For starters, the book isn’t told in first person (the usual for cozy mysteries) which was a pleasant surprise. Second, Plum is not the most likeable of protagonists....however this does start to change as the story progresses. In the beginning she’s negative & snobby & it’s quite hard to root for her. I worried this could affect my review. But I see now that is was the author being clever & unique in her writing & it makes for an interesting read to be annoyed with the lead character. There’s a lot of humour because of it. Some might not enjoy that but it didn’t ruin the book for me. This is a wonderful beach read for this summer, as the setting is in the Caribbean. Overall I did like the book, the author’s writing is really sharp & quite fun to read. It came out of nowhere but I can honestly say I’d recommend this book & I can see myself reading the next book & Doyle’s other series.

After Plum Lockhart's job as a travel magazine editor is eliminated in corporate cuts, she decides she's sick of cold winters in NYC and fruitless swiping on dating apps—what she needs is a dramatic change of scenery. On a whim, she accepts a job as a villa broker and moves to a beautiful Caribbean island.
However, paradise isn't as perfect as it seems: the slow pace of island life, the language barrier, and a cutthroat office rival make Plum question leaving her old life behind. But when a client is found dead in the jacuzzi of Casa Mango—a property Plum manages—she knows she's really in a jam. With a killer loose on the island Plum will have to deal with a stonewalling police chief, a string of baffling clues, and a handsome Director of Security to solve this deadly case!
This was a great mystery and quirky characters!
#ittakestwotomango#netgalley

It takes two to tango and one to panic
Posted on May 30, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist

“Anything you can do I can do better
I can do anything better than you
No, you can’t
Yes, I can
No, you can’t
Yes, I can
No, you can’t
Yes, I can! Yes, I can!”

I’m singing right now, and I can’t remember the musical these lyrics belong to. Mary Poppins? Oklahoma?
The title of this book says it all. It Takes Two to Tango. Oops. I mean It Takes Two To MANGO.
Here is another cozy mystery dance, where fighting frenemies hold one’s adversaries close and gesticulate across the ballroom floor. Oh yeah. And they must also face the fact that they are on an island with a murderer.
It Takes Two to Mango is book 1 of 2 in the Tropical Island Cozy Mystery (Trouble in Paradise!) series by Carrie Doyle.
This bright, sunny, Caribbean island story features the lovely, somewhat full of herself Plum Lockhart, who loses her New York City travel magazine editor’s job rather unceremoniously during a company-wide corporate publishing cut.
Boy, can I relate to that! Especially the unceremonious part. At least it’s comforting to know I’m not the only one. But I’m off track.
First, in a two-volume series, our main character, Plum, quickly realizes she is not nearly as “wanted” by her hiring industry partners as she previously thought. It doesn’t take long for Plum, who is embarrassed by the fact that her peers are working, to become extremely aware of her dire financial situation, her depressing love life, and her incredible need for a new beginning.
After first refusing to go to the tropical island resort, Casa Mango, Plum is ultimately forced to reassess her viable options and flee New York City for the land of sand and sun.
Well, at least she gets to be a “villa broker” on a resort island, right?
Not so fast.
When Plum arrives on her perceived prince charming paradise employment solution, she finds herself smack dab in the middle of a big sandy dump with an exaggerating new boss, a secretary, and a handsome, cocky salesman who pits Plum’s ego against the resorts worst piece of Casa Mango property. Too bad this white-teethed wonder is so attractive. We could all shower him with melodramatic “Boo!”s.
Can Plum rent the 1970s four-bedroom dump in time to win her bet? Or will she find a dead body instead?
I am sure you can guess which things happen to Plum. Enter the police chief, a murderer unable to leave paradise, and a shell-shocked Plum who must resolve the entire situation.
If you like spicy banter and challenging relationships between two people who are a self-important match, this title is the series for you.
It Takes Two to Mango is a great beach read, considering its set on the beach, and offers readers a fun, snappy story that might encourage a sunburn.

BoutiquePublishingService@hotmail.com
BoutiqueBooks@hotmail.com
Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2

Plum Lockhart is a magazine editor and like many print publications, the magazine was shuttered and she lost her job. With no new options in sight, she takes an offer from a contact in the Caribbean to rent villas in a resort. At least that is her interim plan as she looks for another job in publishing. When her first renter ends up being murdered, Plum joins forces with the head of security at the resort to find out whodunit.

As Plum comes to terms with the slower pace of life in Paraiso, she also comes to terms with herself and who she was and who she wants to be. With a less than friendly welcome from her coworker and main competition, Plum discovers she has to stand up for herself and only she can decided what’s next for her after losing this job as well. But before she leaves paradise, she’s going to find the killer and leave on a positive note…or not.

I really liked this author’s series set in the Hamptons so I decided to give this new series a try. At first I couldn’t stand the protagonist, but if you want to talk about character building, the author did a slam dunk job with this one and I changed, along with the character. A refreshing change and a solid start to a new series.

At first, I would like to thank Netgalley and Poisonedpenpress for allowing me to review this book. Keep in mind that my review, however, is my true opinion on this book.

“It Takes Two to Mango” is the first book in a series by Carrie Doyle. Welcome to trouble in paradise!

“It's all fun in the sun until someone turns up dead”. True is. And this explains the whole story and the mood of it. The tone is set, and you are now ready to experience the story of Plum Lockhart. She is bored and wants some more excitement in her life. And that is surely what she gets in the novel. She finds a new job in what she expects to be paradise. But it might not be as flattering as she first thought. And then, a dead body is found. I am saying no more. The rest is for you to figure out, while reading the book. But I am telling you now, that you will be surprised a number of times throughout the book.


Carrie Doyle knows exactly how to create the suspense you would expect in a true mystery and thriller. And that is what you get in “It Takes Two to Mango”. The descriptions of the setting are beautiful, and I love how the landscapes are a part of the story.

There are furthermore some pretty extreme and severe plot twists in this novel, which I love!

At this time, I do not know when the second book in the series will be released, probably in around half a year from now. I do know, however, that it is called “Something's Guava Give” and sounds just as nerve wracking as “It Takes Two to Mango”. I am getting excited to read more about Plum Lockhart and all of her experiences and “trouble in paradise”. And I am excited to see where the next one is headed.

Thanks NetGalley Publisher and Author for this ebook copy!
I might have jumped up and down when I seen I got approved for this beautiful book!
It's all fun in the sun until someone turns up dead.....
This cozy mystery was amazing! From just looking at the cover I never guessed it was a mystery!!!! But me being a mystery kinda gal I was even more excited!
This book was great. The writing was amazing. The characters were well written and developed!
I devoured this book in a day!
I can't wait to read the next book in this series!!!!