A delightful new location for a cozy mystery. Charming cultural references.

Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien is the first book in the new cozy A Noodle Shop Mystery series. The series brings a bit of diversity to the genre by being set in the Asian Village Plaza, a mall with the shops full of Chinese culture.

Lana Lee has found herself returning home to her parents and working in their restaurant, the Ho-Lee Noodle House. When one of the staff asks Lana to pitch in and deliver an order to Mr. Feng, the plaza’s property manager, little did she know it would end up putting her in the middle of the murder case.

After Mr. Feng’s order was dropped off Lana had returned to the restaurant only to have everyone in a panic shortly after when it became clear Mr. Feng had been found dead. The problem for Lana was it looks like the food she’d taken may have been the cause of his death putting her and the cook in the line of the investigation.

While Death by Dumpling was a solid start to this new Asian flavored cozy there was a bit of a spark missing for me personally to absolutely fall in love with the series just yet. As anyone knows that has read my cozy reviews before I tend to love series that are oozing eccentricity or quirkiness and I don’t think that stood out much in this one unfortunately.

I did however enjoy visiting Lana’s culture for a bit and the setting within this series. Lana was about as realistic as a young adult of Asian descent that’s been raised in America could be, she is on the edge between the cultures which is normally the case in that age where he parents and other adults around her are what give more glimpses at the culture. When finished with this one I’d definitely try the next to see if the author could give the series a bit more of it’s own unique spark to make it shine going forward.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Death by Dumpling is the first book in Vivien Chien‘s A Noodle Shop Mystery series. This is an easy and fun read, with an interesting mystery, witty writing, and affable characters. There are twists and turns, and multiple viable suspects. There isn’t any graphic violence or adult situations, but there is some adult language. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

After learning her boyfriend is cheating on her and impulsively quitting her job, twenty-seven-year-old Lana Lee moves back home to the Cleveland, Ohio area and finds herself working as a hostess/server in her parents, William and Betty Lee’s, Chinese restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House, in Asia Village, a quaint shopping center. Shortly after Lana walks to their landlord, Thomas Fen’s, office to deliver his lunch, he is found dead in his office and it’s determined he died from an allergic reaction from eating a seafood dumpling. Everyone in Asia Village knew Mr. Fen was severely allergic to shellfish, always had an epi-pen handy, and was specific on how his food was to be prepared. Detective Adam Trudeau of the Fairview Park Police Department, views Lana and the restaurant’s cook, Peter Huang, as his prime suspects. When Lana’s roommate and best friend, Megan Riley, learns Lana is trying to investigate and find the true killer to clear Peter and her names, she insists on becoming involved. They uncover many well-kept secrets and Lana finds herself in harm’s way.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

I wanted to like this first in a new series. The synopsis interested me and so did the setting and theme of the Asian Village and its various businesses. The writing was good but I just could not care for the characters. By the 40% mark I decided to do something I rarely ever, ever do - I skipped to the end to see who dunnit. Maybe it was the the voice of Lana - too young for my ear? I just couldn't feel any sympathy for her situation. At her age going home to work in the family business is not the end of the world. She had no depth but then none of the others did, either. The mystery itself didn't have any tension and, for me, no curiosity.
Because this was the first in the series I will possibly check out the next entry to see if the characters have been better developed. With a stronger mystery I think this series has potential.

Lana Lee is twenty-seven years old and, after a cascade of poor life choices, has found herself working as a server in her family’s restaurant to make ends meet. Ho-Lee Noodle House is one of the most prosperous shops in Asia Village, a charming Asian-themed plaza located in the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. Asia Village is the brainchild and baby of Thomas Feng, the fifty-something property owner with an allergy to shrimp so deadly that he carries an Epi-pen with him at all times. It seems like business as usual when Lana delivers a take-out order to Mr Feng’s office after the cook who usually doubles as delivery man begs off due to other pressing orders. Everyone at Ho-Lee Noodle House knows about the allergy, so Mr Feng being found dead soon after seems like tragic happenstance… until the coroner rules that he died from a reaction to shrimp dumplings, with his Epi-pen nowhere to be found.

