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Noodle Shop Mystery #13
And Then There Were Bun: A Noodle Shop Mystery
Things get spicy when Megan throws a surprise birthday party for Lana at Ho-Lee Noodle House that ends in disaster.
With the help of Lana’s parents and close friends, Megan packs the family restaurant with a guest list that includes friends―both old and new―to help celebrate her best gal’s birthday. But when one of their guests brings an unsavory plus one that Lana just happened to date back in her college days, tensions build between her old beau and her current boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau.
After a heated exchange of words between the two men, the evening returns to the smooth and enjoyable party that Megan had originally hoped for. But relief is short lived when Lana’s ex is found in the dumpster outside of Asia Village.
As if the circumstances and tragedy taking place on Lana’s birthday aren’t enough, the gang gets an even bigger surprise when Adam is the main suspect under scrutiny. Not only are there several witnesses confirming the verbal confrontation between the two men earlier in the evening, but it’s also reported that Adam disappeared from the party for a considerable amount of time. And unfortunately for him, not even Lana can back up his whereabouts. With Adam in the hot seat, his own partner, Matthew Higgins, must investigate the crime alongside their boss―the Chief of Police, Tom Riceton, who wants speedy results to keep away the threat of Internal Affairs knocking on their door.
As Adam struggles with the dynamic shifts in his personal life, being on suspension and shut out from his resources at the police department, he must rely solely on his skills as a detective and the ingenuity of Lana’s amateur sleuthing capabilities to solve the case and clear his name definitively.
With the help of Lana’s parents and close friends, Megan packs the family restaurant with a guest list that includes friends―both old and new―to help celebrate her best gal’s birthday. But when one of their guests brings an unsavory plus one that Lana just happened to date back in her college days, tensions build between her old beau and her current boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau.
After a heated exchange of words between the two men, the evening returns to the smooth and enjoyable party that Megan had originally hoped for. But relief is short lived when Lana’s ex is found in the dumpster outside of Asia Village.
As if the circumstances and tragedy taking place on Lana’s birthday aren’t enough, the gang gets an even bigger surprise when Adam is the main suspect under scrutiny. Not only are there several witnesses confirming the verbal confrontation between the two men earlier in the evening, but it’s also reported that Adam disappeared from the party for a considerable amount of time. And unfortunately for him, not even Lana can back up his whereabouts. With Adam in the hot seat, his own partner, Matthew Higgins, must investigate the crime alongside their boss―the Chief of Police, Tom Riceton, who wants speedy results to keep away the threat of Internal Affairs knocking on their door.
As Adam struggles with the dynamic shifts in his personal life, being on suspension and shut out from his resources at the police department, he must rely solely on his skills as a detective and the ingenuity of Lana’s amateur sleuthing capabilities to solve the case and clear his name definitively.
Audible Audio
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Vivien Chien
25 books1,788 followersVivien Chien first started writing simple stories about adventures with her classmates when she was in elementary school. As she grew up, her love of books and the written word increased, leading to the attempt of her first novel at age 16. After many struggled beginnings and several different genres, she found her passion in the mystery world.
When she's not writing, she can be found frolicking in the bookstore or searching for her next bowl of noodles. She has a soft spot for doughnuts, a healthy love for coffee, and an extreme need to participate in random acts of crafting.
She currently lives in Cleveland where she is hard at work on the fifth book in her Noodle Shop series, and writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.
When she's not writing, she can be found frolicking in the bookstore or searching for her next bowl of noodles. She has a soft spot for doughnuts, a healthy love for coffee, and an extreme need to participate in random acts of crafting.
She currently lives in Cleveland where she is hard at work on the fifth book in her Noodle Shop series, and writes side-by-side with her toy fox terrier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 2, 2026
This book starts with Lana Lee celebrating her 30th birthday. Her best friend, Megan Riley, has planned a surprise party at the noodle shop owned by Lana's family. Things are great until Lana's ex-boyfriend crashes the party and is later found dead after a confrontation with Lana's current boyfriend, police detective Adam Trudeau. Both Adam and Lana are devastated when Adam becomes the prime suspect.
It was interesting seeing Lana and her friends Kimmy Tran and Megan investigate without access to inside information from the police department since Adam was suspended. Megan and Kimmy don't always get along, but the three women have learned to work together which makes them effective sleuths and is entertaining for readers. That part of the investigation was fun, but I didn't like that this case had friends suspecting each other, making things tense between Lana and Adam as well as between Lana and her friends. It was stressful, especially for a cozy mystery. The suspenseful ending helps make up for this and the book ends on a happy, hopeful note.
I received a copy of this ebook from Minotaur Books and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
It was interesting seeing Lana and her friends Kimmy Tran and Megan investigate without access to inside information from the police department since Adam was suspended. Megan and Kimmy don't always get along, but the three women have learned to work together which makes them effective sleuths and is entertaining for readers. That part of the investigation was fun, but I didn't like that this case had friends suspecting each other, making things tense between Lana and Adam as well as between Lana and her friends. It was stressful, especially for a cozy mystery. The suspenseful ending helps make up for this and the book ends on a happy, hopeful note.
I received a copy of this ebook from Minotaur Books and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
August 30, 2026
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Lana Lee thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday, but her best friend Megan comes through with the surprise. Ho-Lee Noodle House is filled with family and friends when Lana arrives. She is taken aback when an old friend from college arrives accompanied by her “greatest heartbreak”, Devon Jones. Detective Adam Trudeau, her current boyfriend, is instantly on alert. It isn’t long before there is an altercation between the two. Before things escalate, Devon is escorted out the door, and guests get back to celebrating.
But it didn’t last; Devon Jones not only left the party, he left the building. Someone had taken out the trash. Devon Jones is dead. His body was found in the dumpster behind Asia Village. And in a real twist, Detective Adam Trudeau is the prime suspect. Not able to account for some of his time, the time the murder was committed, he is off the case and suspended from the force pending the investigation’s outcome.
Adam has a hard time being shut out of the case. Soon, Lana, Megan, and Kimmy are investigating while Adam is doing his own thing. Megan dating Chief of Police Tom Riceton complicates things, but Lana is determined to help Adam get his gun and badge back.
