emily_mh's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was enjoyable and entertaining, which is all I really ask of a “cosy mystery”. I was really pleasantly surprised that this one went deeper by bringing in a complicated family dynamic: Lila felt a lot of tension over wanting to support her elders in thanks for their sacrifices, while also wanting to be independent and do her own thing. I also love how much food was centred in the story. It was mouthwatering to read about and themed the narrative well.
The plot itself was investigation-focussed with multiple avenues being explored at once, which was fantastic for me as it drove the story and also meant I could speculate and form different theories. The resolution ended up being well-suited.
The characterisation was excellent. This book has a large cast but each character felt distinct, including Lila the MC who was stubborn, loving, and confused about what she wanted. She was a realistic depiction of a 25 year-old, as someone who is very nearly 25. I do think that her character development could have been better realised, though, as it felt a little quick.
I have two other criticisms. The first is that the romance (in the form of a love triangle) was totally unnecessary, and there was also no chemistry whatsoever with either LI. The second is that Lila was smart enough to have figured out more of the mystery on her own, but instead we got a little villain monologue.
But overall, as I said before, I enjoyed this read. I definitely want to continue with the series!
Rep: Filipina-American MC, Filipino-American SCs, Muslim Pakistani-American LI, biracial white/Korean-American LI, lesbian Muslim Pakistani-American SC, biracial white/Korean-American SC, sapphic Mexican-American SC, Black SC, Japanese-American SC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Car accident, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Infidelity, Violence, and Addiction
Minor: Body shaming, Medical content, Alcohol, Sexism, Bullying, Racism, Xenophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Domestic abuse, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, Deportation, Ableism, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, Addiction, Misogyny, Colonisation, Death of parent, Vomit, Drug use, Hate crime, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Major: medical emergency, false legal accusations Moderate: imprisonment, break-in Minor: loss of a loved one, gambling, police corruption, extortion, disordered eating, blackmail, sick loved onembmayo's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
This is a cozy mystery that opens with the main characters old boyfriend dying suddenly in her family's restaurant. Lila must investigate to clear her name and save the family restaurant.
I'll be honest, I considered DNFing this book about a third of the way through. I found the main character, Lila, to be very grating and combative. She was more like a sullen teenager than an adult woman. Some of the side characters saved it for me until the plot sped up enough. I liked that the mystery was more than just a murder and we could slowly uncover how
I'll be honest, I considered DNFing this book about a third of the way through. I found the main character, Lila, to be very grating and combative. She was more like a sullen teenager than an adult woman. Some of the side characters saved it for me until the plot sped up enough. I liked that the mystery was more than just a murder and we could slowly uncover how
Spoiler
the health inspector scam, the drug ring, and the murders were connected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Addiction, Death of parent, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Blood
mccoconut's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This is a fun read if you have a connection to the Philippines and love food. If those two things aren’t true, you might not be as enthusiastic about the frequent, a little over the top descriptions of every food item. As far as a mystery goes clues were placed throughout, but some of the hidden secrets weren’t revealed until the end (and there was no real way to piece it together beforehand). But about 3/4 of the way through, I knew I had to finish it in that sitting and rushed through to the end, so kudos for a strong ending that kept me hooked!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Death
Minor: Addiction and Drug use
coacklebee's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was fun! A light cozy mystery that I read in one sitting. I loved all the food descriptions and the fact that there are recipes at the end!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Body shaming and Vomit
emmehooks's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
I read this in one sitting! This small town family restaurant-themed murder mystery was charming and thrilling at the same time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping and Murder
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
caseythereader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
3.75
- ARSENIC AND ADOBO was my first cozy mystery, and I can't wait to read more. I love a book where you know it's gonna be okay in the end.
- I loved Lila's family - really the whole town they lived in. I'm not a small town kind of person but Shady Palms was so lovely. And the food! So many wonderful descriptions, displaying Filipino food with such love.
- This book wasn't perfect - some clunky dialogue, some rushed exposition - but that hardly mattered while we were trying to catch the murderer.
- I was also a fan of the fact that while Lila has love interests, they aren't her main priority (she hardly even notices one of them!). The book isn't terribly interested in having her paired off at the end. Also! Bonus queerness! Her best friend is a lesbian and there's mention of a few other queer people as well.
