If you’re looking for a gripping story, you might want to explore the adobo and arsenic novel which has captivated many readers with its unique blend of culinary intrigue and mystery.
Food has always played a role in literature, with food as poison a recurring motif, from the Greeks to Shakespeare to contemporary mystery novels. One such fascinating read is the novel about adobo and arsenic, titled Arsenic and Adobo, the first book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series by Filipina American writer Mia Manansala, published by Berkley for Penguin Random House.
This is a charming and well-written mystery. When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a breakup with her high school boyfriend, Derek Winter, her life seems to follow a rom-com trope. She is conveniently tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s struggling Filipino restaurant, a central setting familiar to readers of the arsenic and adobo novel. Moreover, she has to deal with her matchmaking aunties, who shower her with love and judgment. The aunts, named April, May and June, are collectively called the Calendar Crew.
But when a nasty food critic drops dead moments after a quarrel and a meal at Lila’s restaurant, her life takes a drastic turn. Detective Park, the lead investigator, also happens to be a good friend of Tita Rosie. Ironically, he and the other officers treat Lila as the prime suspect. Meanwhile, the shady landlord pressures her family, threatening to evict them and resell the storefront, reflecting dilemmas seen within the adobo and arsenic novel’s plot.
With no other choice, Lila launches her own investigation. Armed with her nosy auntie network, her barista best friend, her cousin at town hall, and her loyal dachshund, Longganisa, she takes on the case, much like the efforts detailed in the novel's story. It’s a twist-filled ride that fans of adobo and arsenic novels will love.
The novel features a lively cast of characters. Lola Flor, the family’s grand matriarch, is an excellent cook but not a shrewd businesswoman. Tita Rosie inherited her culinary skills but also shares her soft heart for business and her tendency to overfeed customers. But for all of them, family comes first, echoing themes in the famous adobo and arsenic novel.
The story moves swiftly between past and present, from Lila’s relationship with Derek to her complicated life now. “I wanted to go to Chicago for school. He wanted me to stay in Shady Palms, where we’d get married, have kids, and live blandly ever after.” This illustrates the spirit of longing found in a novel focusing on adobo and arsenic elements.
Detective Park’s brother, Dr. Jae Park, is described as “an Asian Adonis” and works as the new dentist in town. Lila likes him but finds him frustratingly dense. As she puts it, “The men in my life were denser than my grandmother’s rice cakes.” Similarly, the novel about adobo and arsenic features intriguing characters like a sharp lawyer and Lila’s best friend, all embroiled in family dynamics.
The book introduces several possible suspects, most of them owners of restaurants that Derek harshly criticized in his food reviews. There’s Stan’s Diner, an all-American eatery owned by Stan Kosta and his wife, Martha. There’s a Japanese restaurant owned by Mr. Sato and his wife, Yuki, who is having an affair with Derek. El Gato Negro, a Mexican restaurant run by Elena and her mother, faces harassment from racists. There’s also a restaurant owned by George and Nettie, and, of course, Tita Rosie’s Filipino restaurant, adding depth to the rich story inspired by the adobo and arsenic novel.
The pages fly by, and Manansala knows how to tell a compelling story. The tone shifts between moody and wistful, especially when Lila longs to leave her small hometown, and lighthearted and witty, reminiscent of the best rom-coms and sitcoms. The novel also touches on dark themes, including the opioid crisis, blackmail, and multiple murders.
One minor flaw is that some characters’ reactions could have been more nuanced, particularly those under suspicion. At times, they feel like caricatures from a TV drama, raising their eyebrows too high or darting their eyes suspiciously after a shady act. Such dynamics are familiar in adobo and arsenic novels where exaggeration adds to the intrigue.
I won’t reveal more, as this is a cozy mystery thriller. But at the end of the book, readers will find a delightful selection of recipes, including not just adobo but also ube crinkles and other Filipino culinary treats, hopefully all kitchen-tested for enthusiasts of novels themed around adobo and arsenic.
Mia Manansala’s next novel, Homicide and Halo-Halo, promises to be another delicious read. Tuck in to discover more culinary mysteries reminiscent of adobo and arsenic novel themes.
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Danton Remoto has published Riverrun: A Novel and The Heart of Summer: Stories and Tales with Penguin Southeast Asia. His books are available at Fully Booked Online and www.acrephils.com. He teaches creative writing online to students ranging from ages 6 to 76.
