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Showing posts with label Eatery Settings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eatery Settings. Show all posts
Saturday, April 30, 2022
Newest "Beervaria" Cozy Not Quite As Charming As the Others
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for The Cure for What Ales You, it may inadvertently spoil plot surprises from earlier Sloan Krause mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Beer enthusiasts flock to charming Leavenworth, Washington, every year to enjoy the town's lively Maifest celebration. Craft brewers Sloan Krause and Garrett Strong are excited to debut their new line of drinks at the festival. They're looking forward to a fun, profitable weekend.
Sloan's plans are derailed when she spots a familiar face amongst all the tourists. Marianne is the woman who could hold all the answers to Sloan's many questions about her mysterious past. Sloan needs to talk to her, but Marianne seems to be avoiding her. Why? When a local housekeeper is murdered and Marianne becomes the police's prime suspect, the brewer is even more confused. Why is Marianne in town? Does she hold the answers Sloan has been seeking for so long?
When Marianne warns Sloan that her family is in danger, Sloan goes on high alert. To protect those she loves and figure out the mystery of her past, she must use her detective skills once more to find a killer. Marianne can't be the murderer—or can she?
It's always fun to drop in on Sloan and the gang in lovely Leavenworth. The characters in this series are warm and likable, the setting is vibrant and atmospheric, and the plots are engaging and enjoyable. While the newest installment (#5), The Cure For What Ales You, isn't my favorite, it's still an entertaining read. Unlike its predecessors, this novel focuses a lot on Sloan's mysterious past, which adds a little something new to the story. The plot gets a bit melodramatic and far-fetched (not an uncommon occurrence in a cozy), true, but there was enough substance in the novel to keep me turning pages. I enjoy Alexander's light, fun cozies, so I'll keep reading this series even if this particular installment didn't enchant me quite as much as the others.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Sloan Krause series [Death On Tap; The Pint of No Return; Beyond a Reasonable Stout; and Without a Brew] as well as cozy series by Amanda Flower, Vivien Chien, Kylie Logan, etc.)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs); violence; and mild sexual content (in the form of sexual harrassment)
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, July 26, 2021
Sixth Noodle Shop Cozy A Bit Lackluster, But Still Fun
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(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
Saturday, January 16, 2021
Noodle House Mystery Series Always Fun, Entertaining
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Egg Drop Dead, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Noodle Shop mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
Lana Lee is always looking for ways to promote her family's Chinese restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House. As manager, it's her responsibility to keep the place running smoothly as well as look for new ways to bring in business. Offering catering services seems like a good idea. Especially when Lana sees just how swanky their first catered party really is. Wealthy guests are eating up all of Ho-Lee Noodle House's delicious offerings and promising to use the restaurant for their own fancy galas. Everything is going swimmingly until a dead body is found in the backyard pool.
Donna Feng—the party hostess and co-owner of the Asian Village shopping center where Ho-Lee Noodle House is located—swears she has no idea how her children's nanny ended up dead. Everyone heard Donna screaming at the young woman earlier in the party. Everyone knows Donna hasn't been quite right since her husband died. Everyone seems convinced that the widow snapped and killed Alice Kam in a fit of rage. Lana seems to be the only one who believes Donna, an old family friend whom she's known for years, is innocent. True, the woman is not exactly who she says she is. Still, Lana knows she isn't capable of murder. So, who did the dastardly deed? It's up to Lana to find out...
Vivien Chien's Noodle House Mystery series is one of my favorites. The books don't take themselves too seriously which makes them fun, entertaining reads. Lana is a spunky heroine whose natural curiosity leads her into plenty of far-fetched but exciting mystery-solving adventures. Her relationship with her colorful, complicated family adds humor and tension to every book. While Egg Drop Dead isn't my favorite installment in the series, it's still an enjoyable romp that kept me smiling while I zipped through its pages. Even though the killer in this one is pretty obvious and Lana's boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, drove me crazy with his condescending "dollface" comments, I still liked Egg Drop Dead. I'll continue with the series, no question, because it really is a whole lot of fun!
(Readalikes: Other books in the series, including Death By Dumpling, Dim Sum of All Fears, Murder Lo Mein, Wonton Terror, Killer Kung Pao, Fatal Fried Rice, and Hot and Sour Suspects; also reminds me of culinary cozies by Ellie Alexander, Amanda Flower, Kylie Logan, and Eve Calder)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Debut MG Novel Funny and Entertaining
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Yumi Chung's Korean immigrant parents expect a lot of her—intensive studying, perfect grades, admission to an Ivy League institution, and the pursuit of an ambitious career (her older sister is in medical school). Eleven-year-old Yumi couldn't care less about school. In fact, she kind of hates the fancy prep academy her parents make her attend. Her big dream? Becoming the next great stand-up comic. To her family, comedy is a silly hobby, a waste of time. To Yumi, it's a way to express herself and connect with people in a way she can't otherwise.
When Yumi happens upon a comedy camp for kids taught by her favorite YouTube comic, she can't help wandering in. She's instantly mistaken for an absent camper. Knowing her parents would never let her join the camp for real, Yumi assumes the missing girl's identity. Yumi's thrilled to be learning from her idol, but maintaining her lie and keeping her activities a secret from her parents is stressing her out big time. When the inevitable happens, Yumi must decide how much she's willing to risk to make her dream come true.
A debut middle-grade novel by Jessica Kim, Stand Up, Yumi Chung! tells a fun, upbeat story that's entertaining and humorous. The set-up is a little cliché with its demanding Asian-American parents and restaurant setting, but the stand-up comedy angle is one I haven't encountered before in a children's book. Yumi is funny and likable, which makes her an easy-to-root-for heroine. She and her friends act a lot older than 11, with more freedom and ambition than kids typically have at that age. This made the story feel unauthentic, making me think this novel would have worked a little better as a YA book. Still, Stand Up, Yumi Chung! is an enjoyable, empowering romp with lots of heart. I didn't absolutely love it, but I definitely liked it.
(Readalikes: A hundred titles should be coming to mind, but I'm drawing a blank. Any ideas?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: Another fine find
Saturday, December 05, 2020
First Cookie House Mystery Serves Up Fresh-Baked Fun
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
After losing her pastry chef job at a Manhattan restaurant and her fiancé in one fell swoop, Kate McGuire is at loose ends. Desperate for a new start, she heads to Coral Cay, a charming beach town in Florida. When she spies a Help Wanted sign in the window of a local cookie shop, it seems like fate is finally smiling on her. Sam Hepplewhite, The Cookie House's cantankerous owner, isn't so sure he needs Kate's help. It's her job to convince him.
When money-grubbing bully Stewart Lord ends up dead after eating one of Sam's cinnamon rolls, the baker finds himself in hot water. To save her boss and his beloved cookie shop, Kate knows she has to prove Sam's innocence. With the help of her new Coral Cay friends, she sets about doing just that. Can she find the killer before she ends up as dead as Stewart Lord?
And Then There Were Crumbs is the first installment in Eve Calder's super fun Cookie House Mystery series. It features a warm, friendly community setting; likable, upbeat characters; and a mystery that's intriguing enough (even if it's not very twisty or original). The story's not very realistic (few cozies are), but it's not totally ridiculous either. For all these reasons, I quite enjoyed this engaging series opener. I'll definitely be reading on.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of cozy mysteries by Ellie Alexander, Vivien Chien, Amanda Flower, and Lena Gregory)
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
Thursday, November 05, 2020
A Diverse Cozy Mystery? Yes, Please!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
A light bulb moment sends Win on a late-night traipse down an isolated, snow-covered path. What she finds freezes the very blood in her veins. Although she doesn't recognize the man lying dead at her feet, he's soon identified as a drifter who once caused financial ruin for the Crewse Family. When it's discovered that he was poisoned with a difficult-to-find drug, Win's physician father becomes the prime suspect. With a fledgling business and her family's reputation at stake, Win's not leaving the murder investigation to a biased police force. As she does her own sleuthing, she makes some shocking discoveries that will put her vulnerable neck on the line. Can she crack the case and save her family's beloved ice cream shop before it's too late?
The first in a new culinary cozy mystery series, A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette brings some fresh ingredients to the genre. It's written by an author of color and features a professional Black family, which is something I haven't encountered before in a cozy. While I've read cozies set in candy stores, cafés, bakeries, breweries, and all kinds of restaurants, I've never encountered one set in an ice cream parlor. These elements bring some originality to a book that otherwise ticks off all the usual cozy boxes: an unlikely death in a small town, quirky characters, an amateur detective, and a mostly predictable storyline. While the plot's a little slow, I still enjoyed A Deadly Inside Scoop overall. I appreciated its original elements, its emphasis on family loyalty, and the fact that it's a clean, entertaining enough read. I can't say this series debut knocked my socks off, but it engaged me enough that I'm keeping an eye out for the next installment.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other culinary mystery series, including those written by Vivien Chien, Eve Calder, Kylie Logan, and Ellie Alexander)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Amish Cozy Mystery Series Just What I Need Right Now
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Lethal Licorice, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Assaulted Caramel. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
The Amish Confectionary Competition is a big deal ("It's like the NBA playoffs, but with way more sugar"), as is the fact that little Harvest, Ohio, is playing host. Not only would winning the competition be the perfect way to honor Bailey King's late grandfather, but it would also mean great publicity for her Amish family's candy shop, Swissmen's Sweets. Although Bailey herself is not Amish (a fact that at least one other competitor thinks should disqualify her) and the rules stipulate all sweets must be made in the Amish way (which is not at all how things were done at the exclusive Manhattan shop where she trained as a chocolatier), Bailey is determined to win the competition.
When a town-wide search for a missing pot-bellied pig leads to the corpse of Bailey's biggest competition rival, Bailey is shocked. She becomes even more distressed when she learns she's the primary suspect in the woman's death. As if she's not stressed enough trying to bake her best sweets for the confectionary contest, now she has to convince the authorities she's not a killer. But who is? Once again Bailey must channel her inner Nancy Drew to solve a perplexing mystery.
Lots of cozy mystery series feature eateries of some sort—bakeries, cafes, coffee shops, ice cream parlors, etc.—but none are set in quaint Amish country. The unique setting is what first drew my attention to the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower. After reading the first installment, Assaulted Caramel, I definitely wanted more of Harvest with its fun characters, Amish/Englischer interactions, and upbeat vibe. Lethal Licorice delivered all this as well as a new mystery to entertain me. Once again, I enjoyed my visit to the small town. This second book in the series is just as fun as the first, offering a light, diverting read that made me smile. It even kept me guessing, which doesn't always happen in cozies. Although the books have their flaws for sure, I still like this series a lot and will absolutely keep reading it. A little light reading is pretty much exactly what I need right now, thank you very much!
(Readalikes: Other books in the series, including Assaulted Caramel, Criminally Cocoa [novella], Botched Butterscotch [novella], Premeditated Peppermint, Toxic Toffee, Marshmallow Malice, Candy Cane Crime, and Lemon Drop Dead, as well as cozy mysteries by Vivien Chien, Ellie Alexander, and Kylie Logan)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, September 07, 2020
A Murder Mystery Set in an Amish Candy Shop? Sweet!
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Bailey King learned everything she knows about sweets from her beloved Amish grandparents, who run a candy shop in sleepy Harvest, Ohio. Although she's poised to become New York City's next great chocolatier, when she learns her grandfather's heart condition is worsening, Bailey books it to Harvest. The old man is doing better than expected, but that doesn't last long. When the corpse of a real estate developer who was pressuring Bailey's grandfather to sell is found at Swissmen Sweets, the elderly candymaker becomes the prime suspect in the dead man's murder. Bailey doesn't care how hot the local deputy is, she's not going to let anyone accuse her family of doing something so nefarious. If the police aren't willing to search for the real killer, she will. As she channels her inner Nancy Drew, Bailey discovers that while Harvest may look quaint and sweet, something very rotten is going on underneath its placid surface ...
I used to be a big hater when it came to cozy mysteries, but my heart has softened toward them considerably in the last few years. Although I'm never going to find one that is realistic or Nobel Prize-worthy, I can appreciate what the genre does offer—quick, clean, entertaining reads that don't tax the brain or cause nightmares. I'll take it! I'm still choosy about the cozies I do read, so I'm always happy when I find a series that appeals to me. Carla over at Carla Loves to Read raves about the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series by Amanda Flower, so I gave the series opener, Assaulted Caramel, a go. The setting charmed me right off the bat, not just because it's warm and unique but also because Flower imbues her little town with some Amish/Englischer tension that I didn't expect. That makes the community feel more authentic while adding some interesting conflict to the story. There are some fun characters in Harvest, although Bailey and Deputy Brody could both use some fleshing out. Plotwise, this isn't exactly a nail-biter and you'll probably see the killer coming, as I did, but the story is still engaging enough to keep the reader turning pages. All in all, I found Assaulted Caramel to be a fun, easy, entertaining read. I'll definitely continue on with the series.
