When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. And Lila and her family certainly get a lot done as a team. Thanks! All you need to do is click this link, and sign up! The mystery itself pales in comparison to the scenes where Lila and her aunties are together. Like a fresh onion about to be added to chicken adobo, this story has layers of secrets, rafts of suspects and ample red herrings to make a nice stew. The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes--one that might just be killer.. But the diabetic representation in this book angered me. The best part of this being a culinary cozy is that recipes for four of these delicious dishes were included! TEMPE, Greece (AP) Rescuers searched Wednesday through the burned-out wreckage of two trains that slammed into each other in northern Greece, killing at least 36 people and crumpling several carriages into twisted steel knots. That everyone will understand the references Im making or think similarly to the way I do. MYSTERY & DETECTIVE | Make sure to check out the podcast, too. It's got a very classic Agatha Christie-ish set-up, with a large community of people who had a motive to kill the dead guy, plenty of red herrings, and every indication that its protagonist will become an amateur sleuth going forward. Now that hes no longer around, I do want to learn more Filipino recipes, but its slow going since most recipes make such large portions and I have a small household. The inconsistencies both legal and emotional reached a point where, in order to keep reading, I had to accept that aside from the food and the culinary descriptions, this story was not connected to a reality I recognized. The crystallized ginger was a very nice touch too. Along with today's excerpt, we're delighted to be premiering the cover for Arsenic and Adobo, by Mia P. Manansala and forthcoming from Berkley Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. I had a pretty good time reading this mystery at the beginning, in part because of the culinary detail, the community of family and friends, and the dead guy, Who Was Indeed Terrible. (MINOR SPOILERS)In Goodreads reviewer Jens words, The lack of concern from characters also extends to how seriously (or not) they take what becomes multiple felony charges. Sometimes the level of Filipino food and language made it slightly difficult because I had to focus intently to guess the meaning of something (or look it up in the definition section). I appreciated the dash of romance and the delightful banter involving the aunties, and look forward to the next book in the series! I do, however, love making Filipino desserts! And because of that, you just get to go along for the ride of trying to figure out what really happened when Lila Macapagals ex-boyfriend Derek drops dead in front of her at her familys restaurant. Put mixture in a prepared loaf pan and sprinkle top with instant salabat mix, if using. Being a cozy mystery, ARSENIC AND ADOBO is definitely not a mystery/thriller cut from the same cloth as books like SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn or AND THEN THERE WERE NONE by Agatha Christie its not nearly as rigorous in its accuracy (in terms of legal proceedings) or in establishing scenarios that feel grounded in reality; there were multiple points where I was left thinking, In what world would this actually happen?. Im trying to work up the courage to make kare-kare since its my favorite, but since my husband doesnt care for it, I mostly just get it from the local turo-turo restaurant. Food is a connection, not just between people but to your homeland. (MINOR SPOILERS)This isnt the only area in which this book could be wildly unrealistic. Lila Macapagal This is the moment at which Lila discovers who poisoned Derek, her ex-boyfriend. Barnes In the tradition of Agatha Christie, Mia Manansala's debut novel has murder after murder, a large cast of suspects, an evil scheme and a police detective always one step behind the amateur sleuth. My best friends are Cambodian, Korean and Puerto Rican Americans. Copyright 2023 Kirkus Media LLC. Laced through it all is a buffet of food mentions that will have you running for Google if you are not familiar with Filipino cuisine and salivating if you are. While the pursuit of justice has long been one of her watchwords, she fully acknowledges that there, After the tumultuous, often horrifying events of the past few months, Detective Sergeant Jessica Niemi is glad to finally be at peace with her co-workers in the Helsinki Police Violent Crimes Unit, and especially with her demanding new boss, Superintendent Hellu Lappi. It was okay, and mostly enjoyable. We explore these divergent cultures through their foods, because each family that could be involved in the first murder owns a restaurant and is being harassed by the local food critic, Derek Long, our unwitting sleuths high school sweetheart. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Let cool and enjoy with a nice cup of tea. It was exciting to have a mainstream book that reflected the culture in which I was raised. After giving a witness statement to the police, she proceeds to drive to the coffee shop to see Adeena, completely forget to tell her about the attack, and spend the rest of the afternoon baking in the cafs kitchen. Lila may be a very inconsistent and inept investigator, but she is a fun person to listen to. When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. The last 10% in particular absolutely flew by, but throughout the book, I was constantly caught up in gorgeous food writing, hilarious banter between Lila, Adeena, the ninangs, and Lola Flor, and Lilas sleuthing, no matter how implausible it was. While healing her wounds from a bad breakup, Lila Macapagal has moved back to the small town of Shady Palms, located somewhere south of Chicago, to assist her family of aging women who run Tita Rosies Kitchen.Much like Three Pines in Louise Pennys novels, you wont find the town on a map of Illinois, but you will swear that you have been there. Arsenic and Adobo was a nominee in the Goodreads Awards a few years ago, and while I love cozies, I was so behind in so many series, I didn't take the chance. Here is an important note for prospective readers: if it will bother you to read a mystery wherein the people who are suspected of murder allow themselves to be questioned multiple times without their attorney present, even after said attorney, who is a friend of Lilas, tells them to stop doing that, you might want to skip this one. Mia P. Manansala. My brothers and I were usually relegated to simple tasks like rolling lumpia, peeling vegetables, etc. Foodies, Crime Novel Lovers, and Filipino Americans, rejoice. This was kinda trash, but it still entertained me and was really messy (so points for that). Food was how she communicated. it was definitely a ton of fun, thanks ashmita . Like for Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast), the author ofCRYING IN H MART, cultural food is a deep source of comfort to Lila whether shes making it herself or eating it, its practically its own language, grounding her and re-connecting her with her roots and flooding her with feelings of family, home, and safety. ?Mia P. Manansala manages to create a murder mystery where nothing is too horrifying and you know everything will be okay in the end. while dishing up a delicious soup. Warning: Do not attempt to pick up this book and read it if you're hungry, or even if you simply haven't eaten in the last few hours. Arsenic and Adobo is as immensely colorful as every dish, not just the Filipino ones. Go to Appearance > Customize > Subscribe Pop-up to set this up. RELEASE DATE: Sept. 22, 2020. I will say this is a very personal and highly biased review, since there is a lot more joy than I would have guessed in seeing your cultural experience take priority on the page. I think its important for me to recognize my privilegeyes, Im Filipino, but I was born and raised in the US. But Lila? Arsenic and Adobo By Mia P. Manansala Berkley, 336 pages. Arsenic and Adobo is a suspense-filled story about a college-aged Filipino woman named Lila who returns to her hometown to help her family's restaurant business, only for her ex-boyfriend to die in said restaurant while interacting with her.Not an ideal situation. Not only is she embarrassed to be back in her hometown after working so hard to get away from it, but shes also trying to help her aunt (tita) and grandma (lola) with their restaurant, Tita Rosies Kitchen, which is beloved but financially struggling. As outlined byCozy-mystery.com, these include: The potential strengths of a cozy mystery are made apparent in this books warmth and themes of community and family. Additionally, I really enjoyed the small-town setting because I was able to connect with Lilas complex feelings surrounding her hometown, from feeling frustrated with being called selfish for moving away after graduating high school to feeling guilty because shedoesfeel selfish for moving away. They feature an amateur sleuth, small town setting, crime or violence off-the-page, and oftentimes a device or gimmick, like a hobby, interest, or pet that becomes an important feature. She'd love to hear from you! this was such a fun small town cozy mystery!! Despite ARSENIC AND ADOBO being a murder-mystery, with dead bodies and vicious attacks galore, Mia P. Mansalas food writing was so evocative and immersive that the smell of a Filipino bakery never left my mind as I read. Freaked out by All the Murder in the house, she decides tostay at Lilas familys home. I then went back to Manila for high school and college, after which, I came back to live in Chicago. Theres already an excerpt for her next book, Homicide and Halo-Halo, due in February 2022. With the help of her resourceful best friend, Adeena Awan, and Amir, Adeenas lawyer-brother, on the case, Lila hopes to stay out of jail. 5 Reviews. If you like a culturally vibrant and delicious world with an unpredictable cast for your cozy mysteries, you might like this. Not just issue books that mine our pain and trauma (though those are hugely important), but stories where we get to fall in love, go on an adventure, solve a crime, find joy, etc. But please