Bloggin' 'bout Books: Sixth Noodle Shop Cozy A Bit Lackluster, But Still Fun

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Sixth Noodle Shop Cozy A Bit Lackluster, But Still Fun

1:00 AM

(Image from Barnes & Noble)

(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier installments in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)

As manager of Ho Lee Noodle House, her family's popular Chinese restaurant, Lana Lee is always at the center of the action in Cleveland's Asia Village shopping center. Dealing with her overbearing mother and annoyingly perfect sister causes enough drama for the 28-year-old, but there's always tension and intrigue boiling among Asia Village's many strong personalities. Add in the center's weirdly high murder rate and she's got a lot on her plate...

When Lana witnesses an altercation in the parking lot between two aging village divas—competitive mahjong player Millie Mao and heartless tea shop owner June Yi—she has no idea that one of them will soon end up dead When Millie is electrocuted during a pedicure, it becomes apparent that it was no accident. Did the argument in the parking lot lead June to kill Millie? Is there someone else who had it in for the mahjong matron? Although her detective boyfriend warns Lana to stay out of it, she's once again on the case. Can she solve Asia Village's latest murder?

I'm a big fan of Vivien Chien's Noodle Shop mysteries. The series is fun, light-hearted, and entertaining. Like most cozies, the books are a little silly and a lot far-fetched, but who cares? They're easy, enjoyable, clean reads. That being said, Killer Kung Pao—the sixth installment—might be my least favorite of them. Why? Although Chien's characters are always fun, the mystery in this one is a bit...lackluster. The book is still a fast, engaging read; it's just not as compelling as some of its predecessors. A bummer, yes, but not one that will keep me from continuing with this series. Even the less satisfying books are more enjoyable for me than other cozies.

(Readalikes: Other books in the Noodle Shop Mystery series, as well as culinary cozies by Ellie Alexander, Amanda Flower, Eve Calder, etc.)

Grade:

If this were a movie, it would be rated:

for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and violence

To the FTC, with love: Another library ~~fine~~ find

5 comments:

Carla Loves to Read26 July, 2021 14:54
Too bad this one doesn't measure up to the others in the series, Susan, but glad it was still enjoyable. I have read the first three and enjoyed them, so it is time to catch up.
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Nicole26 July, 2021 16:18
I love this series! (Though I am far behind at this point...) I agree, though, there are some series where even mediocre installments are better than the other choices. :) Thanks for the review!
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WendyW 26 July, 2021 17:43
This series sounds so good. I'm glad to hear that even this so so book makes you want to keep reading the series.
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Katherine P27 July, 2021 17:50
That's too bad this one was a bit meh. I've read one book and enjoyed it but haven't gone back and read any more. This is definitely not the book I'll start back with!
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Lectrice Vorace29 July, 2021 12:51
Too bad you didn't enjoy this one as much. (I can almost smell the food on the cover...)
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