There’s trouble in paradise, in the hilarious second book of the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. This series is one that I will be watching.~Baroness’ Book TroveReady to go back to the beach? Lexie Milano left her heart in Bocas del Toro, and the new and improved New Yorker makes the big choice to move to the laid-back Caribbean island permanently. Piña coladas, white sand beaches, and a little … white sand beaches, and a little cabin of her own on the edge of the rainforest complete her picture of the perfect tropical future awaiting her. But if it looks too good to be true, it usually is. . . .
When the body of a beautiful wealthy local is found at an isolated surf camp, the owner calls on Lexie to help him figure out who did it in this delicious whodunit. Reluctant sleuth Lexie first turns to the police, but her sudden access to a treasure-trove of island secrets convinces her it’s time to solve another murder on her own.
Favorite characters from Drowning Lessons return to grace the pages of this comedic mystery, including Migs, the handsome photographer; Lloyd, the genius with the cryptic past; and Lexie’s new best friend, Detective LaGuardia. Between old friends, new associates, and the added potential of shark attacks, The Wipeout Affair will leave you laughing and guessing until the very end.
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Praise for Drowning Lessons, Book One in the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series:
This story is much more than a cozy mystery. It is a dramedy where literally everything that can go wrong does. Twists, turns, craziness, and good old mayhem fill these pages all on an idyllic chain of islands . . . This was a fun book to read and a great start for this series.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book
Drowning Lessons is filled with humor from beginning to end, not to mention several twists along the way. It’s the perfect beach read.
~Socrates’ Book Reviews
Great debut for this new series: a compelling plot, a spectacular setting, and bizarre characters, nothing is missing.
~LibriAmoriMiei
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Lexi has escaped her old life in New York in favor of a paradise-like island on the coast of Panama. She is only starting to put down roots and make friends when her friend Jazz turns up dead. The prime suspect is one of her employers and someone she feels could not possibly be the culprit, so she takes it upon herself to prove his innocence. Even though the identity of the murderer didn’t really surprise me, the story was nicely paced with a number of plot twists and suspenseful incidents. The unusual location, surfer milieu, and somewhat quirky characters made for a book that is a good choice if you are looking for a light, entertaining read.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Alexandra ‘Lexie’ Martone’s first visit to Bocas del Toro was as maid of honor for her friend Olivia and let’s just say that wedding didn’t go as planned. She returned to New York but it isn’t long and she is back on the island and this time she is planning to stay. She rents a little cabin and gets not one but two jobs and makes herself at home.
But just like the last time, a murder mucks up her plans. She is shocked to learn her friend Jazz, was found dead at a local surf camp where Lexie works one of her jobs. The owner is pegged as the prime suspect and he begs Lexie to help him find the real killer. She agrees and she tries to keep the local police abreast of everything she learns but they aren’t very receptive until they find they need her to solve the case.
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I was so excited to get ahold of this book and I was not disappointed. Rachel Neuburger Reynolds takes her readers right to Bocas del Toro. We proceed on a journey with Lexie that at one time or another takes us from one side of the island to the other and almost everywhere in between. Lexie does have a vehicle but there are very few roads and the ones that are marked are rough. There is a bus that Lexie takes occasionally but that ride sounds like a bucking bronco so for the most part, Lexie walks and the author describes everything so well we are able to walk right along with her.
Lexie has become very independent but she is still trying to conquer her fear of water. Jazz was working with her before her death to get past her fear. She was trying to get Lexie in and under the water telling her about all the undersea beauty, she would see if she would just “slide” into the Carribean. While I can swim I still can identify with Lexie. Several years ago I was on vacation in Mexico and we decided to go snorkeling. My husband and our friends all had a great time. I just couldn’t get the hang of it. It was so bad, the guide told me to get back in the boat because I was ruining it for everybody else. I would love to try again someday maybe with a patient guide like Jazz.
Lexie’s fear of water doesn’t hold her back from her sleuthing. In fact, she puts herself in some crazy and sometimes dangerous predicaments. Like most amateur sleuths sometimes she leaps before she thinks things through. She has a few suspects on her list and follows the clues wherever they lead. In book one, I said Lexie had the patience of a saint and that helps this time because everyone seems to have a secret or two and things aren’t as they first appear and she doesn’t give up. What makes it hard is that some of the suspects are people she cares about and she realizes she doesn’t know who she can truly trust.
What I really enjoy is the humor the author weaves generously throughout the entire story. As with book one Drowning Lessons, the story is a dramedy, full of drama and comedy. Well-written, well-plotted, and well-developed characters. The Wipeout Affair is A Perfect Escape. Let Rachel Neuburger Reynolds’ story take you to the beach while the snow flies outside.
The Wipeout Affair by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds is a fantastic second installment in what I hope will be a long-lasting series.
Will Lexi figure out who killed her friend?
Lexie, Our Sleuth
Lexie has left New York and move to Bocas del Toro, with the basics. She is working a couple of parttime jobs to make ends meet, but she seems happier than before. Lexie still has her self doubts and that crazy inner voice, yet she is becoming more self-confident. Lexi is still learning Spanish, which is something that I would do, jump, and then figure it out.
She is making friends, real friends. However, when one of her new friends is found dead, she jumps into action to assist in the investigation.
Likes
• The way the author respectfully portrays the islanders.
• Lexie’s inner voice is snarky.
• Sloth crossings that close the road for minutes to hours.
• Lexi’s growing friendship with Lloyd.
• LG and his wife making Lexie part of their family.
• The names of the roads.
• Daisy, she has quite the personality.
Mystery
The things that I like about this story are the mystery, mixed with adventure, and self-growth of the characters involved. The clues are planted well, along with the red herrings. It is well developed without holes.
Five Stars
I love the way the author tells the story, especially the breaks by day. It makes it so much nicer to follow along. This is one of my favorite new series. The story, characters, and setting are refreshing. I love to lose myself in the island life. Therefore, The Wipeout Affair by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds gets five stars and the highest recommendation to all you mystery fans out there.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Wipeout Affair by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds.
Anyways, until next time,
Karen the Baroness
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