By Samantha Diaz
In the sixth and last installment of Mia P. Manansala’s Tita Rosie’s Kitchen mystery series, Death and Dinuguan, Lila and the Brew-ha crew investigate a new case that tugs at the heartstrings of their loved ones. In this mystery, Lila’s new friends, Blake and Hana, are attacked at their new chocolate shop, which coincidentally happens during a string of burglaries in the area.Yet this time, Blake is murdered and Hana is left in a coma. The first to seek revenge and launch the investigation are Hana’s cousins—Detective Park and Jae, the two people closest to Tita Rosie and Lila. Manansala is a masterful mystery writer as she weaves in new characters and backstories in her newest novel, Death and Dinuguan, a cozy winter mystery with comforting delights and a heartfelt cast of connoisseur investigators.
Jae has always been the caring, protective boyfriend during Lila’s investigations, but never would he have believed that he’d throw himself into one. Once he receives the call that his cousin Hana is in the hospital, Jae and Lila cut their date short and rush to find Hana connected to tubes and wires. Confused as to what happened to such harmless people, Jae’s older brother, Detective Park, breaks the news of what happened that night.
The hurt emitted from Jae and Detective Park breaks Lila and the crew. Jae and Detective Park adore their cousin. Hana was a pillar of strength and sunshine, yet to see her in a helpless state, the brothers let slip their sadness around Lila, Tita Rosie, and their friends. Not only was Hana new to the town but she was a busy mom to a three-year-old who is now in the custody of Jae’s parents. Blake and Hana were becoming fast friends with the Brew-ha girls. Shaken by the incident, Lila, Adeena, and Elena decide to not let this tragedy fall to the wayside—especially since this attack may be connected to the burglaries that are targeting small, women-owned businesses like the Brew-ha Cafe. Was this a tragic accident, or were Blake and Hana targeted?
Death and Dinuguan is a bittersweet finale to a heartwarming series. In this book, the author effectively concludes the story with a gesture back to the theme of the first book, focusing on the actions of community and the love of a family.
Family ties are as strong as steel cable in this book. In the previous stories, it was obvious how family is super important in this series. Lila moved from Chicago to Shady Palms to help her Tita Rosie and Lola Flor run the restaurant. When Adeena came out to their parents, her brother Amir never falters in his love for his little sister. For the longest it was Lila, Adeena and Amir, their own chosen family. Then Elena joins the group and brings along her intellect, charm, and hundreds of relatives. This is Lila’s first exposure to a big, tight-knit family, and she makes it known in Death and Dinuguan.
Elena once told me that her mom was the second oldest of seven kids, and all the siblings had children, most of them multiple children (Elena and one other cousin were the odd ones out as only children), so family gatherings and gossip could often be… a lot. Wonderful when you needed help since everyone was all too willing to jump in and do their part.
Just like Elena, I also come from a big family and I am also an only child. The opposite of Lila, I rarely know a person who doesn’t have a big family. Most of my friends have brothers and sisters and lots of cousins, so there is always a family member somewhere nearby. It wasn’t until I was in college where I got close to people who only had their parents and a sibling or two. How did they celebrate big events? Who did they invite to birthday parties? Where would they go for the holidays? All these questions swirled in my mind the older I got as I expanded my relationships and grew to the person I am now.
I didn’t start a small business like the Brew-ha crew, but I did make lifelong friends and form a chosen family of my own. That’s what makes this book special. There was growth from Lila’s first move back home to where she is now. The characters grow and go through tough times with the patience and care from the people who love them.
Lila reflects on her childhood, comparing her memories to the memories of Jae and Hana. For the longest time, Lila sheltered within herself and buried the connection she had to Shady Palms to protect her heart. “It was easier for me to escape into books and my future dreams of getting away from Shady Palms than deal with everything else.”
Haven’t we all been through something similar? Escaping our pasts? I have. Probably still am. Like Lila, I also escape into books and did so happily with Death and Dinuguan. From this escapism, I learned a little more about myself in the process. I consider it a lucky sign that I picked up the first book of the series Arsenic and Adobo the week it was released, when I was around the same age as Lila, and still figuring out my place in this world. Reading the first book was a comforting reminder that growing up isn’t so scary with the right people by your side. Ever since, I have followed the series and been immersed in the lives of the characters. Reading about their growths made accepting my own a bit easier. If they could get through this and solve a murder, then I can climb this hill in my life.
Now on her own, Lila has grown into a successful business-woman alongside her best friends. Throughout the investigation, it’s apparent how popular the Brew-ha Cafe is around the area. Their out-of-the-box menu gets the attention of anyone from their first bite or sip of the crew’s creations. That is how they secure a spot with a high-end hotel in the neighboring town. Following the footsteps of Blake and Hana’s business, Lila and friends take the chance to investigate and promote their business to a new client. Thanks to the recommendation of their friend who runs the olive oil shop, the Brew-ha Cafe makes their way into the hearts of more people.
Community is a big theme in this mystery series. If it weren’t for all the connections Lila made throughout the story, her cafe (and investigations) would be stuck. From the past mysteries, Lila and the crew stumble into the lives of interesting characters. It’s how they make friends with a group of all-star women entrepreneurs, such as the owner of a Japanese restaurant, an entrepreneurial coach, the co-owner of the winery, and the heads of the chamber of commerce. The group of women collaborate with each other’s products and introduce each other’s business to new partners and friends. It’s how Blake and Hana got their business going through the help of these amazing women.
“Jae told me that the Shady Palms community was welcoming and supportive, and he wasn’t kidding. I’m so glad I moved here,” Hana said, her eyes suddenly teary.
Death and Dinuguan highlights the needed connection of family and community. Manansala expresses the comfort and strength loved ones can convey during the toughest of situations. Written as the final installment to the series, this book is a thank you letter to the people who hyped the story and supported the author through it all. Drizzled with emotion and a dollop of mystery, the sixth and last book of Tita Rosie’s Kitchen mystery series has love and encouragement perfect for an uplifting read.
Samantha Desirae Diaz is a writer who explores true crime, paranormal, and romance stories. Born and raised in Chino, CA, she earned her B.A. in screenwriting from California State University, Northridge, and her M.F.A. in creative writing from Chapman University. She is a marketing and media coordinator at Red Hen Press.