Reviews

Homicide and Halo-Halo, by Mia P. Manansala

taty_reads's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Comfy mystery for the win. I enjoyed this book. It was pretty decent for second book of this series. I knew from jump who was going to be killed but the one who actually did the killing was somewhat shocking.
Of course I enjoyed the characters especially the Aunties. They're too funny. Not bad for a sequel.

ulogil's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Sophomore slump? Nope. This book was way better than the first. Makes me excited to eventually get to read the third. 

kaylaaa's review

emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

This mystery moved a little too slowly for me—it focused a lot more on character development so it totally makes sense in the series but it doesn’t stand too well on its own.

elwan_enchanted's review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

4.5

lauralovestoread's review against another edition

3.0

My absolute favorite kind of cozy mystery is when delicious food descriptions are involved. Homicide and Halo-Halo is the second book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series and it gave those same delicious descriptions once again, leaving me craving all the Filipino dishes from the story, as well as a love for learning more about the culture.

I really enjoyed the first book, Arsenic and Adobo, and was excited for this latest installment to the cozy mystery series. I loved the strong female storylines and really appreciated that the author included the important discussion for mental health.

Overall I liked this sequel but it fell flat for me at times, and while I found myself laughing with the first book, I just didn’t feel this one as much, and as a mood reader it may have just hit me differently this time.

*Many thanks to Berkley for the gifted copy for review

chhof002's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

keishang's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

carriepond's review against another edition

I said this about the first novel and will say it about this one-- there are parts of these books that just feel silly and don't add up to the tightest of plotting, etc., and I could talk about some of the things that made me think "really?!" but the audiobook versions are just so fun for me to play on my headphones while I'm doing chores, walking the dog, or otherwise going about my day. They are so good for a light, low stakes listen on audiobook.

robinreads_'s review against another edition

funny lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

dionamaria's review

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25