Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder

by Mary Cunningham

Andi’s stepmom, Ruby, is a piece of work, but is she a murderer?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent/amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father’s widow and books a 60th birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will include the murder of a has-been lounge singer—or that Ruby might be the main suspect.

Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with charming local sheriff, Manual Gonzales. An embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, can’t quell her determination to clear the name of her ex-stepmother.

While gathering clues and interviewing witnesses, however, she suspects dear old stepmom isn’t the only one in jeopardy.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Suspense, Fiction

199 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2017

About the author

Former Corydon, Indiana author, Mary Cunningham, now makes her home in the mountains of West Georgia with her husband.

The idea for the series, Cynthia's Attic, was inspired by a recurring dream. After realizing that the dream took place in the attic of her childhood friend, Cynthia, the dreams stopped and the writing began.

The first book, In her Andi Anna Jones Mystery series, is Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder.
Publication April 27, 2022 by Wild Rose Press, with more to come.

Along with her children's series, she is also co-writer of the women's humorous/lifestyle book, Women Only Over Fifty (WOOF), and the biography of military brat/star UConn basketball player will be published in the spring of 2022.

She is a member of Sisters In Crime, National Chapter, Sisters In Crime Regional chapter, International Thrillers Writers, Inc. and the Carrollton Writers Guild.

In between writing and editing the author enjoys golf, swimming and exploring the mountains.

"

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything about the book made me want to read it. I love margaritas, murder and mayhem, plus it takes place on a cruise ship heading for Cancun and a side trip to Vegas. Been there, done that.

I laughed my way through this fun-filled tale of a travel agent, Andi Anna, and her eccentric stepmother.

Andi Anna gets a phone call, and hops on a plane, zips to Cancun and is picked up at the airport by the most deliciously gorgeous hunk of a man, Sheriff Gonzalez.

Even the sexual tension reeks of humor by the lightness of Mary Cunningham’s writing style.

I laughed out loud at her experience on the plane to Vegas. And I too have felt the moisture being sucked from my body in Vegas’ super dry climate.

I highly recommend sitting down with a margarita as you read along with Andi and Ruby, who is a fabulous character that kept me entertained from beginning to end.

This humorous, lighthearted, funfilled, cozy mystery gets my recommendation.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Margarits, Mayhem & Murder by Mary Cunningham.

See more at fundinmental

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Imajin Qwickies brings us the first Andi Anna Jones mystery. A quick mystery that packs a punch.

Travel agent Andi Anna Jones has sent her stepmother, Ruby, on a cruise for her 60th birthday hoping for a few quiet days for herself. Instead, she receives a middle of the night phone call telling her the woman is in jail held on suspicion of murder. Andi Anna thinks for a moment of just going back to sleep and letting Ruby fend for herself, but then she remembers her father and books a flight to Cancun. The eye candy, I mean sheriff, that meets her at the airport almost makes her forget what she is there for and a few margaritas leave her wondering what kind of evening the two of them shared. But, getting back to getting her stepmom out of jail, she calls a lawyer and starts her own investigation that puts her on another plane to Vegas. If she survives the trip she just may find the real killer.

A lot happens within the 188 pages. Plenty of action and drama and a fair bit of romance. With the “qwickie” format the story developed quickly and for me, everything happened a bit too fast. The romance between sheriff Manual Rodriquez and Andi was truly “love at first sight”. The mystery has Andi in Cancun, then at the cruise ship, then in Las Vegas. The girl hardly had time to catch her breath. Aside from the rushed pace, this was a good mystery. There were twists and turns and Andi did uncover more suspects. The motive was surprising and made the ending very exciting.

I did enjoy these characters and do want to get to know them better. Ruby is quite a woman, she is enjoying life and driving Andi crazy. Andi also has an assistant at her travel agency and I would like to get to know her better too. She seems to be the brains behind that business.

I had vacationed in Cancun several years ago and I would have liked to spend more time there will Andi. Hopefully, she will be returning there in a future story.

This was a fun, fast read and an enjoyable getaway.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun new cozy series for me to start recently...especially since it is set in warmer weather (FL, Mexico, and Las Vegas) while I am freezing here in Texas right now.

