Arsenic and Adobo
A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery
Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Berkley
May 4, 2021
Paperback, Kindle
336 pages
One of BuzzFeed’s Highly Anticipated Mystery Novels of 2021!
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…
Arsenic and Adobo is a cozy mystery that will keep you on your toes and make you really hungry
In Arsenic and Adobo, Lila Macapagal is at a rough point in her life. She just came back to the small town of Shady Palms, Illinois, where she grew up, after spending years in Chicago working toward her dream of owning her own cafe. She’s back to help her tita (aunt) and grandmother save the family business. The restaurant hasn’t been doing that great after her ex-boyfriend, Derek, started writing scathing reviews of the Filipino eatery. Fortunately for Lila, the timing for that trip back kinda worked since she had recently walked in on her fiancée getting friendly with their neighbors.
The story goes from the perfect Hallmark rom-com to Lifetime mystery when Lila’s high school sweetheart collapses and dies in the middle of dessert. Because it happens at their restaurant, Lila becomes the prime (and only) suspect.
So we embark with Lila on the journey to prove her innocence. Along the way, we meet delightful, well-rounded characters and enjoy the most delicious descriptions of Filipino dishes. In her quest to identify other people Derek (the town food critic) might’ve wronged, Lila takes us on a diverse and entertaining food tour that will leave you with all kinds of cravings and inspiration to get creative in the kitchen. That’s one of the most beautiful things about this book— Manansala wrote a book that explores and celebrates diversity and multiculturalism in a fun and heartwarming way.
I also loved and found comfort in the many Filipino language and culture references that closely resemble my Caribbean upbringing. Because the Philippines was a Spanish colony for hundreds of years, many Spanish words are part of their native language, Tagalog. But it wasn’t only about the longganisa, meryendas, and ensaymadas, in Lila’s world, friends are family, everybody is always in your business, and they all live on “brown people time” (always late). Most importantly, they all drink coffee at all times of the day. Welcome to my life.
Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is a dynamic and lighthearted murder mystery you will not want to put down. It’s, I’m sure, one of the best stay-in-bed-all-day-reading books you will have the pleasure of reading this year.
Darienne was 15 when her aunt gave her a copy of Princess by Jean Sasson, and she has been hooked on books ever since. Originally from Puerto Rico and now living in Maryland, she’s always looking to visit new coffee shops and bookstores. Her favorite genres include YA, spicy romcoms, and women’s fiction. Thanks to the Bees, she’s also now obsessed with romantasy series. Other loves include lavender lattes, sassy coffee mugs, sunrises, sleeping in, small-town charm, and big city lights. One day, she’ll write that book that lives in her head.
