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Magical Fortune Cookie #1
Ill-Fated Fortune
The first in the heart-warming and deliciously mysterious Magical Fortune Cookie series from Lefty Award-nominee Jennifer J. Chow.
Felicity Jin grew up literally hanging onto Mom’s apron strings in their magical bakery in the quaint town of Pixie, California. Her mother’s enchanted baked goods, including puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts, bring instant joy to all who consume them. Felicity has always been hesitant in the kitchen herself after many failed attempts, but a takeout meal gone wrong inspires her to craft some
handmade fortune cookies.
They become so popular that Felicity runs out of generic fortunes and starts making her own personalized predictions. When one customer’s ill-fated fortune results in his murder, Felicity’s suspiciously specific fortune has the police focusing on her as the main culprit. Now Felicity must find a way to turn her luck around and get cleared from suspicion.
8 hrs. 32 min.
Felicity Jin grew up literally hanging onto Mom’s apron strings in their magical bakery in the quaint town of Pixie, California. Her mother’s enchanted baked goods, including puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts, bring instant joy to all who consume them. Felicity has always been hesitant in the kitchen herself after many failed attempts, but a takeout meal gone wrong inspires her to craft some
handmade fortune cookies.
They become so popular that Felicity runs out of generic fortunes and starts making her own personalized predictions. When one customer’s ill-fated fortune results in his murder, Felicity’s suspiciously specific fortune has the police focusing on her as the main culprit. Now Felicity must find a way to turn her luck around and get cleared from suspicion.
8 hrs. 32 min.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published February 20, 2024
69 people are currently reading
5181 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer J. Chow
25 books618 followersJennifer J. Chow writes multicultural stories. She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Her accolades include: Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, & Lilian Jackson Braun Award nominations; SoCal Indie Bestseller; Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB finalist; and Teen Vogue coverage.
Find out more and join her monthly newsletter on her author website.
Her accolades include: Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, & Lilian Jackson Braun Award nominations; SoCal Indie Bestseller; Foreword Reviews INDIEFAB finalist; and Teen Vogue coverage.
Find out more and join her monthly newsletter on her author website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 231 reviews
May 7, 2024
A nice start to a new cozy mystery series, filled with delicious-sounding foods that have some magic baked in.
Felicity Jin and her mother run a small bakery featuring Asian delicacies in a small town near Fresno, California. When Mom bakes, she hums and her happiness gets infused in her baked goods. People who eat her pineapple buns or egg tarts instantly feel joy. Felicity hasn’t had much luck in baking but after eating some disappointing fortune cookies she got in a takeout order, Felicity decides to try making her own. And they are a spectacular hit! She has found her own brand of magic: when she touches someone who wants one of her fortune cookies, she gets a buzz and writes a customized fortune for them, without realizing what she’s writing. Usually, it’s good news, but when one customer winds up dead near their bakery with her custom fortune in his pocket, suspicion falls on Felicity.
There’s a whole subplot about a fortune cookie factory in Fresno with disgruntled employees and a restaurant owner who puts profit over quality, plus a rabbit that shows up out of nowhere and becomes a pet. I enjoyed Felicity’s relationship with her best friend Kelvin, who owns the florist shop next door to their bakery. He becomes a willing companion for Felicity’s amateur sleuthing.
I was happy that the police detective from Fresno is not depicted as incompetent. In fact, Felicity and Detective Sun wind up bonding a little over their shared heritage (which translates to discrimination in many instances and “micro-aggressions” by other police officers).
For the ambitious, there’s a recipe for fortune cookies at the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Catherine Ho, did a good job with the various voices. All opinions are my own.
Felicity Jin and her mother run a small bakery featuring Asian delicacies in a small town near Fresno, California. When Mom bakes, she hums and her happiness gets infused in her baked goods. People who eat her pineapple buns or egg tarts instantly feel joy. Felicity hasn’t had much luck in baking but after eating some disappointing fortune cookies she got in a takeout order, Felicity decides to try making her own. And they are a spectacular hit! She has found her own brand of magic: when she touches someone who wants one of her fortune cookies, she gets a buzz and writes a customized fortune for them, without realizing what she’s writing. Usually, it’s good news, but when one customer winds up dead near their bakery with her custom fortune in his pocket, suspicion falls on Felicity.
There’s a whole subplot about a fortune cookie factory in Fresno with disgruntled employees and a restaurant owner who puts profit over quality, plus a rabbit that shows up out of nowhere and becomes a pet. I enjoyed Felicity’s relationship with her best friend Kelvin, who owns the florist shop next door to their bakery. He becomes a willing companion for Felicity’s amateur sleuthing.
I was happy that the police detective from Fresno is not depicted as incompetent. In fact, Felicity and Detective Sun wind up bonding a little over their shared heritage (which translates to discrimination in many instances and “micro-aggressions” by other police officers).
For the ambitious, there’s a recipe for fortune cookies at the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The narrator, Catherine Ho, did a good job with the various voices. All opinions are my own.
February 2, 2025
I liked the magical aspects. Review up soon
Hoopla bonus borrows get me listening to at least one cozy, my not preferred genre, every month.
Hoopla bonus borrows get me listening to at least one cozy, my not preferred genre, every month.
December 18, 2023
A nice bakery-theme cozy mystery with an interesting premise. The Jin family of bakers have passed down magical baking skills which are activated by the love they put into mixing the ingredients for their specialties. Happy, positive thoughts make Mom’s pastries a delight! Protagonist, Felicity ‘Lissa’ Jin’s magic is beginning; however, it comes and goes as she experiments in making fortune cookies.
When a corpse is discovered in the dumpster behind the bakery; a handwritten fortune is found in the victim’s pocket making Lissa the main suspect. Lissa’s best friend, florist owner, Kelvin, does his best to protect Lissa and her Mom, and help Lissa try to find the real killer. The cast of this story is small which makes the characters easier to remember, but not many suspects to choose from.
