(Noodle Shop #9)
Super Series Sunday is a bookish meme hosted by Literary Marie. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
- Binge read installments of a series.
- Share your review/recommendations below.
- Include the titles, authors and series names.
"I was used to cleaning up broken glass at the restaurant, and on a deeper level, I wondered if that was a metaphor for my life. Things broke and I worked to fix them, even if it meant sweeping things away." ~ pg. 205
My Series Sunday pick is Misfortune Cookie, the ninth book in the Noodle Shop series by Vivien Chien. Ho-Lee Noodle House, managed by Lana Lee, is famous for its noodles and tea. But the setting in this latest installment takes place in sunny California where a restaurant convention is held. Lana Lee and sister Anna May are invited to stay at their Aunt Grace's posh rental.
Everything is peaches, cream and sunshine until Lana Lee witnesses an argument because a journalist and fortune cookie vendor. Later that night, a woman mysteriously plunges from the roof top. It happens to be the same journalist in the dramatic cat fight earlier but also Aunt Grace's friend. So much for a laid back vacation and restaurant convention...Lana must solve this mystery.
"I often didn't know my next step and I don't think that people—my family included—knew that I winged life more than my eyeliner." ~ pg. 113
Readers are introduced to a new colorful character: Aunt Grace. She serves "Rich Auntie" vibes with invitations to exclusive events, knowing key people in the city, living a single-with-no-kids life of luxury in California. All the more reason to dote on her nieces. I hope to see more of Aunt Grace!
This time, I learned more about Anna May Lee (Lana's older soon-to-be lawyer sister). I used to think she was an annoying tattletale in all of the prior books but now I understand her logic. She's healing from a breakup. She's studying and working hard toward her career goals. And most of all, Anna May cares for her little sister's safety. She only wants for Lana to make better choices.
"The 'look over here' approach." ~ pg. 218
The flow of Misfortune Cookie started off slow, picked up in pace, then slowed down to a slow cruise. Even though the suspect list was short, a lot of unnecessary clues were dropped. Or perhaps it's because I'm finally caught up on the series and have learned the author's style when it comes to whodunit. Either way, it was still a good read; just not the best choice for a fast-paced cozy mystery.
Happy Early Pub Day, Vivien Chien! Misfortune Cookie will be available Tuesday, June 27, 2023.
Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins.
Title: Misfortune Cookie
Author: Vivien Chien
Published: June 2023
Pages: 264
Edition: Galley
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 🖤 🖤 🖤 🖤
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