Arsenic and Adobo

By Mia P. Manansala

Book Overview

A RUSA Award-winning novel!

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0593201671
• ISBN13: 9780593201671
• Release Date: May 2021
• Publisher: Berkley Books
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.69 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Well written

I enjoyed the characters in this book and I wasn’t bored, even during the slow parts. The mystery stayed in place until the end, I didn’t see that coming. I will say, it was fast at the beginning, slowed a bit on the middle, and picked back up at the end.

A Cute & Witty Cozy Mystery

This was such a cute book and a great introduction to what I think will become a new favorite genre of mine— cozy mysteries! The writing was light and simple, but engaging, and the story was enticing. I think this book did a great job at implementing elements of Filipino culture while still making sure folks of any ethnicity could easily follow along. The incorporation of food and recipes helped push this book to a 4 star rating as it simultaneously moved the story along, and brought some uniqueness to the story. If you’re looking for a complicated, heart-pounding, page-turning mystery novel this is not the book for you. However, if you’re looking for a light and fun mystery and a good piece of escapism, this is the book for you!