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Raina Sun Mystery #3
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.
For readers who like fun cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor.
Raining Men and Corpses (Raina Sun #1)
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers (Raina Sun #2)
Breezy Friends and Bodies (Raina Sun #3)
Balmy Darlings and Death (Raina Sun #4) available June 2016.
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.
For readers who like fun cozy mysteries, quirky characters, and a dash of humor.
Raining Men and Corpses (Raina Sun #1)
Gusty Lovers and Cadavers (Raina Sun #2)
Breezy Friends and Bodies (Raina Sun #3)
Balmy Darlings and Death (Raina Sun #4) available June 2016.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2015
922 people are currently reading
581 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 84 reviews
November 23, 2019
Light, pleasant with intrigue and interesting (sometimes funny) family squabbles. Clean and always a strange murder or reason for one. 🙃
April 25, 2021
Raina is clearing out her family home's attic for her grandmother, which puts her in closer contact with her extended family and raises all sorts of tensions. She discovers her grandfather's secret journal and hopes it will help her locate his secret family, but the journal holds secrets that other people do not want revealed. At the same time, her grandfather's best friend's family has all sorts of drama, including the murder of Raina's grandfather's best friend.
Po Po and Raina are out to investigate despite the nosy neighbor of the best friend and the efforts of the local police and a triad boss to stop them.
I really liked this one and the setting of San Francisco seemed a lot richer than the small town where Raina goes to graduate school. Raina's relatives are a lot more complex than they seemed in the previous books, and there's a cute little part towards the end of the book involving Po Po and Raina's older sister Cassie.
Po Po and Raina are out to investigate despite the nosy neighbor of the best friend and the efforts of the local police and a triad boss to stop them.
I really liked this one and the setting of San Francisco seemed a lot richer than the small town where Raina goes to graduate school. Raina's relatives are a lot more complex than they seemed in the previous books, and there's a cute little part towards the end of the book involving Po Po and Raina's older sister Cassie.
August 21, 2024
The third book in the series was good. It gave a little more of the history of Raina's family. This cozy mystery kept me guessing!
March 3, 2022
The last chapter is the best.
December 30, 2021
I felt like this book was really hitting Raina's stride as an inveestigator. I enjoyed the family dynamics and the San Francisco setting.
November 22, 2020
I just love this series. So adorable and easy to read. I wish it was turned into a TV show! It would feel like a little bit of Castle mixed with Psych lol. Raina’s grandmother is hilarious. Fun to read.
May 4, 2022
These are fun books to read. Raina Sun has been asked by her deceased grandfather to be sure his second family in China inherits 3 million do.lars to take care of them but he leaves only $1 to each of his grandchildren in the states. All of this is a secret from the rest of the family. When "Uncle Martin" is found dead after saying he would tell her the secrets of her Grandfather, ga
get pretty hairy when Martinair so up dead. What's a girl to do. She and her grandmother, Po Po start to investigate!
get pretty hairy when Martinair so up dead. What's a girl to do. She and her grandmother, Po Po start to investigate!
June 9, 2017
Enjoyable read
This book has complex, well-developed characters and enough plot twists to keep you reading all the way to the end. No sex and very little violence. Unfortunately, the author seems to have learned that eBooks don't have to be as long as regular books. This one is shorter than her first 2 books. I'm disappointed.
This book has complex, well-developed characters and enough plot twists to keep you reading all the way to the end. No sex and very little violence. Unfortunately, the author seems to have learned that eBooks don't have to be as long as regular books. This one is shorter than her first 2 books. I'm disappointed.
October 21, 2019
Only read the first few pages before the glaring error
And it was " who cares how cows are treated at his death". If that mistake went undetected there was no hope as I believe that cows are all female.
And it was " who cares how cows are treated at his death". If that mistake went undetected there was no hope as I believe that cows are all female.
August 2, 2021
A fun read that deserves 5 stars just because of how accurate Grandma PoPo is. We should all have a feisty Chinese grandma like her in our lives. Well, actually I do. She's not MY grandma, but I suspect she thinks she is....
August 16, 2020
Lots of fun and a really good mystery also!
This is book #3 in the Raina Sun mystery series by Ann Tan. Unfortunately, it was the first book I read in the series. Because of this I felt like I had entered a movie halfway through. it took awhile to figure out who all the players were. So I would strongly suggest reading the books in order. Also there is a lot of Chinese customs and mysticism in the book that a non-Chinese person like myself had to look up. I read the book with my smartphone near by so I could sort out some of the customs. However, I really love absorbing new culture so it really wasn`t much of a hardship! Raina has a huge family of Chinese relatives, all a bit quirky. I love the family dynamics and Raina`s grandma Po-Po, like my Great grandmother "Ma" really steals the scenes. Ann Tan makes her characters come to life and it is easy imagine she has invited you into her family's living room in San Francisco, for a front seat on all the action. Hilariously good fun!
