Reviews

Blackmail and Bibingka, by Mia P. Manansala

abmorgan1227's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

pamshenanigans's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Despite my slight lukewarmness towards the second book Homicide and Halo-Halo, I was still pretty excited to jump into Blackmail and Bibingka. There is just something addictive about the “murder + food” type of cozy mystery that keeps me wanting seconds. 

However, I was a bit disappointed by this book. I was looking for the same charm that Arsenic and Adobo had, but this has a weak plot and a too-laughable plot twist/ending to boot. Am I still going to look forward to the next book of the series? Yes. 

Content warning from the author’s notes: substance abuse, gambling addiction, infidelity, emotional abuse, police corruption, family abandonment, physical violence, mentions of suicide

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

milwaukee_scheherazade's review against another edition

lighthearted 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? No

2.25

ambermarie's review

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? No

3.75

kaylanoellereads's review

3.0

3.75 it got me i really thought i knew but i was wrong of course

gem114's review against another edition

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? No

3.0

lelevex's review

dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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? Yes

3.0

misterushi's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

booksareoxygen's review

adventurous

4.25

allerner's review

adventurous 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

4.0