Handbag and Book welcomes mystery author Raquel V. Reyes

About the Handbag:

THE CASABLANCA: I don’t know if that is the name of this handbag or not. There isn’t a label inside. I’ve been using this bag for about two years. 

I’m a one bag at a time woman. It was a gift from my friend and SleuthFest co-chair, Michael. He is a Goodwill hunter (not the movie) for musical instruments. I don’t know what about this bag made him think of me. I’m not a Bogie and Becall superfan. I think I’ve only watched Casablanca in its entirety once, and that was for a film class. But whatever he saw in it, others have too. 

I have gotten more compliments on this bag than any other. And most of them have come from straight cis-men. I have to admit I’ve grown very fond of this purse. One reason is it is the shape I like-- a hard flat bottom so that the bag stands on its own and the straps are the right length for shoulder or arm. It is a mood, and that is why I think people are drawn to it. It is the nostalgia for black and white movies and glitz Hollywood of old.

 About the Book:

A Cuban-American food anthropologist uses her culinary knowledge to solve a murder and become a cooking show star in this character-driven cozy mystery.

About the Author:

Raquel V. Reyes writes stories with Latina characters. Her Cuban-American heritage, Miami, and the Caribbean feature prominently in her work. Raquel is a co-chair for SleuthFest. Her short stories appear in various anthologies, including Mystery Most Theatrical, Midnight Hour, and Trouble No More. Mango, Mambo, and Murder is the first in the Caribbean Kitchen Mystery series. Find her across social media platforms as @LatinaSleuths.

Answer these questions:

Red, White or Blue? Aqua

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter? They’re all the same in Miami.

Cake or Pie? Cake (Ok, let’s be honest—Frosting!) But I’d also take a tart Key Lime pie

Coffee, Tea, or Champagne? Coffee!

Country music or Michael Buble? Buble

Pencil or Pen? Pencil, but it has to be round. I’m very particular.

 

Find the Book at: Support your Independent Bookseller.

Book title at: Mango, Mambo, and Murder

Find Raquel V. Reyes as LatinaSleuths across platforms.