Andi Anna has quite an unusual name, and if you say it fast, you might think of a certain film series starring Harrison Ford. The funny thing is that she was really named after her father, just a more feminine name. Andi and her sister have an ex-stepmother, Ruby, that has found herself in a bit of a pickle and has landed in a Mexican jail. Andi seems to be the only one that can go down and help her, and she discovers that maybe she likes investigating things. It doesn't hurt that there is a handsome Mexican police detective named Manny that has taken an interest in Andi, and Andi in him.

I really enjoyed the multiple locations, trying to solve the mystery, and watching sparks fly between Andi and Manny. There are some red herrings, but a few clues are fairly obvious. However, the main clue eluded me until the end. What a surprise as the killer was revealed.

This book may be on the shorter side, but it is filled with nonstop action, and the race is on to discover the killer before more people die.

The 2nd book is due out at the end of February 2023, and I can't wait to see what Andi is up to next. I think we haven't seen the last of Ruby quite yet.

We give this book 4 paws up.

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...

[Brooke Blogs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder by Mary Cunningham is the first book in the Andi Anna Jones mystery series. Andi is a travel agent (via an inheritance) and finds herself having to travel to Mexico to bail out her former stepmother, Ruby. Andi set Ruby and her friends up on a cruise, only to have Ruby tangled up in a murder and needing her help.

This was a super fast read. Because of that, there were some parts of the story that seemed to jump around or come out of nowhere. A couple of times, I found myself flipping back a page just to make sure I hadn't missed something.

The romance to me felt a bit rushed and not at place in the story. I think this is only because the story is short enough that there didn't seem to be enough time or appropriate circumstances to develop a romance along with a mystery.

I liked the mystery and overall found myself a little surprised by the outcome of the story. I would read another Andi Anna Jones mystery, which means I liked this one enough to continue the series. :)

3.5 Stars

Review will appear on Brooke Blogs.

I received a copy of this book for a book tour and I am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

[Missi Martin (Stockwell) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaritas, Mayhem, and Murder by Mary Cunningham is such a fun read !! It is a GREAT start to the Andi Anna Jones Mystery series.

Margaritas, Mayhem, and Murder jumps right into the frying pan...of trouble !! Andi gets a call in the middle of the night from her ex-step-mother , Ruby, who is on a cruise to Mexico for her birthday .... saying that she was arrested for murder !! And Andi who made a promise to her dying father to take care of Ruby ends up flying to Mexico to help. While trying to keep her head clear from margaritas, and the sexy local sheriff, Andi takes it upon herself to investigate the crime. This involves her sneaking around the cruise ship where the lounge singer her aunt is accused of killer was performing, flying to Las Vegas following up on a "lead", being drugged and left for dead......

Cunningham's writing is so ....colorful !!! She opens up your imagination and boy is there a lot of color.....from the outfits everyone wears to the casinos and hotels and even the color of the eyes of the sheriff and his friend !!! Not to mention that Andi is a travel agent and you know that Margaritas, Mayhem, and Murder is just the beginning of a long, fun road trip !!!

I cannot wait for the next installment of this series to see where Andi and her ex-step-mother end up going and the trouble that lies ahead......

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andi gets a call during the middle of the night from Ruby her step-mother or ex-step-mother as Andi calls her. Ruby is in Cancun and has been arrested for murder and has called Andi for help. Ruby meets one of her favorite entertainers on the ship and the two of them spend some time together and have a few drinks and then decide to go on a little adventure. Ruby awakens the next morning to find her new friend has been murder and she is the number one suspect.

Andi wants nothing more than to just go back to bed and let Ruby fend for herself but then she remembers the promise she made her dad before he passed away. So she finds herself in Cancun and investigating a murder. Her investigation leads her to Las Vegas where her own life is in danger. Her trip to Las Vegas turns up a world of trouble that could cost her more than she signed up.

In Cancun she meets Sheriff Manuel Rodriquez whom she finds herself being drawn to him from the first minute she lays eyes on him. Andi and the good sheriff spend a night on the town drinking plenty of margaritas and having a good time.

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is a very short read but is filled with lots of action that will hold your interest right up until the end. The characters are all amazing people especially Ruby who is a doozy.

