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janagaton's review against another edition
3.0
The audiobooks for this series are so good; they nail the Filipino accent down really well! The humor is great in all 3 too, and the family dynamics are super accurate to my own Filipino family experiences. This one was just a silly goofy time, however, and I didn't really care for the actual plot. The second one in the series, Homicide and Halo-Halo, is still my favorite and had the most depth in my opinion, but at the same time, it IS a cozy mystery series, so I'm not surprised.
joshlynjavier's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
another short and cozy mystery. i liked that in this one, manansala added a lot more characters/suspects to add some complexity to the murder! very consistent and always fun to see the character development and romance build throughout the series.
although i was able to solve this one before the reveal, i really enjoyed the build up and all of the different characters we meet in this one.
side note: need to stop reading this series when i’m trying to cut out sweet treats :p
although i was able to solve this one before the reveal, i really enjoyed the build up and all of the different characters we meet in this one.
side note: need to stop reading this series when i’m trying to cut out sweet treats :p
elsez326'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? Yes
4.25
This series is a lot of fun, and I always enjoy!
thephdivabooks's review against another edition
3.0
Full of food, family, and mystery--this is a fun installment in the Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries (though not quite as strong as the other two).
Plot
Christmastime is upon the town of Shady Palms and Lila Macapagal is busier than ever with her newly-opened business, the Brew-ha Café. Along with her partners and friends—Adeena and Elena—Lila is working hard to plan what they will sell at the town’s winter bash. When Lila’s estranged cousin Ronnie shows back up after fifteen years absence, the Macapagal’s hope this means they’ll get a merry Christmas all together.
But Lila is skeptical of Ronnie’s motives. She loves seeing her Tita Rosie so happy, but Lila remembers that even before he left and broke Tita Rosie’s heart, Ronnie was nothing but trouble. Now, he’s claimed to have changed over the years he was away, and he is working with his business partners, Izzy and Pete, to reopen the Shady Palms Winery. When Tita Rosie receives a blackmail text asking for $50,000, she asks for Lila’s help to look into Ronnie’s business and make sure it’s ok.
Lila and Tita Rosie arrive laden with food for Ronnie and his colleagues to check out the winery. But no sooner do they lay out their feast than one of Ronnie’s investors collapses, and the cause of death is determined to be poison. The last thing she drank was Ronnie’s special wine, and the police name him as their prime suspect. With their friend Detective Park recusing himself from the case, it’s up to Lila to leverage all of her baked goods and sleuthing skills to find the real culprit before it’s too late!
Review
The tone is much lighter than book 2 (Lila has done a lot of therapy!). The festive holiday vibe was fun without being overbearing. I enjoyed learning more about Filipino culture as well as some of their traditions or favorite activities (including a karaoke party!).
I was glad the Brew-ha Café had opened before this book began and was doing well, with a focus on growing their business and refining their offerings. Adeena, Lila, and Elena all contribute their own unique goods to the business, and the three are creatives so they are always thinking of new ideas and flavor combinations.
Lila is back to her feisty self here—fiercely protective of her Tita Rosie and tenacious when it comes to finding the truth. One thing I enjoy about this series is that Lila does a lot of the sleuthing herself, seeking out clues and conversations to help understand what happened. Some cozy mysteries show the lead conveniently stumbling across every clue, but Lila puts in the work with her sleuthing!
Ronnie is a piece of work, but I was rooting for him. Some readers felt Lila was too hard on him, but I don’t agree. Lila was raised by her aunt and grandmother after the death of her parents. For Lila, seeing Ronnie charm his way out of the pain he caused them and expect everyone to forgive and forget without him offering more explanation was challenging.
Since many of the characters (including the victim and most of the alternate suspects) were from out of town, the book didn’t focus as much on the Shady Palms community and the characters we grew to love in the way I wanted.
Lila does include Sana and Yuki in her friend group, but those friendships felt a bit forced in this book and didn’t give the same pizazz. I miss her friendship with Adeena, which has changed some now that Adeena and Elena are in a relationship.
