Caribbean Queens: A Drag Queens' Mystery

by Stephanie Dargon Luce

After a harrowing escape from a pair of crazed killers in Wisconsin, Autumn Goldleaf and Cookie La Ruse look forward to a working vacation at the newly opened resort, Huis van Dromen. Situated on the Caribbean island of Bonaire, Huis van Dromen or House of Dreams seems like an ideal gig for the drag queens. But murder soon raises its ugly head, threatening to close down the exclusive retreat recently opened by Autumn's friend, Bunty Wulf. Calling on the assistance of handsome Detective Zach Baker, the queens soon find themselves on the hunt once again, realizing that even in paradise, danger lurks behind every corner.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2021

Reviews

[Lorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Caribbean Queens is the second book in the Drag Queens Series. In the first installment, we learned Autumn's history. In Caribbean Queens we get to know more about Cookie as well. Well written characters and story line make this book a great read.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and well-written

I love these characters and Ms. Luce's wonderful craftsmanship with words. I feel like I'm right there - which is great because I can't afford to really go to the
Caribbean! Enjoy it.

[Julie Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun and well done new adventure with Cookie and Autumn, friends and amateur sleuths who solve crimes between drag queen performances. I very much enjoyed the first encounter with these two as they traveled to small town Wisconsin and investigated crimes revolving around a performing theater. In their second outing, the pair take the Caribbean island of Bonaire by storm, little dog in tow.
Cookie and Autumn are in the tropics to perform at a resort owned by Autumn's old college friend Bunty. Settling into a little cottage and putting together a show including old Motown hits, they meet the guests including a famous marine academic and his "Karen" wife, their meek assistant, a romance writer on the prowl for real-life experiences to write up for her books, staff who work for Bunty, and colorful locals. When a guest turns up dead by the side of the pool, follow by another body on the beach, the sleuthing commences.
The author has created two wonderful characters in this series. While Cookie is more flamboyant and Autumn (William when not in drag) is a more conservative Midwesterner, the love and friendship between the two is genuine and they are drawn so well that the reader wants to be part of them, too, just as the characters in the books are drawn to them. The mystery is paced so that it moves along but we also get to feel like we are along for a fun holiday, as our two friends try the pools and the beaches and soak up local culture and cuisine. Unlike some cozies which can feel rushed, the author takes her time and lets us enjoy relaxing in the sun, splashing in the ocean, learning about the island history and marine life, plotting the performances. In the end, we feel like we've been on a wonderful holiday with friends. We also learn a thing or two about drag queen culture.
Looking forward to more adventures with these two. Highly recommend for fans of well written cozies, fans of theater, and readers who enjoy a splash of color in their reading.

[Eileen Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun romp of a mystery set on the island of Bonaire. Drag performers and best friends, Cookie and William (Autumn) travel to their friend’s small hotel to perform. Cookie is running from a bad breakup and William is still getting over his SO’s death.

An obnoxious woman is killed, and the duo is tapped to find the killer by her sister. As they get closer to uncovering the culprit, their lives become endangered.

[Elaine Collier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Attracted by the cover and title, I wanted to know more. I loved the two main characters, William and Cookie, and really wanted to be on the journey with them. There were parts of the book that I found a little long-winded and it lacked the punchiness that I prefer. I thought the ending was a little Agatha Christie-ish.
Overall I enjoyed the book.

[Wendy Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoyed "All Hail the Queen", the first book in the series, you will love "Caribbean Queens", the second book in the series. This book has interesting characters and more than one mystery to solve. It made me want to take a trip to Bonaire!