Welcome back to Ho-Lee Noodle House, where you can get fantastic take-out. . .unless you get taken out first. “Vivien Chien serves up a delicious mystery with a side order of soy sauce and sass. A tasty start to a new mystery series!” —Bestselling author Kylie Logan on Death by DumplingDim Sum of All Fears is the second book in a delicious new cozy series. Lana Lee is a dutiful daughter, waiting … cozy series.
Lana Lee is a dutiful daughter, waiting tables at her family’s Chinese restaurant even though she’d rather be doing just about anything else. Then, just when she has a chance for a “real” job, her parents take off to Taiwan, leaving Lana in charge. Surprising everyone—including herself—she turns out to be quite capable of running the place. Unfortunately, the newlyweds who just opened the souvenir store next door to Ho-Lee have turned up dead. . .and soon Lana finds herself in the midst of an Asia Village mystery.
Between running the Ho-Lee and trying to figure out whether the rock-solid Detective Adam Trudeau is actually her boyfriend, Lana knows she shouldn’t pry into the case. But the more she learns about the dead husband, his ex-wives, and all the murky details of the couple’s past, the more Lana thinks that this so-called murder/suicide is a straight-up order of murder. . .
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Dollycas’s Thoughts
Just when Lana Lee is about to make a huge life change and take a chance on a job outside of the family business, her parents announce they are going to Taiwan and leave her in charge of Ho Lee Noodle House. She is not happy but takes on the job and realizes she is darn good at it. The one thing she couldn’t control though was the double murder that took place at the souvenir store next door. She had become good friends with Isabelle Yeoh who spent the day running the shop while her husband Brandon was off “running errands”.
Lana is in a new relationship with Detective Adam Trudeau and knows he can handle the case but she still finds herself investigating. So with a busy restaurant, especially with the Chinese New Year only days away, Lana loads up her plate to find out who killed her friend and why.
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I am not a fan of Chinese food but I am a fan of this author and these characters.
Ho Lee Noodle House is open for breakfast when the Mahjong Matrons arrive through the evening. It is a family-run restaurant supplemented by long term employees. Lana usually works as a waitress/hostess daily while her sister attends college and works around her classes. Their mother is very intense and their father is pretty laid back. I think Lana did an excellent job stepping in as manager and her sister came across as petty and demanding, upset that her sister was left in charge. They did have a view arguments in front of customers and growing up around a family-run restaurant know that is a big no-no, but it happens. The restaurant is in a mall full of Asian shops and that adds its own stress and drama as Lana has to deal with management and the murder site right next door. Lana’s relationship with Detective Adam Trudeau is new and moving at a snail’s pace but it evolving. I feel all the characters are realistically written and loved where the humor was added.
The mystery itself was very interesting. At first, thought to be a murder/suicide which was quickly disproven. When classified as murders people came out of the woodwork to land on the suspect list each with motive and opportunity. The author served up a nice contingent of red herrings. Lana was a fun amateur sleuth the follow around. People really opened up to her, some even asking for her help. My thinking was twisted up several times. I enjoyed the part Lana’s roommate/best friend Megan Riley played both in helping in the investigation and pushing the romance between Lana and Adam.
Again, an animal stole my heart, Lana has a black pug named Kikko. So lovable and the perfect pet to come home to.
Dim Sum of All Fears was a marvelous cozy mystery. I was discouraged at first that Lana’s plans were all messed up by her parent’s sudden trip but by the middle of the story, I was happy to see she excelled at her tasks and was where she was meant to be.
The next book in this series, Murder Lo Mein is on my To-Be-Read shelf and I will be reading and reviewing it soon!
A new souvenir shop has opened next to Ho-Lee Noodles, the restaurant that Lana Lee’s parents own and where she works. Over the last few weeks, Lana has become friends with Isabelle, one half of the newlyweds who own the new store. That makes it person when Isabelle and Brandon, her husband, are found murdered in the back of their store one morning. Despite warnings to stay out of the investigation, Lana begins to poke around. Can she figure out what happened?
Too many books got in the way of me returning to this series sooner, but I’m glad I was able to revisit the characters. The plot is strong, with plenty of secrets and suspects that kept me guessing until the very end. Lana is a relatable, sympathetic heroine, and I really like her friends as well. There is some room for growth in her relationships with her family, and I hope that happens as the series progresses. There are some spoilers for the first book in the series here, so if you are interested in the series, I definitely recommend you read them in order. I’m glad I got to return to Ho-Lee Noodles, and I hope it isn’t so long before I move on to book three.
