Vivien Chien’s Lana Lee returns for Killer Kung Pao, another delectable cozy set in a Chinese restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio! Is life at the Ho-Lee Noodle House becoming too hot to handle? Lana Lee’s plate is already plenty full. Running her family’s Chinese restaurant in Cleveland’s Asia Village is challenging on the best of days. But just when Lana thinks she might be able to catch her breath … thinks she might be able to catch her breath before the weekend–which she’s eager to spend with her equally overworked boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau–Lana witnesses a car accident in the parking lot. And now she has no choice but to get involved.
June Yi, of Yi’s Tea and Bakery, is a serious businesswoman well-known for her heartlessness. But June meets her match when she rear-ends the Cadillac belonging to Mah Jong lover Mildred “Millie” Mao. As each woman curses–and threatens–the other, it becomes clear to Lana that trouble lies ahead. Still, who could have imagined that Millie would end up dead at the beauty salon? The evidence suggests that she was electrocuted while having a foot bath, and all eyes are on June. Can Lana find a way to solve this case before another fatality occurs in Asia Village?
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Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is the 6th A Noodle Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or have skipped a book. Lana Lee is the manager of her family’s restaurant, Ho Lee Noodle House in Asia Village in Fairview Park, Ohio. She is also on the board of directors for the village. Lana is twenty-eight years old, shares an apartment with her best friend, and likes to frequently change her hair color. She is dating Detective Adam Trudeau when their schedules allow. Lana is looking forward to spending Friday evening with her roommate and boyfriend. Before she can leave the restaurant, Ian Sung approaches her. He wants Lana to coordinate the upcoming sidewalk sale for Asia Village. Then Lana witnesses a fender bender between the toxic June Yi and rude Millie Mao. Lana’s plan for Saturday morning is getting her hair colored at Asian Accents. Unfortunately, Millie and June happen to have appointments scheduled at the same time. Millie ends up dead and June is at the top of the suspect list. Despite Lana’s intentions to stay out of this investigation, she gets roped in by June’s twin sister, Shirley. The suspect list consists of people who were at the salon that morning which leads to some uncomfortable questioning since Lana knows them. No one likes to be suspected of murder by someone they know, or watch grow up. There are several viable suspects, good clues, and misdirection. I like how the crime was committed. I found this whodunit a cinch to solve. I thought the pacing was a little slow. I had a hard time staying engaged which is a shame because I really enjoyed the last A Noodle Shop Mystery. I like Lana Lee and the other characters in this series as well as Asia Village and the close-knit Asian community. I just think the series needs a little more oomph to take it from okay to wow. I like how Lana’s roommate knows when something is upsetting Lana by how many donuts she brings home. All of us who stress eat can relate. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that will have you chuckling. The food descriptions had me craving my favorite Chinese food plus glazed munchkins. Killer Kung Pao is a charming cozy mystery with a desperate dye job, a fender bender, a sidewalk sale, delectable donuts, fiery foes, a scolding sister, and the Mahjong Matrons.
Lana Lee is the manager of her family’s Chinese restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House, which is located in an Asian shopping center in the Cleveland, Ohio area. In this sixth installment in Vivien Chien’s A Noodle House Mystery series, Lana is having her hair dyed at her favorite salon when a client is electrocuted. The victim, Mildred Mao, was not well-liked in the community. She was known for cheating at Mah Jong and being sue-happy. Everyone immediately points the fingers at her most recent enemy, June Yi, but Lana has her doubts and is determined to uncover the truth.
This is a fun, engaging series, with witty writing, relatable family relationships, and mouthwatering descriptions of Chinese food that will leave you craving some dumplings and noodles. Spending time in Asia Village with Lana and the gang feels like catching up with old friends. Lana is one of my favorite cozy mystery heroines. She’s relatable, down to earth, and has a great sense of humor. She’s a bit reckless in her sleuthing, however, it makes for some hilarious interactions with the suspects. The author has done a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life and making the reader become invested in not only Lana’s story but also in the stories of those around her. This installment focuses on Jasmine from the beauty salon and the Mahjong Matrons. It was fun learning more about them.