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is a great little introduction to the Andi Anna Jones murder mysteries a world that I would like to explore more of.

I would recommend Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder to anyone who likes murder mysteries. Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is a great little read for all ages.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Andi Anna Jones’ father passes away, she thinks she’ll never have to deal with her flighty ex-stepmother, Ruby, again. How wrong she is! While on a cruise to Cancun, Ruby finds herself arrested for the murder of the lounge singer. Her one telephone call is to Andi who really doesn’t want to be bothered. Thanks to a promise she made to her dying father, Andi feels obligated to help.

Her investigation leads to Cancun, then Las Vegas and even a possible romance with Cancun’s handsome sheriff. It’s a good thing Andi is a travel agent. With the help of her assistant, she is able to get the hotels and flights she needs. It doesn’t take long for Andi to realize there is more danger involved in this caper than meets the eye.

This is a “laugh-out-loud” madcap adventure that had me smiling. I enjoyed everything about it from the setting (Cancun and Las Vegas) to the adorable characters (Ruby and her attorney Bert kept me laughing) to the romance (Andi and her sheriff Manny) to the overall plot. It’s the first book in a series and I wasn’t disappointed even for a minute. It’s just pure fun.

This series is off to an excellent start and I can’t wait to read more.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mary Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:

Andi’s step-mother is a real piece of work! But is Ruby a murderer?

Andi Anna Jones, so-so travel agent/amateur sleuth, puts aside her resentment of her father’s widow and books a 60th birthday cruise to Cancun for Ruby and three friends. Never does Andi imagine the cruise will lead to the murder of a has-been lounge singer—or that Ruby will be the main suspect.

Flirting with more than danger after arriving in Mexico, Andi connects with the charming local sheriff, Manuel Rodriquez. After an embarrassing night involving the sheriff, too many margaritas, and a Mariachi band, a chance to check out an eyewitness to the murder leads her to Las Vegas.

In Vegas, a mysterious meeting in the Bodies Exhibition, a body preserving in the prep-room, and an evasive owner of a dance studio, give Andi clues to help Ruby. But when Andi is mercilessly drugged and locked in a storage room, she realizes dear old step-mom isn’t the only one in jeopardy. (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Andi is a no-nonsense woman who does not really like to be told what to do. When her former stepmother, Ruby, calls and demands that Andi help her out of the mess that she has gotten herself in (a murder charge), Andi is not happy but what can she do? She promised her dad that she would watch out for Ruby, so she knows she has to help. Ruby is a real pain, and Andi has a hard time being anywhere near her. Her sister, Georgia, has a family and really cannot leave them to help with Ruby’s problem. I personally thought that Georgia was a spoiled person and I really did not like her very much. I did like Andi and I thought her sarcasm and some of her actions were funny. I really enjoyed get to meet har and learn more about her.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story, I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place. The mystery was well plotted and I felt there was a fair amount of clues to pick up on. But I thought that the mystery ended abruptly and I would have liked it to have been developed and drawn out a little more. That is only my opinion and other’s may not agree with me.

I would recommend this book to all of those who like a funny well written cozy mystery. I hope this is the start of a new series because I would like to be able to spend more time with Andi and see what she gets up in next. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series, when it is released.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Mary Cunningham for the gift of a book. This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last. It was such a good read. From the start to the amazing finish. I don’t usually read cozy mystery’s but I honestly enjoyed this one.

What do you do when your ex stepmother calls in the middle of the night from jail in Mexico? Andi had no choice but to get on a plane and go to the rescue. She had promised her dad that she would look out for Ruby and that is just what she did. Through the streets of Mexico to the casinos in Las Vegas she hunts for the real killer. She almost loses her own life. Finds who may be a future love and makes a few friends along the way.

I honestly enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read and didn’t take long. I gave it 5 stars because it was so good. It is a clean story with very likable characters.

Thank you Ms Cunningham for a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. I really did like it.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

When travel agent Andi Anna heads to Cancun, to find out why her outrageous stepmother Ruby is in jail, a whole new world of sleuthing opens up for her!

Since Andi booked Ruby on the ill-fated cruise and she promised her late father, she would always help Ruby, she feels obligated to find out who really murdered Lenny, the shipboard Lothario.