This is book #3 in the Raina Sun mystery series by Ann Tan. Unfortunately, it was the first book I read in the series. Because of this I felt like I had entered a movie halfway through. it took awhile to figure out who all the players were. So I would strongly suggest reading the books in order. Also there is a lot of Chinese customs and mysticism in the book that a non-Chinese person like myself had to look up. I read the book with my smartphone near by so I could sort out some of the customs. However, I really love absorbing new culture so it really wasn`t much of a hardship! Raina has a huge family of Chinese relatives, all a bit quirky. I love the family dynamics and Raina`s grandma Po-Po, like my Great grandmother "Ma" really steals the scenes. Ann Tan makes her characters come to life and it is easy imagine she has invited you into her family's living room in San Francisco, for a front seat on all the action. Hilariously good fun!
November 10, 2020
Everyone should have a Grandmother like Po Po!
Raina Sun is an unwilling investigator, in spite of her Chinese intuition, but when a family friend turns up dead she cannot deny her mother’s request to investigate and when her deceased grandfather’s journal comes to light she is compelled to see if it includes clues to his secret second family in China. She is already in trouble with her large extended family because of the three million dollars he left for her to care for his second family. Since she promised him to keep their existence secret, she cannot explain her inheritance and they all believe she schemed to get his money.
This is the first book in this series that I have read and I definitely want to read more. Po Po, Raina’s grandmother, is a hoot! She adds a delightful element of comedy to the most serious scene.
Raina Sun is an unwilling investigator, in spite of her Chinese intuition, but when a family friend turns up dead she cannot deny her mother’s request to investigate and when her deceased grandfather’s journal comes to light she is compelled to see if it includes clues to his secret second family in China. She is already in trouble with her large extended family because of the three million dollars he left for her to care for his second family. Since she promised him to keep their existence secret, she cannot explain her inheritance and they all believe she schemed to get his money.
This is the first book in this series that I have read and I definitely want to read more. Po Po, Raina’s grandmother, is a hoot! She adds a delightful element of comedy to the most serious scene.
September 21, 2017
I have enjoyed Anne Tan's Raina Sun series. The stories are a great combination of mystery and Chinese culture intertwined. Raina's relationship with her grandmother, Po Po is always comical. I love how Po Po is always creating new gadgets to help with their investigations. This story was well developed but it left me wanting more. I wanted more of Raina and Po Po's antics. I expected Raina to be more involved with the police as the normally is with her ex boyfriend in the previous stories. I felt the way the ending came about and the murderers revealed was anticlimactic compared to the other books. I did enjoy the book a lot, but this one left me wanting a bit more.
October 4, 2019
I enjoyed this mystery,, #3 in the Raina Sun mystery series. I read #1in May 2018 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Because I haven't read #2, it took me awhile to figure out what was going on with Raina's large extended Chinese family. It centered on Raina's inheritance of $3 million from her grandfather with the instructions she was to disburse it to his secret family in China. Of course, there was a murder, and Raina eventually figures out that mystery. These books remind me of the Stephanie Plum mysteries with the crazy grandmother. I love becoming immersed in the Chinese American culture of this California family, the veneration of ancestors, superstitions, and family connections.
December 31, 2020
Raina and Po Po are on adventures in San Francisco during Chinese New Year. Uncle Martin, a close family friend knows some things to share with Raina about her deceased Grandpa Ah Gong and his secret family in China. Before she can read the journal of Ah Gong's that she found, it is stolen from her and Uncle Martin is murdered. Raina and Po Po are also dealing with her mother having a new boyfriend and her lack of maternal instincts. After the Triad becoming involved by stealing the journal, a police detective with an agenda of his own, Uncle Martin's nephew and niece and the betrayal of sharing Ah Gong's secret to the family, things just keep piling up.
November 6, 2019
Whacky cozy mystery
This is the only book in this series I have read, so in retrospect if I had read the previous ones, I may have had a better grip on the characters in the story. I did find myself a little confused at times, trying to work out who was who in the story with a few seemingly (to me) complicated relationships. I liked the intrigue of the grandfather's journal and would have liked to know more about it's contents. I wish I could give more stars, but it just didn't really grip me as I thought it might.
This is the only book in this series I have read, so in retrospect if I had read the previous ones, I may have had a better grip on the characters in the story. I did find myself a little confused at times, trying to work out who was who in the story with a few seemingly (to me) complicated relationships. I liked the intrigue of the grandfather's journal and would have liked to know more about it's contents. I wish I could give more stars, but it just didn't really grip me as I thought it might.
May 17, 2020
OMG! I know indie writers/self-publishers don’t have lots of money but surely they can find someone to proof read their books! The amount of typos in this book were atrocious. I also need a family tree to sort out the real and pseudo relatives. I am glad that the family secret has finally been revealed although that now opens another can of worms. My one question is “if Raina was left the money in her grandfather’s will (not totally sure about this since it is unclear in the story), what right would her uncle have to distribute it to her cousins?”
November 15, 2022
I have really enjoyed this series. The character development is very well done making the reader want to find out what will happen next. The dynamics of relationships are believable. Raina's involvement in solving the mysteries is not far fetched, nor are the police portrayed as bumbling idiots incapable of investigating a crime. I really wish Ms. Tan would make better use of advance readers to catch the numerous editing errors, but they aren't sufficient to keep me from reading the books. I did subtract 1 star for that though.
