Hot Tango in Argentina

A Blanche Murninghan Mystery #5

by Nancy Nau Sullivan

Danger has a way of dancing into Blanche Murninghan's life.

Part-time sleuth Blanche Murninghan and her love, Emilio Del Sierra, are enjoying a reunion on Santa Maria Island when Emilio gets news that his long-lost aunt and cousin need his help-in Argentina. Posing as tourists, Emilio and Blanche head out to the luxurious pink estancia, La Palma, on the pampa to unravel the plot endangering Emilio's family.

Escapees from World War II are managing La Palma, and they have a lot to hide. Blanche is intent on exposing them. She has help: from Emilio and Tomás with his divina tango partner, Anna de Gamoure, the mysterious and handsome Guillermo de Losada Iglesias, and Lusita, the elusive kitchen maid who knows more than she's letting on.

Blanche maintains her touristy cover to snare the schemers, but around every corner a new twist threatens to put a stranglehold on her efforts. Blanche must right the wrongs before time can tango away.

Hot Tango in Argentina is the fifth installment in the Blanche Murninghan Mysteries. Known for a lively cast of characters and atmospheric settings, each mystery can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story or read in publication order, starting with Saving Tuna Street.

Praise for The Blanche Murninghan Mysteries:

"Sullivan gives a lively bunch of players their due...A welcome newcomer to the South Florida genre." -Kirkus Reviews, Saving Tuna Street

"A delightful cozy filled with colorful characters and a captivating mystery." -Michelle Hillen Klump, author of the Cocktails and Catering Mysteries on A Deathly Irish Secret

"A fun mystery that takes you ... through the twists and turns of a captivating whodunit." -Christina Romeril, author of the Killer Chocolate Mysteries on A Deathly Irish Secret

"Captivating, cleverly crafted and ... had me on edge! I truly loved this book and can't wait to read more from the author."-Tara Lush, author of the Coffee Lover's Mysteries on A Deathly Irish Secret

Genres: Mystery

298 pages, Paperback

First published April 22, 2025

About the author

Nancy Nau Sullivan's SAVING TUNA STREET, a finalist at Foreword Reviews for best INDIE mystery, launched the Blanche Murninghan mysteries. Fifth in the series, HOT TANGO IN ARGENTINA, was published last April and is a finalist for best INDIES mystery of 2025 at Foreword Reviews. The books are standalone--but Blanche "Bang" Murninghan doesn't stand still! Follow her adventures from Tuna Street to Mexico City, Vietnam, Ireland, and, lately, Argentina.
Nancy is also author of THE BOYS OF ALPHA BLOCK, a novel, and an award-winning memoir, THE LAST CADILLAC. A former newspaper journalist, Nancy taught English at a Florida boys’ prison, in Argentina, and in the Peace Corps in Mexico. She lives in Florida near the Gulf of Mexico. Find her at nancynausullivan.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter @NauSullivan.

Reviews

[Beverly]

Blanche is a bomb, literally and figuratively. She was reluctant to start this blind adventure with Emilio, but once she was in, she was in. A page turner that will keep you engaged and guessing. A compelling and captivating story with action and danger the whole way through. I voluntarily read a free copy of this book provided by book sirens and am giving an honest opinion.

[Carla]

Hot Tango in Argentina is the 5th book in the Blanch Murninghan Mystery series, but the first that I have read. I had no problem following this story, but there is some relationship storyline that I've missed. Blanche Murninghan and her love, Emilio Del Sierra, are enjoying a reunion on Santa Maria Island when Emilio gets news that his long-lost aunt and cousin need his help in Argentina. Posing as tourists, Emilio and Blanche head out to the luxurious pink estancia, La Palma, on the pampa to unravel the plot endangering Emilio's family. La Palma is being run by a couple who were Nazis that escaped after WW2. Blanche is able to get some of the employees to share information with her to try and find Emilio's aunt, as well to figure out what The Schemmers are up to.

