I really liked the rep! This brought a lot of different ideas together. I was unsure if I think maybe this isn’t totally YA and maybe is more middle grade in the writing. I’m not sure.

I was bored through this and even the tarot could not get my paying attention.

This book was okay… it felt very very juvenile. Even though it is a teen book, it felt like it would be better suited for middle grade.

3.5/5 Stars

Danika Dizon wants nothing more than to be a private investigator, just like her mom. While she waits for her time, she offers her classmates tarot readings at a price, to ease their anxious minds. When one of her clients vanishes, shortly after she was dealt the death card during her reading, her younger sister Gaby begs Danika to put her skills to use to help find her.

This was a fun read, with a great main character. Her relationship with her friends and family were so fun to read about. The mystery was entertaining, and I was invested in finding out what happened Gaby's sister. I loved the tarot readings, and I really liked learning about the Filipino culture as well, especially all the yummy food descriptions! The ending was also a fun little surprise.

I would definitely read the next book if this were to become a series!

This author just knows how to pull me into a story. I was skeptical going into this book with it being YA, however that just made this book so much better to me. The things the main character was able to do and the mystery she was able to solve made it that much better that she is also a highschool kid trying to still figure out the world. This book never fell into the category of the teenagers making dumb decisions for the sake of that they are teenagers. At no point did they feel older then their age but it was refreshing to see an author believe that teenagers can have rational thought and make smart moves. I really liked Danika's family and that they worked like a well oiled machine. Danika proving to her mom that she is dedicated enough to join the family's PI business and seeing those interactions played out were entertaining. The added element of the tarot card readings made this story another level of intriguing. The main character really has a gift reading people and interpreting the cards. I am so happy this is going to be a series as I am not ready to let go of any of the characters and need to see Danika come more into her detective self. Looking forward to the next book!

I love Mia Manansala's book. I absolutely love her Tita Rosie's series and was so excited to see that she was writing a young adult book. It is a perfect debut for teens and hopefully it will get more of them to read her other series. I am really hoping that there will be another book in this series because the characters that are introduced deserve more stories. I definitely recommend this book to everyone, teens, adults, seniors, anyone who likes a good mystery that involves a great set of characters.

Mia Manansala continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite authors when it comes to cozy mysteries. Known for her Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery series, she brings that same charm into Death in the Cards, but this time with a young adult twist. It feels like the perfect gateway for YA readers into her writing style—still cozy, still easy to read, but with younger characters and relatable stakes. The plot flows smoothly, and the pacing keeps you turning the pages without feeling rushed. Plus, I absolutely loved the characters—they’re vibrant, engaging, and easy to root for. A warm, well-crafted mystery that’s both accessible and fun for younger readers exploring the genre.

4.5/5 ⭐️
Danika is a high schooler with a not so traditional job - she works part time for her mother's private investigation agency and also reads tarot cards for classmates on the side. When one of her clients goes missing, the client's little sister asks Danika to help. Danika figures this will be the perfect way to show her mom she is serious about joining the agency.

This one started a little slow, but once Danika and Gaby really started investigating I didn't want to put it down! I really like Manansala's Tita Rosie's Kitchen mystery series, and I enjoyed this YA debut! It ended in a way that seems like we might get a series, which I would be totally in for! I thought she did a great job balancing investigation with reality of being a teenager (like Danika still goes to school, etc.). I'd definitely recommend for anyone looking for an engaging mystery!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun reading this book! I loved the premise and the nods to Chicago as well as the Arsenic and Adobo series. A lot was packed into it and I felt a little off put by the nature of the murder story, though I knew it was a murder mystery, especially in contrast to the lovely characters.

A YA cozy mystery debut by Manansala.
🔮
Danika is the most observant person she knows, which makes her really good at tarot reading and being an amateur P.I. Her goal after graduation is to work at her mom’s detective agency, but her mom is dead set on Danika going to college. In order to prove herself Danika offers to help her mom with a case when a classmate’s older sister goes missing. Unfortunately, Danika’s reading of the Death card was the last thing she did with the missing girl. Teaming up with her sister the two end up going undercover at the local country club in order to find out what happened to the Gaby’s big sister.
🔮
I need this to be a series immediately! We haven’t really seen any cozies in the young adult world and I’m so here for this. It was engaging, had great representation, I adored the romance and learned a lot about tarot.

CW: missing person, theft, classism, adult/minor relationship, alcohol

I really enjoyed the connection between a tarot card teen and a private investigator mother! I would enjoy more books in this series.

This was a fun mystery that I enjoyed. The pacing is great and this was a quick read. Danika Dizon is such a likable main character that I'd love if this became a series. I would highly recommend this! Special Thank You to Mia P. Manansala,Random House Children's and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, this worked better as an audiobook - the text version just couldn't keep my attention. The story was fine but something about the writing style didn't pull me in.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.75ish/5 stars.

