from Miriam. She really embraced the spiritual side of her heritage and had things either fall in her lap or work out that she was in the right place at the right time. In the end the cold case wrapped up about how I expected too. I really wasn't sure who to think of with the other two cases. They were quite a bit more of a side story line.
I also have to add, thank you for have less of the craziness from Miriam's mother-in-law. It got to be too much in past books. She seemed to be just right in this one. I'm also glad that Miriam's husband seems to finally be seeing his mother the way Miriam does.
The mystery, well mysteries, of this one had a bit less direct investigation from Miriam. She really embraced the spiritual side of her heritage and had things either fall in her lap or work out that she was in the right place at the right time. In the end the cold case wrapped up about how I expected too. I really wasn't sure who to think of with the other two cases. They were quite a bit more of a side story line.
I also have to add, thank you for have less of the craziness from Miriam's mother-in-law. It got to be too much in past books. She seemed to be just right in this one. I'm also glad that Miriam's husband seems to finally be seeing his mother the way Miriam does.
November 28, 2024
4.25⭐
Such an enjoyable series! And a fascinating immersion into Caribbean cultures with Spanglish, stories of worshipped saints and mouth-watering different foods. With a full cast of intriguing and fully-developed secondary characters. While the perpetrator of main mystery is easily guessed, the resolution of several other minor mysteries will keep you guessing. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Such an enjoyable series! And a fascinating immersion into Caribbean cultures with Spanglish, stories of worshipped saints and mouth-watering different foods. With a full cast of intriguing and fully-developed secondary characters. While the perpetrator of main mystery is easily guessed, the resolution of several other minor mysteries will keep you guessing. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2024
In “Dominoes, Danzon, and Death,” Miriam, food anthropologist and cooking show star, finds herself in the throes of several mysteries, once again. Bones are unearthed at her husband’s worksite, a skeleton with a menacing note with her husband’s family name on it washes ashore, and her boss is caught in the middle of a potential murder. Miriam is forced to put on her sleuthing hat to protect her family and friends.
This is the fourth in the series, and I have enjoyed them all a lot. I love the setting in Miami, and I love all of the cooking and food sprinkled throughout the book. I love to cook and love learning about other cultures’ foods. The multiple mysteries in this one was fun, and though it could’ve felt like too many, the author did a good job of balancing them and fitting them in at different points.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and am grateful to NetGalley, Raquel Reyes, and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC to be able to read this before its release on November 19!
This is the fourth in the series, and I have enjoyed them all a lot. I love the setting in Miami, and I love all of the cooking and food sprinkled throughout the book. I love to cook and love learning about other cultures’ foods. The multiple mysteries in this one was fun, and though it could’ve felt like too many, the author did a good job of balancing them and fitting them in at different points.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and am grateful to NetGalley, Raquel Reyes, and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC to be able to read this before its release on November 19!
January 5, 2025
I listened to this in audio and enjoyed it more than the last entry I read in the series. This fourth entry in the Caribbean Cooking mysteries jumps ahead about three years from the last book. Miriam’s young son Manny is now about seven and wants to be a chef. The infant she was pregnant with in the last book is now a young girl of three who is obsessed with mermaids and all things related to the sea. And Miriam hasn’t encountered any dead bodies since the last book, a relatively calm period for her. Of course, this being a mystery, that calm ends quickly.
Within a period of a few days, Miriam is surrounded with mysterious bones. Her husband Robert’s construction team encounters bones on a work site that may be ancient. Then, mysterious skeletons start appearing with threatening messages to someone in Robert’s family. And when the body of a woman is discovered near one of Miriam’s shoot sites, a colleague is the chief suspect.
The mysteries played a more central role in this book than they did in the last which made me happy. However, we still get a lot of her family life as well as Cuban culture and food. I thought having Miriam's parents move in with them was an interesting addition to the series.
One thing I really liked is that during the three-year jump in time, Covid lockdowns occur. The author gives us a feel for what happened with key characters and the general Miami community, without doing huge info dumps. I thought it was a successful way to make a time jump and to introduce the notion of Covid.
I liked the mysteries, enjoyed some changes in the characters, and look forward to seeing what happens with Miriam and her family in the next book.
Within a period of a few days, Miriam is surrounded with mysterious bones. Her husband Robert’s construction team encounters bones on a work site that may be ancient. Then, mysterious skeletons start appearing with threatening messages to someone in Robert’s family. And when the body of a woman is discovered near one of Miriam’s shoot sites, a colleague is the chief suspect.
The mysteries played a more central role in this book than they did in the last which made me happy. However, we still get a lot of her family life as well as Cuban culture and food. I thought having Miriam's parents move in with them was an interesting addition to the series.
One thing I really liked is that during the three-year jump in time, Covid lockdowns occur. The author gives us a feel for what happened with key characters and the general Miami community, without doing huge info dumps. I thought it was a successful way to make a time jump and to introduce the notion of Covid.
I liked the mysteries, enjoyed some changes in the characters, and look forward to seeing what happens with Miriam and her family in the next book.
