Death by Dumpling

Death by Dumpling (2018) Vivien Chien (A Noodle Shop Mystery)

Lana Lee dumped her boyfriend, quit her job, and came home to work at her parent’s noodle shop. But when the owner of the plaza ends up dead–after having eaten a dumpling to which he was deathly allergic–Lana starts to look into the case.

This story… did so very many things that I absolutely hate.

“Mean” cop she is strangely attracted to? Check.
Another possible love interest that is also a suspect? Check.
Cop gets made she is “interfering” in his investigation? Check.
Cop yells at her for putting herself in danger? Check.

(D)on’t play the tough-girl act with me. Not now, Lana. Not while I’m trying to keep you safe.”

Bonus: seven uses of the verb shimmied to describe her moving around.

It’s not that the story was bad, just that it managed to hit so many tropes that absolutely irritate me.

Publisher : St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Rating: 5/10

• Browse the archives:
  
• The Mystery of Nevermore » »
• « « The Hanged Man