I enjoyed this mystery with it's ties to WW2. It seemed that the people who worked at La Palma were afraid of their employees and almost kept prisoner. Blanche is a smart cookie and is able to get others to tell her things that help her solve the mystery. When she finds Emilio's aunt dead in her room, the mystery changes to finding out where her body disappeared to, and what the Schemmers are hiding. Blanche and Emilio are a cute couple, and I thought it was sweet that Blanche go to jealous when he was dancing the the sexy Anna de Gamoure. There were several people that helped them to solve the mystery and came to their rescue as things unfolded. If you enjoy a cozy mystery with some serious issues, then I recommend you pick up Hot Tango in Argentina.

[Sarah Jensen]

Book Review: Hot Tango in Argentina (A Blanche Murninghan Mystery #5) by Nancy Nau Sullivan
Rating: 4.0/5

Concept & Execution
Nancy Nau Sullivan’s Hot Tango in Argentina delivers a vibrant blend of cozy mystery and cultural immersion, transporting readers to the sun-drenched pampas of Argentina with cinematic flair. As the fifth installment in the Blanche Murninghan series, the novel stands solidly on its own while maintaining the charm of its recurring protagonist—a part-time sleuth whose curiosity and tenacity drive her into perilous escapades. The premise, centered on Blanche and Emilio’s quest to aid his estranged family at a luxurious estancia, cleverly weaves historical intrigue (post-WWII secrets) with contemporary suspense, creating a layered narrative that avoids tropes of predictability.

Strengths & Emotional Resonance
Sullivan excels in atmospheric storytelling. The estancia La Palma is rendered with lush detail, from its pink walls to the whispered tensions in its shadowed corridors. The tango—both literal and metaphorical—becomes a recurring motif, mirroring the push-and-pull of trust and deception among the eclectic cast. Blanche’s voice remains witty and relatable, her emotional stakes (especially her loyalty to Emilio) grounding the high-stakes plot.

The supporting characters, particularly the enigmatic Lusita and the magnetic tango duo Anna and Tomás, add depth without overshadowing Blanche’s agency. Themes of familial legacy and hidden trauma resonate, particularly in scenes where Blanche confronts the moral ambiguities of her sleuthing.

Constructive Criticism
While the pacing is generally brisk, the middle act occasionally loses momentum in favor of scenic descriptions, diluting the urgency of the central mystery. A tighter focus on plot progression—especially with Guillermo’s subplot—would heighten tension. Additionally, some historical references (e.g., WWII escapees’ backstories) feel underexplored, missing opportunities to deepen the novel’s thematic weight.

The resolution, though satisfying, leans slightly on coincidental revelations. A more nuanced buildup of clues would align better with the series’ reputation for clever twists.

Final Verdict
Hot Tango in Argentina is a delightful addition to the Blanche Murninghan series, offering escapism with substance. Its minor flaws—uneven pacing and missed historical depth—are outweighed by its charismatic protagonist, evocative setting, and deft balance of humor and suspense. Recommended for:

-Fans of The Thursday Murder Club or Murder, She Wrote seeking globetrotting intrigue.
-Readers who appreciate cozy mysteries with cultural authenticity.
-Those drawn to strong female leads navigating moral gray areas.

Acknowledgments
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the free copy, which allowed for an unfiltered engagement with Sullivan’s spirited storytelling.

Closing Note
A testament to Sullivan’s knack for blending danger with delight, Hot Tango in Argentina proves that even in paradise, the most seductive rhythms can hide the deadliest steps.

[Betty Turnbull]

Hot Tango in Argentina takes readers on a riveting journey from the peaceful shores of Santa Maria Island to the sultry streets and shadowy secrets of Argentina. When Blanche Murninghan reluctantly leaves her beloved island to help her true love, Emilio Del Sierra, she expects a short trip. Instead, she’s drawn into a tangled web of danger when Emilio’s long-lost cousin’s troubles reveal a chilling connection to World War II escapees whose crimes still cast a dark shadow.

Blanche’s sharp instincts and unyielding determination drive her to uncover the truth—no matter how dangerous it becomes. Balancing her role as a wide-eyed tourist with the grit of an amateur sleuth, she navigates intrigue, betrayal, and peril in pursuit of justice.

The story is complete with heated tango dancing, sumptuous Argentinian foods, and a glamorous hacienda. Every turn keeps you in suspense, and Blanche does not disappoint. Fast-paced and steeped in atmosphere, Hot Tango in Argentina blends romance, history, and suspense into an adventure that will keep readers turning pages late into the night. Highly recommend.