August 30, 2024
There are three mysteries in this book. The first is Miriam Quiñones-Smith's husband Robert's hotel project gets delayed when a set of bones is found while they were digging the dirt. When they realize this is not an ancient site but a more recent murder Miriam has to put together the clues she's seen with the different scientists involved in the dig to figure out who did it. The second is that there are notes threatening Robert's family and Miriam must help protect the family during their time of need. The C plot of the book is the actual murder which Miriam is in the periphery rather than in the middle of the action.
This book was really fun. I thought that the addition of a possible ancient site and the fact that there was an old murder to solve was really cool. I enjoyed Miriam's antics but I did think that there were too many characters and that the third mystery kind of faded into the background and would have been better in another book. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light and fun mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Raquel V. Reyes for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
This book was really fun. I thought that the addition of a possible ancient site and the fact that there was an old murder to solve was really cool. I enjoyed Miriam's antics but I did think that there were too many characters and that the third mystery kind of faded into the background and would have been better in another book. Overall I thought it was an enjoyable read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a light and fun mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Raquel V. Reyes for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 2, 2025
Took a while for me to get into it. It really didn't pick up until about 70% in.
June 17, 2025
Fun addition to the series (book 4). Another interesting mashup of murder mystery, anthropology, food, and culture. This particular book jumps about 3 years from the last one, which skims over the Covid years and the birth of her daughter (but done well to get a grasp of the setting's context). I thought having Miriam's parents move in with their family was an interesting choice, but it worked, and very common culturally.
June 17, 2024
#DominoesDanzónandDeath #NetGalley is the newest addition to this series.
Its been a while since I read a book by the author, so I was happy to catch up with Miriam and the others in Coral Shores.
It's always nice to fall into a good book and get lost between the pages of a really good book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book .
Its been a while since I read a book by the author, so I was happy to catch up with Miriam and the others in Coral Shores.
It's always nice to fall into a good book and get lost between the pages of a really good book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book .
September 29, 2024
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes is set a couple of years after the last book. Miriam and her family are hilarious.
Will Miriam solve all the mysteries that are taking place in her life?
Miriam Quiñones-Smith
Miriam has been enjoying her life without solving mysteries for the last three years, and she's quite happy about that. She is a loving mother of two amazing kids, a great wife, a loving daughter, and the not-so-great daughter-in-law to the Smith family. That is because she's Latina and is on a cooking show. The parts I loved in this story are when Miriam is filming her segments, being with her family, and being with her mother-in-law. Miriam is a great person, and it is easy to see why so many people can talk to her instead of the cops.
The Mystery
Miriam's husband, Robert, is trying to build a hotel on the golf course, but that's met with another troubling dilemma. They found a dead body and some other things. Not only does Miriam have to hear about this from her husband, but she also finds out that her in-laws are being threatened. Of course, she also finds a fake skeleton. Is it fake? While filming an episode for her show, they found out a tour guide had been killed later that day. Miriam has her work cut out for solving all of these crimes. Are all of them connected, or just two of them? I'm so happy I got at least one of these mysteries figured out!
Five Stars
I am giving Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes five stars, and I recommend reading this series. The one thing I do have to say is that Ms. Reyes does use Spanglish in this book, but thankfully, she gives an English translation of what was said afterward. To me, that made it easier to read. Ms. Reyes has created an incredible group of people in this book. Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes is my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it. I am definitely putting the first three on my TBR.
Don't forget to check out the recipes in the back. Some of these sound pretty good. They are Frita Cubana/Cuban Hamburger, Bocaditos, Miriam's Tortilla Espanola, Palmeras, and Cuban Natilla.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes is set a couple of years after the last book. Miriam and her family are hilarious.
Will Miriam solve all the mysteries that are taking place in her life?
Miriam Quiñones-Smith
Miriam has been enjoying her life without solving mysteries for the last three years, and she's quite happy about that. She is a loving mother of two amazing kids, a great wife, a loving daughter, and the not-so-great daughter-in-law to the Smith family. That is because she's Latina and is on a cooking show. The parts I loved in this story are when Miriam is filming her segments, being with her family, and being with her mother-in-law. Miriam is a great person, and it is easy to see why so many people can talk to her instead of the cops.
The Mystery
Miriam's husband, Robert, is trying to build a hotel on the golf course, but that's met with another troubling dilemma. They found a dead body and some other things. Not only does Miriam have to hear about this from her husband, but she also finds out that her in-laws are being threatened. Of course, she also finds a fake skeleton. Is it fake? While filming an episode for her show, they found out a tour guide had been killed later that day. Miriam has her work cut out for solving all of these crimes. Are all of them connected, or just two of them? I'm so happy I got at least one of these mysteries figured out!
Five Stars
I am giving Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes five stars, and I recommend reading this series. The one thing I do have to say is that Ms. Reyes does use Spanglish in this book, but thankfully, she gives an English translation of what was said afterward. To me, that made it easier to read. Ms. Reyes has created an incredible group of people in this book. Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes is my first book by this author, and I enjoyed it. I am definitely putting the first three on my TBR.
