bubblegirl858's review
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Grief, Addiction, Drug abuse, Bullying, Drug use, and Death of parent
beccaand's review against another edition
- 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? No
3.0
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Drug abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Fatphobia
emaire22's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Infidelity, and Hate crime
spinesinaline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I also had some hesitation over the non-Filipino characters, particularly the sole Black woman, as they felt they were verging on stereotypes but I would want to see other readers’ opinions on this.
Food in books is always a win for me so the inclusion of these recipes and having a Filipino family at the heart of the story were definite positives for me but other parts needed work.
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Addiction and Infidelity
meagangrace's review
- 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? It's complicated
2.5
Moderate: Blood, Murder, Infidelity, Addiction, Death, Alcohol, Grief, and Racism
Minor: Violence, Stalking, and Drug use
puffy_'s review
3.75
Spoiler
(particularly about Lila’s fight with Adeena)Moderate: Murder, Death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Fatphobia and Infidelity
svangleboyer's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
I will definitely be keeping my eye out for Mia P. Manansala because I am a huge fan of her writing style. I felt like I learned a lot about Filipino culture along with trying to determine who the murderer was. I really appreciated the author's introduction at the beginning of the novel to show that Arsenic and Adobo does include similar situations the author has been through and also providing the reader with a list of commonly used Filipino terms for easy reference. It was a life saver. Also, THANK YOU for those mouthwatering recipes because the descriptions in Arsenic and Adobo make you want to try everything right now! I can practically taste all the various desserts.
The pacing was pretty consistent throughout the novel which I enjoyed, and the ending of each chapter hooked me to the point I continued on until next thing I know, I stayed up all night and had finished the book in one go. I really enjoyed the interesting twists along the way.
I really loved that all the characters in Arsenic and Adobo remind of someone I know in my life, so I really connected to each one in their own special ways. I enjoyed that our heroine Lila was flawed, and those flaws were not hidden. I also loved the strong family bond theme because I was raised with similar values that family is everything and always number one. I also enjoyed seeing the friendship between Lila and Adeena because it wasn't always sunshine and rainbows, but they continued to support and love each other even if they didn't always agree.
I highly recommend Arsenic and Adobo to all cozy mystery fans, to anyone interested in learning a bit about Filipino culture and/or any of their delicious recipes, or anyone looking for a quick mystery read.
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Body shaming, Drug abuse, and Infidelity
Minor: Death of parent
ka_ke's review
- 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
Graphic: Gaslighting, Classism, Murder, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Addiction, Blood, and Death of parent
gem114's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Lila works in her family's Filipino restaurant, Tita Rosie's Kitchen, after returning home from Chicago to recover from a bad breakup. Unfortunately, Tita Rosie's Kitchen is facing its own hard times, and things only get worse when a food critic who has left negative reviews about the restaurant drops dead in his plate while eating lunch there. Lila, who dated the food critic in high school, becomes the prime suspect after it is discovered that there was poison in his food. To clear her and her family's name, Lila does some well-intentioned but ultimately dangerous sleuthing around town.
This was definitely the most lighthearted murder mystery I've ever read, and it took me a bit to adjust to that style! I had to keep reminding myself that there wouldn't be a story if characters responded to the murder and mayhem going on by staying home, grieving, and trying to process everything. 😅
I'm definitely going to continue the series by reading Homicide and Halo-Halo. And I'm also definitely going to seek out a Filipino restaurant to try out some of the dishes mentioned in the book.
Graphic: Murder and Blood
Minor: Bullying, Addiction, and Infidelity
karcitis's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Murder and Drug use
Moderate: Violence, Infidelity, Domestic abuse, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Racism, Vomit, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Confinement, Blood, and Addiction