Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala | Reviewed by Michelle

Arsenic and Adobo | Mia P Manansala | Berkley | Pub: 5/4/21

“I’m like an onion. Many layers, lots of flavor, and I provide incredible depth. Lucky for you all, I’m not as pungent.”

If you didn’t know, I love cozy mysteries. Less graphic but just as mysterious. Lucky for me that Arsenic and Adobo had it’s big murder committed in a lovely Filipino restaurant. I loved learning more about Filipino culture and cuisine and there are recipes in the back of the book!

Lila has only recently come back home to her family and unfortunately for her, her ex-boyfriend dies while eating in her restaurant. Poisoned by Arsenic obviously… or was he? Lila decides to do her own detective work because she is the number one suspect, and she feels law enforcement isn’t looking at anyone else.

I really liked that she did some sleuthing on her own but also got a little frustrated because she didn’t always make the best choices while doing so. Her investigation was SUPER OBVIOUS.

While reading this I had my guess about who the killer might be, but I WAS WRONG. So that right there bumped up my rating. I love not being able to figure it out until the characters do.

Another plus is that there are two romantic interests and I love both and I can’t wait to see who Lila picks. They’re both swoon worthy in my opinion.

This book was the first one in a series and I truly can’t wait to see what else Mia has in store for Lila. Give me all the cozies!

Synopsis (Credit: Goodreads)

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…