Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery Series by Mia P. Manansala -> Restarting January 1st, 2023

[Alaina]

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…

[Alaina]

Woohoo! So excited to start this today.

[Alaina]

Okay starting now - since I'm done with meetings for the day!

[Alaina]

Ch 1-10: (view spoiler)[I love the family dynamic. The aunts are hilarious right now - even though there's a death. I also feel like what they did with the plates and table is pretty realistic but I'm basing this off of my own experience with my ex and his family. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

OMG I'm so behind! lol
I'll aim to start this one tomorrow!

[Alaina]

I somehow got all caught up in my buddy reads.. well not a series but I have like 2-3 books left in that one. Hoping to finish it this month.

[Alaina]

Ch 11-20: (view spoiler)[Yeah, right now I'm suspicious over the stepfather. I have a feeling it was him. I also don't like the detective... he's just very pushy towards her.

I'M ALSO SO FREAKING HUNGRY WITH ALL THESE YUMMY DISHES! (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 21-30: (view spoiler)[Is it just me or is the detective acting suspicious? I wonder if he's getting paid to make it look like she is the prime suspect? Maybe?!?!

I'm only thinking that because there's no way she attacked the lady and he's like nope - you are the number one suspect. Like HOW!? (hide spoiler)]

[Alaina]

Ch 31-Finish: (view spoiler)[Oh man! This was so much fun and the murders were just getting crazier and crazier. Definitely excited to dive into the sequel! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

10 chapters

(view spoiler)[ it's cute so far
I feel like the stepdad is for sure an obvious suspect
it will be interesting, these 2 girls investigating

I like the attorney brother & friend too. I hope he actually helps (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

the food sounds amazing
20 chapters
(view spoiler)[ but I'm irritated with the detective. they sat down and clearly made good arguments - the wrong food poisoned (rice vs dessert and soup) and then the time for the poisoning to hit/work

ridiculous they have the restaurant shut down while this health inspector is out

he's clearly corrupt
and so is the stepfather, with the son that died
ugh. they are all so shady

and I hope the friend gets a date with the waitress! :D (hide spoiler)]

[Aly]

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RESTARTING JANUARY 1ST, 2023

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[akacya ❦]

chapter 15
(view spoiler)[derek is sounding suuuper sketchy. wouldn’t be surprised if he accidentally killed himself trying to plant something in their restaurant. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 29
(view spoiler)[i like jae but i also have trust issues😭 (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 39
(view spoiler)[now i’m suspecting mrs. long lol (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

done!
(view spoiler)[i thought this was super interesting and it definitely kept me on my toes! i’m glad lila was given the deeds, that really helped (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 1-8: (view spoiler)[This has been okay so far. I am not really a fan but not hating it either. Can relate with all the Asian families innuendos though lol, it really is this way over here (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 9-19: (view spoiler)[Well Derek was an asshole so I am not really sad he's dead and I am suspecting his step dad now, he was the only one close enough to plant arsenic on his plate. BUT with recent developments, it's also possible he didn't die of arsenic poisoning at all so (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 20-28: (view spoiler)[Jae is sweet, I like her with Lila! But he's that grouchy detective's brother which makes it all less appealing to me. Adeena is such a great friend and I love the calm and positivity she brings with her nature. I don't think any of the restaurant owners had anything to do with Derek's death (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 29-38: (view spoiler)[Since Tita Rosie definitely didn't kill Mr. Long I am now suspecting his wife....she was the only one near him who could have done it. I am wondering whether Adeena's previous boss is also connected to all of this somehow and what role does drug trafficking play in these murders (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[HA! I was right! But Kevin really came out of nowhere, the author did her job well at keeping us guessing the whole time with the murderer right in front of us. This was enjoyable (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

akacya ❦ wrote: "done!
[spoilers removed]"

I agree! That was really nice of Mrs. Long!

Let me know if you want to continue the series Akacya! I would love to :D

[akacya ❦]

Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Yes for sure! I didn’t suspect it!

[akacya ❦]

Kira wrote: "akacya ❦ wrote: "done!
[spoilers removed]"

I agree! That was really nice of Mrs. Long!

Let me know if you want to continue the series Akacya! I would love to :D"

I would love to! I already have book two from the library and I just placed a hold on book three so I can start whenever.

[Kira]

Yayy! I'll request Any to change this to a series thread!

[Kira]

akacya ❦ wrote: "Kira wrote: "Finished: [spoilers removed]"

Yes for sure! I didn’t suspect it!"

He seemed like such an easygoing guy, totally fooled me !!

[Alaina]

Updated to a series thread!

