5/5 stars: This is the eleventh entry in Chien's Noodle Shop Mystery series, which is a Culinary Cozy Mystery set in Cleveland, Ohio and follows a family restaurant manager as she teams up with a private detective to look into the unsolved murders of several members of an elite Chinese secret order and the theft of the items that represent their positions in the society. As they dig deeper into the case, she finds unexpected associations to several fellow Asia Village shopkeepers and potential ties to her own family. With the stakes raised, she'll have to work fast before she's next on the killer's list. With plenty of twists and turns, Chien has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Chien's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Lana, her family, friends and colleagues at Ho-Lee Noodle House and the folks in and around Asian Village. It's lovely to see Lana and her homicide detective boyfriend Adam's relationship going strong. And of course I mustn't forget Lana's adorable pug, Kikkoman AKA Kikko. Oh and I adore how Chien weaves in Chinese cultural elements and history. Chien touches on some sensitive topics; so take care and check the CWs. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Death by Dumpling. This is a favorite series and this newest book doesn't disappoint; Highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

This was such a fun and unique murder mystery! This is the first book I have read by Vivien Chien, but her books have been on my TBR for quite some time. This had all of the elements that a good murder mystery should have. There was no excessive name dropping in the beginning, characters were added as needed and had relevance to the story.

My favorite part of the story was easily Kikkoman the pug. What a clever name! The first dog I had as a child was a pug and reading about Kikko was enjoyable. I love that his name stayed on theme with the book.

The only negative thing I can really say is how the main female character Lana discusses the case with several people after instructed by Lydia the private investigator to not do such a thing. It's shocking that the whole town doesn't know what she is up to at this point.

The way that the murderer murders people is very creative and not your typical choice of weapon. I loved the thought that went behind it and how it related to the theme of the book as well. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and Vivien Chien for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.

The Chow Maniac is the 11th in the Noodle Shop series, but I think it could be read as a stand alone. There is no over-arching plotline to the series and although we have lots of returning characters, I think they're introduced well.

This time around, Lana, our amateur sleuth, is approached by Lydia, a private detective we've met previously, with a case that involves the Asian community. Lydia has been hired to look into a century-old Asian organization known as the Eight Immortals. Three members have already died under seemingly natural circumstances, but the client believes they were actually murdered and that he may be next.

Lana is a great character. She manages her family's restaurant, but has solved enough murders for people to notice her. She's funny and sassy and does not know how to keep a secret. Per usual cozy rules, she has an adorable dog and is dating a police detective, although neither play a huge part in this one. She's often helped in her investigations by her best friend/ roommate/ bar tender Megan. She also has Kimmy around, who always finagles her way into the investigations. I really wish Lana and she got along a little better. She's a fun character.

The plot moves along at a good pace. We have several clues and suspects. It turns out there are a few secrets in Asia Village that Lana has not uncovered yet. As usual, she makes a couple questionable decisions, but it always works out for her in the end.

I should really start matching my dinners to my reading choices. This one made me want Chinese take-out.

I liked this continuation of the noodle shop books. Lana is brought in to help Lydia, a private investigator, solve what may be three murders. We met Lydia in a previous book when Lana needed help in her investigation. I liked that we got to see her again and it added a new dynamic to Lana's snooping. It was also nice that there wasn't a random body she stumbled upon to start the story! After all, how many bodies can she find!

The Chow Maniac: A Noodle Shop Mystery by Vivien Chien is a fun cozy-mystery read. I didn’t realize that this was Book #11 in the series. I was afraid I’d be hopelessly behind, but the author did a great job of making me feel totally “at home” with the characters.

This is a very entertaining read, and it was easy to get to know the characters.
I was especially happy that this book takes place in the Cleveland suburbs and highlights many well-known places. (I live near Cleveland.)

The main character is Lana Lee, “restaurant manager, dog mom, homicide detective’s girl friend, noodle fanatic and doughnut enthusiast.” Lana is also an amateur detective. She and her friends team up to solve a mystery that involves 3 murders, and the mysterious 100 year old secret society, the “Eight Immortals”.

This is a very ingenious and entertaining mystery. Now I get to have the happy task of reading the first 10 books! Thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

This series is like an oldie but goodie for me that I keep coming back to. I love the description of food. I want shrimp and spring rolls right now with a side of noodles. I like that Lana is a little different than the MC in other cozy mysteries, she isn’t Susie homemaker and I don’t feel like she could be in the 1950s calling 19 year old nice boys when the call her M’am. Lana can be frustrating with her relationships, always has a fun color in her hair, and shares Asia village with us, which really sounds like a place I wanna go. This would probably be 3 stars but I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. It is rooted in Chinese American culture and was very interesting to me. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I will re read this book when my library gets it.

