There are some stories that you just wish you could fall into. This is one of them. (Well, I could do without the murder if I feel into the story, but it's fine for reading about.) The Calendar Crew. Lila's baking. The amazing food at Tita Rosie's Kitchen. The characters and food are what turn this cozy mystery series into a must-read for me. (I even tried to search out some Filipino restaurants near me, but was unsuccessful.)

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In another cozy mystery full of Filipino culture, mouth-watering food descriptions, and, of course, murder, we see the return of Lila's cousin Ronnie, who left ten years ago without looking back and has suddenly appeared to open a new winery. But when one of Ronnie's investors drops dead after drinking his wine, all fingers point to Ronnie. Despite bad blood among the family, blood is thicker than water, and Lila can't help investigating the murder to clear Ronnie's name.

I felt similarly to this book as I have to the previous three in the series. It's an extremely solid cozy mystery, with interesting crime plotting and fabulous food descriptions, but there's just something off about it I can't quite put my finger on. Maybe I'm just not a fan of the author's writing style. There's nothing per se wrong with the book, the vibes are just a bit off.

Thanks to Berkley for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

4 stars - 7/10

Lila Macapagal's Brew-ha Cafe is starting to do really well in her Midwestern hometown of Shady Pines, as the cafe's first Christmas season approaches. While she bakes up delicious treats, her business partners Adeena and Elena are in charge of the beverages and the plant boutique respectively. With sales trending upward, the three women are definitely interested in diversifying, especially if it's mutually beneficial for other small local companies.

When they're approached by the new owners of the Shady Pines Winery, it seems like a good fit, especially since the vintner is looking to make coconut wine, a Filipino liquor that will complement what Brew-ha already serves. Trouble is, it's Lila's good-for-nothing cousin Ronnie Flores who's behind the new initiative. He left town under a cloud fifteen years earlier, breaking the heart of his mother, Lila's Tita Rosie, who runs the restaurant next door to Brew-ha with Lila's grandmother, Lola Flor. Tita Rosie is eager to welcome her prodigal son home again but Lila and Lola Flor are far more suspicious. Ronnie swears he's on the up and up though, proudly introducing his family to his business partners and investors. When one of the latter drops dead, however, it looks like Ronnie's troubles have come back to town with him.

If it weren't for how much she cares about her Tita Rosie, Lila would be more than happy to let Ronnie figure out how to get himself out of trouble. But Lila can't stand to see her beloved aunt suffer, so takes it upon herself to find out for certain whether or not Ronnie had anything to do with the investor's death. The more she investigates, though, the more she discovers about the many secrets Ronnie is hiding. Will Lila be able to save him, from a murderer and from himself, even if it puts her own life on the line?

This was another immersive installment of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen mystery series, as Mia P Manansala effortlessly blends cozy mystery shenanigans with diaspora culture and delectable food descriptions. I really enjoy the realistic amount of work Lila has to put in to make a going concern of her cafe, as well as the ongoing depiction of her efforts to strengthen ties with her diverse community. It was also pretty great to see her use technology to her benefit and to help keep her safe while sleuthing.

There were four recipes included here of items described in the novel, and I decided to try out this fusion of flavors:

QUOTE
Lila's Salabat Snickerdoodle Squares
Makes 12 Squares

Cookie bar:
1 stick of butter, melted
1 egg
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup flour
¼ teaspoon cream of tartar
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup crystallized ginger, chopped (optional)

Salabat topping:

¼ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1-2 teaspoons ground ginger
⅛-¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8-x-8-inch baking pan by lining it with foil and/or spraying it with oil or nonstick baking spray

In a large bowl or stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, mix the melted butter (cooled to the point it's no longer hot) with the egg, sugars, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

Add the flour, cream of tartar, salt, and crystallized ginger (if using) and stir until just combined. Don't overmix it!

Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the topping and whisk until combined.

Evenly sprinkle the salabat topping mixture over the batter. Use all of it! It may look like a lot but it soaks in while baking.

Bake for about 25 minutes, or until done. A knife or chopstick inserted in the center should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter. Cool before slicing and serving.
END QUOTE

Oh wow, these were amazing! In the novel, Lila describes these as being even better than the cookie version she originally made them in, and I would have to agree. While spicy, gingery snickerdoodle cookies certainly sound delicious, the brownie-like texture of these squares – soft, with crispy edges – are just out of this world. I could take or leave the crystallized ginger though, and in all honesty, probably won't use them again the next time I bake this. I also learned my lesson from the last time I baked up a recipe from this series and didn't go overboard with the cayenne here, as I did while putting together the otherwise delicious salabat banana bread featured in an earlier book.

These salabat snickerdoodle squares are a great twist on two traditional desserts and should absolutely go into your holiday rotation, especially if you like a little spicy with your sweet.

Next week, we head to the East Coast to make a traditional tea time treat while looking into the case of a reality show that goes from disruptive to deadly. Do join me!

In this book, we see our favorite characters return to solve another murder mystery with a blackmailing twist. Nearly all the new characters in this book seem suspicious but Lila and her family keep digging until they get answers with assistance from Detective Park. As also, Lila family and friends are really the heart of these books, with all the wonderful food coming in a close second! Love this group of characters and very invested in all their future adventures!! Bring on #4!

Things are going well for Lila Macapagal who is running the Brew-ha Cafe along with her two friends Adeena and Elena. Then her cousin Ronnie returns to town after leaving fifteen years ago and cutting off all contact with his family. With Ronnie’s history, Lila can’t help but worry. Ronnie and his business partners have purchased a local winery, and Ronnie assures the family he has changed his ways from when he was a trouble-making teen. However, when one of the investors in his new business is murdered, Ronnie is the prime suspect. Lila’s family depends on her to prove Ronnie’s innocence, so between baking and trying to spend time with the dentist she is dating, Lila launches an investigation.

Blackmail and Bibingka is the third book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series which features a Filipino-American family living in a small town outside Chicago. What makes this series stand out is the wonderful group of diverse characters which creates a book that is relatable to a wide range of readers. In addition, Lila and her friends use modern slang and expressions which will appeal to a younger audience than many cozies. The main characters are all much more likable to me than in prior books. However, much of the focus of this book is on Ronnie. Even when it looks like he is being falsely accused, he’s not the most sympathetic character because of his immaturity and sense of entitlement. By the end, it seems like he may be growing up a little, which is good if he ends up playing a part in future books.

There are a lot of side characters introduced in this book related to the winery and the murder and it took me several chapters to keep them straight. It doesn’t help that most of them are unlikable. This is a culinary cozy so information about cooking is expected and fun to read. However, there are a few too many details about ingredients and testing new flavors in multiple scenes which slow the pace of the story. These extra scenes and all the new characters make it hard to focus on the murder mystery at times. When Lila is investigating, things are more interesting. As she gets closer to identifying the killer, there is a dramatic showdown and unexpected ending. This book would work well as a standalone, but for those who have read the other books, the overall tone of this one is much more upbeat. I enjoyed how much more positive it is and how much more supportive Lila’s friends and family are in this latest book. Rounding out the book are a few recipes at the end, including one for the Bibingka (a type of spongy rice cake) from the book’s title. Overall, this is an enjoyable book in a unique, well-written cozy mystery series.

~ Christine

I really liked Arsenic and Adobo, so I jumped at the chance to read this Tia Rosa Kitchen Mystery. I love that this is culturally diverse with a beautiful glimpse into Filipino culture.

Thank you @berkley pub for my copy [partner].

Lila’s cousin Ronnie is back in town, and she’s definitely thinking he brought trouble vibes with him. As an unexpected death by poisoning occurs, Lila works to try and figure out who the culprit is before Ronnie is assumed guilty. Along the way some major secrets are revealed.

If you want that glimpse into Filipino culture and life straight outta the Midwest, plus a little dose of mystery, you’d most likely enjoy this one. It publishes on Tuesday so let me know if you read it and what you think!

I really enjoyed this series! I haven’t read any other cozy mysteries but this makes me want to check them out. I loved being back with Lila, Tita Rosie and the gang! The mystery always keeps me engaged and guessing until the end. I loved the winery setting. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is fantastic and really makes the story for me. I hope there will be more stories in this series!

When Lila's long lost cousin Ronnie comes back to town with his business partners, his mum (Lila's aunt) is absolutely thrilled. But Lila knows that it's only going to be a matter of time before trouble finds Ronnie again and she warns him not to hurt his mother again. It doesn't take long before Ronnie is accused of murder. After everything that Ronnie has done, could he really also be a murderer?

I'm not typically a big cozy mystery fan but I really do love this series. Lila and the gang are back with the next mystery of this series and yes, it's another good one! All our favourite characters are back so you know there's going to be more laugh out loud moments and fun dialogue. Throw in all the food elements and you have yourself the making of a tasty crime.

Another winner in Mia's charming mystery series, whose stories always engage me with their clever plots, compelling characters, and amazing recipes woven into the narrative. Lila Macapagal's Brew-ha Cafe is where the fun happens. A must-read for anyone who loves mysteries with a culinary and multicultural twist!

