Stacey Lee's latest YA mystery "Kill Her Twice" transports readers back to 1930s Los Angeles and into the dark underbelly of Chinatown. When local celebrity Lulu Wong is murdered, her former neighbors - the clever Chow sisters - take it upon themselves to investigate. Lee does an excellent job capturing the allure and grit of LA during this era. The Chow sisters are an endearing trio, using their wits and determination to uncover clues even as powerful forces try to silence them. The mystery itself is intriguing, with plenty of suspects and misdirection to keep you guessing. My only critique would be that the pacing slows a bit too much in parts, interrupting the suspense. However, the colorful characters and their crusade for justice in an era of rampant prejudice make this a compelling read. Lee tackles weighty themes around racism, xenophobia, and women’s rights with nuance. Overall a solid 4-star historical mystery with a feisty feminist message. Fans of the author will enjoy spending more time in this vivid setting and seeing echoes of her previous heroines in the audacious Chow sisters.

Decent but not great ya thriller. The vibe was okay but the writing wasn’t great. Thanks for the arc

3.5 stars rounded up to 4!

i love historical fiction, and the time period that stacey lee chose for this book was a breath of fresh air to me. old hollywood in itself has such an allure, but to finally get the POV of two young asian women who are adjacent to it was exciting. i enjoyed the two leads & their clear senses of identity, and the sprinkles of romance amidst the mystery felt balanced and engaging. i really liked the plot of the book, as well as the turns that the mystery took. while the ending felt quick, it wrapped up nicely.

the only thing that made the book drag to me were the parts that felt unnecessarily flowery in its description. i think it could be because i’m asian, but i didn’t need to be reminded that lulu wong was explicitly chinese every time someone white referenced her. i feel like flow of the chapters could’ve been greatly improved & the book could be a bit shorter, but that’s just me.

definitely recommend!

This was just okay. Not my favorite Stacey Lee. I think I just wanted more. I wanted more depth in the atmosphere, I didn’t get the Hollywood noir vibes I was hoping for. The sisters themselves were well written but I couldn’t seem to connect with them. The one bright spot was the mystery was fun to follow and kept me interested. Overall an average book, but it was a quick, easy read.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a good mystery. I enjoyed the historical part of this book and it was very enjoyable to read

I thought this was fine but honestly couldn’t really get into it! Neither sister really captured my interest but I did enjoy the murder mystery aspect. Might just be an instance of not being in the right mood for this, I might be a bit burnt out on historical fiction.

Under the flickering lights of 1932 Los Angeles, a silver screen siren's star is tragically extinguished. When the Chow sisters stumble upon the fallen icon, Lulu Wong, in a forgotten stable, their Chinatown community braces for the storm. Whispers of foul play and hushed cover-ups swirl amid escalating tensions for their beloved neighborhood, slated for demolition under the guise of progress.

Undeterred by apathy and prejudice, the Chow sisters - May, Gemma, and Peony - step into the shadows, vowing to find justice for their fallen friend. Armed with unwavering loyalty and unwavering courage, they navigate a labyrinth of secrets, facing down influential figures whose agendas threaten Chinatown's very existence. But as they inch closer to the truth, the cold breath of the killer sends shivers down their spines. Will the sisters unearth the darkness at the heart of Lulu's demise before their own fates become ensnared in the deadly web?

This captivating novel promises a thrilling dance between historical intrigue and sisterly solidarity. Prepare to be swept away by a tale where ambition collides with justice, secrets whisper from the shadows, and Chinatown's beating heart refuses to be silenced. Grab your magnifying glass and your courage, dear reader, for amidst the glitz and glamour of Hollywood lurks a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

In 1932, Lulu Wong made a name for herself by leaving Chinatown and becoming a Hollywood star. Most girls who look like her don't get lead roles, so Lulu is the pride of her neighborhood. So everyone is shocked when Lulu's body is found in a local stable far from her Beverly Hills home by her friends, sisters May and Gemma. The girls know that the police won't look too hard into the murder, so they decide to take matters into their own hands. As they investigate, the sisters discover a plot to frame Chinatown as a den of iniquity that should be demolished in favor of constructing a new train station. May and Gemma soon find themselves in a race against time to not only find justice for their friend but save their neighborhood, all while being targeted by a killer.

I've only read a few books by Lee, but they've all been winners. I love her style when it comes to YA historical fiction. She crafts compelling plotlines that include real issues of the time with characters you can't help but root for. I liked both our main characters. May was more logical and reserved, while Gemma was a spitfire, but they balanced each other perfectly. I liked how we got both of their POVs, but I did enjoy Gemma's slightly more because I loved her gumption. I thought the mystery was well-paced and kept me intrigued. I had no clue how it would play out, and I liked how Lee wrapped it all up. It did drag a bit in the middle, but overall, I thought it was entertaining.

I really enjoyed this historical fiction that takes place during the 1930s razing of Chinatown. It follows 3 Chinese sisters trying to solve the murder of a famous Chinese actress who was the oldest daughter's friend. This mystery had me turning the pages to figure out the clues and to see if the sisters would solve the case. The sisterly bonds make this story interesting and I loved reading about all the adventures they get into while trying to make sure the right person gets found in the murder of their friend.

I have been obsessed with Stacey since I read Luck of the Titanic and this book was no different. A murder mystery in LA 1932 with that cover? I was sold before I even started the first page. A brilliant, tragic look at racism while also being a completely gorgeous story and thrilling murder mystery. I cannot recommend this enough!

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.