A review by ibeforem
Arsenic and Adobo, by Mia P. Manansala
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
This is the first book in a new culinary cozy mystery series starring Lila, the somewhat unmoored daughter in a female-heavy Filipino family. She is the prodigal daughter returned home to help save the family restaurant, except she's not sure that Shady Palms is the place for her, long-term. After her ex-boyfriend literally drops dead in their restaurant, not only is the fate of the restaurant in question, but Lila's as well.
I thought this was fun, but could have been stronger. It's really obvious as soon as Lila begins talking to other restaurant owners what her ex-boyfriend has been up to, and yet she has to get told the same thing over and over and over again. It is also maybe a little too food heavy. I enjoy a mouth-watering food description as much as the next person, but sometimes it felt like it was just filling space. With all that said, I did find the ending to be satisfying, and it kept me entertained enough to read another.
I thought this was fun, but could have been stronger. It's really obvious as soon as Lila begins talking to other restaurant owners what her ex-boyfriend has been up to, and yet she has to get told the same thing over and over and over again. It is also maybe a little too food heavy. I enjoy a mouth-watering food description as much as the next person, but sometimes it felt like it was just filling space. With all that said, I did find the ending to be satisfying, and it kept me entertained enough to read another.