Arsenic & Adobo - 4 stars

Thank you @Netgalley @BerkleyPublishing for my eARC. This is probably going to be one of my favorites of April! Overall, I was super impressed by this debut author and can't wait to see what's next!

Quick synopsis: Lila returns to her hometown outside of Chicago to help her family with their struggling restaurant. Things quickly go downhill and her ex-boyfriend, who writes negative restaurant reviews for his blog, is poisoned while eating at their restaurant. While the evidence points to Lila, she knows it's a set up and races against the clock to find the murderer.

Warning: Do not read this while hungry! Not only does the story focus on Lila's family restaurant, serving delicious Filipino food, but her investigation takes her to other restaurants around her hometown. In particular, Lila's investigation takes her to a local diner and Mexican restaurant and I was close to drooling. Her sweet and meddling family had me laughing out loud at times and rooting hard for the truth to prevail.

This was one of my first cozy-ish mysteries but it won't be my last. Also, please tell me this is going to be a series? I need more and want to see what's next for Lila (I can't decide if I'm #TeamJae or #TeamAmir).

Arsenic and Adobo
April 4, 2021
Book Review

Arsenic and Adobo
Mia P. Manansala
reviewed by Lou Jacobs



readersremains.com | Goodreads


This is not your grandma’s cozy mystery. Be prepared to become immersed in the extended family of Filipino-American, Lila Macapagal (Mah-cah-pah-gahl) and explore their family and cultural values colliding with present-day small-town life.

Manasala paints a delightful cast of engaging multi-dimensional characters that one can’t help but become attached to. Lila, at age twenty-five, moves back home from Chicago, not only to soothe the scars of a horrendous break-up, but also to hopefully save Tita (Aunt) Rosie’s failing restaurant. She caught her lover (the shifty and nefarious Sam) in bed with her neighbors (yes, plural). She thus abandons her food management studies and dream of one day running her own cafe.

Once home, in small town, Shady Palms, Illinois, she has to run the gauntlet of her gossipy, matchmaking aunties—the trio of godmothers (“Ninang”) April, Mae, and June —which she fondly calls the “Calendar Crew”. They are not actually related, but were the best friends of her deceased mother, and continually shower her with love and judgment. They truly love and care about Lila, but can’t help but criticize her clothes, her make-up, her hair, and even her body habitus. This was how older Asian women apparently showed their affection. All from afar appeared interchangeable, with bad perms, love of floral pattern dresses, and a running commentary on Lila’s life.

Tita Rosie’s Kitchen was meant to be warm and comforting, imparting a feeling of having a meal at your home away from home. But, what was once “cozy” and “rustic” was now just outdated. Tita Rosie and Lola (grandmother) Flor were excellent cooks, but not very business savvy, and unfortunately Lola loved the casinos, which ate up most of their meager profit. Lila was in for a very formidable challenge. Even having to deal with Derek Winter, her jerk ex-high school sweetheart, is fraught with tension. He has become a food blogger and local food critic for the local newspaper and inexplicably was waging a vendetta against her family’s restaurant.

He would try a new dish whenever he came to the restaurant and managed to find fault with every single one. Regardless, Rosie went out of her way to be gracious and make him feel welcome. He enters one day with his stepfather in tow—Mr. Long who happens to be their landlord and is actively trying to close their business down. Over a typical delicious Filipino meal cooked by Tita Rosie that included a dessert specially made by Lila, Derek suddenly pitches forward into his plate.

EMS is summoned and Derek is taken to the hospital ER where he succumbs from an unknown cause. Allegations of murder by the restaurant and Lila are made by their landlord.

And just as suddenly a murder mystery takes center stage while jettisoning the previous rom-com. Lila proves to be an excellent sleuth, and is aided by her best friend, Adeena, barista extraordinaire, as well as her extended family of godmothers, cousins, and friends —all who provide valuable info. For example: Ninang June’s daughter works in the hospital as an ER nurse taking care of Derek. Adeena’s friend Roby works in the lab for the county police department. Her assembly of contacts could populate a small village. Apparently, anyone considered a friend, is awarded “cousin” status. Occasionally a walk-on presence of Lila’s adorable dachshund, Longganisa (Tagalog for “sausage”) graces our presence. The narrative is mostly told through the witty inner dialogue of Lila. She is out to prove means, motive, and opportunity for the real killer.

