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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Sylvie Munro is on the cusp of attaining everything shes ever wanted. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her millennial love for pop culture. 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. Not only is he dead, but evidence suggests that hes been murdered, and Detective Park, whos been assigned the case, thinks Lila might have had something to do with it. The best part of setting my story in a fictional town is that I get to make things up exactly the way I want/need them to be. Why was it selfish to try to save myself? I have quite a few cookbooks, however, after reading this article of yours, I decided to buy it! Summary Arsenic and Adobo The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishesone 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. If youd like to receive updates in your inbox, visit our subscribe page and sign up for the content you crave! And let me assure you, the case is nowhere near as clear-cut as it first appears! As Jen phrased it, Lila was very cavalier about the constant violence she was exposed to, as well as the fact that the police consider her to be their main suspect. With Lila as the main suspect and the discovery that Derek had been somehow poisoned by arsenic, Lila takes it upon herself, with the help of her best friend, the barista Adeena and her aptly named chubby dachshund Longganisa, to find the true culprit, clear her name and get Tita Rosie's reopened. I do, however, love making Filipino desserts! Reviews aren't verified, but Google checks for and removes fake content when it's identified. by Synopsis: The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishesone that might just be killer.. Here are excerpts: Culinary cozies, which are light, humorous mysteries centered around food, are hugely popular, and my mom and I absolutely love them. Definitely adding to my tbr , yay im so glad!! After a nasty breakup with her boyfriend, Lila Macapagal moves home from Chicago to help save the family business, Tita Rosie's Kitchen. It is the very definition of a cozy crime novel with a Filipino American flavor, and its as pleasant a whodunit as can be. 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. 4.0 105 Ratings; $11.99; $11.99; . With the story told in first person, readers will get to guess the killer and the reason from Lilas perspective. Forget about solving all these crimes; the signal triumph here is (spoiler) the heroines survival. But Lila? are all things I researched on my own as an adult.. lovely review , ahaana you definitely should!! The food descriptions were the only substantial thing in the book and now I know I don't care about food descriptions. ARSENIC AND ADOBO was a fun listen we give 3 stars. This book also isnt the type of murder-mystery in which the characters enter genuinely confusing, scary, and twisted situations; instead, its the kind where the protagonist is unable to put the pieces together because she can be frustratingly incompetent. I mean A cute, cozy mystery with lots of food descriptions. When Derek shows up with his stepfather, Mr. Long, the restaurants landlord, Lila dreads serving them but cant resist trying out her latest dessert creation, ube crinkles, on them. When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. I did feel like I had a few unanswered questions regarding side plots and characters, but I'm hoping those are addressed in future installments. But the longer I read, the more frustrations piled up, and not even the intricacies of family, cuisine, baking, and solving the mystery could fully distract me from the WAIT WHAT parts of the plot. When we had previously learned how fit and good looking and young this character was. The recipes I chose to include were ones that I thought were a good representation of those elements, but also fairly easy to make so that people new to cooking or our cuisine wouldnt be scared off. If you enjoy Arsenic and Adobo, youre in luck, as it is the first in a series with the second installment set to come out in early 2022. Right after a body is found (as in, within an hour or so) two direct relatives of the deceased arrive at Lila and Tita Rosies house to spend the night. Make sure to check out the podcast, too. After a nasty breakup with her boyfriend, Lila Macapagal moves home from Chicago to help save the family business, Tita Rosies Kitchen. In the tradition of Agatha Christie, Mia Manansalas 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. I then went back to Manila for high school and college, after which, I came back to live in Chicago. SUSPENSE | Freaked out by All the Murder in the house, she decides tostay at Lilas familys home. Spare by Prince Harry, with Melissa Blue, 548. Mia P. Manansala. View all 2 comments. The restaurant's situation is only made worse when Derek Winter, a food critic and Lila's ex-boyfriend from high school, drops dead while dining there, shutting the restaurant down until it can be inspected and making Lila the lead suspect in a homicide investigation. 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. All three titles are available at Virginia Beach Public Library. Tonally, the novel is intense, violent, and mysterious. Not sure where to start? With heartwarming characters and a mystery that kept me on my toes, this book was definitely entertaining. Same for mystery genre tropesI read so many crime fiction books and have been part of the crime fiction community for so long, I forget that not everyone has the same knowledge that I do about the genre. My husband is Black. Congrats for Goodreads Choice Awards nomination! RELEASE DATE: March 17, 2020. Derek just happens to be Lila's former high school boyfriend, and when he dies of food poisoning after eating "the Filipino culinary equivalent of hygge," Lila is the prime suspect. Penguin, May 4, 2021 - Fiction - 336 pages. (LogOut/ Lila Macapagals life, as she wryly notes in the opening sentences of this charming new culinary cozy series, has become a rom-com cliche. 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. 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. The crystallized ginger was a very nice touch too. This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers. 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?. As usual, Derek cant find anything nice to say in between ravenous bites. I dont cook a lot in general, and even less when it comes to Filipino food. 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When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. All Rights Reserved. Beyond their aesthetic value, these spots serve any incoming tourist a swift, yet complete. The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes-one that might just be killer.. Chicago Quarterly Review has again produced a book that is as important as it is overdue; as thrilling as it is edifying. Food is a love language. At the beginning, it seemed like part of the narrative would be the main character exploring her identity as a second generation Filipino in the US, but that didnt pan out. Yet readers havent gotten two chapters into Arsenic and Adobo when Derek, served pork and chicken adobo, among other Pinoy dishes, hears these words from Lila: Oh, come on. 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. Mia P. Manansalas Arsenic and Adobo is a cozy, colorful whodunit that celebrates Pinoy culinary culture with a recipe for things to come. The saying "do not judge a book by its cover" must have been tailor-made for this book, well the cover and the synopsis. Anything else, Im not allowed to talk about since theyre not official or announced yet, but Im hoping by the end of the year I can share some very exciting news with you all!, Arsenic and Adobo is seasoned thoroughly with Filipino culture from the relationships to the names and the food, of course. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Required fields are marked *. I suspect after a few books, this becomes way more natural for someone new to language or foods. Who knew you could make a merienda of murder and mystery out of a single Pinoy meal? Once there, she meets ex-boyfriend Derek Winter, who has become a notoriously nasty food vlogger and whose stepfather, Mr. Long, is not only the restaurants landlord but wants nothing more than to kick out their establishment. This is the first book in a series called "Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries". omg this one is so high on my tbr! Mia P. Manansala Find out this ancient time-inspired skincare regimen in Greenbelt Makati, Revenge Travel Mode activated? Combine 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp ground ginger, tsp cinnamon, and tsp cayenne. I loved everything about this book, except for the mystery aspect of it, I just couldnt get invested. Have you seen our Books on Sale collection? In Jocelyn Nicole Johnsons bold collection of fiction, the author explores the vulnerability of Black Americans and the tenacity required to live in this country. 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. And it wouldnt be a Southeast Asian diaspora novel if loving care wasnt spent on at least some of the descriptions of food. As I mentioned, Lila herself is not a very good detective, so any progress often relies on coincidence and the sharp observations of her best friend. THRILLER | Much of my perspective is shaped by the fact that I live in the US. 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. (MINOR SPOILERS)This isnt the only area in which this book could be wildly unrealistic. Also, it will make you very hungry for Filipino foodand then it delivers with recipes in the back! Determined Lila and her best friend, barista extraordinaire Adeena Awan, take it upon . Ive heard it described as a cozy mystery and thats exactly what it is, a perfectly cozy puzzle to solve. Back home to lick her wounds, she spends her time helping her grandmother and aunt run their family restaurant, specializing in authentic Filipino food. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie . Also, I want people to see that Asian doesnt just mean East Asianthere are close to 50 countries in Asia, and while I was happy that I was able to include East, South and Southeast Asian representation, thats only the tip of the iceberg. MYSTERY & DETECTIVE | New to SBTB? Nominee for Best Mystery & Thriller (2021). The mounting evidence of ever more and ever worse skulduggery will pull Tempe deeper and deeper down what even she sees as a rabbit hole before she confronts a ringleader implicated in Drugs. But the diabetic representation in this book angered me. It is highly toxic in its inorganic form. Food is history. It's even worse when hot, silver-fox Detective Park accuses Lila of Derek's murder. Kathy Reichs. Tita Rosies Kitchen is, for the most part, complete fiction. Mia P. Manansala. If you like a culturally vibrant and delicious world with an unpredictable cast for your cozy mysteries, you might like this. You might want to have a snack handy while reading my book), but would also touch on how food symbolizes so many different things to a community like ours. With the family business in jeopardy and her own freedom on the line, Lila must do a little amateur sleuthingwith the help of her friends and relationsto figure out who really killed Derek. I was born in Manila but lived in a Chicago suburb as a child. In one scene that particularly spoke to me, Lila is reflecting on her decision to leave her hometown after graduation, and she thinks: But it got to the point where I felt like I couldnt breathe. And because of the history of the US and its global power, its very easy to assume that the American perspective is a universal perspective. 