This series is still really enjoyable, and I appreciate that even though it follows the cozy mystery formula there is some variety in each whodunnit. I didn't enjoy this one as much as some of the books in the series, though, because the side characters I have enjoyed in prior books (like Peter and Kimmi) had generally smaller roles in this one than in some of the others. Still, it was a fun mystery that kept me guessing until nearly the end. ( )

Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is a 2020 St. Martin’s Press publication.

Lana needs a change. A hair color change, that is. Her trip to the salon turns out to more exciting that Lana bargained for…

Two feuding women, Jane and Millie, both show up at the salon on the same day of Lana’s appointment. Lana is sure there will be trouble, and sure enough…

A car crash, and a power outage gets the ball rolling- but when the electricity flickers back to life, Millie’s body is found in the foot bath, an apparent victim of electrocution.

Evidence soon suggests the death might not have been an accident, after all. Despite that, Lana sticks to her vow to stay out of the investigation, especially since her boyfriend, Adam, has been assigned to the case.

Her resolve falters when she is asked to exercise her sleuthing skills by a most unlikely source. Deciding to take the high road and put aside her reservations and past hurts, Lana does her best to discover the truth…

The Asian village may be a small, tight knit community, but the characters are so lively and unconventional!

In this sixth installment, we meet more members of the community, but we also get a closer look at the Mahjong Matrons, characters I have been very intrigued by for quite some time.

As I’ve said before, the characters and their ongoing sagas, are one of the main reasons I love cozies, and yes, at times they tend to overpower the mystery plot, but Chien has found a nice balance between Lana’s personal life and the mystery. The mysteries are always good, but this one really caught me off guard!

While I definitely enjoyed getting to know some of the other series regulars a little better, I would like to see a little more banter or conflict with Adam and some growth or development in that area at some point, too.

Other than that, this is another great installment in this delightful series!!

4 stars ( )

Killer Kung Pao by Vivien Chien is the 6th A Noodle Shop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or have skipped a book. Lana Lee is the manager of her family’s restaurant, Ho Lee Noodle House in Asia Village in Fairview Park, Ohio. She is also on the board of directors for the village. Lana is twenty-eight years old, shares an apartment with her best friend, and likes to frequently change her hair color. She is dating Detective Adam Trudeau when their schedules allow. Lana is looking forward to spending Friday evening with her roommate and boyfriend. Before she can leave the restaurant, Ian Sung approaches her. He wants Lana to coordinate the upcoming sidewalk sale for Asia Village. Then Lana witnesses a fender bender between the toxic June Yi and rude Millie Mao. Lana’s plan for Saturday morning is getting her hair colored at Asian Accents. Unfortunately, Millie and June happen to have appointments scheduled at the same time. Millie ends up dead and June is at the top of the suspect list. Despite Lana’s intentions to stay out of this investigation, she gets roped in by June’s twin sister, Shirley. The suspect list consists of people who were at the salon that morning which leads to some uncomfortable questioning since Lana knows them. No one likes to be suspected of murder by someone they know, or watch grow up. There are several viable suspects, good clues, and misdirection. I like how the crime was committed. I found this whodunit a cinch to solve. I thought the pacing was a little slow. I had a hard time staying engaged which is a shame because I really enjoyed the last A Noodle Shop Mystery. I like Lana Lee and the other characters in this series as well as Asia Village and the close-knit Asian community. I just think the series needs a little more oomph to take it from okay to wow. I like how Lana’s roommate knows when something is upsetting Lana by how many donuts she brings home. All of us who stress eat can relate. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that will have you chuckling. The food descriptions had me craving my favorite Chinese food plus glazed munchkins. Killer Kung Pao is a charming cozy mystery with a desperate dye job, a fender bender, a sidewalk sale, delectable donuts, fiery foes, a scolding sister, and the Mahjong Matrons. ( )