Killer Kung Pao review

 

Title:  Killer Kung Pao

 Author:  Vivien Chien

 Ch: 30 Plus epilogue

 Pg:  304

 Series: A Noodle Shop Mystery book6

 Genre:  Cozy Mystery

 Rating: 4 stars

 Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

 

Killer Kung Pao is the sixth book in the A Noodle Shop Mystery book series by Vivien Chien, and I just love Lana Lee. I love her sass and her sarcasm . This series is the only cozy series that I've read that centers around a Chinese restaurant with both an author and main character that has Chinese  heritage.  I wish we had more diversity in the cozy mystery genre. So for now I'm going to enjoy the mysteries that Lana gets herself into involving the Noodle Shop and the entire Asian Village and it cast of characters.  

 

This one I have to say is my favorite of the series, though I'm beginning to think that I say that about each new book I read in the series, but that just shows that each new book is better than the last. And as always I look forward to the next book in the series.  As well as anything else Vivien Chien writes. 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Egg Drop Dead review

Title:  Egg Drop Dead 

Author: Vivien Chien 

Series: A Noodle Shop Mystery book 5

Chapters: 34

Pages: 320

Genre: Cozy Mystery 

Rating: 3.5 Stars 

Publisher: St. Martin's 

Egg Drop Dead by Vivien Chien is the 5th book in the A Noodle Shop Mystery series. I love reading what new mystery Lana Lee finds herself involved in.  Though this one wasn't my favorite of the series I did enjoy reading this one. I enjoy the puny titles in which part of the titles are Chinese dishes as Lana runs her family's Chinese restaurant.  If you like cozy mysteries set around food and restaurants then this is the cozy mystery series for you. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Wonton Terror Review

Title:   Wonton Terror

Author: Vivien Chien

Series:  A Noodle Shop Mystery series book 4

Chapters: 30 Plus Epilogue

Pages: 294

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher:  St. Martin’s Paperbacks 

     Wonton Terror is the fourth book in the A Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien and Lana Lee is doing her best to stay out of the solving murder business and focus on running her family's Chinese restaurant and planning a weekend away.  When she finds herself a witness to another murder.   And to top it all off her aunt her mother's sister is in town. And those two fight more than Lana and her sister.

Though I'm not one to enjoy food cozies I love this setting and I love the people especially Lana's grandmother.   Though the family fights between them they still love each other.  Like previous books in the series, this one is a pretty fast read.  However, I kind of wish I hadn't actually guessed who the murder was, but even though I did it was still a fun read.   

I look forward to the next book in the series as well as any other books the author writes. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Murder Lo Mein

Title:  Murder Lo Mein       

Author: Vivien Chien

Series: A Noodle Shop Mystery book 3

Chapters: 30 Plus epilogue

 

Pages: 301

Genre: Cozy Mystery     

Rating: 4 stars

Murder Lo Mein is the third book in the A Noodle Shop Mystery book series by Vivien Chien. And Lana Lee has finally accepted her role as the manager of her family’s Chinese Restaurant. She’s finally getting her feet back under her.  When the Best Noodle Contest the restaurant is involved in suddenly becomes the scene of a murder.    Even though she promised she wouldn’t get involved in any more murders she’s determined to find the murderer before the contest gets a bad name.

I’ve read culinary mysteries before, but I’ve never read one set in a Chinese Restaurant.    My two favorite characters are Lana’ dog and her grandmother.   The dog always manages to bring a smile to Lana face and adds comic relief to the series.  And I’m guessing her grandma is always yelling at her mom we as the reader just don’t know because her mom does speak English. 

This cozy mystery is perfect for culinary mystery fans who want to branch out a little bit. I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

I also suggest reading the books in series order. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Death by Dumpling

Title: Death by Dumpling

Author: Vivien Chien

Series: A Noodle Shop mystery book 1

 

Pages: 343

Genre: Cozy mystery

Rating: 4 stars

In Death by Dumpling Lana Lee is back working at her parent's Chinese restaurant a place she didn't think she would come back to. But yet here she is.  She keeps telling herself it’s only till she finds another job.  Then when the property manager is found dead after eating take out from her family's restaurant that she delivered Lana and the restaurant are Prime suspects.  It doesn't help that the detective in charge happens to be easy on the eyes. Lana and her friend decide to take matters into their own hands to clear Lana and the restaurant.   Throw in a match making Chinese mom and her friends and Lana's got more than she bargained for.   

Death by Dumpling is cute and cozy mystery set in a Chinese restaurant and around China town. Though I have read plenty of food and restaurant themed cozy mysteries, this is the first one that I have read taking place in a Chinese restaurant. I loved the relationship Lana had with her parents especially her mom. Even though she didn't want to back working there she was willing to do anything she could to save the restaurant.   I am looking forward to the next book in the series.  I would recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy mysteries. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.