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P Manansala was kindly sent to me through @Netgalley and @berkleypub . I was so excited when I got the email giving me the chance to continue on with this cozy mystery series.

This is the 3rd book that was just released October 4th! We are right back where we left Lila and her trouble making cousin is coming back to town after leaving at least a decade ago. He is trying to reopen a winery with two of his friends and an investor. Unfortunately a night that should be of celebration turns into the death of the investor’s fiancé. All eyes turn to Lila’s cousin unless she can get to the bottom of what’s going on.

❤️Review❤️

I love this small town and would love to visit it. The fact that this installment takes place around the holidays made the setting that much sweeter. My one major complain with this one is that there were so many characters. Lila’s family is really huge and due to the nature of the small town everyone in the town is mentioned. It made it hard to keep track of what we know about each character throughout the book. By the end I did guess who did it before it was revealed. I didn’t have the whole background story of why/all the moving parts. I really like these books, but I would love a refresh cast of characters list in the beginning. Love a good cozy mystery, a small town setting, family, and food, look no further go pick up this series!

3 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Manansala is at the top of her game with her third cozy mystery in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery. Her characters grow with each novel and her story arcs get tighter. A fun read.

Lila and her diverse group of friends and relatives are back and showcasing all that their small town has to offer with Blackmail and Bibingka. The author acknowledges that she was in a better place while writing this one than the previous, and that this one is a little bit lighter than the last book. We also get the return of one of Lila's ne'er do well relatives, who quickly embroils both Lila and his mother, Rosie, in his troubles. Great characters, mouthwatering food descriptions, looks at the diaspora, and an interesting mystery make for a great addition to the series and I'm so glad we're getting more.

This is book 3 in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series. You do need to read the whole series to have a good understanding of other characters and town dynamics.

I love the emphasis on Filipino food and culture and love all the baking references in here! This has helped broaden my understanding and knowledge of Filipino food immensely! And this book always has me craving Filipino food and trying some of the recipes the author provides in the back of the book!

This is another cozy mystery and I enjoy how the mysteries are laid out and trying to figure out who the killer is and what a motive could be! I had a few guesses along the way and enjoyed the reveal of it all. I have loved getting to know the Macapagal family through these books and am quite excited this series will continue!

Lila is a great main character and I enjoy her friend group and getting to know her family more too. This book is marketed as a holiday book but besides a holiday cookie basket Lila is prepping, this wasn't very holiday-like - some feel strongly one way or the other towards holiday reads!

Ronnie, the prodigal son of Lila Macapagal's family is back. No one is quite sure whether his business is legitimate but they are all tentatively hopeful. Ronnie is in business with Pete and Izzy who are in a relationship though Ronnie may have more than business-type feelings for Izzy. They've been backed by Xander and Denise in creating the Shady Palms Winery. Xander and Denise are helped by twins Olivia and Quentin March. This, of course, adds to the already fairly large cast of aunts and business members that Lila is already dealing with. But, if you can make it past Chapter 6, the characters spread out a little and become more easily recognized. Especially since one of them gets killed off soon after and Ronnie becomes a suspect.
Lots of changes in this book with secrets coming out and people getting tired of the status quo. A really good book and some growth for some of our side characters. Hopefully we get to see more Lila and Jae in the next book.

Four and a half stars
This book comes out October 4, 2022
Follows Homicide and Halo-Halo
ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

BLACKMAIL AND BIBINGKA is the third book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries by Mia P. Manansala. This fresh take on the cozy mystery genre is intriguing with the family drama, a complex mystery, Filipino culture and food, and an engaging protagonist! Set during the Christmas season, Lila Macapagal is busy baking cookies for her Brew-ha Café, and enjoying all the holiday has to offer. I greatly enjoyed how close-knit Lila is with her aunts and grandmother, who run Tita Rosie’s Kitchen restaurant, which gives the author an opportunity to introduce the reader to both the culture and the food. This newest release is almost a food-centric read from the drool-worthy Christmas cookies for the café to the Filipino dishes for the restaurant, but it gives the characters a way to bond over and discuss the murders.

Lila is also very protective of her aunts and when her long-lost wayward cousin returns home, she prepared to keep him from hurting the family again. When a blackmail letter arrives that implicates her cousin and a murder happens involving his newest business venture, Lila decides she has to do everything she can to protect her family and her cousin, no matter how much she distrusts him. The plot was complex, with several suspects to keep the reader guessing. The slow build laid the groundwork for a captivating read and a suspenseful reveal with a twist I didn’t see coming. I was excited to learn that there will be another three books in the series and I, for one, can’t wait!