Lana is stunned to discover that she’s the prime suspect given that she was the last person to handle his food. She’s even more astonished when the death brings out not only the ugly side of some of her neighbors, but also deep dark secrets from Asia Village’s past. Unwilling to sit idly by while her character is besmirched, she proceeds to methodically investigate, despite the stern warnings of the detective in charge, the dreamy Adam Trudeau (and with a last name like that, I keep envisioning him as a certain good-looking Prime Minister. I don’t think anyone can blame me.)

There were so many things to like about this Own Voices novel. It’s really great to read a cozy written from the perspective of an Asian-American woman, especially since it’s set so lovingly within a Chinatown-like enclave. Vivien Chien wryly highlights the pleasures and perils of being an Asian-American woman in the Midwest, especially one who is single and works for parents who may be overly concerned about her marital status. After Ian Sung, Mr Feng’s socially awkward younger business partner, asks Lana to meet him regarding a proposition that turns out to be more than strictly business, Lana’s mom is eager to learn more, never mind the fact that Detective Trudeau has shown up at the restaurant to ask Lana and her parents several follow-up questions:

QUOTE
“Lana, answer me,” my mother said, interrupting the detective. “What did he say?”

I huffed. “It’s nothing Mom. He asked me out to dinner.”

“What?” all three asked in unison.

“It’s no big deal, don’t make it a thing.” I could feel the redness spreading in my cheeks.

“Oh, Lana.” My mother beamed, clapping her hands together. “This is good for you. You need a boyfriend so you’re not lonely anymore. Ian Sung is perfect for you.”

Detective Trudeau scoffed in the background.

“I thought you said you didn’t like--”

She waved her hand at me. “Forget about that. He will be an important man now. Maybe he will ask you to marry him and then you will own the plaza one day too.”
END QUOTE

But Death By Dumpling isn’t just about solving mysteries while Asian. Ms Chien has created a very relatable heroine in Lana Lee who, like many other cozy heroines (and readers!) is a voracious bibliophile. Determined not to be rushed into a relationship by her mom or anyone else, she seeks solace in the same way so many of us do, single or otherwise:

QUOTE
Instead of finding a boyfriend [as] instructed, I decided I would hit up the next best thing. The bookstore. I needed books to add to my “to be read” pile, and while I was there, I could question [the shopkeeper] about the day she found Mr. Feng’s body. Hopefully she would prove to be more informative than [the last person I’d spoken to].

As I stepped inside, I stopped and took a deep breath, closing my eyes and taking in the intoxicating smell that is the Modern Scroll. This was my favorite store of all. It was a small slice of heaven, and I came in any chance I got just to be around the books. Books were my solace, my escape.
END QUOTE

Death By Dumpling is a promising debut in a market that often seems to be saturated with interchangeable heroines. Lana Lee stands out not just for her ethnicity, but also in her resourcefulness, humor and practical approach to investigation. I really enjoyed her relationship with her best friend and roommate, Megan, and look forward to finding out more about both the romantic break-up and the workplace meltdown that brought her to this pass, two events that are alluded to in only the barest of sketches for this first entry in the series. Dreamy resemblances to a certain political figure aside, Detective Trudeau isn’t necessarily my favorite cozy mystery love interest, but I’m definitely interested in seeing how Lana’s relationship with him grows and am eagerly looking forward to the sequel.

A new cozy mystery series introduces us to Lana, her family and some interesting characters. Lana delivers dumplings from her family’s Chinese restaurant, to Mr, Feng, but somehow they are substituted for shrimp dumplings, causing Mr. Femy’s death. As Lana begins to uncover secrets within the local Asian community, the mystery deepens. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and hope it is just the first of many.

I was excited to have the opportunity to obtain an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from NetGalley.

