Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala

14 reviews

theknm's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• 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

5.0

LOVEDDDDDD this edition to the tita Rosie's mystery seriess!! It was a bit dark tone since Lila is adapting to what happened to her in the first book but i think it was a great to show that if anyone reading can say you know i see myself in her i know whats she going through. I think i loved it because not only does Lila have a lot of character development but also shows like its okay to not be okay. As someone who has gone through a lot its nice to see that side and why it okay to feel what you feel and why i resonated to Lila so much. Mental health is so important no matter what race or gender you are and i like how this book showed how Lila embraced it and give herself that. The mystery aspect was written really well and had my jaw to the floor, definitely cant wait for next one! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Sexual harassment, Grief, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

I received a copy of this book as a gift.
"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. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Murder, and Toxic relationship

things100's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

Such a good second book in the series the twists and turns wow can’t wait to read the 3rd book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Gun violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Murder, Death, and Violence

Minor: Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Racism

agnesjlopez's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Infertility, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Adult/minor relationship

ios_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

I loved this book. Definitely a dark addition to Mia’s trilogy of stories starting with “Arsenic and Adobo”. I think it helped tie in some plots from the first book, gave us a new refreshing yet dark twist, and we see Lila grow and change in her own ways! Loved it and praise the author for the disclaimer prior to the story.

---

Content Warnings

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

ms_staplin's review against another edition

adventurous funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence and Murder

bubblegirl858's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Misogyny

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Grief, Death of parent, and Violence

chelseylb1988's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Gun violence

caseythereader's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 - It was so lovely to return to Shady Palms with Lila and her family. HOMICIDE AND HALO-HALO is just as full of love, intrigue, and delicious food descriptions as the first book in this series was.
- A bunch of new characters were introduced in this installment, broadening our knowledge of the town and its inhabitants. I adore how effortlessly diverse these books are - small towns don't have to be strictly white and straight.
- This book also begins probing Lila's mental health, particularly PTSD she has around the events of ARSENIC AND ADOBO. I'm looking forward to seeing where this plotline goes. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Alcohol, Death, and Suicide

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Death of parent

uranaishi's review

emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

---

Content Warnings

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