This first book in Carrie Doyle's Trouble in Paradise series was fun and frothy, yet a seriously good murder mystery. Plum Lockhart is a tough sell as a likable main character at first. She's pushy, self-centered, and obliviously blunt at times. However, as the story unfolds, she begins to realize some of her flaws and softens up. She still has a ways to go, and it will be fun to witness any further reformation, much like M.C. Beaton's notoriously and originally unlikable heroine, Agatha Raisin (who is actually mentioned in this novel.)
Plum has some engaging supporting characters in the office manager, Lucia Garcia, and the somewhat enigmatic Juan Kevin. I liked that Plum perceives she has a rival for Juan Kevin's attention around every corner; she's that personally insecure. I felt for her that she had so many frenemies, such as her former employee, Gerald Hand, lurking everywhere to see her at what she feels is her most vulnerable.
The author has created a beautiful island resort setting in Las Fruitas on Paraiso. The descriptions of just the drive between Plum's office, townhouse, or the hotel are full of atmospheric beauty, heat, and luxury.
The murder mystery and investigation were intriguing and made sense. There were plenty of possible suspects all along the way for readers' consideration. I was happy with the solution.
I recommend IT TAKES TWO TO MANGO to cozy mystery readers, especially those who would like a trip to a warmer climate, talk of exotic, fruity, umbrella-clad adult beverages, a laid-back pace, and a luxurious resort setting. In addition, I think that fans of M.C. Beaton's Agatha Raisin may enjoy this new sleuth that shares many of her famous foibles.
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A Slow Start but Strong Finish
I’ll admit that when I first started reading this one, I didn’t think I would like it. The main character (Plum) comes off as uptight and snooty which is a big turnoff for me. However, as the story progresses, we see her start to change subtly. Perhaps it’s the beautiful paradise that she now calls home or the illustrious Juan Kevin who has caught her eye. No matter what, the change in her demeanor is noticeable and I slowly came to enjoy not only her but the story as well.It Takes Two to Mango is the first book in the Trouble in Paradise series and features a villa broker who is on the case when one of her residents is killed. Plum believes that the police in Paraiso are too “tranquillo” (aka relaxed and slow) so she and a security guard of the villa in which she works decides to do a little sleuthing on their own. And if you have ever read a cozy mystery then you know that whenever a sleuth is investigating there will be a lot of laughs and mayhem in their wake!All in all, I really enjoyed this one despite it’s slow start and my inability to connect with Plum in the beginning. I urge those who feel the same way about her character to keep going because she may just end up surprising you as well! The mystery is solid, there’s a lot of breadcrumbs thrown in to keep us on our toes, and the reveal is one I didn’t see coming! This is a solid start to this series, and I look forward to continuing it with Somethings Guava Give!𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:• Cozy Mysteries• Mysteries set in Paradise (aka Caribbean islands)𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2022
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2022
I’ll admit that when I first started reading this one, I didn’t think I would like it. The main character (Plum) comes off as uptight and snooty which is a big turnoff for me. However, as the story progresses, we see her start to change subtly. Perhaps it’s the beautiful paradise that she now calls home or the illustrious Juan Kevin who has caught her eye. No matter what, the change in her demeanor is noticeable and I slowly came to enjoy not only her but the story as well.
It Takes Two to Mango is the first book in the Trouble in Paradise series and features a villa broker who is on the case when one of her residents is killed. Plum believes that the police in Paraiso are too “tranquillo” (aka relaxed and slow) so she and a security guard of the villa in which she works decides to do a little sleuthing on their own. And if you have ever read a cozy mystery then you know that whenever a sleuth is investigating there will be a lot of laughs and mayhem in their wake!
All in all, I really enjoyed this one despite it’s slow start and my inability to connect with Plum in the beginning. I urge those who feel the same way about her character to keep going because she may just end up surprising you as well! The mystery is solid, there’s a lot of breadcrumbs thrown in to keep us on our toes, and the reveal is one I didn’t see coming! This is a solid start to this series, and I look forward to continuing it with Somethings Guava Give!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mysteries
• Mysteries set in Paradise (aka Caribbean islands)
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
It Takes Two to Mango is the first book in the Trouble in Paradise series and features a villa broker who is on the case when one of her residents is killed. Plum believes that the police in Paraiso are too “tranquillo” (aka relaxed and slow) so she and a security guard of the villa in which she works decides to do a little sleuthing on their own. And if you have ever read a cozy mystery then you know that whenever a sleuth is investigating there will be a lot of laughs and mayhem in their wake!
All in all, I really enjoyed this one despite it’s slow start and my inability to connect with Plum in the beginning. I urge those who feel the same way about her character to keep going because she may just end up surprising you as well! The mystery is solid, there’s a lot of breadcrumbs thrown in to keep us on our toes, and the reveal is one I didn’t see coming! This is a solid start to this series, and I look forward to continuing it with Somethings Guava Give!
𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙:
• Cozy Mysteries
• Mysteries set in Paradise (aka Caribbean islands)
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
When this book begins, Plum is extremely unlikable, so much so that I almost put the book down about 30 pages in. Even when she arrives on the island, she doesn’t give up her ego and entitled attitude. The other characters we meet started pulling me in, both the ones I liked and the ones I didn’t. When the murder kicks in, I really got into the story, which had some good twists. I loved the resort setting. The expected character growth was good as well. I’m actually surprised based on my initial reaction, but I am planning to continue the series. If the setting appeals to you, consider starting this series. Just be prepared for how obnoxious Plum is at the beginning.
Plum’s Reset Gets Off to a Rocky Start
Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
Plum Lockhart has lost her job at a travel magazine, so she reluctantly takes a job arranging vacation rentals at a resort in the Caribbean. However, her new co-worker is a jerk, and she struggls to get her first booking. When she does, tragedy strikes when one of the guests is found dead by the pool. Did Plum make the right decision by moving?Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2023
When this book begins, Plum is extremely unlikable, so much so that I almost put the book down about 30 pages in. Even when she arrives on the island, she doesn’t give up her ego and entitled attitude. The other characters we meet started pulling me in, both the ones I liked and the ones I didn’t. When the murder kicks in, I really got into the story, which had some good twists. I loved the resort setting. The expected character growth was good as well. I’m actually surprised based on my initial reaction, but I am planning to continue the series. If the setting appeals to you, consider starting this series. Just be prepared for how obnoxious Plum is at the beginning.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022