The chase for suspects leads Andi into the arms & badge of Manny, the handsome sheriff in Cancun; a trip to Las Vegas to follow a lead and another handsome man, Diego (Manny's lifelong friend), who is a detective working to solve a family tragedy.

Wow! The action and dialogue was non-stop and witty! Andi is strong, independent, hilarious and is determined to prove Ruby is innocent.

I can't wait for the next book!

I was gifted the book from the author with no expectation of a review.

[Mack Goodling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely quick read, jam packed with action. I was really excited to read this book for obvious reasons. I mean who doesn’t love a murder mystery, margaritas AND cruises!! However, because it was so quick and fast paced, I often found myself flipping back between pages to make sure I didn’t miss something. Along with that, there isn’t much time for character development/relationship development for Manny and Andi. I wish the book was a bit longer. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

From being rudely awakened to save her less than favorite step-mother from a long jail sentence in Cancun to being rudely awakened while following up on clues in Las Vegas, Andi Anna Jones discovers she is not cut out for the life of a sleuth. While she has skills, she finds herself in mortal danger.
On the positive side, Andi does seem to find romance and make connections easily.
Ruby enjoys life, no matter what it throws at her. For some of us, we may feel life might be sending her into some seedier situations. Which means that is where Andi must also travel.
I felt parts of the story were rushed but it made for an enjoyable escape read and sets things up for potential continuation.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun first in series. The story takes place in multiple locations and a has a small cast of characters, however, there is no shortage of action. This is a quick read, the mystery is well-plotted. The characters are interesting and I would like to get to know them a little better. I will definitely the next in the series.

[Abigail Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very pleased with this book.

I absolutely loved Andi and her sudden adventure. I hope there is a second book about her and handsome Manny.

[Marcia-Lee Finocchio · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, funny story! Hated to see it end, definitely reading more of her books.

[Penny Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great start to a new series. We get to know some very interesting characters that I fell in love with immediately. Who would think a step-mom, three of her friends, and a travel agent named Andi Anna Jones would get into so much trouble. LOL
Andi Anna is trying to get her job as a travel agent in check and satisfy a promise she made to her father. In comes Ruby, her step-mom who is the promise to her father to make sure she stays safe. Let’s just say they don’t have the best relationship due to resentment Andi holds against Ruby. Even through all of this Andi plans a 60th birthday cruise for Ruby. As you will read Ruby is a “bit” of a handful.
The cruise doesn’t quite go as planned and ends up with a lounge singer dead and you guessed it, Ruby right in the middle. Uuuugggghhhhh!
At least Andi Anna gets to meet a handsome, Manuel Rodriquez. Crazy as it may seem they end up in Las Vegas of all places following a lead but ends up realizing Ruby isn’t the only one in trouble.
This book was jam packed with excitement and adventure to keep you guessing till the very end. It is a quick read full of twists and turns you won’t be able to put down. Heck, you may even grab a Margarita or two while reading.

[JoAnne McMaster (Any Good Book) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andi Anna Jones, travel agent in Miami, is awakened early (and I mean early) one morning by her ex-stepmother screaming in her ear. Once Andi is able to think, she gets the point that Ruby, the woman in question, is being held in Mexico for murder. The victim? An ex-lounge singer that Ruby met on board the sixtieth birthday cruise that Andi booked for her and three of her friends. It seems that Ruby was the last person to see him alive, and so naturally she's the main suspect.

Once Andi has spoken with her younger sister Georgia, she heads to Mexico to try and see what evidence they have of Ruby. While it doesn't seem like enough to Andi, she does what she needs to do: she calls Ruby's attorney friend Bert Bagley and 'convinces' him to get on the next plane to Mexico and get Ruby out on bail.

But once Andi sets eyes on the local sheriff, Manuel Gonzales, her heart starts hammering and her head isn't listening to her to knock it off. All she needs to do is ignore it and get on with business, right? Easier said than done when those piercing hazel eyes are staring right through her...

That done, she then devises a plan: go to the ship to see what she can find out, then head to Las Vegas, the lounge singer's old playing ground, to see if she can figure out the truth. But will she be able to get any information? And more importantly, will she find the killer or just find herself as the next victim instead?

