Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien Series: Noodle Shop Mystery #10
Published by Minotaur on July 23, 2024
Source: Purchased
Genres: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 282
Format: eBook
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Lana Lee and friends return for a fiery Chinese New Year celebration that rattles their quaint community. After all, an Asia Village party wouldn’t be complete without an explosive finale.
Chinese New Year is supposed to be a time of fresh beginnings and celebrations of good fortune to come. Naturally, the shop owners of Asia Village jump at the chance to support property manager Ian Sung when he suggests creating a memorable holiday event that will bring positive light to the plaza, and prosperity for all those involved.
With Lana Lee as his right-hand woman and head event planner, Ian orchestrates an extravagant evening filled with music, live entertainment, and generous giveaways. But at the end of the night, during an elaborate firework show in the parking lot, a member of the lion dance performance team is found dead backstage with a single bullet hole through the heart and a red envelope in their pocket containing four one-dollar bills―an omen of death.
Ian Sung takes it upon himself, again enlisting Lana’s help, to find out who could have killed the talented dancer right under their nose.
It’s Chinese New Year and Lana Lee is busy managing Ho-Lee Noodle House and organizing a celebration to take place at Asian Village. The head event planner, Ian Sung, has decided there will be music, a lion dance performance and a raffle. Lana, as his second in command, is looking forward to the event but is understandably tired of Ian’s nagging. And of course someone is killed during the event – one of the lion dance performers.
By now, most people assume/expect Lana to investigate, and of course she does. It’s nice to see Lana back in Cleveland, even if any closeness she developed with her sister while they were in California has disappeared. I also like the way she and her boyfriend detective handle trying to solve the same murder. Lana’s grown over the series and it’s nice to see her coming into her own. The mystery itself was well-done. The dead woman was surrounded by messy relationships and secrets.
I enjoyed the peeks into Chinese-American culture and traditions, with the familiar setting. Lana and her family and friends are likeable and loyal. I enjoyed Peking Duck and Cover as I have all the books in this series. Although they do always make me want to order Chinese takeout.
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.
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