Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal

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The food anthropologist continues her work across Miami, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic while somewhat reluctantly solving crime. It all starts when Robert gifts Miriam and Manny a trip to visit Miriam’s parents.

There is a lot to unpack in this story as we are treated to a peek inside cultural superstitions, blessings, celebrations, and of course food. Miriam is sent to Puerto Rico by her producer. Leaving Manny with her parents and trying to figure out what is bothering her parents, Miriam is thrusted into murder, missing person, political protests, a bitcoin conference, and a missing dog.

Jorge and Alma are in the thick of it all. I was glad to see that things are starting to shift with Robert and his mom and that we had very little of her in this story.

Like all of the books in this series, there is lots and food and its ties to culture. I thought I would miss Manny when he was left with the grandparents but through calls my favorite character was still present.

I lost track of who died with all of the things that were happening. There are numerous themes floating through. Just when I feel like it might be too much the author pulls back.

I was glad to see that, despite being in the “love bubble”, Alma did not get totally taken in and handled her business.

I felt like the ending was abrupt and cliffhanger-ish. I listened to it twice thinking I’d missed something. Speaking of listening if you have the opportunity, listen to the audiobook the narrator is fantastic.

Thank you to #NetGalley  for the opportunity to read and share my thoughts on the story.

Happy Reading!

Plot Summary:

A surprise trip to Miriam's parents in Punta Cana, which should be filled with arroz con pollo and breezy days under the tamarind tree, quickly becomes a hunt for a possible property saboteur. But before Miriam can begin to uncover the person damaging the vacation rentals her parents manage, she’s called away to Puerto Rico to film a Three Kings Day special. She's welcomed to the blue ballast-stone streets of Old San Juan by crime-scene tape, and things only get worse from there.

An anonymous personal gift on Miriam's doorstep on New Year's Eve screams stalker, and the 400-year-old guesthouse creaks and moans like there is something trapped in its walls. Luckily, her BFF, Alma, and their mutual friend, Jorge, are in town to keep her distracted between filming cultural segments for the network. But private chef tables and spa days come to an abrupt halt when Jorge's telenovela heartthrob novio goes missing. And there is something worrisome about Alma's too-perfect boyfriend—specifically his duffle bag full of cash.

Will demon masks, African drumbeats, and dark alleys lead to Miriam's demise? Or will the mysterious events come together like the delicious layers of a pastelón?