Author: Vivien Chien
Published: December 30, 2025 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, 311 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Noodle Shop Mystery #12
Blurb: Cindy Kwan, owner of Asia Village’s bookshop, The Modern Scroll, is privileged to host best-selling author, Charlene Chan for a signing in honor of the writer’s latest book, The Mystery of General Tso.
Lana Lee is equally excited for the appearance of her favorite author and even more so when Cindy asks her to be Charlene’s “handler” for the event. Taking her duties very seriously, Lana stays by the side of the prominent author to assist in anything that she might need.
With a line out the door and stretched through the plaza, Cindy is overjoyed at what a success this is for her shop. But, unfortunately for Cindy, her success comes with a the author is found dead in the mystery aisle, clutching a copy of her own book. Coincidentally the book’s plot matches the details of the murder.
Lana’s boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is charged with leading the case investigation, but finds himself overwhelmed when he realizes just how much of the book series is mimicked in reality. For the first time in their relationship, Adam calls on Lana to partner up with him to help solve the case. The couple must work through the novel to outwit the murderer, stay one step ahead, and beat the die-hard fan to the last chapter.
My Opinion: I just love this series. Every time I step back into Lana Lee’s world, I know I’m in for a good weekend—between the Mahjong Matrons, the restaurant chatter, and the inevitable chaos Lana and her friends tumble into, it’s always a fun escape.
This time around, the mystery caught me off guard. The culprit wasn’t someone I had on my radar. The clues were there, but I didn’t connect them, which makes me think my spidey sense might be slipping. Honestly, I don’t mind being surprised. It’s part of the charm.
There are conveniences that made me raise an eyebrow. Detective Adam Trudeau asking his girlfriend and her crew for help because he can’t quite figure things out on his own stretches believability. Let’s be real—no detective worth his badge is outsourcing his casework to his girlfriend’s social circle. And yet, here we are.
The suspect pool is a bit of a juggling act, too. There are several characters to keep straight, each hovering close enough to the victim to warrant a second look, even if their motives are more circumstantial than compelling. Lana and her fellow sleuths work through them one by one, fueled by donuts, pizza, late-night coffee, and whatever other snacks cross their path. It’s messy, it’s cozy, and it’s exactly the kind of rhythm this series thrives on.
My one real complaint is how the author seems to be dumbing down Adam Trudeau. He’s always been a steady presence, and watching him lose some of that intelligence is frustrating. Still, it’s not enough to pull me away. I’m in this series for the long haul, quirks and all.
Lana Lee is equally excited for the appearance of her favorite author and even more so when Cindy asks her to be Charlene’s “handler” for the event. Taking her duties very seriously, Lana stays by the side of the prominent author to assist in anything that she might need.
With a line out the door and stretched through the plaza, Cindy is overjoyed at what a success this is for her shop. But, unfortunately for Cindy, her success comes with a the author is found dead in the mystery aisle, clutching a copy of her own book. Coincidentally the book’s plot matches the details of the murder.
Lana’s boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, is charged with leading the case investigation, but finds himself overwhelmed when he realizes just how much of the book series is mimicked in reality. For the first time in their relationship, Adam calls on Lana to partner up with him to help solve the case. The couple must work through the novel to outwit the murderer, stay one step ahead, and beat the die-hard fan to the last chapter.
My Opinion: I just love this series. Every time I step back into Lana Lee’s world, I know I’m in for a good weekend—between the Mahjong Matrons, the restaurant chatter, and the inevitable chaos Lana and her friends tumble into, it’s always a fun escape.
This time around, the mystery caught me off guard. The culprit wasn’t someone I had on my radar. The clues were there, but I didn’t connect them, which makes me think my spidey sense might be slipping. Honestly, I don’t mind being surprised. It’s part of the charm.
There are conveniences that made me raise an eyebrow. Detective Adam Trudeau asking his girlfriend and her crew for help because he can’t quite figure things out on his own stretches believability. Let’s be real—no detective worth his badge is outsourcing his casework to his girlfriend’s social circle. And yet, here we are.
The suspect pool is a bit of a juggling act, too. There are several characters to keep straight, each hovering close enough to the victim to warrant a second look, even if their motives are more circumstantial than compelling. Lana and her fellow sleuths work through them one by one, fueled by donuts, pizza, late-night coffee, and whatever other snacks cross their path. It’s messy, it’s cozy, and it’s exactly the kind of rhythm this series thrives on.
My one real complaint is how the author seems to be dumbing down Adam Trudeau. He’s always been a steady presence, and watching him lose some of that intelligence is frustrating. Still, it’s not enough to pull me away. I’m in this series for the long haul, quirks and all.
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