Review of Arsenic and Adobo

Synopsis:

The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer….

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…  (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed.  Lila is a strong woman who has been dealt a bad hand.  When she finds out that her Tita Rosa’s restaurant is having financial difficulties, she has to go back home to try and fix things and make it right.  But that gets complicated because a nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex) drops dead at the restaurant.  Of course, she is a person of interest so she has to find the real culprit before she goes to jail for life.  She will have help from her best friend, Adeena, and her trusty Dachshund, Longansia.  And of course, her aunts and family.  With all of them in her corner, what could possibly go wrong?

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read.  The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story very quickly.  The mystery was well plotted and there were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through.  

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery.  I will definitely give the next book in the series a try and see what happens to Lila next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Berkeley Publishing Group, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.