A review by pamshenanigans
Blackmail and Bibingka, by Mia P. Manansala
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
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment