Agatha Raisin fans may want to give this fish-out-of-water New Yorker a look!

After Plum Lockhart lost her job as editor of a high-profile travel and leisure magazine (that immediately folded), she couldn't find another job, not anything, in the struggling New York magazine industry. Out of desperation, she accepted a position as a marketing and sales agent with a vacation property leasing agency, Jonathan Mayhew Caribbean Retreats, on the island of Paraiso.

Plum was sure the job would just be a temporary stop-gap until something more suitable came her way. But the heat, humidity, and animosity of one of her new co-workers, Damián Rodriguez, quickly wilted the enthusiasm she had for the job. When his relentless goading evolved into a bet that she couldn't lease out one of their agency's more difficult properties for the coming Presidents' Day weekend, Plum takes on the challenge with a vengeance. However, as the holiday approached and despite the cost discounts and other amenities offered, Plum received only one serious inquiry for the property.

Against her boss's orders, Plum secretly accepts a contract from a bachelor's party group, considered a "no-no" client at the Mayhew agency. All seems to be going well until one of the three young men is found dead by the villa's pool.

Even when all the apparent evidence seems to point at murder, everyone at the resort, including the local police, wants to rule it a tragic accident and sweep it under the rug so as not to upset the tourist trade. But Plum feels responsible and convinces the local police captain investigating the death to take a second look.

But things in Paraiso move at a much slower pace than in New York City, and patience is not Plum's strong suit, so she partners with the resort's head of security, the handsome and sexy Juan Kevin Muñoz, to investigate and move the case along.

This first book in Carrie Doyle's Trouble in Paradise series was fun and frothy, yet a seriously good murder mystery. Plum Lockhart is a tough sell as a likable main character at first. She's pushy, self-centered, and obliviously blunt at times. However, as the story unfolds, she begins to realize some of her flaws and softens up. She still has a ways to go, and it will be fun to witness any further reformation, much like M.C. Beaton's notoriously and originally unlikable heroine, 'Agatha Raisin' (who is actually mentioned in this novel.)

Plum has some engaging supporting characters in the office manager, Lucia Garcia, and the somewhat enigmatic Juan Kevin. I liked that Plum perceives she has a rival for Juan Kevin's attention around every corner; she's that personally insecure. I felt for her that she had so many frenemies, such as her former employee, Gerald Hand, lurking everywhere to see her at what she feels is her most vulnerable.

The author has created a beautiful island resort setting in Las Fruitas on Paraiso. The descriptions of just the drive between Plum's office, townhouse, or the hotel are full of atmospheric beauty, heat, and luxury.

The murder mystery and investigation were intriguing and made sense. There were plenty of possible suspects all along the way for readers' consideration. I was happy with the solution.

I recommend IT TAKES TWO TO MANGO to cozy mystery readers, especially those who would like a trip to a warmer climate, talk of exotic, fruity, umbrella-clad adult beverages, a laid-back pace, and a luxurious resort setting. In addition, I think that fans of M.C. Beaton's 'Agatha Raisin' may enjoy this new sleuth that shares many of her famous foibles. ( )

Cute. ( )

cozy-mystery, situational-humor, verbal-humor, island-life, Caribbean, murder, murder-investigation, security-staff, law-enforcement, caricatures, snarky, snobs, family-dynamics, friendship*****

Plum is a caricature of the classic perception of a driven NYC editor: aloof, self absorbed, better than everyone else. Then she gets downsized and can't find a job. So she decides to take a temporary job at a classy resort on a small island in the Caribbean where she most definitely does not fit in! Very slowly she begins to become more humane as she spends more time with others who live there and grudgingly begins to adapt to the ways of people who live in hot, humid, sunny climates. And, of course, there's the murder. So she decides that she is better at sleuthing than anyone else. The descriptions of everything and everyone are great, and the caricature characters had me ROFL. A nice fun read!
I requested and received a temporary digital ARC of this book from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ( )

I really enjoy Carrie Doyle’s Hampton Murder Mysteries, so when Poisoned Pen Press let me know she had a new series coming out I was very excited to read it. And It Takes Two to Mango is a fantastic start to a new cozy mystery series!

I was a bit concerned with Plum Lockhart since she is very controlling and can be off putting. I was actually dreading having to write this review while I was still reading the book because I was afraid I would have to rate the book lower because of not liking Plum. But by the end she has softened a bit and her character is developing into a more positive direction.
But please don’t let this put you off of reading the book, I am mentioning it more so because I want readers to be aware going in and to know that the payoff of finishing the book will greatly outway any dislike you may have for Plum. Then again, you may love Plum from the beginning and wish she was your best friend. ;)

As always, Doyle does an excellent job with her location and food descriptions. You feel like you are actually in the Caribbean enjoying the local fare. If I was rich I would totally own a villa on the island.

I’m really enjoying the possible relationship between Juan Kevin and Plum. He is the Yin to her Yang, and that he actually listens to her is a wonderful thing to read since in so many other amateur sleuth mysteries, the man just tells the woman to stop investigating.

As for the mystery itself, there were so many well written characters that I think a lot of readers will be guessing through the entire book as to whodunnit. I thought I knew who the killer was, but I was not correct, and that is always a nice surprise.

I highly recommend It Takes Two to Mango, and if you haven’t already you should check out Doyle’s Hampton Murder Mysteries too. ( )