By Meghan Mazzaferro
Content warnings (as provided by the author): PTSD, fatphobia, fertility/pregnancy issues, predatory behaviour, sexual harassment, unresolved grief, parental death (occurred in childhood), and dismissive attitudes towards mental health. Additional content warnings: murder, drowning
Homicide and Halo-Halo is the second book in the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries series. A few months after being accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend, Lila Macapagal wants nothing more than to put that incident behind her. But it seems no one in Shady Palms is willing to let the past go, and Lila gets dragged into judging the Shady Palms beauty pageant, of which she is a former winner. When a fellow judge is killed, Lila's cousin Bernadette becomes the prime suspect. Now it’s up to Lila to protect her family and the beauty pageant contestants from a killer whose motives are just as elusive as Lila’s baking inspiration these days.
It’s difficult to review a sequel without comparing it to the first, but the author herself does address this book’s slightly darker tone. I appreciate the author’s notes at the beginning of both books in this series, but Manansala’s statement at the beginning of this one really helped me set realistic expectations for this book. As she says, this book is darker than the first. While still firmly a cosy mystery, Lila is in a difficult place in this book; she struggles with unprocessed trauma, both from the events of the first book and from unhealthy relationships from her childhood. While there were times I found myself missing my favourite side characters from Arsenic and Adobo, the book takes the time to explore how Lila deals with trauma, including pushing people away, and I really respect that. Too often in genres like mystery, mental health can be glossed over for the sake of the next thrill. I valued this book’s commitment to exploring the impacts of trauma and providing Lila with support. I’m excited to see that journey continue as the series progresses.
I know I said I wouldn’t compare this to the first book, but I will say, while being a fun, quick read (I devoured it in less than twenty-four hours), Homicide and Halo-Halo had a slightly less gripping mystery than its predecessor. This book sets up a number of compelling characters who could all be suspects, and I didn’t feel entirely satisfied with how their stories wrapped up. The actual murder plot and final reveal were exciting, and I enjoyed searching for clues along with Lila and making my own theories, but I feel like there were some character interactions that were left unexplained. I have high hopes that we will see more of these characters in the future, but I did find myself wishing for a bit more information about a few people when I put the book down.
That being said, I really enjoyed this book. The pacing is quick, the clues are well-spread out and kept me guessing, and I enjoyed Lila’s sleuthing, her meddling godmothers and all the personal dramas that got in the way. The characters in this story are all complex and interesting, and the new characters only add to the appeal of this world. And, as always, this book made me absolutely starving. Lila’s desserts and Tita Rosie’s meals had my stomach rumbling, and I, for one, am eager to try out all of the recipes provided in the back of the book, starting with Lila’s Halo-Halo ice candy.
Overall, while I may have wanted a bit more from the story’s resolution, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Lila is a delight to follow, and I can’t wait to see what she and her family get up to next (local gossip claims that Lila’s meddling godmothers, the Calendar Crew, might find themselves in a bit of hot water in Blackmail and Bibingka, but we’ll have to wait until October to find out).
Thank you to Penguin Randomhouse for a review copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.