In this historical thriller a Hollywood starlet is murdered and her childhood friend investigates. Set against racial tensions in Los Angeles as politicians are fighting to raze Chinatown, Lee brings this period to life. Corrupt policeman, powerful politicians and old Hollywood glamour make for a fantastic read. Highly recommended.

This book was amazing and it had me at the edge of my seat! I loved this book so much that I will definitely purchase the physical copy!

Review will be posted on Forever Young Adult blog on 4/15/24.

Cover Story: Dramatic

I love this cover! It’s screaming “foul play” and sets the perfect tone. Lulu’s decked out in Old Hollywood glamour, wearing her famous red lipstick, and the flowers by her photo are not only evoking funeral flowers but are a nod to the Chow family, who are florists.

The Deal:

In 1930s Chinatown, Gemma and May Chow struggle to keep their family business going while their father convalesces at a sanitarium. Their troubles double when they discover the body of one of their childhood friends and now-famous Hollywood actress, Lulu Wong, dead in an abandoned stable in their neighborhood. What was Lulu doing there, and who killed a perfectly healthy young woman?

Unfortunately, the very white LAPD—who may be greasing their palms from people like makeup-exec and outspoken anti-Chinese dickwad, Otis Fox—writes off her death as one more reason why the Chinatown community should cease to exist. Gemma and May know that no one in their neighborhood would have killed Lulu, who was revered as a local success, and they vow to do their own investigation into her murder.

BFF Charm: Yay x2

I am much more of a May—worrywort extraordinaire, concerned about breaking with the rules even as they chafe—than free-spirit and headstrong Gemma, but because of that, I think I’m drawn more to people like Gemma because I envy their boldness. Gemma’s chapters were more compelling because her impetuous actions were driving the story forward, but I did like hearing about Lulu’s life from May’s perspective as she remembered her friend and had to reckon with herself about how her extreme cautiousness kept her from keeping Lulu closer after she hit it big.

Both sisters felt like very classic Stacey Lee characters, in that they’re admirable young women just looking to do right for themselves, their family, and others.

Swoonworthy Scale: 2

There’s a LOT going on in this book, and less focus is given to romance than perhaps in some of Lee’s other works. Gemma convinces May to sell flowers at a more upscale park in a primarily white neighborhood, and there she meets Freddie, and you spend the book wondering if there’s a catch to his character. Because of her age (almost twenty), May is being, ah, gently pressured by her parents to marry, which would also help ease the family burden while their father is away at a sanitorium. She’s less impressed that they think Wallace the Bug Boy of their youth is a viable candidate…

Talky Talk: Historic-Lee Wonderful

Stacey Lee is an auto-read author for me. I know I’m going to get richly drawn characters and historical landscapes I can practically step into, smelling the sights and seeing everything in full Technicolor. Even better, I’m going to be entertained while still learning something new about US History that I was never taught in school. Lee’s stories are always ambitious and multi-layered, and while the general mystery of Lulu’s murder sometimes dragged in parts, I still enjoyed my time in Chinatown.

Bonus Factor: Asian-American History

Gemma and May’s family is deeply invested in the outcome of the political machinations of the rich and famous in their area of Chinatown, where there’s talk of demolishing whole neighborhoods and displacing families to build a train station. Lee sets her story during this very real time in history when LA’s Chinatown was facing not only local issues but a national Depression and continual prejudice and racism, and with hindsight we also know other weighty matters like World War II were only right around the corner. Hollywood’s fascination with “the Oriental” and its problematic portrayals on-screen also reached a fever pitch during this time. It’s intense!

Bonus Factor: Old Hollywood

Lulu’s catapult to fame makes everyone in the old neighborhood happy for her, so it’s particularly devastating that her murder also ends their representation, especially as Lulu was fighting for roles for Chinese women to be more than just the on-screen villain. In order to investigate, Gemma and May infiltrate the last movie Lulu was working on, and have to sneak into some parties and rub elbows with some Hollywood hotshots. It’s not the focus, but it’s neat to see the backstage machinations.

Relationship Status: See You On The Silver Screen

I’d be happy if you got your big break and got onto the silver screen, Book. I love that you want to bring awareness to things I don’t know much about, and do so in a thoughtful and interesting way. Shine on!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Kill Her Twice is available on April 23, 2023.

2.5 stars
kill her twice features 1930's los angeles, murder, and taking justice into your own hands. i personally had high expectations for this, the cover is stunning and the vibes of this screams old hollywood but it fell short for me.
i did enjoy the dual pov between gemma and may, and how seeing the discrimination towards chinatown and how unserious the lapd took their old friends murder, they decided to take matters into their own hands. i just was constantly finding myself bored or distracted sadly. i'm in no way saying this book is bad, i just didn't think it was my cup of tea sadly!
i would still recommend it to anyone looking for a ya mystery with hollywood historical aspects, because the vibes were 100% there, the plot and characters just didn't do it for me though /:
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee is a dual-POV YA historical noir set during the 1930s in California’s Chinatown. When Lulu Wong, a rising movie star, is murdered and the police won’t investigate further, her childhood friends, the Chow sisters, look into the crime. Gemma, May, and Peony will do what it takes to find out who killed Lulu and why.

The novel switches between Gemma and May’s POVs, exploring their different relationships with their community and Lulu. Their love for Lulu and their pride in her jumps off the page as does their devotion to each other and their little sister, Peony. May’s love of acting and how it’s directly tied to Lulu come up often. May could have been in Lulu’s position if she had attended the same audition as Luly, but May doesn’t resent her childhood friend. The chance for her to be an actress to help her investigation move forward comes up and Gemma convinces her to take it, highlighting their bond as sisters and May’s selflessness.

May is pressured by her mother into dating Wallace, a childhood friend of the sisters who has grown up and has plans of his own. The two agree to fake date as Wallace continues to pursue his interest in science (particularly in relation to insects) and May works with Gemma to find Lulu’s killer.

The setting felt real and fleshed out, making references to the plan in the 1930s to build a train station through Chinatown (which could have displaced the many families living there) and the overt racism and homophobia that was common in Hollywood at the time. Lulu herself is a reference and homage to Anna May Wong, the first Chinese actress to reach stardom in America.

The number four, an unlucky number in Chinese culture, comes up multiple times and is a main piece of the noir atmosphere besides the setting. Peony, Gemma, and May are three sisters and their mother is pregnant, causing one of their neighbors to suggest that if the baby is a girl, the family is very unlucky.

I would recommend this to fans of YA mysteries who also love Old Hollywood, readers looking for mysteries exploring the history of the Chinese-American community, and those who love novels exploring the lives and scandals of celebrities.

This was so much fun! Set in the 1930s, KILL HER TWICE follows sisters May and Gemma who find out their childhood friend-turned-Hollywood-actress has been murdered. Following them as they try to solve the murder--and fight against the injustices in Chinatown--makes for a great story. Gemma and May make for the perfect duo, both independent and strong-willed, but with different ways of investigating that sometimes lands them in a heap of trouble. I loved their dynamic with each other, and with the rest of their family and friends in Chinatown; they also each had a little romance, which was sweet but didn't overtake the story. It did have its more serious themes, especially concerning the fact that murders weren't investigated to the fullest extent just because the victim was Chinese, among other things. The 1930s Hollywood setting was entertaining; Stacey Lee does a great job of transporting you to the time and place of her stories, and this was no exception. I loved the old phrases and the appearance by Clark Gable in particular. This was a great book all around, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee is a historical fiction read set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The story follows three sisters as they try to unravel the murder of a local girl and friend that they grew up with.

I absolutely loved the writing style of this author and thought she did a wonderful job of bringing that age and neighborhood to life. I found myself rooting for the sisters equally even though they were very different, with their own individual paths, personalities, and flaws.

Overall, I gave this book four stars because I didn't guess the ending (I love when a mystery keeps me on my toes!) and really enjoyed spending time in a world, era, and culture that I haven't experienced much of. Highly recommend this read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to this lovely eBook. This review may contain spoilers.

If you like historical murder mysteries, especially with an Old Hollywood sort of glint to them, and want a read that’s interesting and refreshing, I’d definitely recommend this. If you’re looking for solid mysteries in general, this is a worthwhile read. I think the strongest element here is the characters and their interactions; the weakest is the ending which, while not bad at all, felt kind of quick. I could also have done with less of the villain monologue, but I get that it’s pretty par the course for YA mysteries as a genre to have the confrontation where a villain explains everything. Just not my favorite element of the genre. If the author writes more with these characters in particular, I’m definitely on board; if not, I’m still interested in what she writes going forward.

I liked the development happening for May and Gemma throughout the story, with each of them learning to be a little more like each other. I like the way the conflict is crafted here, both internal and external. May’s internal conflict is really well-handled, her impulse to protect her family and their honor batting against the desire she has to stand up for the vulnerable. I wish the narratives of other characters, like Peony, would have been more prominent and incorporated into the story more cohesively.

The writing style is strong and very consistent. You can tell the author has done the work to find her voice. The prose is very developed, succinct and vivid, never too much or too little. Grammar was all-around adequate and consistent, overall as unnoticeable as it should be. Word choice was clear, effective, and efficient; the author is good at balancing details with quick pacing. The cast was very well-established, with side characters being easily distinguishable from one another and the main cast easily memorable. The character dynamics really shine; they all feel believable and authentic.

I did find myself wishing there were a little more consistency in how the chapters were relegated to the POV character; I would have rathered some chapters be longer than to have two May chapters or Gemma chapters back to back, but that’s because I’m a stickler for consistency. The shifts in point of view were, however, made very clear. The book is well-paced and goes by quickly. Ultimately, the mystery feels coherent and well-crafted, the conclusion working well and matching the overall narrative.

I so enjoyed The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee and immediately requested Kill Her Twice when I came across it on NetGalley. Thank you J.P Putnam’s Sons for my DRC in exchange for my honest opinion. Set during the early 1930s in Los Angeles, we meet the three Chow sisters and their quest to find out who murdered Hollywood rising star Lulu Wong. Interspersed is a political fight to dismantle Chinatown and what that means for citizens.

This was another intriguing read, and I was caught up in the community that composed the long sisters world. I found the mystery to be well formed but a little drawn out. For me, the middle of the book lost some steam and I wound up setting it down for a while. However, the story kept drawing me back and I’m glad it did. I really wanted to see who the killer was and why they murdered Lulu Wong.

This was an entertaining tale that had me googling Chinatown LA during the 1930s. And while I felt like the story could have been slightly shorter, I did like it, and I’m happy to have read it.

*Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review*

While well written, I unfortunately could not get into this book, what I did notice is some real life parallels to current times with what people of the global majority may face when they have any involvement with law enforment. This was slow in the first half but picked up as the book went on. I loved the old hollywood theme for sure. While it didnt land for me doesnt mean it wont for others.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Kill Her Twice is set in 1932 Los Angeles and follows Gemma and May who are sisters living in Chinatown which is about to be destroyed for a new Union Station. On top of that, the girls find May's childhood best friend nad movie star Lulu Wong murdered in their neighborhood. As they start to look into the murder, they find that the destruction of their neighborhood and Lulu's death might be more closely connected than they think.
I thought this was such a good mystery book and I am really glad that I was granted an ARC for this book. I love the fact that Stacey Lee writes about history that might not be as well known or the stories of those who were not as well known in famous stories. I really appreciated learning more about the history of Los Angeles and Chinatown in Los Angeles at this time. It was a history I didn't know anything about and I appreciated reading it.
The strength of Stacey's writing is in her characters. She makes them feel so real as if they could step off the page and I really appreciated getting to know her characters. I learned a lot about not only the characters but their culture as well reading this book. I will admit to feeling closer to May than Gemma but I think both were strong characters.
I could not guess the twist in this book of who the killer was. My mind kept spinning trying to figure out who was the one that committed this atrocious crime against Lulu. I do wish that there was more hint as to who had killed her because I didn't guess it till we got close to the end and I didn't feel like it was hinted at as much as I would have thought. Then again I have never written a mystery novel and I cannot imagine how hard it is to write.
I would highly recommend picking this book up as it was so interesting to read and so well written. I cannot wait to see what Stacy Lee writes next.

1932 Los Angeles
When Lulu Wong, Chinatown's revered local movie star, is found murdered the three Chow sisters set about doing what the L.A. police won't. The girls are helping keep their family's flower business afloat and use that to gain entry to the nice side of Hollywood and search for the killer. The three sisters are enterprising, brave and determined as they face prejudice, danger and a general lack of interest from others in solving their friend's murder. As in the author's other books there is a great deal of insight as to the struggles that first generation Asian American families faced as well as an intriguing mystery. Borderline cozy for adults and the perfect pick for young adults and older middle school readers. Fans of Jamie Ford and Stacey Lee's other books will enjoy. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review. 

Lulu Wong is found dead by Gemma, May, & Peony., a Chinatown Star. The sisters don’t believe the police will do enough to find the killer. So the sister’s decide to begin their own investigation.

I wanted to love it, I did. All true things I love were in this. Old Hollywood and a murder mystery, but, something was off to me. I am not sure what it was. I do think this is a book many will love and enjoy.

“When you go to dig a grave for your enemy, dig two,” intoned Dai-Sang.

Sisters May, Gemma, and Peony Chow suddenly found themselves wrapped in a murder mystery investigation when they found the lifeless body of Lulu Wong, their former childhood friend turned Hollywood's rising star, in this new offering from Stacey Lee.

Stacey published a range of YA books with different genres and I've always been honest mentioning that I rarely read mystery and thriller novels but this one caught my eye because, well, it's from Stacey Lee, and the cover looks intriguing.