My favorite characters were Alma, Lissa’s godmother, who is rather mysterious. Also, I loved the ‘magical’ bunny, Whiskers, who showed up on a moonlit night, and they kept him!
The story has good bones. I thought the pacing could be faster. I’m eager to see character growth in the next story. ILL-FATED FORTUNE was a 3.5 Star read for me; rounded up to 4 Stars.
I honestly read and reviewed an unedited digital copy provided by NetGalley and Minotaur/St. Martins Press. All opinions are my own.
When a corpse is discovered in the dumpster behind the bakery; a handwritten fortune is found in the victim’s pocket making Lissa the main suspect. Lissa’s best friend, florist owner, Kelvin, does his best to protect Lissa and her Mom, and help Lissa try to find the real killer. The cast of this story is small which makes the characters easier to remember, but not many suspects to choose from.
My favorite characters were Alma, Lissa’s godmother, who is rather mysterious. Also, I loved the ‘magical’ bunny, Whiskers, who showed up on a moonlit night, and they kept him!
The story has good bones. I thought the pacing could be faster. I’m eager to see character growth in the next story. ILL-FATED FORTUNE was a 3.5 Star read for me; rounded up to 4 Stars.
I honestly read and reviewed an unedited digital copy provided by NetGalley and Minotaur/St. Martins Press. All opinions are my own.
December 7, 2023
Felicity and her mom own a magical Asian bakery. They have a gift of transferring emotions into their baked goods. When there is a murder near the shop, Felicity is a suspect because the man had just had one of her magical fortune cookies with a personalized fortune which unfortunately came true. She and her friend Kelvin decide to investigate, and find out there are some suspicious goings on at a local fortune cookie factory. It becomes personal when someone tries to sabotage the bakery's business, and Mom becomes depressed, which is unfortunately reflected in the quality of the baked goods. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for providing this ARC--a cozy mystery with a touch of magic, with recipes included. Three and a half stars.
February 27, 2024
This was a good start to a new series. There is a lot of scene setting and introduction, which is to be expected from the first book in the series, but there is also a lot of repetition, which bogged the story down. I loved the concept of the magical treats in the bakery but find it difficult to believe that a bakery, no matter how cute the town, could thrive only serving two items. Or that people would buy dozens of fortune cookies, no matter how tasty, when you can get them for free at restaurants. It would have made more sense if they had been a different type of cookie but it’s a cozy, so there’s a lot of suspension of disbelief. Otherwise, the town and the characters were cute and I will read the next in the series.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #MinotaurBooks for an honest review.
February 28, 2024
A charming cozy with a sprinkling of magic!
September 16, 2024
I received a physical copy of this book for free via Goodreads giveaway. This has not affected my final review.
Y'all, I'm just not sure I'm a cozy girl.... The baking was cute, but I was very concerned by the lack of concern over a dead guy in your alley.
I will say, though, I loved the mother/daughter relationship. I thought they were so sweet. And having a Chinese protagonist was very, very fun!
Y'all, I'm just not sure I'm a cozy girl.... The baking was cute, but I was very concerned by the lack of concern over a dead guy in your alley.
I will say, though, I loved the mother/daughter relationship. I thought they were so sweet. And having a Chinese protagonist was very, very fun!
February 24, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Felicity Jin’s mother sells pineapple buns and egg tarts filled with joy and love at her magical Gold Bakery. Felicity thought the family’s magical baking talents had passed her by until she was inspired to create her own handmade fortune cookies. Even before she learned she could make personalized predictions, they were a huge success. But when a customer’s ill-fated fortune leads to his murder and she is the prime suspect. She is going to need some good fortune herself. Can she prove her innocence and find the real killer? Or will her fortunes spell the end of her family’s legacy?
In this first Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery, we meet Felicity “Lissa” Jin and her mom. Her mom has continued the magical family’s legacy wrapping joy and sunshine into her pastries. Lissa needed to find the right recipe to ignite her magic and until now helped her mom at the bakery by working at the cash register. She is very excited to have found her perfect recipe, fortune cookies. Felicity and her mother are very close and their life revolves around their bakery. Ms. Jin struggles at one point. It made her character more true to life and I was strongly drawn into her part of the story.
We also meet Lissa’s “bestie” Kelvin. He owns Love Blooms right next door to the bakery. He makes beautiful arrangements and enjoys creating just what his customers want. Alma Paz is Felecity’s godmother and owns Paz Illuminations on the other side of the bakery. Alma is in her 60s or 70s and shares her wisdom along with the “latest on-trend candles” in-store and on Etsy. Ms. Chow does an excellent job introducing these core characters while leaving room for them to develop as the series continues.
The murder victim, found in the dumpster behind the bakery was Charles Gong, the Fortune Cookie King. He had cornered the Fresno fortune cookie market and he had heard about Lissa’s cookies and just tried to try one. Knowing she had nothing to do with his death she and Kelvin set out to find out who did. She quickly found several people with the motive to crumble the Cookie King. Lissa was a determined sleuth going back again and again trying to get people to tell her what they knew. That determination led her right into the clutches of the killer. What a showdown!
I enjoyed all the magical aspects of the story but the one that stole my heart was on the night of the full moon when a special guest arrived at the Jin’s front door. A guest that quickly makes themself right at home and never leaves.
Ill-Fated Fortune is more than a cozy mystery. It is a story of Lissa finding her place in her family. Something she had wanted so much because she thought she was the one daughter in the Jin line who had been skipped over and didn’t have the magical gift. She now knows that isn’t true but she still has much to learn about her power.
Ms. Chow has given this series a firm foundation with Ill-Fated Fortune. I want to see what she has planned for these characters in the future and where the magic will take them.
Felicity Jin’s mother sells pineapple buns and egg tarts filled with joy and love at her magical Gold Bakery. Felicity thought the family’s magical baking talents had passed her by until she was inspired to create her own handmade fortune cookies. Even before she learned she could make personalized predictions, they were a huge success. But when a customer’s ill-fated fortune leads to his murder and she is the prime suspect. She is going to need some good fortune herself. Can she prove her innocence and find the real killer? Or will her fortunes spell the end of her family’s legacy?
In this first Magical Fortune Cookie Mystery, we meet Felicity “Lissa” Jin and her mom. Her mom has continued the magical family’s legacy wrapping joy and sunshine into her pastries. Lissa needed to find the right recipe to ignite her magic and until now helped her mom at the bakery by working at the cash register. She is very excited to have found her perfect recipe, fortune cookies. Felicity and her mother are very close and their life revolves around their bakery. Ms. Jin struggles at one point. It made her character more true to life and I was strongly drawn into her part of the story.
We also meet Lissa’s “bestie” Kelvin. He owns Love Blooms right next door to the bakery. He makes beautiful arrangements and enjoys creating just what his customers want. Alma Paz is Felecity’s godmother and owns Paz Illuminations on the other side of the bakery. Alma is in her 60s or 70s and shares her wisdom along with the “latest on-trend candles” in-store and on Etsy. Ms. Chow does an excellent job introducing these core characters while leaving room for them to develop as the series continues.
The murder victim, found in the dumpster behind the bakery was Charles Gong, the Fortune Cookie King. He had cornered the Fresno fortune cookie market and he had heard about Lissa’s cookies and just tried to try one. Knowing she had nothing to do with his death she and Kelvin set out to find out who did. She quickly found several people with the motive to crumble the Cookie King. Lissa was a determined sleuth going back again and again trying to get people to tell her what they knew. That determination led her right into the clutches of the killer. What a showdown!
I enjoyed all the magical aspects of the story but the one that stole my heart was on the night of the full moon when a special guest arrived at the Jin’s front door. A guest that quickly makes themself right at home and never leaves.
Ill-Fated Fortune is more than a cozy mystery. It is a story of Lissa finding her place in her family. Something she had wanted so much because she thought she was the one daughter in the Jin line who had been skipped over and didn’t have the magical gift. She now knows that isn’t true but she still has much to learn about her power.
Ms. Chow has given this series a firm foundation with Ill-Fated Fortune. I want to see what she has planned for these characters in the future and where the magic will take them.
Read
April 8, 2024tl;dr
Magical baking pairs perfectly with a cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing.
Thought
My relationship with cozy mysteries is extremely neutral, but I decided to grab this one because I will always read a book where baking is magic. And to my delight, the magical baking is a pretty big part of the story, so I have not been led astray by the marketing. It's also a competent cozy mystery with a relatable heroine, a very sweet relationship with her mother, and a cute boy next door who may or may not hold a flame for our heroine (hmmmm). I most enjoyed how much Felicity's magic reflects her own identity as a child of the diaspora. Fortune cookies have a complicated history with Japanese roots, that eventually shift to Chinese American, and that lines up perfectly with Felecity's own struggle to embrace her own history and identity. Add to that a magical rabbit, and a mystery with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and you have a fun start to a promising series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Magical baking pairs perfectly with a cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing.
Thought
My relationship with cozy mysteries is extremely neutral, but I decided to grab this one because I will always read a book where baking is magic. And to my delight, the magical baking is a pretty big part of the story, so I have not been led astray by the marketing. It's also a competent cozy mystery with a relatable heroine, a very sweet relationship with her mother, and a cute boy next door who may or may not hold a flame for our heroine (hmmmm). I most enjoyed how much Felicity's magic reflects her own identity as a child of the diaspora. Fortune cookies have a complicated history with Japanese roots, that eventually shift to Chinese American, and that lines up perfectly with Felecity's own struggle to embrace her own history and identity. Add to that a magical rabbit, and a mystery with plenty of red herrings to keep the reader guessing, and you have a fun start to a promising series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a review copy. All thoughts in this review are my own!
December 17, 2023
I started reading this book and immediately went oh oh. It opened exactly the same as another I just finished and wasn’t so good. Fortunately I found the book much more enjoyable. I liked the characters, and their philosophy of joy. It also focused on the investigation. Although it did go the circles for a while in the middle. I think the handling of the bad guy is very well done. #Ill-FatedFortune #NetGalley
June 12, 2024
3.5 stars.
Felicity Jin and her mother don't have a lot, but are happy together. They own and run Gold bakery, where her mother enchants her pineapple buns and egg tarts with joy, ensuring her customers will experience this when eating the baked goods.
Their bakery is located in a cul-de-sac in the quaint, small town of Pixie, California. Their immediate neighbour is childhood best friend Kelvin, who runs Love Blooms, a florist shop that crafts glorious floral arrangements, and across the way is Paz Illuminations, run by Felicity's godmother Alma Paz, whose candles and wisdom attract many a customer.
Felicity has never really gotten the hang of baking, but decides one day that she's going to make fortune cookies, and she succeeds, pleasing even her exacting mother. The fortune cookies become instantly popular, and Felicity creates handwritten, somewhat generic fortunes for them. Intriguingly, when she lightly touches a customer, she experiences dizziness and strange lights and colours, after which she writes a custom fortune for the person, but is unaware of what she's written. These fortunes tend to come true (e.g., You will win $2000.) The one that lands Felicity in trouble is one that a customer receives the same day he's found dead in the garbage bin behind their bakery.
Detective Rylan Sun from Fresno sets her initial sights on Felicity, as the fortune she wrote for him was a little too on point. But soon, she's questioning others, but no culprit is found, and a cloud hangs over the bakery, affecting Felicity's mother's ability to craft her joy-filled pastries.
Felicity convinces Kelvin to help her investigate the dead man, and by talking to his connections, she not only secures more business for the bakery, but also determines that 1) the dead man was not liked, 2) he ran a fortune cookie factory that mistreated its workers and cheaped out on ingredients, and 3) didn't honour his commitments to his clients.
Felicity eventually not only identifies the killer but also gets a better handle on her gift, and sets the bakery on a more profitable path.
This was a nice start to a new series. I've read books in a different series (“LA Night Market”) by this author, which I've quite liked. So I came to this book eager to meet her new protagonist. Though initially suffering from a lack of confidence, the likeable Felicity gains this though her newfound love of baking, but also her successful investigating.
The character interactions are fun, with Felicity and Kelvin demonstrating the easy comfort of a lifelong relationship during their conversations. Most of the people, except for the murderer, in this story are pleasant, though there are a few instances of racism.
Detective Sun is also not shown to be incompetent or stupid, which is a welcome change for a cozy mystery. In fact, through the story, the two women gradually become more comfortable with each other, which was a nice result after the start to their relationship.
As I enjoyed this book, I'd like to read more about Felicity and her investigating adventures. (I am also eager to try the recipe for fortune cookies found at the end of the book!)
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Felicity Jin and her mother don't have a lot, but are happy together. They own and run Gold bakery, where her mother enchants her pineapple buns and egg tarts with joy, ensuring her customers will experience this when eating the baked goods.
Their bakery is located in a cul-de-sac in the quaint, small town of Pixie, California. Their immediate neighbour is childhood best friend Kelvin, who runs Love Blooms, a florist shop that crafts glorious floral arrangements, and across the way is Paz Illuminations, run by Felicity's godmother Alma Paz, whose candles and wisdom attract many a customer.
Felicity has never really gotten the hang of baking, but decides one day that she's going to make fortune cookies, and she succeeds, pleasing even her exacting mother. The fortune cookies become instantly popular, and Felicity creates handwritten, somewhat generic fortunes for them. Intriguingly, when she lightly touches a customer, she experiences dizziness and strange lights and colours, after which she writes a custom fortune for the person, but is unaware of what she's written. These fortunes tend to come true (e.g., You will win $2000.) The one that lands Felicity in trouble is one that a customer receives the same day he's found dead in the garbage bin behind their bakery.
Detective Rylan Sun from Fresno sets her initial sights on Felicity, as the fortune she wrote for him was a little too on point. But soon, she's questioning others, but no culprit is found, and a cloud hangs over the bakery, affecting Felicity's mother's ability to craft her joy-filled pastries.
Felicity convinces Kelvin to help her investigate the dead man, and by talking to his connections, she not only secures more business for the bakery, but also determines that 1) the dead man was not liked, 2) he ran a fortune cookie factory that mistreated its workers and cheaped out on ingredients, and 3) didn't honour his commitments to his clients.
Felicity eventually not only identifies the killer but also gets a better handle on her gift, and sets the bakery on a more profitable path.
This was a nice start to a new series. I've read books in a different series (“LA Night Market”) by this author, which I've quite liked. So I came to this book eager to meet her new protagonist. Though initially suffering from a lack of confidence, the likeable Felicity gains this though her newfound love of baking, but also her successful investigating.
The character interactions are fun, with Felicity and Kelvin demonstrating the easy comfort of a lifelong relationship during their conversations. Most of the people, except for the murderer, in this story are pleasant, though there are a few instances of racism.
Detective Sun is also not shown to be incompetent or stupid, which is a welcome change for a cozy mystery. In fact, through the story, the two women gradually become more comfortable with each other, which was a nice result after the start to their relationship.
As I enjoyed this book, I'd like to read more about Felicity and her investigating adventures. (I am also eager to try the recipe for fortune cookies found at the end of the book!)
Thank you to Netgalley and to St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 1, 2024
This book started off strong but slowly got repetitive and boring. For one, there were no point in half the characters. For another why were there so many dang chapters after we found out do done the killing? Like what the heck no. ALSO, I saw everything from a mile away. This book was truly awful. Do not recommend.
February 29, 2024
I enjoyed the idea of a magical bakery, and the premise that the Jin family’s baked goods can make you happy or even tell your fortune is a clever one. Felicity’s status as the odd family member out who has never had the gift–until suddenly there it is–is intriguing. The characters are likable and the story will make you smile. The mystery was entertaining, even though it was fairly easy to figure out. It is the magic and magical baking that draws the reader in and keeps them there. The author takes “comfort food” to another level in a clever way. Fans of food-related cozy mysteries should check this one out.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
May 3, 2024
What a lovely and perfect debut mystery book! I was immediately hooked by the cozy sounding bakery, the drool worthy treats, and of course the magic. But the true magic lays in Felicity and all the characters in this book that support her and her path to finding her passion and joy in the bakery. I could not put this book down both because I was rooting for her and her fortune cookies and of course the mystery that had many twists. The ending had me smiling from ear to ear. I enjoyed this book so much and can't wait for more!
Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it!
Note: I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it!
February 18, 2024
I thought Ill-Fated Fortune was a lot of fun. Cozy mysteries with a cooking/ baking element are my favorite kinds and this one did not disappoint. I loved the relationship between Felicity and her mother, as well as her friendship with Kevin.
When Felicity finally discovers the recipe that awakens her magical ability to put feelings into food she is soo excited! She has wanted to be a part of her mother's bakery for as long as she can remember, and this makes her feel like she finally belongs. But when a rude dude walks in for one of her new Fortune cookies and later ends up dead in a dumpster behind her building ... well Felicity is definitely a suspect.
And while she is trying to solve the murder to keep herself out of jail, basically everything she does makes her seem more guilty. This just makes Felicity more determined to figure out who dun it, and in the process of questioning witnesses, digging in the trash, and doing some spying she actually starts to make connections in selling her cookies and hopefully making more money for the Bakery. I also really enjoyed the sense of community, and how everyone rallies together when things aren't looking so good. There were a lot of options for who the killer could be and I enjoyed trying to put the clues together alongside Felicity.
I think Ill-Fated Fortune is a great first book in this series, and I will definitely be picking up the next book!
And as an added benefit there is a recipe for fortune cookies in the back!
When Felicity finally discovers the recipe that awakens her magical ability to put feelings into food she is soo excited! She has wanted to be a part of her mother's bakery for as long as she can remember, and this makes her feel like she finally belongs. But when a rude dude walks in for one of her new Fortune cookies and later ends up dead in a dumpster behind her building ... well Felicity is definitely a suspect.
And while she is trying to solve the murder to keep herself out of jail, basically everything she does makes her seem more guilty. This just makes Felicity more determined to figure out who dun it, and in the process of questioning witnesses, digging in the trash, and doing some spying she actually starts to make connections in selling her cookies and hopefully making more money for the Bakery. I also really enjoyed the sense of community, and how everyone rallies together when things aren't looking so good. There were a lot of options for who the killer could be and I enjoyed trying to put the clues together alongside Felicity.
I think Ill-Fated Fortune is a great first book in this series, and I will definitely be picking up the next book!
And as an added benefit there is a recipe for fortune cookies in the back!
May 16, 2024
Okay mystery but with annoying characters and situations. Many things make no sense.
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD-
1) The mom is the baker before the MC starts adding fortune cookies. But all mom makes is egg tarts and pineapple buns. This bakery can run on two pastries? People would get tired and stop coming.
2) When the MC makes a sale to the guy who ends up murdered, she puts one fortune cookie in a to go box. Seriously? One small fortune cookie in a to go box? Don't you have something smaller like a bag that wouldn't be so wasteful?
3) How many fortune cookies would a person really buy and continue to buy that is going to make the bakery any money?
4) How did the MC possibly think she could do all these huge orders when the cookies are handmade?
5) How often can you forget to put fortunes in fortune cookies? That's the point of a fortune cookie!
6) The rival fortune cookie company has a lawsuit against it for $5000. Lawyers for both sides are mentioned. You do not need a lawyer to sue for such a small amount. That is small claims court money.
7) The MC thanked the garbage man for reporting a dead body in the dumpster. What was he supposed to do instead? Leave it there and go about his day?
8) Store owner says your associate so instead of MC asking what associate like any normal person would do who doesn't have an associate we have two paragraphs of internalized questions and then MC jumping to conclusions and flying off the handle at her biggest client. Great way to conduct business you genius.
9) Logan sees someone die in front of him and instead of calling the police when he did nothing wrong he dumps the body in a dumpster. What the actual fuck? This is about as stupid as when someone picks up the murder weapon for no reason and then is implicated.
10) Kelvin sets off Cayla's car alarm and she says "My car. Someone's breaking into it." Whatever! Like anyone pays attention to car alarms and like anyone would say that out loud if they heard their own.
11) I really don't think you can put cement in cookies as a logical way to save money.
12) Kelvin had to return to Pixie and then Felicity and Cayla have what could at most be a ten minute conversation at which point Kelvin is back from meeting the bride having a hissy fit and the detective has arrived as well that Kelvin called. This is impossible. He did not drive all the way back to Pixie, talk to a bridezilla, drive all the way back to Fresno, overhear the conversation, realize the police are needed, and call the detective and have them arrive in ten minutes.
13) An autopsy would have been done on this suspicious death and cement would have been found in his lungs which would have led them to his inhaler and they would have known how he died. Logan and the MC would be off the hook because they could not have messed with the inhaler.
14) And the most egregious- Why was Whiskers not on the cover?!?!
MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD-
1) The mom is the baker before the MC starts adding fortune cookies. But all mom makes is egg tarts and pineapple buns. This bakery can run on two pastries? People would get tired and stop coming.
2) When the MC makes a sale to the guy who ends up murdered, she puts one fortune cookie in a to go box. Seriously? One small fortune cookie in a to go box? Don't you have something smaller like a bag that wouldn't be so wasteful?
3) How many fortune cookies would a person really buy and continue to buy that is going to make the bakery any money?
4) How did the MC possibly think she could do all these huge orders when the cookies are handmade?
5) How often can you forget to put fortunes in fortune cookies? That's the point of a fortune cookie!
6) The rival fortune cookie company has a lawsuit against it for $5000. Lawyers for both sides are mentioned. You do not need a lawyer to sue for such a small amount. That is small claims court money.
7) The MC thanked the garbage man for reporting a dead body in the dumpster. What was he supposed to do instead? Leave it there and go about his day?
8) Store owner says your associate so instead of MC asking what associate like any normal person would do who doesn't have an associate we have two paragraphs of internalized questions and then MC jumping to conclusions and flying off the handle at her biggest client. Great way to conduct business you genius.
9) Logan sees someone die in front of him and instead of calling the police when he did nothing wrong he dumps the body in a dumpster. What the actual fuck? This is about as stupid as when someone picks up the murder weapon for no reason and then is implicated.
10) Kelvin sets off Cayla's car alarm and she says "My car. Someone's breaking into it." Whatever! Like anyone pays attention to car alarms and like anyone would say that out loud if they heard their own.
11) I really don't think you can put cement in cookies as a logical way to save money.
12) Kelvin had to return to Pixie and then Felicity and Cayla have what could at most be a ten minute conversation at which point Kelvin is back from meeting the bride having a hissy fit and the detective has arrived as well that Kelvin called. This is impossible. He did not drive all the way back to Pixie, talk to a bridezilla, drive all the way back to Fresno, overhear the conversation, realize the police are needed, and call the detective and have them arrive in ten minutes.
13) An autopsy would have been done on this suspicious death and cement would have been found in his lungs which would have led them to his inhaler and they would have known how he died. Logan and the MC would be off the hook because they could not have messed with the inhaler.
14) And the most egregious- Why was Whiskers not on the cover?!?!
February 20, 2024
This is the first book in a new foodie series, featuring Felicity, our protagonist, who owns her sweet shop with her mother. There is a bit of magical realism in this promising effort from Jennifer Chow. Felicity’s mother’s baked goods have always brought joy to their patrons, but Felicity has always been anxious about her own baking. With encouragement from her mom and friends she has decided to try again with her magical fortune cookies. She writes hand written fortunes for each cookie and at first a few of the fortunes come true, and this is very exciting, but when another patron fortune comes true, in a deadly way, the police investigation takes a turn towards Felicity’s bakery.
I always enjoy a bit of magic in my cozy mysteries, and I felt the story had promise, but I was left wanting more from this one. At times things seemed a bit contrived and knowing how time-consuming it was to make these intricate treats by hand, I felt things just came together too easy and was unrealistic. I did, however, enjoy the characters and their relationships to each other. I just had a hard time, sinking my teeth into this one. Since I do like the magical, realism element, I am curious about the next book, and I will more than likely pick it up to see where the story goes. If you are a foodie, you shouldn’t miss this one. I typically look for a bit of humor in my cozies, and I felt that was missing, but I am hopeful there will be more in the next installment.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press and £netgalley an exchange for a fair and honest review. Publication date February 20, 2024 from Minotaur Books
I always enjoy a bit of magic in my cozy mysteries, and I felt the story had promise, but I was left wanting more from this one. At times things seemed a bit contrived and knowing how time-consuming it was to make these intricate treats by hand, I felt things just came together too easy and was unrealistic. I did, however, enjoy the characters and their relationships to each other. I just had a hard time, sinking my teeth into this one. Since I do like the magical, realism element, I am curious about the next book, and I will more than likely pick it up to see where the story goes. If you are a foodie, you shouldn’t miss this one. I typically look for a bit of humor in my cozies, and I felt that was missing, but I am hopeful there will be more in the next installment.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher, St. Martin’s Press and £netgalley an exchange for a fair and honest review. Publication date February 20, 2024 from Minotaur Books
February 22, 2024
This new series was a lot of fun to read, and the mystery left me hanging until the end because I had no idea who the killer could be, and there were not a lot of suspects to choose from! I did not suspect the killer since no motive was ever really established until it was revealed.
Felicity is coming into her own in the bakery her mother owns. They are a magical family and everything her mom bakes is infused with joy. It took Felicity a while to find her grove, but she finally does with fortune cookies. I thought it was neat that she could write fortunes specifically for a person. It takes her some time to uncover how to do it and control it.
I really liked her best friend, Kelvin, and her godmother, Alma. These are two characters that add character to the story. Kelvin is her partner in crime, and they find themselves in some sticky situations. There is even a bunny that appears, Whiskers, that might have magical abilities too. Only time will tell.
Not everything is smooth sailing for Felicity and her mom. Certain situations put them in a bit of a pickle. It causes a few hiccups for the bakery. Luckily, all works out in time.
I think this could be a good series, I look forward to reading more and depth added for the characters with more background.
Felicity is coming into her own in the bakery her mother owns. They are a magical family and everything her mom bakes is infused with joy. It took Felicity a while to find her grove, but she finally does with fortune cookies. I thought it was neat that she could write fortunes specifically for a person. It takes her some time to uncover how to do it and control it.
I really liked her best friend, Kelvin, and her godmother, Alma. These are two characters that add character to the story. Kelvin is her partner in crime, and they find themselves in some sticky situations. There is even a bunny that appears, Whiskers, that might have magical abilities too. Only time will tell.
Not everything is smooth sailing for Felicity and her mom. Certain situations put them in a bit of a pickle. It causes a few hiccups for the bakery. Luckily, all works out in time.
I think this could be a good series, I look forward to reading more and depth added for the characters with more background.
June 19, 2024
What's it like to be non-magical in a magical family? Felicity has had to live with that for all her life, but now things may be changing. She's come up with a magical recipe for fortune cookies. However, when her first fortune turns deadly, she's thinking it may be a case of "be careful what you ask for."
This first in a new series is fun, intriguing and full of interesting characters. It made me want to taste a real fortune cookie. I'm hoping it's the first of many.
This first in a new series is fun, intriguing and full of interesting characters. It made me want to taste a real fortune cookie. I'm hoping it's the first of many.
July 16, 2024
Ill-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow is the first book in the Magical Fortune Cookie series. Felicity Jin comes from a family with magical abilities and discovers hers in baking fortune cookies with the ability to predict fortunes. When a rival fortune cookie baker is found dead in an alley near their shop shortly after sampling one of her cookies, Felicity becomes involved in a murder investigation. I loved the concept of magical fortune cookies and Felicity seems smart, caring and determined.Whiskers, a magical bunny, adds a nice touch. A charming and magical, very enjoyable cozy mystery.
March 31, 2024
Cute book, it felt mostly like the readings of a confused 25 year old with a sprinkling of murder. My only issue is the common occurrence of being bonked in the head and knocked out, only for that person to suffer no medical consequences... lol
June 13, 2025
I give it 3.5 stars. I liked it just fine. The strength of the book are the sleuths working together and their long standing friendship.
February 15, 2025
Cute cozy mystery story involving an Asian mother-daughter run bakery in a small California town. Who knew baking could be potentially dangerous - and not from the oven!
December 13, 2023
#IllFatedFortune #NetGalley is the first in a new series featuring Felicity Jin.
Felicity and her mom work in the family bakery, where her mom creates delicious treats.
Her mother is able to transfer joy into her baked goods, but it seems Felicity is lacking that ability, until a fortune cookie creation brings sudden death to a resident.
Was it a fluke accident or does she have the same abilities as her mom?
Felicity is determined to find the answers with the help of her best friend.
I enjoyed the story, but I wish there would have been more characters involved. The story revolves around the 3 main characters, but the addition of others would have brought the book to life.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, this has a lot of potential to be a great series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Felicity and her mom work in the family bakery, where her mom creates delicious treats.
Her mother is able to transfer joy into her baked goods, but it seems Felicity is lacking that ability, until a fortune cookie creation brings sudden death to a resident.
Was it a fluke accident or does she have the same abilities as her mom?
Felicity is determined to find the answers with the help of her best friend.
I enjoyed the story, but I wish there would have been more characters involved. The story revolves around the 3 main characters, but the addition of others would have brought the book to life.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book, this has a lot of potential to be a great series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
February 19, 2024
lll-Fated Fortune by Jennifer J. Chow is the first book in the new Magical Fortune Cookie series. Felicity Jin lives in Pixie, California and helps her mom run a bakery. Felicity's mom has the gift of transferring the joy she is feeling into her baked goods. Felicity has always felt she didn't have anything to offer their customers, but discovers she has the ability to make custom-written fortunes that come true for the customers. However, when one of Felicity's fortunes seems to predict the suspicious death of the recipient, she is accused of killing him!
I enjoyed seeing Felicity and her best friend Kelvin investigate the death to find the real killer and the ending of the book is touching, especially between Felicity and her mother. Kelvin, who runs a floral shop, is a likable character. It seems like there could be more than friendship between Felicity and Kelvin in the future. They are great friends and I think they could be an even greater couple since they care about each other and support each other. Overall, I'm not sure this is the series for me, (I would rate the book 3.5 stars), but I am still looking forward to reading Chow's LA Night Market series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
I enjoyed seeing Felicity and her best friend Kelvin investigate the death to find the real killer and the ending of the book is touching, especially between Felicity and her mother. Kelvin, who runs a floral shop, is a likable character. It seems like there could be more than friendship between Felicity and Kelvin in the future. They are great friends and I think they could be an even greater couple since they care about each other and support each other. Overall, I'm not sure this is the series for me, (I would rate the book 3.5 stars), but I am still looking forward to reading Chow's LA Night Market series.
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
December 18, 2024
This was a cool start to a new magical series. Felicity Jin and her mom have owned a bakery in the small town of Pixie, CA. Felicity comes from a long line of women who infuse magic in to the food they bake. So far Felicity has been kind of a dud.
At the beginning of the story we learn that Felicity is just starting to come in to her magical baking, through fortune cookies, but is still working out the kinks. When a customer is found murdered behind the sho with one of Felicity’s fortunes, she becomes the prime suspect.
I loved the characters in this. Felicity’s best friend, Kelvin, her Godmother and her mom were the main characters. The book was a bit slow for me, but I am hopeful that as the series progresses, the pace will pick up a bit.
I liked Felicity’s curious, but not overly in your face nature and her love for her mom and their shop. The addition of the cute magical bunny who showed up on the doorstep was a great addition!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
At the beginning of the story we learn that Felicity is just starting to come in to her magical baking, through fortune cookies, but is still working out the kinks. When a customer is found murdered behind the sho with one of Felicity’s fortunes, she becomes the prime suspect.
I loved the characters in this. Felicity’s best friend, Kelvin, her Godmother and her mom were the main characters. The book was a bit slow for me, but I am hopeful that as the series progresses, the pace will pick up a bit.
I liked Felicity’s curious, but not overly in your face nature and her love for her mom and their shop. The addition of the cute magical bunny who showed up on the doorstep was a great addition!
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
April 10, 2025
Good start to the series. I enjoyed the characters and setting. The treats at Jin Bakery sound good and I'm intrigued by the homemade fortune cookies (not enough to actually try the recipe at the end of the book). The mystery was interesting and I was happy with the culprit.
February 27, 2024
Important things you need to know about Ill-Fated Fortune:
Pace: Medium
POV: 1st person (Felicity)
Trigger Warnings: Ill-Fated Fortune contains themes that include racism, anxiety & anxiety attacks, dead bodies, asthma, murder & attempted murder, and physical assault.
Language: There is mild swearing in Ill-Fated Fortune. There is also language used that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Ill-Fated Fortune.
Setting: Ill-Fated Fortune is set in Pixie, California. There are also some scenes in Fresno.
Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):
Growing up in a magical bakery and witnessing her mother use her magical power to bring happiness to their customers, Felicity waits for her to manifest. After many failed attempts, Felicity has given up. That changes the day she gets an awful fortune cookie from a take-out Chinese cookie. After making a batch of homemade fortune cookies, Felicity’s magic manifests. She makes delicious fortune cookies and writes handmade fortunes that come true.
But her happiness is short-lived. A rival enters her shop, gets a cookie and a fortune, makes a scene, and leaves. The following day, Felicity finds his body in the dumpster behind the bakery, holding her handwritten fortune. Now, Felicity is the number one suspect in his murder. Desperate to clear her name, she starts sleuthing. Will Felicity find out who killed that customer and why?
My Review
I enjoy a good cozy mystery. I also enjoy cozy mysteries that incorporate magic (or paranormal) themes into the storyline. But, lately, I have found those types of cozy mysteries lacking. Either they were too over the top, or I found them boring. So, I did go into reading Ill-Fated Fortune with the mindset that it could be either of those types. And I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book and realized it was good.
The main storyline centers around Felicity, her magic (or lack of it), the murder, and her investigation. It was a well-written, humorous storyline that kept me guessing who the killer was and the motivation behind it.
I did like Felicity and felt a little bad for her throughout the book. Her bad luck didn’t start until after the murder, and it just snowballed. I did think that the detective had tunnel vision. But I also felt that Felicity made herself a target by not doing what the police asked. It was a “damned if she did, damned if she didn’t” type of situation.
The mystery angle was interesting. I say interesting because there were a bunch of people who wanted that guy dead. So, I thought everything was good until I realized how much I had left in the book. The author didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what happened. I was shocked when the true motives and the real killer were revealed. Someone wasn’t even on my radar until the very last minute. And even then, I was a little iffy if it was that person.
The end of Ill-Fated Fortune was a nail-biter. I am concerned about how Felicity will cope in the upcoming books (if you read the book, you understand). Also, I can’t wait to read the next book (for the above reasons).
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Jennifer J. Chow for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Ill-Fated Fortune. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
Pace: Medium
POV: 1st person (Felicity)
Trigger Warnings: Ill-Fated Fortune contains themes that include racism, anxiety & anxiety attacks, dead bodies, asthma, murder & attempted murder, and physical assault.
Language: There is mild swearing in Ill-Fated Fortune. There is also language used that might offend some people.
Sexual Content: There is no sexual content in Ill-Fated Fortune.
Setting: Ill-Fated Fortune is set in Pixie, California. There are also some scenes in Fresno.
Plot Synopsis (as spoiler-free as I can get):
Growing up in a magical bakery and witnessing her mother use her magical power to bring happiness to their customers, Felicity waits for her to manifest. After many failed attempts, Felicity has given up. That changes the day she gets an awful fortune cookie from a take-out Chinese cookie. After making a batch of homemade fortune cookies, Felicity’s magic manifests. She makes delicious fortune cookies and writes handmade fortunes that come true.
But her happiness is short-lived. A rival enters her shop, gets a cookie and a fortune, makes a scene, and leaves. The following day, Felicity finds his body in the dumpster behind the bakery, holding her handwritten fortune. Now, Felicity is the number one suspect in his murder. Desperate to clear her name, she starts sleuthing. Will Felicity find out who killed that customer and why?
My Review
I enjoy a good cozy mystery. I also enjoy cozy mysteries that incorporate magic (or paranormal) themes into the storyline. But, lately, I have found those types of cozy mysteries lacking. Either they were too over the top, or I found them boring. So, I did go into reading Ill-Fated Fortune with the mindset that it could be either of those types. And I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading this book and realized it was good.
The main storyline centers around Felicity, her magic (or lack of it), the murder, and her investigation. It was a well-written, humorous storyline that kept me guessing who the killer was and the motivation behind it.
I did like Felicity and felt a little bad for her throughout the book. Her bad luck didn’t start until after the murder, and it just snowballed. I did think that the detective had tunnel vision. But I also felt that Felicity made herself a target by not doing what the police asked. It was a “damned if she did, damned if she didn’t” type of situation.
The mystery angle was interesting. I say interesting because there were a bunch of people who wanted that guy dead. So, I thought everything was good until I realized how much I had left in the book. The author didn’t even begin to scratch the surface of what happened. I was shocked when the true motives and the real killer were revealed. Someone wasn’t even on my radar until the very last minute. And even then, I was a little iffy if it was that person.
The end of Ill-Fated Fortune was a nail-biter. I am concerned about how Felicity will cope in the upcoming books (if you read the book, you understand). Also, I can’t wait to read the next book (for the above reasons).
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Jennifer J. Chow for allowing me to read and review this ARC of Ill-Fated Fortune. All opinions stated in this review are mine.
February 20, 2024
The Jin family is thrilled with the success of their magical bakery. Felicity Jin’s mother bakes pineapple buns and egg tarts filled with happiness and joy. Her customers love every bite. Although hesitant, Felicity joins the fun by baking fortune cookies filled with magic and fortune’s she personally creates for each customer. Everything is going well for them in the small town of Pixie, California until tragedy strikes. One of her customers dies after eating her cookie which included a fortune that is suspiciously accurate about his demise.
The police investigate and all the attention turns to Felicity being responsible for the man’s death. Naturally, their bakery suffers when customers are afraid to eat there. Plus, the joy is gone from baking and the taste of their baked goods reflects the sadness and hurt.
Felicity, and her best friend Kelvin, are determined to discover the truth and clear Felicity’s name. Not to mention it will save the bakery’s reputation.
This is the first book in a new series. It’s off to a solid start. The idea of personalized fortune cookies is quite an interesting concept. Felicity, her mother and Kelvin are all well written and make a great team.
The author keeps you guessing as to “whodunit”. There are several legitimate suspects. I sort of figured it out, but I didn’t figure out the specific “whys” and “hows”. The book moves at a steady pace. There were a couple of spots that were a bit slow, but overall, a good start to a new series.
I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
The police investigate and all the attention turns to Felicity being responsible for the man’s death. Naturally, their bakery suffers when customers are afraid to eat there. Plus, the joy is gone from baking and the taste of their baked goods reflects the sadness and hurt.
Felicity, and her best friend Kelvin, are determined to discover the truth and clear Felicity’s name. Not to mention it will save the bakery’s reputation.
This is the first book in a new series. It’s off to a solid start. The idea of personalized fortune cookies is quite an interesting concept. Felicity, her mother and Kelvin are all well written and make a great team.
The author keeps you guessing as to “whodunit”. There are several legitimate suspects. I sort of figured it out, but I didn’t figure out the specific “whys” and “hows”. The book moves at a steady pace. There were a couple of spots that were a bit slow, but overall, a good start to a new series.
I’m looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 23, 2024
Felicity Jin lives in the small town of Pixie, California and works alongside her mom in their bakery. Felicity runs the register while her mom pours her joy into baking puffy pineapple buns and creamy egg tarts. It’s assumed that the skill of baking and the magical ability to transfer joy through baking has passed Felicity by. One night, though, Felicity feels inspired to make her own handmade fortune cookies and her magical ability is awakened! The more Felicity bakes, the more her magic develops and it guides her to make personalized predictions for customers.
Things are going well until one of Felicity’s fortunes predicts the murder of a customer and later the man is found dead outside the store’s dumpster. You can guess who the police zero in on as the number one suspect–Felicity herself. As a result, Felicity dives into her own investigation, determined to save not just herself, but also her family’s livelihood.
This was so much fun and I tore through it in a day and a half! The little bits of magic sprinkled throughout are lovely and the story has just as much heart as it does mystery. The mother-daughter relationship is heartwarming and the mystery twisty. I had my guesses of the true culprit, but I enjoyed uncovering the clues along with Jin. And like her mother, I was worried for her safety a few times–she is a determined sleuth! Fans of culinary cozy mysteries will be delighted to have a new series to add to their stack!
Things are going well until one of Felicity’s fortunes predicts the murder of a customer and later the man is found dead outside the store’s dumpster. You can guess who the police zero in on as the number one suspect–Felicity herself. As a result, Felicity dives into her own investigation, determined to save not just herself, but also her family’s livelihood.
This was so much fun and I tore through it in a day and a half! The little bits of magic sprinkled throughout are lovely and the story has just as much heart as it does mystery. The mother-daughter relationship is heartwarming and the mystery twisty. I had my guesses of the true culprit, but I enjoyed uncovering the clues along with Jin. And like her mother, I was worried for her safety a few times–she is a determined sleuth! Fans of culinary cozy mysteries will be delighted to have a new series to add to their stack!
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