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Raina Sun Mystery #1-3
Raina Sun Mysteries: Books 1-3
This set includes the first 3 books in the Raina Sun Cozy Mystery Series. For readers who like cozy mysteries, quirky characters, a dash of humor, and Chinese-American culture.
Raining Men and Corpses
Graduate student Raina Sun is trying to keep her head above water as the bills roll in when her dashing college adviser cons her out of several months of rent. But her quest to get her money back sets into a motion a streak of bad luck.
First, she finds the dead body of an ex-lover and becomes the prime suspect to his murder. The only man she ever loved reappears as the lead detective to the case and wants to reignite their passion (or at least he’s sending out smoke signals).
Her life careens out of control as her grandma moves into Raina’s postage-stamp-sized apartment, dragging a red suitcase and trouble. Raina summons her sleuthing skills to extract herself before things get dicey. There is no place for an amateur when it comes to murder.
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers
Graduate student Raina Sun thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she volunteered to take the new foreign exchange student shopping on the last weekend before Christmas. But between a riot for the last hot toy of the season and an abandoned baby, the holiday is a season for mayhem, and sometimes it doesn’t pay to be a Good Samaritan.
She wants to reunite the infant with his family, but calling the mysterious phone number in the diaper bag leads to more questions than answers. A strange man claims to be the child’s father, and his alleged mother turns up dead.
Raina summons her sleuthing skills to protect this baby and soon discovers everyone has a few skeletons in their closets. With her pimp-cane-toting grandma, she faces an ex-boyfriend bringing sexy back as well as a murderer determined to hide the truth.
Breezy Friends and Bodies
Raina Sun thought cleaning her grandma's house in San Francisco to prepare for Chinese New Year would be a breeze. Instead, she finds her deceased grandfather’s secret journal and ends up French kissing the train tracks in a mugging incident.
After putting the move on her grandma, her grandfather’s BFF took an elevator ride straight to the Heavenly Gates. And the second time Raina ends up flat on her back without a man in sight, she suspects the Year of the Monkey would leave her skulking in cold damp places where family secrets are better off dying with the dead.
Raining Men and Corpses
Graduate student Raina Sun is trying to keep her head above water as the bills roll in when her dashing college adviser cons her out of several months of rent. But her quest to get her money back sets into a motion a streak of bad luck.
First, she finds the dead body of an ex-lover and becomes the prime suspect to his murder. The only man she ever loved reappears as the lead detective to the case and wants to reignite their passion (or at least he’s sending out smoke signals).
Her life careens out of control as her grandma moves into Raina’s postage-stamp-sized apartment, dragging a red suitcase and trouble. Raina summons her sleuthing skills to extract herself before things get dicey. There is no place for an amateur when it comes to murder.
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers
Graduate student Raina Sun thought she knew what she was getting herself into when she volunteered to take the new foreign exchange student shopping on the last weekend before Christmas. But between a riot for the last hot toy of the season and an abandoned baby, the holiday is a season for mayhem, and sometimes it doesn’t pay to be a Good Samaritan.
She wants to reunite the infant with his family, but calling the mysterious phone number in the diaper bag leads to more questions than answers. A strange man claims to be the child’s father, and his alleged mother turns up dead.
Raina summons her sleuthing skills to protect this baby and soon discovers everyone has a few skeletons in their closets. With her pimp-cane-toting grandma, she faces an ex-boyfriend bringing sexy back as well as a murderer determined to hide the truth.
Breezy Friends and Bodies
Raina Sun thought cleaning her grandma's house in San Francisco to prepare for Chinese New Year would be a breeze. Instead, she finds her deceased grandfather’s secret journal and ends up French kissing the train tracks in a mugging incident.
After putting the move on her grandma, her grandfather’s BFF took an elevator ride straight to the Heavenly Gates. And the second time Raina ends up flat on her back without a man in sight, she suspects the Year of the Monkey would leave her skulking in cold damp places where family secrets are better off dying with the dead.