This is the first book in a new series and I found it extremely delightful. Andi is hoping that she'll be able to clear Ruby quickly, but things aren't working out the way she hoped. Manny -- as Sheriff Gonzales asked her to call him -- is watching her every move, and it's making her nervous in more ways than one. Also, there seems to be an awful lot of clandestine goings-on around her, and they aren't boding well for her safety. While she just wants to chuck it all and let Ruby be thrown to the wolves, she made a vow to her late father to watch over her, so that she's doing...all while putting herself in the sight of a killer.

There's a lot going on here, with the action taking place on the cruise ship, Mexico, and even Las Vegas (where I live, and trust me, I find the Bodies exhibit creepy, too...just sayin'). But it's plenty of fun and frolic, and both humorous and expressive as she tries to solve the mystery surrounding the murder of the lounge singer. While it isn't all that difficult to put the clues together, it's the way it's done that is the enjoyment of reading this book.

When the ending comes through a very enchanting climax, all is once well again in Andi's world...or is it? I can hardly wait for the next installment in this series. Highly recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the author but this in no way influenced my review.

https://joannesbooks.blogspot.com/202...

[Jules The Book Junkie Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Cunningham has a great cozy mystery with Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder. I appreciated Ms. Cunningham’s attention to not only the “cozy” but also the “mystery”. Some cozy mysteries focus so much on the character development and charming settings, that the mystery is merely a backdrop.

While some of Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder requires a suspension of disbelief, overall it is an amateur sleuth’s delight. I loved the reference to Murder She Wrote—the penultimate cozy mystery. Main character and narrator, Andi Anna is a good egg. She seems like the rock of the family—such as it is. Her chatty ex-stepmother is a hoot! She is whatever young woman doesn’t want her father marrying! I can’t wait to learn more about the secondary characters and Andi’s new love interest in future books.

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is well paced, fun and funny. There is of course, a murder, and some serious scenes, but the author’s sense of humor was ever present. A delightful read for cozy mystery fans. I’m looking forward to more adventures for Andi Anna Jones in upcoming series installments.

For more reading recommendations, visit Book Junkie Reviews at www.abookjunkiereviews.wordpress.com

[Kri Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder by Mary Cunningham I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
 
Overall I felt the romance was forced then rushed through which seemed out of place with the story. I think with the length of the book there was not enough time to develop that romance into it with everything else was going on and honestly could of just left it as a spark then on a following book bring in more romance and we get to see the romance blossom over time. That would be so epic! The writing style was superb and a couple times I was going back pages to make sure I didn't miss something. Just like how I would want a mystery to be! Like wait.. Did this just happen?? HOLD up didn't it foreshadow someone else?? WOAAAAAH. 
 
Andi Jones mystery is a lovely series and I would happily pick up the next one. Great job Mary and I give your book MARGARITAS, MAYHEM, AND MURDER 3.5 out of 5 stars! (will be putting 4 stars cause I feel closer to 4 but not exactly)

[Katinka · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the middle of the night, Andi Anna Jones is woken by a phone call from her former step-mother. She’s calling from the Cancun police department where she’s been locked in a jail cell and accused of killing a former Las Vegas performer on a cruise ship.

Being the only family member who is available to travel, Andi Anna must go to Cancun to find out what really happened and to bring her step-mother home. This is one time that being a travel agent definitely comes in handy.

I really enjoyed reading this novella. It held my interest and I honestly couldn’t put it down until I finished reading it. This book was very well written and well-edited. I would highly recommend reading this fun little mystery. It’s a quick read and very entertaining. I’ll definitely be looking forward to reading the next one in the series whenever it becomes available.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love anything that’s set on a cruise ship so I thought for sure this would be a good fit for me. But implausible scenarios and unlikeable characters are not. Andi Anna Jones is likeable enough but the story loses so many points for things that just wouldn’t happen. I get that it’s fiction but this was a real stretch. It was a quick, easy read but not for me.

I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was full of some really fun characters. Andi stumbled into a mystery to help her stepmother. With the help of Manny, the sheriff in town. This story had some humorous moments, and I enjoyed Andi's curiosity and determination throughout. The mystery was not straightforward and the twists were intriguing.