Don't forget to check out the recipes in the back. Some of these sound pretty good. They are Frita Cubana/Cuban Hamburger, Bocaditos, Miriam's Tortilla Espanola, Palmeras, and Cuban Natilla.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Dominoes, Danzon, and Death by Raquel V. Reyes.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
October 9, 2024
Since Miriam’s sleuthing put her danger before (previous novels), she is reticent to take on new mysteries, but curiosity, loyalty to friends and family, and a sense of justice will not allow her to leave these mysteries alone. Miriam is an instantly likable character.
Miriam’s quest for answers in these new mysteries occurs against the back drop of her vibrant life in South Florida. She lives in a multi-generational household with her parents, husband, and two children. Family and friends live nearby and are an important part of daily life. The only problematic person is her mother-in-law, a well to do, white, racist snob.
And then there’s work. Miriam hosts a cooking show focusing on South Florida and Caribbean cuisine. Yum!
So how many mysteries can one book contain? Three. The first occurs when human bones are unearthed at the site of a new hotel her husband is building. At first, they were concerned that the bones were Native American and the dig had disturbed a burial site. But no, the bones are of a much more recent vintage, and the victim was murdered.
The second mystery? Who killed the tour guide with whom Miriam’s friend and colleague, Delvis, had words? Delvis stands accused of the murder, and Miriam can’t let this stand.
Lastly, someone seems to have Miriam’s father in law, a federal judge, on his hit list.
While the mysteries moved the plot along nicely, I loved being immersed in the warmth of this lovely Latin family. The book is written primarily English, but as often occurs in bilingual households, Spanish and Spanglish occur in conversation as well. (It made me want to return to my Spanish lessons.)
This is the 4th book in the series, and I have already added the previous three to my TBR list.
Oh! And there are recipes in the back of the book.
Miriam’s quest for answers in these new mysteries occurs against the back drop of her vibrant life in South Florida. She lives in a multi-generational household with her parents, husband, and two children. Family and friends live nearby and are an important part of daily life. The only problematic person is her mother-in-law, a well to do, white, racist snob.
And then there’s work. Miriam hosts a cooking show focusing on South Florida and Caribbean cuisine. Yum!
So how many mysteries can one book contain? Three. The first occurs when human bones are unearthed at the site of a new hotel her husband is building. At first, they were concerned that the bones were Native American and the dig had disturbed a burial site. But no, the bones are of a much more recent vintage, and the victim was murdered.
The second mystery? Who killed the tour guide with whom Miriam’s friend and colleague, Delvis, had words? Delvis stands accused of the murder, and Miriam can’t let this stand.
Lastly, someone seems to have Miriam’s father in law, a federal judge, on his hit list.
While the mysteries moved the plot along nicely, I loved being immersed in the warmth of this lovely Latin family. The book is written primarily English, but as often occurs in bilingual households, Spanish and Spanglish occur in conversation as well. (It made me want to return to my Spanish lessons.)
This is the 4th book in the series, and I have already added the previous three to my TBR list.
Oh! And there are recipes in the back of the book.
November 16, 2024
This is a great addition to the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series! Miram is not your average cozy-mystery heroine and I love it. She’s a wife and a mother as well as a crime-solver and has a cooking segment for a Spanish-language tv studio. She’s also a culinary anthropologist. I love seeing her interactions with her friends and family. There’s one particular scene where she takes her husband, kids, and parents to Miami’s Calle Ocho for dinner, dancing, and dominoes. It’s full of family energy and low-level chaos.
The mystery itself was interesting. This time around, Miriam comes across multiple crimes within the space of a few days, so part of the mystery is piecing together which events are connected and which are not.
Similar to the rest of the series, this book incorporates Miriam’s Cuban-American culture as well as day-to-day life in Miami. I liked learning about Calle Ocho and was intrigued by the parts about the Orishas.
NOTE: This is the 4th book in the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series and should be read in order. Book 1 is Mango, Mambo, and Murder.
The mystery itself was interesting. This time around, Miriam comes across multiple crimes within the space of a few days, so part of the mystery is piecing together which events are connected and which are not.
Similar to the rest of the series, this book incorporates Miriam’s Cuban-American culture as well as day-to-day life in Miami. I liked learning about Calle Ocho and was intrigued by the parts about the Orishas.
NOTE: This is the 4th book in the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series and should be read in order. Book 1 is Mango, Mambo, and Murder.
November 25, 2024
Colourful, fun, rollicking run around Calle Ocho, giving me a new slant on Miami, but I think one of these was enough for me. I enjoyed the music and the food, the Spanglish and the allusions to the indigenous inhabitants, even if not everyone approves of how this was done. Early on I thought I might enjoy the whole series, but, set at a different time in Miriam’s life, I might miss some of the characters that were so good in this one: Serena, an older Manny, Robert with a different attitude to life… so thanks, it was fun while it lasted.
November 26, 2024
This series gets better and better! I loved seeing Miriam and her family again. This book jumps ahead a few years and I loved seeing her kiddos growing up, especially Mani and his love for cooking and food!
