Customer Reviews

A Miracle in Paradise: A Lupe Solano Mystery (Lupe Solano Mysteries)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read all three of Garcia-Aguileras other books, and liked them all. The only thing I liked about this book was visiting Miami and hearing from Lupe again. The story was just not believable. Many questions were left unanswered and I felt unfulfilled when I finished the book. For example, Lupe goes through the trouble to apply (and get accepted) to a retreat at the nunnery, and then she never goes, and it is not addressed again. Hmmmm? We never find out why the murderer feels the way he does about Cuba, or why the triplets are under his power. I would definely read the next Lupe Solano mystery because I think Garcia-Aguilera has great potential, but this book was not a winner.

The book was interesting from beginning to end, it was a real good mystery to solve and at the same time make you laugh while been intrigued on what will happen next in the case of the Miracle. I loved how Cuba, politics, religion and US came together in this one book since the story is not just well written but also well developed. I advise everyone to read it and if you are confuse at the end, go back and read the prologue, it might shed some light of why it ended that way.

I have read and enjoyed the previous books in this series, and this one is a big disappointment. Although Lupe remains an appealing character, the plotting is sloppy and there are too many unresolved questions.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its mystery and background. I am an Anglo, Catholic originally from Tampa. I'm old enough to have had childhood playmates whom we then called Cuban refugees, so it's interesting to see that some turned into Cuban-American princesses, like protagonist Lupe. (Not surprising, I guess, because most of the pre-Marielitos (spelling?), were professionals and business people, even if they came to the U.S. with nothing and had to start over.) However, none of this background is necessary for a reader to like Garcia-Aguilera's books. As a matter of fact, G-A explains it all in an engrossing way.

Regarding an earlier reviewer's criticism that Lupe never goes on her retreat ... Lupe does mention (on page 204) that the case may not necessitate her actual attendance.

I thought using triplets was contrived. It could just have easily been twin sisters and an older or younger brother. My own picayune comment is over use (twice on page 229) of the word "monogram" instead of "monograph" for the learned paper/booklet written by character Sister Mary about the Cuban Virgin. This was probably the publisher's error. Overall, a wonderful series of mysteries. I look forward to the next.