Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala

Cover of Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala

Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala brings balances the cozy mystery with the consequences of gossip and the difference between intent and impact. We still get cute moments with Lila and Longanisa as well as the tasty snacks we've come to expect from Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mysteries but this time, the Calendar Crew come face-to-face with a controversy they didn't directly create. There are plenty of people in Shady Palms who feel they've been targeted by Lila's godmothers, but no one knows who would have taken a life just to get back at them.

This was an entertaining read! I was worried about diving back into the series because it felt like book 3, Blackmail and Bibingka, got a little too dark for my taste. It made sense that Lila would have to deal with some trauma from being involved in three different murder investigations, but the book went into that mental health work more than I expected a cozy mystery would. This time, the mystery seems to be more balanced in how much of reality is infused into the storyline.

Some of the gossip that the Calendar Crew shared was pretty funny and reminded me of my maternal family's propensity for drama. It was also nice to see Lila's relationships stabilize and her dedication to her community through employment opportunities.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries with delectable treats, adorable dogs, and nosy family members, you should give this series a try!

Content Warnings: bullying, infidelity, death, toxic relationship, classism.