In this 3rd book in the noodle shop series, Lana Lee is enjoying her new role of manager of the restaurant while her mother retired. They are participating in a Chinese cooking contest among the restaurants in Cleveland, and have great hopes of winning. Their chef, Peter, takes the first round, then one of the judges is found murdered. When a second one is also murdered, Lana starts getting involved and asking questions. This is a very good cozy series with interesting characters, a good plot, and descriptions of delicious food. Recommended!

This is the third book in the Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien, but it works fine as a stand alone. There are past events referred to, but it's more character back story than things pertaining to the current situation. I won't rehash the plot, you can read the synopsis yourself! I enjoyed this mystery, it was a fun, quick read. There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but I felt that added interest to the story, I enjoyed the different relationships with Lana, the main character. The plot seemed more character driven than action driven, and the pace was a wee bit slow, but not annoyingly so. Lana's almost-but-not-quite boyfriend, Adam, is a cop investigating the murders, and seems to mainly be there to tell her to not get involved over and over and over (we get it, Adam!), but of course, that just makes her more intent on digging into things- c'mon, this is a cozy, we have to hit a few tropes, right? There are enough red herrings to keep you guessing- I did figure out whodunnit, but I wasn't absolutely sure till the end, the author kept me second guessing myself. Overall, a very enjoyable book, and I'll be checking out the first two in the series soon. Expect to be craving Chinese food while you're reading this!

As in the previous 2 books, murder involves the Asian Plaza merchants, some of whom are involved in a noodle cooking contest. The story moved quickly and kept my interest. I also liked that Lana has a roommate. So often characters seem to live beyond their means.

The romance is the weakest link. It needs feel like more than just Lana's connection to the police so she can stay involved with the murder solving.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first novel that I have read by this Author, I know that this is not the first one in the series but the way that it was written you wouldn't know it. It does give references to past events but its really just to set the environment not really to connect anything to the story.. I can say that I will be reading more from this author.. its a fresh take on the cozy mystery!

I didn't think the plot in this book was as engaging as in the first two. Part of that is because I just read Restaurant Weeks Are Murder by Libby Klein, which also involves a cooking contest, and I wasn't that interested in reading the same premise again so soon. But I also just didn't care about the murder as much in this book as I have about the others. Still, it was an enjoyable read because I got to check in with all my favorite characters - Lana and her roommate, Megan, Detective Adam Trudeau (who revealed some of his past emotional baggage for the first time) and because it gave me a clearer picture of the Asian food scene surrounding the Noodle House at the center of the story. Books also play a fun role in the plot. I'll definitely be reading book four, Wonton Terror.

This series just keeps getting better it’s quickly becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series! I love the character of Lana so much she’s is spunky and and sarcastic and I love her relationship with Adam and with her family. Her parents never fail to make me laugh out loud with their sayings and antics and the look into life in the restaurant and cooking business is interesting and fun to read about. I loved the whole plot line of a food critic being killed while taste testing it made for a intriguing mystery that kept me guessing I love this series and can’t wait to read more!

A solid mystery, a cast of entertaining characters, delicious foods, and a romance that finally seems to be getting a bit more serious, all made for another fun Noodle Shop Mystery instalment! This is a great cozy series and I know that I'll be picking up the next book.

Lana Lee is now the manager in her family's restaurant, her grandma has moved to town and things are heating up with the hunky Detective Trudeau. Lana's chef, Peter is competing in this year's noodle contest set in Asia Village and she is hoping he can knock it out the park! However, things take a turn for the worse when two of the judges are killed with seemingly no connection other than they both received strange fortune cookies with Sun Tzu quotes in them.

Lana, much to the annoyance of Adam, is on the case - she just can't help herself. But will digging into the murders this time land her in hot water?

I always enjoy my cozy mysteries and this was no different. I was happy when Adam and Lana had a very important talk about their relationship since it always kind of seemed like a will they or won't they situation. I liked how Lana's mom and sister weren't as present in this book as others - they are a little hard to like. I would like to see Lana's sister help her with one of her "cases", perhaps something that involves Anna May directly. I actually figured out who the murderer was! I call it a win even if it was just before Lana figured it out herself :)

All in all this was a good book, fun and a quick read. I will continue reading this series as long as Vivien Chien keeps writing them.

4.2 stars

#murderlomein #vivienchien #netgalley

Murder Lo Mein is the third in the Noodle Shop Mystery series. There's a competition going on to decide Cleveland's Best Noodle, and Lana Lee is hoping her family's restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House, takes the prize. But things are put on hold when judge Norman Pan receives a threatening fortune cookie and then drops dead after the first round.

Lana is determined to help her maybe-boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, solve the mystery. She's persistent, and with the help of friends and family, she digs a little deeper into the lives of everyone involved in the contest. Turns out a lot of people might have had a reason to want Norman Pan dead. Then another judge is killed, and the tension ratchets up a notch. When Lana receives an ominous fortune cookie herself, you've got to wonder - will she be next?

Lana Lee is a delightful heroine. She's clever, has a sweet tooth (like me!), and generally able to think pretty quickly in a jam. This is the first of the Noodle Shop Mysteries that I've read, but I will be back for more. #MurderLoMein #NetGalley

Disclaimer: I received an advance copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are mine, and I don't say nice things about books that I don't like.

Murder Lo Mein is the third Noodle Shop mystery by Vivien Chien. Released 26th March 2019 by St. Martin's, it's 304 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a cozy series featuring a sweet heroine who is a manager of her family's Chinese restaurant. The main character is plucky and loyal to her friends but she's not too saccharine sweet or perfect. When faced with nasty racist meanness and attitude from her arch-nemesis, Jackie, she's not above a few sarcastic digs in her own defense. At the end of the day, she's a genuinely likeable protagonist and I've really enjoyed this series thus far.

The background story is well interwoven in the book, and it works as a standalone without needing to have read the previous books. (I can heartily recommend them as well, if you're looking for a new light cozy series to read).

The language is overall clean, a few 'damns' and some chaste kisses, nothing to make one's grandmother blush. There is no graphic violence (even the murders are bloodless).

Fun books, fun setting, well written and enjoyable.

Four stars

I wanted to adore this book but it was just not fast paced enough and the cast of characters was far too large to keep up with. It took me forever to read this book because it wasn't as engaging as the last one. I didn't really care about the murder and I wanted a little more of Lana's personality this time around but that was lacking. I did enjoy the parts with her grandmother getting situated in the US though and trying to communicate with her despite the language barrier.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of Murder Lo Mein. This is a great cozy mystery series! I love everything about it including the covers - they leave me craving Chinese food. In this latest installment Lana is managing her families restaurant while solving yet another murder and continuing to develop her relationship with her detective boyfriend. I can't wait for the next book!!

I adore this series. It’s one of the few series I’ve seen written by a woman of color. It’s done so well. I enjoy catching up with Lana, she’s like an old friend. I would recommend this to others!

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read and review Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien. What more can you ask for Chinese food and a fast-paced murder mystery? This sets the setting for a perfect weekend read. This is the third book in the series, I now have to go back and read the previous ones and all of the future titles in this series.

I enjoy this cozy mystery series so much, and this new story was no exception. I think the books keep getting better as the series goes on and it's always a great escape to spend time with these characters. I enjoy Chien's cleverness and think these books and this one in particular, demonstrate how much Chien deserves a firm spot in the cozy mystery genre. A fun and quick read I will recommend to others.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the free review copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

In the third installment in the Noodle Shop Mystery series, Lana's family restaurant is entering into a city-wide noodle contest. They seem poised to win, when a series of murders derails the competition - and once again throws Asia Village into an unfortunate spotlight. Lana is determined to find out who's behind these nasty crimes, even if it means putting herself in danger...

I just adore this series! Lana Lee is one fantastic heroine - smart, funny, sassy and completely relatable (except for the solving murders thing. I can't really relate to that...). I love her obsession with donuts and love for books (both of which I can totally relate to!). Her family may make her a little nuts, but they clearly love each other fiercely - even her older sister Anna May, who can be such a pain! She has great friends, and there's a happy development in Lana's love life.

This series has quickly become one of my very favorite cozy series, and I can't wait for the next one!

The Ho Lee Noodle House is competing in a competition for the best noodles. Lana is sure Peter’s cooking is going to win the contest this year. Then, judges start dying. No one really liked Norman, but strangling seems a bit harsh. Then Stella dies. Adam is investigating but the pieces don’t fit. Lana is investigating with the same trouble.
Lana and Adam make some progress on their relationship. Lana gains confidence as a manager of the noodle house.
I like the book, but I am starting to question this compulsion the heroines of cozy mysteries feel to investigate. Why does it become all that Lana can think about? How can a business really run when the manager is consumed with investigating a murder?
It’s interesting how the author can make the Asian Village feel like a small town when the book is set in Cleveland.
I like this series but this book lacked a little something.

Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien is a murder mystery. Lana is the owner of Ho Lee’s restaurant. The restaurant participates in the noodle contest to vie for the top restaurant spot in the Asian Village. One of the most notorious judges of the contest, Norman Pan is murdered. Lara investigates his murder and the string of murders that plague the noodle contest. Were the murders related to the contest or did they have a personal connection?

This is my first book by Vivian Chen. I felt that the character description needed a bit of work. I did not care about the murder of Norman Pan. Unlike Agatha Christie novels, where the victim has a rich financial and emotional background, none of it was provided for Norman Pan. He was just a harsh critic whom no one liked. I also did not care about who won the noodle contest because I knew Lana’s restaurant would win. Lana was also a rookie in solving the murder case.

I rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars because the murder did not spark my curiosity and light a fire in me to learn who the murderer was. Murder Lo Mein will be of interest to bookworms who like murder mysteries with a touch of cultural diversity.

This is a 3rd Book in the A Noodle Shop Mystery Series.

I adored this book! It has all the elements and humor of a cozy mystery. A related amateur sleuth, a best friend, a cute dog, Chinese food, donuts, a handsome detective and of course family & friends drama; all wrapped up in one delicious savory egg roll!

Lana took over the management position of her family restaurant Ho-Lee Noodle House. During this time, the Asia Village is throwing Cleveland’s Best Noodle Contest. Ho-Lee Noodle House and three other restaurants in the surrounding area are contestants. There is also a panel of four judges. After the first day and elimination of one contestant, one of the judges is found dead slumped over a bowl of Lo Mein. Come to find out this judge was a food critic and made a lot of enemies, he was fussy and his reviews hurt a lot of businesses. Lana and her Best Friend Megan have a lot of sleuthing to do before they eat their last noddle.

I LOVE LANA! This amateur sleuth was so much fun to read! She spoke her mind, she asked the really tough questions and didn’t back down, even ignored a few who told her to go away! I loved her persistence and how she comes about solving the mystery.
I knew, reading the beginning of the book, when Lana has a total meltdown due to a donut shop opening up right next door to her restaurant, that we were kindred spirits. Apparently, Lana loves donuts just as much as I do! And when her dad calls her Goober; Oh My! I have not heard that word in years! LOL! Love it!
I also loved reading about the different shops in Asian Village and the people who run them. I adored the names the author gives to the shops for example: Ivory Doll for the cosmetic shop, Modern Scroll for the book shop; so very creative.
The Grandmother in the storyline was very touching. Her interaction with Lana, family and the people in the Asian Village kept me smiling. I hope she continues in the series for I am curious to know how things work out.

I wanted to mention, this book does talk about the previous murders and who the killers are so I recommend reading the series in order if you do not want any spoilers. I didn’t mind, I am going to read the previous books anyways.

I usually take a lot of notes for a book review, but I was so engrossed in the storyline that I barely took any.
This book is set at a good pace; it held my interest throughout and did not disappoint at all. When I was done reading the book, I had a big goofy smile on my face. It just made me happy!

This book is the reason why cozy mysteries have a special place in my heart.

In fact the first book of the series Death by Dumpling is schedule to be read at my book club Cozies and Coffee, for the month of May 2019. I know they are going to love this series as much as I do!

I did not figure out who the killer was. The mystery was well laid out and kept me guessing.

I give this book a solid 5 stars. I would give more, but the highest is 5.

Book Cover gets 5 stars as well.

This book has no sex, graphic violence or profanity.

A Big Thank You goes out to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks for providing me with an advanced digital read. The opinions expressed on this review are my own.

Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien is the third A Noodle Shop Mystery. Lana Lee is the manager of her family’s restaurant, Ho-Lee Noodle House in Asia Village. The restaurant is participating in Cleveland’s Best Noodles contest which will be held at Asia Village. Peter Huang, their chef, and Lana want to win this year. They have come in second and third in the past, but they believe this is their year to take home the prize. After the first round in the competition, Norman Pan—a judge and food critic—finds a fortune cookie next to his plate with a threatening message inside. Later at the after party at the Bamboo Lounge, Norman is found face down in a bowl of noodles. Detective Adam Trudeau, Lana’s boyfriend, is lead on the investigation and warns Lana to stay away from the case. Lana, of course, has no intention of listening to Adam and immediately starts a list of potential suspects. She soon discovers that Norman was not well-liked and gave critical food reviews (even to his own niece). Lana visits each contestant’s restaurant to ask questions and look around for clues (a bonus is checking out the competitor’s food at the same time). Then another judge receives a killer fortune and is later found dead in her hotel room. Lana is piecing together the clues when she receives a forbidding fortune. Will Lana be the killer’s next victim?

Murder Lo Mein can be read as a standalone if you have not read the previous novels in A Noodle Shop Mystery series. The author provides everything a new reader needs to know. Lana Lee has taken over management of the Ho-Lee Noodle House from her mother who is now focused on Lana’s grandmother whom the parents brought with them to the United States after their last visit. Lana hopes to garner attention for the restaurant by their winning Cleveland’s Best Noodles contest which is being held at Asia Village. Unfortunately, one of the judges is killed at the Bamboo Lounge which, of course, has people avoiding the karaoke bar. Penny, the owner, is worried what will happen if business does not improve soon. Lana sets out to find the killer despite being warned to stay out of it by her boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau. I enjoy the author’s casual writing style. It makes for an easy to read story. There are numerous suspects since the victim was obnoxious. There is one, though, that stands out from the crowd. I liked that all the details of the mystery are wrapped up at the end of the book. I did not appreciate the number of times Lana is told to not investigate and we are reminded that she is an amateur sleuth (I got it the first five times). I did find there to be too many extraneous characters in this story. It can be hard to keep track of all of them (do we need to know every shop owner in Asia Village). There is a subplot involving Lana’s grandmother who does not speak English. It turns out she was lonely back home and life is much livelier for her in Cleveland. I found grandma to be a cute addition to the book. The food descriptions will have your mouth watering. Lana gets to eat a variety of dishes while digging into the suspects lives. I hope we get see Lana start developing as an individual. She is nearing thirty and it would be nice to see some maturity (less spaciness). There is family drama, romance, friendship, food, a cute canine and a noodle contest in this new cozy mystery. Murder Lo Mein is a light-hearted cozy mystery that left me craving Chinese food.