Arsenic and Adobo
Ratings86
Average rating3.4
15
Ratings86
Average rating3.4
A RUSA Award-winning novel! The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer.... When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case. With the cops treating her like she's the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila's left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…
Series
4 primary booksTita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery is a 4-book series with 4 primary works first released in 2021 with contributions by Mia P. Manansala.
Reviews with the most likes.
screams in defense attorney
Girl, you are CHARGED WITH MURDER AND DRUG TRAFFICKING, what in the hell are you doing talking to the detective at all, let alone without your attorney there, and why are you giving him information and comparing notes on all the other murders? He thinks you did it, he is not on your side. Also, a private citizen cannot "press charges" on a detective for harassment, filing a civil suit is not the same as supporting criminal charges, jail is not the same as prison, and the acknowledgments mention someone reviewing this for the legal aspects, but ... yikes.
This is probably a perfectly fine book if you don't know that much about the legal system, but unfortunately for me, I do and I can't turn that part of my brain off. Maybe mysteries just aren't for me. I did enjoy the characters and the diversity (and all the food descriptions were delicious), and the cover is delightful, but this was a miss for me.
This was a good read. I enjoyed the cozy mystery, family, and friendship. When Lila becomes a suspect, she starts her own investigation to clear her name and take the heat off of the restaurant. This wasn't exactly surprising in terms of twists, but I really enjoyed all of the characters.
