After Gemma and May stumble on actress Lulu Wong's body in Chinatown, they decide to investigate her death. Because Lulu is Chinese, they know her murder will not be given proper attention. As they get closer to the truth, they risk their family's reputation and their lives.

Set against the backdrop of Chinatown in the 1920's/1930's as it is being considered for the site of Union Station, racial tensions run high and corruption and bribery are rampant. I was a little startled to see how easily Gemma bribed the police officers. The story was slow to start, and I was not particularly invested even after Gemma and May found the body. It gets a lot better once their investigation begins. Eventually, I could not put it down.

Gemma and May's relationship is central to the story as they easily bounce off each other. Gemma is outspoken and can talk herself out of nearly situation. Being the more responsible of the two, May is often chastising her little sister but never fails to provide backup when needed. They love their family dearly and jealousy is not an issue. I was particularly happy with the absence of the latter, because it allowed me to enjoy both their POVs without necessarily siding with one or the other. (I did tend to favor Gemma though.)

I recommend this for fans of YA historical fiction and those who like books that focus on family and community. It does require some patience because of the slow beginning, but it is worth it.

I love Stacey Lee's historical fiction novels and was excited to read her latest, Kill Her Twice. Unlike some of her previous works, this newest novel is a mystery with historical elements. At the end Lee explains her inspiration and why she felt this was an important story to tell. We meet sisters, May and Gemma, and follow them at they try to solve the mystery of who killed a famous actress who was one of their friends and former classmates. All of the things that I love about Lee's novels are here: the beautiful prose, this time sprinkled with slang and sayings from the 1930s, glimpses into the Chinese culture, and a picture of life for young women in a different time period. Mystery lovers will enjoy following the clues with May and Gemma and trying to identify the murderer before they do. The book is full of colorful characters and provides a look at Hollywood during the depression era. It is a fun book even though I am not a big mystery reader.

Thank younto NetGalley, BookishFirst, Penguin Teen, and Putnam Books for this book.

This book is targetted to young adults, but as a senior adult. I loved it. I think it can be enjoyed by adults of any..

I found the characters, setting, plot and storyline to be beautifully interwoven.

The writer put a lit of research into the history and culture of the time period. Set in the 2930's the story was beautifully laid out. I found myself transfixed in the story, and time flew as I read chapter after chapter.

I recommend this book to historical fiction readers of all ages.

*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you so much to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for this ARC!*

I am a big fan of Stacey Lee’s previous works, most notably The Downstairs Girl (if you haven’t read it, go pick it up!!) I was really excited to read this title. I love a good mystery, and the early 30s is a fun era of Hollywood. Anytime I get to pick up a book with Chinese main characters, it makes me happy, as my daughter is Chinese and I want to pass on books to her where the main characters look like her ❤️

I enjoyed getting to view this murder from the perspectives of both May and Gemma. Although they are sisters, they are very different people with very different views of the world and personalities. May is the eldest, which makes her much more concerned with the family name and legacy. She is mild mannered and beautiful. What I loved about May was getting to see her work through these decidedly ugly situations.

Gemma, on the other hand, is a live wire who feels much less stress about keeping the family name pristine, and more concern with getting food on the table by whatever means necessary. Her ideas and gumption make her quite radical for her time period, though she would fit in perfectly in today’s more liberal and relaxed society.

Seeing 1930’s Los Angeles from the perspective of a minority family, in a minority neighborhood was enlightening. I am always eager to learn more about U.S. history from the lens of those that didn’t write the history books. I am so grateful that my daughter doesn’t have to live in a society where she will constantly be looked down upon for the shape of her eyes or the color of her skin.

It was also really fun to get to see a behind-the-scenes look at that Hollywood was like at this time. I don’t know if there was a Chinese actress that was on the rise at this time, but I really hope there was (though I hope she didn’t meet such a tragic end). Getting to see May step in as an extra, then as a lead, was fun. I am now more curious about how the film industry worked back then.

The murder mystery itself was just twisty enough to keep things interesting, but I was actually more interested in the dynamics between the sisters and the world around them. I would recommend this to someone who likes a light mystery with a healthy dose of historical fiction and family drama in the mix.

My Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I gave Kill Her Twice 4 Stars!

Loved everything about this book, the setting, the plot and the characters. I love noir as a genre and this book didn’t disappoint. Reminds me of an old Hollywood movie staring Bogart and Bacall, maybe one day this will be made into a movie.

About 35% in, this became a DNF for me. I do find muder mysteries and suspenseful books intriguing, and they are a good break from most of the fantasy and science fiction titles I review.

I just couldn't establish a strong connection with the plot and characters. It might be because I am used to reading more fast paced novels, and I was hoping this would pick up by the 25% mark, but sadly wasn't able to get a strong grasp on it.

Kill Her Twice is a YA historical mystery set in 1930s LA. Two Chinese sisters go on the hunt for the killer of a famous Chinese actress and friend. Since the Chinese were not treated well during this time, the police aren’t doing much to find the killer and the girls decide to take it into their own hands.

I liked this book! The setting and time period were very interesting to read about. It was cool to see some of the old Hollywood glamour. It was also hard to see the treatment of the Chinese during this time. I liked the characters a lot, especially the sisters. They are trying to take care of their family while their mom is pregnant and their dad is sick. They have different personalities but they work well together. I also thought the mystery was interesting.

I do feel like it was a bit too long and dragged on a bit in the middle. However, I would still recommend this book.

Thanks so much to netgalley and Penguin Group of young readers for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

3.7 rounded up

This historical mystery follows a pair of sisters striving to solve the murder of one of their own: Chinatown's silver screen darling Lulu Wong. Government officials and the police want to brush this murder under the rug, yet the Chows refuse to let Lulu's murder go unsolved. Justice will be had, even if they have to scour the city for the truth themselves.

Tensions are running high as Los Angeles debates replacing Chinatown with a train depot, utterly ignoring the Chinese people who live there. While on a familial level, the Chow sisters focus on keeping their family afloat as their father is away at a hospital and their mother is set to give birth any day now. Days spent selling flowers quickly turn to afternoons and nights out investigating a crime no one seems to care about.

This book highlights the guilt and grime beneath Hollywood's glamor. Part detective noir and part tribute to 1930s cinema, those who enjoy classic film and it's history should have an enjoyable time. Too often tales set in this setting and era ignore people of color, so this Own Voices book fills a crucial niche.

The beginning of the book felt like a late-stage draft compared to the rest of the piece. If you find yourself viewing the book as a slog to get through hang in there, it does pick up and then things don't stop! And it does bear noting again, that I read an ARC and the final copy may have ironed out the disjointedness of the first few chapters.

Kill Her Twice follows the Chow sisters, Gemma and May as they try to save their neighborhood (Chinatown) and solve their friend LuLu Wong’s murder. They have to fight against corrupt cops, powerful forces and political leaders who want to use Lulu’s murder as evidence of Chinatown’s iniquity and crime so it can be demolished.

I enjoyed this slow burn mystery. It definitely felt more like a historical fiction with a touch of mystery rather than just mystery based. It starts out with us getting to know Gemma and May and their connection to Lulu. I really appreciated how different Gemma and May are from each. This story is told in dual POV’s and seeing each of their perspectives made this even more fun. The pacing was on the slower side but the mystery kept me guessing. I was able to figure out parts of it but the final confrontation and reveal was still exciting. I do think the ending happened quickly and I would have loved to see a year later epilogue. But that’s just a personal preference.

I really love how Stacey Lee writes her stories. They are a mix of historically accurate details but with a fictional story and characters that makes it feel like it could have been real. I really appreciated the themes within this book too. How often minorities in history are erased. The setting of the story takes place in 1930 when the razing of Old Chinatown was taking place in Los Angeles, I loved how resilient the main characters were. Gemma and May face lots of hardships, xenophobia, racism, sexism and discrimination but still fought for their place in this world. I love the themes of sisterhood and friendship. Even the slight touch of romance helped balance out this murder mystery.

Overall I think this was another great Stacey Lee book. This book really captures the gritty 1930’s aesthetic. I think fans of YA mystery will really enjoy this captivating noir.

Huge thank you to Penguin Teen for providing me with an ARC #penguinteenpartner

This story follows the death of a Chinatown Hollywood star in the 1930s where there’s discrimination and police hideup that three sisters decide to solve the crime. I have read Lee’s books in the past and this one was also very interesting. I’m usually not the one who goes for historical fiction books but this one caught my interest. I enjoyed the storyline of the book but I do have to say that the story didn’t feel historical. I felt that the atmosphere was lacking for this story. I did like the conflict in the book and learning about the Chinese culture, especially during the time when there was so much racism. This book is told from dual povs of both Gemma and May.

Gemma is the eldest and May loves to act. I enjoyed both of their characters and seeing them develop but I do wish we got more of their background story. I felt that part was lacking as we truly didn’t know much about them. I enjoyed the side characters and was glad that it wasn’t too overwhelming since this is a murder mystery and once there are so many people, it’s hard to pay attention to the book. There is a bit of romance in this book where both Gemma and May experience a relationship but it’s not the main focus of the story but there because it’s a part of it.

The ending was well done and this book is very long for a YA thriller but still a great read. The story was fun, entertaining, and perfect for those who love to learn about different cultures. I did have some minor problems with the book but overall it was a great story. I recommend checking this book out as you don’t want to miss out on it.

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

I recently embarked on a reading spree of Asian literature. I find the charm of Asian myths and legends undeniable. What captivates me even more is how emerging authors from this community are weaving their cultural tapestry into their works. I am thoroughly enjoying this journey, and "Kill Her Twice" is a prime example of this cultural immersion.

In this historical fiction story, Chinatown is under attack from politicians who intend to build a new railroad that would pass through it, making the city disappear. The inhabitants are trying to avoid being removed from their homes when Lulu Wong, the star of the silver screen and the pride of Chinatown, is discovered dead. The Chow sisters, May, Gemma, and Peony, Lulu's former classmates and neighbors, will fight to find out who killed their friend and save their home.

What initially caught my attention about 'Kill Her Twice' was its intriguing description as a mystery noir. The promise of a suspenseful journey into the unknown instantly sparked my curiosity, compelling me to dive into its pages and uncover its secrets. The pace of the book was disappointingly slow, which is unfortunate because the pace is crucial for this genre. I feel that readers miss many important details because of the necessity of over-describing non-essential information that doesn't contribute more than word adding. I won't say that I forced myself to finish the book. However, at times, I wasn't interested because I felt that the attention was constantly shifting from the important plot. Even at the end, when the murder was discovered, I didn't feel any satisfaction because it didn't feel like a significant discovery.

Despite its flaws, I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a YA mystery noir. The vibe is there, and the historical details, culture, and family dynamics are magnificent.

I absolutely loved this book! A twisty, atmospheric historical noir murder mystery set in LA in the 1930’s, Kill Her Twice is as informative and fascinating as it is thrilling!
I learned so much about what life was like for the Chinese citizens of LA at that time and in Hollywood, and I fell madly in love with the three Chow sisters as they fight to care for their family and solve the murder of their dear friend Lulu Wong. This story is so captivating and I am so glad I read it!

I simply loved this story. The novel is set in 1930s Los Angeles and follows two sisters who run their family flower business in Chinatown. When their childhood-friend-turned-Hollywood-starlet turns up murdered in Chinatown, they make it their mission to find her murderer since the police are corrupt and aren't doing it.

The strengths of this book were the writing, the sister relationship, and the setting. This is the first book I have read by Stacey Lee, but I own two of her previous works and am excited to read them now! She writes historical fiction that doesn't over-explain but still gets all the needed information on the time across. The novel also had great mystery elements. Gemma and May's sister relationship was realistic because it had a great balance between competition and love. I found their squabbles realistic and important to the ambiance of the book.

The plot was intriguing, but I thought some of their plans were convoluted and confusing. I liked the murderer reveal! I was shocked.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

In this mystery set in LA's Chinatown in the 1930s, a trio of sisters searches for the killer of their friend, and up-and-coming starlet. Along the way, they fight to protect Chinatown, where their family lives and sells flowers, from developers. Told in alternating (but very similar--I suppose the author wanted to emphasize the fact that despite some differences, the protagonists are sisters) voices, the novel offers a tour through early Hollywood and the studio system, pays homage to Anna Mae Wong and other Asian actors of the period, and provides commentary on the politics and factions working to control the city. The mystery is solid, the pace is good, and even though the characters could have used more depth, they're believable and sympathetic.

I liked this historical mystery that had a lot of important topics as well!

The book is told from two point-of-views and they come from Gemma and May. They are sisters who live in Chinatown and stumble upon the dead body of Lulu Wong, a Chinese actress from Chinatown. They remember playing ball with her growing up and will do anything to find her murderer and save Chinatown from those who wish to destroy it.

I liked the sisters. They had a good bond even if they didn’t always agree with each other’s choices. They want to protect those they care about and see Chinatown not be another gentrification project. I loved that they stood up to people, even those in their own neighborhood when it came to what women should and shouldn’t do. They took risks and it was very admirable.

The mystery is one that sweeps you in from the beginning. It was hard to put down because I had so many ideas of who it could be and boy was I wrong! I wasn’t even in the ballpark for it, haha. It’s such a plus when that happens. There were many twists and turns to keep the reader off track.

There is also a bit of romance, but it is a very minor plot point and one that I didn’t think was necessary for the overall story.

Overall, I enjoyed this one! It was a great mystery with important topics about corruption in government.

I'm a huge fan of Stacey Lee's books, but this one was an unfortunate letdown. The world didn't feel as immersive, and while I liked the mystery and the sister main characters, I didn't find the rest of the book gripping.

I was excited to read this, but the story really dragged on.
May and Gemma, are sisters supposedly investigating the murder of their former classmate turned movie star. The authorities are not interested in a Chinatown crime during the 1930s, so the sisters take matters into their own hands. May is quiet and passive, Gemma more assertive.