The mystery was well-crafted, with plenty of clues, false leads, and suspects to keep readers on the edge of their seats. I was unable to solve the mystery and was surprised by the reveal. All in all, this is a fantastic addition to the series, and I eagerly await the next book. Anna May is hiding something and I can’t wait for Lana to uncover her secret.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lana Lee is back and once again she finds herself trying to solve another murder at Asia Village. I have to say, for such a small shopping complex, there is a lot of shenanigans going on. For me, this is a really fun series which all starts with the main character Lana Lee. She has personality galore and it just jumps off the page. Add in her family, boyfriend, and all the other shop owners and employees at the Asia Village and you have a rich, diverse, quirky, fun group of characters. The various relationships in this series keep me entertained. Lana and Adam are in a good place. He’s not overly fond of her penchant for investigating the murders and crimes that occur at Asia Village but he has come around to the fact that he is basically dating the resident busy body and has adjusted. Her best friend Megan is her partner in crime and enabler. She is always up for investigating. I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get more of Mama Lee in this book, but I’m sure she has something up her sleeve.
The mystery centers around the murder of a woman who is not well-liked and cheats as Mah Jong. as a result, when she is murder at the local hair salon the obvious suspect is her most recent nemesis. But for Lana Lee, something just doesn’t add up. The author does a great job of laying out clients and complex connections that Lana has to dig to uncover, but in the end, the resolution was a relatively simple one.
This is a terrific series and I love all the characters and the setting. I’m in this for the long run and will be back for the next installment. I need to find out what color Lana Lee’s hair will be then and what trouble she can dig up next time.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.
Another great Noodle Shop mystery by Vivien Chien. This time Lana Lee finds herself wanting to change her hair color yet again and ends up in a hair raising experience at the salon instead when an Asia Village regular is murdered at the salon. Lana wants nothing to do with this case because her plate is already very full … and not with the shrimp dumplings and spicy noodles or spicy chicken wings and potato wedges that she craves. Can she sit back and wait for her boyfriend, Detective Hotty Pants, Adam, to find the killer or will she find herself searching for the killer herself? Pick up this great little read to see what happens … I mean, you know she searches for the murderer, right? I’m not giving away any plot details with that juicy tidbit of gossip! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
I read book 7, Fatal Fried Rice, right before reading Killer Kung Pao . This helped me see some good and bad elements better than when there are many months between books. On the plus side, I see Lana’s relationships with the people in her life better. The threads are subtle because the stories focus so much on Lana, but this time I saw more depth between her and Meghan and to a lesser amount with Betty (mommy), Anna and Kitty. On the negative side, I’m seeing a similarity to the murders, at least in these two books: very limited pool of suspects and a bit light on the motive for people’s actions, not just the killers.
I compared this story with a locked room mystery in that everything to do with the murder was contained to the beauty parlor. So, once it was confirmed it was a murder, the suspect pool was set (or was it???). The author does a good job of trying to provide a motive for many of the staff and customers, even two of the Mahjong Matrons.
There is a second storyline (maybe not enough to be considered a second storyline) with some irregularities/suspicions mentioned. This is not explored deeply and I wonder if the author just lost track/interest or is playing a long game which will be developed as the series goes on. I say, “Hmmmmmm.”
I received my copy of KKP from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
What starts with a crash ends with a sizzle and Lana Lee finds herself involved in another murder mystery.
Headed home for a quiet weekend with her handsome detective Lana witnesses an accident in the parking lot of Cleveland’s Asia Village. There is no love lost between June Yi, of Yi’s Tea and Bakery, and Lana, in fact, she tries to avoid June at all costs so when she sees June back straight into Mildred “Millie” Mao Cadillac she tries to make herself invisible. When their argument escalates and the police arrive Lama is going to have at least give a statement about what she saw. She just hopes that the end of her involvement.
But then both women show up at the hair salon at the same time as Lana. Praying the women stay separated and oblivious to each other’s presence isn’t too much to ask, is it? But it is not meant to be. Shortly after they see each other, the lights go out and when they come back on, Millie is dead and June is the prime suspect. When June’s sister asks Lana to help clear her sister of the crime Lana is forced to say yes, even though she thinks June really could be the killer.
This series continues to be a favorite. I really enjoy the characters. This time we get to know the Majong Matrons that come to the Ho-Lee Noodle House every morning for breakfast. They always seem to know the latest gossip but this time two of the matrons were at the salon right before the murder occurred. Again Lana teams up with her roommate Megan to do a little sleuthing. I really enjoy their relationship and how well they know each other. I also love the way Lana’s relationship with boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau continues to grow. Ms. Chien has created a strong cast of core characters that continue to develop more in each story plus she gives us truly interesting new characters in each book for us to like and dislike too.
The mystery this time was quite puzzling, especially because anyone present in the salon could have done the deed. The investigation takes Lana from one end of town to the other and she ruffles a few feathers along the way. I was totally twisted up in my thinking by the time everything was revealed.
Killer Kung Pao was a fun read. The current mystery wrapped up but there are lingering threads yet to be addressed. You know Lana is going to stumble into another mystery so I am very excited about Fatal Fried Rice hitting my Kindle in March. I recommend the entire series to all cozy mystery lovers.
Killer Kung Pao
By Vivien Chien
I absolutely love this series and each one just keeps getting better and better. In this installment of A NOODLE SHOP MYSTERY Book #6, Lana Lee witnesses the murder of Mildred Mao known for her indiscretions at Mah Jong and fingers start to point to June Yi, the owner of Yi’s Tea and Bakery. Lana Lee knows better and our sleuth goes to work to find the real culprit. As always, the characters are a delight to read about and the story is full of wit, humor, and of course red herrings. I enjoy Vivien Chien’s cozy mystery series for a quick and wonderful escape read. I highly recommend this book and the rest of the series too!!
Good flavor of the ethnic neighborhood.
So many food references left me hungry for Chinese food and/or donuts.
Clever idea. Would you go to the trouble to try to help someone you don’t like? And they don’t like you?
Good final twist.
Another great visit to Asia Village in the sixth Noodle Shop Mystery. Once again Lana finds herself involved in a murder inside Asia Village but it is one of the most disliked people of the village. Will Lana let bygones be bygones and help or will she finally listen to her boyfriend Adam and stay out of it? If you know Lana, you know the answer.
In Killer Kung Pao we get to learn more about the Majong Matrons that visit Ho Lee Noodle House every morning. I found that interesting as I am always curious about them. Hopefully, we get more info on them in the future as well.
I think one of my favorite things about the series is the covers. They are so detailed and downright beautiful. Every time I look at them I find something I did not see the first time.
Grab your favorite Asian dish, some hot tea, and be ready to dive into a delicious mystery.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, through NetGalley. Any opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
I was reading Death by Dumpling, the first book in this series, when I saw this digital advance available and immediately put my request in.
Reading a Noodle Shop Mystery is like visiting the home of your adventurous friend. And a little bit like I Love Lucy, once someone tells Lana to butt-out, you can guarantee Lana is all in and we get to go along for the ride.
Although Lana goes headfirst into danger, with loving parents, her best friend bar tender roommate, and hunky detective boyfriend, Lana has more than enough support to take on the strain.
A fun cast of characters to spend time with, I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series. Emotionally satisfying, lighthearted mystery. Thank you, St. Martian’s Press and NetGalley. for the chance to read this digital advance copy of the newest Noodle Shop Mystery.
Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is another fantastic installment that keeps your mind churning with ideas of whodunit.
Could June Yi really have murdered someone?
Lana Lee and Megan are back once again to try and figure out who else could have killed Millie Mao. For Lana, that is hard to figure out, seeing that she needs to whittle herself through the long list of people. She is excellent at doing this with a typical case. This case is anything but ordinary for her to figure out. Lana is doing her best with all the clues that various people gave her. She is also trying to clear June’s name from any wrongdoings.