I remember reading the author's first adult mystery and loving it (but then I didn't keep up on the series), so I was excited to see this YA debut. It has such an interesting premise between the Tarot, the mystery, Veronica Mars vibes, etc. It is a quick read, and I really appreciate the diversity in it. I wish there hadn't been a love triangle (tbh, the romance was unnecessary really) but I do like how the end is like "yeah, you don't need to decide who you like yet" because that was refreshing in a YA novel. I also like the mystery plot and how it unfolded into a much bigger thing. Also, yeah, the Veronica Mars vibes.

Death in the Cards was a fun mystery novel featuring a main character whose knowledge of tarot cards helps her earn money on the side, but also lands her in the middle of her first murder/mystery. Because she aspires to be a private investigator like her mother, she is somewhat excited, if unnerved, by the behaviour of one her clients during a tarot reading, and when that client goes missing just hours later, she wants to be involved in the investigation as she felt she was responsible for what happened.

Danika was a character who struggled with several things in her life making her quite empathetic and realistic. She wanted to be more active in her mom's investigation business, but her mother insisted she do chores that sidelined her in the business not really understanding her mother was protecting her and trying to keep her safe for as long as possible. I enjoyed the dynamics between mother and daughter and thought it was quite realistic, with high expectations as well as strict rules and regulations regarding her comings and goings. And while Danika was upset at some of the rules, she still followed them.

The representation was another of this book strengths and I really admired the lengths to which the author included so much of the culture. Not only do we have the American-Filipino community (and the food made me salivate), but there was also Danika's struggles with her sexuality. I loved that she was so clueless when it came to her friends. She could see clues all around her, but couldn't see a hint coming from any of her friends with regards to her behaviour towards them, something that was addressed in a wonderful way in this book. Danika was so used to giving advice through her tarot readings, but did not know how to take her own advice or open her eyes to her own behaviour. I am really glad romance wasn't the center of this book, but what was there was quite interesting and I am curious to see where the author takes the relationships next as I think there will be another book.

The mystery itself was interesting, if predictable, but it wasn't what kept me reading this book. Having a friend who uses tarot cards to guide her choices, I like how they were used in this book as a reference and to perhaps help with choices one has to make, but doesn't give clues to help solve the mystery. That was entirely on Danika and her family. I think this would have been a very different book otherwise, one I may not have liked.

Death in the Cards was enjoyable and I thought the characters were interesting and well-developed. I did think some of the sections moved a bit slowly and were somewhat repetitive, and I did find the mystery predictable. However, the overall reading experience was fun and the ending was done in such a way that I am expecting a sequel to this book. I definitely hope so!

Thank you to Random House Children's and the Author for a free advanced reader copy of this book.

Mia Manasala is in her element with this YA sleuth novel. The voice felt natural and fun, as well as awkward and stumbling like a teenage would be. I twist reveal was satisfying and surprising, and the minor romance was a fun addition! Definitely on par with the tita Rosie's kitchen mysteries! I can wait to see what is next!

Danika Dizon would like to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a private investigator. Her mother would like her to go to college. To make money, Danika is telling fortunes with her tarot cards. She need $900 to fix up her car.
One day she's confronted by Alex. It seems that Danika gave her sister a fortune and then she disappeared. Their parents are not concerned but Alex is. Working on her very first case gives Danika a thrill but it may also lead her into some big trouble.
I love Manansala and this book is very indicative of her work, gripping with great character development.

Four stars
This book comes out May 13, 2025
ARC kindly provided by Random House Children's and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

This book is definitely a fun, Veronica Mars type teen mystery! There's tons of nods to the show and other private eye stories. The cast of characters was a ton of fun, especially Danika and her family. The mystery is twisty and really intriguing. The Filipino culture is awesome to on page. And the addition of the Tarot readings really makes this stand out from other YA mysteries. A quick and fun cozy-ish read!

i was a little nervous for this one because i did not enjoy manansala’s adult cozy mystery series — much to my dismay and disappointment! however, i think her writing voice was made for YA, or perhaps she’s just written so many books this is a natural progression from her debut. i LOVED this one — i was hooked, the characters were interesting and kept me gripped, and i wanted to stay in this little world more and more. definitely a great mystery option for teens.

The YA genre is constantly impressing me with the depth and interest that these books hold- being entertaining fro both young adults and adults alike. This is the perfect mystery for someone looking for a wild ride without anything too gruesome or stressful. Loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with this arc!

I absolutely adored this book and couldn't put it down! As a Veronica Mars fan, I knew I would love it the moment Danika mentioned her Chrysler Le Baron was named Veronica. I loved the chemistry between Danika and Gaby, as well as the relationships between Danika and her cousins and friends. All the characters felt very fleshed out and realistic. I thought the pacing was perfect, with the action and character development happening hand in hand. While I did guess who was behind the "bling ring" at the country club and the killer, the reveal made sense and the suspenseful build up was well done. The inclusion of Danika's tarot readings and love of Kali really fleshed out the charcter and her world. I loved how the ending leaves it open to further books about Danika Dizon. I hope we get more books about this unique detective. I will definitely be recommending this book (as well as purchasing any future titles in the series)!