641 pages, ebook
First published July 15, 2016
1065 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Anne R. Tan
50 books158 followersAnne R. Tan is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes the Raina Sun Mystery series, the Lucy Fong Mystery series, and the Cedar Woods Mystery series. Her humorous cozy mysteries feature Chinese-American amateur sleuths dealing with love, family, and life while solving murders. Her books feature diverse characters and relationships because everyone deserves to be an armchair detective.
A Note from Anne:
My books are my legacy to my children. Unfortunately, they would not grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area like I did. Without a cultural hub to keep the language and philosophies alive, our family would lose this part of our heritage in one generation. My children are visitors to this rich culture, just like my readers. At its core, I always felt Chinese culture is about family and community. I hope you’ll enjoy your time with Raina Sun, Lucy Fong, and their large dynamic family.
Thank you for supporting my art,
Anne R. Tan
A Note from Anne:
My books are my legacy to my children. Unfortunately, they would not grow up in the San Francisco Bay Area like I did. Without a cultural hub to keep the language and philosophies alive, our family would lose this part of our heritage in one generation. My children are visitors to this rich culture, just like my readers. At its core, I always felt Chinese culture is about family and community. I hope you’ll enjoy your time with Raina Sun, Lucy Fong, and their large dynamic family.
Thank you for supporting my art,
Anne R. Tan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
February 13, 2021
Grandmother to the rescue
These are good stories with good characters especially PO PO the grandmother. I did have trouble with feeling a part of the story.
These are good stories with good characters especially PO PO the grandmother. I did have trouble with feeling a part of the story.
Read
January 17, 2022I liked these books. They were fun. PoPo was a scream. I can just picture her. I think anyone would enjoy reading these books.
June 4, 2020
Wow! So, I am not a lover of cliffhangers (especially the 3rd book), but I am COMPLETELY sucked into this series. Raina and Po Po are AMAZING, amusing, and a worthwhile pair to trail after. Like a twist of 007/ Mr Bean/ Sherlock Holmes/Murder She Wrote/ Matlock. Crazy and oh so fun. Their adventures are unlike ANY I have ever encountered. Descriptions of places, scenes, emotions, and conflicts are culturally interesting, pertinent to family dynamics, and tangible/seen/felt. While there are a few adult/ spiritualism and superstition/ mentions of drinking drugs abuse, this series is quite an avalanche of well written situations. It kind of falls between cozy mystery and a step up from cozy mystery, I think. Mystery, humor, adventure, and drama- all combined into one!
Looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
One thing that was odd to me were some twists in some of the details between book 1 and 2/3. Kind of threw me, and distracted my reading, but I do not regret continuing reading anyway.
Looking forward to reading the next books in the series.
One thing that was odd to me were some twists in some of the details between book 1 and 2/3. Kind of threw me, and distracted my reading, but I do not regret continuing reading anyway.
February 8, 2017
Book 1: Raining Men and Corpses
Raina Sun knows that she is strong and can handle anything the world throws at her - usually, but it’s a bit overwhelming when so many things are happening at once.
Raina’s trying to determine the best approach to ask her Student Advisor to repay the money she loaned him! He keeps making excuses to avoid his obligation. Finally, in desperation, Raina says she's pregnant and immediately knows she will regret it. Before he can respond, they are interrupted and the Advisor takes off. When she next sees him, he is ill and winds up dead before the night is over. Naturally, Raina is the prime suspect.
Now it is up to Po Po, Raina’s unexpected house guest and loving / helpful grandmother, and Po Po's “gang” of senior citizens to help Raina find the real murderer and clear Raina's name.
The story is extremely fast-paced with enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the very end.
Book 2: Gusty Lovers and Cadavers
Raina Sun is your everyday young lady doing last minute Christmas shopping with Po Po, her maternal grandmother. A young Chinese woman asks Raina to hold her infant son while she uses the restroom, but when the mother does not return Raina and Po Po’s adventure begins.
Raina has her hands full, trying to work and searching for the baby’s mother. Meanwhile, Po Po is trying to help Raina and both are working to ensure their traditional Christmas dinner goes smoothly. Raina also has a secret she has to keep from the family because of a promise she made to her now deceased grandfather.
An excellent story, well told with enough twists, turns, antagonists and protagonists to keep you in your seat and the book open!