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for violence and scenes of peril
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Need Some Light, Fun Reading for the Apocalypse? Look No Further.
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Wonton Terror, it may inadvertently spoil plot surprises from previous Noodle House mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.
The opening of the Asian Night Market is Cleveland's culinary kick-off to summer. It's a weekly food festival that brings the community together for delectable eats, lively entertainment, and warm conversation. Lana Lee is thrilled to be at the festival selling Ho-Lee Noodle House's unparalleled cuisine, even if it seems they might be outsold by the popular Wonton on Wheels food truck parked next to them. It's obvious something odd is going on with the truck's owners—who are old friends of Lana's parents—but Lana's shocked when their truck explodes on the first night of the festival, leaving one of its owners dead. Was it a tragic accident or something more sinister?
As it becomes increasingly apparent that someone tampered with the food truck, Lana launches a clandestine investigation into the incident. The more she digs, the more she realizes that Ronnie Chow was not a pleasant person. A number of people had grudges against him, but who hated him enough to kill him? Or did Ronnie do it himself in order to collect the insurance money? The closer Lana gets to the truth, the more dangerous her life is becoming. Someone doesn't want the truth to get out—and they will do anything to keep Lana from getting too close. Has Lana finally gone too far with her amateur sleuthing? Will her restaurant be the next one that goes up in flames?
I always enjoy reading about Lana's antics with her overbearing family, her quirky friends, and her dangerous investigations. The Noodle House Mysteries by Vivien Chien are just fun. Wonton Terror, the fourth installment in the series, is no exception. It's entertaining, even though I solved the mystery pretty early on. I don't expect a lot of surprises in a cozy mystery—I enjoy them because they make for clean, easy, distracting reading. This series is one of my favorites for all those reasons. I'm definitely in for seeing what happens to Lana and Co. next.
(Readalikes: Reminds me of other books in the Noodle House Mystery series, including Death By Dumpling, Dim Sum of All Fears, Murder Lo Mein, Egg Drop Dead, and Killer Kung Pao)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, January 20, 2020
Cute YA Rom-Com Upbeat and Fun
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Meet Pepper, swim team captain, chronic overachiever, and all-around perfectionist. Her family may be falling apart, but their massive fast-food chain is booming — mainly thanks to Pepper, who is barely managing to juggle real life while secretly running Big League Burger’s massive Twitter account.
Enter Jack, class clown and constant thorn in Pepper’s side. When he isn’t trying to duck out of his obscenely popular twin’s shadow, he’s busy working in his family’s deli. His relationship with the business that holds his future might be love/hate, but when Big League Burger steals his grandma’s iconic grilled cheese recipe, he’ll do whatever it takes to take them down, one tweet at a time.
All’s fair in love and cheese — that is, until Pepper and Jack’s spat turns into a viral Twitter war. Little do they know, while they’re publicly duking it out with snarky memes and retweet battles, they’re also falling for each other in real life — on an anonymous chat app Jack built.
As their relationship deepens and their online shenanigans escalate — people on the internet are shipping them?? — their battle gets more and more personal, until even these two rivals can’t ignore they were destined for the most unexpected, awkward, all-the-feels romance that neither of them expected.
From its peppy back cover plot summary to its charming cover to its totally apt title, you can tell that Tweet Cute, a debut novel by Emma Lord, is, well, cute. It really is an adorable romance starring two likable characters who find themselves thrown together in a funny (if a little implausible) situation that gets increasingly impossible and confusing. While there's some family drama thrown in for both Pepper and Jack to deal with, it's just enough to add substance to the story without throwing off its light, upbeat vibe. Overall, Tweet Cute is an engrossing, entertaining rom-com that's just fun to read. I enjoyed it.
(Readalikes: Um, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (two F-bombs, plus milder expletives), innuendo, and depictions of/references to underage drinking and illegal drug use
To the FTC, with love: I received an e-ARC of Tweet Cute from the generous folks at St. Martin's Press (an imprint of Macmillan) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Thursday, December 26, 2019
Third Installment Another Fun Entry in an Always Entertaining Series
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: Although this review will not contain spoilers for Murder Lo Mein, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Noodle Shop mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Lana Lee is biased, yes, but she knows her family's Chinese restaurant, Ho Lee Noodle House, employs the best chef of Asian cuisine in the city. And she intends to prove it. It's Asian Village's turn to host Cleveland's annual Best Noodle Contest; winning the cooking competition would be a major boost for the shopping center and for the Lees' eatery. Peter Huang can take home the prize for Ho Lee, Lana is sure of it.
