Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal is Raquel V. Reyes’ third novel in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series. It is the first that I have read. Miriam Quinones-Smith is surprised by her husband with a trip to Punta Cana to visit her parents. While there, Miriam discovers that someone is sabotaging her parents’ resort property, but before she can investigate it, she is sent to Puerto Rico. Miriam is a cook show anthropologist and is filming a special Three Kings Day for the network. Her BFF Alma and fellow telenovela makeup artist friend Jorge are there to keep her distracted between takes. Unfortunately, there has been a suspicious death, a guesthouse with odd creaks and moans, and Jorge’s love interest has disappeared. Now Alma’s boyfriend is found to have a duffle bag full of cash. What in the world is going on in Puerto Rico?
I loved the mixture of English and Spanish languages. It helped me to remember my long Spanish lessons, but it could be difficult for someone who doesn’t have that education. I also really liked the setting. Sometimes, writers stick with the “travel” locations, but Raquel gave the reader more than that. She also gave some fundamental problems that the locals were going through. I felt that made the novel more realistic. There’s also the matter of Bitcoin. I admit that this made it slow for me as it is not something I care for or feel like is worth learning.
I related to Miriam in regard to her husband. I often have to remind myself that he is trying, but it can be hard. Not everyone has a good Mother-in-law either. Thankfully she is not in this a lot, and the author avoids the whole messy relationship trope (Thank God!) While Detective Pullman is only characterized with phone calls, it is clear he is not against Miriam, but he’s also not for her either. It's a fine line for authors in the cozy mystery genre when writing law enforcement representatives.
Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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