The Mystery
Millie Mao is the victim, and under normal circumstances, the way she died could have been accidental. At the Asian Village, nothing is normal, especially when Lana is near the crime scene. Not only does Lana have her hands tied with trying to shift through the clues, but so does Adam. I have to admit that I guessed right the first time but talked myself out of it because I couldn’t figure out the motive and thought it was stupid that the person I thought did it would do it. Then I thought I was right with another one, but the reason was weak. I applaud Ms. Chien for stumping me once again!
5 Stars
Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is a great book that is entertaining and puzzling at the same time. Ms. Chien does a great job of making me feel bad for Lana regarding this new character in the village who doesn’t like Lana. I am giving this five stars and recommending it to anyone that loves cozy culinary 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 Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is the 6th A Noodle Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or have skipped a book. Lana Lee is the manager of her family’s restaurant, Ho Lee Noodle House in Asia Village in Fairview Park, Ohio. She is also on the board of directors for the village. Lana is twenty-eight years old, shares an apartment with her best friend, and likes to frequently change her hair color. She is dating Detective Adam Trudeau when their schedules allow. Lana is looking forward to spending Friday evening with her roommate and boyfriend. Before she can leave the restaurant, Ian Sung approaches her. He wants Lana to coordinate the upcoming sidewalk sale for Asia Village. Then Lana witnesses a fender bender between the toxic June Yi and rude Millie Mao. Lana’s plan for Saturday morning is getting her hair colored at Asian Accents. Unfortunately, Millie and June happen to have appointments scheduled at the same time. Millie ends up dead and June is at the top of the suspect list. Despite Lana’s intentions to stay out of this investigation, she gets roped in by June’s twin sister, Shirley. The suspect list consists of people who were at the salon that morning which leads to some uncomfortable questioning since Lana knows them. No one likes to be suspected of murder by someone they know, or watch grow up. There are several viable suspects, good clues, and misdirection. I like how the crime was committed. I found this whodunit a cinch to solve. I thought the pacing was a little slow. I had a hard time staying engaged which is a shame because I really enjoyed the last A Noodle Shop Mystery. I like Lana Lee and the other characters in this series as well as Asia Village and the close-knit Asian community. I just think the series needs a little more oomph to take it from okay to wow. I like how Lana’s roommate knows when something is upsetting Lana by how many donuts she brings home. All of us who stress eat can relate. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that will have you chuckling. The food descriptions had me craving my favorite Chinese food plus glazed munchkins. Killer Kung Pao is a charming cozy mystery with a desperate dye job, a fender bender, a sidewalk sale, delectable donuts, fiery foes, a scolding sister, and the Mahjong Matrons.
Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is the sixth in the A Noodle Shop Mystery. Even though this is book six, it could be read as a stand alone since Ms. Chien does a terrific backstory sprinkled in the story so you aren’t lost.
As with all in this series, you are taken to Cleveland’s Asia Village. The main characters are likeable, you get just enough of supporting
characters, some which are a bit quirky.. There is humor and romance. Plot twists will have you guessing until the surprising end.
Lana just wants the week end to start and spend some much needed time with her boyfriend, Adam, a police detective. Leaving work on Friday evening, she sees a fender bender in the parking lot which led to threats from each of the involved towards each other. Unfortunately for Lana, she knows both of the women. The next day, Lana just wants to have her hair colored when both of the parties show up in the salon. When a pedicure turns deadly, all fingers including Lana’s, point to June being responsible but her sister insists she couldn’t have done it. Lana is asked to prove June didn’t do it and is once again pulled into an investigation. When she and her room mate, Megan starts digging into all the clues, Lana wonders if she will ever get her hair finished or will she be next.
I was given an ARC by St Martin”s Paperback and NetGalley for an honest review.