I loved all the fun facts about food anthropology and how similar dishes are slightly altered in different cultures and boy did this book make me SO HUNGRY. This book is even more in depth than the summary implies and I love how the author handles the different cultures and ancestors involved in this book with such respect and care. Miriam is so accepting and open minded and I love her so much. I was hooked by the story and cannot wait for more!
Note: I LOVE LOVE these audiobooks and you really should listen to them to truly enjoy these fabulous characters to the fullest.
I loved all the fun facts about food anthropology and how similar dishes are slightly altered in different cultures and boy did this book make me SO HUNGRY. This book is even more in depth than the summary implies and I love how the author handles the different cultures and ancestors involved in this book with such respect and care. Miriam is so accepting and open minded and I love her so much. I was hooked by the story and cannot wait for more!
Note: I LOVE LOVE these audiobooks and you really should listen to them to truly enjoy these fabulous characters to the fullest.
June 30, 2025
This series continues to be an engaging one. This mystery had no cases to solve built in. Both involved guilty parties attempting to implicate innocent individuals. These books are full of cultural information and delicious recipes. If you enjoy cozy mysteries that go deeper into topics you will enjoy this one.
December 21, 2024
First off let me say how refreshing it is to have a mystery series give its main characters a break from finding bodies and solving murders. Second, Manny and Sirena are two of the most delightful fictional children I've read in long time. Third, I love how much Spanish is included in these books and how it's rarely ever translated. You either know it or you don't.
Another refreshing detail is how the two bodies are completely separate events. Although Miriam does come across information that helps solve the tour guide's murder her primary concern is the mystery at the Country Club.
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
Another refreshing detail is how the two bodies are completely separate events. Although Miriam does come across information that helps solve the tour guide's murder her primary concern is the mystery at the Country Club.
https://pussreboots.com/blog/2024/com...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2024
I enjoy this series so much! It's a good mix of sass, Caribbean culture, and murder. I love Miriam's voice: "His cologne was eau de I can snap your neck." Her family, Delvis, Jorge, and the rest of the secondary characters are great, and I always learn something about the history and culture of people in the Caribbean, in Miami, and more.
One thing I've really enjoyed in the past is the way she uses Spanish throughout, in small, easily decodable bits. I will say that the amount of Spanish felt increased in this book, including longer bits that I had to interrupt my reading of the story to try to decode. I didn't love that, but maybe it's purposeful, and that's okay.
This story felt a bit complicated, with a very large array of characters and multiple crimes. To me, it felt like one too many storyline was kind of stuffed in there. However, it's still a really readable book with a smart protagonist, and I look forward to the next one.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
One thing I've really enjoyed in the past is the way she uses Spanish throughout, in small, easily decodable bits. I will say that the amount of Spanish felt increased in this book, including longer bits that I had to interrupt my reading of the story to try to decode. I didn't love that, but maybe it's purposeful, and that's okay.
This story felt a bit complicated, with a very large array of characters and multiple crimes. To me, it felt like one too many storyline was kind of stuffed in there. However, it's still a really readable book with a smart protagonist, and I look forward to the next one.
Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 21, 2024
Unfortunately, I didn't like this book. I actually dnf'ed it. I really wanted to like it because it had a lot of themes I liked, but it was not to be.
1. I liked reading about Miriam's family and life, but it was too much. It felt like the book was 70% centered on her family and 30% on the suspense and thriller.
2. In addition to this, I stopped reading at 40%. Yes, there was a murder, but the FMC is yet to put any effort into solving the crime.
3. I was familiar with the Yoruba culture that was mentioned in the book because I'm Yoruba too, and I liked that.
This book was not for me, but you can read it if you like family centered cozy mysteries
1. I liked reading about Miriam's family and life, but it was too much. It felt like the book was 70% centered on her family and 30% on the suspense and thriller.
2. In addition to this, I stopped reading at 40%. Yes, there was a murder, but the FMC is yet to put any effort into solving the crime.
3. I was familiar with the Yoruba culture that was mentioned in the book because I'm Yoruba too, and I liked that.
This book was not for me, but you can read it if you like family centered cozy mysteries
May 4, 2025
This is perhaps the best of the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series yet.
February 5, 2025
Book Review: Dominoes, Danzón, and Death" by Raquel V. Reyes
Rating: 2.5 Stars
When I picked up "Dominoes, Danzón, and Death" by Raquel V. Reyes, I was immediately drawn in by its delightful cover—it's colorful and definitely eye-catching. This fourth installment in the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series follows the culinary adventures of Latina sleuth Miriam Quiñones-Smith. Miriam is not just a food anthropologist but also the star of a hit Spanglish culinary show called "Abuela Approved." Life seems pretty sweet for her in Miami until a series of macabre discoveries throws everything into chaos.