I received a copy of this story as a gift, and this is my unsolicited review.

[JoAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my review on NovelsAlive.com by clicking the link below. It is also posted in full.

https://novelsalive.com/2023/03/09/4-...



Margaritas, Mayhem and Murder is the first book in the Andi Anna Jones Mystery series by Mary Cunningham and was a little hard for me to initially get into. I didn’t care for Andi’s ex-stepmother’s attitude or treatment of others, especially Andi. Ruby was often rude and definitely self-centered since everything was always about her!

Andi flies to Mexico to figure out whodunnit since Ruby’s been arrested for the murder of a lounge singer from a cruise she’s on with three friends. There are twists and turns in the story as Andi and the sheriff from Cancun try to piece together the clues to set Ruby free and have the real murderer arrested.

Andi and Manny have a definite attraction from the moment they meet, adding a little romance to this cozy mystery.

The story goes from Miami to Cancun to Las Vegas and back to Miami. There are vivid descriptions throughout of the locations and scenery, making me feel like I was there. There are a few bad guys, and Andi always seems to be the target of their evil actions.

Multiple stories are being told and woven together, with every detail playing a role. There is some closure with the reveal of whodunnit, but the story ends abruptly. I plan to read the next book, Sazerac, Sleuth & Slay, to see what Andi is up to next and if Manny will be a part of the picture. I love Andi’s name and the colorful cover.

Cozy mysteries set in locales I’ve been to always pique my interest. With Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder’s vivid descriptions, I felt like I was there while trying to solve the whodunnit.

[Susie Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Andi Anna Jones answers a frantic middle-of-the-night phone call from her kooky ex-stepmother Ruby who’s been accused of murder and incarcerated in a Cancun, Mexico jail, the travel agent soon finds out up front and personal what they say about all good deeds is absolutely true. Wise-cracking, irreverent Andi would prefer to let her pain-in-the-patootie ex-step-mother rot in jail. But thanks to a pesky moral compass she can’t seem to shake loose from, Andi finds herself smack, dab in the middle of Ruby’s mess as she travels to Cancun and then to Las Vegas to clear the name of the wannabe Auntie Mame of the Midwest.
Author Mary Cunningham has penned a laugh-out-loud, madcap tale chocked full of zany, but imperfect characters readers will fall in love with one moment and want to smack upside their heads the next. The plot runs at a breakneck pace with Andi getting herself out of one mess only to fall into a bigger one the next time. Cunningham liberally peppers Andi’s antics with snappy dialog that is spicier than hot salsa. Add a dash of romance with a smokin’ hot local sheriff to the foibles and you’ve bought yourself a ticket to take a rollercoaster-worthy wild ride.
Fast-moving and adventurous, Margaritas, Mayhem & Murder is more fun than whacking a pinata.

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaritas, Mayhem and Murder by Mary Cunningham is the first book in her Andi Anna Jones Mystery series. This was a fun read. I liked the main characters, Andi Anna Jones and Sheriff Manny Gonzales. Andi is determined to find the real killer when her ex-stepmother Ruby is arrested for a murder. Andi meets Manny when she goes to the station to see Ruby. I liked how protective Manny was of Andi. I imagine that a relationship between the two will roll out in future books in the series.

I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Kelly Thompke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this book for a book challenge. It is my first cozy mystery. I can't say I disliked it, but my favorite genre is psychological thrillers so this paled in comparison. It was a super quick read. If you are looking for a light fun mystery beach read, this book would work. No real twists, mild interest in a romance and a little danger.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read. It hasn't been that long since I discovered these adorable cozy mysteries and I incorporate them in between heavier stories to lighten things up. They are always a welcome break. This one was engaging and also humorous. I'll have to check out what else the author has published.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be a real page turner. It was hard for me to put the story down. The characters were believable, the setting was interesting, and the storyline flowed smoothly. Humor is sprinkled throughout the story and I especially liked Andi Anna Jones for the main protagonist.

[Marcia Ditter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun read. Andi books her ex-stepmother on a cruise for her birthday. There are murders, romance and laughs.
Certainly hope that the author continues this as a series.