Death and Dinuguan
by: Mia P. Manansala
Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery - Book 6
You just never know
The female business owners in Shady Palm's seem to have a target on their back with the unusal string of burglaries at their businesses. Afraid and frustrated, they are not sure where to turn. Things get worse when a new female business in town is the latest victim - in more than just lost of property. One of the female owners is dead and the other is in the hospital. The Park Brothers, the Brew-ha crew, the Aunties, and others are all shaken as the female owner in the hospital is Jae's relative. This case hits close to home. There is a feeling that the Chamber of Commerce and the police are no use. There is fear and concern because it's not known when or where a burglary will happen and if it will again result in injuries/fatalities.
As the Lila works with everyone to solve who hurt Jae's relative, killed the relatives partner and is behind the burglaries, she is working through her own concerns and feelings. Happily the Lila and crew, have learned their lesson from previous investigations. They have check-ins, they don't go alone, and they avoid the typical TSTL scenarios. The case is very systematically and cautiously investigated. That for me, meant that the story moved a slower pace with more reflection.
With the introduction of Vinny, we are treated to more descriptions of the Filipino food (recipes from the book can be found on the author's website) as it is new to him. Speaking of Vinny, very two dimensional for me, probably purposely done and I missed it. He's not the only character this is the case for. I really enjoy how there are is so much diversity in gender, ethnicity and sexual preference. The characters are not stereotypical nor caricatures of themselves.
Regarding the mystery, it was slow going. Not sure all the reasonings and such were given with the somewhat rushed and unsatisfying ending. Also, timing was a bit off to me. It seemed the number of weeks was miscounted, or it could be I missed counted, either way it gave me pause.
Reading the acknowledgments at the end some of what I was feeling throughout the story began to make sense. I didn't know going into the story that this was the final book. Having read from book 1 Arsenic and Adobo, I will miss the escapades of Lila and the Brew-ha crew.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I will miss reading about the adventures of the characters in the small town of Shady Palms.
Happy Reading!
