Hot and Sour Suspect by Vivien Chien

Hot and Sour Suspects

About the Book

At the Ho-Lee Noodle House, murder is on the menu.

When Lana Lee’s best friend, Megan Riley, asks her to help host a speed dating contest at Ho-Lee Noodle House, she doesn’t see the harm in lending a hand. The night goes better than anticipated, and both Lana and Megan are beyond thrilled with the results. But before they can break out the champagne, Rina Su, fellow Asia Village shop owner and speed dating participant, calls to inform Lana that the date she’s just matched with has been murdered. Under suspicion of foul play, Rina enlists Lana’s help in finding out what really happened that night.

Without hesitation, Lana begins to dig into the man in question. To her dismay, she quickly finds that Rina’s date has a rather unsavory past. There’s a long line of slighted women, angry neighbors, and perturbed co-workers―all of whom seem to have a motive.

As Lana continues to spiral down the treacherous path of scorned lovers and mistreated acquaintances, she can’t help but dwell on how quickly an innocent evening filled with hope and positivity could turn so sour. When the media gets in on the case, Lana must rush to find the killer before more dates turn deadly.

About the Author

Vivien Chien first started writing simple stories about adventures with her classmates when she was in elementary school. As she grew up, her love of books and the written word increased, leading to the attempt of her first novel at age 16. After many struggled beginnings and several different genres, she found her passion in the mystery world.

When she’s not writing, she can be found frolicking in the bookstore or searching for her next bowl of noodles. She has a soft spot for doughnuts, a healthy love for coffee, and an extreme need to participate in random acts of crafting.

She currently lives in Cleveland where she is hard at work on the third book in her Noodle Shop series and writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.

My Thoughts

Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien has Lana Lee hosting a speed dating event at the Ho-Lee Noodle House with her best friend, Megan Riley.  Their friend, Rina goes home with a questionable gentleman despite warnings from her friends.  In the middle of the night, Lana’s beau, Detective Adam Trudeau is called to a crime scene.  Rina’s speed date is dead.  Rina finds herself at the top of the suspect list.  Lana dives into the case along with Megan and Kimmy.  They quickly discover that the victim had a seedy past.  There is a lengthy list of people who had reason to kill the victim.  Lana needs to figure out which suspect did the deed before Rina must put in a change of address card for the local penitentiary.  

Hot and Sour Suspects by Vivien Chien is the 8^th A Noodle Shop Mystery.  It can easily be read as a standalone as the author provides all the needed background information on our main characters as well as what has happened in past A Noodle Shop Mysteries.  I found Hot and Sour Suspects easy to read with developed characters.  We get to learn more about Lana’s sister, Anna May and her romantic relationship in this book.  The mystery was okay.  I found it drawn out.  It took a while for Lana, Megan, and Kimmy to question all the suspects.  There was a great deal of repetition and Lana thinking about the case.  Lana would then speak to someone about the investigation which led to repeating what she knew (again).  I had to skim to get through Hot and Sour Suspects.  There was eating, chatting, walking the dog, time with boyfriend, more chatting and thinking, Lana and her pooch out for another walk, and you get the picture.  This was not my favorite A Noodle Shop Mystery.  The story seemed to drag (lack of action).  There was drama and suspense at the end that wrapped up the case.  After reading the note from the author, I can understand why the book seems a little more lowkey.  I enjoyed the author’s descriptions of the area (Fairview and Cleveland).  Those from that area will recognize places mentioned in the book.  Hot and Sour Suspects is a baffling brainteaser with nummy noodles, a speed dating scene, a dead date, secret sleuthing, suspicious suspects, and a crazed killer.

Hot and Sour Suspects publishes Tuesday, January 25 and it is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other seven A Noodle Shop Mysteries here.  You can follow Vivien Chien on Amazon and receive an email when she publishes a new book.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return on Monday with my thoughts on Up to No Gouda by Linda Reilly.  It is the debut of A Grilled Cheese Mysteries which publishes Tuesday, January 25.  My mother discovered she can watch Amazon Prime on her Kindle this week (I told her previously, but she is happy to think she discovered something on her own).  There are great movies, television shows, and Amazon original programming.  I am watching A Discovery of Witches and Making the Cut.  My mother is watching Being the Ricardos.  Amazon Prime has so many great benefits besides fast shipping (my favorite benefit).   I hope that you have an enjoyable day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.