The competition has barely gotten underway when one of its judges is strangled to death at The Bamboo Lounge after receiving a threatening note in a fortune cookie. As more ominous cookies make the rounds, the other judges begin to fear for their lives. Lana can't let a killer run amok on her turf. Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana's "sort-of-maybe boyfriend guy" (11), begs her to leave the sleuthing to the police, but Lana can only promise so much. She can't let more people die and she won't let Asian Village's reputation be ruined because of nefarious happenings on its grounds. If the cops can't catch the killer, Lana will. Even if it means she's next on the murderer's list ...
Murder Lo Mein is the third book in Vivien Chien's always entertaining Noodle Shop Mystery series. Like its predecessors, this novel is a light, fun read. The setting is unique, the characters are likable, and the plot moves along quickly. This isn't my favorite installment, but I still enjoyed it and will definitely keep going with the series. It's one of the few cozy series I really like.
(Readalikes: Other books in the Noodle Shop Mystery series, including Death by Dumpling, Dim Sum of All Fears, Wonton Terror, Egg Drop Dead, and Killer Kung Pao)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs), violence, and mild innuendo
To the FTC, with love: I bought a copy of Murder Lo Mein with a portion of the millions I make from my lucrative career as a book blogger. Ha ha.
Monday, December 23, 2019
Clean and Cozy, Leavenworth Christmastime Mystery is an Easy, Enjoyable Read
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Beyond a Reasonable Stout, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from earlier Sloane Krause mysteries. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Then, long-time city council member Kristopher Cooper announces his plans to make Leavenworth a dry town. Local brewers are outraged. Their businesses depend on keeping the taps open; all the merchants in town benefit from events like Oktoberfest. Kristopher has created such a brouhaha that, when he winds up dead, there's a whole list of possible killers. Some of Leavenworth's most prominent citizens are being accused, but who actually did the dirty deed? When Sloan's best frenemy asks Sloan to help prove her innocence, the brewer reluctantly steps in. Can she solve the murder? Or will she be the killer's next victim?
Before we continue, have you seen pictures of
Beyond a Reasonable Stout is the third book in Ellie Alexander's always enjoyable Sloan Krause mystery series. Although in reality, Leavenworth is a very safe town, Alexander's fictional version is always erupting in murderous deeds. I'm happy to suspend my disbelief here because I love the setting. Although Sloan's not an especially unique or memorable character, I enjoy her adventures. Beyond a Reasonable Stout is no exception. Like its predecessors, it's a fun, easy read that's predictable but still entertaining. I appreciate that the books are clean, without crass language, sex scenes, or anything gory and graphic. They're just fun reads that make me smile. You better believe I'm going to continue reading them!
(Readalikes: Reminds me of the Bakeshop Mystery series by Ellie Alexander as well as other books in the Sloan Krause series, including Death on Tap and The Pint of No Return)
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
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Series Opener Another Fun Read from Kylie Logan
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
When her six-year stint as a personal chef to a Hollywood It girl ends in flames, Laurel Inwood is at loose ends. Rescue comes in the form of her aging "aunt," a restaurant owner who needs help while recovering from knee surgery. Eager to manage the elegant venue she's heard much about but never seen, Laurel moves to Hubbard, Ohio, only to find that Aunt Sophie has greatly exaggerated her restaurant's virtues. Instead of a sparkling, sophisticated eatery, Terminal at the Tracks is an old railroad station turned dingy greasy spoon. And it's in desperate need of help.
To revive the Terminal's image, Laurel decides to add a little spice to the menu by introducing innovative ethnic dishes. Just when things are starting to look up for the diner, however, a customer is found slumped in one of its booths, a receipt spike sticking out of his back. Jack Lancer, aka "The Lance of Justice," was not a well-liked man, but who hated him enough to kill him? With the help of the handsome manager of the Irish store next door to the Terminal, Laurel aims to find out. Even if it means her own back becomes a killer's next target.
I've enjoyed a couple of Kylie Logan's books and Irish Stewed, the first installment in her Ethnic Eats cozy mystery series, sounded like a fun one to try. Like most books in this genre, this one offers a quick, entertaining story that makes for light, easy reading. I'm not fond of Laurel, who's rather cold and cocky. Don't get me wrong—I don't mind a strong, unsentimental heroine, but I would have liked to see both some vulnerability and some character growth from Laurel. Perhaps that will come in later books. In general, though, I liked Irish Stewed. I'll for sure keep reading this series as I'm eager to see where it goes.
(Readalikes: reminds me of culinary mysteries by Ellie Alexander and Lena Gregory)
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
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Second Noodle House Mystery Another Delightful Cozy
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
(Note: While this review will not contain spoilers for Dim Sum of All Fears, it may inadvertently reveal plot surprises from its predecessor, Death By Dumpling. As always, I recommend reading books in a series in order.)
Waiting tables at the Ho-Lee Noodle House under the critical eye of her demanding mother was bad enough in high school. At 27, it's literally the last thing Lana Lee wants to be doing. Desperate times and all that. Things are finally looking up, though. Lana's landed a promising job interview, one that will hopefully get her out of the Asian Village shopping plaza for good. Then her parents receive an emergency phone call summoning them back to Taiwan. With no one else to run Ho-Lee Noodle House in their absence, Lana has no choice but to step up.
To everyone's surprise, Lana is doing a bang-up job, keeping everything running as smoothly as it does under her parents' watch. Then, something else goes bang, leaving the newlywed couple that runs the souvenir shop next door dead. Lana's got enough to keep her busy without poking her nose into Asian Village's newest mystery, but she can't help herself. Despite warnings from handsome Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana's soon knee-deep in a case that's getting more dangerous by the second. Can she run a busy restaurant, solve a murder, and ensure her meddling mother is kept totally in the dark all at the same time? It's a tall order, even for Ho-Lee Noodle House's favorite server.
I'm picky about which cozies I read, but I'm loving the Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien. The colorful Asian Village setting is appealing, the quirky characters are endearing, and the mysteries are light but satisfying. Yes, the books are far-fetched, but who cares? They're fun, frothy, and all kinds of entertaining. Dim Sum of All Fears, the second installment, is just as enjoyable as the first. I've already bought the third book and am looking forward to seeing where this delightful series goes next.
(Readalikes: Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien; also reminds me of cozy eatery mysteries by Ellie Alexander, Lena Gregory, and Joanne Fluke)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for brief, mild language (no F-bombs) and mild violence
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
Monday, June 17, 2019
Despite Appealing Story Elements, Chinatown Foodie Novel Missing Some Ingredients
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Natalie Tan has grown up hearing fond tales about her immigrant grandmother, an excellent cook who operated one of the most successful restaurants ever to exist in San Francisco's Chinatown. Those who knew her rave about the magic that emanated from her signature dishes, an enchantment that brought the neighborhood together to be fed, belly and soul. Growing up with her agoraphobic mother in the apartment above her grandmother's long-abandoned restaurant, Natalie dreamed of reviving the establishment, a fantasy that led to an 8-year estrangement between mother and daughter. When Natalie's mother dies unexpectedly, leaving her only child everything she has, Natalie is shocked to realize that she now has everything she needs to finally make her dream come true—except the mother with whom she never reconciled.
Wracked with grief and guilt, Natalie vows to reopen the restaurant, not just to achieve her own dream but also to help revive the deteriorating neighborhood she once loved. Armed with her laolao's recipe book, Natalie tries to recapture the magic that her grandmother wielded through the food she served to her friends and neighbors. When Natalie's best-laid plans go terribly awry, she must search her family's past for clues as to how to save the future, not just for herself but for the once vibrant neighborhood she still loves so well.
Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune, a debut novel by Filipino-Chinese author Roselle Lim, offers lots of fun story elements—tantalizing food descriptions, the promise of family secrets coming to light, a drizzle of magical realism, and some good, old-fashioned mother/daughter drama. A very appealing mixture. Unfortunately, though, these different story threads just aren't woven together well enough to produce a cohesive whole. The plot slogs on without enough tension to keep it exciting, the characters are underdeveloped and bland, and Lim's prose is way more tell than show. I agree with other reviewers who say this one is missing something. I wanted to be completely be-spelled by this novel and I just ... wasn't. In the end, I found Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune to be an okay read, nothing more.
(Readalikes: Reminds me a little of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan and a bit of the Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien [Death By Dumpling; Dim Sum of All Fears; Murder Lo Mein)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
To the FTC, with love: I received an ARC of Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune from the generous folks at Penguin Random House. Thank you!
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