The mystery was light and breezy, and I found myself pretty sure of who the most likely suspects were by midway through. What was fun about the mystery was uncovering what was going on with the victim, and what motives existed from those around her (and particularly the person behind it). I wish the mystery had been slightly more front and center, as it was balanced between lots of holiday activities that were fun but didn’t add as much to the book.
The food was the absolute star of this book! I was hungry throughout reading it and was glad Manansala continues to include recipes. Don’t read this book hungry!
I enjoyed this book a lot, though it was my least favorite of the first three in the series. I’m hoping book four features a great mystery and returns to the Shady Palms roots!
Plot
Christmastime is upon the town of Shady Palms and Lila Macapagal is busier than ever with her newly-opened business, the Brew-ha Café. Along with her partners and friends—Adeena and Elena—Lila is working hard to plan what they will sell at the town’s winter bash. When Lila’s estranged cousin Ronnie shows back up after fifteen years absence, the Macapagal’s hope this means they’ll get a merry Christmas all together.
But Lila is skeptical of Ronnie’s motives. She loves seeing her Tita Rosie so happy, but Lila remembers that even before he left and broke Tita Rosie’s heart, Ronnie was nothing but trouble. Now, he’s claimed to have changed over the years he was away, and he is working with his business partners, Izzy and Pete, to reopen the Shady Palms Winery. When Tita Rosie receives a blackmail text asking for $50,000, she asks for Lila’s help to look into Ronnie’s business and make sure it’s ok.
Lila and Tita Rosie arrive laden with food for Ronnie and his colleagues to check out the winery. But no sooner do they lay out their feast than one of Ronnie’s investors collapses, and the cause of death is determined to be poison. The last thing she drank was Ronnie’s special wine, and the police name him as their prime suspect. With their friend Detective Park recusing himself from the case, it’s up to Lila to leverage all of her baked goods and sleuthing skills to find the real culprit before it’s too late!
Review
The tone is much lighter than book 2 (Lila has done a lot of therapy!). The festive holiday vibe was fun without being overbearing. I enjoyed learning more about Filipino culture as well as some of their traditions or favorite activities (including a karaoke party!).
I was glad the Brew-ha Café had opened before this book began and was doing well, with a focus on growing their business and refining their offerings. Adeena, Lila, and Elena all contribute their own unique goods to the business, and the three are creatives so they are always thinking of new ideas and flavor combinations.
Lila is back to her feisty self here—fiercely protective of her Tita Rosie and tenacious when it comes to finding the truth. One thing I enjoy about this series is that Lila does a lot of the sleuthing herself, seeking out clues and conversations to help understand what happened. Some cozy mysteries show the lead conveniently stumbling across every clue, but Lila puts in the work with her sleuthing!
Ronnie is a piece of work, but I was rooting for him. Some readers felt Lila was too hard on him, but I don’t agree. Lila was raised by her aunt and grandmother after the death of her parents. For Lila, seeing Ronnie charm his way out of the pain he caused them and expect everyone to forgive and forget without him offering more explanation was challenging.
Since many of the characters (including the victim and most of the alternate suspects) were from out of town, the book didn’t focus as much on the Shady Palms community and the characters we grew to love in the way I wanted.
Lila does include Sana and Yuki in her friend group, but those friendships felt a bit forced in this book and didn’t give the same pizazz. I miss her friendship with Adeena, which has changed some now that Adeena and Elena are in a relationship.
The mystery was light and breezy, and I found myself pretty sure of who the most likely suspects were by midway through. What was fun about the mystery was uncovering what was going on with the victim, and what motives existed from those around her (and particularly the person behind it). I wish the mystery had been slightly more front and center, as it was balanced between lots of holiday activities that were fun but didn’t add as much to the book.
The food was the absolute star of this book! I was hungry throughout reading it and was glad Manansala continues to include recipes. Don’t read this book hungry!
I enjoyed this book a lot, though it was my least favorite of the first three in the series. I’m hoping book four features a great mystery and returns to the Shady Palms roots!
shlee's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
chloelees's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
Author Mia P. Manansala has infused her latest book, Blackmail and Bibingka, with diverse characters, a death, an amateur sleuth, and some suspense. There’s a focus on food, family, and friends. This cozy mystery features Lila Macapagal, owner of the Brew-ha Café with her friends and business partners Adeena Awan and Elena Torres. The story is set in Shady Palms, Illinois and takes place near Christmastime. It’s the third book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series.
As the Brew-ha Café and the family restaurant, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen, prepare for the town’s winter bash as well as their own holiday celebrations, Lila’s cousin and Tita Rosie’s son, Ronnie, returns to town after 15 years. He and his business partners have bought the old Shady Grove Winery and plan to operate it. However, Ronnie has always meant trouble. When a death occurs and Ronnie is one of the murder suspects, Lila goes into sleuth mode for her family’s sake and starts investigating.
This novel contains characters with a variety of ethic and cultural backgrounds as well as those of different faiths. They have their flaws just as we do. Lila’s family comes from the Philippines so there are lots of Filipino foods and terms. A handy glossary is included at the beginning of the book so be sure to bookmark it. The characterization is well done. Readers get well-developed main and reoccurring characters as well as secondary and tertiary characters. If you enjoy cute dogs that like to dress up, then Longganisa (Nisa) and Poe will steal your heart.
This book has a solid plot with some twists and turns. This novel is creative and it will keep readers guessing. Family, friendship, family dynamics, starting over, lies, secrets, jealousy, romances, helping others, and food are at the heart of this story. While it’s descriptive, it doesn’t slow down the pace. There are references to previous cases that Lila has been involved in, but there aren’t any details so there didn’t seem to be any spoilers if one reads this book first. However, I recommend reading the series in order. My one quibble was that the final chapter was somewhat rushed and was more telling than showing.
Overall, this engaging mystery has great characterization as well as some intense moments that kept me turning the pages. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries with diverse characters, great food, and a subplot of budding romances will likely enjoy this book. At the end of the book are several recipes for items mentioned in the book. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Mia P. Manansala provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for October 4, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------
My 3.93 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
As the Brew-ha Café and the family restaurant, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen, prepare for the town’s winter bash as well as their own holiday celebrations, Lila’s cousin and Tita Rosie’s son, Ronnie, returns to town after 15 years. He and his business partners have bought the old Shady Grove Winery and plan to operate it. However, Ronnie has always meant trouble. When a death occurs and Ronnie is one of the murder suspects, Lila goes into sleuth mode for her family’s sake and starts investigating.
This novel contains characters with a variety of ethic and cultural backgrounds as well as those of different faiths. They have their flaws just as we do. Lila’s family comes from the Philippines so there are lots of Filipino foods and terms. A handy glossary is included at the beginning of the book so be sure to bookmark it. The characterization is well done. Readers get well-developed main and reoccurring characters as well as secondary and tertiary characters. If you enjoy cute dogs that like to dress up, then Longganisa (Nisa) and Poe will steal your heart.
This book has a solid plot with some twists and turns. This novel is creative and it will keep readers guessing. Family, friendship, family dynamics, starting over, lies, secrets, jealousy, romances, helping others, and food are at the heart of this story. While it’s descriptive, it doesn’t slow down the pace. There are references to previous cases that Lila has been involved in, but there aren’t any details so there didn’t seem to be any spoilers if one reads this book first. However, I recommend reading the series in order. My one quibble was that the final chapter was somewhat rushed and was more telling than showing.
Overall, this engaging mystery has great characterization as well as some intense moments that kept me turning the pages. Those who enjoy cozy mysteries with diverse characters, great food, and a subplot of budding romances will likely enjoy this book. At the end of the book are several recipes for items mentioned in the book. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
Berkley Publishing Group and Mia P. Manansala provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for October 4, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------
My 3.93 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
kelseylopez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
4.5
justwingit03's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.75
So far this was my favorite of the series, I loved the new characters.
phoenixfire88's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
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