Book: Arsenic and Adobo
Author: Mia P. Manansala
Published: May 2021
Drink Choice: Vanilla Bean Crème Frappuccino
Stand Alone, Series, or Other: Series
Type of book: Novel
Genre: Murder-Mystery/ Comedy
How long did it take me to read this book: Approximately Two Weeks
How long to listen via Audible: One Week
Happy Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! I have had this book on my list since March, but life… I will have another post about what happened in the last three months. I wanted to post at least one book for AAPI heritage month. There are so many fantastic AAPI authors. The stories range from elegant and soul searching to comedic and tongue in cheek. Hopefully, next month or June, you can read a post about AAPI authors I enjoy. You don’t have to wait until AAPI to celebrate or read books by AAPI authors; they need to be in your rotation. Enjoy the review.
Seriously, it’s been a while since I read a comedic murder mystery. I used to be a massive fan of the Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series, and for a time, I was into the Adele Abbott Witch Mystery series with Jill Gooder. I am always here for a hilarious murder mystery, and Arsenic and Adobo did not disappoint. We are introduced to the lovely Filipino Lila Macapagal, and she does her daughterly duty, helping run the family business until a murder occurs. The Hijinks that ensue from the murder in her little town. Here is the deal most Murder Mysteries follow a formula. Does this one follow that formula? Not quite, but it has elements of the procedure within the book. A protagonist is living their everyday lives, and something happens. They or a close relative or friend are accused of a heinous crime. The protagonist becomes a sleuth, and more hijinks ensue.
I enjoyed this book for several reasons. One reason is how the protagonist navigates the cultural background of her Filipino culture. Throughout the book, the reader gets to experience the description of the food, family interactions, and the need to constantly attempt to show respect and honor to elders and God. There are parts of the story where I could see my aunt and grandmother saying and doing the same thing as Tita Rosie and Lola Flor, and doing it how they tell them to do it, causing more issues versus saying No.
Another reason I adore this book is that even though hints of dating and romance are possible, all characters involved stayed focused on clearing the protagonist’s name. It didn’t have a subplot of romance, but more seeds were planted, and I can’t wait until book two to see if there is a love story. One love story did develop between two supporting characters, and we will talk about it in a few. One thing about the comedic murder-mystery genre is most protagonists are forced into falling in love with the detective, bondsmen, lawyer, or whoever is aiding them in uncovering the truth. I appreciated that the author focused on her family dynamics and her trying to connect the dots of the crimes committed in the book. The third reason I enjoyed this book was the family and friend dynamics.
If you remember, I mentioned earlier that I love the Stephanie Plum series, and one of the reasons is the Plum Family. You will fall in love with the Macapagal family and associates in this book. In this book, it was beautiful that everyone in the community looked out for each other in their own way and understood that something was sour in the buttermilk. The Macapagal family steals the scene throughout the book. First, Tita Rosie is the matriarch of the family, running the family business with her mother while her niece aids and helps maintain the restaurant. Tita Rosie is warm, genuine, and caring, she wants to believe in the best of everyone, and it shows in how she handles the situation. Next, you have the sassy Lola Flor. She may be the grandmother, but she is a force to wrecking with; she is quick-witted and fierce. Lola Flor is used throughout the book to add comedic relief and a reminder that the family is strong and will bounce back. Next, we are introduced to The Calendar Crew, who are old friends of Lila’s mother and aid in helping to get information about the chain of events affecting the family. Finally, add in cousins, a tight-knitted minority community, and other restauranteurs who band together to get to the bottom of the murder.
I do have a few nitpicky gripes. First, please be careful if you read the reviews on Good Reads, a lot of reviews are negative, and I couldn’t determine why the reviews were so negative. One reviewer suggested the author used the guise of diabetes to call someone obese. However, the person who was obese didn’t have diabetes. Another reviewer felt that the author was harsh on Drug Addiction and the Drug Problem in America. However, it is done tastefully when more things are revealed later in the book. The author does include a note about trigger warnings and that this book is written through the lens of Filipino Americans and Filipino Immigrants. To me was a polite way of saying, this book is not seen through the lens of American culture, and you have been warned.
I will say, I felt the author left a few strings hanging in the story that I hope will be addressed in books two and three. One is the love triangle set up towards the middle of the book. Not just one love triangle but the potential of two love triangles with two different sets of people. We are not privy to seeing how one of the potential relationships develops. It is a flirting scene, and the two people are dating in the last chapter. I would have liked more interaction between those characters, not just “Oh, she’s Hot,” and now we are a couple. Also, Lila and her two potential love interests fizzled to me after chapter 20, and I hope it steams up again in the following books.
My biggest pet peeve is how everyone seems to have a grudge against Lila for leaving town to pursue an education. Everyone in the book always reminds her that she was the one that left town, and things change; people change. I was confused about how everyone was throwing it in Lila’s face. The main character left town to go to school. One character blamed the main character for how the victim (her ex-boyfriend) turned out. Her best friend even made it seem like Lila had changed, didn’t care about others, and didn’t understand how the town had changed. Lila had only been back in town for at least a year, and once coming back to the city, she dived headfirst into helping her family’s business. I was thoroughly perplexed by the accusations of Lila being obtuse about life. At times, Lila will get on your nerves, she is a bit whiny, and it takes her a second to connect the dots. Lila is not a horrible human; she is 10% self-absorbed, 75% caring, and 15% hungry like all of us. I also didn’t like how everyone acted like Lila wasn’t there for her Tita and kept saying take care of Tita Rosie. The common statement is, “She needs you.” Tita Rosie has a son who doesn’t check on her and helps run and take care of the family. Even the detective makes it a point to belittle Lila about her past without context and assumes she is a horrible person. I will say, could Lila be less judgmental and focus less on herself. Yes. She also deals with murder on her hands, so I think maybe she can get a pass. In the next book, I will stand corrected if she is still immature and judgmental.
This is a great book to start your summer reading list; it’s fun. It’s not your typical murder mystery, but it has all the elements of a typical murder mystery. If you want to take a sneak peek into Filipino culture and delicious foods, this book is perfect for you.
p.s. There are recipes at the end of the book! But, OMG, those UBE crinkle cookies and Tita Rosie’s Chicken Adobo will be going down very soon. Not going to lie; I feel like Lila’s a Rose’ wine Girl. If not, she would love a cocktail made with Baltimore Own Cane Collective Drink Mixers.
Until Next Time,
Che Michelle
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Che-Michelle Tales 
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