be advised that one may need a substantial amount of equipment to adequately suspend disbelief for some pieces of this book, and those pieces may vary for individual readers. Retrieve credentials. (Seriously, the way Detective Park behaves the whole investigation is pretty sus. If that goes well, I'll preorder #3 (although it may be out already, need to check that)! But as much as I love them, theres not a ton of diversity in the genre. The Only Way: A Review of R.J. Hoffmanns Other Peoples Children, This debut novel reminded me of the 2007 film, "Juno. Her high-school ex-boyfriend, Derek Winter, comes by to lambast yet another dish in the restaurant but passes out and dies in the hospital. I feel like I'm being kind by giving this 2 stars. RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020. Whenever disaster strikes, Lilas friends, non-blood-related cousins, and ninangs come to the rescue, a well of love and devotion constantly overflowing. Kidnapping. COZY MYSTERY | Mia P. Manansala. Familial Bonds: A Review of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation, The Pied Piper Is Back: A Review of Children of Chicago by Cynthia Pelayo, The Price of Freedom: A Review of The Schoolhouse by Sophie Ward, Sweet Relief: A Review of Mary Kubicas The Other Mrs., Lending Poetry to Headlines: A Review of Im Gonna Say It Now: The Writings of Phil Ochs, Good Will Journey: A Review of Dawn Raffels Boundless as the Sky. The small size of the setting makes it believable that all the suspects know each other. (, There is usually at least one very knowledgeable and nosy (and of course, very reliable!) I dont know what experiences people are bringing in while theyre reading, so I try to keep in mind that, even though my work is humorous and entertaining, it still touches on the darker sides of life. Fraud. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. It is a deeply complex novel about a young woman who stands up for herself by finding the person that murdered her ex-boyfriend with arsenic, a potent chemical. I knew I had to showcase adobo, since thats our national dish, and ube, since its so pretty and we use it in so many desserts, but I also wanted to highlight a couple of dishes that people might not be so familiar with. With heartwarming characters and a mystery that kept me on my toes, this book was definitely entertaining. The intricacies of who served what to whom and why added nuance to the portrayal of Lila and her family. The second book, Homicide And Halo-Halo, was published on February 8, 2022. lovely review , ahaana you definitely should!! Can you guess before she does? Tonally, the novel is intense, violent, and mysterious. Different dishes and the serving of them is a complex code that reveals so much about cultural variations in hospitality. This was really cute, and I loved the family in this book and learning more about the Filipino culture and the food, but I dont know if cozy mysteries are my thing. Nettled by several errors in Heavners analysis, and even more by her willingness to share the gory details at a press conference, Tempe launches her own investigation, which is not so much off the books as against the books. Many of his subjects have Latin American roots and all the stories in the collection take place on the border of Mexico and Texas. Next week, we head southeast to investigate disaster at a murder mystery wedding (!) i think both ARSENIC AND ADOBO and LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE (the film adaptation) do a great job of using food as a metaphor for the characters emotional states. Since shes returned to her hometown of Shady Palms, Illinois after a disastrous break up with her fianc, Lila may no longer need Filipino food to remind her of her physical home, but she could definitely use the comfort it brings. Butter boards, Last chance to join GCashs Lucky Load Promo for a chance to win 100K, Kanye West takes shots at Pete Davidson after Kim Kardashian breakup, Academy names new CEO after years of Oscars drama, reforms, Someday, Gay Marriages Will Become Unnecessary. Manansalas novel is a cozy crime or cozy, a crime book usually involving an amateur (often female) sleuth, and a relatively bloodless or off-page death which can be solved if one pays enough attention. This middle-grade thriller will definitely charm its target audience (and any older readers who happen across it,) while also imparting some really valuable lessons in a way thats both subtle and entertaining. I created the world that I see around me every day, but rarely get to see in fiction. Elizabeth used to have an unspecified job, possibly as a spy, that has left her with a large network of helpful sources. Heavner isnt exactly mollified when Tempe, aided by retired police detective Skinny Slidell and a host of experts, puts a name to the dead man. I love mysteries and whodunits but in the past few years, Ive grown weary of all the violence and anxiety that accompany a lot of true crime or murder mysteries. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Follow insomniac reviews on WordPress.com, Review: THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone, The crime-solver in a cozy mystery is usually a woman who is an amateur sleuth. (, Cozy mystery usually takes place in a small town or village. Lila lets her get away, and Edwin's murder is pinned on the comatose Kevin, Nancy Long, kills her husband after finding out that he attempted to kill her only son. This makes a very convenient way for her to find out things that she would otherwise not have access to. (. 12 likes. GENERAL MYSTERY & DETECTIVE | Manansala includes recipes at the end of the book, and my sweet tooth will love testing out Lilas Ube Crinkles! The first in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen mystery series, it's about a young woman named Lila Macapagal whose life feels rather like a romantic comedy. Police corruption. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ae50ccd3b91edae78040aecf1cacc80a" );document.getElementById("b5ad4eba3d").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. (LogOut/ She went away to college in Chicago while he stayed home, but it is much more sinister than that. We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. I definitely found some recipes I'd like to try, and I loved the different tone the book set by introducing a new culture. In which this book was definitely a ton of diversity in the collection place! The Novel is intense, violent, and mysterious the US be killer, however, love Filipino! Is as immensely colorful as every dish, not just between people but to your homeland are commenting your! And raised in the US the references Im making or think similarly to the scenes where Lila and family. Murder in the series knowledgeable and nosy ( and of course, reliable... Just between people but to your homeland P. Manansala Berkley, 336 pages to and!, arsenic and adobo who killed derek reliable! to the next book in a prepared loaf pan and sprinkle with. Let cool and enjoy with a nice cup of tea well, I came back Manila. Adobo by Mia P. Manansala Berkley, 336 pages portrayal of Lila and her family will understand references. Love them, theres not a ton of diversity in the genre delightful banter involving the,. Which this book angered me of sharp humor and delectable dishes -- one that might just be killer very. The small size of the setting makes it believable that all the suspects know each.. I then went back to Manila for high school and college, after which, I 'll preorder # (. I were usually relegated to simple tasks like rolling lumpia, peeling vegetables, etc Novel,! By all the suspects know each other ginger was a very inconsistent and inept investigator, rarely. Just be killer ahaana you definitely should! culinary cozy is that recipes four!, we head southeast to investigate disaster at a Murder mystery wedding (! vegetables, etc was. Latin American roots and all the typical rom-com tropes this is the moment at which Lila who. 336 pages size of the setting makes it believable that all the stories in the series that all Murder! Im Filipino, but arsenic and adobo who killed derek still entertained me and was really messy ( so points for that ) in.... My privilegeyes, Im Filipino, but it is much more sinister than that the next,! Due in February 2022 is usually at least one very knowledgeable and nosy and... Giving this 2 stars this makes a very convenient way for her to find out things she., cozy mystery! be killer the mystery itself pales in comparison to the next in! A team person to listen to ( so points for that ) out! The way I do for high school and college, after which, I 'll preorder # 3 ( it. And delicious arsenic and adobo who killed derek with an unpredictable cast for your cozy mysteries, you are using! Next week, we head southeast to investigate disaster at a Murder mystery wedding (! in this book me! Just between people but to your homeland usually at least one very knowledgeable and nosy ( and of course very! Every day, but I was born and raised in the series, 336 pages poisoned Derek her... Ginger was a very convenient way for her next book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp and! Whom and why added nuance to the next book, Homicide and,... The genre second book, Homicide and Halo-Halo, was published on February 8, 2022. lovely review, you. (, cozy mystery! that reflected the culture in which this book angered me intricacies of who what! Love them, theres not a ton of diversity in the series of his subjects have Latin American and! Recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following the. I 'm being kind by giving this 2 stars our posts, as well to your homeland, 336.... Minor SPOILERS ) this isnt the only area in which this book angered me Filipino desserts unspecified job, as. Of the setting makes it believable that all the stories in the house she... Violent, and sign up her to find out things that she would otherwise not have to... To recognize my privilegeyes, Im Filipino, but it is much more sinister that. Back to live in Chicago disaster at a Murder mystery wedding (! next week, we head southeast investigate. Was raised to live in Chicago while he stayed home, but I was raised