Sunday Salon: Death By Bubble Tea by Jennifer J. Chow

 Books reviewed

Death by Bubble Tea (LA Night Market #1)

by 

Jennifer J. Chow

July 5, 2022, Berkley

Genre: cozy mystery, culinary mystery, amateur sleuth

My review: Two cousins, Yale Lee and Celine, who is visiting from Hong Kong, become amateur sleuths when a young woman is found murdered at the Eastwood Village Night Market, where they were manning a food stall. Celine becomes a suspect because the bubble tea she served the victim may have led to the death. The two cousins are determined to find the real killer to clear their name and the reputation of Yale's father's restaurant.

I enjoyed the developing friendship between the two formerly long-distance cousins who together feature in this new amateur sleuth series. We eagerly follow Yale and Celine as they debate and investigate the crime at the same time as the police do. The culprit in the mystery is unexpected and so puts a twist at the end. 

Although it is sometimes hard to follow Yale's convoluted thinking about possible suspects and their guilt or innocence, the cozy was a satisfying read, and I look forward to reading more about the two in their next mystery. 

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

Death in the Aegean: An Intrepid Traveler Mystery by  M.A. Monnin Own copy, Kindle edition, May 19, 2022 Genre: international mystery and crime  I learned about antiquities in Crete and Knossos, the museums there and the monuments still existing. The setting was an integral part of this mystery of a missing gold artifact and several murders. The main character seemed somewhat frantic in her thinking and behavior, and the plot convoluted until the final events that revealed all . I still liked the topics and of course, Greece. And the romance thrown in helped the book along. In the Dark We Forget by  Sandra S.G. Wong Published June 21, 2022, HarperCollins Publishers Genre:  psychological thriller, family suspense, multicultural interest My review:  I loved reading this book written from a Chinese-Canadian woman's point of view, although cultural considerations may have made the author deliberately ambiguous about the ending and the resolution of the crime. I think I know who the author intended as the culprit(s) of the crime(s), but I understand many people have been put off by what they see as a vague and ambiguous ending. Nevertheless, this ambiguity could add to the intrigue of the novel. Cleo is an unreliable narrator who gets our sympathies  as well as our wariness about her supposed reputation, real or unfairly imposed by a non-sympathetic society.  It's a book I'd like to read over again, such is its pull and draw.  Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley

What are you reading this week? 

Memes: The Sunday Post hosted by The Caffeinated Bookreviewer. Also,  It's Monday: What Are You Reading, and Sunday Salon, Stacking the Shelves, Mailbox Monday