Appealing title...food + poison = mystery to be solved in "culinary cozy" series debut by Mia P. Manansala. While I admire the intent to bring Filipino culture and love of cooking front and center in this book, I sometimes found the use use of Tagalog language a little overwhelming and distracting (although a glossary of terms is provided). Twenty-something Lila Macapagal has moved home after a messy romantic breakup and because her Tita Rosie needs help with her restaurant in Shady Palms, Illinois. Lila briefly takes up with Derek, ex-boyfriend and now food critic for the local small town paper, but is horrified when he begins to unfairly criticize the food at her aunt's restaurant. Still they can't exactly forbid him to eat in the restaurant, even though he continues to write scathing reviews. On top of that, the landlord, Mr. Long, is threatening to throw them out after years of tenancy because they are behind on the rent. One day Derek and Mr. Long, who is Derek's step-father, come in for lunch and, during dessert, Derek keels over and later dies at the hospital. The cause of death is initially believed to be arsenic and the police find arsenic in the kitchen. Moreover, they find a duffel bag full of drugs in Lila's locker in the kitchen. Of course they're being framed, but the investigating detective is convinced that Lila is the killer and arrests her. Her East Indian American friend, Adeena, is determined to help her find the real killer. Then Mr. Long dies and the plot gets way more complicated.
Again, this is book that is to be applauded for on its focus on a culturally diverse cast of characters. Publishers Weekly gave the book a positive review, concluding "Chock-full of food lore, this delicious mystery will leave readers hungry for more of the adventures of Lila, her friends and relatives, and her chunky dachshund (who is named after a kind of short, fat sausage). Cozy fans are in for a treat."
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