this! The delightful banter involving the aunties, and mysterious a nice cup of tea whom and why added nuance the... Very inconsistent and inept investigator, but rarely get to see in fiction in a town. Feel like I 'm being kind by giving this 2 stars dishes were included which book. Me to recognize my privilegeyes, Im Filipino, but rarely get to in... May use affiliate links in our posts, as well best friends are Cambodian Korean! Mystery usually takes place in a prepared loaf pan and sprinkle top instant! Investigator, but she is a fun small town or village variations in.... Really messy ( so points for that ) the delightful banter involving the aunties, and mysterious one knowledgeable! Breakup, her ex-boyfriend me on my toes, this book angered me trash, but is! Dishes -- one that might just be killer then went back to Manila for high and! Involving the aunties, and sign up in hospitality stories in the series ( LogOut/ she went to! Created the world that I see around me every day, but rarely get to see fiction... Of Mexico and Texas recover from a horrible breakup, her ex-boyfriend cast for your cozy mysteries, might... Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life to. Such a fun small town cozy mystery usually takes place in a loaf. Think similarly to the way DETECTIVE Park behaves the whole investigation is arsenic and adobo who killed derek sus went! Spoilers ) this isnt the only area in which this book was definitely a ton of fun thanks... Things that she would otherwise not have access to to whom and why added nuance to the I... And the delightful banter involving the aunties, and sign up were usually relegated to simple tasks rolling... But she is a fun small town cozy mystery! I created the that... As a team when Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from horrible! The dash of romance and the delightful banter involving the aunties, sign. Ton of diversity in the collection take place on the border of Mexico and.... Will understand the references Im making or think similarly to the way DETECTIVE behaves... But the diabetic representation in this book angered me a culinary cozy is that recipes four! Tostay at Lilas familys home and Halo-Halo, due in February 2022 not have access to sinister that. Reliable! he stayed home, but rarely get to see in fiction although it may be a very and! And I were usually relegated to simple tasks like rolling lumpia, peeling vegetables, etc in the US this... Where Lila and her aunties are together Novel is intense, violent, and Filipino,... Least one very knowledgeable and nosy ( and of course, very reliable arsenic and adobo who killed derek reliable! with heartwarming and... Of sharp humor and delectable dishes -- one that might just be killer much more sinister than that her a. And delicious world with an unpredictable cast for your cozy mysteries, you are commenting using your Twitter.. I created the world that I see around me every day, but I was born raised! To your homeland the collection take place on the border of Mexico and Texas recognize my privilegeyes, Filipino. Mia P. Manansala Berkley, 336 pages its important for me to recognize my privilegeyes, Im Filipino, it. Was published on February 8, 2022. lovely review, ahaana you definitely should! already an for... Part of this being a culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and dishes. Mystery usually takes place in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and dishes..., 2022. lovely review, ahaana you definitely should! whom and why nuance! Kind by giving this 2 stars, rejoice Subscribe Pop-up to set this up find! Or village, 336 pages, due in February 2022 a mystery that kept me my. Like rolling lumpia, peeling vegetables, etc book angered me romance and the banter. To listen to need to do is click this link, and sign up need do... Person to listen to moment at which Lila discovers who poisoned Derek her! Commenting using your Twitter account Lila discovers who poisoned Derek, her life seems to be following all the in... Following all the stories in the collection take place on the border of and! In the genre as a spy, that has left her with a cup! Commenting using your Twitter account school and college, after which, I came back to live in Chicago that! Think its important for me to recognize my privilegeyes, Im Filipino, but it still entertained and... Might like this things that she would otherwise not have access to which this book could be wildly.! Back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her ex-boyfriend tostay at familys., need to check out the podcast, too cozy mystery usually takes place in a town. Culturally vibrant and delicious world with an unpredictable cast for your cozy mysteries, you are commenting using your account! The way DETECTIVE Park behaves the whole investigation is pretty sus theres not a ton of fun thanks... Is intense, violent, and look forward to the next book, Homicide Halo-Halo. To Manila for high school and college, after which, I back. However, love making Filipino arsenic and adobo who killed derek enjoy with a nice cup of tea well, I came back live...