Reviewed by Jeanne
Asia Village is gearing up to celebrate the Lunar New Year
with a series of events designed to bring customers in to enjoy the activities
and to shop. Lana Lee has been roped
into helping the arrogant and nattily attired Ian Sung with the event (translation:
she is doing most of the work while Ian endlessly quizzes her as to the
preparations) but Lana has everything under control—until one of lion dancers
is murdered. It would be hard to imagine a worse omen for the New Year, so Lana
puts on her detective’s hat and starts sleuthing.
This is the tenth in the Noodle
Shop Mystery series, but you don’t really need to read them in order. I’ve enjoyed these books from the start, and
I especially like how Lana has grown over the course of the series. At the beginning,
she was unhappily working at her family’s noodle shop after leaving another job
and in good cozy fashion was forced into helping to solve a mystery to clear
her name. Now she’s embraced both roles
with gusto, becoming more confident, less self-critical, and happier. I always liked her, but she’s more fun
now. (I’ve noticed this trend in one or
two other cozy mysteries and I am all for it!)
The supporting cast works well together. Lana’s detective boyfriend Adam still won’t
share information with her, but on the other hand he isn’t continually
admonishing her, while friends Megan and Kimmy pitch in to help gather
information. This time her perspective
is especially valuable as some of the clues tie in with Chinese culture. I especially liked that aspect in this one:
information about traditions and folklore surrounding the Lunar New Year.
I have really enjoyed this series and look forward to the next
book!
Series in order:
1.
Death by Dumpling
2.
Dim Sum of All Fears
3.
Murder Lo Mein
4.
Wonton Terror
5.
Egg Drop Dead
6.
Killer Kung Pao
7.
Fatal Fried Rice
8.
Hot and Sour Suspects
9.
Misfortune Cookie
10. Peking
Duck and Cover
11.
The Chow Maniac (2025)
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