James Nicoll Reviews

Murder Scene

Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery)

By Mia P. Manansala

13 Feb, 2026

**Doing the WFC's Homework**

5 comments

2021’s Arsenic and Adobo is the first volume in Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery cozy mystery series.

Having discovered her fiancé in bed with her neighbour, Lila Macapagal dumped him and returned to Shady Palms, Illinois. There she hopes to rebuild her life while helping out at her aunt Rosie’s restaurant.

Her aunt’s failing restaurant.

Game Never Ends

Death in the Cards

By Mia P. Manansala

24 Oct, 2025

**Doing the WFC's Homework**

1 comment

Mia P. Manansala’s 2025 Death in the Cards is a young-adult mystery novel.

High school student Danika Dizon gives her fellow students affordably-priced tarot-card readings. Danika’s card reading for Mary Elizabeth “Eli” Delgado provides would-be PI Danika with something novel: her very first detective case.

Eli paid Danika for a reading. Then, Eli vanished.