You know this close-knit family, her best friend, and boyfriend would not forget Lana’s 30th birthday, so the surprise party was expected. The arrival of the hated college ex-boyfriend was not. Adam and Lana’s relationship has been growing at the perfect pace. He loves her so much. Would he actually kill the creep that hurt her so badly? Lana did have a few moments when she wasn’t sure. Thankfully, the woman came to her senses. Megan dating Tom added more angst to the story and has her questioning that relationship as well. Of course, the Mahjong Matrons are back and want to help. Kimmy gets her dander up any time any investigating goes on without her, but she wasn’t as over-the-top as usual. Instead, Anna May was very testing. All the characters Ms. Chien has created for this are fun and quirky in their own ways. It is easy to get all wrapped up in their lives.
The mystery the author has written was very well plotted. A huge part of Adam’s life is his job, so it was hard for him to be sidelined, especially because he was working on an important case that was entering a critical part of the investigation when this murder was committed. It gives the story a different feel. The suspect pool was limited, although things happening behind the scenes could have added another. I was up in the air on my decision until the very end. The actual motive, evidence found later, the connections, the forethought, the intention, and how the plan played out were pretty chilling.
The Noodle Shop Mysteries are must-reads for me. I anxiously await each new story pretty impatiently, but Vivien Chien always makes the wait worthwhile. Her characters are engaging and entertaining, the mall/Noodle House setting is unique, the humor is placed well, and the mystery is always well done. And Then There Were Bun was just plain marvelous and an excellent addition to this series. I highly recommend the entire series, and I can’t wait for the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Lana Lee thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday, but her best friend Megan comes through with the surprise. Ho-Lee Noodle House is filled with family and friends when Lana arrives. She is taken aback when an old friend from college arrives accompanied by her “greatest heartbreak”, Devon Jones. Detective Adam Trudeau, her current boyfriend, is instantly on alert. It isn’t long before there is an altercation between the two. Before things escalate, Devon is escorted out the door, and guests get back to celebrating.
But it didn’t last; Devon Jones not only left the party, he left the building. Someone had taken out the trash. Devon Jones is dead. His body was found in the dumpster behind Asia Village. And in a real twist, Detective Adam Trudeau is the prime suspect. Not able to account for some of his time, the time the murder was committed, he is off the case and suspended from the force pending the investigation’s outcome.
Adam has a hard time being shut out of the case. Soon, Lana, Megan, and Kimmy are investigating while Adam is doing his own thing. Megan dating Chief of Police Tom Riceton complicates things, but Lana is determined to help Adam get his gun and badge back.
You know this close-knit family, her best friend, and boyfriend would not forget Lana’s 30th birthday, so the surprise party was expected. The arrival of the hated college ex-boyfriend was not. Adam and Lana’s relationship has been growing at the perfect pace. He loves her so much. Would he actually kill the creep that hurt her so badly? Lana did have a few moments when she wasn’t sure. Thankfully, the woman came to her senses. Megan dating Tom added more angst to the story and has her questioning that relationship as well. Of course, the Mahjong Matrons are back and want to help. Kimmy gets her dander up any time any investigating goes on without her, but she wasn’t as over-the-top as usual. Instead, Anna May was very testing. All the characters Ms. Chien has created for this are fun and quirky in their own ways. It is easy to get all wrapped up in their lives.
The mystery the author has written was very well plotted. A huge part of Adam’s life is his job, so it was hard for him to be sidelined, especially because he was working on an important case that was entering a critical part of the investigation when this murder was committed. It gives the story a different feel. The suspect pool was limited, although things happening behind the scenes could have added another. I was up in the air on my decision until the very end. The actual motive, evidence found later, the connections, the forethought, the intention, and how the plan played out were pretty chilling.
The Noodle Shop Mysteries are must-reads for me. I anxiously await each new story pretty impatiently, but Vivien Chien always makes the wait worthwhile. Her characters are engaging and entertaining, the mall/Noodle House setting is unique, the humor is placed well, and the mystery is always well done. And Then There Were Bun was just plain marvelous and an excellent addition to this series. I highly recommend the entire series, and I can’t wait for the next installment.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
August 13, 2026
Some things you can always trust with the Noodle Shop series: Lana Lee will figure it out, her friends Kimmy and Megan will always help her solve the crime, and the other quirky residents of Asia Village will play a role in helping her figure out any dilemma she's facing. I kind of knew who would end up being the culprit well before the end, but that didn't detract from the fun of the story. I would still like to know how Lana can drink coffee at midnight and fall asleep 5 minutes later, but that's a mystery for me to solve.
September 17, 2026
The Noodle Shop Mystery series is like a cozy fuzzy blanket providing familiar warmth and comfort. It was once again fun to hang out with Lana Lee, manager of her family’s Chinese restaurant in Fairview, the fictitious suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. I enjoy Lana Lee with her feisty approach and how she shares with the reader what she thinks and how she thinks – it’s hilarious! I love how the author has drawn the reader into how Lana’s mind works and has given Lana a unique voice and tone into how she says things – I can literally hear her speak. Who knew Asia Village is such great place for murders? And this time it hits close to home on Lana’s 30th birthday. Her ex-boyfriend is the victim and her current boyfriend is under a suspicious cloud. The pieces in this mystery case may not hang as perfectly together as those in her other books, but I was entertained and liked how there was some suspicion and a bit of tension amongst the group about involvement. Another fun, fast-paced read that kept me chuckling and smiling as I breezed through this cozy mystery with my familiar group of friends again. I give this book a solid 3.5 rounded up to 4. Looking forward to #14! Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 11, 2026
And Then There Were Bun is the 13th book in the fabulous A Noodle Shop Mystery series by Vivien Chien. I love this series and always look forward to the next book. It is Lana Lee's 30th birthday and her best friend and roommate Megan is throwing a surprise party for her. All of Lana's friends and family were at Ho-Lee Noodle House including Lana's boyfriend Detective Adam Trudeau. A couple of college friends showed up and started antagonizing Adam. When one of them ends up dead, Adam is a suspect and is placed on suspension. Megan is dating Chief of Police Tom Riceton who is Adam's boss and things become awkward. Lana, Megan and their friend Kimmy get into some interesting situations which adds some fun to the story. I suspected the culprit but had no idea why and I wasn't sure until near the end. There is enough going on to keep the reader's interest and I wanted to find out what was going to happen next! The characters, friendship and relationships make this such an enjoyable cozy mystery. #AndThenThereWereBun #ANoodleShopMystery#NetGalley #MinotaurBooks
September 3, 2026
Another fun adventure with Lana and her friends! I enjoyed following along as they investigated to clear Adam’s name, and his acceptance of Lana and Megan’s snooping around. While the investigation was front and center and the twists and turns were plentiful, I figured out who the guilty party was early on. This did not take away from my enjoyment as I didn’t know why, and it was interesting to see the motivation behind the crime. I was really hoping for a proposal for Lana’s birthday. Maybe in the next one…
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the review copy.
