I am a latecomer to the Baron and Graystone series, but I finally succumbed to the coffee cup on the covers of the books and dove into the first in the series. I did not surface until I read them all and was very disappointed when I got to the end of #6 to find the series had ended when there was so much more to say. What a joyous day when Ms. Pauling announced book #7!
Belle Baron and Lucas Graystone are two of the best protagonists in the cozy mystery world today. Both are such complex well-developed characters with incredible back stories that you get so involved in their day-to-day lives that you forget there is a murder to solve!
In Mango Tango Murder Belle is continuing her aunt’s legacy in the Everly community by planning their first ever Ice Sculpture Festival. Just as the festival kicks off, Belle discoveries that the pasts of the participants are intertwined, and not in a good way. She also finds a body in the ice delivery truck adding to the stress of the competition. Belle forges on with the festival, supported along the way by her faithful coffee creations genius Bixby. Of course, Detective Lucas Graystone is on the case, accepting Belle’s unique style of assistance along the way. Working together they solve this very unique murder resulting in a successful conclusion to the festival.
This book is a wonderful addition to the series, not only is there an ice festival during the summer, but there is also a mysterious murder to solve with any number of prime suspects. If this isn’t enough, there is the developing relationship between Belle and Lucas and Bixby’s pending culinary school entrance. No matter what happens, the reader finds themselves routing for Belle and Lucas, as both have had difficult obstacles to overcome.
The Baron and Graystone series is an excellent series – each book builds upon the others; all have wonderful story lines and difficult to solve murders. Mango Tango Murder draws you in from the start and doesn’t let you go until you’ve turned the last page, and then you don’t want it to end! I am very much looking forward to the next installment in the series (and hopefully many, many more!)