Publisher: Penguin Audio
Published: May 4, 2021
Source: Library
Summary:
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….
My thoughts:
It’s been quite a while since I picked up a cozy mystery and I forgot just how much I enjoyed them. After being pitched the second book in Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series, I had to pick this one up first and I’m so glad I did…I just loved it and now I’m ready to move on to book 2, Homicide and Halo-Halo.
One thing I will say is just how hungry this book made me! OMG, even listening to it, I was drooling…all the descriptions of the food left me wanting to eat everything they mentioned! But more importantly, I loved all the mentions of the Filipino culture infused throughout this book. That really makes this book stand out and I look forward to seeing how it continues to play a part as the series progresses.
This book is just a fun read…I loved the combination of mystery – that who-dunnit combined with a touch of romance – those aunties always trying to set up Lila just makes for an enjoyable read. I also love following along with an amateur sleuth and Lila sure ends up uncovering a whole lot more than she first intended. I loved getting to know Lila and her over-the-top family and am quite eager to see what is in store for all of them next. I have a feeling this is going to be a really fun series to keep up with and I for sure plan to read until it’s end.
Audio thoughts:
This was such a great book on audio, in part thanks to the narrator, Danice Cabanela, who did such a superb job with all the voices and accents. She really brought this story to life with her pacing and intonation. I plan to continue listening and do hope Danice stays on as the narrator.
Books in this series:
- Arsenic and Adobo
- Homicide and Halo-Halo
- Blackmail and Bibingka – due out October 2022