September 5, 2026
#13 in the Noodle Shop series and it's still as fresh and fun as the first! I love these characters, the unique setting, the writing. It's a quick read with characters that feel like familiar friends.
If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend.
If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend.
September 14, 2026
Megan throws a birthday party for Lana that includes both old and new friends. But when one of their guests brings a plus one that Lana happened to date back in her college days, tensions build between her old beau and her current boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau. After a heated exchange between the two men, the ex was asked to leave. Then his body is found in the dumpster outside of Asia Village. Lana is surprised when Adam is the main suspect in the murder. Can she find the true culprit and clear Adam's name?
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment to a wonderful cozy mystery series. I love reading about how Lana discovers clues and investigates suspects. She is a very smart and capable amateur sleuth. The plot was confounding, as I thought I knew who the culprit was, but I discovered that I was wrong in the end. I will definitely read more of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
I thoroughly enjoyed this installment to a wonderful cozy mystery series. I love reading about how Lana discovers clues and investigates suspects. She is a very smart and capable amateur sleuth. The plot was confounding, as I thought I knew who the culprit was, but I discovered that I was wrong in the end. I will definitely read more of this series. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.
September 7, 2026
But did they actually forget her birthday????
Lana Lee turns 30 and her birthday does not get off to the best start. And it also doesn't end great. I feel you, Lana, I really do. Turning 30 is... traumatic. And that's not me being dramatic (ok, maybe it is.) But at least everyone survived my 30th, for Lana Lee, not so much.
I started reading this series when it was but a wee thing, when the very first book had recently come out. I loved it right off and have continued to read each book as they come out. I love pretty much everything about the series, the Asia Village setting, her wildly different BFFs, her sweet and quirky family, her adorable snorty dog, and Lana herself. Lana Lee is one of those people that even though she's nothing like me, she's into fashion and makeup and she can walk in high heels, I love her. She's a strong woman, she's a great friend, and she doesn't take life too seriously, even when it's getting real.
This book has some wild things going on. Lana's boyfriend Adam is one of the prime suspects so the race is on to figure out who the killer is so he can go back to the career that defines him. But this mystery goes much deeper than one ex in a dumpster. Will Lana figure it out before the killer comes back for seconds? Read it and find out - but start with Death by Dumpling!
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Lana Lee turns 30 and her birthday does not get off to the best start. And it also doesn't end great. I feel you, Lana, I really do. Turning 30 is... traumatic. And that's not me being dramatic (ok, maybe it is.) But at least everyone survived my 30th, for Lana Lee, not so much.
I started reading this series when it was but a wee thing, when the very first book had recently come out. I loved it right off and have continued to read each book as they come out. I love pretty much everything about the series, the Asia Village setting, her wildly different BFFs, her sweet and quirky family, her adorable snorty dog, and Lana herself. Lana Lee is one of those people that even though she's nothing like me, she's into fashion and makeup and she can walk in high heels, I love her. She's a strong woman, she's a great friend, and she doesn't take life too seriously, even when it's getting real.
This book has some wild things going on. Lana's boyfriend Adam is one of the prime suspects so the race is on to figure out who the killer is so he can go back to the career that defines him. But this mystery goes much deeper than one ex in a dumpster. Will Lana figure it out before the killer comes back for seconds? Read it and find out - but start with Death by Dumpling!
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Lana's ex boyfriend from college shows up uninvited to her 30th birthday party things get tense between him and Adam, her current boyfriend. When the ex is found murdered in a dumpster things get even worse.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I had my ideas on who the killer was going to be but I was way off the mark. Is it wrong that one day I hope Anna May gets her comeuppance? Sister dynamics are complicated but she is in her own league of awful sometimes. If you like cozy mysteries you will not be disappointed with this one.
Thanks to St. Martins Press, Minotaur and NetGalley for the arc.
This series just keeps getting better and better. I had my ideas on who the killer was going to be but I was way off the mark. Is it wrong that one day I hope Anna May gets her comeuppance? Sister dynamics are complicated but she is in her own league of awful sometimes. If you like cozy mysteries you will not be disappointed with this one.
Thanks to St. Martins Press, Minotaur and NetGalley for the arc.
September 23, 2026
One of my favorites in the series.
September 21, 2026
I think this is the best one yet! Mostly because i figured out the killer halfway through
September 21, 2026
I love this book series!
September 10, 2026
When a birthday celebration turns into a crime scene, Lana Lee is plunged into another twisty, high-stakes investigation. What should have been a festive gathering quickly spirals into chaos as secrets, petty resentments, and hidden grudges bubble to the surface. Lana has to balance running the Ho-Lee Noodle House, managing high family expectations, and dodging the unyielding radar of the Mahjong Matrons while sifting through a room packed with suspects who each have something to hide.
Lana’s development throughout this series continues to be the ultimate highlight. Her sharp wit and impulsive sleuthing instincts are balanced by a genuine emotional maturity that makes her personal life and dynamic with Detective Adam Trudeau feel deeply rewarding. The suspects are delightfully messy, the red herrings keep you guessing until the final chapters, and the pacing across 320 pages never lets up.
Between the delicious descriptions of steamed buns and noodle dishes that will make you pause to order takeout, this is another flavorful, page-turning victory for Asia Village.