This book was very enjoyable. It had a good story, a good mystery and likeable characters. I’m looking forward to more.
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien is the second in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. This is the first that I have read and it won’t be the last. Dim Sum could be a stand alone.
Lana Lee is a server at her parents Noodle Shop but is wanting to try something new. Just when she thinks she has a chance, she is thrown into running the shop while her parents go to Taiwan to be with her grandmother. In addition to having to take charge of the Noodle shop, she has to deal with her sister, who feels she should be in charge, and it is winter in Cleveland, think snow and ice.
She is no sooner placed in charge when a murder occurs in the shop next to hers and it’s a friend and her husband. Lana knows she must get answers.
There is a great story line, relatable characters, romance, and plenty of suspects. There are plenty of twists and turns and you are kept guessing until the end.
I was given a ARC by Netgalley for an honest review.
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien is the second book in A Noodle Shop Mystery series. Lana Lee is surprised when her parents announce they are departing for Taiwan and leaving Lana in charge of the Ho-Lee Noodle House. Just when Lana has a second interview for a well-paying office manager position. The day her parents depart for Taiwan, Lana arrives at work ready to focus on the restaurant and show her parents she can do the job in their absence. Then Isabelle and Brandon Yeoh who own Charm City Souvenirs are found dead in their shop. Isabelle and Lana shared a common love of books and had become friends. It turns out that Isabelle and Brandon had several skeletons in their closet that are now coming to light. Despite being told repeatedly by Detective Adam Trudeau to stay out of the investigation, Lana cannot help but do a little digging. Which one of the suspects could have done the deed? Join Lana on her quest for the truth in Dim Sum of All Fears.
Dim Sum of All Fears is nicely written and has steady pacing. If you have not read Death by Dumpling, you will not be lost. The author provides the backstory readers need to proceed with Dim Sum of All Fears. There are a variety of quirky characters that include the Mahjong Matrons, Kimmy Tran and Esther Chin. In the beginning of the book, Lana shocks everyone by showing up with her hair dyed blue. I was baffled as to why she would do this when she was interviewing for an important office manager position. At twenty-seven years old I believe it is time for Lana to quit antagonizing her mother and figure out what she wants to do with her life. Lana had days to find someone to cover for her, so she could attend the interview, but waits until it is too late (evidently, she really did not want the job). The bickering between Lana and her sister especially at the restaurant in front of customers and employees (unprofessional and inappropriate) was tiresome. I was baffled by the scheduling at the restaurant. I thought it was unusual that they open in the morning (I have never seen this type of establishment open before 11 a.m.) and during the lunch hour rush there would be only one waitress on duty (the other employee would be on her hour lunch break). The mystery was straightforward, and I could identify the killer before I was a third of the way through the book. There were a couple of suspects and Lana was proactive in asking questions. Detective Adam Trudeau tells Lana to repeatedly stay of the investigation and, of course, she has no intention of listening to him. There is a cliché love triangle between Lana, Adam and Ian Sung. Personally, I preferred Death by Dumpling to Dim Sum of All Fears (it was not as silly). My rating for Dim Sum of All Fears is 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). I hope the author ups her game in the next A Noodle Shop Mystery.
Murder strikes Asia Village once again, and this time it’s hitting Lana Lee hard. On top of that, she’s been tasked with running the noodle house while her parents take an impromptu trip to Taiwan, she’s still longing for a change in career, and her relationship with Detective Adam Trudeau is not proceeding as smoothly as she’d like – and her amateur sleuthing isn’t helping the matter. Dim Sum of All Fears is another deliciously refreshing installment in newcomer Vivien Chien’s Noodle Shop Mystery Series, the only problem is once I finished the book I was left hungry and waiting for the next installment! I absolutely enjoyed and wholeheartedly recommend this fun cozy. A+++
DIM SUM OF ALL FEARS by Vivien Chien
The Second Noodle House Mystery
Ever grateful for the safety net her parents’ restaurant provided, Lana Lee is now ready to move on. But her new job is lost before her interview when her parent’s announce they are going on an extended trip to Taiwan and leave Lana in charge of the Ho-Lee Noodle House. At least Lana can spend time with her new friend. Isabelle and her husband Brandon recently opened a souvenir shop in Asia Village, and although Brandon seems a bit sketchy, Lana enjoys Isabelle’s company. While things are running smoothly at the restaurant Asia Village suffers another tragedy when Isabelle and her husband are found dead in an apparent murder/suicide in their shop. Did Brandon kill his young wife before killing himself? Or was he a victim as well? Lana is determined to find the truth and justice for her friend.
I loved this second outing in the Noodle House Mystery series. Each page was a delicious morsel, the mystery, fulfilling fare. While still unsure of her future, Lana is coming into her own. Her attitude, the strength of her friendships and loyalty, make her an admirable woman…even if her life is uncertain and a bit of a mess. I would be proud to call Lana Lee a friend.
DIM SUM OF ALL FEARS is a novel of many layers. First there’s the intricately plotted, detailed mystery. The well developed characters illustrate complex family dynamics, as well as relationships between friends, neighbors, and co-workers. There is no shortage of humor. Several moments had me grinning, if not laughing out loud!
Vivien Chien has created a world I want to visit and people I would like to call friends. DIM SUM OF ALL FEARS is a top notch mystery with a wonderful cast of characters. The only problem is that I have a craving for noodles!
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
I am just loving this series. I love Lana and her bestie Megan. I also love the romance blooming between her and a certain guy! The Gilmore Girls references just made my day! Also I now want a donut. I cannot wait to read the next book!
Another great cozy mystery from Vivien Chien. Lana Lee finds herself running Ho-Lee noodles while her mother and father are back in Taiwan visiting her A-ma. As if that’s not stressful enough, she also has to contend with yet another murder at the Asia Village plaza. Lana’s relationship with police detective, Adam Trudeau, is growing, but will it continue to do so if he knows she’s meddling in his murder investigation? Another really great read in this series.
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien was a fantastic second book that kept me guessing whodunit.
Can Lana Lee manage her family’s restaurant and figure out who killed her friends?
Lana Lee
Lana Lee is back with this new installment. She is trying her hardest to be at the restaurant for her parents while also trying to figure out who killed her new best friend and her husband. Wow, Lana had a lot going on for her this time around. From her parents springing the trip and telling her that she is in charge to her friends being murdered next door. I liked how Lana stepped up and didn’t whine to her parents or tell them that she couldn’t run the restaurant for them. What I like about Lana is that she is such a great character and is doing what needs to be done. Granted probably begrudgingly, but she was running the restaurant quite well. There isn’t anything that I don’t like about Lana.
The Mystery
Wow, I felt terrible for Kimmy, who finds the newlywed couple next door to the noodle restaurant. It was confused for a murder-suicide until proven it wasn’t. Lana ends up working the case when she wasn’t trying to. Not as many red herrings in this one, but it was tough to solve until the clues started to add up, and the motives got clearer. Another great mystery that Ms. Chien cooked up.
5 Stars
Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien is a wonderfully planned culinary cozy mystery, and now I can’t wait to dive into the next one. Ms. Chien does a fantastic job, and I love all of the characters in here. I am rating this at five stars and recommend it to anyone that reads cozy mysteries.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Dim Sum of All Fears by Vivien Chien.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
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I read Death by Dumpling right before I started Dim Sum. I liked Dumpling a bit more because I thought we got more immersed in the life of a biracial character which is unusual for a cozy series.
In Dim Sum, Lana is left in charge of the restaurant while her parents visit relatives and, like in the first book, someone dies in Asia Village. It left me wondering if that was going to be the case in future books and if the author could keep it fresh. Lana has almost no life outside of the village.
Lana is an active investigator which I liked and whodunnit, given the small number of possibilities, was surprising though the ending seemed rushed to me.
As always, each reader brings their own experience and I have worked many years in restaurants. I have NEVER worked at one where staff got a lunch hour when a restaurant is usually at one of its peak busy times. Yet, Lana and the staff routinely (many times in this story) go off at noon leaving one waitress to handle the whole restaurant. It was starting to really irritate me, especially, as I mentioned, it happened many times. If detail is provided it should be accurate. Now, the author may have worked in a family restaurant and gotten lunch breaks at noon, but I doubt she could have left where she couldn’t have been called back to service if needed.
I give this story 3.75 out of 5. I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.