[Kira]

Chapter 1-4: (view spoiler)[I am not a huge fan of pageants so reading so much about one is definitely a struggle and I am just waiting for the author to stop setting the scene and begin the mystery already. AAH and I am also missing Jae and Amir from the previous book lol, hope they make an appearance soon (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 5-10: (view spoiler)[Valerie and Beth are clear suspects so far but I am wondering whether the author would really go with these obvious choices. Beth's implication behind telling Lila about Jae's tie at her place is clearly an indication of them having an affair and now I am wondering whether Jae could be responsible. But he's too sweet imo to do anything like that. I am feeling bad for Lila because she is struggling with the cafe so much, I hope things get better for her soon (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 11-15: (view spoiler)[Hmmmm this is getting interesting ngl, we are still with Valerie and Beth as the main suspects but nothing is tipping the scale more towards any of them. Jae is honestly just a very sweet guy and I really hope Lila gives him a chance. I like Amir too but I just don't feel the chemistry between him and Lila. I also feel like she is being a bit too harsh on Bernie and needs to sort this out (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 16-20: (view spoiler)[The cloud of suspscion over Sana went away as quickly as it had appeared. After her whole conversation with Lila about mental health and importance of therapy I believe she's a genuinely good person at heart but that means I am still not any closer to guessing who the killer might be, I do not believe Weinman did it and now I am getting impatient! (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Woah, that was some ending! I totally did not bank on Katie's mom being the same girl from the past and Rob threatening to take Katie away. I feel so bad for her though. She has been with her mom all her life and now her life is uprooted and now she has to live with her stranger family. That's got to be tough. I liked that Lila finally decided to give the doctor a call, goes to show that her character progressedx (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

starting book two now!

[akacya ❦]

chapter ten
(view spoiler)[beth is seriously getting on my nerves (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 5-10: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[yes i feel bad lila is struggling with the cafe!! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter eleven
(view spoiler)[that competition between the thompsons is very weird😭 (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

i’m on chapter twenty-three, this is just something i forgot to mention a bit earlier. (view spoiler)[i love how lila went back to a natural style, i’ve heard of so many people with non-straight hair straightening it to fit in so it’s really nice to see this! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

done
(view spoiler)[i was not expecting that killer until lila talked to katie right after she ran off stage but i don’t really think it counts that late in the game💀 (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

akacya ❦ wrote: "done
[spoilers removed]"

I agree! This one was really difficult to predict and that made it even more thrilling.

[Kira]

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[I had to read the chapter introducing all of Ronnie's business associates twice just to get the hang of who's who lol. I am happy to see Adeena and Lila working together for their cafe and looks like Lila is dating Jae, good for her! What happened with Amir though? Ronnie is obviously the suspect so he can't be our killer, Quentin is somewhat obvious too. Could it be Olivia? (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 7-12: (view spoiler)[Ok so Izzy is definitely hiding something and she's being so shifty as well. The idea that Xander killed Denise for her money doesn't look strong to me so far. Pete ending up as "boring" in Lila's suspect list has my ears perked up, there could be something behind this (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 13-18: (view spoiler)[I could not have guessed that Quentin and Olivia were Denise's step children, that is so weird to think about and I agree her marrying her father's best friend was absolutely gross. So far Pete and Olivia have least suspiscions on them so I am strongly leaning towards one of them being involved (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Chapter 19-22: (view spoiler)[Olivia seemed way too nonchalant about Quentin being fired, Quentin is a problem child no doubt but I agree with Xander that he's innocent. Xander cheated on Densie with Mercedes and she still held her opinion over everything else, that seems sus to me. I am not sure how much importance her affair with Xander's cousin holds considering we haven'e been introduced to him as a character at all (hide spoiler)]

[Kira]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Pete and Olivia were involved after all, I feel so bad for Izzy. I was so strongly supporting Quentin that now I feel betrayed and lost. Those three killed a woman and were ready to kill more just for money and Pete being a chronic cheater was the absolute worst part. I liked how it all concluded though with everyone together at Christmas Eve and Detective Park and Tita Rosie are such a cute pairing! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

Kira wrote: "Chapter 13-18: [spoilers removed]"

definitely super weird😬😬

[akacya ❦]

chapter 9 (view spoiler)[i definitely feel like ronnie did SOMETHING. people don’t blackmail like that for no reason. (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 15 (view spoiler)[so obviously we know lila’s family isn’t at fault for any of the murders, but i’d be sooooo suspicious if i were a detective since they’re always connected to the murders😭 (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 19 (view spoiler)[YESSSSS finally someone stood up to him!! (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 23 (view spoiler)[oh no another death😭 (hide spoiler)]

[akacya ❦]

chapter 27 (view spoiler)[“dang, what was i supposed to call him now” LOL (hide spoiler)]