Lana’s development throughout this series continues to be the ultimate highlight. Her sharp wit and impulsive sleuthing instincts are balanced by a genuine emotional maturity that makes her personal life and dynamic with Detective Adam Trudeau feel deeply rewarding. The suspects are delightfully messy, the red herrings keep you guessing until the final chapters, and the pacing across 320 pages never lets up.
Between the delicious descriptions of steamed buns and noodle dishes that will make you pause to order takeout, this is another flavorful, page-turning victory for Asia Village.
September 13, 2026
Lana Lee turns 30, has a surprise birthday party, her horrible ex walks in, is later found murdered and her now cop boyfriend is a suspect. This book was great!
September 14, 2026
I absolutely love this series and think this is the best one yet! I can't wait for more to come.
September 12, 2026
Lana is back on the case! If there’sone thing you can count on it’s that Lana will always solve the crime (with a little help from the rest of Asian Village). Another quick, cozy little mystery that kept me turning the pages.
September 17, 2026
Lana's surprise 30th birthday party is ruined when her old college boyfriend Devon shows up... and then is found bludgeoned in the dumpster. The number one suspect is Lana's boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau, who nearly got into a physical altercation with the victim during the festivities.
I've commented on Vivien Chien's weird defense of the police in her previous books, but this book is full-blown copaganda. Not only is Lana dating a man in law enforcement, so is her best friend Megan as of the last book. Megan was the single most annoying character throughout this book because all of her rationality somehow went to Kimmy Tran. Considering how much I've stated I hated Kimmy throughout the series, I can't believe Kimmy was the likeable character while I thought Megan needed a Xanax. It's like Megan got a lobotomy once she entered a relationship with that cop or whatever the hell his rank is since he's higher up the chain than Detective Adam Trudeau. I know one of Megan's character traits is being loyal, but there's being loyal and there's being stupid, stubborn, and overly aggressive because things aren't aligning with your worldview. Megan's number one suspects were Peter (their mutual friend) and Trent (an old college friend) because they criticized the police force.
When characters bring up how crooked cops can be, Lana and Megan practically foam at the mouth defending their boyfriends and the police force as a whole. It was especially embarrassing for Megan because she's been dating her boyfriend for a very short amount of time and she was defending her boyfriend so ardently, over some tame criticisms, that she was ready to fight their old college friend Trent. Trent expected a calm conversation with Lana because he didn't know what to say when giving his police statement and Megan insulting him for his wariness of the police wasn't helping. And when Trent told Megan to stop over-reacting, the author had to slide in some comment of how men always dismiss women by claiming they're crazy. Pretty ironic when Megan was over-reacting and being aggressive towards Trent, especially when the author keeps writing that Lana and Megan use the excuse of "women problems" (AKA their periods) to stop their respective boyfriends and their friend Peter to stop asking questions. You can't complain about sexism and then use it yourself. I mean, how old are these men if they're freaked out about periods???
And considering her readiness to defend her boyfriend, Lana didn't even bother asking Adam what her ex-boyfriend Devon said to him that riled him up so much that Adam was willing to fight him in a public setting. As a cop. How is that not important? Lana wasn't particularly smart either when it came to this investigation. Her sister, who Lana infamously doesn't get along with, said Lana had to be careful because Adam (Lana's current boyfriend) nearly got into a fight with Devon (Lana's ex-boyfriend) and everyone is going to suspect him. Lana got so defensive and bad-mouthed Anna-May and was surprised when others like Peter and Kimmy agreed. How the hell did Lana solve 12 murders up until that point and not put that together? She's only dismissing her sister because they don't get along. She should have had a wake-up call when her close friends agreed with Anna-May's theory, or soften up to the theory, especially when the police did suspect Adam!
So who what happened? I both like and dislike this reveal. I like it because it proves Megan and Lana wrong . I dislike this reveal because of the way Megan and Lana treated a certain character afterwards. Megan and Lana were just willfully stupid and mean-spirited in this book and I couldn't stand it. And considering the murderer's motive included a cop who was going to be exposed for his crimes, I'm surprised - or maybe I shouldn't be surprised - that they would gloss over that fact when they've been so vehemently defending the police.
Also, once again, a thesaurus is needed. Here's my count of certain phrases and dialogue tags that kept repeating. I was listening to this as an audiobook because I couldn't get a hold of a physical book so I might have zoned out and missed some.
Clucking of tongues was popular again.
"Helen clucked her tongue." (Chapter 2)
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 4)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 5)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 5) Yes, she clucked her tongue twice in the same chapter!!
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 5)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 7)
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 9)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 12)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 21)
"[Megan] clucked her tongue." (Chapter 29)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 35)
Raspberries is a classic repeat word, but has lessened in comparison to previous books.
"[Megan] blew a raspberry." (Chapter 3)
"Megan blew a raspberry." (Chapter 4)
"Megan blew a raspberry." (Chapter 16)
"Yuna blew a raspberry." (Chapter 19)
Characters "tsk-ing" is new.
"Nancy tsked." (Chapter 2)
"I tsked." (Chapter 5)
"My mother tsked." (Chapter 8)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 10)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 11)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 15)
"Adeline tsked." (Chapter 34)
"Reid tsked." (Chapter 37)
Groaning was an immensely popular dialogue tag in this book.
"I groaned." (Chapter 3)
"The groan I released was guttural." (Chapter 5).
"Adam groaned." (Chapter 7)
"I groaned." (Chapter 8)
"Megan groaned." (Chapter 8)
"When we were alone, his shoulder dropped and he groaned. "I hate lawyers."' (Chapter 8)
"[Anna-May] groaned." (Chapter 9)
"I groaned." (Chapter 10)
"Megan groaned and covered her face with her hands." (Chapter 12)
"Yuna groaned." (Chapter 19)
"I let out a groan and looked out of the window." (Chapter 20)
'"I don't know," [Megan] groaned. (Chapter 30)
"Trent groaned." (Chapter 37)
Characters smacking their foreheads is a classic. Again, it's lessened lately.
"[Adam] smacked his forehead." (Chapter 12)
"I smacked my forehead and turned around to face her." (Chapter 16)
"I could have smacked myself for not thinking it sooner." (Chapter 18)
"'Nothing," I said, smacking myself on the forehead." (Chapter 33)
Lips pursing was popular in the last book and still gets repeated a lot in this book.
