Thursday, August 20, 2020

Killer Kung Pao

Title: Killer Kung Pao
Author: Vivien Chien
Published: August 25th 2020 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
Format: eBook, Paperback 304 pages
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: A Noodle Shop Mystery #6

I had a hard time keeping all the characters straight, between the Mahjong Matrons, the owners of Yi’s Tea and Bakery (and which sister was older), the society ladies, and the myriad of women at the hair salon, I found myself going back chapters at a time trying to remember names and relationships.

By now, you would have thought that Lana Lee, manager of her family's Chinese Restaurant in Asia Village, would be tired of putting her life at risk, but death does seem to find her. Tensions are already high when there is a slight fender bender in the parking lot outside the shopping area. No one could foresee the accident leading to Millie’s electrocution death at the salon a couple of days later. Now everyone suspects June Yi, but Lana is not so sure. Taking her boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau's advice and knowing that she should let the police do their job is not Lana’s style. With her notebook in hand, Lana sets out to discover what people know and why they are so reluctant with the truth.

I enjoy this series. Vivien Chien twists her narrative with just the right amount of layering and adds humor where it is needed. She does not over-explain, and knowing when the reader needs a break from the goings-on, throws in the delicious tastes and aroma of Lana’s much-loved donuts and delicacies coming out of the noodle house.

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