Book 3: Breezy Friends and Bodies
Raina Sun is visiting San Francisco to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year with her family.
The night of Raina’s niece’s second birthday, Raina is mugged and her purse is stolen. To top it off, she is almost run over by a BART train, and the next morning her “Uncle Martin” is found dead. Suddenly, Raina finds that she is being followed. The local triad chief and everybody else seems to want something from her. The lead Detective on the case is hounding her for information, as well as a date.
What else could happen? Po Po wants Raina to investigate “Uncle Martin’s” death and to find out what Ah Gong was doing in China in 1962. Raina seems to attract trouble like a magnet.
This book has believable characters, a complex plot with lots of twists and turns to mimic everyday life. The excitement starts with the first page and leaves you wanting more.
To add even more to the mix, Ms. Tan includes tidbits of Chinese culture.
Raina Sun knows that she is strong and can handle anything the world throws at her - usually, but it’s a bit overwhelming when so many things are happening at once.
Raina’s trying to determine the best approach to ask her Student Advisor to repay the money she loaned him! He keeps making excuses to avoid his obligation. Finally, in desperation, Raina says she's pregnant and immediately knows she will regret it. Before he can respond, they are interrupted and the Advisor takes off. When she next sees him, he is ill and winds up dead before the night is over. Naturally, Raina is the prime suspect.
Now it is up to Po Po, Raina’s unexpected house guest and loving / helpful grandmother, and Po Po's “gang” of senior citizens to help Raina find the real murderer and clear Raina's name.
The story is extremely fast-paced with enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the very end.
Book 2: Gusty Lovers and Cadavers
Raina Sun is your everyday young lady doing last minute Christmas shopping with Po Po, her maternal grandmother. A young Chinese woman asks Raina to hold her infant son while she uses the restroom, but when the mother does not return Raina and Po Po’s adventure begins.
Raina has her hands full, trying to work and searching for the baby’s mother. Meanwhile, Po Po is trying to help Raina and both are working to ensure their traditional Christmas dinner goes smoothly. Raina also has a secret she has to keep from the family because of a promise she made to her now deceased grandfather.
An excellent story, well told with enough twists, turns, antagonists and protagonists to keep you in your seat and the book open!
Book 3: Breezy Friends and Bodies
Raina Sun is visiting San Francisco to celebrate the traditional Chinese New Year with her family.
The night of Raina’s niece’s second birthday, Raina is mugged and her purse is stolen. To top it off, she is almost run over by a BART train, and the next morning her “Uncle Martin” is found dead. Suddenly, Raina finds that she is being followed. The local triad chief and everybody else seems to want something from her. The lead Detective on the case is hounding her for information, as well as a date.
What else could happen? Po Po wants Raina to investigate “Uncle Martin’s” death and to find out what Ah Gong was doing in China in 1962. Raina seems to attract trouble like a magnet.
This book has believable characters, a complex plot with lots of twists and turns to mimic everyday life. The excitement starts with the first page and leaves you wanting more.
To add even more to the mix, Ms. Tan includes tidbits of Chinese culture.
November 14, 2022
Great start to an amazing series. Relationships grow deeper and stories get more complex the farther you go into the series. Centers on Raina and the mysteries. Yes there are love interests and amazing men, but this series centers on Raina’s growth. Nice to see female characters keep center stage and deal with more issues than the men in her life. Very relatable and woman forward.
June 21, 2023
Zippy Fun Mystery Set
I enjoyed reading the 1st 3 books In this cozy mystery series.
Raina is secretly smart, full of surprises and her fun relationship with her grandma will keep you guessing what they'll come up with next to solve a mystery!
I enjoyed reading the 1st 3 books In this cozy mystery series.
Raina is secretly smart, full of surprises and her fun relationship with her grandma will keep you guessing what they'll come up with next to solve a mystery!
February 5, 2022
Fantastic!
Absolutely loved your books! Raina Sun & her family especially Po Po kept me riveted to my tablet! Fantastic author!
Absolutely loved your books! Raina Sun & her family especially Po Po kept me riveted to my tablet! Fantastic author!
February 15, 2022
Chinese humor
Fun and inviting characters, great culture references. I would recommend this to the you guys and old at heart. Fun.
Fun and inviting characters, great culture references. I would recommend this to the you guys and old at heart. Fun.
June 6, 2022
Very interesting
This was very good reading. Really enjoyed. Keep me wanting to keep reading to find out how it ended. Loved reading the first 3 books.
This was very good reading. Really enjoyed. Keep me wanting to keep reading to find out how it ended. Loved reading the first 3 books.
April 6, 2020
Tight knit Plots
Great fast moving plots; easy encompassing reads; fills a needed during national lockdown; all three are great reads. Thank you, Anne Tan.
Great fast moving plots; easy encompassing reads; fills a needed during national lockdown; all three are great reads. Thank you, Anne Tan.
September 26, 2020
I totally enjoy this series! Raina is a sweet, qwirky character who, with the assistance of her adored grandmother, logics & sometimes stumbles her way thru the mysteries to solutions. I am primarily a book in hand reader. It takes a ready engaging story to convince me to read on my phone's Kindle. The Raina Sun Mysteries broke thru my reticence, & caught me up in Raina's world! I am looking forward to the next books in the series!
October 16, 2021
Series books one to three Raina Sun
Book one felt as if there should have something before it, but was so intriguing that when it was done I was hooked. Book two was funny and made me want more. Book three brought more family into play, a new boyfriend for Raina, but is he really? Finding new clues to Ah Ghong's mystery secret still plays out, what's next?
Book one felt as if there should have something before it, but was so intriguing that when it was done I was hooked. Book two was funny and made me want more. Book three brought more family into play, a new boyfriend for Raina, but is he really? Finding new clues to Ah Ghong's mystery secret still plays out, what's next?
May 11, 2020
Anne Tans' books are great reads. Her characters are so real to me. I can picture clumsy Rain in my mind and I am going through her life with her. PoPo is wonderful. I want her for my Grandmother even though I am not Chinese. All 3 books have a different train to follow but they are always about her extensive family in San Francisco. Rain moved to a small town to go back to school for a Masters degree buy PoPo purchased a condo there and the two of them find enough trouble to fill up a number of books. PoPo thinks she is a detective because she watches so many of TV. She is always mixing up new stink bombs with the help of a young man. Her condo is in a Senior Home and her friends are always helping her to the rue of Rain. The 3 books took me a while to read but I kept wanting to see what happens with Mathew, Rain's life long boy friend who will not commit. You will not be disappointed.
September 3, 2020
Very good
These 3 books kept me laughing and drawing up waiting to see what was going to happen next. Ordering next
These 3 books kept me laughing and drawing up waiting to see what was going to happen next. Ordering next
August 31, 2020
I read the first two of these mysteries and realized I'd buy them all. The characters are unique and well-drawn. Good mysteries. Enjoyed how the heroine's culture played into the story line. And the grandmother is definitely fun. Nice to see older people depicted as active and helpful and integral to the stories.
January 20, 2017
Raining Men and Corpses (Raina Sun Mystery #1)
The grad student with problems. A murder of a colleague. Reappearance of ex husband who is lead detective on the case. A best friend/reporter who just steamrolls over everyone. Family trouble over an inheritance. A sassy Chinese grandmother who appears unannounced on her doorstep and moves right on in--to EVERYTHING.
That's the basics, but the mystery/suspense are well done, and there is fun and snarks throughout. I really enjoyed it!
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers (Raina Sun Mystery #2)
If you're looking for gory stuff and erotica: look elsewhere. If you're looking for a solid mystery with fun characters and lots of situational humor: grab your coffee, sit down, and enjoy! Raina gets put through the wringer by her family while she works to fix things for a tiny baby's future. The mystery is foremost in the story, but since her best sleuthing partner is her Chinese grandmother, the rest just gets folded in. There are lots of suspects and people who turn out not to be what they seem. Well told, and the characters certainly are!
Breezy Friends and Bodies (Raina Sun Mystery #3)
This time Raina is in San Francisco for Chinese New Year when she gets mixed up in another murder investigation. Her PoPo is her sidekick once again, and all kinds of mischief as well as real danger ensue. The insights into Chinese cultural beliefs and practices are fascinating to those of us who have been raised in other ethnic backgrounds. As a cozy mystery, it is really great, with a strong story line and more twists than a mountain road! Each of the books in the series is a stand alone, but they make you want to read all of them!
The grad student with problems. A murder of a colleague. Reappearance of ex husband who is lead detective on the case. A best friend/reporter who just steamrolls over everyone. Family trouble over an inheritance. A sassy Chinese grandmother who appears unannounced on her doorstep and moves right on in--to EVERYTHING.
That's the basics, but the mystery/suspense are well done, and there is fun and snarks throughout. I really enjoyed it!
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers (Raina Sun Mystery #2)
If you're looking for gory stuff and erotica: look elsewhere. If you're looking for a solid mystery with fun characters and lots of situational humor: grab your coffee, sit down, and enjoy! Raina gets put through the wringer by her family while she works to fix things for a tiny baby's future. The mystery is foremost in the story, but since her best sleuthing partner is her Chinese grandmother, the rest just gets folded in. There are lots of suspects and people who turn out not to be what they seem. Well told, and the characters certainly are!
Breezy Friends and Bodies (Raina Sun Mystery #3)
This time Raina is in San Francisco for Chinese New Year when she gets mixed up in another murder investigation. Her PoPo is her sidekick once again, and all kinds of mischief as well as real danger ensue. The insights into Chinese cultural beliefs and practices are fascinating to those of us who have been raised in other ethnic backgrounds. As a cozy mystery, it is really great, with a strong story line and more twists than a mountain road! Each of the books in the series is a stand alone, but they make you want to read all of them!
May 8, 2020
Great stories
Enjoyed tnhe 3part set as they flowed very well. The characters are mostly believeable. You learn some info about Chinese traditions that are interesting. The grandma is so funny you have to love her. Must read. Im going for the next set.
Enjoyed tnhe 3part set as they flowed very well. The characters are mostly believeable. You learn some info about Chinese traditions that are interesting. The grandma is so funny you have to love her. Must read. Im going for the next set.
January 23, 2017
This book bundle is the Raina Sun Cozy Mysteries Box Set, books 1-3, written by Ms Anne R Tan. These stories have the amateur sleuth Raina Sun and her zany Grandma Po Po. The pair of them go from one sticky situation to another so fast that it will leave your head spinning. I love the messes that they find theirselves constantly in and the ninja moves that Po Po uses. This set is great fun and an even greater bundle!! Don't miss your chance at this value!! I received a free copy and voluntarily chose to post a review.
October 20, 2021
Love these books!
Liked the fact it was easy to follow and actually enjoyed learning some of the Japanese customs (even if I don't believe them ). This has A good plot however, I am so disappointed that it ended so abruptly so neither to buy the rest of the series! I do plan on doing that by the way - something I rarely do.
Liked the fact it was easy to follow and actually enjoyed learning some of the Japanese customs (even if I don't believe them ). This has A good plot however, I am so disappointed that it ended so abruptly so neither to buy the rest of the series! I do plan on doing that by the way - something I rarely do.
August 23, 2020
Wow what a great story.
You really are a great writer don't never let anyone say different.You know how to hook a reader into your great work.Thanks for sharing them with me keep it up.
You really are a great writer don't never let anyone say different.You know how to hook a reader into your great work.Thanks for sharing them with me keep it up.
October 9, 2022
Asian family drama with a smile
This set is a great fast paced read. PoPo and Raina are very well written. The drama in the family reminds me of my husband's family who are Chinese Thai.
This set is a great fast paced read. PoPo and Raina are very well written. The drama in the family reminds me of my husband's family who are Chinese Thai.
April 19, 2020
Adventure
Mystery,adventure and culture. Great characters and story. What will the grandmother and granddaughter get into next? What will the secret reveal?
Mystery,adventure and culture. Great characters and story. What will the grandmother and granddaughter get into next? What will the secret reveal?
August 27, 2021
Life is an adventure
Raina and her grandma are sure to be where the action is.
This series is a page turner for the mystery as well as the predicaments they get into.
Raina and her grandma are sure to be where the action is.
This series is a page turner for the mystery as well as the predicaments they get into.
March 26, 2022
Raina Sun
I liked reading these books some times it was a little to wordy. It didn’t always keep my attention but I kept reading to find out who done it.
I liked reading these books some times it was a little to wordy. It didn’t always keep my attention but I kept reading to find out who done it.
March 20, 2021
Very interesting, despite the preachy nature of some of the descriptions of Chinese family and culture. Most was spot on; but a few "in Chinese culture, ....." could better have been shown than explained. A good showing versus explaining example: Raina refers to "Po Po". Later, another greets "Wong Po Po" and PoPo is heartened by the traditional greeting.
The three books got, for me, progressively more confusing. The back-story of Ah Gong's three million dollars seems to take priority over the murder cases and the sleuthing. Perhaps that's the author's intent, but it made it difficult for me to follow the stories. By the end of the 3rd book, I knew I wouldn't be reading 4-6. That seems rather a shame, because I truly enjoyed the unusual (to me) Asian community and culture.
The three books got, for me, progressively more confusing. The back-story of Ah Gong's three million dollars seems to take priority over the murder cases and the sleuthing. Perhaps that's the author's intent, but it made it difficult for me to follow the stories. By the end of the 3rd book, I knew I wouldn't be reading 4-6. That seems rather a shame, because I truly enjoyed the unusual (to me) Asian community and culture.
January 14, 2021
Just No
DNF. I give it 1 star, only because I cannot give it zero. Pushover main character, dumb and emotionally at age of 15. Toxic relationship with ex boyfriend/husband who treats her like dirt and she still throws herself at him each time. Her relatives bully her for a lie she maintains and instead of telling the truth she internalizes her issues. Her investigative skills are somehow better, but still not enough to compensate for the lack of sense of the MC.
DNF. I give it 1 star, only because I cannot give it zero. Pushover main character, dumb and emotionally at age of 15. Toxic relationship with ex boyfriend/husband who treats her like dirt and she still throws herself at him each time. Her relatives bully her for a lie she maintains and instead of telling the truth she internalizes her issues. Her investigative skills are somehow better, but still not enough to compensate for the lack of sense of the MC.
July 9, 2025
I have loved this series so far. It is very easy to read with interesting stories and loveable characters, especially Po Po. Who wouldn't want a grandmother like her? I liked the insight into Chinese culture and the fact that the main character is far from perfect, too. The author has a nice style of writing, and I will definitely read more. My only negative comment is a couple of typos and missed words in volume 2 and 3, but they didn't detract from the story.
May 1, 2020
Rain Sun Mystery
Family drama at it's finest secrets,blackmail and murder.Mystery solved followed by another mystery after another.Characters that baffle the mind .One lone woman trying to solve it all on her own.Acquire "Rain Sun Mystery Box Set Vol 1" so you too can enjoy it as much as I have.☺😕😈😯😇☺Kat
Family drama at it's finest secrets,blackmail and murder.Mystery solved followed by another mystery after another.Characters that baffle the mind .One lone woman trying to solve it all on her own.Acquire "Rain Sun Mystery Box Set Vol 1" so you too can enjoy it as much as I have.☺😕😈😯😇☺Kat
May 10, 2020
Heart Stopping Mystery and Laughter
This is a delightful and well written Box Set of Rains Sun's amateur detective skills and her sometimes wacky large Chinese family. She gets herself into some dangerous situations yet she never gives up. You will be delighted and entertained by these books.
This is a delightful and well written Box Set of Rains Sun's amateur detective skills and her sometimes wacky large Chinese family. She gets herself into some dangerous situations yet she never gives up. You will be delighted and entertained by these books.
July 12, 2020
Enjoyable.
I thoroughly enjoyed the three books. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. The stories keep you guessing as to whom the killer's identity. Raina is a fun character who is surrounded by a nutty assortment of characters. These books are definitely worth reading.The
I thoroughly enjoyed the three books. The story and characters were intriguing and engaging. The stories keep you guessing as to whom the killer's identity. Raina is a fun character who is surrounded by a nutty assortment of characters. These books are definitely worth reading.The
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews