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blogginboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The Noodle Shop Mystery series is one of my favorite cozies. Lana's a fun, appealing heroine and the series' usual Asia Village setting provides a colorful, unique backdrop for the books. Although there are definitely installments I enjoy more than others, overall I love this series.
MISFORTUNE COOKIE falls in the didn't-love-as-much category. I don't know if it's because it's set away from Asia Village or what, but it feels more generic than its predecessors. The characters aren't as memorable and the plot's rather ho-hum. I saw the killer coming from a mile away, which made the story less exciting than usual. I did like that Anna May features more in this installment than usual. The tense relationship between Lana and her fussy older sister gives the story some extra tension and humor to keep things interesting. Even though I didn't find MISFORTUNE COOKIE as appealing as some of its fellows, I still quite enjoy this series as a whole. It's unique, fun, and always entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what Lana gets herself up to next!
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
MISFORTUNE COOKIE falls in the didn't-love-as-much category. I don't know if it's because it's set away from Asia Village or what, but it feels more generic than its predecessors. The characters aren't as memorable and the plot's rather ho-hum. I saw the killer coming from a mile away, which made the story less exciting than usual. I did like that Anna May features more in this installment than usual. The tense relationship between Lana and her fussy older sister gives the story some extra tension and humor to keep things interesting. Even though I didn't find MISFORTUNE COOKIE as appealing as some of its fellows, I still quite enjoy this series as a whole. It's unique, fun, and always entertaining. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what Lana gets herself up to next!
If I could, I would give this book 3 1/2 stars; since I can't, I'm rounding up.
katreader's review against another edition
4.0
MISFORTUNE COOKIE by Vivien Chien
The Ninth Noodle Shop Mystery
After coming too close to a killer for comfort Noodle House Manager Lana Lee has agreed to stop her sleuthing. To remove herself even more, Lana is headed to California. Her mother has paid for her to attend a restaurant convention and her sister, Anna May has decided to come along. The sisters also get to hang out with their Aunt Grace and stay at one of her rental properties. Grace is happy to show off her nieces at a work cocktail party, but a crash and screams pierce the night. A woman has fallen off the roof to her death. The woman happens to be Grace's good friend and the woman Lana saw involved in a confrontation at the convention. Much to Anna May's dismay Lana Lee is once again involved in murder.
It's fun to see characters out of their usual environs, and I don't blame Lana and Anna May for leaving the December cold of Cleveland behind them to enjoy sunny California. It was also nice to see Lana more as a business professional...kind of...and getting to see Anna May cook, showcasing a skill we don't usually see from her. While I miss the Mahjong Mavens and the other regulars, MISFORTUNE COOKIE was a golden opportunity to explore the relationship between the sisters. I love how Lana and Anna May's relationship mirrors that of Grace and Mrs. Lee. Indeed, sisters make up the heart of the ninth Noodle Shop Mystery. Differences, similarities, bickering, and the complex relationship sisters share all play a part in this mystery.
I really enjoyed the complex mystery found in MISFORTUNE COOKIE and how Lana brings her investigatory skills to a new place, going so far as stopping at CVS to get a notebook! While I may be missing the Mahjong Matrons there are a lot of volatile characters in their place. That fortune cookie woman is a piece of work and it was fascinating to watch the characters interact, from suspicious co-workers to the "better than thou" husband, and more. And as for volatile, the final confrontation scene was a dramatic, pulse pounding thrill!
Fortune cookies, bubble tea, and sisters, MISFORTUNE COOKIE brings Cleveland to California in an exciting murder mystery.
The Ninth Noodle Shop Mystery
After coming too close to a killer for comfort Noodle House Manager Lana Lee has agreed to stop her sleuthing. To remove herself even more, Lana is headed to California. Her mother has paid for her to attend a restaurant convention and her sister, Anna May has decided to come along. The sisters also get to hang out with their Aunt Grace and stay at one of her rental properties. Grace is happy to show off her nieces at a work cocktail party, but a crash and screams pierce the night. A woman has fallen off the roof to her death. The woman happens to be Grace's good friend and the woman Lana saw involved in a confrontation at the convention. Much to Anna May's dismay Lana Lee is once again involved in murder.
It's fun to see characters out of their usual environs, and I don't blame Lana and Anna May for leaving the December cold of Cleveland behind them to enjoy sunny California. It was also nice to see Lana more as a business professional...kind of...and getting to see Anna May cook, showcasing a skill we don't usually see from her. While I miss the Mahjong Mavens and the other regulars, MISFORTUNE COOKIE was a golden opportunity to explore the relationship between the sisters. I love how Lana and Anna May's relationship mirrors that of Grace and Mrs. Lee. Indeed, sisters make up the heart of the ninth Noodle Shop Mystery. Differences, similarities, bickering, and the complex relationship sisters share all play a part in this mystery.
I really enjoyed the complex mystery found in MISFORTUNE COOKIE and how Lana brings her investigatory skills to a new place, going so far as stopping at CVS to get a notebook! While I may be missing the Mahjong Matrons there are a lot of volatile characters in their place. That fortune cookie woman is a piece of work and it was fascinating to watch the characters interact, from suspicious co-workers to the "better than thou" husband, and more. And as for volatile, the final confrontation scene was a dramatic, pulse pounding thrill!
Fortune cookies, bubble tea, and sisters, MISFORTUNE COOKIE brings Cleveland to California in an exciting murder mystery.
kthornette's review against another edition
3.0
pre-read: god, im so happy this series isn't over yet!
post-read: I’ve seen mixed reviews considering the change of setting from Cleveland and the restaurant, but coming from someone who lives in a (subjectively) small town, I get the desire for wanting to go somewhere else. I love Lana Lee and I love catching up with her. I wasn’t attached to the mystery, per se, but I wanted more of her with Detective Trudeau. He is a green flag.
post-read: I’ve seen mixed reviews considering the change of setting from Cleveland and the restaurant, but coming from someone who lives in a (subjectively) small town, I get the desire for wanting to go somewhere else. I love Lana Lee and I love catching up with her. I wasn’t attached to the mystery, per se, but I wanted more of her with Detective Trudeau. He is a green flag.
suzydemric's review against another edition
3.0
Another series that I have jumped into late. An enjoyable read, though this one was centered in another location from where I gather most of the mysteries have taken place.
Not sure I will go back to the beginning with this series, but I would more than likely read the next one.
Not sure I will go back to the beginning with this series, but I would more than likely read the next one.
paprika411's review against another edition
3.0
This was my least favorite out of the entire series. I felt less interested in the sleuthing. Everything was forced and I struggled to get through the book. There was a lot of discussion about what makes Lana continue to get involved in investigating, and also discussion about the sister and her relationship issues.
I also found it weird that Lana didn’t have anyone to play off in this story, her aunt and sister just didn’t bring it in terms of helping solve the mystery. I also think it was weird that the Mom, the best friend, and boyfriend were not involved and didn’t really communicate or concern themselves about anything going on.
What really felt wrong was the lack of investment into the main murder. Once things circled back to the crime I just lost interest in who the potential villain culprit(s) were. Overall this was lackluster.
I also found it weird that Lana didn’t have anyone to play off in this story, her aunt and sister just didn’t bring it in terms of helping solve the mystery. I also think it was weird that the Mom, the best friend, and boyfriend were not involved and didn’t really communicate or concern themselves about anything going on.
What really felt wrong was the lack of investment into the main murder. Once things circled back to the crime I just lost interest in who the potential villain culprit(s) were. Overall this was lackluster.
thoroughly_bookish's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book and I love this series as a whole. I would say this was probably my least favorite book. Mainly because we didn’t get to see most of the characters that we have been used to, and all the other books. I do think the twist at the end was great and not someone that we suspected and the entire book played out well, I just missed my Mahjong ladies and Adam and Megan and of course Kikkoman!
lbonko's review against another edition
1.0
This book was boring. Anna May was annoying. The author overused "young lady." Like every male character called Lana "young lady." Who uses that phrase in real life? Why would all of these people?
chonkeyhong's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sparklingreader's review against another edition
3.0
Thoughts: I had trouble getting into this book. It didn’t draw me in as the others in the series had. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, it just didn’t work for me. I actually got a little tired of Anna May and Lana’s continual sniping at each other and the comparisons to their mother and aunt. Plus, moving the story out of Cleveland means we didn’t have the usual team for Lana to rely on as she plunges once more into a murder mystery.
What I liked: The author is very good with descriptions without being over the top with them. I love the contrast between Lana and Anna May – the issues between the sisters is very realistic and believable. (Just don’t keep pointing it out every few pages) There are enough red herrings to keep the story interesting and the tie-in to Lana’s aunt Grace keeps it all in the family. I especially liked Adam’s (Lana’s cop boyfriend) discussion with her at the end. Everything wrapped up neatly at the end without Lana ending up in a hospital or seriously injured.
What I didn’t like: As I pointed out above, the story was a little slow for me and I had enough of the comparisons of the straight-laced sister with the adventurous one (both Lana/Anna May and their mother/aunt). And, even though Anna May has had the hots for Henry for some time, I really don’t like the whole cheating with the married man storyline. Yeah, it happens, but it bothers me that someone as “don’t break the rules” as Anna May is would continue to do something like this. I’m glad she decided to break it off.
Recommendation: If you’ve read the others in the series, yes, you should read this one. It does have a satisfying ending and is a decent addition to the series.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
What I liked: The author is very good with descriptions without being over the top with them. I love the contrast between Lana and Anna May – the issues between the sisters is very realistic and believable. (Just don’t keep pointing it out every few pages) There are enough red herrings to keep the story interesting and the tie-in to Lana’s aunt Grace keeps it all in the family. I especially liked Adam’s (Lana’s cop boyfriend) discussion with her at the end. Everything wrapped up neatly at the end without Lana ending up in a hospital or seriously injured.
What I didn’t like: As I pointed out above, the story was a little slow for me and I had enough of the comparisons of the straight-laced sister with the adventurous one (both Lana/Anna May and their mother/aunt). And, even though Anna May has had the hots for Henry for some time, I really don’t like the whole cheating with the married man storyline. Yeah, it happens, but it bothers me that someone as “don’t break the rules” as Anna May is would continue to do something like this. I’m glad she decided to break it off.
Recommendation: If you’ve read the others in the series, yes, you should read this one. It does have a satisfying ending and is a decent addition to the series.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
elsemma's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0