puzzlebound's review
2.0
Not my cup of tea. I don't know if it was the writing or the audiobook performance but so many lines felt so clunky. And the sizable foodie portion doesn't interest me so I recognize I'm not really the target audience for this book. But the characters and mystery weren't enough to keep me all that interested. If another hold had come in from the library sooner I probably would have abandoned this one and moved on.
victoria_the_human's review against another edition
1.0
Ooooof, I don't think cozy mysteries are for me. Cover is pretty, though!
rva_reader's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up
This is a cozy mystery that begins as a patron dies while dining at a restaurant. We find out that it's Lila's family's restaurant and Lila dated the deceased, Derek, back in high school, The story takes off from there as Lila has been accused of poisoning Derek.
This reminded me of a Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Series! It must be the cozy aspect of it but I could totally see this translating to the TV screen well. When the book started, it felt like I was put right into it without much background. I think because of this, I didn't connect with the characters too well. I also felt like it was a tad repetitive but I did feel like by the last 1/3 of the book, it found its groove and I really enjoyed the ending. I believe this is planning to be a series so a few things didn't wrap up like I was hoping but that just makes me excited to read the sequel.
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
This is a cozy mystery that begins as a patron dies while dining at a restaurant. We find out that it's Lila's family's restaurant and Lila dated the deceased, Derek, back in high school, The story takes off from there as Lila has been accused of poisoning Derek.
This reminded me of a Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Series! It must be the cozy aspect of it but I could totally see this translating to the TV screen well. When the book started, it felt like I was put right into it without much background. I think because of this, I didn't connect with the characters too well. I also felt like it was a tad repetitive but I did feel like by the last 1/3 of the book, it found its groove and I really enjoyed the ending. I believe this is planning to be a series so a few things didn't wrap up like I was hoping but that just makes me excited to read the sequel.
*Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
3.0
Finished reading: August 28th 2021
"Put on your sleuthing cap, girl. We're on a case!"
Spoiler
I've been curious about this title ever since I first heard about it, so when my TBR jar thought I should just read it I jumped at the chance to do so. The combination of a cozy mystery and a food angle sounded like a perfect match, and I fully expected to love Arsenic And Adobo. Sadly, I guess it simply wasn't ment to be. I still like the idea behind this story and the focus on Filipino culture and food, but as a whole this was mainly a dud for me. Why? I'm keeping this short, but next some of my issues. First is probably the overdose of food related descriptions. I personally LOVE a food element in my story and there were many things mentioned that I now want to try, but it is a question of balance and there was no such thing in Arsenic And Adobo. There were so many references to food, its ingredients and how it was prepared that the actual cozy mystery part of the plot was buried under it. The constant references started to annoy me considerably, and I really wish there would have been more focus on developing the rest of the plot instead. As it is, the cozy mystery is rather weak, and I basically guessed who was behind it very early on. Not only that, I wasn't really a fan of the main characters either, and I can't say I appreciated the cheating angle and the whole love triangle vibe. As a whole, I still think the story has a lot of potential, but sadly the execution wasn't a right fit for me at all. I do know most people do seem to enjoy it better, so don't give up on my account.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
dairypotter's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
shubaybay's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 / I enjoyed the mystery portion of this novel. It flowed nicely, unfolding clues and hints throughout. Good plot line! As a Filipino, I did like the Filipino representation in this book. So many yummy dishes mentioned, plus a few recipes at the end of the book.
However, I gave it 3 stars for so many unanswered questions. I’d love to know more about Tita Rosie & Detective Park’s relationship. It seems that Detective Park cares about her, but why? Did they have history together? I wish we got to see more of that. The love triangle between Lila, Jae, and Amir. It felt very up in the air for the 3 of them.
Since this is #1 in the series, perhaps my questions will be answered as the series progress.
However, I gave it 3 stars for so many unanswered questions. I’d love to know more about Tita Rosie & Detective Park’s relationship. It seems that Detective Park cares about her, but why? Did they have history together? I wish we got to see more of that. The love triangle between Lila, Jae, and Amir. It felt very up in the air for the 3 of them.
Since this is #1 in the series, perhaps my questions will be answered as the series progress.
cheese4radley's review against another edition
I know that cozy food based mysteries require a suspension of belief, but this got to a point where I had to stop listening. If you are writing a mystery, maybe do a tiny bit of basic research on the criminal process. By the third or fourth reference to someone intending or threatening to “file charges,” with the implication that they could just wander into a court house and do so I was done. People can’t just file charges and a victim does not need to file paperwork or have their own high priced lawyer to do so (as is stated at one point in this book). This concept is harmful to victims, and is extremely lazy writing.
dukeofkel's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Addiction, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, and Blood
emclem's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0