- I loved Lila's family - really the whole town they lived in. I'm not a small town kind of person but Shady Palms was so lovely. And the food! So many wonderful descriptions, displaying Filipino food with such love.
- This book wasn't perfect - some clunky dialogue, some rushed exposition - but that hardly mattered while we were trying to catch the murderer.
- I was also a fan of the fact that while Lila has love interests, they aren't her main priority (she hardly even notices one of them!). The book isn't terribly interested in having her paired off at the end. Also! Bonus queerness! Her best friend is a lesbian and there's mention of a few other queer people as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Racism, Drug use, and Alcohol
nerdglasses08's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, and Blood
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
aargot1's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Drug abuse, and Death
Moderate: Body shaming, Confinement, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
bookwormie's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I am embarrassed to admit I thought they meant "adobo" as in the seasoning, but it is a Philippine cooking technique! The connection to food in this story made me salivate and I learned a lot about the authors' culture I'd never expereinced myself before! A fun mystery for sure and I look forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Medical content and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit and Bullying
asparagusisreading's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
ARSENIC AND ADOBO is the first in series with humor, , and delicious dishes... one that could be linked to a killer.
In A&A, Lila returns home after a horrible breakup to help her family's famikunf restaurant. However, by doing so, she has to deal with them trying to set her up with a man and being around a food critic that is up go no good (and also happens to be her ex boyfriend.) When he comes in one day for a meal to critique, he drops dead. Everyone including the cops starts pointing fingers at her even though she didn't do it. As her family's restaurant is on the verge of shutting down and she could spend life in jail for a murder she didn't do, she begins her own investigation.
As of right now, I'm giving this a 3-3.5 stars due to having mixed feelings about the execution of the story, the killer reveal, and the lack of connection I had with the characters.
Some of my absolutely favorite things I'm books are a theme of food, humor, and strong family (blood or found) bonds. This has all three intertwined beautifully and I just couldn't get enough of it. I would be drooling over the food descriptions to being in awe of the familial relationships to then laughing from the character banter. The lightheartedness of this trad was exactly what I needed right before finals. It's a quick and fun, easy read.
Even though I was interested in this story and found myself wanting to know more about all of the restaurants and cultures, it unfortunately fell a little flat. I wasn't feeling a lot of the mystery vibes I was looking for. There were moments that I wanted to skim read to finish faster or confused/frustrated by the random, short conversations Lila would have with other characters. Speaking of characters, there were quite a few in this, which is to be expected with mysteries and the restaurant setting, but it began to feel like too much. I couldn't remember names or the direct relationship characters had. Ex: Who was related to, married to, or exes of who.
In A&A, Lila returns home after a horrible breakup to help her family's famikunf restaurant. However, by doing so, she has to deal with them trying to set her up with a man and being around a food critic that is up go no good (and also happens to be her ex boyfriend.) When he comes in one day for a meal to critique, he drops dead. Everyone including the cops starts pointing fingers at her even though she didn't do it. As her family's restaurant is on the verge of shutting down and she could spend life in jail for a murder she didn't do, she begins her own investigation.
As of right now, I'm giving this a 3-3.5 stars due to having mixed feelings about the execution of the story, the killer reveal, and the lack of connection I had with the characters.
Some of my absolutely favorite things I'm books are a theme of food, humor, and strong family (blood or found) bonds. This has all three intertwined beautifully and I just couldn't get enough of it. I would be drooling over the food descriptions to being in awe of the familial relationships to then laughing from the character banter. The lightheartedness of this trad was exactly what I needed right before finals. It's a quick and fun, easy read.
Even though I was interested in this story and found myself wanting to know more about all of the restaurants and cultures, it unfortunately fell a little flat. I wasn't feeling a lot of the mystery vibes I was looking for. There were moments that I wanted to skim read to finish faster or confused/frustrated by the random, short conversations Lila would have with other characters. Speaking of characters, there were quite a few in this, which is to be expected with mysteries and the restaurant setting, but it began to feel like too much. I couldn't remember names or the direct relationship characters had. Ex: Who was related to, married to, or exes of who.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Grief, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Addiction and Toxic relationship
Minor: Kidnapping, Cursing, and Drug use
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