Author: Mia P. Manansala
Series: Tia Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery #5
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers; Multicultural Interests
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 304
Date of Publication: November 12, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
The annual Shady Palms Corn Festival is one of the town’s biggest moneymakers, drawing crowds from all over the Midwest looking to partake in delicious treats, local crafts, and of course, the second largest corn maze in Illinois. Lila Macapagal and her Brew-ha Cafe crew, Adeena Awan and Elena Torres, are all too happy to participate in the event and even make a little wager on who can make it through the corn maze the fastest—but their fun is suddenly cut short when a dead body is found in the middle of the maze…and an unconscious Adeena lies next to it, clutching a bloody knife.
The body is discovered to be a local politician’s wife, and all signs—murder weapon included—point to Adeena as the culprit. But Lila knows her best friend couldn’t have done this, so she and her crew put on their sleuthing caps yet again to find the killer who framed Adeena and show them what happens when they mess with a Brew-ha…
MY THOUGHTS:
Lila Macapagal has had an unusual distraction in life, that of solving murders. Whether defending a family member, or any friend of her extended family, she has proved to be quite adept. However, this time around, there is another dead body, and her best friend Adeena is the main suspect. The reason why is she was found unconscious next to the body while holding the murder weapon.
Adeena had no reason to commit murder, and Lila is certain of that. So she intends on proving Adeena’s innocence while also finding the person responsible for the murder. So, it is time to ask questions, even if it makes some people very uncomfortable, including the victim’s wife, one who is a prominent politician.
These narratives within this series are exceptionally well-crafted. The formation of intimate groups, such as the Calendar Crew and the Brew-Ha group, adds depth to the story. Lila’s ability to thrive within these close-knit circles enables her to excel in solving murders. The culinary aspect of the series is particularly noteworthy, featuring delectable Filipino recipes that tantalize the palate. The evolving relationship between Lila and Jae further enhances the emotional resonance of the narrative. The masterful pacing and storytelling techniques employed ensure that the reader is captivated from beginning to end. I eagerly anticipate the release of the next installment in this captivating series.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
She is the winner of the 2022 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, 2022 Macavity Award for Best First Novel, 2022 RUSA Reading List for Mystery, 2021 Agatha Award for Best First Novel, 2018 Hugh Holton Award, the 2018 Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award, the 2017 William F. Deeck - Malice Domestic Grant for Unpublished Writers, and the 2016 Mystery Writers of America/Helen McCloy Scholarship. She was shortlisted for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for Mystery/Thriller and the 2021 CHIRBy Award for Fiction by the Chicago Review of Books. She's also a 2017 Pitch Wars alum and 2018-2020 mentor.
A lover of all things geeky, Mia spends her days procrastibaking, playing RPGs and otome games, reading cozy mysteries and diverse romance, and cuddling her dogs Gumiho and Max Power.
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