Dollycas's Thoughts
Lana Lee's life is in a good place. She is managing the family business, the Ho-Lee Noodle House and her love life with Detective Adam Trudeau is moving in the right direction. Now with her job as manager, her mother insists Lana attend a restaurant convention in California, and surprisingly her sister Anna May has decided to join her. They do have family there. The girls' very Americanized Aunt Grace could be more different from her sister. She is a prominent writer for SoCalSun Publishing who had married well but that went awry. She also has a luxe rental property and has invited her nieces to stay there.
While Lana attends the conference Anna May and Grace do some fun things around town. The conference is okay and even entertaining as a fortune cookie vendor and a journalist treat everyone to a war of words and threats. After her interesting day, Lana meets up with her sister and aunt to attend a ritzy party Grace had been invited to. The night turns ugly when one of Grace's friends falls to her death from the roof of the hotel. Lana is shocked when she recognizes the woman as the journalist from the convention.
After the authorities rule the death a tragic accident Aunt Grace decides Lana needs to investigate because she cannot believe there was anything accidental. Anna May doesn't think investigating on their own is a good idea but soon all three were asking questions, snooping around, and putting themselves in danger. Will they catch the killer or will Lana and Anna May's Californian vacation end very badly?
It was fun to see Lana and Anna May out of their element and away from the restaurant. I really enjoyed meeting Aunt Grace too. She is another strong woman and a great addition to this series. I did miss the characters left back in Ohio though and the humor they bring to the story but soon I was caught up in everything Lana was doing while trying to figure out how to investigate without her usual resources. I was surprised and happy to see Lana and Anna May's relationship grow in a new direction but will it last when they get back home? We shall see. Ms. Chien does an excellent job of character development and her characters are very true to life. The focus of these three women in this story was very pleasing.
The change in setting brought a real freshness to the series. I mean who wouldn't want to be in California instead of Ohio in the middle of winter? Ms. Chien's descriptive style takes her readers inside every place her characters visit with a bird's eye view of everything going on.
The mystery was very complicated with a plethora of suspects, twists, and turns. Anna May's objections at how Lana wanted to investigate were true to form but even she didn't want to be left out. I loved how the story was plotted out. I was kept guessing the whole way. The big reveal was so exciting. Lana really has to think on her feet and Anna May was right there with her.
At the very end, Lana and Adam had a wonderful telephone conversation and it was the perfect ending.
Misfortune Cookie is a terrific addition to the Noodle Shop Mystery Series. Lana has grown so much since the first book, Death by Dumpling. I do recommend reading them all in order for maximum enjoyment. Fans of the series will love this story! I am already looking forward to the next book and catching up with the Mahjong Matrons and the rest of Lana's family and friends.
Lana Lee's life is in a good place. She is managing the family business, the Ho-Lee Noodle House and her love life with Detective Adam Trudeau is moving in the right direction. Now with her job as manager, her mother insists Lana attend a restaurant convention in California, and surprisingly her sister Anna May has decided to join her. They do have family there. The girls' very Americanized Aunt Grace could be more different from her sister. She is a prominent writer for SoCalSun Publishing who had married well but that went awry. She also has a luxe rental property and has invited her nieces to stay there.
While Lana attends the conference Anna May and Grace do some fun things around town. The conference is okay and even entertaining as a fortune cookie vendor and a journalist treat everyone to a war of words and threats. After her interesting day, Lana meets up with her sister and aunt to attend a ritzy party Grace had been invited to. The night turns ugly when one of Grace's friends falls to her death from the roof of the hotel. Lana is shocked when she recognizes the woman as the journalist from the convention.
After the authorities rule the death a tragic accident Aunt Grace decides Lana needs to investigate because she cannot believe there was anything accidental. Anna May doesn't think investigating on their own is a good idea but soon all three were asking questions, snooping around, and putting themselves in danger. Will they catch the killer or will Lana and Anna May's Californian vacation end very badly?
It was fun to see Lana and Anna May out of their element and away from the restaurant. I really enjoyed meeting Aunt Grace too. She is another strong woman and a great addition to this series. I did miss the characters left back in Ohio though and the humor they bring to the story but soon I was caught up in everything Lana was doing while trying to figure out how to investigate without her usual resources. I was surprised and happy to see Lana and Anna May's relationship grow in a new direction but will it last when they get back home? We shall see. Ms. Chien does an excellent job of character development and her characters are very true to life. The focus of these three women in this story was very pleasing.
The change in setting brought a real freshness to the series. I mean who wouldn't want to be in California instead of Ohio in the middle of winter? Ms. Chien's descriptive style takes her readers inside every place her characters visit with a bird's eye view of everything going on.
The mystery was very complicated with a plethora of suspects, twists, and turns. Anna May's objections at how Lana wanted to investigate were true to form but even she didn't want to be left out. I loved how the story was plotted out. I was kept guessing the whole way. The big reveal was so exciting. Lana really has to think on her feet and Anna May was right there with her.
At the very end, Lana and Adam had a wonderful telephone conversation and it was the perfect ending.
Misfortune Cookie is a terrific addition to the Noodle Shop Mystery Series. Lana has grown so much since the first book, Death by Dumpling. I do recommend reading them all in order for maximum enjoyment. Fans of the series will love this story! I am already looking forward to the next book and catching up with the Mahjong Matrons and the rest of Lana's family and friends.