"My mother pursed her lips." (Chapter 9)
"Megan pursed her lips." (Chapter 10)
"Kimmy tilted her head, pursing her lips." (Chapter 11)
"Trent pursed his lips." (Chapter 16)
"[Adeline] pursed her lips." (Chapter 24)
"I pursed my lips." (Chapter 32)
"Megan pursed her lips." (Chapter 36)
By the end, I kind of wished I kept track of how many times characters rolled their eyes or smirked as well. It was a lot. There was a moment where the writing got way too exaggerated, in which a character named Adeline both rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. It was a ridiculous bit of writing and made it kind of obvious that the author couldn't write a younger character without making them seem juvenile instead. All of the characters seemed really juvenile, really.
Any way, this book gets a low rating for all of the hostile copaganda and the lobotomy that Lana and Megan both apparently both received.
I've commented on Vivien Chien's weird defense of the police in her previous books, but this book is full-blown copaganda. Not only is Lana dating a man in law enforcement, so is her best friend Megan as of the last book. Megan was the single most annoying character throughout this book because all of her rationality somehow went to Kimmy Tran. Considering how much I've stated I hated Kimmy throughout the series, I can't believe Kimmy was the likeable character while I thought Megan needed a Xanax. It's like Megan got a lobotomy once she entered a relationship with that cop or whatever the hell his rank is since he's higher up the chain than Detective Adam Trudeau. I know one of Megan's character traits is being loyal, but there's being loyal and there's being stupid, stubborn, and overly aggressive because things aren't aligning with your worldview. Megan's number one suspects were Peter (their mutual friend) and Trent (an old college friend) because they criticized the police force.
When characters bring up how crooked cops can be, Lana and Megan practically foam at the mouth defending their boyfriends and the police force as a whole. It was especially embarrassing for Megan because she's been dating her boyfriend for a very short amount of time and she was defending her boyfriend so ardently, over some tame criticisms, that she was ready to fight their old college friend Trent. Trent expected a calm conversation with Lana because he didn't know what to say when giving his police statement and Megan insulting him for his wariness of the police wasn't helping. And when Trent told Megan to stop over-reacting, the author had to slide in some comment of how men always dismiss women by claiming they're crazy. Pretty ironic when Megan was over-reacting and being aggressive towards Trent, especially when the author keeps writing that Lana and Megan use the excuse of "women problems" (AKA their periods) to stop their respective boyfriends and their friend Peter to stop asking questions. You can't complain about sexism and then use it yourself. I mean, how old are these men if they're freaked out about periods???
And considering her readiness to defend her boyfriend, Lana didn't even bother asking Adam what her ex-boyfriend Devon said to him that riled him up so much that Adam was willing to fight him in a public setting. As a cop. How is that not important? Lana wasn't particularly smart either when it came to this investigation. Her sister, who Lana infamously doesn't get along with, said Lana had to be careful because Adam (Lana's current boyfriend) nearly got into a fight with Devon (Lana's ex-boyfriend) and everyone is going to suspect him. Lana got so defensive and bad-mouthed Anna-May and was surprised when others like Peter and Kimmy agreed. How the hell did Lana solve 12 murders up until that point and not put that together? She's only dismissing her sister because they don't get along. She should have had a wake-up call when her close friends agreed with Anna-May's theory, or soften up to the theory, especially when the police did suspect Adam!
So who what happened? I both like and dislike this reveal. I like it because it proves Megan and Lana wrong . I dislike this reveal because of the way Megan and Lana treated a certain character afterwards. Megan and Lana were just willfully stupid and mean-spirited in this book and I couldn't stand it. And considering the murderer's motive included a cop who was going to be exposed for his crimes, I'm surprised - or maybe I shouldn't be surprised - that they would gloss over that fact when they've been so vehemently defending the police.
Also, once again, a thesaurus is needed. Here's my count of certain phrases and dialogue tags that kept repeating. I was listening to this as an audiobook because I couldn't get a hold of a physical book so I might have zoned out and missed some.
Clucking of tongues was popular again.
"Helen clucked her tongue." (Chapter 2)
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 4)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 5)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 5) Yes, she clucked her tongue twice in the same chapter!!
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 5)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 7)
"I clucked my tongue." (Chapter 9)
"Kimmy clucked her tongue." (Chapter 12)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 21)
"[Megan] clucked her tongue." (Chapter 29)
"Megan clucked her tongue." (Chapter 35)
Raspberries is a classic repeat word, but has lessened in comparison to previous books.
"[Megan] blew a raspberry." (Chapter 3)
"Megan blew a raspberry." (Chapter 4)
"Megan blew a raspberry." (Chapter 16)
"Yuna blew a raspberry." (Chapter 19)
Characters "tsk-ing" is new.
"Nancy tsked." (Chapter 2)
"I tsked." (Chapter 5)
"My mother tsked." (Chapter 8)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 10)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 11)
"Megan tsked." (Chapter 15)
"Adeline tsked." (Chapter 34)
"Reid tsked." (Chapter 37)
Groaning was an immensely popular dialogue tag in this book.
"I groaned." (Chapter 3)
"The groan I released was guttural." (Chapter 5).
"Adam groaned." (Chapter 7)
"I groaned." (Chapter 8)
"Megan groaned." (Chapter 8)
"When we were alone, his shoulder dropped and he groaned. "I hate lawyers."' (Chapter 8)
"[Anna-May] groaned." (Chapter 9)
"I groaned." (Chapter 10)
"Megan groaned and covered her face with her hands." (Chapter 12)
"Yuna groaned." (Chapter 19)
"I let out a groan and looked out of the window." (Chapter 20)
'"I don't know," [Megan] groaned. (Chapter 30)
"Trent groaned." (Chapter 37)
Characters smacking their foreheads is a classic. Again, it's lessened lately.
"[Adam] smacked his forehead." (Chapter 12)
"I smacked my forehead and turned around to face her." (Chapter 16)
"I could have smacked myself for not thinking it sooner." (Chapter 18)
"'Nothing," I said, smacking myself on the forehead." (Chapter 33)
Lips pursing was popular in the last book and still gets repeated a lot in this book.
"My mother pursed her lips." (Chapter 9)
"Megan pursed her lips." (Chapter 10)
"Kimmy tilted her head, pursing her lips." (Chapter 11)
"Trent pursed his lips." (Chapter 16)
"[Adeline] pursed her lips." (Chapter 24)
"I pursed my lips." (Chapter 32)
"Megan pursed her lips." (Chapter 36)
By the end, I kind of wished I kept track of how many times characters rolled their eyes or smirked as well. It was a lot. There was a moment where the writing got way too exaggerated, in which a character named Adeline both rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. It was a ridiculous bit of writing and made it kind of obvious that the author couldn't write a younger character without making them seem juvenile instead. All of the characters seemed really juvenile, really.
Any way, this book gets a low rating for all of the hostile copaganda and the lobotomy that Lana and Megan both apparently both received.
September 2, 2026
Honestly - this has been my favorite of the series so far :)
September 1, 2026
Another great book by Vivien Chien. She definitely keeps you guessing on who committed the murder every time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Such a fun read following Lana and friends as they solve another murder. This series is chock full of wonderful characters and I’m so invested in them.
When Lana’s terrible ex appears at her birthday party, tensions are high, and when he ends up dead behind the restaurant, suspicions get cast on the people she loves most. As always, Lana, Kimmy, and Megan jump in to clear their friends of suspicion and draw out the real murderer.
I loved how the story unfolded and that everything tied together at the end. I can’t wait for the next in this series. Always a treat!
Thank you to #NetGalley #StMartinsPress and #MinotaurBooks for an ARC
When Lana’s terrible ex appears at her birthday party, tensions are high, and when he ends up dead behind the restaurant, suspicions get cast on the people she loves most. As always, Lana, Kimmy, and Megan jump in to clear their friends of suspicion and draw out the real murderer.
I loved how the story unfolded and that everything tied together at the end. I can’t wait for the next in this series. Always a treat!
Thank you to #NetGalley #StMartinsPress and #MinotaurBooks for an ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not impact the rating or review.
I am going to start off that this is going to go a little ranty. And it's because this cozy mystery decided to downplay some real world things going on and it set me off. And it has to do with the police. Fans of this series knows that the lead, Lana Lee, has been dating her boyfriend Adam Trudeau who is a detective with the local police for most of the series. The last few books have Adam giving Lana his blessing to do her undercover investigating and even has helped him out on one his cases. This book shifts things to have Adam in the hot seat with him being accused of murdering Lana's ex from college. And this is where my rant comes in. Lana's usual friends (Kimmy and Megan) are on hand to help out, but now with Meghan dating Adam's boss there's tension there. And then Megan gets insulted (as does Lana) about people thinking police do bad things.
Are you for real? Chien is a WOC and I really want to ask her, are you serious? This book was written with everything going down in this country over the last two years, ICE running rampant, and yes the police doing some truly terrible stuff. This book takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, which has a pretty heavy Black population and I am now realizing this book has never even referenced anyone not white or Asian in this book. And I feel like I should have picked up on that way before now, but this is a cozy mystery series so I don't really expect them to dig deep. But this whole thing just drove me insane. It didn't get better either with Lana all of a sudden starting to become "afraid" of Adam and I just went this is so dumb. The overall reason behind the murder was such a hot mess and surprise surprise dealt with the police so you think that maybe there be some self-reflection on the part of some of the characters, but nope.
Honestly, the only one not working my nerves in this one was Kimmy. But the series is starting to fall flat for me. Chien needs to decide if she's going to move her character on from Asia Village murders [and seriously that place is turning into Cabot Cove at this pace] and have her become a private investigator. The last scene with the guilty party was such a mess I didn't even know what to say about it outside of this is so dumb. I just gave it three stars for the fact that it moved at a steady pace and it seemed to be closing the loops on some subplots from earlier books. And some scenes were funny, but it was not satisfying at all with the whole both Megan and Lana are dating cops things.
I am going to start off that this is going to go a little ranty. And it's because this cozy mystery decided to downplay some real world things going on and it set me off. And it has to do with the police. Fans of this series knows that the lead, Lana Lee, has been dating her boyfriend Adam Trudeau who is a detective with the local police for most of the series. The last few books have Adam giving Lana his blessing to do her undercover investigating and even has helped him out on one his cases. This book shifts things to have Adam in the hot seat with him being accused of murdering Lana's ex from college. And this is where my rant comes in. Lana's usual friends (Kimmy and Megan) are on hand to help out, but now with Meghan dating Adam's boss there's tension there. And then Megan gets insulted (as does Lana) about people thinking police do bad things.
Are you for real? Chien is a WOC and I really want to ask her, are you serious? This book was written with everything going down in this country over the last two years, ICE running rampant, and yes the police doing some truly terrible stuff. This book takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, which has a pretty heavy Black population and I am now realizing this book has never even referenced anyone not white or Asian in this book. And I feel like I should have picked up on that way before now, but this is a cozy mystery series so I don't really expect them to dig deep. But this whole thing just drove me insane. It didn't get better either with Lana all of a sudden starting to become "afraid" of Adam and I just went this is so dumb. The overall reason behind the murder was such a hot mess and surprise surprise dealt with the police so you think that maybe there be some self-reflection on the part of some of the characters, but nope.
Honestly, the only one not working my nerves in this one was Kimmy. But the series is starting to fall flat for me. Chien needs to decide if she's going to move her character on from Asia Village murders [and seriously that place is turning into Cabot Cove at this pace] and have her become a private investigator. The last scene with the guilty party was such a mess I didn't even know what to say about it outside of this is so dumb. I just gave it three stars for the fact that it moved at a steady pace and it seemed to be closing the loops on some subplots from earlier books. And some scenes were funny, but it was not satisfying at all with the whole both Megan and Lana are dating cops things.
September 5, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Vivien Chien for the eARC.
I saw cozy mystery and submitted a request on NetGalley. Little did I know there's already multiple books to this series. It made it just a tad difficult for me to get right into the story as it seems there are already relationships that have progressed to a certain degree. However, I still enjoyed this immensely. I suspect it's because I always feel some sort of familiarity with books that have Canadian or Taiwanese related characters.
Lana was a very lovable character. I do like how she often charges right in without thinking fully, but is somewhat always alert enough to notice specific details that might get her into trouble. I find it very amusing that she does more detective work than her boyfriend, who is the actual cop. I love how she has very good relationships with everyone - to the point that her regulars are willing to do her favors.
Lana's group of friends are also very eccentric. I found it hilarious that Lana herself is very much a jump-right-into-action girl, and her friends Megan and Kimmy seem to have fiery tempers. It just doesn't seem like a very good best friend trio as there's no one to stop them if they get too intense. Nonetheless, they somehow make it work. There's always a voice of reason between the three of them.
This book was a very delightful and quick read. I have to say I had my thoughts on who the murderer was quite early on, but all the extra information throughout the book started to make me doubt myself. I love it when books do that because I tend to have a good sixth sense and the mystery books I've read have rarely thrown me off.
I did have a little bit of concern with regards to Lana and Adam's relationship. I know they are both very mature and don't tend to meddle with each other's affairs... but it just felt like there was barely any spark. Adam also said he'd support her in her endeavours, but he barely showed up. It felt like Lana's friends and acquaintances made more of an appearance. I understand that he's not allowed to outright do any sort of detective work, but it just felt like he barely had "screentime".
I saw cozy mystery and submitted a request on NetGalley. Little did I know there's already multiple books to this series. It made it just a tad difficult for me to get right into the story as it seems there are already relationships that have progressed to a certain degree. However, I still enjoyed this immensely. I suspect it's because I always feel some sort of familiarity with books that have Canadian or Taiwanese related characters.
Lana was a very lovable character. I do like how she often charges right in without thinking fully, but is somewhat always alert enough to notice specific details that might get her into trouble. I find it very amusing that she does more detective work than her boyfriend, who is the actual cop. I love how she has very good relationships with everyone - to the point that her regulars are willing to do her favors.
Lana's group of friends are also very eccentric. I found it hilarious that Lana herself is very much a jump-right-into-action girl, and her friends Megan and Kimmy seem to have fiery tempers. It just doesn't seem like a very good best friend trio as there's no one to stop them if they get too intense. Nonetheless, they somehow make it work. There's always a voice of reason between the three of them.
This book was a very delightful and quick read. I have to say I had my thoughts on who the murderer was quite early on, but all the extra information throughout the book started to make me doubt myself. I love it when books do that because I tend to have a good sixth sense and the mystery books I've read have rarely thrown me off.
I did have a little bit of concern with regards to Lana and Adam's relationship. I know they are both very mature and don't tend to meddle with each other's affairs... but it just felt like there was barely any spark. Adam also said he'd support her in her endeavours, but he barely showed up. It felt like Lana's friends and acquaintances made more of an appearance. I understand that he's not allowed to outright do any sort of detective work, but it just felt like he barely had "screentime".
September 14, 2026
And Then There Were Bun was such a fun mix of murder, family drama, old grudges, and the kind of humor that made me laugh even when things were getting serious. Lana Lee is exactly the kind of amateur detective who cannot leave a mystery alone, and I honestly enjoyed being inside her head while she tried to figure out what happened. Her thirtieth birthday starts with everyone apparently forgetting her, only for her to walk into a surprise party that brings together almost everyone important in her life. Then her past walks through the door too. Devon showing up was already enough to make Lana uncomfortable, but when he ends up dead, suddenly everyone around her has a reason to be looked at twice. What I really enjoyed was how the investigation kept making me question people I thought I understood. Lana and Megan trying to piece things together felt especially entertaining because they did not always agree, and their arguments sometimes made me laugh more than the actual jokes. There is also a lot going on with Adam, the police investigation, Lana’s family, and the people around Asia Village, so the mystery never feels completely separate from her personal life. I also appreciated that Lana is not suddenly turned into some perfect detective. She makes assumptions, gets things wrong, follows her instincts, and sometimes puts herself in situations where I wanted to yell at her to stop. The final part brought everything together in a way that made the earlier clues matter. By the end, I was smiling at the humor while also feeling relieved that Lana and Megan made it through everything. This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery with plenty of personality.
September 10, 2026
There’s just something about this series that keeps pulling me back in. At this point, I’ve been with Vivien Chien since book one, so yes, I fully admit I give her a little grace when a story wobbles. But this time? No wobble. This novel hit every single point I look for in a Noodle Shop mystery.
The characters felt like they were hitting their stride again. The snarky humor was back, a bit of history bubbled up, the agents of chaos, also known as the Mahjong Matrons, arrived right on cue, and all of Lana’s friends and family showed up for her, not just for her birthday, but before she had to send out a bat signal. That’s one of my favorite things about this series: Lana never really goes it alone; her circle is there for her no matter what.
From the start, it’s clear who will be set up for putting the body in the dumpster. But let’s be honest, Vivien Chien would never cancel a main character this way. So off we go, racing alongside Lana and her friends to figure out what really happened and how fast they can untangle the mess. And yes, there was a twist I absolutely didn’t see. I love when a cozy mystery manages to sneak one past me.
As for what’s next for Lana? Who knows. But if history is any indication, we can count on donuts, giggles, shenanigans, and at least one moment where Lana wonders how she got herself into this again.
The characters felt like they were hitting their stride again. The snarky humor was back, a bit of history bubbled up, the agents of chaos, also known as the Mahjong Matrons, arrived right on cue, and all of Lana’s friends and family showed up for her, not just for her birthday, but before she had to send out a bat signal. That’s one of my favorite things about this series: Lana never really goes it alone; her circle is there for her no matter what.
From the start, it’s clear who will be set up for putting the body in the dumpster. But let’s be honest, Vivien Chien would never cancel a main character this way. So off we go, racing alongside Lana and her friends to figure out what really happened and how fast they can untangle the mess. And yes, there was a twist I absolutely didn’t see. I love when a cozy mystery manages to sneak one past me.
As for what’s next for Lana? Who knows. But if history is any indication, we can count on donuts, giggles, shenanigans, and at least one moment where Lana wonders how she got herself into this again.
September 12, 2026
This is the 13th installment of the The Noodle House Mysteries and I love it as much as the very first one I read. They always leaving me wanting more time with Lana Lee. I am in love with this series and look forward to it each installment.
It's Lana Lee's 3oth birthday and she thinks everyone has forgotten it but soon realizes all her family and friends have thrown her a surprise party. Everyone is there, even her detective boyfriend Adam who has been tied up lately with a hush hush case. An unwanted ex-boyfriend shows up and ends up being asked to leave. Later, he will be found in the dumpster behind Ho Lee Noodle House and Adam ends up being the prime suspect and has been put on leave from the police department. Lana needs to find who else might have wanted Devon dead and there's a few suspects. Lana and her best friend Meghan need to put their sleuthing skills to work and find out who did this.
I was sucked in from page one. Vivien Chien writes such great characters. They are funny, caring and spending time with them is like a hug. The mystery is good too. It kept me turning the pages until the end. My only complaint is the same one I have had with the other installments. I want another one now! LOL
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins/Minotaur Books for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
It's Lana Lee's 3oth birthday and she thinks everyone has forgotten it but soon realizes all her family and friends have thrown her a surprise party. Everyone is there, even her detective boyfriend Adam who has been tied up lately with a hush hush case. An unwanted ex-boyfriend shows up and ends up being asked to leave. Later, he will be found in the dumpster behind Ho Lee Noodle House and Adam ends up being the prime suspect and has been put on leave from the police department. Lana needs to find who else might have wanted Devon dead and there's a few suspects. Lana and her best friend Meghan need to put their sleuthing skills to work and find out who did this.
I was sucked in from page one. Vivien Chien writes such great characters. They are funny, caring and spending time with them is like a hug. The mystery is good too. It kept me turning the pages until the end. My only complaint is the same one I have had with the other installments. I want another one now! LOL
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins/Minotaur Books for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
August 29, 2026
Lana Lee is turning 30 and doesn't know there's a party of all her friends awaiting her. Her college ex-boyfriend being one of those guests, especially. Her current boyfriend, Detective Adam Trudeau has some choice words exchanged with the unwanted guest who turns up dead later that night. Now Adam is off the case and Lana has to put her sleuthing ways to good use to clear his name, if he's really innocent?
I enjoyed And Then There Were Bun. I guessed the killer this time, but was open to theories and speculation on other possibilities. I was surprised Ian didn't put himself more into this book, but at least he and Donna made an appearance.
I listened to the audiobook the day after release, and Megan was really annoying and hyped up this book. I got an ARC ebook copy halfway through, and I think if I was reading rather than listening I *might* have been less annoyed. I guess I'm just used to her being at the bar more than right by Lana's side. It was a good read and I hope there are many more to come.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance reader copy.
#AndThenThereWereBun #NetGalley
I enjoyed And Then There Were Bun. I guessed the killer this time, but was open to theories and speculation on other possibilities. I was surprised Ian didn't put himself more into this book, but at least he and Donna made an appearance.
I listened to the audiobook the day after release, and Megan was really annoying and hyped up this book. I got an ARC ebook copy halfway through, and I think if I was reading rather than listening I *might* have been less annoyed. I guess I'm just used to her being at the bar more than right by Lana's side. It was a good read and I hope there are many more to come.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advance reader copy.
#AndThenThereWereBun #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1.5 - I made the mistake of getting this arc on NetGalley without cross-checking other sites. The NetGalley synopsis did not mention this was part of an armchair detective series, which I do not enjoy reading. I was excited to see Asian representation in the mystery/thriller space, but I cringe when it's overdone with only the Asian last names being repeated and portrayal of a stereotypical Asian space. Bias aside, I'm also not a fan of books where every person is a suspect. I don't know how the rest of this series reads, but if it was anything like this one, this is the most toxic friend group to be in. The protagonist Lana was also celebrating her 30th birthday, but her dialogue and actions were reminiscent of a high school or college student (i.e. Holly Jackson's Good Girl's Guide). I would only recommend And Then There Were Bun to readers who are cozy mystery fans and/or who are already enjoying the Noodle Shop Mystery series.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Vivien Chien for the ARC of this book.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Vivien Chien for the ARC of this book.
August 29, 2026
I’ve read this whole series, and even though I love the characters & setting, and the plots are really good, I didn’t like this one as much. I think part of the reason is that the last couple of books, Adam has given his blessing for Lana to do her own detective work along with her friends, and I don’t think that rings as true as when she was doing it more on the sly. Most of the reason is because if he really loves her, why would he want her to put herself in harm’s way, which she often does? I also don’t think most professional detectives want amateurs poking their nose into police business. This isn’t the only cozy series to do this, but I’m just a little disappointed that it has ended up going in this way. It feels like it has strayed a bit from reality. I won’t give up on the series, but I ended up using the audio from the library and putting it on 2.5 speed in order to get through this book. I usually only do that when I want it to be over. I might hold off on buying the next book in the series—I might just get it from the library instead.
September 10, 2026
Lana is turning thirty and just when she thinks everyone has forgotten, Megan has dinner out planned. When Adam can’t make it due to a work commitment, Megan decides to make it a girls night. But Surprise! It’s really a party at Ho Lee Noodle House that was planned all along.
The only problem is, Lana’s ex shows up at the party, gets kicked out, then ends up dead in the restaurant’s dumpster…and Adam is the prime suspect! Can Lana and the gang clear Adam’s name? She knows Adam isn’t a dirty cop and will give the killer a run for their money, as long as they don’t get her first!
OOOH, this was one of the best ones in the series yet! It delved deeper into a few of the supporting characters too and I love watching their loves evolve with each new entry. I come for the mysteries and stay for the noodles…legit, I have to order some every time I read an entry in this series. Both are delicious!
The only problem is, Lana’s ex shows up at the party, gets kicked out, then ends up dead in the restaurant’s dumpster…and Adam is the prime suspect! Can Lana and the gang clear Adam’s name? She knows Adam isn’t a dirty cop and will give the killer a run for their money, as long as they don’t get her first!
OOOH, this was one of the best ones in the series yet! It delved deeper into a few of the supporting characters too and I love watching their loves evolve with each new entry. I come for the mysteries and stay for the noodles…legit, I have to order some every time I read an entry in this series. Both are delicious!
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