THE MANGO MURDERS

A Key West food critic and her boss are literally blown out of the water while trying out a plan to increase circulation.

Hayley Snow works for the e-zine Key Zest, which covers all things related to the popular tourist destination. In an attempt to boost viewers, her boss, Palamina, has hired the Pilar Too, a Hemingway-themed catamaran, for a sunset cruise including food and drink. The caterers, Hayley’s mom and stepfather, are providing mango-based snacks and Hayley is working the crowd when they suddenly hear cries of “Fire!” The next thing Hayley knows, she’s in the water helping people get to rescue boats that will take them ashore when the Pilar Too explodes, leaving an unidentified person dead. Hayley’s husband, Nathan, is one of the police officers investigating an accident that’s eventually blamed on a propane tank exploding. Or was it really an accident? Hayley’s already extra busy planning an 85th birthday party for a friend whose houseboat is next to theirs. Miss Gloria is dearly loved by her friends, though not so much by some starchy relatives who are coming to the party. But Hayley’s had a hand in solving more than a few murders, and her streak of curiosity encourages her to look into this one, especially since her mother is a suspect. With so many people on board the catamaran, there could be many motives, and once she begins poking around, Hayley begins to find out things she never knew. She can tell she’s getting close when she and her sleuthing mother-in-law become targets of a biker. When she refuses to give up, bullets fly.

A colorful background and fun for foodies enliven a tale of jealousy and revenge.