Murder and Mamon is the fourth in Mia P. Manasala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series. This one, though, is a little different from the other books, ones that introduce the Filipino-American food and culture. Although, there is still a good deal of food in this one, some of it is food from other nationalities as Lila Macapagal and her friends eat their way around Shady Palms, Illinois.
Lila and two of her friends are partners in the Brew-ha Cafe. She’s close to her family, including her three godmothers who are not really related. But, they’re family nonetheless. Lila calls the three women, April, Mae, and June, the Calendar Crew. Their latest venture is a laundromat, located next to Mae’s dry cleaners. They’re all set to open it in conjunction with the town’s Big Spring Clean. But, there are some in town not so happy. One woman has had a monopoly on the town’s laundromats for years, and she’s not used to competition. One couple blame the Calendar Crew for their divorce proceedings because the three women gossip (tell the truth, as they see it) after Mass. But, who hates them enough to vandalize the laundromat when Lila and her godmothers are at a Chamber of Commerce meeting one morning? Someone smashes it up, and graffities “Mind Your Business.”
The Calendar Crew seem to know everything and everyone in town. When April’s niece arrives from the Philippines, she’s a little splashy, and indicates she was in trouble at home, so her parents sent her to live with her aunt for a while. But, the women seem to find a use for Divina. They have specific errands they want her to run. It’s only on Opening Day, when there’s a body found in the laundromat that Lila and former police detective Jonathan Park learn what kind of errands the Calendar Crew hand in mind. Now, the two join forces to investigate a murder and a break-in that leaves one woman hospitalized.
It’s always fun to catch up with the diverse group in Manasala’s mysteries. And, there’s always an unexpected twist, as there is in this one. Enjoy the mystery, and stay for the food.
Mia P. Manasala’s website is https://www.miapmanansala.com/
Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manasala. Berkley Prime Crime, 2023. ISBN 9780593549162 (paperback), 288p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I read a galley through NetGalley to review for a journal.
I love this series, have read the first two and just put the third on hold. The Calendar Aunts are such fun, happy she is giving them their book.
Hope the move is smooth and without problems.