The Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien is a fun series with the protagonist being a young Asian woman who is at odds with who she wants to be. Lana Lee goes to work at her parent’s restaurant in Asia Village where she swore she would not end up. While she deals with her new life, she finds herself getting wrapped up in murders. Her best friend and roommate is always around to keep Lana grounded.
Vivien Chien has written a series of twelve books. Each one is different with surprises along the way. The characters are strong and their personalities are portrayed throughout the plots of the books. The Mahjong Mavens are always around and usually have information that help solve the mysteries. Lana’s parents are as different as night and day, literally. Her mom being an Asian matriarch and her dad, an American doting father. She has a sister who is always putting Lana down and is certainly the overachiever in the family. There is a quiet but visceral grandmother who has her ways of making her thoughts known even though she does not speak a word of English. There is friendship, romance, of course, and a love interest that is completely one sided. While the writing is basic, the stories are interesting.
As you read these books, make sure you have a big bowl of asian noodles and a cup of green tea as these stories will leave you hungry for more mysteries.
Book 1, Death by Dumpling, introduces Lana, her family, friends and her dog. Lana finds herself right in the middle of who killed Mr. Feng, the property manager of Asia Village where Lana’s family restaurant, the Ho-Lee Noodle House is located. Everyone knows of Mr. Feng’s fatal shrimp allergy so how did the dumplings Lana deliver end up with shrimp in them? How indeed!
Book 2, Dim Sum of all Fears has to do with the mystery surrounding the couple found dead in their souvenir shop next door to the Ho-Lee Noodle house. Of course Lana, who has to deal with being left in charge of the restaurant, feels a need to get involved. New responsibilities, new mystery and a new romance add up to trouble.
Book 3, Murder Lo Mein. Lana decides to enter her family’s restaurant, in a noodle contest. A food critic ends up dead. How does this impact Lana? She finds herself tangled up in in noodles, or is that a murder?
Book 4, Wonton Terror. While at the summer Cleveland Night Market, where Ho-Lee Noodle House has a food truck, the festivities are just beginning when a nearby food truck explodes. Yes, there is a death and this is no accident! Lana “erupts” into motion to find out just who set the explosion.
Book 5, Egg Drop Dead finds Lana in the middle of a murder again as she is catering a party for the owner of Asian Village. The owner, Donna Feng, slips Lana a thumb drive. Very suspicious indeed. Can Lana solve this murder before an innocent person ends up in jail?
Book 6, Killer Kung Pao. I love Mah Jong! So, of course I was upset when a fellow Mah Jong player ends up dead. The suspect, a tea shop owner at the Asian Village! Lana’s help was requested as she is known for solving murders. Lana better hope the tea shop owner knows how to read tea leaves to determine if her “thyme” is up?
Book 7, Fatal Fried Rice takes Lana Lee to culinary class. Nope, this restaurant manager can’t cook if her life depended on it, and it might. Lana’s course instructor ends up dead, and who finds her? Lana of course. So much for learning how to cook. As we know, she is better at detective work than cooking.
Book 8, Hot and Sour Suspects. Who of us has ever been speed dating? Not I, and after reading this book, I never will be. Lana holds a speed dating get together at the Ho-Lee Noodle house where a match goes awry.
Book 9, Misfortune Cookie. Lana and her sister go to sunny California for a restaurant convention. What do you get when you put a fortune cookie vendor together with a journalist? A journalist with bad fortune. Their Aunt Grace is there to get the girls involved in yet another sticky situation.
Book 9.5. Gone to Hot Pot. No idea why this is not book 10? perhaps it was an afterthought? No, it is a continuation of what goes on in at the Noodle House while Lana is away. Lana’s roommate is in charge of Lana’s dog and of course, takes him to Asia Village after the dog’s grooming appointment. When the dog ends up missing while at Asia Village, the pooch may not be the only one who was in hot water that day.
Book 10, Peking Duck and Cover. Lana Lee is caught up in being the event coordinator of the Asia Village Chinese New Year extravaganza. During the fireworks display, one of the dancers end up dead. Ian, the property manager is not only hot for Lana but hot to find out who killed the performer.
Book 11, The Chow Maniac. In this twist of events, private investigator, Lydia Shephard enlists Lana’s help to solve a case involving the death of three members of a secret society. Should Lana risk everything to join this case? Read the book to find out if Lana is a hindrance or a help.
Book 12, Crime Rangoon. Lana is back and protecting her favorite author who is signing her newest book at the bookstore in Asia Village. When the author ends up dead, will Lana be able to help her detective boyfriend solve the mystery?
This is unfortunately the weakest novel in all the books that author Vivien Chien has written thus far. That does not mean I would not keep reading her books but I have to say, I would stay away from the Asia Village if it was in my town!