The police investigation is handled by Detective Jonathan Park—a supposed friend of Tita Rosie, who like a dog with a bone, won’t let go of the possible guilt of at least Lila , if not Rosie and the restaurant. He continually asserts outrageous accusations. Mysteriously a bag full of cash and drugs is found in Lila’s locker at the restaurant. Lila and the family are represented by Adeena’s older brother, Amir Awan ( the “Golden Boy” of the family). One of the Ninangs slips Lila a piece of paper containing a list of suspects—five restaurants and their owners—all of which have received equally scathing food reviews by the infamous nasty blogger and critic, Derek Winter.

Mia Manansala proves to be a masterful storyteller and incrementally drops delicious breadcrumbs of clues and culinary delights that will eventually culminate in an unexpected denouement. Her world is populated with a cast of endearing and engaging characters and a modicum of hints at romance for both Lila and Adeena. The themes presented are varied and significant. Touching on possible police intimidation, drug usage, fat phobia, racism, and even domestic violence. However, most important is the cherished value and importance of family and friendship. Excuse me, while I locate a Filipino restaurant near me to delve into the joys of their cuisine.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof of this gem in exchange for an honest review. Hopefully, this is only the first of many Lila Macapagal investigations. Published at mysteryandsuspense.com .....

Available on Amazon

Thank you to @berkleypub and @netgalley for my gifted copy of Arsenic and Adobo, by Mia P. Manansala! This fun cozy mystery is out on May 4th, and the synopsis is in the comments!

Cozy Mystery lovers, don’t miss this one. It’s got some great elements in it: great characters that are fun to read about, a plot that moves along well with some unexpected twists and turns, a vividly-described setting, and more! I took my time reading this book, and it was such a lovely way to end my day. I loved the cultural aspect of it as well, and learning more about the Filipino culture. And that cover - isn’t it bright and fun!? I can’t wait to get my hands on Manansala’s next book already!

Holy heck this was a cute cozy! I devoured this book because I couldn't put it down. I loved all of the food references in the book and loved learning about the Filipino family dynamics. At times there were a lot of characters to keep track of however, I think this is to set up for the next 2 books. I really enjoyed the light romantic aspect of the book as well and I can't wait to find out who Lila ends up with! Cannot wait for the next installments.

Arsenic and Adobo offers typical cozy mystery tropes, but features diverse characters and a unique setting. Following a bad breakup, Lila, the daughter of a Filipino family that owns a struggling restaurant in Texas returns home to lick her wounds and try to save the family business. When a local hated restaurant critic and former boyfriend dies while eating lunch at their restaurant, Lila must clear her family's name before they lose the business altogether. The unlikable main character and stereotypical cozy mystery set up may be off-putting for some, but the supporting cast and a thoroughly puzzling mystery will convince some readers to stick it out. Filipino American culture is not heavily featured in a lot of popular fiction, so that may also draw in more adventurous readers. I would recommend it to cozy mystery readers who want more diversity and are willing to overlook the main character's faults.

I don’t typically read the synopsis of a book, so let me say I was pleasantly surprised!

As an own-voice reader, I totally got all the antics the author wrote about! I loved the Filipino phrases she added it, made the characters so much more authentic.

I enjoyed reading this book and had a hard time putting it down. I just needed to know- who did it!!! The book had so many twists and turns and my heart palpitated every time Lila or her aunt got caught in the crossfire.

I would say, if someone who didn’t know Tagalog or any of their words, would it be slightly different when reading this? I know the author added some translations at the beginning of the book, but some little phrases might not be understood by someone who doesn’t speak... but which made all the difference in a statement.

Overall, I gave this book 4 stars. Thank you so much Netgalley, Penguin Random House and Mia Manansala for allowing me to read this novel! I absolutely adored it! And thank you so much for adding in those recipes at the end of the book!

A cozy mystery perfect for a lazy Sunday!