KILLER KUNG PAO by Vivien Chien
The Sixth Noodle Shop Mystery
June Yi and Millie Mao are two of the most unpleasant people to be found in Asia Village. When the duo are involved in a minor fender bender Lana Lee knows it will be the talk of the village, especially after lawsuit happy Millie leaves via an ambulance.When June and Millie both wind up in Asian Accents, Lana’s wish for a peaceful relaxing day seems impossible. Before her hair is done, a scream rings through the salon…a woman is dead and Lana is about to be involved in another murder.
How far would you go to help someone you didn’t like? June is one of the most disliked people in Asia Village and everyone believes she’s guilty. Could it be that obvious? Lana has her doubts. Lana’s insatiable curiosity coupled with the heartfelt plea for help from June’s sister leads Lana Lee into another murder investigation.
I’ve always liked Lana and I like her even more after this sixth Noodle shop mystery. She’s willing to take on so much, Asian Village’s sidewalk sale, her friends’ relationship crisis, her mother’s demands for Ho-Lee Noodle House, and another murder. It would be easy to stay out of it and let the police decide the nasty woman everyone disliked is the murderer. But it takes strength of character to look into things and try to find the truth. No matter how much we love and believe in someone niggling doubts will still arise. Many of the characters in KILLER KUNG PAO are faced with this dilemma, including Lana. This doubt and the moral dilemmas faced here increase the anxiety and raise the tension creating a thought provoking and exciting read.
KILLER KUNG PAO has more twists than a mahua and had me gasping in shock at the ending! I absolutely love this character driven series and can’t wait for Lana’s next adventure.
Interesting cozy mystery. I liked Lana, her boyfriend Adam, her bestie Megan, and all the other quirky but fun characters. The storyline was intriguing, with a clever ending. It’s my first time reading this author, but I don’t think it’ll be my last.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor.
Lana Lee has come into her own since we first met her in Death by Dumpling. Back then she was not happy to be back in the family business, the Ho-Lee Noodle House. She would have rather been doing any other job but that’s life. Now, in the 6th entry of the series, Lana Lee is the manager of Ho-Lee Noodle House and it turns out that she is very good at her job. She is also very good at getting involved with the occasional murder. Too bad the Cleveland area Asia Village, location of the Noodle House is also the epicenter of those homicides.
On her day off, Lana Lee, always pushing the envelope, not wanting to settle on one hair color for very long, is off the the Asia Village salon to get her hair dyed again. This time a gun metal gray…or so she hopes. Not happening. The previous day there had been a fender bender in the Asia Village parking lot and Lana Lee was a captive witness as one of the cars involved had her boxed into her parking space. She was up close and personal to see a real blow up between to very unpopular women connected to the Asia Village. The same two women show up at the salon and one would be leaving in a body bag. All she wanted was a soothing pedicure but got a side of electrocution.
The dead woman, Millie Mao, was suing the other driver, June Yi but June isn’t going to stand still for that. Did that push her into settling the case once and for all? June’s sister isn’t buying it and begs Lana Lee to unmask the real killer. Of all the people to have to help, June is the last one on the list but June and her sister might lose their bakery in the Asia Village if the killer isn’t caught. If that isn’t enough to fill her plate, others have decided that Lana Lee will be in charge of the week long Village street fair! Say what? How did that happen? It’s a lot to juggle.
When I first met Lana Lee I was not sure about her with her attitude towards the family business and having her life take a turn she didn’t like but then I got to know the rest of the cast. Her parents, her older sister (who has something going on in her life that I’m eager to know about), her grandmother and last but not least, The Mah Jong Ladies – they hear every tiny tidbit of information and general gossip in the Village. Together they won me over by the second book and I was hooked. We will see Lana Lee and the rest of the gang next March in Fatal Fried Rice.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I noticed the book cover first and had to read this! I like to begin a series with book 1 but that’s ok, i didn’t feel lost. MC Lana Lee witnesses a car accident at her family’s restaurant. June Yi rear ends the cadillac belonging to Millie Mao. Then Millie is found dead and June is a suspect. The two ladies don’t like one another and it’s very comical. It’s an entertaining read! Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ebook ARC. This is my honest review.