The plot kicks off when human bones surface at her husband Robert’s hotel construction site, bringing a slew of experts and a pompous academic into the fray. As if that weren't enough, a fake skeleton with "Smith" etched into it appears in the bay, leaving Miriam to wonder if it's an ominous message directed at her family. Things take another dark turn when Delvis, Miriam's boss, gets embroiled in a murder investigation after a heated confrontation with a tour guide who later turns up dead. With her loved ones at risk, Miriam is on a mission to unearth the truth.
Now, here’s where my experience starts to waver. I really enjoyed the first book in this series—it had a great balance of mystery and cultural flair. However, my enthusiasm dwindled with book two, and unfortunately, I had similar feelings about this one. While the culinary descriptions are as mouth watering as ever (seriously, don't read this on an empty stomach), and the recipes at the end are a nice touch for food enthusiasts, the frequent use of Spanish without translation became a stumbling block for me.
In the first book, some Spanish with English translations was charming and added authenticity. But in this installment, whole paragraphs in Spanish left me more confused than captivated. If you’re fluent or enjoy piecing together languages, you might not find this an issue. For me, though, it interrupted the flow of an otherwise intriguing mystery.
In conclusion, "Dominoes, Danzón, and Death" might be a hit for those who relish cultural immersion and culinary delights. But if language barriers frustrate you as they did me, you might find yourself struggling to stay engaged with the narrative. So while it wasn’t my favorite in the series, it still has its merits for the right audience. 2.5 stars from me.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 2.5 Stars
When I picked up "Dominoes, Danzón, and Death" by Raquel V. Reyes, I was immediately drawn in by its delightful cover—it's colorful and definitely eye-catching. This fourth installment in the Caribbean Kitchen mystery series follows the culinary adventures of Latina sleuth Miriam Quiñones-Smith. Miriam is not just a food anthropologist but also the star of a hit Spanglish culinary show called "Abuela Approved." Life seems pretty sweet for her in Miami until a series of macabre discoveries throws everything into chaos.
The plot kicks off when human bones surface at her husband Robert’s hotel construction site, bringing a slew of experts and a pompous academic into the fray. As if that weren't enough, a fake skeleton with "Smith" etched into it appears in the bay, leaving Miriam to wonder if it's an ominous message directed at her family. Things take another dark turn when Delvis, Miriam's boss, gets embroiled in a murder investigation after a heated confrontation with a tour guide who later turns up dead. With her loved ones at risk, Miriam is on a mission to unearth the truth.
Now, here’s where my experience starts to waver. I really enjoyed the first book in this series—it had a great balance of mystery and cultural flair. However, my enthusiasm dwindled with book two, and unfortunately, I had similar feelings about this one. While the culinary descriptions are as mouth watering as ever (seriously, don't read this on an empty stomach), and the recipes at the end are a nice touch for food enthusiasts, the frequent use of Spanish without translation became a stumbling block for me.
In the first book, some Spanish with English translations was charming and added authenticity. But in this installment, whole paragraphs in Spanish left me more confused than captivated. If you’re fluent or enjoy piecing together languages, you might not find this an issue. For me, though, it interrupted the flow of an otherwise intriguing mystery.
In conclusion, "Dominoes, Danzón, and Death" might be a hit for those who relish cultural immersion and culinary delights. But if language barriers frustrate you as they did me, you might find yourself struggling to stay engaged with the narrative. So while it wasn’t my favorite in the series, it still has its merits for the right audience. 2.5 stars from me.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
October 25, 2024
BIPOC Culinary Cozy Mystery featuring a Florida food anthropologist and Cuban-American cooking show star who turns sleuth after human bones are found at her husband's hotel project and a tour guide's murdered.
5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Reyes' Caribbean Kitchen Mystery which is a BIPOC Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Miami, Florida and features a Cuban-American food anthropologist and cooking show star who finds herself turning sleuth after three years to protect her friends and family. With her boss the main suspect in a tour guide's murder, her husband's hotel project halted after the discovery of human bones and an ominous note left on a fake skeleton found floating in the bay that seems to threaten her family, it's up to her to dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight. With plenty of twists and turns, Reyes has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Reyes's writing and character work are brilliant; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Miriam, her husband and their adorable kids and get to spend more time with her lovely parents. I also really love her group of friends and colleagues and the folks of Coral Shores. Oh and one can't forget Camo, the calico cat. Additionally, I really appreciate all the Caribbean and Latine cultural information Reyes includes, the use of Spanish throughout and the diverse and inclusive cast of characters. Be aware, the food descriptions are so good they'll have your stomach grumbling, so you'll most definitely want try out the included recipes. Reyes touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check out the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Mango, Mambo, and Murder. A great read, highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
5/5 stars: This is the fourth entry in Reyes' Caribbean Kitchen Mystery which is a BIPOC Culinary Cozy Mystery that takes place in Miami, Florida and features a Cuban-American food anthropologist and cooking show star who finds herself turning sleuth after three years to protect her friends and family. With her boss the main suspect in a tour guide's murder, her husband's hotel project halted after the discovery of human bones and an ominous note left on a fake skeleton found floating in the bay that seems to threaten her family, it's up to her to dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight. With plenty of twists and turns, Reyes has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Reyes's writing and character work are brilliant; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's a joy to catch up with Miriam, her husband and their adorable kids and get to spend more time with her lovely parents. I also really love her group of friends and colleagues and the folks of Coral Shores. Oh and one can't forget Camo, the calico cat. Additionally, I really appreciate all the Caribbean and Latine cultural information Reyes includes, the use of Spanish throughout and the diverse and inclusive cast of characters. Be aware, the food descriptions are so good they'll have your stomach grumbling, so you'll most definitely want try out the included recipes. Reyes touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check out the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Mango, Mambo, and Murder. A great read, highly recommend!
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
July 30, 2024
I love the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series by author Raquel V. Reyes! I was late to the party reading these books, which in a way is good, because then I can read them one right after the other.
In book four, Dominoes, Danzón, and Death, Miriam’s family is targeted and even though she has sworn she is not a “Velma” solving mysteries, this time she has no choice but to step in and keep her family safe. Even her standoffish mother-in-law has to swallow her pride and ask Miriam for help when someone targets her husband the judge, and they are not safe. Miriam’s husband Robert also becomes a target, and there’s no way she will let any harm come to him.
The characters in this series are absolutely quirky, fun, and loveable. This book takes a deeper look into Miriam’s family, including her husband’s side of the clan. I very much enjoy how true to life all the characters are - I feel as if I could walk into another room and know who each and every one of them are, and be friends with them.
I admit it took me a while to get used to the Spanglish used in dialogue, but the author weaves in the translation smoothly enough that it’s easy to understand.
There was a lot of high action in this story, and several times it was edge-of-my-seat, so I read far later into the night because I just could not put it down. The story was very well plotted, and the ending was highly suspenseful.
The author really does her research into the various locations she uses in her books. She combines historical facts and contemporary issues in her stories and does it in such a way that I learned more than I ever could reading a dry history school book.
And the food! My goodness, I was hungry the whole time I read the book. I’m not much of an adventurous (or any type of) cook, but I can’t wait to try some of the recipes included in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for allowing me to read the advance copy. I’m very happy to leave my honest opinion.
In book four, Dominoes, Danzón, and Death, Miriam’s family is targeted and even though she has sworn she is not a “Velma” solving mysteries, this time she has no choice but to step in and keep her family safe. Even her standoffish mother-in-law has to swallow her pride and ask Miriam for help when someone targets her husband the judge, and they are not safe. Miriam’s husband Robert also becomes a target, and there’s no way she will let any harm come to him.
The characters in this series are absolutely quirky, fun, and loveable. This book takes a deeper look into Miriam’s family, including her husband’s side of the clan. I very much enjoy how true to life all the characters are - I feel as if I could walk into another room and know who each and every one of them are, and be friends with them.
I admit it took me a while to get used to the Spanglish used in dialogue, but the author weaves in the translation smoothly enough that it’s easy to understand.
There was a lot of high action in this story, and several times it was edge-of-my-seat, so I read far later into the night because I just could not put it down. The story was very well plotted, and the ending was highly suspenseful.
The author really does her research into the various locations she uses in her books. She combines historical facts and contemporary issues in her stories and does it in such a way that I learned more than I ever could reading a dry history school book.
And the food! My goodness, I was hungry the whole time I read the book. I’m not much of an adventurous (or any type of) cook, but I can’t wait to try some of the recipes included in the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for allowing me to read the advance copy. I’m very happy to leave my honest opinion.
October 13, 2024
Rating: 3.5
From book 1, I have enjoyed reading about the Miriam and her adventures. Author Raquel V. Reyes has sprinkled Spanglish, educated us about etymology, enticed our taste buds with recipes, shared family drama, and of course taken us along for the ride to solve a mystery, or three as is the case in this, book 4 of the series.
We are once again brought into Miriam Quiñones-Smith’s life. Picking up 3 years after book 3, we see what life has become for her, her family and her career due to the pandemic. In addition to my favorite character little Manny who is now six years old, there is his sister Sirena (at the end of book 3 Miriam was nearly ready to pop), and Miriam’s parents now living with them in Miami. Their home a truly a multigenerational bilingual home now.
Miriam, like a lot of working moms, has a lot to juggle. Added to this, are the mysteries:
1. The bones found at husband Robert’s job site
2. The death of the tour guide with producer and friend Delvis as prime suspect
3. The death threats on Senior, Robert’s dad that are causing Marjory to look past her bigotry and ask for Miriam’s help
The endearing way that Detective Pullman addresses Miriam, is just fun. And just because there are mysteries doesn’t mean that life is on hold. There is the upcoming nuptials between Robert’s cousin, Police Sergeant Gordon Smith and Miriam’s friend Omarosa. The celebration that seems doomed. And much more.
While the story may not be a quick, light read is a fulfilling one with history, family, food, a bit of mysticism, social inclusion, and heady mysteries.
I need a BFF like Alma! I was happy to have familiar characters make an appearance (gotta love someone named Stormy Weatherman)
I am looking forward to a second read/first listen as I really enjoy the narrator, especially since my Spanish is horrible.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!
From book 1, I have enjoyed reading about the Miriam and her adventures. Author Raquel V. Reyes has sprinkled Spanglish, educated us about etymology, enticed our taste buds with recipes, shared family drama, and of course taken us along for the ride to solve a mystery, or three as is the case in this, book 4 of the series.
We are once again brought into Miriam Quiñones-Smith’s life. Picking up 3 years after book 3, we see what life has become for her, her family and her career due to the pandemic. In addition to my favorite character little Manny who is now six years old, there is his sister Sirena (at the end of book 3 Miriam was nearly ready to pop), and Miriam’s parents now living with them in Miami. Their home a truly a multigenerational bilingual home now.
Miriam, like a lot of working moms, has a lot to juggle. Added to this, are the mysteries:
1. The bones found at husband Robert’s job site
2. The death of the tour guide with producer and friend Delvis as prime suspect
3. The death threats on Senior, Robert’s dad that are causing Marjory to look past her bigotry and ask for Miriam’s help
The endearing way that Detective Pullman addresses Miriam, is just fun. And just because there are mysteries doesn’t mean that life is on hold. There is the upcoming nuptials between Robert’s cousin, Police Sergeant Gordon Smith and Miriam’s friend Omarosa. The celebration that seems doomed. And much more.
While the story may not be a quick, light read is a fulfilling one with history, family, food, a bit of mysticism, social inclusion, and heady mysteries.
I need a BFF like Alma! I was happy to have familiar characters make an appearance (gotta love someone named Stormy Weatherman)
I am looking forward to a second read/first listen as I really enjoy the narrator, especially since my Spanish is horrible.
Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to do an early read and share my thoughts on the story.
Happy Reading!
March 25, 2025
The more I read this series, the more I like it. Miriam is back. Her show is doing well. Boundaries have been set with her mother-in-law. Her parents are living with her and her little Sirena is growing up so fast with her brother. Alas, the waters are not calm and Miriam is once again sleuthing for not one not two but 4 cases! Her husband's hotel project is put on hold, once again, when bones are discovered. Then the producer of her show is accused of a crime, and then her in-laws find themselves under FBI surveillance. And you'll find at the end a 4th crime that goes with a murder. I think the cops should have Miriam on retainer. Instead of blocking her and giving her nicknames. Though the nicknames are appropriate.
A few years have passed between the last book and this one and it feels appropriate. Not rushed or missing any information. Our favorite characters have returned and children are playing larger rolls within the story. Miriam's home life was a little too organized in my opinion. Even the toddler was well behaved and not throwing tantrums. So the living situation definitely read as fiction.
I do feel there is much more Spanish spoken in this one than in previous. Again, not distracting and I found myself actually translating a bit on my own. A very small bit. But a lot of history is added along with the multiple murders. Yep MULTIPLE bodies and crimes going on. Not overwhelming but very interesting in my opinion. And I really enjoyed reading the historical information along with Miriam's sleuthing. Looking forward to reading more of Miriams future endeavors.
I do not recommend reading this as a standalone. I have found the whole series should be read in order from the start.
Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgalley for the eArc version. Two thumbs up for Dominoes, Danzon, and Death.
A few years have passed between the last book and this one and it feels appropriate. Not rushed or missing any information. Our favorite characters have returned and children are playing larger rolls within the story. Miriam's home life was a little too organized in my opinion. Even the toddler was well behaved and not throwing tantrums. So the living situation definitely read as fiction.
I do feel there is much more Spanish spoken in this one than in previous. Again, not distracting and I found myself actually translating a bit on my own. A very small bit. But a lot of history is added along with the multiple murders. Yep MULTIPLE bodies and crimes going on. Not overwhelming but very interesting in my opinion. And I really enjoyed reading the historical information along with Miriam's sleuthing. Looking forward to reading more of Miriams future endeavors.
I do not recommend reading this as a standalone. I have found the whole series should be read in order from the start.
Thank you #CrookedLaneBooks and #Netgalley for the eArc version. Two thumbs up for Dominoes, Danzon, and Death.
April 18, 2025
Dominoes, Danzon, & Death is the 4th entry in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series by Raquel V. Reyes. I am absolutely in love with this series - the characters, the culture and language, and the mysteries. I admit that I'm not a foodie so the recipes themselves don't interest me much, but this series is so much more than the food. Although I'm sure that is a great element if you are a foodie. What makes the Caribbean Kitchen Mysteries unique is the Latinx culture and the use of Spanish/Spanglish throughout the text. I live in rural Wisconsin. We have a growing Latinx community in my area and I appreciate having some insight into the culture. The Spanish that is liberally sprinkled in challenges me to remember all the hours of Spanish classes I took in high school and college but if I can't remember the words, the meaning is made clear by context. I'm very impressed by how well this is done. All of this would be nothing though if author Raquel V. Reyes didn't blend into a story of lovable characters, cozy family life, challenging mysteries and just a. hint of the supernatural. If you have not read any of the books yet, I recommend starting with the first book, Mango, Mambo, and Murder. But the books can be read in any order. In this book, Miriam is thriving in her Miami home with a loving husband, two children and her parents now close at hand. Her cooking show is a hit and she has a great friend group. But then a skeleton is unearthed on her husband's worksite, and her father-in-law, a judge is being threatened. Add in a murder in the neighborhood where Miriam's show has been filming and Miriam has some sleuthing to do. Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with a review copy.
September 29, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Raquel V. Reyes for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for Dominoes, Danzón, and Death coming out November 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
It’s been three years since food anthropologist and cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith had her last brush with death. Her Spanglish culinary show, Abuela Approved, is topping the charts. Her parents are back in Miami and living with her in Coral Shores. And her kids are great. But when bones start popping up in unexpected places, Miriam’s idyllic life is threatened.
Her husband Robert’s much-delayed hotel project screeches to a halt when human bones are unearthed. Tribal representatives, forensic archaeologists, and a pompous professor rain down on the possibly ancient site. Then a fake skeleton with the name 'Smith' etched into it is found floating in the bay with an ominous note. Is it a threat to Miriam’s husband or her inlaws? And when Miriam’s boss Delvis is seen going off on a tour guide who marched through the crew-only area on set and is later found dead, Delvis is declared the main suspect.
To protect her family and friends, Miriam must dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight.
I’ve read the second book in this series and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to receive this book. I love Spanish stories and culinary cozy mysteries. I liked this book, but it didn’t feel as cozy to me as the other one I read. There was something missing for me. There seemed to be a lot of arguing that I don’t remember from the other book. I love the recipes though. I would check out more books by this author.
It’s been three years since food anthropologist and cooking show star Miriam Quiñones-Smith had her last brush with death. Her Spanglish culinary show, Abuela Approved, is topping the charts. Her parents are back in Miami and living with her in Coral Shores. And her kids are great. But when bones start popping up in unexpected places, Miriam’s idyllic life is threatened.
Her husband Robert’s much-delayed hotel project screeches to a halt when human bones are unearthed. Tribal representatives, forensic archaeologists, and a pompous professor rain down on the possibly ancient site. Then a fake skeleton with the name 'Smith' etched into it is found floating in the bay with an ominous note. Is it a threat to Miriam’s husband or her inlaws? And when Miriam’s boss Delvis is seen going off on a tour guide who marched through the crew-only area on set and is later found dead, Delvis is declared the main suspect.
To protect her family and friends, Miriam must dig up the truth that has been hiding in plain sight.
I’ve read the second book in this series and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to receive this book. I love Spanish stories and culinary cozy mysteries. I liked this book, but it didn’t feel as cozy to me as the other one I read. There was something missing for me. There seemed to be a lot of arguing that I don’t remember from the other book. I love the recipes though. I would check out more books by this author.
November 14, 2024
This was a fun book to read. I like Ms. Reyes' books because I can practice my Spanish. I admit though I get frustrated when everything does not translate. I had to ask a coworker to translate one specific sentence for me because even though the accompanying comment made a little sense, I could not completely get the gist of what the prior sentence in Spanish had insinuated. That happens in these books sometimes but usually I can get most of the words.
In this book, Miriam's boss and producer of her TV show, Delvis, is accused of murder after being witnessed having an altercation with the deceased shortly before their death. Miriam does not believe for a second that this is true and sets out to find the murderer. Meanwhile, her squirrely mother-in-law has become a paranoid recluse and is willing to bury the hatchet for a bit with her disapproval of Miriam to help her sus out who is sending threats to MIL and FIL. The first murder takes a bit of a back seat about a third through the book. I did enjoy all the cultural references and history. I do wish there was more of Bernice (you'll have to read to find out who that is!).
Manny is by far my favorite character. You don't have to have read the prior books in the series, but it helps. I liked that all the major players were in this book as lots of cozies seem to be abandoning their core characters for a book or two and I find that disappointing. I also appreciated how easy it was to keep all the characters straight.
This was a super fun culinary cozy I strongly recommend to foodies and cozy aficionados.
My thanks to Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, Miriam's boss and producer of her TV show, Delvis, is accused of murder after being witnessed having an altercation with the deceased shortly before their death. Miriam does not believe for a second that this is true and sets out to find the murderer. Meanwhile, her squirrely mother-in-law has become a paranoid recluse and is willing to bury the hatchet for a bit with her disapproval of Miriam to help her sus out who is sending threats to MIL and FIL. The first murder takes a bit of a back seat about a third through the book. I did enjoy all the cultural references and history. I do wish there was more of Bernice (you'll have to read to find out who that is!).
Manny is by far my favorite character. You don't have to have read the prior books in the series, but it helps. I liked that all the major players were in this book as lots of cozies seem to be abandoning their core characters for a book or two and I find that disappointing. I also appreciated how easy it was to keep all the characters straight.
This was a super fun culinary cozy I strongly recommend to foodies and cozy aficionados.
My thanks to Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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