I loved the drama and deceit, though I got angry any time Lila or her family were framed!!

I thought it was cute how we ended with some cheeky possibilities for romance but it wasn’t front and center...Lila still needs time to figure herself, her goals, dreams and her future.

Lovely.

Arsenic and Adobo is more than just your average cozy mystery. Author Manansala builds a unique town and character dynamic that is ethnically diverse. She does not shy away from edgier topics. I enjoyed the culinary appreciation throughout the book and the recipe opportunities.

Derrick ends up face first in his food just after Lila serves him. The murder must be solved befor Lila becomes the only suspect. Light and lots of fun.

Immediately beginning with action, Arsenic and Adobo swept me away. I honestly had no clue who it would be. And so I kind of just decided to just be captivated by the ways Lila investigates the case. It gave me serious Dial A for Aunties vibes. While it's easy to get carried away with the mystery, and believe me, I did, I appreciated the ways Manansala introduces threads of other storylines. While Lila is unraveling who might be framing her family's restaurant, she has to grapple with her own feelings on Shady Palms.

I highly recommend Arsenic and Adobo for someone looking for a fast-pace, light, cozy mystery. I'm not one that is usually drawn to these type of reads but the cover caught my attention, as well as the diversity and culinary delights it promised. I find that a lot of older adults at my library request cozy mysteries. I am curious what that age group will think of Lila, a millennial , Filipina woman with a strong will and heart. I think this would be a fun intergenerational read for women. In fact, I might just have to purchase for my mother, sisters, and nieces and start one myself .Thank you to Netgalley and Berkeley Publishers for the chance to read this entertaining book.

So, I’m hungry now.
Have you ever been reading the description of a delicious meal and put down your book to go eat and been disappointed it wasn’t the meal in your book? I have. Most recently while reading Arsenic and Adobo, by Mia Manansala.
Arsenic and Adobo is the first in a series that features a twenty-five-year-old heroine, Lila Macapagal whose life, as she tells you in the first sentence, has become a rom-com cliché. Except this is a murder mystery and in the second chapter, her high school sweetheart doesn’t end up back together with her, he ends up dead in her aunt’s financially struggling restaurant.
Thus, it is up to Lila and an endearing cast of sidekicks to solve the mystery and get her aunt’s restaurant out from under suspicion and back to serving delicious Filipino meals.
Remember what I said earlier about reading and eating?
The story itself is fun and engaging and a truly delightful mystery. Manansala’s writing is clean and humorous and her descriptions of the food – not just from her own Filipino culture but other cultures as well – is fantastic and not good for my waistline.
What sets this mystery apart for me, however, was how deftly Manansala inserts her observations about family and culture. Drawing on her own background, she has a wry take on the conflicts inherent between first- and second-generation immigrants – no matter their background. In one scene a South Korean American, an Indian American and a Filipino American go out to eat at a Mexican restaurant and find instant commonality when they talk about their backgrounds. The millennials in this mystery all find themselves simultaneously laughing and crying at the frustrations that come along with navigating inter-generational struggles.
A thoroughly enjoyable read, I recommend Arsenic and Adobo for fans of cozy mysteries and delicious food. And good news – Manansala has included a few recipes for some of the dishes she mentions in the book!

Arsenic and Adobo is the culinary cozy you have been waiting for! Lila (LEE-laa) has returned home to small town Illinois to help keep her family’s restaurant afloat. Lila’s ex-boyfriend isn’t helping matters by writing scathing restaurant reviews about the Filipiano cuisine. When he drops dead during a meal in the restaurant, the police shutter the doors until the mystery is solved. Lila herself is implicated and as he investigates the case, it brings her closer to her secret crush while also putting her at odds with the town detective. Her sleuthing also reveals that more things have changed to the people and town she knew years ago. Will she solve the mystery before the family loses their restaurant?

Manasala creates a delightful cast of characters - from Lila’s family, the auntie network, her best friend, her best friend’s new girlfriend and more! The mystery holds equal footing with drool-worthy food infused throughout the story. Lila investigates at restaurants throughout town in addition to serving and making food with her family at every twist and turn so do not read this on an empty stomach.

