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A Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery, Book 1

By: Mia P. Manansala

Narrated by: Danice Cabanela

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

A RUSA Award-winning novel!

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….

©2021 Mia P. Manansala (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

One of CrimeReads' "Most Anticipated Crime Books of 2021"!

One of BookRiot's "Most Anticipated Books of 2021"!

One of Bustle's "Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2021"!

"Even though I tend to write dark, hardboiled stories in which people get hit in the face with tools, I love to read a well-written and quirky cozy mystery. Manansala has created just that with her debut novel, a tale full of eccentric characters, humorous situations and an oh-so-tricky mystery. Check this one out for the poetic prose and the mouth-watering recipes that are integral to the plot." (The Washington Post)

“This book hits the exact right spot.... Mia P. Manansala manages to create a murder mystery where nothing is too horrifying and you know everything will be okay in the end. And because of that, you just get to go along for the ride of trying to figure out what really happened when Lila Macapagal’s ex-boyfriend Derek drops dead in front of her at her family’s restaurant. I’ve heard it described as a 'cozy mystery' and that’s exactly what it is, a perfectly cozy puzzle to solve. Also, it will make you very hungry for Filipino food - and then it delivers with recipes in the back!” (Taylor Jenkins Reid, New York Times best-selling author of Malibu Rising

"This breeze-right-through-it mystery mystery follows baker Lila Macapagal as she investigates the murder of her ex-boyfriend, the town's too-mean food critic, after he dies over a meal in her aunt's flailing Filipino restaurant. Finding out whether or not Lila can solve the crime and save the restaurant is as satisfying as it is climactic with just the right amount of drama." (Bon Appetit)

This book made me hungry, & I loved the narration!

This was such a fun book. The plot moved along quickly and kept me engaged. There was so much talk of filipino food that it had me yelping the nearest filipino restaurant on several occasions. The narration in particular was really great. Her interpretation brought each of the characters to life and she also found the humor in the story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, especially as a low-stress mystery to read in the midst of the pandemic.

A Must Read/Listen

The local restaurant reviewer shows up at the family restaurant. All his reviews of the restaurant have been bad but he keeps coming back. Now after eating he falls head down in a bowl of dessert. I liked all the characters, especially Lila. This doesn't seem like it's a debut book but it is. If this was Mia P. Manansala debut I know I'll be reading anything ashe writes. I can't wait for the next book in this series.

So whiny

The plot was pretty lame and like thousands of other cooking mysteries. Clueless woman whose only skills are baking cookies just HAS to solve mystery herself, because she believes herself way more competent than actual law enforcement. Spoiler... she is not. But for whatever reason, every eligible guy in town is falling all over her. So, total unrealistic chick fantasy. The narrator can only differentiate older women's voices as whiny, more whiny, or WAY whiny. Half of the book is describing food. If you are really interested in it for cultural/culinary reasons, I recommend reading a copy instead of audio. You could then see the recipes, and not be tormented by all the whiny unrealistic accents.

Lovely story

Love this book the character, story and plot lines can’t wait too see what they get up too next the aunts are so funny.

Fun and easy read

Cute and fun, loved the Filipino references though at times it felt forced. A bit clunky. Characters could use more depth though and at some points the writing felt corny. Overall a good read though.

perfect cozy mystery for an autumn day

4.5 stars on the story, super strong start to a series. protagonist isn't the smartest person in the room and that's a refreshing change of pace. she also isn't the bimbo of an evanovich novel. she's spicy and sweet, knows what she'll do to uncover the mystery to protect her family. this book makes you super hungry though. solid first entry to a cozy series. no groundbreaking twist. if you're a sleuth, you'll know who did it, but it's still fun to watch her get there.

A Whodunnit with a Filipino Twist

If you’re in the mood for a mystery with a tinge of Filipino tsismis, humor and native fare, then this book is for you. It’s a fun and unique take on the cozy mystery genre, given even more depth by the wonderful portrayal of narrator, Danice Cabanela. Can’t wait for the next book in the series!

You don’t want to miss this one!

I loved this book! It was a great balance of plotand character development. The mix of small town murder, charming characters, and mouth watering foodie moments is just right. I'm a life long mystery lover, but I haven't really enjoyed the genre in recent years, (probablya me problem, lol) but I really got into this one. The first thing I did when i finished this book was to pre-order the next book in the series. I can't wait to see the next series of hijinks and shenanigans Lila and her friends and family get into! Also - I am definitely going to be trying the recipies in the back of the book! The excitement is real!

Oh My Gulay!

WARNING: Don't read this HUNGRY. The way Manansala describes Filipino dishes are mouth watering. It's about time we had some diversity in this genre! The narrator needed improvement in pronouncing certain things but other than that great listen. Can't wait for a sequel!

Not what I expected

Loved it and was looking for more. the narrator was awesome and the story line was just great.