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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Homicide and Halo-Halo" is the cozy sequel to "Arsenic and Adobo". Lila has once again found herself in the middle of a murder investigation that she had nothing to do with. Lila wants her family's restaurant to be great, but she is really struggling with her part to come up with recipes. She is also trying to rebuild her reputation after it was scrutinized by the entire town when she was unjustly framed for murder. Lila's town has decided to bring back the Miss Teen Shady Palms Beauty Pageant, and Lila has been asked to be a judge. Unfortunately, where there is competition, there is competitiveness, and when a new body is found, Lila is thrust back into investigator mode.
Although I did not read "Arsenic and Adobo", I feel pretty confident in saying that you do not have to read these books in order. The murderer of "Arsenic and Adobo" was revealed in "Homicide and Halo-Halo", but I did not need to know the plot of the first to appreciate what was going on in the second. If you do not want any spoilers, then read them in order, but if one of the titles appeals to you more than the others, I think it is fine to read them independently.
Pageants are rife with poor sportsmanship and crazy behavior, especially when it involves minors and their overly invested pageant moms. I think this was the perfect setting for another murder because it automatically created so many suspects, and it created higher stakes.
Lila is a smart, but approachable main character. She obviously has no experience with crime, murder, and investigation procedure, and she plays that part very well. Lila does not try to be an amateur detective, and I really loved that. Sure, she investigates on her own, but she is not thrown into crazy scenarios, it felt more like a nosey neighbor than a person who watches too much Law & Order.
The ultimate reveal of who the murderer was seemed plausible, and I enjoyed guessing along the way with Lila. Overall, this was a really cozy mystery series that I would love to continue with in the future.
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Toxic relationship
things100's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Racism
ios_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Gun violence, Infidelity, Infertility, Violence, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, and Medical content
Minor: Murder, Mental illness, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
metaphorsandmisc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Toxic relationship
auudrey's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Body shaming, Classism, Fatphobia, Murder, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Infidelity, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, and Bullying
smagzisreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, and Infertility
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment
foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gun violence, Body shaming, and Murder
uranaishi's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Death, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Death of parent, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Medical content, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Abandonment, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Incest, Violence, and Racism
ashleycmms's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Death of parent, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence
Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage