A Bitter Feast

Lydia Chin & Bill Smith #5

by S.J. Rozan

It’s Lydia Chin’s turn to go underground, as the Chinese-American P.I. investigates a case that strikes at the heart of Chinatown’s dangerously shifting power structure.

Four restaurant workers, including a union organizer, have disappeared, and the union’s lawyer hires Lydia to find them. But when a bomb shatters the Chinese Restaurant Workers’ Union headquarters, killing one of the missing men and injuring the lawyer, Lydia is summoned by the prime suspect, one of Chinatown’s most powerful men, to continue the search–on his payroll. With backup from her partner Bill Smith, Lydia goes undercover as a dim sum waitress, slinging steamed dumplings while dodging a lethal conflict between the old and the new orders, and searching for the missing waiters and their deadly secret–before someone serves them their last supper…

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary, Asia, Hard Boiled

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

SJ Rozan, a native New Yorker, is the author of the Bill Smith and Lydia Chin detective series as well as several stand-alone novels. She has won the the Edgar, Nero, Macavity, Shamus and Anthony awards for Best Novel and the Edgar award for Best Short Story. She is a former Mystery Writers of America National Board member, a current Sisters in Crime National Board member, and President of the Private Eye Writers of America. In January 2003 she was an invited speaker at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. In February 2005 she will be Guest of Honor at the Left Coast Crime convention in El Paso, Texas. A former architect in a practice that focussed on police stations, firehouses, and zoos, SJ Rozan was born and raised in the Bronx. She currently lives in Greenwich Village, New York. (from the author's website)"
S.J. Rozan has a B.A. from Oberlin College and M.Arch from SUNY/Buffalo

Reviews

[Lukasz Pruski · Rating 3 out of 5]

"[...] threadbare and thin villagers choose cold, hungry, two-month trips in the lowest holds of cargo ships, all packed in the same windowless, rolling room, breathing stale air, never coming on deck, for their chance to work sixteen hours a day on the slopes of Gold Mountain [...]"

My fifth novel by S.J. Rozan - and coincidentally the fifth installment in the Chin/Smith series - has turned out to be a pleasant surprise. The amazingly good Winter and Night set the expectations bar pretty high and the next three novels that I have read and reviewed here on Goodreads were disappointments. Luckily in A Bitter Feast (1998) the author is back to form with an interesting, well-written, and almost cliché-free novel.

The plot opens with a strong scene: members of the Chinese Restaurant Workers' Union are marching for "Justice and a Living Wage" and picketing the Dragon Garden restaurant. Lydia Chin's friend hires her to look for four Dragon Garden employees who disappeared. Since one of them has been an union organizer it is quite likely that the disappearance is related to the labor issues. Other clues also point to a powerful Chinese businessman, H.B. Yang, as having connections to the case.

Soon the pace of the plot picks up, Lydia is assaulted in her office, her employment is terminated, but in a strange twist she is almost instantaneously re-hired by Mr. Yang himself to continue her assignment. Lydia goes undercover as a dim sum lady in the Dragon Garden restaurant. In the meantime a bomb explodes in the union headquarters, and some connections with government agencies begin to emerge. The ending is a bit hard to follow because of several meandering conversations, but relatively plausible until the cinematic climax occurs with its mandatory shootout. Why, oh why?

Despite the silly and pointless shootout I like the book quite a lot: there is much more in it than just a clever criminal plot. The reader is bound to appreciate all the hardships of Chinese immigrants' lives. The oblique, allusive, circuitous ways of Chinese conversations are portrayed convincingly and the reader can even learn a little bit about a dim sum place as seen from the waitress' side. But, most of all, Lydia Chin is a really compelling character who comes across as a real person, with her various quirks and biases. Bill Smith is more in the background in this novel, which is a plus because his character has so far felt not quite convincing. Had the author omitted the gunplay I would have rounded the rating up.

Three and a half stars.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars This is the fifth book in this fabulous PI series and features Lydia Chin's case - finding 4 missing Chinese waiters who had been involved in an attempt to organize Chinese restaurant workers into a labor union. There are many twists and turns, immigration, drugs, governments. As always, Rozan delivers an excellent crime story and investigation. I love how Lydia and Bill work together and joke back and forth. One of the things that really make this series special is the Chinese culture, food, and history. I really feel immersed in Chinatown and life there. A delightful escape.

[Hobart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
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Throughout this book -- but especially in the first chapter -- if you don't feel the foreign-ness, the other-ness, of Lydia's Chinatown, you aren't reading it right. Which doesn't really make it different from the other books in this series that are from Lydia's POV, it just seemed particularly strong in this one.

There's more than a clash of cultures with this case -- there's a clash of generations. Between those who think like transplanted Chinese, and those who think like American Born Chinese. Some restaurant workers are trying to unionize, and some owners (who may or may not have less-legitimate other businesses) aren't too keen on it. There are some bullets and some bombs involved -- which is pretty much where Lydia comes in. If she can identify, once and for all, who is taking this clash and making it violent, it can be stopped (and, well, the other side will probably end up carrying the day).

I'm not really certain that I need a case -- or a plot -- I could read a short novel-length work of Lydia and Bill just chatting over tea and espresso. Outside of Wolfe and Archie -- or maybe early Spenser and Hawk -- I can't think of two charcters I enjoy "listening" to more conversing with each other.

Narrative-wise and character-wise there's nothing particularly interesting here, instead it's just what you expect from a Lydia Chin book. Good, solid entertainment from a very reliable author.

[Julie Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a return to the quality of the first Lydia Chin story. I liked this much more than Mandarin Plaid, the previous Lydia book. The setting of Chinese immigrants, Chinese associations, and the restaurants was interesting and made a good backdrop for the mystery. As many others have mentioned I wish the romantic attraction between Bill and Lydia would either come to fruition or break off. Enough with hints, occasional kisses, and double entendres.

[Katherine Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3 and 1/2 stars. This is number 5 in the series, and it features Lydia Chin. I liked it--this one dealt with labor and class issues and in effect, what it means to be Chinese. I love how Rozan is layering in Chinese-American history. It is also a powerful discussion and description about immigration, especially relevant now.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5
I've enjoyed this series, with every other book focusing on either Lydia or Bill. In this one it's Lydia's turn. There was great insight into the Chinese-American culuture in NYC during the late 90s. However, this book was Slow (notice the capital "S"). Too bad because I had a history of four previous books with Chin and Smith. I'm invested in the pair, hoping they will get together while keeping the mysteries and the action coming. This one fell a little flat.

[Ktbird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like the protagonist of this novel is always disappointing her mom, I disappointed mine by reading this book in the series out of order. I enjoyed the setting and cultural immersion/explanation, and look forward to spending more time with Lydia and Bill, an endearing, supportive, and subtle couple/partnership.

[F Mya Loveland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book had a good story line and a thick plot to it but I honestly couldn't really get into the book, it got confusing at times. This book was something that I probably wouldn't want to read again but I really liked the intense mystery it held.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

My cup of tea--literally! S.J. Rozan brings my Chinese culture to life and serves up a dish laden with intrigue, mystery, and humor. Authentic characters, vivid Chinatown setting, winding plot, and a protagonist who loves tea as much as I do. Perfect.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

both interesting and irritating for the same reason. it is describing chinese interactions in the US, which was interesting but also irritating because of all the forced deference and the dismal treatment of women, which was taken for granted.

[Nolan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'll continue with this series, but this one left me bored, restless, and yearning for the back cover. Too many non-English names to keep track of, and I wasn't invested enough to care. The author gets one more chance. Life's too short to slog through a substandard book.

[Sofia Rohlman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was pretty good! An easy and captivating read! The characters were well built and the story was easy to follow, but not too easy where the ending is expected. I would totally read another one of this series

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the whole series. S. J. Rozan is a fantastic writer and there isn't another crime/mystery series like the Lydia and Bill series.

[Susan W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do like this series. Strong interesting characters and solid plot. NYC Chinatown. Why I do wonder where is book 6 and why are only the first 4 available as ebooks.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started a little slow, but by the end I was invested in the characters and would read another.

[Kat]

CCL hardcover

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid entry in the series.

[Woman Reading (is away exploring) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟 (rounded up)

I liked that Ms. Rozan made distinctions among all the "Chinese" players. There are vast differences based on when and from where immigrants began, as much as Millennials and Gen Xers are separated by time.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Setting – China town,

Themes – old ways vs new ways (neither necessarily good), family, tradition

Characters –
Lydia and Bill – moving toward a partnership, both personal and professional…

H.B. Yang aka Yang Hao-Bing – old ways – informal leader in Chinatown, advisor to mayor, his boats carry immigrants from China, and they work in his factories and restaurants – they brought over Lydia’s father, and her father worked for him for a time as cook. Uses ‘thugs’ to keep people in line… his name used to keep children in line.

Duke aka Lo Da-Qi – new ways – gangster in China, making a name for himself in Chinatown… smuggling illegal immigrants and drugs in Yang’s boats – pleased to be duping Yang, politicizing to make Yang look bad and to step into his shoes.

Peter aka Lee Bi-Da – Lydia’s friend since grade school. A liberal lawyer. Working with Warren Tan to organize unions in Chinatown. He asks for Lydia to bear witness to a strike at one of Yang’s restaurants, but nothing bad happens.

Warren Tan – of the neighborhood – he has a heart something since a child and is living on borrowed time. He is educated, and he is working to start unions for the Chinese workers in Chinatown. He is disappointed the main unions won’t back the.

Plot –
4 recent immigrants, roommates, and coworkers at Yang’s restaurant disappear – two are union. Peter talks to Lydia about it, and she volunteers to look into it. Then Yang hires her to look into it. And the state department is looking into it.

Bit by bit Lydia and Bill figure out what’s going on… along the way Peter is in an explosion in the union basement room, and though he survives, one of the 4 immigrants dies; Lydia is tied up & threatened to stop looking;

The 4 came over together, and one found the hidden bag of drugs and takes it off the ship… When Duke finds out, he threatens them and they go into hiding (in Yang’s basement, without Yang’s knowledge)… the one killed in the explosion was going to Peter to find a way out of their dilemma.

Lydia finds them, takes them to safety, and with Bill and Mary (her detective friend and Peter’s girlfriend) ‘trap’ Duke in his lies… and most comes out okay. Duke sent back to China, drugs retrieved, the men safe. But the explosion was set by Warren, who planned it for a time the room would be empty so no one would get hurt, but in trying to get the main union’s support – and it worked. But when Lydia and Mary figure it out and confront him, he has taken an herb in his tea that causes his weak heart to stop beating.

And Lydia has allowed Bill to kiss her quite passionately, and she contemplates staying in his apartment (though not his bed) when she is quite tired, and calls Bill her partner, not her employee. Hmmmm

[aPriL does feral sometimes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever Lydia Chin takes the leading role in #5 of the series. She is everything I wish I was; funny, physically adept and brave, thinks on her feet. She treads the thick boundary between the first generation of Chinatown immigrants and the born in America Chinese children with diplomacy, affection and deep understanding of her culture. While she is solving a case, as usual the reader is allowed a peak into Chinese sensibilities and the history behind them.

In the contest between two strongmen of Chinatown, one having built his empire over 40 years and the other new to the United States yet having mysteriously established quickly a new dangerous gang of henchman challenging the authority of the other, Chinatown is disturbed by an unaffiliated Union recruitment organizer involving both strongmen which exposes secrets to the police neither crime boss wants known. Family and friends inadvertently pull Lydia from acting as an adviser on Chinatown politics and finding missing men into a hidden world of competitive smuggling of Chinese undocumented workers and drugs by the strongmen, both willing to murder to keep their power. Unexpectedly, others with dubious credentials interject themselves in Lydia's and Bill's investigation, and who to trust adds to the difficulty Lydia has in satisfying her feelings of loyalty to her own family and their past, without losing her investigator's license.

A terribly convoluted plot guaranteed to satisfy all lovers of contemporary mysteries, while learning something about Chinatown life. Next to 'Concourse', this is one of my favorites in the series so far.

[Onur · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want real excitement, I have a book for you. “A Bitter Feast”, carries action at high quality with the series’ mystifying characters Lydia Chin and Bill Smith.
A Bitter Feast by S.J. Rozan with a Shamus Award and its genre is dedective literature. The target audience is the people who like dedective stories, most likely young adults. The setting is Chinatown, NY. I choose this book because when I looked at the cover page, this book made me want to read. Then I read the book for a little while, I understand this was a good book. The major theme is self abandonment. Lydia sacrifices herself to find four person she doesn't even know.In the book, Lydia tries to find the missing young restaurant worker and his missing roommates. Suddenly, she finds herself in a big conflict including NYPD, the New York Labor Council, federal agents, drug dealers, Immigration and Naturalization Service and rival restaurant owners. She had many threats during the story, even death. Her friend Bill Smith supports her as she starts the research diguising like a worker in Chinatown. I like that as the book goes on, the author builds up the conflict very well.I found the ending not so well, it wasn’t enough for that kind of book. It is similar to many books I’ve read before because generally I read dedective stories. I would suggest a much better ending to finish the book in an unpredictable way to make this book a 5-star book.

[Linda Lombardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for two of the stupidest reasons ever:
1. I had read one book in this series, and couldn't remember if I liked it enough to read another; and
2. When I was messing around looking at the author's other books on my Kindle, I bought it by accident.

Since (1) happened because I never got around to posting a review here, let me at least leave this note to myself: "You liked this well enough to read another one, idiot."

It's not perfect - I feel like I can see the machinery turning too much in some ways, not in the plot so much as the characterization being kind of belabored (the protagonist in a book like this sometimes needs to be given motivation to do reckless things) and certain things about the details of the writing. And the romantic tension with the main character's partner isn't made interesting enough so it's just irritating - another of those characterization things that feels like it's put in just because it's expected. But I am a sucker for the Chinatown setting and the plot moves well - there's an interesting revelation at the right intervals to keep you involved.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed the Lydia Chin mysteries. This is an early one and it didn't work as well for me. The plot concerned the disappearance of 4 Chinese nationals smuggled in to the country. Lydia is hired to find them by a local restaurant owner (and acknowledged "head" of the Chinese community). Lydia suspects the interference of another restaurant owner who wants to take over the power position. And then there are the Feds who show their presence for reasons Lydia doesn't figure out until the end. This one is a little confusing to me. I had a harder time sorting out the people and keeping them straight. But I like her moxie (is that an appropriate word for a female Chinese private investigator?).

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent mystery set in Chinatown in NYC. Lydia Chin is the young PI, along with her employee/partner Bill Smith. In A Bitter Feast, Lydia tells the story in first person (other Chin/Smith mysteries have Bill as the narrator, although I haven't read one of those yet). The Chinatown setting with its myriad customs is as much a character in the story as the actual people. The dialog is sharp and clever, and the story involving waiters legally and illegally immigrating to the US, union organization, turf wars and drug smuggling is complex, but Rozan never loses control of it. Highly recommended.

[Deb Oestreicher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lydia Chin is engaged to find four Chinese restaurant workers who have disappeared, against the backdrop of an ongoing unionization effort being supported by her best friend's boyfriend, an attorney. Are the workers victims of an unscrupulous restaurant owner? She goes undercover as a dim sum lady to find out more. One of the most fascinating aspects of this story is the discussion of Chinatown's various immigrant subcultures.

Of course, Bill Smith has a role in this, too, but possibly his favorite is posing as Lydia Chin's husband.

Another good one from SJ Rozan.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entry in the Lydia Chin/Bill Smith series set in New York’s Chinatown, is told from Lydia’s point of view. Four restaurant workers, including a union organizer, have disappeared, and the union's lawyer hires Lydia to find them. When a bomb explodes at the union’s headquarters, killing one of the missing men; she decides to go undercover at the restaurant as a dim sum waitress. This series (the Lydia half) is becoming one of my favorites with the complex dynamics between the characters and the cutting-edge social issues that entangle the plot.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series about two New York P.I.'s - Lydia Chinn and her sometimes partner Bill Smith. Lydia is an American born Chinese living with her mother in Chinatown. Bill is a hard boiled New Yorker. Their chemistry is undeniable. In this story Lydia is looking for 4 missing waiters from a local Chinese restaurant. The workers have been talking of unionizing. Power struggles in the Chinatown hierarchy, drug dealing, and smuggling people from China add up to a satisfying mystery. A great read.

[T · Rating 2 out of 5]

This episode was a little slower for me....Lydia takes the helm on trying to find 4 missing waiters amidst an attempt to unionize the Chinese restaurant workers. Her friend Peter first involves her as he is legal counsel to the union organizers, then a restaurant owner asks for her help in trying to find his missing waiters. And then there's Lydia's police detective friend Mary, who is also legal counsel Peter's girl friend. There's also the local Chinese gang figures who might be protecting the restaurants or running their own illegal scams. What's going on and who's who?

[Richard Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as engaging as the other Rozan books that we have read recently.

Four workers at a Chinese restaurant go missing. Is this about the union? About Chinatown politics? Something bigger involving the government? Drugs?

A lot of players with unclear agendas and relationships. No one that we get close enough to to really care about.

And a lot of loose ends at the end.

Not a bad read but not her best.

[Lian Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't work out which of the Rozan books I like more - the ones written from Bill's pov or the ones written from Lydia Chin's pov. This one is Lydia, and the details of Chinatown and its mores add to the great writing to create another fascinating story. Plus of course the very slow moving relationship between Lydia and Bill and the question of whether they will or will not eventually get together ...