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A review by jenny_bean_reads
Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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? No
3.5
The third in a charming series I really enjoy! This book, while a fun read, was not as enjoyable as the previous two books in the series to me. I would still absolutely recommend you read it. The Macapagals are back in Shady Palms, IL and we meet more of the loving Filipino-American family in this book. The mysterious cousin Ronnie comes back to town and hijinks ensue.
I feel like this particular book felt more like a vehicle to introduce more characters that will become a part of the main cast in future books than about the usual crime hunting and family ties. I think perhaps that may have been on purpose, because the crime that occurs in this book feels more senseless to the FMC at the end as well.
I did myself a disservice in not re-reading the first two books in the series before reading this one, a mistake I won't make when I read the fourth book. The world building is so good in the first two, and the character development of the FMC, if I recall correctly, was much more visible in the first two books as well. In this book she's more straight to business of crime investigation. Detective Park is much more protective of letting her get involved, and she actually listens(!!) which I think is the most growth we see out of Lila in this series.
This story did keep me guessing until the reveal. As characters started being eliminated as suspects either by Lila or by circumstance, I still did not have the twist at the end. I figured it had to be one of the newer people on the scene with such focus on the new people in this book, but I did NOT have that pegged down. It added to the cruelty and senselessness of the crimes in this book.
I may update this after re-reading the series for the fourth book, and I would definitely still recommend this awesome series.
I feel like this particular book felt more like a vehicle to introduce more characters that will become a part of the main cast in future books than about the usual crime hunting and family ties. I think perhaps that may have been on purpose, because the crime that occurs in this book feels more senseless to the FMC at the end as well.
I did myself a disservice in not re-reading the first two books in the series before reading this one, a mistake I won't make when I read the fourth book. The world building is so good in the first two, and the character development of the FMC, if I recall correctly, was much more visible in the first two books as well. In this book she's more straight to business of crime investigation. Detective Park is much more protective of letting her get involved, and she actually listens(!!) which I think is the most growth we see out of Lila in this series.
This story did keep me guessing until the reveal. As characters started being eliminated as suspects either by Lila or by circumstance, I still did not have the twist at the end. I figured it had to be one of the newer people on the scene with such focus on the new people in this book, but I did NOT have that pegged down. It added to the cruelty and senselessness of the crimes in this book.
I may update this after re-reading the series for the fourth book, and I would definitely still recommend this awesome series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Infidelity