A noir mystery about two sisters who must solve the murder of their starlet friend, set in 1932 Los Angeles... where the silver screen is a deadly place and filled with secrets. Lulu Wong is a starlet who is the pride of Chinatown, she was friends/neighbors with the Chow sisters- May, Gemma, and Peony before she made it big. The girls discover Lulu's body one morning while doing their job as flower market girls, and are convinced that her death was a murder. The police are not motivated to solve it so the girls take it into their own hands to figure out what happened... yet the more they dig into it the more the signs begin to point to a cover-up and that there are powerful people involved in it. All the while May and Gemma are dealing with their own perspective relationship drama, with May reconnecting with a suitor who she never considered and Gemma seeing a handsome doctor with secrets of his own. Lulu's killer is still on the loose, and the closer the girls get to uncovering the truth the closer they are to being the next target. This was definitely a noir mystery that I think people can have fun reading. It just felt a little slow and a bit flat to me, however I did love the cultural aspects and the sister relationship between Gemma and May. The historical setting was really well done and the overall mystery definitely fit the noir theme. Overall, it was an okay mystery read that I feel like other mystery lovers will have fun reading!

*Thanks Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was good. This was real good.

Our two leads, sisters Gemma and May, were both so interesting and complex, going through their own growth as they tried to solve a murder.

Their sisterly bond and dynamic was the star of this book. I loved their relationship and how they bounced off each other and built each other up. Even their youngest sister, Peony, who didn’t get a POV, was an important part of the story and was another example of the bonds between sisters.

I love the idea of these 3 girls just refusing to back down against the injustices and wrongs in their story and their relentless pursuit of the murderer.

The only thing that left me unsatisfied was Freddie. He and Gemma didn’t get any sort of resolution or closure!

If you want to read an engaging, twisty murder mystery about doing what is right and fighting for yourself that highlights the relationships between sisters, then pick this one up!

While I enjoyed the dual point of view between Gemma and May, I felt as if this divided the book too much and I needed more depth of character from each sister.

The setting felt so real and the tough issues facing Asian people during this time felt painful, frustrating and more than maddening at the unfairness and cruelty. After reading the author's note, I know this novel was well researched, making it feel so authentic.

The mystery had so much potential and I never figured out who the murderer was so this part was excellent. The use of monologuing was disappointing and I had hoped for a different way to learn all the facts about the crimes. I had issues with the pacing, however, as this seemed to move too slowly until the final chapters. The stakes were high enough and the danger level could have been elevated to increase suspense.

I really enjoyed the sister relationship and this was my favorite part. May and Gemma truly love and support each other and I enjoyed how they teased and joked too.

Kill Her Twice places the reader into the lives of the Chow sisters living in Chinatown in 1930s Hollywood. It’s a story of segregation and racism, of Hollywood noir, and of sisterly bonds and family.

I was immediately engaged with the story and enjoyed the different perspectives provided by May’s and Gemma’s unique POVs. Both sisters are extremely well developed and show enormous growth throughout the story. Although the plot dragged at times, I was invested in both Lulu’s and Chinatown’s stories and wanted to see justice prevail. There are so many relevant and important themes in the story, and Lee shines a light on them with a light-touch while still being direct in her messaging.

I live in a city where an entire ward of homes in a majority Black neighborhood were decimated in the 1960s, all in the name of innovation and progress. It’s only in recent years the city has begun to reckon with and atone for this act. This story is not unique. It’s important to share them so we can continue to learn, grow, and make amends.

Thank you to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group/ G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Gemma and May Chow are doing their best to keep the family flower business afloat in 1930’s Los Angeles. Their beloved Ba was sent away for his health, their mother is expecting again and it seems the whole of the city is trying to destroy Chinatown to build Union Station. With so much racism swirling through the city it’s no surprise when something terrible happened.
Lulu Wong was May’s best friend growing up but she had made it out of Chinatown. A rising star in Hollywood the pride of Chinatown!!! But when May and Gemma find her murdered in Chinatown they know she will never get the justice she deserves. The police don’t seem to care about a murdered Chinese woman even one who was a star. So the Chow sisters set out to solve the mystery themselves, and maybe save their beloved Chinatown along the way.
This book was astounding, a Historical Fiction meets Murder Mystery for the ages. It brings light to the plight of Chinese Americans in the 1930’s unable to own land, or be full citizens. Viewed as drug addicts, violent and criminals it’s hard to prove otherwise when the people with the most money say you are. I highly recommend this novel. It has mystery, suspense, adventure, and a hint of romance.
Disclaimer: while I received a free copy of this novel, the thoughts and opinions about it are solely my own.

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 The Black Dahlia’s gruesome murder rocked Los Angeles in 1947, a crime still notorious nearly a century later. Kill Her Twice paints us a picture of the City of Angels in 1932, where old Hollywood’s glitz and grit shines. Nestled within the pristine and wealthy neighborhoods is Chinatown, and the murder of one of its own shakes the community. Stacey Lee writes this era with such precision, it truly feels like time travel. An absolutely beautifully written and gripping piece of historical fiction that you will not want to put down. The many layers of Lulu’s death and its impact on the Chinese American community, specifically Gemma, May, and Peony, is amazingly captured. Kill Her Twice is the perfect read for those who love historical fiction with a twist of crime!

4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review is posted on Goodreads and it will be on Instagram 4/22 right before publication!

Genre: YA Historical Mystery

Synopsis:
A Chinese noir star in the 1930s is found murdered. Two young girls set out to solve the murder.

This is set in the 1932 in Los Angeles and Chinatown. The cover and synopsis made me think it was going to be all about noir and I was a little worried since I don’t love that. It actually was better than I thought it would be. The noir/Hollywood part just has to do with the victim and her background. The main focus is on the lives of the sisters who try and solve her murder and they come from Chinatown. It was more about the racial and inequality struggles of the Chinese in the 1930s than noir.

The teens become amateur sleuths and the mystery was fun to follow. The author did a good job of depicting the stigma of the Chinese culture at that time and weaving it into the story without over doing it.

I listened to it on audio and enjoyed the dual POV of the two sisters. I would read more from this author!

Thank you PRH Audio & Penguin Teen for the gifted copy! 💋

This book was a really informative, 1930s based mystery story. I found that this story really opened up my mind to the struggles that faced Chinese Americans--I knew a little bit, but I definitely learned about more experiences through reading this. I thought that the clues and the mystery in this story were well-plotted and really compelling. Overall, I really enjoyed this! I have read from this author before, so I had some expectations going in and they were definitely far surpassed by the actual reading experience.

In 1932, Los Angeles, Lulu Wong is a famous actress and the pride of Chinatown. May, Gemma, and Peony Chow are Lulu’s former classmates and neighbors. The sisters recognize Lulu when they discover a body and suspect foul play, but the police aren't motivated to investigate. Signs point to a cover-up, and factions want to frame the killing as evidence that Chinatown is a den of iniquity and crime, and should be demolished. The Chow sisters are determined to solve the murder and save their neighborhood. With Lulu’s killer still at large, the investigation likely will catch the murderer's attention.

May is the oldest and more filial of the Chow girls, while Gemma often charges ahead and is more outgoing. Peony is the youngest at twelve, and of a similar age to Lulu's younger sister, while Lulu's was older than May and encouraging her to get into acting as well. The two families were close before Lulu's fame, so the sisters feel obligated to look into her death, especially when they are the ones to find her and call the police. Police looked for an easy way out, but the girls use their friendships and connections in the community to ask around for hints as to what may have happened, and Gemma isn't above lying and pretending to be Lulu's sister to get clues. They get far closer together than the police intended, and find out a lot more about Lulu's final days they think.

I enjoyed the red herrings placed along the way, the details about Chinatown of the period, and the way the sisters bonded through the search. Their personality differences may have clashed at times, but they complement each other's strengths and pulled together in the tense finale. This is a fantastic noir mystery novel.

Set in 1932 in Los Angeles we have the Chinese American family who sell flowers. The Chow family has 3 daughters and a baby on the way. Ba (the dad) calls his daughters his three clouds. May, Gemma and Peony they live in Chinatown. The city council is trying to bulldoze Chinatown to put in Union Station. Ba is diagnosed with tuberculosis and is sent down south to a hospital for treatment. When May and Gemma go to the horse barn to arrange their flowers they find a massive amount of flies and start to investigate. They find the dead body of famous Chinese actress Lulu Wong. May's friend and former classmate. The girls decide to do their own investigation because the police are corrupt.

This book was so good and eye opening to the struggles of Chinese American families in the early 1900's. I loved following the clues with Gemma and May. I had no idea whodunnit in the end. I really enjoyed this book and love everything the author writes.

I really enjoyed this book. Coming from an Asian heritage, a lot of aspects of this book struck deep within me. I enjoyed the characters and their growth throughout the book.

this is probably my favorite mystery i’ve read in such a long time! i’ve also learned a lot of chinese culture while reading which was a lot of fun! i cannot wait to pick up a physical copy of this book when it releases!

Stacey Lee is a master at historical fiction. Her ability to envelope the reader into her written world is unmistakable. Kill Her Twice is no exception. It's another standout book from Lee.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.

This was a DNF for me. The writing wasn't bad, and I may return to it at some point, but I found the tone to be too light for a book about murder and racism. I wanted more grit and darkness and this was almost fluffy.

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.