carolineloveswombats's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Homophobia, Drug abuse, Domestic abuse, and Police brutality
ka_ke's review
funny
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
A new comfort read! For lovers of rom-coms, easy thrillers & mysteries, Arsenic & Adobo is a wonderfully diverse debut to a cleverly developed world!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Classism, Murder, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Addiction, Blood, and Death of parent
mgbelen's review
lighthearted
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
3.75
Being a Filipina and from Chicago i related with the author a lot, but didn’t love the book itself.
First and foremost, the author develops characters that demonstrate representation. Any first generation immigrant can relate to Lila and her friends because it’s what we grew up with! And also THE FOOOOD!!!! Being Filipina American, This light hearted book felt like home!
About the actual story:
It was a good story but it felt very good dragged out. The characters were great, just not much overall development. The author’s writings are very light which keeps the humor alive throughout the book. Some parts I wish she didn’t have to “explain” every line, I wish the glossary in the back was enough of a reference, but I understand it because of the cultural component. I LOVE that she kept the culture alive through the book.
The Plot|
I felt like the overall ending was a little bit of a twist but also happened a little bit too fast, some of the dialogue did too much explaining in parts where the author could have let inner thoughts explain more than character’s voices.
First and foremost, the author develops characters that demonstrate representation. Any first generation immigrant can relate to Lila and her friends because it’s what we grew up with! And also THE FOOOOD!!!! Being Filipina American, This light hearted book felt like home!
About the actual story:
It was a good story but it felt very good dragged out. The characters were great, just not much overall development. The author’s writings are very light which keeps the humor alive throughout the book. Some parts I wish she didn’t have to “explain” every line, I wish the glossary in the back was enough of a reference, but I understand it because of the cultural component. I LOVE that she kept the culture alive through the book.
The Plot|
I felt like the overall ending was a little bit of a twist but also happened a little bit too fast, some of the dialogue did too much explaining in parts where the author could have let inner thoughts explain more than character’s voices.
Spoiler
Lila is a Filipino American girl who moved from a small city to the big city and back again. Back home to help save the family restaurant she becomes lead suspect in the murder of her ex-boyfriend/town suspect. As the story continues Lila happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time while she is trying to help solve the mystery. By the end we learn who the real killer is and everyone involved. And Lila and her family are saved!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Murder
Minor: Fatphobia
scottyreadsstuff's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Fatphobia and Police brutality
There wasn’t so much “police brutality” as there was “fear of the police”.supernova_reader's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.0
The book is billed as a lighthearted cozy mystery and while there are great descriptions of food and small town antics, there is too much of the uncomfortable realities of the world to truly qualify it as cozy. Too real, and the mystery’s a little obvious. I appreciate the warning at the beginning of the book though, it does warn you about its “real”ness, I should have taken it more seriously.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Vomit
Moderate: Xenophobia and Racism
Minor: Police brutality and Hate crime
hanarama's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Book at a Glance:
• Small town setting
• Quirky, diverse cast
• Whodunit murder mystery
• CWs: drugs, overdose (discussed), murder, assault, death, racism, police interrogation, arrests
Lila Macapagal as returned home to Shady Palms after splitting with her fiance. She puts a hold on her dream of opening a bakery to help her Tita Rosie run her Filipino restaurant. Despite being popular with locals, the restaurant is struggling to stay afloat, not helped by their landlord trying to drive them out and a relentless food critic that seems to have it out for Lila and her family.
Then the food critic dies while eating at the restaurant. The tox screen shows poison, and Lila and her family become suspects of murder. To clear her name, Lila and her best friend begin an investigation of their own, relying on family and community to help them uncover the truth.
Arsenic and Adobo stands out due to the delicious descriptions of food. From pastries, to traditional Filipino recipes, and artisanal coffee, food is lovingly described throughout. With chefs, bakers, and baristas filling the cast, it makes sense that food dominates. Manansala includes several recipes at the end of this book, all of which sound mouthwatering.
With a diverse cast representing multiple diaspora, Manansala portrays troubles facing immigrants and their children with care. The narrative treats these issues respectfully while still keeping things lighthearted.
Beyond this, the narrative is fairly standard for a cozy mystery. There are meet-cutes and quirky side characters galore. It's tropey and fun, though it does become lowkey obvious whodunit by the mid point of the book.
Additionally, I really disliked Detective Park. Though he repeatedly said that he cared for Rosie, his underhanded methods of getting information were really upsetting. He comes across as needlessly vindictive at times, and I don't enjoy his interactions with others characters. A big example of ACAB.
• Small town setting
• Quirky, diverse cast
• Whodunit murder mystery
• CWs: drugs, overdose (discussed), murder, assault, death, racism, police interrogation, arrests
Lila Macapagal as returned home to Shady Palms after splitting with her fiance. She puts a hold on her dream of opening a bakery to help her Tita Rosie run her Filipino restaurant. Despite being popular with locals, the restaurant is struggling to stay afloat, not helped by their landlord trying to drive them out and a relentless food critic that seems to have it out for Lila and her family.
Then the food critic dies while eating at the restaurant. The tox screen shows poison, and Lila and her family become suspects of murder. To clear her name, Lila and her best friend begin an investigation of their own, relying on family and community to help them uncover the truth.
Arsenic and Adobo stands out due to the delicious descriptions of food. From pastries, to traditional Filipino recipes, and artisanal coffee, food is lovingly described throughout. With chefs, bakers, and baristas filling the cast, it makes sense that food dominates. Manansala includes several recipes at the end of this book, all of which sound mouthwatering.
With a diverse cast representing multiple diaspora, Manansala portrays troubles facing immigrants and their children with care. The narrative treats these issues respectfully while still keeping things lighthearted.
Beyond this, the narrative is fairly standard for a cozy mystery. There are meet-cutes and quirky side characters galore. It's tropey and fun, though it does become lowkey obvious whodunit by the mid point of the book.
Additionally, I really disliked Detective Park. Though he repeatedly said that he cared for Rosie, his underhanded methods of getting information were really upsetting. He comes across as needlessly vindictive at times, and I don't enjoy his interactions with others characters. A big example of ACAB.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Addiction, Police brutality, and Drug use
twisterella's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Police brutality, Blood, and Drug abuse
meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading Arsenic and Adobo. It was a great series starter, and made me want Filipino food.
Lila has recently moved back to her small hometown, and is working at her Aunt's restaurant, serving traditional Filipino food, and wanting to experiment with fusion and new flavors. Her ex-boyfriend has become a restaurant critic, known for hammering a restaurant for a month or so with bad reviews. If this sounds like a Hallmark movie, it is. Just on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, as he dies after eating at the restaurant. And, of course, her family are the prime suspects in his murder.
Arsenic and Adobo is a pretty standard cozy mystery, but it plays its tropes extremely well.
Lila has recently moved back to her small hometown, and is working at her Aunt's restaurant, serving traditional Filipino food, and wanting to experiment with fusion and new flavors. Her ex-boyfriend has become a restaurant critic, known for hammering a restaurant for a month or so with bad reviews. If this sounds like a Hallmark movie, it is. Just on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries, as he dies after eating at the restaurant. And, of course, her family are the prime suspects in his murder.
Arsenic and Adobo is a pretty standard cozy mystery, but it plays its tropes extremely well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Blood, Drug use, and Fatphobia
Moderate: Police brutality, Xenophobia, Infidelity, and Bullying
francesforever's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Infidelity, Police brutality, and Toxic relationship
bookishcraftyme's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Overall, it's a fun culinary cozy mystery. I would recommend this to people who want to know more about Filipino culture and to those who are looking for a murder mystery sans the stressful violence and anxiety that accompany this genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Drug abuse, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Fatphobia, Police brutality, and Toxic relationship