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.

2.5 stars
kill her twice features 1930's los angeles, murder, and taking justice into your own hands. i personally had high expectations for this, the cover is stunning and the vibes of this screams old hollywood but it fell short for me.
i did enjoy the dual pov between gemma and may, and how seeing the discrimination towards chinatown and how unserious the lapd took their old friends murder, they decided to take matters into their own hands. i just was constantly finding myself bored or distracted sadly. i'm in no way saying this book is bad, i just didn't think it was my cup of tea sadly!
i would still recommend it to anyone looking for a ya mystery with hollywood historical aspects, because the vibes were 100% there, the plot and characters just didn't do it for me though /:
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for an honest review

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee is a dual-POV YA historical noir set during the 1930s in California’s Chinatown. When Lulu Wong, a rising movie star, is murdered and the police won’t investigate further, her childhood friends, the Chow sisters, look into the crime. Gemma, May, and Peony will do what it takes to find out who killed Lulu and why.

The novel switches between Gemma and May’s POVs, exploring their different relationships with their community and Lulu. Their love for Lulu and their pride in her jumps off the page as does their devotion to each other and their little sister, Peony. May’s love of acting and how it’s directly tied to Lulu come up often. May could have been in Lulu’s position if she had attended the same audition as Luly, but May doesn’t resent her childhood friend. The chance for her to be an actress to help her investigation move forward comes up and Gemma convinces her to take it, highlighting their bond as sisters and May’s selflessness.

May is pressured by her mother into dating Wallace, a childhood friend of the sisters who has grown up and has plans of his own. The two agree to fake date as Wallace continues to pursue his interest in science (particularly in relation to insects) and May works with Gemma to find Lulu’s killer.

The setting felt real and fleshed out, making references to the plan in the 1930s to build a train station through Chinatown (which could have displaced the many families living there) and the overt racism and homophobia that was common in Hollywood at the time. Lulu herself is a reference and homage to Anna May Wong, the first Chinese actress to reach stardom in America.

The number four, an unlucky number in Chinese culture, comes up multiple times and is a main piece of the noir atmosphere besides the setting. Peony, Gemma, and May are three sisters and their mother is pregnant, causing one of their neighbors to suggest that if the baby is a girl, the family is very unlucky.

I would recommend this to fans of YA mysteries who also love Old Hollywood, readers looking for mysteries exploring the history of the Chinese-American community, and those who love novels exploring the lives and scandals of celebrities.

This was so much fun! Set in the 1930s, KILL HER TWICE follows sisters May and Gemma who find out their childhood friend-turned-Hollywood-actress has been murdered. Following them as they try to solve the murder--and fight against the injustices in Chinatown--makes for a great story. Gemma and May make for the perfect duo, both independent and strong-willed, but with different ways of investigating that sometimes lands them in a heap of trouble. I loved their dynamic with each other, and with the rest of their family and friends in Chinatown; they also each had a little romance, which was sweet but didn't overtake the story. It did have its more serious themes, especially concerning the fact that murders weren't investigated to the fullest extent just because the victim was Chinese, among other things. The 1930s Hollywood setting was entertaining; Stacey Lee does a great job of transporting you to the time and place of her stories, and this was no exception. I loved the old phrases and the appearance by Clark Gable in particular. This was a great book all around, and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee is a historical fiction read set in the Golden Age of Hollywood. The story follows three sisters as they try to unravel the murder of a local girl and friend that they grew up with.

I absolutely loved the writing style of this author and thought she did a wonderful job of bringing that age and neighborhood to life. I found myself rooting for the sisters equally even though they were very different, with their own individual paths, personalities, and flaws.

Overall, I gave this book four stars because I didn't guess the ending (I love when a mystery keeps me on my toes!) and really enjoyed spending time in a world, era, and culture that I haven't experienced much of. Highly recommend this read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me access to this lovely eBook. This review may contain spoilers.

If you like historical murder mysteries, especially with an Old Hollywood sort of glint to them, and want a read that’s interesting and refreshing, I’d definitely recommend this. If you’re looking for solid mysteries in general, this is a worthwhile read. I think the strongest element here is the characters and their interactions; the weakest is the ending which, while not bad at all, felt kind of quick. I could also have done with less of the villain monologue, but I get that it’s pretty par the course for YA mysteries as a genre to have the confrontation where a villain explains everything. Just not my favorite element of the genre. If the author writes more with these characters in particular, I’m definitely on board; if not, I’m still interested in what she writes going forward.

I liked the development happening for May and Gemma throughout the story, with each of them learning to be a little more like each other. I like the way the conflict is crafted here, both internal and external. May’s internal conflict is really well-handled, her impulse to protect her family and their honor batting against the desire she has to stand up for the vulnerable. I wish the narratives of other characters, like Peony, would have been more prominent and incorporated into the story more cohesively.

The writing style is strong and very consistent. You can tell the author has done the work to find her voice. The prose is very developed, succinct and vivid, never too much or too little. Grammar was all-around adequate and consistent, overall as unnoticeable as it should be. Word choice was clear, effective, and efficient; the author is good at balancing details with quick pacing. The cast was very well-established, with side characters being easily distinguishable from one another and the main cast easily memorable. The character dynamics really shine; they all feel believable and authentic.

I did find myself wishing there were a little more consistency in how the chapters were relegated to the POV character; I would have rathered some chapters be longer than to have two May chapters or Gemma chapters back to back, but that’s because I’m a stickler for consistency. The shifts in point of view were, however, made very clear. The book is well-paced and goes by quickly. Ultimately, the mystery feels coherent and well-crafted, the conclusion working well and matching the overall narrative.

I so enjoyed The Downstairs Girl by Stacy Lee and immediately requested Kill Her Twice when I came across it on NetGalley. Thank you J.P Putnam’s Sons for my DRC in exchange for my honest opinion. Set during the early 1930s in Los Angeles, we meet the three Chow sisters and their quest to find out who murdered Hollywood rising star Lulu Wong. Interspersed is a political fight to dismantle Chinatown and what that means for citizens.

This was another intriguing read, and I was caught up in the community that composed the long sisters world. I found the mystery to be well formed but a little drawn out. For me, the middle of the book lost some steam and I wound up setting it down for a while. However, the story kept drawing me back and I’m glad it did. I really wanted to see who the killer was and why they murdered Lulu Wong.

This was an entertaining tale that had me googling Chinatown LA during the 1930s. And while I felt like the story could have been slightly shorter, I did like it, and I’m happy to have read it.