A review by marie_thereadingotter
Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

 
This is the first murder mystery book I have read since my grade-school days of reading Nancy Drew, and I had so much fun reading it. 

 The "who done it" aspect did have me guessing of who it could be for most of the book, but there was one point where I figured it out before out heroine seemed to, it was near the end of the book so it was just all the pieces falling into place. I did wonder why she didn't tell the detective some of what she found out sooner. It could have helped save her some stress. But I suppose that was her stubbornness getting in the way. 
 
 There are some 'meh' reviews out there for this book, but I think they were wanting a more thrilling mystery, where this one is a cozy mystery. Sure, there was a murder, but there's a heavy focus on family and community that I really enjoyed reading. 

There is a "romance", but not really either. More like a lot of awkward flirting that ends with them going on one date at the end of the book. 

I plan on reading the rest of the books in this series because I adore the characters.