Picture a Cuban-American storyteller who serves up murder with a side of mango salsa—meet Raquel V. Reyes! This vibrant author has carved a delicious niche in the cozy mystery genre, blending culinary flair with crime-solving spunk. Her debut, Mango, Mambo, and Murder, introduced readers to food anthropologist Miriam Quiñones-Smith, a Latina sleuth navigating Miami’s spicy social scene. Reyes’s stories, steeped in her Cuban-American heritage, are a feast of culture, humor, and heart.
With a knack for weaving Spanglish dialogue and Caribbean recipes into her mysteries, Reyes has become a beloved voice for diversity in literature. Her work doesn’t just entertain—it celebrates Latinx identity and challenges the cozy mystery genre’s status quo. Ready to dive into her world? Let’s explore the life, works, and impact of this trailblazing author.
The Making of Raquel V. Reyes
Born to a Cuban father and a Southern mother, Raquel V. Reyes grew up in a vibrant clash of cultures, much like the iconic I Love Lucy. This multicultural upbringing in Miami shaped her storytelling, infusing it with the rhythms of Spanglish and the warmth of Caribbean traditions. Her passion for social justice led her to coordinate food banks and HIV awareness events, while her love for theater earned her a bachelor’s degree in Theater Directing and Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico.
Reyes’s writing journey began with poetry, plays, and short stories, but she found her true calling in mystery fiction. Frustrated by the lack of Latina representation in cozy mysteries, she set out to create authentic, relatable protagonists. Her persistence paid off, transforming her from a weekend writing warrior into a celebrated author with a seat at the table of modern crime fiction.
Raquel V. Reyes’s Unforgettable Stories
Reyes’s Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series is the heart of her literary legacy. Her debut, Mango, Mambo, and Murder (2021), follows Miriam Quiñones-Smith as she trades her academic career for Miami’s glitzy Coral Shores, only to stumble into a murder investigation when a socialite faceplants into a chicken salad. The book’s blend of humor, culture, and suspense earned a Lefty Award for Best Humorous Mystery and an International Latino Book Award, plus a film option.
The series continues with Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking (2022), where Miriam tackles a body dumped in her yard during Miami’s fall festivities, and Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal (2023), which dives deeper into family ties and culinary crime. Reyes’s short stories, featured in anthologies like The Best American Mystery and Suspense 2022, showcase her versatility, blending sharp wit with cultural depth. Her style—vivid, bilingual, and food-centric—makes every page a sensory delight, with recipes like papaya smoothies and fricasé de pollo tempting readers to the kitchen.
What sets Reyes apart is her commitment to authenticity. Her Spanglish dialogue feels like a conversation with friends, and her portrayal of Miami’s Latinx community is both loving and unflinching, tackling microaggressions and social dynamics with grace. Fans rave about her ability to balance cozy comfort with real-world issues, making her mysteries as thought-provoking as they are fun.
Why Raquel V. Reyes Matters
Raquel V. Reyes is more than a mystery writer—she’s a cultural game-changer. By centering Latina protagonists, she’s expanded the cozy mystery genre, making it more inclusive and vibrant. Her work resonates with Latinx readers who see their lives reflected on the page, while inviting others to savor the richness of Caribbean culture. The New York Times praised her debut for its “panache,” noting its role in diversifying contemporary crime fiction.
As co-chair of Sleuthfest and an advocate for diverse voices, Reyes amplifies marginalized authors, ensuring the literary world reflects the world we live in. Her stories, laced with humor and heart, remind us that representation matters, and her impact will inspire writers and readers for years to come.
- Born: Cuban-American, raised in Miami
- Key Works: Mango, Mambo, and Murder, Calypso, Corpses, and Cooking, Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal
- Awards: 2022 Lefty Award, International Latino Book Award
- Fun Fact: Reyes loves sea creatures, real and mythical!
Snag Mango, Mambo, and Murder and dive into Raquel V. Reyes’s sizzling cozy mysteries—you’ll be hungry for more!