One thing that will never be out of Stacey's works is the commentary about the Asian struggle and in Kill her Twice, we follow the Chow sisters as they face the death of their former friend and the controversial gentrification of 1930s Chinatown.

I always enjoy how the author wrote their main character and in this one, we follow May and Gemma mainly (Peony shows up every now and then) and their POV as they navigate the murky world of the changing Chinatown. As women living in 1930s, we all know how society expects them to behave and follow the norm but what I really liked about May and Gemma is they break these barriers and lead the charge amid the many obstacles that hinder them to unravel the truth about Lulu Wong's death that is possible connected to the slow demolition of their town.

There are also subtle hint of the way Hollywood worked in 1930s and I liked how we were able to see it when one of the sisters took the limelight as it was a critical step towards the Lulu Wong case.

Overall, this is a solid YA historical fiction. Thank you Penguin Teen for the ARC!!

Kill Her Twice takes readers on a thrilling journey through the streets of 1930s Los Angeles, where fame, power, and justice collide in a tale of mystery and intrigue.
The author expertly captures the atmosphere of 1930s Los Angeles, immersing readers in a vibrant and bustling cityscape teeming with secrets and hidden dangers. The Chow sisters are compelling protagonists, each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities, and their bond as sisters adds depth and emotion to the story.
As the investigation unfolds, the author skillfully weaves together a complex web of intrigue, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the very end. The stakes are high, and the suspense is palpable as the sisters race against time to uncover the truth and bring Lulu's killer to justice.
With its rich historical detail, well-drawn characters, and gripping plot, Kill Her Twice is a captivating read that will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and anyone looking for a thrilling literary escape. The author has crafted a masterful tale of murder, betrayal, and redemption that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Somehow this is the first Stacey Lee I've read but it won't be the last! A really intriguing at Chinatown and Hollywood in the 1930s. I liked both May and Gemma as narrators and I loved learning more about a time period I was unfamiliar with. A solid mystery too.

This was a great highlight on what it's like to feel like the police don't care, like the world doesn't care. Minorities and women have long been treated as less, and this story of the fight for justice was a beautifully designed story that brings it to light in a memorable way.

3,5/5⭐️

This was my first time reading a book by Stacey Lee and I enjoyed it!
Here are some of my highlights:
-The captivating "old Hollywood" atmosphere was both cool and unique, offering a glimpse into the contrasting worlds of working-class and glamorous Hollywood
-The dynamic between sisters Gemma and May! They showcased a strong bond despite their differences
-The Chinese representation in the story added depth and authenticity
-A surprising plot twist at the end, tying up all loose ends beautifully

While I thoroughly enjoyed the book, there were a few elements I felt could have been enhanced:
-I wished there would've been more intense and dangerous moments during G&M's investigation to heighten the suspense
-I missed the typical misdirection that keeps readers guessing about the true suspect in a mystery murder

Overall, this book is a solid murder mystery that kept me engaged until the very end

Big thank you NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to review this book pre-release. I really liked this mystery, it was easy to follow, the characters were likable, and I didn't immediately guess the culprit of their friend's murder. I would certainly recommend this, and loved the historical setting, and relationship between the two sisters. A more formal review will be available on my IG/TikTok and Goodreads.

I will scream this from the rooftops: more historical fiction Asian American rep PLEASE!!!!!
This book was so good. It's a slow burn, rife with tensions, clues, flutters of romance, and, of course, discussions of the mistreatment of Asian Americans in the 1930s (of course these issues stem from before this period and continue to last into the modern day).
May and Gemma Chow are sisters, albeit almost complete opposites. May is composed, practical, and prioritizes her family. Gemma is... Gemma. She's a firecracker, brash and willing to skirt the rules. When May's childhood friend turned Hollywood's first A-list Chinese actress, Lulu Wong, is found murdered (by the sisters, no less) and the police refuse to do a thorough investigation (of course. Corruption and racism, what could go wrong?) The sisters step in to get Lulu the justice she deserves. But people don't like their secrets revealed, and Lulu's killer may not be done...
This was so good! The clues are subtle, so when the big reveal happens, it's out of left field in the best way. The discussions of Chinatown and demolition were very poignant and provided both context and a great motivating factor for the girls and their investigation. I think the cultural richness of this book is its strongest selling point, with the mystery coming second. Normally, this would bother me, but both are woven together really well here.

My one complaint was that while this is a slower-paced book, at points it was... too slow. I didn't want to devour it at some points, which for a mystery is a definite drawback.
Overall, this book is so beautifully written with a complex mystery and full of Chinese and Chinese American culture that will snare readers with the whodunnit? and enrapture them with the Chow sisters.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review!:)