Review of Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala

 Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala 

God is there anything better than a good murder mystery? This book was such a fun read and honestly, I can't wait to read the rest in this Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series! Manansala is really such a talented writer when it comes to this crime-fighting, food-loving, badass that is Lila Macapagal and the group surrounding her. Somethings I absolutely loved about this story is the food, good God did I love reading all of the amazing food that Manansala describes in this book, I loved that Lila didn't give up even when it was scary or intense, I loved the family and found family, and I loved how much culture oozes out of this novel. This story is about a murder and clearing of one's name but it's also about race, class, family, and trust, and it's about finding your home. 

This story follows Lila Macapagal as she moves back to her small town from Chicago after a terrible breakup. She's working at her aunt/Tita's restaurant when her ex-boyfriend from high school, who is the food reviewer of the small town comes to make a review. Then suddenly, he drops dead after eating his food. Lila and her family must find the true murderer and clear Lila's name before she is sentenced to prison and her family losses their restaurant. This was an easy and fun read that will have you guess who the real murderer is to the very end. It's exciting and thrilling in just the right way, and the gang of godmothers meddling in Lila's life will have you laughing throughout. 

Stand out quote:

"Food was the only thing that would get me through this." pg. 59 

Some questions to ponder: 

1. How does Lila straddle both lines of her culture and community? 
2. Could you guess who the murderer was in the beginning? Who did you think it was for most of the novel? 
3. This book deals with race and class in some settle and not so settle ways, how do you think it played a role throughout? 
4. Do you think Lila was just in what she did for Mrs. Long and Cate in the end? 

Thanks for stopping by! 

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