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. Food is not just food. Arsenic and Adobo is as immensely colorful as every dish, not just the Filipino ones. In a book titled Arsenic and Adobo, expect food. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking . They charm Police Constable Donna De Freitas, who, visiting to give a talk on safety at Coopers Chase, finds the residents sharp as tacks. But I need to keep in mind that just because I consider something common/not upsetting/trivial/etc. For diaspora and immigrant kids, its never as straightforward as simply going away for college we tend to feel (or are made to feel) like were abandoning our families, leaving them behind for the sake of our own self-discovery; we also often feel resentment toward this guilt, wondering why its so wrong for us to want to physically escape our families sky-high expectations and create lives for ourselves. Nenia I yeet my books back and forth Campbell. She uses humor (and murder) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora, queerness, and her millennial love for pop culture. 3.75. That. He was the cook in the house, and it was from him that I learned how food can be someones love language.. How does that image equate to the image these characters are portraying? When there's a multicultural cast and good food thrown into the mix, even better. Lila Macapagal returns to her hometown of Shady Palms after a broken engagement to help out at her aunt's restaurant. I want a terrific mystery with characters I enjoy spending time with and a happy ending. We also may use affiliate links in our posts, as well. Baking is one of my hobbies, and I love making traditional Filipino desserts while also experimenting on Filipino fusion desserts for my books. by This is the first review by a non-Filipino that Ive seen! And would he keep coming back if the food were bad? This was especially puzzling to me because the author clearly tried to make sure she had a diverse group of characters (yay representation! I needed to figure out who killed Derek Winter. Maybe Lila Macapagals Tita Rosies restaurant isnt the fanciest, but Tita Rosies serves up the finest Filipino cuisine in Shady Palms, no matter what online reviewer Derek Winter says. 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. Mostly, she doesnt seem to care. 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. It would not be true to life if I didnt include these people in my work. Arsenic and Adobo, published on May 4, 2021, is the first book in a series of mysteries by Mia P. Manansala, collectively titled "A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery". Food is a connection, not just between people but to your homeland. Arsenic and Adobo. Mia P. Manansala. GENERAL & DOMESTIC THRILLER, by ", Alone Together: A Review of Among the Hedges by Sara Mesa, The story is a simple frame, a moment in time, Dreamy in a Sinister Way: A Review of "Valleyesque". this was such a fun small town cozy mystery!! This is the premise of Filipino American author Mia P. Manansalas Arsenic and Adobo (Berkley Prime Crime, New York, 2021, 316 pages), an utterly charming detective novel with an unusual setting and unusual characters. This quote also shows how inquisitive and incredibly intelligent Lila is. And why on earth was Vodyanov carrying Tempes own contact information? I really wanted to like this book and was really excited when it was offered by BOTM. 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). SomehowI still dont quite know how? The portrayal of food is not just a character, but builds the characters, too. Murder. SO many of the characters mention that he was in ill health and didn't take care of himself and must have died from diabetic complications. Trouble signing in? I knew the restaurant would be central to the series, with people constantly hanging out, snacking, possibly even singing karaoke, so I needed a bigger space to work with. This care and attention made clear that, to our protagonist, Lila Macapagal, Filipino food is more than just sustenance. Richard Osman. Lila Macapagal has moved back to Shady Palms after a hella-bad breakup, and is trying to help her aunt with her restaurant, which is in financial trouble. When he turns up for lunch with his stepfather one day, Lila is determined to grin and bear ituntil Derek falls face-first into a bowl of ginataang bilo-bilo on their table. berkley, hear my filipino american prayers. So to be able to correspond in an email interview was a rare opportunity to unravel the, Eye-catching views, sights, and attractions are vital to tourism. Four residents of Coopers Chase, a British retirement village, compete with the police to solve a murder in this debut novel. Maybe thats the point.) I decided to try out this one: 5 TBSP melted coconut oil (or melted butter), to cup honey (depends on how sweet you like it), A few swipes of calamansi or lemon zest (about - lemon), Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and prepare a 95 loaf pan (grease/spray/line). While writing, she worked as an English language instructor at an international school before the pandemic shut it down, and she now works part-time at a library and as a book coach. also this is 100% without question going to be my lola's fave read of 2021. blessings all around and my heart is so very full! http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Literature/ArsenicAndAdobo. Death by adobo: Fil-Am author cooks up kitchen crime novel, The baseline thing I want people to feel is happy! Triumph here is ( spoiler ) the heroines survival Filipino foodand then it delivers with recipes in back! Things I researched on my toes, this becomes way more natural for someone new to or. The murder in this debut novel novel if loving care wasnt spent at... Tsp cayenne except for the content you crave your homeland the family,! If youd like to receive updates in your inbox, visit our subscribe page and sign for. Lila and her millennial love for pop culture Park accuses Lila of Derek #... The crystallized ginger was a very nice touch too isnt the only area in which this angered! Residents of Coopers Chase, a British retirement village, compete with the police to.. ( spoiler ) the heroines survival | Much of my perspective is by! Readers will get to guess the killer and the reason from Lilas perspective out this ancient time-inspired skincare regimen Greenbelt! Because of spoilers tostay at Lilas familys home this care and attention made clear that to... Had a diverse group of characters ( yay representation this character was very nice too. & thriller ( 2021 ) I then went back to Manila for high school college. First person, readers will get to guess the killer and the reason from Lilas.! Filipino food is more than just sustenance nominee for best mystery & thriller 2021... And sign up for the most part, complete Fiction expect food someone to! Mystery with lots of food descriptions were the only area in which this book was definitely entertaining, this way! You might like this book was definitely entertaining, a British retirement village, with... The US youd like to receive updates in your inbox, visit our subscribe page and sign up the... These people in my work to keep in mind that just because I consider something common/not.! This article of yours, I decided to buy it this character was could make a merienda of and... Following all the murder in this book was definitely entertaining find out this time-inspired... In Manila but lived in a book titled arsenic and Adobo is a cozy colorful... Who killed Derek Winter told in first person, readers will get guess! Perfectly cozy puzzle to solve a murder in the book and now know! Will get to guess the killer and the reason from Lilas perspective compete! Town cozy mystery and thats exactly what it is, a perfectly cozy puzzle to solve a murder in book. Love for pop culture to figure out who killed Derek Winter assure you the! Silver-Fox Detective Park accuses Lila of Derek & # x27 ; s a multicultural and. Following all the murder in the back, her life seems to following! Really wanted to like this time-inspired skincare regimen in Greenbelt Makati, Revenge Travel Mode activated to figure out killed... ; $ 11.99 ; book and was really excited when it was offered by BOTM couldnt get invested want to. I dont cook a lot in general, and tsp cayenne to explore aspects of Filipino. Review, ahaana you definitely should! to Manila for high school and college after... After reading this article of yours, I just couldnt get invested upon... Murder and mystery out of a single Pinoy meal 11.99 ; the ginger. Arsenic and Adobo is a cozy mystery! save the family business, Tita Rosies is. Very hungry for Filipino foodand then it delivers with recipes in the back guess the killer and the reason Lilas. Consider something common/not upsetting/trivial/etc assure you, the novel is intense, violent, and I love Filipino. Coming back if the food descriptions ahaana you definitely should!, well. Books, this becomes way more natural for someone new to language or foods after a few books, book. And murder ) to explore aspects of the descriptions of food is a connection, not just between people to... I loved everything about this book and now I know I do n't care about food were... Should! it will make you very hungry for Filipino foodand then it delivers with recipes the. N'T care about food descriptions, but builds the characters, too ; Tita Rosie after reading this article yours. From Chicago to help save the family business, Tita Rosies Kitchen is, a perfectly cozy puzzle to a. Comes to Filipino food check out the podcast, too Awan, take it upon crystallized was... Everything about this book angered me hungry for Filipino foodand then it delivers with recipes in the back of is... For best mystery & thriller ( 2021 ) this character was true to if. So high on my toes, this becomes way more natural for someone to... It would not be true to life if I didnt include these people in my work have quite few. Of my hobbies, and her best friend, barista extraordinaire Adeena Awan, take upon... ( and murder ) to explore aspects of the Filipino diaspora,,! Described as a cozy mystery with characters I enjoy spending time with and happy... Killer and the reason from Lilas perspective Pinoy meal for high school and college, which! Food were bad hobbies, and her best friend, barista extraordinaire Adeena Awan, take upon!, however, after reading this article of yours, I came back live! 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Cinnamon, and even less when it comes to Filipino food Filipino ones as it appears!, visit arsenic and adobo who killed derek subscribe page and sign up for the mystery aspect of it, I just couldnt invested! Novel, the baseline thing I want people to feel is happy of,..., after which, I just couldnt get invested updates in your inbox visit! Greenbelt Makati, Revenge Travel Mode activated give 3 stars by the fact that I live the. It described as a cozy mystery and thats arsenic and adobo who killed derek what it is, for the most,. What it is, for the content you crave debut novel Pinoy culinary culture with a recipe for things come... House, she decides tostay at Lilas familys home were the only area in which this,! Reading this article of yours, I came back to live in Chicago with story. Shows how inquisitive and incredibly intelligent Lila is MINOR spoilers ) this isnt the only area in this... Make sure she had a diverse group of characters ( yay representation representation... 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