Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries – The Chronicles Of A Children’s Book Writer – Earl Dizon

While not kidlit by any definition, I do also enjoy reading books for grown-ups and recommending Filipino authors and their works. Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries series just concluded so I wanted to compile my reviews of the books. I hope you all check it out. You may end up craving Filipino food!

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cozy mysteries have come a long way from when I was kid! I usually viewed them taking place in small towns or villages where, if I lived in real life and a murder consistently took place, I would immediately move somewhere else.

Arsenic and Adobo is a breath of fresh air even if it relies on the tropes of cozy mysteries and Hallmark movies. (And why not make this into a movie series? More diversity, please!)

We have a twenty-something Filipina helping out with the family business- her aunt’s (Tita Rosie) Filipino restaurant- and trying to rebuild her life after what happened in Chicago. Being the prime suspect in a murder doesn’t help matters!

I loved seeing the diversity within the characters- really refreshing to see non-white characters be center stage rather than in the background.

There’s also the prerequisite love triangle.

The most difficult thing was reading all the descriptions of the Filipino food and wanting to eat all them! (The book does include recipes at the back as well as preview of book two- Homicide and Halo-Halo- which comes out next February.)

I read the audiobook narrated by Danice Cabanela.

If you’re a mystery fan and foodie, pick this book up!

Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mia P. Manansala serves a second serving of cozy mystery goodness in her Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series with Homicide and Halo-Halo.

Not only does our twenty-something Filipina main character have a new business to think about and a love triangle to figure out but she’s still reeling from the incidents of the first book. It doesn’t help when her current obligation to judge a teen beauty pageant brings back even more painful memories especially when she finds herself caught up in another murder mystery.

I love seeing the diverse cast of characters and their complicated relationships with one another. It’s great to see the dynamics of a large family. And, it’s always mouthwatering to hear all the delicious food descriptions especially of familiar sweet treats with a Filipino twist.

I read the audiobook narrated by Danice Cabanela.

If you’re a mystery fan and foodie, pick this book up!

Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A festive addition to the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series where blackmail and murder become unwanted presents for the people of Shady Palms.

All the descriptions of food once again continues to make my mouth water.

Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I usually have an aversion to mysteries where murders frequently happen in close proximity to the main character. I mean, I would move. But there’s actually something comforting when Lila Macapagal is on the case because of her support group of family and friends to help her out. Very refreshing. And I’ve enjoyed the growth from book to book. As usual there are amazing descriptions of Filipino food throughout that makes me want to eat all of them!

And shout-out to Danice Cabanela for doing a wonderful job narrating the audiobook!

Guilt and Ginataan by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It’s always a fun visit to Shady Palms even if there’s always a murder or two to distract from all the Filipino and Filipino-fusion food and drinks. This time, things are political when the neighboring town’s mayor’s wife is found dead in the corn maze and Lila’s best friend is the main suspect. I really appreciate how each book builds up from the previous ones but can be read as standalones without spoiling too much. It saddens me this is the penultimate installment.

Death and Dinuguan by Mia P. Manansala
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t believe this is the final book in the series! I felt like this could have gone on for longer but am glad that the characters don’t have to deal with murders anymore. As for the mystery in this one, I felt like the reveal was a bit anti-climactic. But, it was so easy to get past that because the family and friendship dynamics were so interesting. Not to mention all the food talk! I can’t believe a Filipino bakery (or general coffeeshop) hasn’t picked this up for book club and maybe try the recipes to serve as snacks.