Every book is an opportunity to glimpse the perspective of another’s life experience, and there is no time better to read a book like this that celebrates a Filipino family and spotlights the hard work it takes to make a family-owned restaurant successful. The author’s sensitive content warning further serves to make readers aware of potential triggers while also enlightening all readers about experiences that might be outside their own.

The best part about Arsenic and Adobo? It’s the FIRST in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series! I’m looking forward to more delicious sleuthing to come!

A well-written, fast-paced, and comfortable tone drama, this mystery had elements that sustained me throughout from the introduction of the protagonist, the murder victim, the suspects, and the sprinkles of clues that kept me immersed in all facets in the telling of this tale. The author did a great job in pulling this in all together with visually descriptive narrative that made this story appear like an Oscar-winning movie, with its engaging dialogue, the comedic antics, humor, and the culinary delights that appealed to the mystery reader in me. I thought I knew who the killer was, but the author changed the direction and wow, I was impressed when their identity was revealed. I love the familial atmosphere with this great cast of diversified characters.

A cozy mystery featuring a millennial woman is exactly the content I am looking for. I really enjoyed the light, witty voice of the narrator, a Filipina women recently returned to her small town after a disastrous relationship ended in Chicago. Back home, she is surrounded by love as well as expectations from her very involved family. When she is accused of a crime she didn’t commit, she had to rely on the community she once left behind to clear her name. Cozy series live and die by their characters, and I am looking very forward to meeting these fun, caring characters again in subsequent entries to this series.

I loved this book so much! It's an amazing cozy mystery with a compelling story that had me glued to the pages! I really loved the cultural aspect, and found that it opened my eyes a bit, and I loved that! The characters were great, I wanted to be friends with them, and I loved the mystery! I highly recommend if you enjoy cozies!!

This cozy mystery follows Lila who, after a tumultuous breakup, moves back home to try to save her aunt's failing restaurant. But when her ex drops dead, she of course is the prime suspect. Filled with food, mystery and a hint of spice, this book is not to be missed!

This was a charming hybrid between a cozy mystery and a romance, and I very much enjoyed my visit with Lila and her family and friends. I look forward to continued visits to their world!

I was excited about this book, which had an interesting premise. However, I found it really unbelievable, and the main character not very likeable. I ended up abandoning it about halfway through... it really didn't hold my interest :(

I really struggle to review this book--I don't think a star rating captures my thoughts adequately. This is a cozy mystery series starter; series starters are always a challenge, and difficult to do well, since so much foundation must be laid and so many characters introduced. Some of my absolute favorite cozy mystery series have mediocre to subpar starters, and grow into themselves in later books. This book felt like a series starter. Too much tell, not enough show.

This book had a number of good points, though. I love the family aspect and how each of the Aunties had a fun personality--reminded me a bit of Dial A for Aunties, one of my favorite books of 2021. I loved the food descriptions and came very close to ordering dinner at 4:00PM. I thought the mystery was pretty good, too--I didn't guess the killer until 70% in, which I think is pretty solid. The book also gave me the traditional cozy mystery love triangle set-up, which I think was done quite well in this book--the seeds were planted, which is all we really need. Just enough to give our MC something to look forward to.

However, this book had some other issues. It was a little bit all over the place. Events kept happening where I kept saying, "Wait, what?" to myself (I don't want to list them here because, well, spoilers) and while each individual event isn't highly improbable, coupled together they made the story highly unrealistic. A number of these events are bad things, too, so after a while it got a little depressing. You just feel so bad for the central character and her family, like "What could possibly go wrong next?" Of course, it's a cozy, so it has a HEA, but it was a struggle to get to that happy ending. This was also an extremely quick read, with a lot crammed into a small space, and I think it could have been expanded a little more.

In the end, I didn't love this book. BUT, I will definitely give future books in this series a try. I think once we get out from underneath the foundational elements of a series started, this author/series has real potential to have some great books in play. I'm somewhere between three and four stars on this book, so I've decided to round up.

Thank you to Berkley for my eARC! All opinions are my own.

4 stars - 6/10