Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien Series: Noodle Shop Mystery #3
Published by St. Martin's Press on March 26, 2019
Source: Purchased
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 304
Format: Paperback
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Everyone agrees that the food at Ho-Lee Noodle House is delicious—unless it happens to be deadly.
Lana Lee’s stake in her family’s Chinese restaurant is higher than ever now that she’s been made manager. So when she enters Ho-Lee into Cleveland’s Best Noodle Contest, Lana makes it her business to win—at all costs. But when a local food critic receives a threatening note in a fortune cookie and is later found dead, face-down in a bowl of lo mein, all bets are off. . .
Now, along with her sweet-and-sour boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana decides to take matters into her own hands and dig into the lives of everyone involved in the contest. But when she receives an ill-fated fortune, Lana realizes that in order to save the reputation of her restaurant, she needs to save herself first. . .
This is the third installment in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana Lee is now managing her family’s restaurant in the Asia Village plaza, but of course nothing’s ever quiet in her life. There’s a noodle competition taking place and Peter, the chef at Ho-Lee Noodle House is one of the competitors. Then one of the judges is killed and Lana and Megan decide they need to investigate, after all they have experience now.
The mystery was well-done. The first victim had several enemies, he was a bit of a jerk. But when a second judge is killed, it becomes more confusing.
Lana’s questioning at times becomes a bit pushy in this one, and I got a little tired of everyone telling her she should keep out of it, as if she didn’t know it already. Amateur detectives know they should leave it up to the cops, but just can’t. And she has a bad habit of getting caught alone with a murderer, although at least here she gets away on her own.
Lana’s still kinda maybe dating her detective. Apparently, he has “baggage.” I hope their relationship in the next I’ve improved it she dumps him. He actually liked through her purse without getting permission. And of course, since he found something relating to the case that she hadn’t told him about, she was the one in trouble. Boo.
My favorite new character was Lana’s Grandma. She’s from Taiwan, speaks little English, and is apparently here to stay for at least a while. She’s funny and observant and is a good addition to the family.
Overall, Murder Lo Mein is a fun cozy mystery that will leave you craving Chinese take out. The Asian American point of view of interesting and unique, and it takes place in Cleveland.
About Vivien Chien
Vivien Chien first started writing simple stories about adventures with her classmates when she was in elementary school. As she grew up, her love of books and the written word increased, leading to the attempt of her first novel at age 16. After many struggled beginnings and several different genres, she found her passion in the mystery world.
When she’s not writing, she can be found frolicking in the bookstore or searching for her next bowl of noodles. She has a soft spot for doughnuts, a healthy love for coffee, and an extreme need to participate in random acts of crafting.
She currently lives in Cleveland where she writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.
This sounds like such a fun series!
It really is. I think the next one comes out in August, so I’ll have to keep an eye open for it.
I’ve heard about the series. Sounds nice.
I like it. It’s not amazing, but fun enough.
I totally agree about the cravings while reading this book. All I wanted from all of her books was noodles!
Exactly. I finally got Chinese take out the other day.
I bet that solved the cravings issue!