Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala

7 reviews

catalyst226's review against another edition

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

3.0

Another great installment of this culinary cozy series. Featuring more mouthwatering descriptions of Filipino dishes and desserts plus an intriguing murder investigation, if you (unlike me) prefer to read your holiday-inspired stories at the respective holiday it depicts, save this one for December.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Emotional abuse

auudrey's review against another edition

lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

Minor: Suicide attempt and Addiction

kdailyreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious relaxing tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, Addiction, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity

Moderate: Violence and Emotional abuse

Minor: Suicide

pamshenanigans's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Despite my slight lukewarmness towards the second book Homicide and Halo-Halo, I was still pretty excited to jump into Blackmail and Bibingka. There is just something addictive about the “murder + food” type of cozy mystery that keeps me wanting seconds. 

However, I was a bit disappointed by this book. I was looking for the same charm that Arsenic and Adobo had, but this has a weak plot and a too-laughable plot twist/ending to boot. Am I still going to look forward to the next book of the series? Yes. 

Content warning from the author’s notes: substance abuse, gambling addiction, infidelity, emotional abuse, police corruption, family abandonment, physical violence, mentions of suicide

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

thereaderfriend's review against another edition

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

3.5

I loved the story bc I loved the characters but the mystery wasn't so much a mystery bc the big reveal was what I was expecting from the beginning :/ did really enjoy it tho! Also liked the focus on how greed and jealousy are powerful and dangerous motivators. Gonna buy this series and read the rest of it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Alcohol and Death

Minor: Infidelity, Sexual content, Suicide, and Emotional abuse

utopiastateofmind's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

 (Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.) 

TW: gambling addiction

Okay, I love this series, but also like why is everyone accused of murder? I mean, I know that is the point, I'm just like "PEOPLE COME ON stop being suspicious!" Blackmail and Bibingka is always mouth watering, talk about some serious food envy. But what always wraps me up in these stories is the sense of mystery. I can't believe Manansala's mind because there were some serious red herrings! I never read mysteries trying to be the detective, I always just kind of let it happen to me, but I am continuously impressed.

A theme I enjoyed in Blackmail and Bibingka is the way Manansala examines how much we know about someone. How someone could be hiding secrets that could be a disaster. We can hide secrets out of a desire to protect, out of shame, but also guilt. I love the different secrets throughout this book. Building on the previous books, Blackmail and Bibingka is grounded also in friendship and family. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse and Emotional abuse

Minor: Suicide

uranaishi's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Classism, Kidnapping, Medical content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, and Infidelity

Minor: Sexual content, Infertility, Pregnancy, and Stalking