Shady Palms, Indiana

Shady Palms is the city where the story takes place. Lila says the town got its name when someone became homesick for a warmer climate and planted palm trees. The trees died, were replaced by fake trees, and the name stuck. The town is less than 20,000 people, has several “mom-and-pop” type businesses, and is Lila's home.

Tita Rosie's Kitchen

Tita Rosie's Kitchen is the restaurant operated by Lila's family in Shady Palms. It is a relatively small business featuring traditional Filipino dishes. Lila notes that there have been no renovations or updates in many years, and that what was once cozy now seems run-down. Derek dies at a table here, prompting a police investigation. When Mrs. Long leaves town, she leaves behind the deed to both Tita Rosie's Kitchen and Java Jo's, setting Lila up with a far more secure future.

Java Jo's

Java Jo's is...