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Uma leitura leve e aconchegante sobre família e amizade, com pitadas de romance e uma dose de mistério para ninguém botar defeito. Além disso, é uma leitura que vai te deixar com água na boca e com vontade de provar todas as delícias que aparecem no livro e não precisa ficar só na vontade, no final do livro tem receitas bem fáceis para você conhecer a culinária presente na obra.

Happy publication day to Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia Manansala!! This is book 3 in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series.

I recently read the first 2 books in this series and was so excited to start this newest one. I love the emphasis on family, Filipino food and culture. I’ve learned a lot while reading this series.

This was a really quick, cozy mystery read that I’d recommend for mystery and food lovers alike!

Thank you @berkelypub for the #gifted e-book copy!

This is the third book in the series, which I didn't realize before I picked it up to read. While you can read it without reading the first two, I think you will understand the characters better starting at the beginning.

The series centers around a Filipino family, and I loved the closeness of the family and how they supported each other but also didn't let anyone get anyway with anything. And the food! It seems like they were eating 24/7. I have had some of the dishes that were mentioned and have even made the date bar called Food of the Gods...and it is really delicious.

I felt like the story dragged for the first half or so of the book. I think this goes back to not knowing the characters and the family dynamics. There was a lot of talk about food and cookies that Lila was making for her cafe that went a little overboard, in my opinion.

The mystery and murder did keep me guessing, and I couldn't get a handle on who the guilty party might be. I was quite surprised when all was revealed, but once the reveal unfolded, it made more sense.

There are many likable characters, and the Ninangs were a hoot. They all take respect for family seriously, which was good to see. Of course, Ronnie was usually the brunt of it since he had been gone for some time, and he had some secrets that were revealed at the end of this book.

Overall, this was a good book, and we give it 3 paws up.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

When her estranged cousin, Tita Rosie's son, Ronnie, returns to town, Lila anticipates that trouble will be close behind. It's shocking how right she is in that assessment. Ronnie has purchased the local Shady Grove Winery along with a his best friends, Izzy and Pete, and some other investors, most notable being, Denise Sutton.

It literally feels like Ronnie has been back in Shady Grove for mere moments before the first body suspiciously drops. Then the blackmail begins, stating that they know what Ronnie did in Florida and that he's up to his old tricks again. The blackmailer threatens to bring evidence against him unless they are paid a large sum of money by Tita Rosie.

This threatening message coinciding with Ronnie now being suspected of murder does not shine a positive light on her cousin, but Lila feels like she has to do whatever she can to clear Ronnie's name. This requires Lila putting her mistrust of Ronnie behind her, at least temporarily, in order to help him. Family is complicated after all, but Lila feels obligated to help.

As Lila digs into Ronnie's partners and investors, she discovers they've actually woven themselves quite a twisted web. The dynamics amongst them are all over the place. Will Lila be able to figure out the who done it before it's too late? And what if it actually is her cousin? How does this play out for her family?

Blackmail and Bibingka is the third installment of the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series. I had so much fun with the first two books in this series and this one was no different. I have loved getting to know the Macapagal family over the course of these books. I was also stoked when Manansala mentioned in her Author's Note at the conclusion of this, that we will be getting three more books in the series.

Personally, I never want them to end!

These books are full of food and family. If you aren't hungry by the time you are done one these of books, you have no soul. I'm sort of kidding, but not really. I love Lila as a character and her friend group. She has surrounded herself with a great group of women and I love how supportive they are of one another. We love to see those types of strong female friendships in our stories.

This book is marketed as taking place during Christmas time, but honestly, if it wasn't for the food, I would have no clue this was supposed to be set during the holiday season. It didn't bother me as such, I only mention it because I know how strongly people feel about their holiday stories and I don't want anyone to be disappointed.

Overall, I found this to be an engaging mystery. At times, I did get a little confused trying to keep track of all the bad actors Ronnie had surrounded himself with, but that totally could have been my headspace at the time of reading and not the story itself.

I think if you have enjoyed other books in this series, or if you enjoy Cozy Mysteries that incorporate a solid food element, you should definitely check this one out.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm very excited to continue on with this series!!

The cover hooked me. I love that this series highlights Filipino food and culture.

I loved that we got to see Lila's growth. I her baking and coming up with recipes. The mystery was fun and felt more on par with what I loved in Arsenic and Adobo! I also enjoyed seeing more of her family dynamic.