It’s always a pleasure to follow Lana Lee in her adventures.
Members of a secret order called “Eight Immortals” that have been helping the Asian community for over 100 years are dying or is it murder. One member is asked Lydia Shephard to investigate, who turns to Lana for help.
Makes me smile how “confidential” the whole adventure is

The Chow Maniac is the 11th book in the Noodle Shop mystery series by Vivien Chien. There is dissension in the ranks of a century-old Asian organization known as the Eight Immortals. Each member holds an artifact and someone is dying to own them all. Three members have already died under seemingly natural circumstances, but one of the members suspects they are actually murders and that he may be next. Enter the return of Lydia, a private investigator that enlists the help of Lana (manager of Ho-Lee Noodle House) to help solve the case with her close ties to the community.

Bookhearts may read this as a standalone or in series order. Why? Because Vivien Chien knows how to do a proper series introduction. In the first few paragraphs, readers are introduced to the main character, the setting and a brief recap. Too many other authors miss this important step by assuming all readers are familiar with the series and just jump right in. Or that existing readers of the series remember everything and everyone from previous books. So thanks to Vivien Chien for doing it right!

The Chow Maniac has all the necessary elements of a cozy mystery: a relatable amateur sleuth (Lana), food (pineapple cakes, asian noodles and pork dumplings), colorful cast of characters (Mahjong Matrons), a charming setting (Asia Village), romance (Detective Adam), a dog (pug named Kikkoman), light tone, non-gory murder, false pretenses and plenty red herrings. There is also a dose of Chinese mythology that brings intrigue to the story. Although some chapters can be wordy, Chien delivers another good read in the Noodle Shop mystery series. The Chow Maniac has my stamp of recommendation!

Happy Early Pub Day, Vivien Chien! The Chow Maniac will be available Tuesday, April 1.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

This is another fantastic book in the Noodle Shop Mystery series! It's always fun to solve a crime or two and dig up secrets with Lana Lee and her friends. As part of a series, I do recommend that you read them in order so that you get to know (and love) all of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read the free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Lana Lee, the local sleuth, often solves cases with the help of her friends, in their community. In The Chow Maniac by Vivien Chan, Lana is called upon by a local private detective to investigate a secret group known as the Eight Immortals. The group, which has existed for generations, has a mission to support the success and well-being of the local Asian community. However, someone is now systematically murdering its members. Why would someone want to kill individuals who have quietly devoted themselves to helping others? Is there a power struggle brewing within the group? Lana and her friends must race to solve the mystery before another member falls victim.
The Chow Maniac is the eleventh book in the Noodle Shop Mystery series, and this is the first book I've read in the series. One of the things I appreciated most about this book was how accessible it was for new readers. Vivien Chan does an excellent job of weaving in references to past events without overwhelming the reader with repetitive exposition, making it easy to dive in without needing prior knowledge of the earlier books. The series features a rich supporting cast with well-developed relationships that add depth to the story. This was my favorite part of the book, and it made me eager to go back and explore the earlier entries to learn more about these characters.

The mystery itself is straightforward and logical, which I found refreshing. It's a rare talent to craft a mystery that doesn't rely on extravagant plot twists or over-the-top surprises. Chan strikes a perfect balance by keeping things grounded and engaging without resorting to unnecessary complexity.

That said, my only criticism is that, due to the large supporting cast and my entry point being late in the series, I didn’t fully experience what makes Lana such an effective detective. This book feels more like a transitional story for her character, perhaps setting the stage for more high-stakes cases in the future. As a result, it seemed like her supporting cast played a larger role in solving the case. However, it was clear that Lana had solved cases independently in the past, and this one served as a test of her confidence.

Overall, The Chow Maniac is a solid read, perfect for anyone looking for a light, engaging mystery. While it doesn’t break the mold, it offers enjoyable storytelling that will keep readers hooked.

Lana Lee is back and better than ever.

When a powerful Asian secret order know as the Eight Immortals comes into question when suspicious deaths start occurring in Cleveland, P.I. Lydia Shephard enlists Lana to help her on the case. Since Lana has strong ties within Asia Village, Lydia seems to think that people will be more forthcoming about things than they would be with her. Lana is also deeply invested in the case since there has been the implication that the leader of the Eight Immortals is none other than her beloved Mr. Zhang, who also happens to be her grandmother's boyfriend.

Filled with twists and turns that explore Chinese lore, readers will be delighted to join Lana and her crew for another action-packed journey through Cleveland. This book also introduces some characters who I hope will recur in future books.

Vivien Chien has created a realistic group of characters in her Noodle Shop Mystery series, imbuing them with their own strengths and weaknesses. Lana's heart-in-the-right-place stubbornness is both her strength and Achilles heel. with readers having to see which one it will be in each book. This specific entry in the series drew me in even more with the exploration of Chinese history in Cleveland and beyond, making me want to delve into the different lore of the culture.

This time around, I was prepared to read the novel with a plate of shrimp har gow and crispy beef as Ms. Chien's books always make me hungry for some dim sum. I would go as far as to say that I would travel out of my way to visit a Lee's Noodle Shop pop-up.

I cannot wait to see what Lana and her crew have in store for them next!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this book for free in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I found the book to be ok. I would have liked more interaction between the people at Asia Village. One thing that I don’t understand is I thought Lydia told Lana to keep their investigation to herself and to not tell anyone. She tells Kimmie and Adam. I get that Adam was investigating the same case, but Lana was told to keep quiet.

This is one of my favorite series. I enjoyed the history lessons included in the story. Most of the regulars appear in this book, so it’s like catching up with old friends.

Lana Lee is asked by PI Lydia Shephard for help on a case related to the mysterious deaths of 3 members of the Eight Immortals. Lana has to be careful asking questions of such a secret organization without arousing suspicion of the Asia Village store owners, her family & the Mahjong Matrons. Soon, Lana finds surprising relationships & motives. Can Lana & Lydia stop the culprit from killing another Immortal?

I missed reading the previous book with Lydia & Lana. They make a good team.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

Loved reading this book and series. Love reading a book from my hometown. Looking forward to more books in this series.

I had no idea this was book number 11 😅 I still enjoyed the book. I found it to be a nice quick read with some good twists. I’m planning on reading the rest of the books in the series so I can get to know the characters better and understand this book better!

Thank you NetGalley, Vivien and St. Martins Press!

Publication Date: April 1st 2025
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley

I’m so excited to be coming back for another helping of Lana Lee’s antics! Lana is roped into another mystery by an old friend and it’s up to them to solve the murders surrounding three prominent business men. Reading these noodle shop mysteries is like seeing an old friend again. I always know what I’m going to get; a cozy little mystery book with a side of craving noodles. This was a fun quick read with some new twists to the usual story. I’m enjoying making my way around everyone at Asia Village and learning a little bit more about characters we’ve seen since the first book.

I am super bummed as I didn’t realize this was the 11th book in the series and none of the prior 10 are available at my library or through Kindle Unlimited. I am expected to have read the first 10 it seems. I would reallllllly appreciate a label that this is part of a series, as I would love to actually indulge in each book. I am quite sad.

At least I have 11 new books to add to my TBR, but PLEASE if it is a series, make it clear.

Another great mystery in the A Noodle Shop Mystery series. I loved seeing what else Lana and the gang get up to.

Great installment in the "Noodle Shop Mystery" series. I think that Chien has hit their stride. At this point you should know all of the key players and how things work. Reading this series at this point is like taking a nice warm bath. I liked this one much better because Chien included some Chinese mythology and it seemed to be more "serious" I think than previous installments. I thought it was really good. Only reason why I didn't do 5 stars was that the back and forth between Lana and Kimmy was beyond annoying. I just don't think Kimmy adds much to the series IMHO, and I get why Lana includes Megan into her investigations, but at this point, she has two assistants and then of course her boyfriend Adam, who is on the police force. It just felt a bit hamfisted to me at one point. 

"The Chow Maniac" follows Lana as she is asked to assist on Lydia's PI case looking into who may be murdering some of the local Chinese business people who have ties to a clandestine organization called "The Eight Immortals." Lana is reluctant because Lydia's boss has offered her a job before. She wants to keep working at her parents restaurant and that's about it, she doesn't want to do a PI job full time. 

I thought this was much better than the adventures in CA that Chien did two books ago. Lana and Lydia were a great duo and I liked how they worked in tandem with each other. I wonder if Chien plans to do that in future books, which would work. 

The flow of the book worked really well I thought. No slow points.

I enjoyed the ending, how we get even more information about characters we have known for a while, and this leaves things in a good place with Lana I think.