I was looking forward to the mystery, but it was more like a historical fiction with the murder taking a backseat to the lives of May and Gemma. It does give an interesting story to life in San Francisco Chinatown during the 1930s, but I came for the mystery and there just wasn’t enough there. When the author then added love interests for the sisters, I’d had enough.

This is a great YA historical fiction, but not a mystery/thriller.

In this historical thriller a Hollywood starlet is murdered and her childhood friend investigates. Set against racial tensions in Los Angeles as politicians are fighting to raze Chinatown, Lee brings this period to life. Corrupt policeman, powerful politicians and old Hollywood glamour make for a fantastic read. Highly recommended.

This book was amazing and it had me at the edge of my seat! I loved this book so much that I will definitely purchase the physical copy!

Review will be posted on Forever Young Adult blog on 4/15/24.

Cover Story: Dramatic

I love this cover! It’s screaming “foul play” and sets the perfect tone. Lulu’s decked out in Old Hollywood glamour, wearing her famous red lipstick, and the flowers by her photo are not only evoking funeral flowers but are a nod to the Chow family, who are florists.

The Deal:

In 1930s Chinatown, Gemma and May Chow struggle to keep their family business going while their father convalesces at a sanitarium. Their troubles double when they discover the body of one of their childhood friends and now-famous Hollywood actress, Lulu Wong, dead in an abandoned stable in their neighborhood. What was Lulu doing there, and who killed a perfectly healthy young woman?

Unfortunately, the very white LAPD—who may be greasing their palms from people like makeup-exec and outspoken anti-Chinese dickwad, Otis Fox—writes off her death as one more reason why the Chinatown community should cease to exist. Gemma and May know that no one in their neighborhood would have killed Lulu, who was revered as a local success, and they vow to do their own investigation into her murder.

BFF Charm: Yay x2

I am much more of a May—worrywort extraordinaire, concerned about breaking with the rules even as they chafe—than free-spirit and headstrong Gemma, but because of that, I think I’m drawn more to people like Gemma because I envy their boldness. Gemma’s chapters were more compelling because her impetuous actions were driving the story forward, but I did like hearing about Lulu’s life from May’s perspective as she remembered her friend and had to reckon with herself about how her extreme cautiousness kept her from keeping Lulu closer after she hit it big.

Both sisters felt like very classic Stacey Lee characters, in that they’re admirable young women just looking to do right for themselves, their family, and others.

Swoonworthy Scale: 2

There’s a LOT going on in this book, and less focus is given to romance than perhaps in some of Lee’s other works. Gemma convinces May to sell flowers at a more upscale park in a primarily white neighborhood, and there she meets Freddie, and you spend the book wondering if there’s a catch to his character. Because of her age (almost twenty), May is being, ah, gently pressured by her parents to marry, which would also help ease the family burden while their father is away at a sanitorium. She’s less impressed that they think Wallace the Bug Boy of their youth is a viable candidate…

Talky Talk: Historic-Lee Wonderful

Stacey Lee is an auto-read author for me. I know I’m going to get richly drawn characters and historical landscapes I can practically step into, smelling the sights and seeing everything in full Technicolor. Even better, I’m going to be entertained while still learning something new about US History that I was never taught in school. Lee’s stories are always ambitious and multi-layered, and while the general mystery of Lulu’s murder sometimes dragged in parts, I still enjoyed my time in Chinatown.

Bonus Factor: Asian-American History

Gemma and May’s family is deeply invested in the outcome of the political machinations of the rich and famous in their area of Chinatown, where there’s talk of demolishing whole neighborhoods and displacing families to build a train station. Lee sets her story during this very real time in history when LA’s Chinatown was facing not only local issues but a national Depression and continual prejudice and racism, and with hindsight we also know other weighty matters like World War II were only right around the corner. Hollywood’s fascination with “the Oriental” and its problematic portrayals on-screen also reached a fever pitch during this time. It’s intense!

Bonus Factor: Old Hollywood

Lulu’s catapult to fame makes everyone in the old neighborhood happy for her, so it’s particularly devastating that her murder also ends their representation, especially as Lulu was fighting for roles for Chinese women to be more than just the on-screen villain. In order to investigate, Gemma and May infiltrate the last movie Lulu was working on, and have to sneak into some parties and rub elbows with some Hollywood hotshots. It’s not the focus, but it’s neat to see the backstage machinations.

Relationship Status: See You On The Silver Screen

I’d be happy if you got your big break and got onto the silver screen, Book. I love that you want to bring awareness to things I don’t know much about, and do so in a thoughtful and interesting way. Shine on!

FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Kill Her Twice is available on April 23, 2023.