Book review: Murder in the Mangroves by Joanne Tracey
Murder in the Mangroves by Joanne Tracey is the second book in the Clementine Carter cosy crime series. I adored One For Sorrow, giving it a pretty rare (for me!) 4.5 stars. I probably didn’t enjoy this quite as much but I suspect it’s because I was more personally invested in the first one as it focussed on Clem’s aunt’s death (discovered to be murder). What I am still really loving about this series is how real the characters feel; as if the action is playing out in front of me. Or that I’m in the mix somehow. I mentioned (in my review of One For Sorrow) that Jo and I initially intended to write a slightly-different series together so I was there for the brainstorming birth of Clementine (even deciding on our muse was for her character – though I’m unsure if Jo still envisions Catherine McClements as Clem) but I’m reminded that Tracey (switching to formal use of surname now cos I’m a professional reviewer ‘n’ all that!) excels in developing and delivering very real and relatable characters – something I’ve recognised in her other books, including her Philly Barker cosy crime series.
