Member Reviews

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Poisoned Pen Press and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Second in the series, Something’s Guava Give was as promising as Carrie Doyle’s debut.

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Thank you Poisoned Pen Press, NetGalley and Author for this advance ebook copy in return for an honest review!

From looking at this beautiful cover you wouldn't think its a mystery read would ya?
But under this pretty cover is a mystery waiting to be told!
Somethings Guava Give is a atmospheric, witty, and highly entertaining story!
A cosy murder mystery with a story that is beyond entertaining!
The characters are complex and wonderful..... with a unique main character!
This mystery kept me guessing,
I loved that this book had some laugh out loud moments!
This is one book you won't want to miss! And I'm so thrilled I was able to read this in order!

Thanks again NetGalley, Publisher and Author for the chance to read and review this amazing book!
I'll post to my Social media platforms closer to pub date!

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Something's Guava Give is the 2nd book in the Trouble in Paradise! mystery series written by Carrie Doyle. I've been reading books written by this author for a few years, beginning with her Hamptons Murder Mysteries series. When I caught up on all four of those books, I decided to jump next into this wonderful one... mostly because the author is a fantastic writer (not only does she deliver with amazing characters and plots, but she's a true writer's writer with the best phrasing and descriptions). I also love that the main character, Plum Lockhart, is originally from New York (where I live now) and the author's other series takes place on Long Island (where I grew up). Of course I have to read them!

Imagine being fired in the horrific publishing world that exists today (not that everyone's bad, but it's one of the most complicated and difficult industries in which to be successful)? Plum's forced to fire her staff and then gets canned herself. After securing a job in the debut book of this series, she quits and branches out on her own as the new realtor on an island in the Caribbean, where she seeks wealthy clients and over-the-top properties. She's found her niche this time, except she's balancing the former and current (or not so current) wife of a very notorious man. Can she work for both without drama? We'll see what happens in the third book, as I know it's coming to a head soon! This snappy dialog often makes me speechless, friends.

Meanwhile, the former employee whom she fired forces her to look after his assistant while the girl's visiting the island and causing trouble. But unfortunately, the poor girl ends up dead on an estate where they have lions and panthers and wild birds roaming around. Oh my! Let's not forget about the sharks. And strange lecherous old men. And fake celebrities. Noisy neighbors. What drama! Poor Plum... but she survives, even though Gerald, her former employee, descends upon the magical island and practically calls it his new home. Despite his super tight leather pants and lack of a tolerance for alcohol, he insists on solving the case, he tells Plum... except she's already being tortured by the possibly corrupt police chief and her new love interest (where nothing has happened yet) AKA the head of security for a nearby hotel.

Wow! Those aren't spoilers friends, those are the set-ups in this book. I've left out all the good stuff. This should be enough to convince you to read it. I loved this one... easily 4.5 stars, and on its way to more if the series keeps getting better, which I kinda think it will. So... grab a copy, get on board, and enjoy the wild ride with a very tall, very pale, very red-haired woman who is bossy and direct and kinda cool! Loving her. So will you.

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This is the second in the cozy mystery series after It Takes Two To Mango. This cozy mystery very different from others I’ve read with lots of over-the-top island entertainment.
The murder takesr place on the island of Paraiso. Having fled her New York career for a simpler island life, Plum is now working through solving yet another murder mystery, and possible romance.
This is a fun and easy read set in a gorgeous location!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this advanced reader copy. My opinions are my own.

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Her career as a travel magazine editor-in-chief over, Plum Lockhart has moved to an imaginary island in the Caribbean, named Paraiso. Now she is a villa broker with one murder mystery behind her and the friendship of Lucia and a possible romance with Director of Security Juan Kevin Munoz. An old friend/enemy Gerald calls from New York when his rich bosses daughter Arielle is accused of theft and asks Plum for her help. Unfortunately, Arielle is a kleptomaniac and is thrown out of the hotel and makes her way to a notorious businessman's notorious villa and is found dead shortly after. Soon Gerald arrives by order of his boss to find out what happened and so begins Plum's investigation into billionaires, aging rock and roller's, television stars and other movers and shakers on the island who could end her fledgling business. Plum is arrogant and I would not want to be around her 24/7, but her arrogance and stubbornness also add a great amount of humor to the story. I look forward to book three. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Plum Lockhart went out on a limb when she ditched her corporate job in New York City and moved to the Caribbean island of Paraiso. Now the head of her own villa broker agency, Plum spends her days chasing down clients and lounging on white sand beaches.
It was a good adventure and Plum is a fun character.
#somethingsguavagive#netgalley

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Plum Lockhart is busy setting up her new villa rental business on the Caribbean island of Paraiso. However, these plans will have to be set aside when a former colleague calls asking for a huge favour. The daughter of a heiress was just found dead at the mansion of a local eccentric millionaire, and the colleague wants Plum to to investigate her death. Plum needs to tread carefully though, because there are many people that will do anything to prevent her from getting involved in the case.

If I had to use one word to describe this book, it would be 'fun'!

Paraiso comes across as a fun and beautiful place to live. It's teeming with larger-than-life characters who aren't exactly realistic, but they're so amusing that it's easy to suspend your disbelief.

Also, much of the mystery is set in an enormous villa with lots of exotic animals, fake volcanoes, and cauldrons spitting out flames! This is a much different world than the typical cozy mystery and my goodness, did I enjoy immersing myself in it.

I also enjoyed how action-packed this book was. It was a suspenseful page-turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. It's the kind of book that's begging to be finished in one session.

My only critique is with the way that the mystery was resolved. I did like how there were multiple suspects with good motives to consider and thought that the mystery was fairly complex. However, I felt like the ending of the book wrapped up a little too quickly - at least, in comparison to the pace set by the rest of the novel.

For me, one of the most important elements in a cozy mystery is the mystery itself. Other readers who don't share my preferences may not share the same feelings as me about the book's pacing.

If you're looking for an escapist novel, I'd highly recommend giving this book a try. However, if you're looking for a more traditional cozy mystery or a cozy mystery with very realistic characters, I don't think this cozy is for you.

Do note that there is mild foul language and a bit of romance in this book.

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This is Book #2 in this series. The first book, Takes Two to Mango, was fantastic so I was looking forward to reading this one! The main character, Plum Lockhart, ditched her corporate job in NYC and moved to the Caribbean island of Paraiso. She is in charge of her own villa broker agency. She spends her days chasing down clients and lounging on white sand beaches.

The premise of the book is when a publishing heiress is found dead, Plum's old colleague asks her to investigate. There are many suspects including a conniving millionaire, a real life rock star and b-list celebrities. Joining Plum in her investigation is the gorgeous Juan Kevin Munoz, Director of Security. Sparks fly as they try to find out whodunit! Swoon.....

A great cozy mystery based in the Caribbean leaves you longing for sand, surf, romance, and mystery! Another solid book from this author.

Looking forward to reading Book #3 and following Plum's adventures!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Laugh out loud fun with quirky characters. Plum is trying to build a new business when she gets involved in solving a murder mystery. Great read! Very enjoyable! Thanks #netgalley and #PoisonedPenPress for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

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Plum Lockhart is focused on building her new business in Paraiso and is busier than ever. When she receives a call from her Frenemy, Gerald, asking him to check his boss’ daughter who has gotten into some trouble, she didn’t expect to end up involved in another murder case. Yet here she is, along side Gerald who has come down to vacation, I mean represent the family’s interests.

As Gerald and Plum work with Juan Kevin, head of security at Las Fruitas Resort, they meet and get involved with some very wealthy and famous people at the resort. It’s hard to tell who’s capable of murder and who’s just a blow hard trying to make themselves sound important. But as Plus, Gerald and Juan Kevin dig, they get deeper and deeper into the whack lives of those who were staying at the same house as the murder victim. Will Plum and the guys figure it out, or will Plum be spending the ever after in Paraiso?

The second book in the series, Carrie Dole has set her stage in paradise and the whacky and sometimes odd characters add to the mayhem of the whodunit. I love the author’s series set in the Hamptons and hope it comes back as that is also a super series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Check out her books and give them a read.

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Plum Lockhart has settled in to life on the Caribbean island of Paraiso. A New Yorker, she hasn’t totally adjusted to the laid back lifestyle but she has her new business, Plum Lockhart Luxury Rentals, up and running and she’s exploring a relationship with Juan Kevin Muñoz, the head of security at Las Frutas resort. So when Gerald Hand, a frenemy from her days in publishing, asks her to help Arielle Waldron who is accused of petty theft at the resort, she has no idea what she is getting into.

Arielle belongs to a different side of Paraiso. A place where long, concealed driveways lead to mansions overlooking the sea. A place where feuding billionaires with long past history argue over minor slights. A place where lions and cheetahs stalk vast estates. And a place where bodies start to pile up. Could Plum be next?

Something’s Guava Give is the second in the totally delightful Plum Lockhart series. While it reads as a standalone, go back and read It Takes Two to Mango because it is equally good. This series is unique, laugh out loud funny and full of delightful characters. I especially loved Dieter Friedrich, a German Joe Exotic, “diminutive former weatherman” Gary Grigorian and aging rockstar Johnny Wisebrook (think of Mick Jagger). I can’t wait for the next Plum Lockhart adventure! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Carrie Doyle for this ARC.

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