[Alisa]

A wild adventure!

This is the fifth book in the Blanche Murningham series, and one of my favorites (ok, they're all my favorites!).

In this book, Blanche is off to Argentina with boyfriend Emilio, after he finds out he has an aunt and a cousin there. The aunt is a housekeeper at La Palma, which is managed by a couple who've escaped Germany after WW2. Set on rescuing Emilio's aunt, the pair find a major mystery...or two...or three..

It's nonstop adventure, with twists and turns I absolutely didn't see coming. A majorly detailed story that brings the flavor of the country and the people, great characters, and a lot of intrigue meant a book I found hard to put down. While it can be read as a stand alone, reading the earlier books will give you an even fuller appreciation of both Blanche & Emilio.

I sure hope there's more in this series to come. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Carla Black]

I received this Title in a Goodreads Giveaway for my honest opinion. I enjoyed this book. It is 5th in this series, but this is the first one I read. Blanche and Emilio are on a mission to solve a mystery, including the death of Emilio's Aunt. Even though Blanche was reluctant to start the mission at all, she got into the swing of things once it got going. People were reluctant to talk to them, but Blanche had a way of getting people to open up to her. With the help of a few people they were able to get clues they needed to start unraveling this mystery. This is a cute cozy Mystery with a good plot. It's full if action, adventure, and danger. Everything a mystery needs. I enjoyed this book, maybe you will too.

[Sheri McGuinn]

Hot Tango in Argentina is one in a series of novels about Blanche Murningham, a woman who seems to fall into dangerous situations where her sleuthing skills are required. Each book is set in a different country - Vietnam, Mexico, Ireland, and, obviously, Argentina. Sullivan includes detailed descriptions and historical information that will appeal to armchair travelers. The thriller line is almost secondary. I'm not an armchair traveler, and I am familiar with Argentina’s history of the Dirty War and the Disappeared, so I skimmed parts that seemed to diminish the tension of the thriller thread. However, I kept reading because the story was entertaining, the history linked into the action, and the characters made me care what happened.

[Mrs K.Bryant]

Hot Tango in Argentina is a story about Blance a journalist and reluctant sleuths and her boyfriend Emilio and their relationship. They both go to Argentina to get Emilio's aunt. But unfortunately it is not easy to do. There are many twists and turns and many surprising happenings throughout the book. It definitely was a page turner and was hard to put down. Excellent book which I highly recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Geraldine Lopez]

This was a really enjoyable read.

Blanche and Emilio are very lovable characters. I think that anyone connected to Blanche might have a very short life as they would either die of fright or by getting entangled in one of Blanche's risky but effective schemes.

Joking apart, this was a really great read.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Barbara Mates]

To read a book in the Blanche Murningham series is indeed like taking an armchair vacation to an interesting locale. Nancy Sullivan offers the reader the sounds, heat and scents of Argentina in this installment of the series as her character somehow finds herself embroiled in another unique mystery. Blanche is smart with a strong moral compass and self awareness and now knows how to dance the tango. Looking forward to where the fates take Blanche next.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC

[Joe Bullock]

A lively mystery with an appealing international setting, engaging characters, and plenty of intrigue. The Argentine backdrop adds atmosphere to the investigation, while the family secrets and unfolding questions keep the story interesting. A good fit for readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with travel, suspense, and colorful settings.

[Sharmani Jayaram]

Blanche Murninghan an amateur sleuth and Emilio Del Sierra go together to Argentina at the request of his aunt Margarita. There is a lot of danger ,secrets that they have to deal with. An intriguing read which I received via Booksirans and recommend this book to other readers.

[Bridgitte Rodguez]

Super fun rom-com mystery read! If you want something light, fun, easy to read, and quick to read, this could be just for you. It’s part of a series that follows Blanche Murningham around the world solving mysteries.

[Julie Burnett]

Fun and some interesting history that I really didn't know about Argentina.

[Elizabeth Montgomery]

This was her best book yet! Blanche does not disappoint us in yet another adventure. Loved the colorful scenes in Argentina and the non-stop action! So much fun. Can’t wait for the next one!!

[Audrey]

An enjoyable read for summer. Blanche is a heroine unable to give up the chase or not see justice. Her adventures, with her boyfriend in tow, in Argentina are certainly something.