Trigger Warnings (per author's note): PTSD, fatphobia, fertility/pregnancy issues, predatory behavior, unresolved grief, parental death, and dismissive attitudes toward mental health

A few months after Arsenic and Adobo comes the setting for Homicide and Halo-Halo. Lila Macapagal is working on opening the Brew-ha Cafe with her two friends Adeena and Elena while trying to deal with the trauma from the last few months. Shady Palms has brought back its infamous Miss Teen Shady Palms Pageant, which Lila won and was her ticket out of Shady Palms, and she suddenly finds herself a judge of the pageant. But when the one of the judges is found dead by Lila and another judge, Lila finds herself in the whirlwind of trying to solve a mystery and not getting hurt. Will Lila and the rest of her family solve the case before anyone else gets hurt?

This book has a heavy focus on mental health, and the stigma around it. Lila is clearly struggling in dealing with her past trauma, and it is intensified with panic attacks and trying to ignore her issues. Many people can relate to Lila, especially with this quote that hit home for me: "Most of my choices in my life had me working either for or against their [Lila's aunts] wishes - rarely did I center myself in my decision-making."

While this book is billed as a mystery, I felt like the mystery plot took a backseat from the mental health plot line. Compared to the first book, this mystery felt more straightforward with fewer twists and turns that were more expected. It was a quick read (I read it in a few days) and I still loved it, despite the mystery being lackluster.

Also, points for a possible ace/aro character representation and for mentioning bujo (bullet journals)!