I recommend this book & others in the series for anyone who likes cozy mysteries. I enjoy learning more about Chinese culture. The titles don't reflect well on the books in my opinion. I wouldn't classify them as romance novels, and the titles are kind of silly. They are much better than you might think if you "judge a book by it's cover."
I recommend this book & others in the series for anyone who likes cozy mysteries. I enjoy learning more about Chinese culture. The titles don't reflect well on the books in my opinion. I wouldn't classify them as romance novels, and the titles are kind of silly. They are much better than you might think if you "judge a book by it's cover."
November 7, 2019
A Chinese family had moved to New York city. The Chinese are proud people and don't want anything to spoil how they were viewed by others. one of their family members has passed on and there was 3 million dollars left by him. There was suppose to be a journal left of his and it was said that some of this money was to go to his other family in China not know by the ones in New York. The one daughter was searching for it because she wanted to know the real secret in it.
December 21, 2022
I really enjoy the Raina Sun series, but this volume just didn’t hold my interest. It often referred to people and previous occurrences that new readers (as well as forgetful readers like me) would be unfamiliar with and confused by. The story seemed sluggish — lacking in this author’s usual sparkling humor and sharp wit while the plot was unimaginative with an unsatisfactorily vague ending. I’m hoping the next book is back on track!
October 13, 2023
I liked Raina Sun and I rather liked her grandmother. Raina feels that the weight of the family's failings belongs on her shoulders and that she must consider everyone else before she considers herself. I must admit that this aspect of the book becomes annoying at times. However, there is a good balance of humor for the annoyance. Her Po Po provides lots of fun. Descriptions, both of people and places are good.
I enjoyed the time spent reading.
I enjoyed the time spent reading.
December 31, 2023
This book is set around the time of Chinese New Year, so I decided to read it before our own New Year's celebration. Did you know egg rolls are symbolic of gold bars and thus an auspicious choice to serve on New Years?
I didn't enjoy this installment quite as much as the first two in the series (maybe I missed the romance?), but I enjoyed another adventure with Raina and her crazy grandma and was left wanting more.
I didn't enjoy this installment quite as much as the first two in the series (maybe I missed the romance?), but I enjoyed another adventure with Raina and her crazy grandma and was left wanting more.
June 16, 2025
A quick cozy mystery read. Huxton is getting serious with Raina's mom, but is it because he thinks she still has trust money and is in line for an inheritance rather than living off her family? Then his uncle is murdered. Raina's mom asks her to look into the murder. At the same time Raina is stilkl under the burden of a $3mil inheritance that is supposed to go to her grandfather's 2nd family but the family thinks she stole and should give to them.
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September 28, 2019Ann Tans books are always so fun to read. I catch myself wanting to read them straight through. I keep telling myself food and sleep are necessary as well. Family is always involved in her stories. Her characters resonate with me. They could be my friends. You can almost put yourself in her stories.
October 5, 2019
I've now read books 1, 2, & 3 of this series, & it keeps getting better. The characters are well written & there are plenty of things that make me smile. The mysteries are not predictable. I enjoy the Chinese factor as well. I strongly recommend this series, in fact, today I recommended it to my friend who's last name is Wong, just like Po Po. I look forward to reading more of Raina's adventures.
July 24, 2021
Rating: 3.5
I enjoyed this book, although the mystery was okay, I really like the characters, family dynamics, and it being set during Chinese New Year and showing Chinese American culture and society. This is series is definitely over the top, however, even more so than most cozy mysteries and is funny and light-hearted.
I enjoyed this book, although the mystery was okay, I really like the characters, family dynamics, and it being set during Chinese New Year and showing Chinese American culture and society. This is series is definitely over the top, however, even more so than most cozy mysteries and is funny and light-hearted.
August 26, 2024
This is the third book in the Raina Sun mystery series. It's set in San Francisco, where Raina is celebrating the holidays with her family while cleaning out her grandmother's house. In this book, some of the unanswered questions from earlier books are answered, and others remain to provide plots for future books. I gave enjoyed all the books so far. I can't wait to read the next book!
October 31, 2024
Once again Raina is in a pickle! This time she’s with her extended family who all think she’s terrible. She finds her grandfather’s journal & then things start to go wrong for her. Then her grandfather’s best friend gets murdered & Raina is looking into that as well as trying to keep the secret about why she was left the money! Another entertaining read.
September 28, 2019
A cozy mystery with a Chinese twist
A cozy mystery with a Chinese twist, Raina Sun gets in involved with another murder. Through in complex family dynamics and the triad, mystery evolves with twists and turns.
A cozy mystery with a Chinese twist, Raina Sun gets in involved with another murder. Through in complex family dynamics and the triad, mystery evolves with twists and turns.
October 26, 2019
First time reader
And will look for more. Engaging story, and even though part of a series, author made it possible to have the story stand alone. For this reason, 5 stars. Too many authors try to wake books by leaving the main story unfinished. Well written.
And will look for more. Engaging story, and even though part of a series, author made it possible to have the story stand alone. For this reason, 5 stars. Too many authors try to wake books by leaving the main story unfinished. Well written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews