Blackmail and Bibingka

August 1, 2022
Lila Macapagal and the gang at and around Tita Rosie's Kitchen return for a third round of murder most savory. Even before he left the home of his mother, Lila's Tita Rosie--the most celebrated Filipina restaurateur in Shady Palms, Illinois--Ronnie Flores was nothing but trouble. Now that he's breezed back into town with plans to open a winery specializing in Filipino vintages, he promises more of the same, as an anonymous note about "Ronnie Flores and Co." demanding $50,000 from Tita Rosie "or the world will know what they did in Florida" darkly hints. This time, though, the trouble seems to be centered on the "they" Ronnie's gathered around him: his engaged partners, charming Isabel "Izzy" Ramos-Garcia and taciturn Pete Miller; his principal backers, Xander Cruz and his fiancee, Denise Sutton; and their assistants, Olivia and Quentin March, who also happen to be Denise's stepchildren. Wasting no time after their arrival, Denise concludes a welcome party by collapsing with a dose of alcohol poisoning that Det. Jonathan Park suspects is something even worse. He's right, of course: Denise has been treated to a fatal dose of methanol, and it's up to Lila to take time out from her nonstop baking for her Brew-ha Cafe to mingle with the suspects, ask nosy questions, and figure out which of them most wanted Denise defunct before anyone else follows. The mystery, as in Lila's first two cases, is upstaged by a parade of food and drink so exquisite that most readers, even before peeking at the four sumptuous recipes that are the real climax of this drama, would happily share Denise's last libation even if it meant risking her fate. Hands down the tastiest whodunit you'll consume this year.

COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

August 1, 2022

Lila Macapagal knows it's trouble when her cousin Ronnie returns to Shady Palms after he left town 15 years earlier. He's just in time for the Christmas holidays with all of his brash talk about his business partners, investors, and his new winery on the edge of town. Tita Rosie must also be worried, or she wouldn't have shown Lila the blackmail message demanding $50,000. Tita Rosie begs Lila to check on the business after the message says Ronnie and his partners have blood on their hands. Lila is on the scene when one of Ronnie's investors collapses after drinking a bottle of his wine. When Ronnie is suspected of murder, Tita Rosie turns to Lila. Despite her plans for the town's Winter Bash, and her need to bake for her business, the Brew-ha Cafe, family comes first. Lila utilizes her friends, her godmothers, and even her dachshund to try to save her worthless cousin. VERDICT Filipino American culture and family take centerstage in the third mystery by Agatha Award--winning Manansala (Homicide and Halo-Halo; Arsenic and Adobo). There's an emphasis on humor, friendship, and food in this cozy that's lighter in tone than the previous ones.--Lesa Holstine

Copyright 2022 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 22, 2022
In Agatha Award winner Manansala’s cheeky third culinary cozy (after Homicide and Halo-Halo), the trouble begins with the return of restaurant owner Lila Macapagal’s prodigal cousin, Ronnie Flores, during the annual Winter Bash in Shady Palms, Ill. After a 15-year absence and a suspicious stay in Florida, the “king of get-rich-quick schemes” has heady plans to buy a nearby winery and hawk a line of traditional vintages, especially a potentially lethal lambanog. He has lined up a group of out-of-town investors, including the “expensively beautiful” Denise Sutton and her suave fiancé, Xander Cruz. Things go awry quickly when Denise imbibes too much and dies. Denise’s twin stepchildren immediately suspect Xander of money-grubbing. But when Lila’s aunt, Tita Rosie, receives an email threatening to expose what happened in Florida with the claim that “Ronnie and Co. have blood on their hands,” amateur detective Lila widens the net. The sleuthing sometimes takes a back burner to food tastings, but Manansala’s breezy style makes for another brisk entry in this flavorful series, recipes included. Readers will be hungry for more. Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary.