Reviews with content warning for Murder - Arsenic and Adobo

2 stars feels generous but my one star books have been so spectacularly bad and this book is at most mediocre, with a heaping side of ableism and fatphobia to unpack. Prose is bad and descriptions of characters, especially the narrator, are giving My Immortal. Characters are all adults but Everyone responds to events like a teenager

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shaunashares's review against another edition

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lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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sundayfever's review against another edition

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emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I loved the representation but couldn't get into loving the main character. I felt like she was too naive & childish. The plot felt rushed because she just moves through without noticing or observing things.

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halflingnana's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

3.75

A cost easy mystery mostly focused on the characters than the actual mystery. Very cute and fun and every food mentioned sounds delicious. I ended up more invested in the characters than the murder.

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modernhobbitvibes's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious slow-paced

2.75

Low-balled the score because this woman WOULD NOT STOP TALKING TO THE COPS and it drove me up the wall. Know your rights, people!

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eliselerario's review

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challenging dark emotional informative mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
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

3.5

Whodunnit with food!!!

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redvelveting's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Light, fun little read (especially given that it is a murder mystery) with references to Filipino culture (specifically that of a Filipino American) that I could relate to. I do have to mention, however, that the writing felt juvenile and fanfic-like. It’s a little corny, but overall was entertaining enough that I’d read the next book (not top of the to-read list, but still on there).

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churrocaitie's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

What a cozy, wholesome story of the importance of family and community - with a zest of murder mystery! Such a great and fun read, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Most the time I prefer to read books that allow me to enjoy the characters and wonder “what happens next” and this book gave me all that and more. And I absolutely adore how much “love” that Mia Manansala writes into her stories with the use of food. Food is a way of culture and care in many cultures, and Manansala used it beautifully in this story. I loved every second of it.

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