Bookish Mewsings: Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala / The Arrangement by M. Ravenel

My name is Lila Macapagal and my life has become a rom-com cliché. ~ Opening of Arsenic and Adobo 

Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery #1) by Mia P. Manansala

Berkley, 2021

Crime Fiction/Cozy; 336 pgs

Source: NetGalley

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala is one of my favorite cozy mysteries of the year. Lila Macapagal finds herself the prime suspect when an ex-boyfriend, a food critic, ends up dead after eating at her Tita Rosie's restaurant. The business had already been struggling, the landlord is ready to kick them out, and the dead man's cruel reviews had not helped any. Aided by her best friend and her nosy auntie network, Lia begins her own investigation into who would kill her ex and why. 

I am so happy to see more cozy mysteries being published that feature people of color these days, this one featuring a Filipino-American and her family. I took to Lila right away. She was betrayed by an ex-boyfriend (not the food critic) and has returned to her hometown recover. She is smart and funny, and makes a pretty good amateur sleuth. She grows as a character over the course of the novel, something I really appreciated. I also liked that the author did not shy away from touching on racism and living between two different cultures. Obviously given this is a cozy mystery, these issues are not explored in great depth due to the type of book this is, but it is enough and, I believe, necessary. The author fits them very naturally into the story being told. 

I enjoyed spending time with Lila, getting to know her friends and her aunties. She has a strong support network that obviously are very loyal to each other. The mystery itself was well-crafted, the characters and their relationships complex, and I loved the author's wit throughout. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future. 

Challenges Met: Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge & Spring COYER Challenge

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I peered through the slats of the blinds covering the glass on my office door and watched the dark, brooding man in the hallway. ~ Opening of The Arrangement

The Arrangement (A Plainclothes Tootsie Mystery #1) by M. Ravenel
Chikara Press, 2021
Crime Fiction/Historical; 206 pgs

Source: From the author for an honest review

Even before the author offered her book for review, I knew I wanted to read it. Historical mysteries are among by favorites, add in a female detective in a male dominated field, and I was sold. The Arrangement is the first in M. Ravenel's A Plainclothes Tootsie Mystery series, set in 1975 New York City, and I can already say I am a big fan. In this first installment, Tootsie Carter takes on the job of finding a missing wife and soon finds herself drawn into the darker side of the boxing world, which includes murder, racketeering, and kidnapping.

Tootsie is a former police officer turned P.I., who wanted to do more than just work desk duty. She is more than capable of solving crimes and facing down criminals. She is not easily intimidated and is quite resourceful. I loved her sense of humor. And I could totally relate to her love for Tootsie Rolls (I still haven't tried a Tootsie Roll Milkshake, but I am dying to!).  

M. Ravenel does a good job of putting the reader right into the time and place of the setting. Both the character's and author's love for Dick Tracy were evident throughout the mystery, which added to the noir feel to the novel.  I really enjoyed reading The Arrangement, which was entertaining on many levels--from the characters to the mystery itself. I was not sure what direction the author was going to take me, but I was along for the ride every step of the way. I look forward to reading more books in the series. 

Challenges Met: 2021 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge & Spring COYER Challenge

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