DEATH BY DUMPLING is the first novel in a new mystery series. Lana Lee quits her job and goes to work as a waitress at her parents’ Chinese restaurant, where her mom constantly connects on Lana’s lack of a love life. When a local businessman dies after consuming a batch of dumplings, Lana becomes a suspect in the murder investigation. In order to clear her name, she assumes the role of sleuth to find the killer.

Chien’s Noodle Shop mystery series features the winning combination of a likeable protagonist, a sexy police detective love interest, a sassy best friend, and a “black-as-soy-sauce” pug named Kikkoman. The Cleveland setting is a nice contrast to the typical small town, while Asia Plaza provides the perfect close knit community for an amateur sleuth to maneuver.

DEATH BY DUMPLING is a great story to get cozy with.

When I saw this book cover, I was immediately interested. Unfortunately, I did not finish the book. I could not relate to anyone in the story and nothing captured my interest.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

A unique take on a cozy mystery! I loved this book from beginning to end! The characters were wonderful and well developed. The plot was strong and easy to follow, it did not leave the reader lagging at all. I loved the mystery, it was well thought out and written beautifully. I cannot wait to see what else the author has in store.

Refreshingly fun smart cozy

This is Vivien Chien's debut novel, the title caught my eye as I love Chinese food so decided to give her book a try. I am so glad I did as this was a very satisfying cozy. I liked the diversity of the many characters and the glimpse into charm and character of Chien's Asia Village.
Lana Lee was a great main character. She was smart, sassy and realistic. I thought her supporting cast of characters were a great addition that added depth to the storyline. I was engrossed by the story as Lana searched for clues to the real killer. Detective Adam Trudeau was a great pairing for Lana. I liked the budding chemistry and energy between them. I look forward to reading more books in the Noodle Shop Mystery series.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.

I love historical mysteries but I haven't read many cozy mysteries, and I wanted to try the genre but didn't know where to start because there are so many choices. When I saw Death by Dumpling available for request on NetGalley I was immediately drown to the cover and the blurb, and jumped on the chance to read it.
Death by Dumpling was a very enjoyable, quick read. It had all the necessary ingredients for a good murder mystery: an interesting setting, appealing characters, a murder with a number of shady suspects, and a dash of romance. It was a great start to a new series and a successful introduction to a new genre for me. I am looking forward to the next book, Dim Sum of All Fears.

Death by Dumpling: A Noodle Shop Mystery
By Vivien Chien
St. Martin’s Press
March 27, 2018

Review by Cynthia Chow

If not for a trifecta of lamentable incidents, Lana Lee would probably have never returned home to work at her parents’ Chinese restaurant. A breakup, finally-fed-up-to-here job quitting, and Ho-Lee Noodle House losing their full-tie waitress all are what led to the twenty-seven year-old spending the last six months working full-time in Northeast Ohio’s Asia Village. Figuring out her life is going to take a backseat to more dire events when a pork dumpling delivery goes horrifically wrong. Everyone in Asia Village knew of the property owner’s shrimp allergy, so when Mr. Thomas Feng has a fatal reaction following his dumpling takeout meal, Lana needs to prove that it was tampered with in order to save the restaurant’s reputation. For while it is the Ho-Lee Noodle House’s cook, Peter Huang, who brought in by police for questioning, gossip also quickly spreads that Lana may have been an accessory.

Lana may not be the biggest fan of working in the restaurant business, but she loves her parents; and they do love the Ho-Lee Noodle House. With her roommate Megan Riley as an enthusiastic Cagney to her Lacy – or perhaps Laverne to her Shirley – Lana begins to question those who last argued with or had reason to want Mr. Feng out of the picture. Using the Mahjong Matrons as well as the Asian Accents salon for sources of the latest gossip, Lana’s investigation has her butting heads with the annoying handsome Detective Adam Trudeau. Trudeau soon learns that he needs Lana and the Instigator on her shoulder prodding her to intervene though, as although everyone in Asia Village is talking, no one is talking to the police.

I knew I was going to love this new mystery series, but I never expected just how much. It’s all too rare to see a bi-racial Asian woman in mystery fiction, but what is refreshing is that stereotypes are avoided and just how little her ethnicity matters to her daily life. Lana’s very traditional mother does give her the imperative to hurry-up and get married, but Mrs. Lee doesn’t mind that her other older daughter is single since she’s busy pursuing a higher education. It takes the strong bond of friendship with Megan to pull Lana out of her hermit-like habits, and their evenings out are as enjoyable for readers as they are healthy for Lana. Also delightful is that Lana obviously adores her family, even as her very “big ole white guy” father embarrasses her by calling her his little goober. An adorable black pug named Kikkoman – after the soy sauce – reveals that Lana still very much embraces her family’s business, even though declaring that she is not the typical Asian since she’s bad at math, can’t write in Chinese, and doesn’t know karate. Lana is funny, smart, and relatably insecure, ensuring that readers will look forward to spending as much time in her life as possible. This is a wonderfully written debut series that should be on everyone’s reading list.

What a charming book! This will definitely appeal to any cozy mystery reader, but I can see it being a hit with younger readers (and by younger, I mean younger than my creaky middle aged bones! Young people in their 20s or perhaps even teenagers (there's no bad language or sexual situations) would really like this.) With a sprinkle of romance, a bit of intrigue, adorable characters, a cute setting and a captivating mystery, what more can you ask for in a cozy? The Asian venue was a fresh and unique setting for the mystery. This isn't your average everyday cozy!

I loved Lana and her roommate Megan, they made a great team and their enthusiasm caught me up and rolled me right along with them. The cute Asia Village plaza with its Chinese shops sounds like such a great place to visit and browse for a day. Is this a real thing? Is there an Asia Village I can visit somewhere? Hmmm. And the plot! All the twists and turns and red herrings kept me guessing and I was completely turned around upside down by the time I got to the exciting ending. Can't wait to read more from Lana and the gang!

This is a new series, the Noodle Shop Mysteries, featuring Lana Lee who works in the family restaurant Ho-Lee Noodle House, located in Asia Village in Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Feng, the owner and manager of Asia Village, is found dead after Lana delivers his lunch, prepared by Peter, the chef at the restaurant. When it turns out Feng was murdered by eating a shrimp dumpling the plot thickens…

Lana and, her roommate, Megan decide to find the killer. Naturally, a handsome homicide detective is thrown into the mix, and no, he doesn’t believe Lana is the killer. The story line is good with a few twists included. This is a fine beginning but the author may need to step up her game a bit in the next adventure.

Lana Lee had made up her mind to be happy about working in her family’s noodle shop. She was asked to make a takeout delivery for the chef of Ho-Lee Noodle House right at lunchtime. She had a takeout order for Mr. Feng, the owner of the Asia village, the plaza where her family’s restaurant was located. Soon after the delivery, paramedics invaded the Plaza and the news swiftly spread that the body being taken off was none other than Mr. Feng, apparently the victim of eating something that he was highly allergic to. It seems that Mr. Feng was given seafood in his dumplings and those dumplings had been ordered from the Ho-Lee Noodle House. Lana works along with other characters to help vindicate her parent's restaurant. I really enjoyed reading about the close relationships among the Asia Village shop owners and workers. The characters were engaging and believable which made this cozy mystery a delight to read. Good addition to the cozy mystery genre.

Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien will be available March 27, 2018 from St. Martin's Press. An egalley of this book was made available from the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

I think this series has a lot of potential, and the genre could really use the diversity. You could sometimes tell that this was a first time author who still has some growing to do, but otherwise a solid starter.

Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien was a delicious start to a new ethnic cozy mystery series.

Lana Lee is once again working in her parents noodle restaurant after quitting her job and then breaking up with her two-timing boyfriend. She was an independent young woman who was handling a rough time as she is now having trying to decide where she wants to go in her life. When a murder investigation ensues of the property owner where her parents noodle shop is located, Vivien is determined to help the police. I enjoyed getting to meet the other shop owners in the plaza where the noodle shop is located. I also loved Lana's roommate. She added so much to this story, including some really funny moments for both of them during their investigation. The plot is quickly paced, there are several twists and enough suspects to keep readers turning the pages. I was not overly surprised as to who the murderer was at the reveal but it was still a "nail biting" experience. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

This was a very enjoyable whodunit that immediately pulled me in, quickly becoming a page turner as I could not put this book down until I knew who had done the deed. The writing style and tone was very comfortable and had a nice flow from chapter to chapter. The author took the time to delve into the story with plenty of suspects, dipped with clues that had me visualizing the scenes as if watching a movie and the narrative complemented the fast-paced and action-packed drama. I love the diversity in the characters that Lana interacts with, most whose role helped guide how well the story was being told. The author did a great job in staging this mystery that kept me engrossed in all the minute details that would eventually lead to the apprehension of the killer. I do like that we got to know a little about who is Lana and her determination. This was a nice entry into the cozy genre and I look forward to more adventures with Lana and her friends in this delightfully charming series.

Death By Dumpling
By
Vivien Chien



What it's all about...

Lana Lee is without a job so she is working in her family’s Chinese restaurant...specializing in oodles of noodles...and dumplings. On one fateful day Lana Lee makes a lunch delivery to a prominent Chinese businessman...nothing out of the ordinary...but...he eats the dumplings and dies! This becomes a huge mystery with tons of suspects. Lana Lee herself becomes a major suspect. Since Lana Lee isn’t dating or doing anything major with her life...she gets involved in solving this crime along with her roommate Meghan. And that’s where this mystery gets really interesting.

Why I wanted to read it...

The title and the premise of this book sounded like a fun book to read. Lana Lee’s mother is always pushing her to date while feeding her noodles. There are tons of characters who are constantly in and out of the restaurant...sleazy Ian who wants to date her, Peter the Chef who is another murder suspect, the Mahjong Ladies who are in every day and Detective Trudeau...tall dark and handsome and forever warning Lana Lee to stay out of this case.

What made me truly enjoy this book...

The cast of characters in this book is delightful. I love cozy mysteries where I have not a clue in the world who might have been the murderer. Lana Lee was a well developed character who carried the book. I hope this author has more plans for Lana Lee...Private Eye.

Why you should read it, too...

Readers who love unique cozy mysteries should be delighted with this book. However...be prepared to crave a noodle bowl in the middle of this adventure!

I received an advance reader’s copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley and Amazon. It was my choice to read it and review it.

Death By Dumpling is the first book in the Noodle Shop mysteries by Vivien Chien. Due out 27th March, 2018 from St. Martin's Press, it's 352 pages and available in ebook and paperback formats.

I'm a huge fan of cozies and this one is lovely.

I was surprised that this is apparently a first book release for this author; she has a confident and comfortable voice. I enjoyed the plotting and characterizations very much. It doesn't often happen that an a series finds its way right out of the starting gate. This one delivers.

The book is a little longer than most cozies at over 350 pages but the plotting is tight and it doesn't drag. The clues are well interspersed in the narrative and the book follows the 'rules' for amateur detective fiction. Lately I've gotten my fill of southern catering homestyle bookmobile cat loving bakery shop ladies; this young woman with a great best friend and good relationship with her parents is such a breath of fresh air. There's a lot of warmth and humor here. The book is relatively clean, with only a sprinkling of 'hell' and 'damn' and nothing more objectionable in the book. Definitely safe-for-lunch reading at work.

It was a delight to read and I'll definitely be back for a second helping (the second book, Dim Sum of All Fears is due out in August 2018). Only downside, I've been craving noodles. I've gotten takeaway sesame pho three times from my favorite Vietnamese restaurant after work in the last week!

Five stars, delightfully fun light cozy mystery.

Disclosure: I received an electronic-ARC at no cost from the author/publisher.